Clothing treatment apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to a clothing treatment apparatus comprising: a cabinet that is provided with a support panel in which an inlet port and an outlet port are formed and a fixed panel in which a supply port is formed; a drum that has one end connected to the inlet port and the outlet port and the other end connected to the supply port; an outlet path that receives air from the drum via the outlet port; a supply path that supplies air to the drum via the supply port; a base body provided with a heat exchange path, which connects the outlet path and the supply path and is provided with a heat exchanger, a mounting space, which is disposed outside the heat exchange path, a water collection chamber, which is provided in the mounting space and stores condensate discharged from the heat exchanger, and a first support part, which supports the lower end of the fixed panel; and a base cover provided with a cover body, which is fixed to the base body and forms the upper surface of the heat exchange path, and a second support part, which is located above the mounting space so as to be connected to the first support part and supports the lower end of the fixed 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 device capable of washing a treatment object (a laundry object such as clothing) and a device capable of drying a treatment object (a drying object such as clothing).

[0003] A conventional clothing treatment device capable of drying a subject to be treated had a structure including a drum that provides a space for accommodating the subject to be treated, a circulation path that guides air discharged from the drum to the drum, a fan that moves the air along the circulation path, and a heat exchanger that sequentially performs dehumidification and heating of air introduced into the circulation path.

[0004] The above circulation path includes an exhaust path through which air discharged from the drum flows, a supply path for supplying air to the drum, and a heat exchange path connecting the exhaust path and the supply path.

[0005] The above heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger that cools the air inside the circulation path, and a second heat exchanger that heats the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger.

[0006] In addition, since the air discharged from the drum is condensed while passing through the first heat exchanger, a collection chamber for storing condensate is included.

[0007] In general, considering the arrangement of the above-described configuration, the heat exchanger, the heat exchange path, the fan, and the water collection chamber, etc. are provided on a base provided in the cabinet.

[0008] The clothing treatment device disclosed in the prior art patent publication KR 10-2018-0066469 A has a structure in which the base is provided with a base body on which the heat exchanger, etc. are mounted, and a base cover covering the upper surface of the base body to form an air flow path.

[0009] The above garment treatment device includes a rear plate having a fan mounting portion formed on the rear surface of the base, and an air supply port formed on the upper surface of the base cover and communicating with the drum. That is, air passing through the heat exchange path is guided through the fan to the air supply port.

[0010] Due to the above-described structure, a portion of the supply path is provided outside the rear plate and the base, which has the effect of increasing the clothing capacity of the drum.

[0011] In the above clothing treatment device, the lower portion of the fan mounting portion is provided with the body of the base, and the remaining upper portion is provided with the cover of the base. Accordingly, the fan mounting portion has a joint portion between the base body and the base cover.

[0012] In this case, since the joint between the base body and the base cover exists around the fan mounting portion where the pressure at which the fan sucks air is the strongest, the reliability of the air pressure discharged to the fan mounting portion is not guaranteed, resulting in a decrease in drying performance or a safety issue due to air leakage.

[0013] Therefore, it is an important task in the present technical field to propose a structure that increases the clothing capacity of the drum while simultaneously preventing air leakage in the circulation path and maintaining drying performance through a structure that combines the rear plate to the upper surface of the base.

[0014] Meanwhile, conventional clothing treatment devices have a structure in which condensate discharged from the heat exchanger is collected in a collection chamber and discharged through a pump. Therefore, the conventional collection chamber is provided as a space separate from the circulation path and is located on the side of the circulation path.

[0015] When the above-mentioned water collection chamber is installed in a space on either the left or right side of the heat exchange path, the clothing treatment device must be provided with a water collection path that guides the condensate inside the heat exchange path to the water collection chamber in a path that is orthogonal to the direction of movement of air passing through the heat exchange path.

[0016] Therefore, the speed of the condensate moving to the collection chamber will decrease near the collection channel, so foreign substances remaining in the condensate are likely to remain near the collection channel.

[0017] Therefore, the prior art patent publication KR 10-2019-0056353 A disclosed a structure in which the water collection path is set in the same direction as the movement of air passing through the heat exchange path.

[0018] In the above-described prior art patent, the air passing through the heat exchange passage moves from the front to the rear, so the fan that creates the flow of air passing through the heat exchange passage with negative pressure and the water collection chamber are placed at the rear of the base.

[0019] In the above clothing treatment device, the base is manufactured separately into a front base equipped with the heat exchange path, and a rear base equipped with a fan mounting portion where the water collection chamber and the fan are mounted.

[0020] Meanwhile, since the condensate discharged from the bottom of the heat exchange passage must be guided to the water collection chamber, the heat exchange passage must have a joint between the front base and the rear base that is connected to the water collection chamber.

[0021] Therefore, the above-described clothing treatment device had a problem in that condensate inside the heat exchange path leaked into the joint, thereby lowering the reliability of safety and hygiene.

[0022] In addition, since there is a joint between the front base and the rear base in the air passage that moves from the heat exchange path to the fan, there was a problem in that air leaked, reducing heat exchange efficiency and causing safety issues.

[0023] Therefore, it is an important task in the present technical field to present a base structure that can prevent leakage of the condensate or air from the circulation path while reducing the possibility that foreign substances contained in the condensate will remain in the circulation path.

[0024] The present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing treatment device with improved reliability of drying performance.

[0025] The present invention aims to provide a clothing treatment device that prevents air leakage inside a heat exchanger.

[0026] The present invention aims to provide a clothing treatment device that prevents leakage of condensate generated during the drying process of a subject to be treated.

[0027] The present invention aims to provide a garment treatment device in which the drum's garment holding capacity is increased relative to the volume of the garment treatment device.

[0028] The present invention aims to provide a garment treatment device having a structure capable of stably connecting a panel in which a drum is rotatably fixed to the upper part of a base in which a heat exchange unit is accommodated.

[0029] The present invention aims to provide a garment processing device in which the strength of the rear surface is reinforced without a rear plate shielding the rear surface of the cabinet.

[0030] The present invention aims to provide a garment treatment device having a structure in which a supply duct for guiding air discharged from a heat exchanger to a drum is stably installed outside the cabinet.

[0031] The present invention aims to provide a clothing treatment device that facilitates the discharge of condensate generated during the drying process of a subject to be treated.

[0032] The present invention aims to provide a clothing treatment device capable of reducing the possibility that foreign substances contained in condensate will remain inside a duct.

[0033] The present invention aims to provide a clothes treatment device that is easy to install or repair for cleaning a collection chamber in which condensate is stored, or for discharging condensate stored in the collection chamber.

[0034] The present application provides a clothes treatment device comprising: a cabinet having a support panel in which an inlet and an exhaust port are formed, and a fixed panel in which an air supply port is formed; a drum having one end connected to the inlet and the exhaust port and the other end connected to the air supply port; an exhaust path for receiving air from the drum through the exhaust port; a supply path for supplying air to the drum through the air supply port; a heat exchange path connecting the exhaust path and the supply path and having a heat exchanger, a mounting space disposed outside the heat exchange path, a collection chamber provided in the mounting space for storing condensate discharged from the heat exchanger, and a base body having a first support portion supporting the lower end of the fixed panel; and a cover body fixed to the base body and forming an upper surface of the heat exchange path, and a base cover having a second support portion positioned above the mounting space so as to be connected to the first support portion and supporting the lower end of the fixed panel.

[0035] The first support portion and the second support portion are provided in a slot shape that provides a space in which the lower portion of the fixed panel is accommodated, and a portion of the lower portion of the fixed panel can be accommodated in the first support portion, and the remaining portion can be accommodated in the second support portion.

[0036] The above supply path may include a supply duct connecting the base body and the fixed panel.

[0037] The above base body further includes a fan mounting portion that provides a space for mounting a fan that moves air in the heat exchange path, and the supply duct may be fixed to the base body in some areas and communicate with the fan mounting portion, and may be fixed to the fixed panel in other areas and communicate with the supply port.

[0038] The above supply duct may include a duct insulation member mounted on the outside of the supply duct to prevent heat inside from moving to the outside.

[0039] The above supply duct may include a duct sealing portion extending along the perimeter of the supply duct to prevent internal air from leaking to the outside.

[0040] The above supply duct includes an air flow portion that provides a space for air to flow, and a duct peripheral portion that extends along the perimeter of the air flow portion and is fixed to the base body and the fixed panel, and an assembly groove that guides the fixed panel and the base body to a proper position for mounting the supply duct may be formed in the duct peripheral portion.

[0041] The above duct perimeter may include a fixed perimeter formed to be in contact with the base body and the fixed panel; a flow blocking rib extending along the perimeter of the air flow portion to restrict air from moving from the air flow portion to the duct perimeter; and a reinforcing rib extending such that one end is in contact with the flow blocking rib and the other end is in contact with the fixed perimeter to prevent deformation of the supply duct.

[0042] The above base body further includes a collection channel that guides condensate discharged from the heat exchanger to the collection chamber, and the movement direction of air passing through the heat exchange channel and the movement direction of condensate passing through the collection channel can be set to be the same.

[0043] The direction of movement of air passing through the heat exchange channel and the direction of movement of condensate passing through the collection channel can be set in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the drum.

[0044] A pump mounting unit is provided in the above mounting space and has a pump for discharging condensate stored in the collection chamber, and has one side as an open surface; and the supply duct can be fixed to the base so as to avoid the open surface of the pump mounting unit.

[0045] The rotation center of the fan may be positioned at a point spaced apart from the water collection channel based on the width direction of the drum.

[0046] The above open surface and the fan mounting portion may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other based on the width direction of the drum on the rear surface of the base body.

[0047] The heat exchange passage further includes a partition wall that divides the heat exchange passage into a heat exchange space in which the heat exchanger is mounted and a drainage space located at the bottom of the heat exchange space; and a drainage port that is provided to penetrate the partition wall and discharge condensate of the heat exchange space into the drainage space; and the water collection passage is provided to connect the drainage space and the water collection chamber, and a bottom surface may be set lower than the bottom surface of the drainage space.

[0048] At least a portion of the bottom surface of the above water collection channel may slope downward from the drainage space toward the water collection chamber.

[0049] The cabinet includes a side panel that forms a rear surface by the base body, the base cover, and the fixed panel and extends from the front to the rear of the cabinet to form a side surface, and an end portion of the side panel that extends rearward includes a bending portion that is bent to shield a portion of the rear surface of the base body, and the bending portion may include an interference prevention groove that is recessed to prevent collision with the fixed peripheral portion.

[0050] The above duct perimeter may include a bending cover portion extending from the outer circumference of the fixed perimeter portion to prevent the end of the interference prevention groove from being exposed.

[0051] The base body includes a base flow path forming the supply flow path along the fan mounting portion, the fixed panel includes a panel flow path forming the supply flow path along the air supply port, and at least one of the base flow path and the panel flow path may be provided with a damping portion that damps resistance of air moving from the base flow path to the panel flow path.

[0052] The present application provides a clothes treatment device comprising: a cabinet having a support panel in which an inlet and an exhaust port are formed, and a fixed panel in which an air supply port is formed; a drum having one end connected to the inlet and the exhaust port and the other end connected to the air supply port; an exhaust path for receiving air from the drum through the exhaust port; a supply path for supplying air to the drum through the air supply port; a heat exchange path connecting the exhaust path and the supply path and having a heat exchanger, a mounting space disposed outside the heat exchange path, a collection chamber provided in the mounting space for storing condensate discharged from the heat exchanger, and a base body having a first support portion supporting the lower end of the fixed panel; and a cover body fixed to the base body and forming an upper surface of the heat exchange path, and a base cover having a second support portion connected to the first support portion and supporting the lower end of the fixed panel.

[0053] The present invention provides a clothing treatment device with improved reliability of drying performance.

[0054] The present invention provides a clothing treatment device that prevents air leakage inside a heat exchanger.

[0055] The present invention provides a clothing treatment device that prevents leakage of condensate generated during the drying process of a treatment target.

[0056] The present invention provides a garment treatment device in which the drum's garment holding capacity is increased relative to the volume of the garment treatment device.

[0057] The present invention provides a garment treatment device having a structure capable of stably connecting a panel in which a drum is rotatably fixed to the upper part of a base in which a heat exchange unit is accommodated.

[0058] The present invention provides a garment processing device in which the strength of the rear surface is reinforced without a rear plate shielding the rear surface of the cabinet.

[0059] The present invention provides a garment treatment device having a structure in which a supply duct for guiding air discharged from a heat exchanger to a drum is stably installed outside a cabinet.

[0060] The present invention provides a clothing treatment device that facilitates the discharge of condensate generated during the drying process of a subject to be treated.

[0061] The present invention provides a clothing treatment device capable of reducing the possibility that foreign substances contained in condensate will remain inside a duct.

[0062] The present invention provides a clothes treatment device that is easy to install or repair for cleaning a collection chamber in which condensate is stored, or for discharging condensate stored in the collection chamber.

[0063] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate examples of a clothing treatment device.

[0064] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a cabinet.

[0065] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a drum.

[0066] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate examples of a euro section and a heat exchange section.

[0067] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a base.

[0068] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate examples of the euro section.

[0069] Figure 10 illustrates an example of a water collection unit and a pump.

[0070] Figure 11 illustrates an example of a supply path.

[0071] Figure 12 illustrates an example of a base and fixed panel.

[0072] Figure 13 illustrates an example of the rear surface of the cabinet.

[0073] Figure 14 illustrates an example of a supply duct.

[0074] Figure 15 illustrates an example of a euro area.

[0075] Figure 16 illustrates an example of a base cover.

[0076] Figure 17 illustrates an example of a fixed panel and base.

[0077] Figure 18 illustrates an example of a side panel.

[0078] Figure 19 illustrates an example of a side panel and base.

[0079] Figures 20 and 21 illustrate examples of side panels and supply ducts.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] The term "and / or" includes any combination of multiple related listed items or any one of multiple related listed items. For example, "A or B" can include "A", "B", or both "A and B".

[0085] 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.

[0086] Hereinafter, a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the garment treatment device (100) may be provided to include a cabinet (1) and a drum (2) that is rotatably provided inside the cabinet (1) to accommodate garments (targets of treatment).

[0088] The cabinet (1) may be provided to include a base (15) forming the bottom surface of the garment treatment device, side panels (14) forming both sides of the garment treatment device, a front panel (11) fixed to the base (15) to form the front surface of the garment treatment device, a first support member (12) fixed to the front panel or the base to rotatably support one end of the drum (2), and a second support member (13) fixed to the base (15) to rotatably support the other end of the drum (2).

[0089] As shown in Fig. 3, the front panel (11) may be provided with a cabinet inlet (111) communicating with the drum (2), an outlet (115) for withdrawing the drain tank (7) to be described later, and an outlet (117) communicating with the base (15).

[0090] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the cabinet inlet (111) may be opened and closed by a door (112), the outlet (115) may be connected to a drain tank housing (116) fixed inside the cabinet (1), and the discharge outlet (117) may be provided to be opened and closed by a discharge outlet cover (118). The door (112) and the discharge outlet cover (118) may be rotatably fixed to the front panel (11).

[0091] The above front panel (11) may be equipped with an interface, and FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which the interface is equipped with an input unit (113) and a display unit (114).

[0092] The above input unit (113) is a means for receiving a control command from a user, and the display unit (114) may be provided as a means for displaying a control command that can be selected by the user and a control command selected through the input unit.

[0093] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the first support member (12) may be provided to include a support panel (121) positioned on the rear surface of the front panel (11). The support panel (121) may be fixed to at least one of the front panel (11) and the base (15).

[0094] The above support panel (121) is provided with an inlet (122, panel inlet) that is connected to the drum (2), and the inlet (122) may be provided to be connected to the cabinet inlet (111) through a connecting body (123). The connecting body (123) may be provided in the shape of a pipe that extends from the edge of the inlet (122) toward the cabinet inlet (111).

[0095] The above connecting body (123) may be provided with an exhaust port (125) that guides air inside the drum (2) to the outside of the drum (2). The exhaust port (125) may be provided with a filter (127) that filters air discharged from the drum.

[0096] The above second support member (13, rear panel) may be provided to include a fixed panel (131) that is fixed to the base (15) and rotatably supports the rear surface of the drum (2).

[0097] Figure 4 illustrates an example in which the lower end of the fixed panel (131) is fixed to a panel mounting portion (158) provided on the upper surface of the base (15). In this case, the rear surface of the garment treatment device (100) will be formed by combining the rear surface of the base (15) and the fixed panel (131).

[0098] The above drum (2) may be provided to include a cylindrical drum body (21) having an empty interior, a drum front surface (22, front cover) forming the front surface of the drum body (21), and a drum rear surface (23, rear cover) forming the rear surface of the drum body (21).

[0099] A lifter (24) may be provided inside the drum body (21). When the drum (2) rotates, the processing object inside the drum body (21) will roll or fall inside the drum body (21) by the lifter (24).

[0100] The front surface (22) of the drum may be provided with a mounting hole (221) that communicates with the inlet (122) of the support panel (121), and the rear surface (23) of the drum may be provided with a drum shaft (25) that forms the center of rotation of the drum (2) and a plurality of drum supply holes (231) arranged to surround the drum shaft.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting hole (221) can be rotatably connected to the support panel (121), and the drum shaft (25) can be rotatably connected to the fixed panel (131).

[0102] The support panel (121) is provided with a ring-shaped mounting rib that surrounds the inlet (122), and the mounting hole (221) can be inserted into the mounting rib and connected to the support panel (121). Therefore, the processing target fed into the cabinet inlet (11) can be moved to the drum body (21) through the inlet (122). The mounting hole (221) is not only a means for connecting the drum body (21) to the support panel (121), but also functions as a drum inlet that introduces the processing target into the drum body (21).

[0103] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the fixed panel (131) may be provided with a shaft support portion that supports the drum shaft (25). The shaft support portion may be provided to include a shaft through-hole (133) that penetrates the fixed panel (131) and into which the drum shaft (25) is inserted, and a holder (135) that prevents the drum shaft (25) from being pulled out of the shaft through-hole (133).

[0104] The holder (135) is detachably fixed to the fixed panel (131), and one end of the drum shaft (25) exposed to the outside of the cabinet (1) through the shaft through hole (133) can be rotatably fixed to the holder (135).

[0105] The above fixed panel (131) may be provided with an air supply hole (136) for supplying air into the interior of the cabinet (1). The air supply hole (136) may be provided with a plurality of through holes arranged to surround the shaft through hole (133). The drum air supply holes (231) provided on the rear surface of the drum may be provided with a plurality of through holes located within a space formed when the air supply holes (136) of the fixed panel are projected onto the rear surface (23) of the drum.

[0106] The above base (15) may be provided to include a base body (15a) forming the bottom surface of the garment treatment device, and a base cover (15b) coupled to the base body (15a) to form the upper surface of the base.

[0107] Inside the above base (15), a flow path (3) that provides a path for air movement and a heat exchanger (4) that exchanges heat with the air moving along the flow path are provided.

[0108] The above-mentioned duct part (3) is connected to an exhaust port (117) provided on the front panel of the cabinet through an exhaust port communication hole (151), and at least one of the heat exchangers constituting the heat exchange part (4) can be exposed to the outside of the cabinet (1) through the exhaust port communication hole (151) and the exhaust port (117). Therefore, when the exhaust port cover (118) is removed and the exhaust port (117) is opened, the user will be able to remove foreign substances remaining in the heat exchange part (4) to the outside of the cabinet (1) through the exhaust port (117) and the exhaust port communication hole (151).

[0109] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the flow path (3) may be provided to include a heat exchange path (32) provided inside the base (15) to provide a space in which the heat exchange part (4) is mounted, an exhaust path (31) connecting the exhaust port (125) of the support panel (121) and the heat exchange path (32), and a supply path (35) that guides air passing through the heat exchange path (32) to the supply port (136) of the fixed panel (131).

[0110] The heat exchange path (32) may be provided along the longitudinal direction of the base (15) (Z-axis direction, longitudinal direction of the drum), and the exhaust path (31) may be provided to penetrate the upper surface (base cover) of the base and be connected to the heat exchange path (32). In this case, the exhaust path (31) may be provided along the height direction of the base (Y-axis direction, height direction of the drum).

[0111] The above supply path (35) may be provided to include an air supply duct (351) that guides air discharged from the heat exchange path (32) to the air supply hole (136) of the fixed panel, and a sealing portion (352) that guides air passing through the air supply hole (136) to the drum air supply hole (231).

[0112] As shown in Fig. 4, the sealing portion (352) may be provided in a pipe shape, with one end (the fixed end of the sealing portion) being fixed to the fixed panel (131), and the other end (the free end of the sealing portion) being provided to contact the rear surface (23) of the drum.

[0113] Accordingly, the air discharged from the heat exchange path (32) moves to the air supply port (136) through the air supply duct (351), and the air passing through the air supply port (136) can move into the drum body (21) through the sealing portion (352) and the drum air supply port (231).

[0114] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the base (15) may be provided with a partition wall (321). The partition wall (321) is a means for dividing the heat exchange path (32) into a heat exchange space (32a) in which the heat exchange unit (4) is mounted, and a drainage space (32b) for discharging condensate generated during the drying process from the heat exchange space.

[0115] The above-mentioned partition wall (321) may be provided as a support plate (support body) that divides the heat exchange path (32) so that the heat exchange space (32a) is located above the drainage space (32b). In order for the condensate inside the heat exchange space (32a) to move to the drainage space (32b), the partition wall (321) may be provided with a plurality of drainage holes (326, condensate drainage holes).

[0116] The above heat exchange unit (4) may be provided to include a first heat exchanger (41) provided in the heat exchange space (32a) to remove (dehumidify) water vapor contained in the air, a second heat exchanger (43) provided in the heat exchange space to heat the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger (41), a refrigerant pipe (48) that forms a circulation path of the refrigerant passing through the heat exchangers, a compressor (45) that moves the refrigerant along the refrigerant pipe, and a pressure regulator (47) that controls the pressure of the refrigerant moving along the refrigerant pipe.

[0117] It may be equipped with a pressure regulator (47) for controlling.

[0118] As shown in Fig. 7, the first heat exchanger (41, heat absorber) and the second heat exchanger (43, heat generator) may be positioned inside the base (15), and the compressor (45) and the pressure regulator (47) may be positioned outside the base (15).

[0119] In order to prevent air inside the heat exchange channel (32) from leaking to the outside, the base cover (15b) and the base body (15a) may be connected through a base fastening portion having a protruding structure. The base fastening portion may be provided to include a base fastening protrusion (156a) provided along the edge of the heat exchange channel (32) among the base body (15a), and a base fastening groove (156b) provided in the base cover (15b) into which the base fastening protrusion is inserted.

[0120] The above base (15) may be provided with a compressor mounting portion (159) for fixing the compressor (45). The compressor mounting portion (159) may be provided in a space located outside the heat exchange path (32) among the spaces provided by the base body (15a).

[0121] The above clothing treatment device (100) may be equipped with a driving unit (5) that rotates the drum (2), and the base (15) may be equipped with a driving unit mounting unit (157) to which the driving unit (5) is fixed.

[0122] As shown in Fig. 8, the driving unit (5) may be provided to include a motor (51) fixed to the driving unit mounting unit (157), and a power transmission unit connecting the rotational shaft (52, motor shaft) of the motor and the circumference of the drum body (21).

[0123] As shown in Fig. 4, the power transmission unit may be provided to include a pulley (53) that rotates by the motor shaft (52), and a belt (54) that connects the pulley (53) and the circumference of the drum body (21).

[0124] In order to move air along the above-mentioned euro section (3) (to resupply air drawn from the drum to the drum), the heat exchange section (4) may be equipped with a fan (49).

[0125] The fan (49) may be provided with an impeller that rotates by the motor shaft (52). In this case, a fan mounting portion (353) that provides a space for accommodating the impeller may be provided on the rear surface of the base (15), and a flow path communication hole (354) that penetrates the rear surface of the base (15) and connects the heat exchange space (32a) and the fan mounting portion (353). The motor shaft (52) may be connected to the impeller by penetrating the flow path communication hole (354).

[0126] In this case, the air supply duct (352) of the supply path may be provided to connect the fan mounting portion (353) and the air supply port (136) of the fixed panel. That is, a portion of the air supply duct (352) may be fixed to the rear surface of the base (15) and communicate with the fan mounting portion (352), and the remaining portion of the air supply duct (352) may be fixed to the fixed panel (131) and communicate with the air supply port (136).

[0127] As described above, the clothing treatment device (100) has the fixed panel (131) fixed to the upper surface of the base (15), and if the air supply duct (352) is provided to connect the fixed panel (131) and the rear surface of the base (15), there is an advantageous effect in increasing the strength of the rear surface of the clothing treatment device (100).

[0128] In addition, when the fixed panel (131) is fixed to the upper surface of the base (15) (when the rear surface of the garment treatment device is formed by the fixed panel and the rear surface of the base), the volume of the garment treatment device (100) can be reduced while the volume of the drum can be maintained the same, compared to when the fixed panel is fixed to the rear surface of the base (when the fixed panel forms the rear surface of the garment treatment device).

[0129] Since the air flowing into the above-mentioned flow path (3) moves through an area with low flow resistance, the path of movement of the air passing through the above-mentioned flow path (3) is affected by the flow resistance caused by the shape of the above-mentioned flow path (3) or a device located inside the above-mentioned flow path (3).

[0130] Experiments have shown that the degree to which the air movement path is sensitive to flow resistance is less when the fan (49) is located downstream of the flow path than when the fan (49) is located upstream of the flow path. That is, when the fan (49) is located downstream of the flow path, the phenomenon in which air passes through only a portion of the front surface of the first heat exchanger (41) or only a portion of the front surface of the second heat exchanger (43) can be reduced.

[0131] Accordingly, if the fan (49) is not installed upstream of the flow path (3) (front area of ​​the flow path, space where the exhaust flow path is located) but is installed downstream of the flow path (3) (rear area of ​​the flow path), the heat exchange efficiency between the air and the heat exchangers (41, 43) can be increased.

[0132] As illustrated in Fig. 8, in the garment treatment device (100) having the above-described structure, when the fan (49) rotates, air inside the drum (2) is introduced into the heat exchange space (32a) through the exhaust passage (31). The air introduced into the heat exchange space (32a) moves to the fan mounting portion (353) through the first heat exchanger (41) and the second heat exchanger (43), and the air inside the fan mounting portion (353) will be resupplied to the drum (2) through the supply passage (35).

[0133] The air passing through the first heat exchanger (41) is cooled by releasing heat to the refrigerant, so the water vapor contained in the air is condensed while passing through the first heat exchanger (41), and the condensate moves from the heat exchange space (32a) to the drain space (32b) through the drain hole (326, condensate discharge hole, located in the area of ​​the partition wall where the first heat exchanger is supported or around it) provided in the partition wall. The condensate inside the drain space (32b) moves to the water collecting unit (6), and the condensate stored in the water collecting unit (6) is discharged to the outside through the pump (8).

[0134] The above clothing treatment device (100) is characterized in that the direction of movement of the condensate toward the water collection unit (6) is set to be the same as the direction of movement (A) of the air passing through the heat exchange path (32).

[0135] The water collection part of a conventional clothing treatment device was generally located on the side of the above-mentioned flow path part (3). The space where the inlet of the above-mentioned flow path part (3) is located had to be provided so as to be in communication with the above-mentioned drum (2), and the space where the outlet of the above-mentioned flow path part (3) is located had to be provided so as to supply air with a fan.

[0136] In addition, since the flow path section can minimize flow resistance when the inlet and outlet are arranged in the same straight line, in the conventional clothing treatment device, the rotation center of the fan is located at the center of the width direction of the flow path section. Therefore, in the conventional clothing treatment device, the location of the water collection section had to be set to either the left or right side of the flow path section. This means that in the conventional clothing treatment device, a water collection passage that moves condensate along a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement (A) of air passing through the flow path section is required.

[0137] If the above-mentioned collection channel is provided as a channel orthogonal to the direction of movement of air passing through the above-mentioned flow path, the speed of the condensate moving to the collection chamber decreases near the collection channel, and therefore, foreign substances (such as lint) remaining in the condensate are more likely to remain near the collection channel.

[0138] However, as shown in Fig. 8, if the position of the water collecting unit (6) is set so that the movement path of the condensate is the same as the movement direction (A) of the air passing through the heat exchange path (32), the possibility of the condensate and foreign substances contained in the condensate remaining in the drainage space (32b) can be reduced.

[0139] As shown in Fig. 9, the water collecting unit (6) may be provided to include a water collecting chamber (61) that provides a space for storing condensate discharged from air passing through the first heat exchanger (41), and a water collecting passage (62) that guides the condensate to the water collecting chamber (61).

[0140] The above water collection chamber (61) may be provided to include a chamber body (611) that is fixed to the rear surface of the base (15) and positioned outside the heat exchange path (32), and a chamber cover (612) that is fixed to the chamber body (611) and forms the upper surface of the water collection chamber.

[0141] The above water collection channel (62) is located inside the heat exchange channel (32), and may be provided as a channel that penetrates the rear surface of the base and connects the chamber body (611) and the drainage space (32b).

[0142] The above-mentioned water collection channel (62) may be provided to provide a path for condensate to move in the same direction as the direction of movement (A) of air passing through the heat exchange channel. FIG. 9 (a) illustrates an example in which the water collection channel (62) is provided along the longitudinal direction (-Z-axis direction, direction from the first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger) of the drainage space (32b).

[0143] From another perspective, the direction of movement (A) of air passing through the heat exchange channel (32) and the direction of movement of condensate passing through the water collection channel (62) may be set in a direction parallel to a straight line passing through the center of rotation of the drum (2). In addition, the direction of movement (A) of air passing through the heat exchange channel (32) and the direction of movement of condensate passing through the water collection channel may be set in the longitudinal direction of the drum (2) (from the front surface of the drum toward the rear surface of the drum).

[0144] When the direction of movement (A) of air passing through the heat exchange path (32) and the direction of movement of condensate passing through the water collection path are set to be the same, the condensate can easily move to the water collection unit (6), so that not only can the condensate be easily discharged from the drainage space (32b), but also the possibility of foreign substances contained in the condensate remaining in the drainage space (32b) can be reduced.

[0145] In order to facilitate the discharge of condensate from the above drainage space (32b), the bottom surface of the water collection channel (62) may be set lower than the bottom surface of the drainage space (32b). Fig. 6 illustrates an example in which the water collection channel (62) is provided as a groove in which the bottom surface of the drainage space (32b) is concavely bent.

[0146] Furthermore, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the water collection channel (62) may be provided to slope downward from the drainage space (32b) toward the water collection chamber (61).

[0147] In addition, the bottom surface of the drainage space (32b) may be provided to include a downwardly inclined surface toward the water collection channel (62). FIG. 9 (a) illustrates an example in which the bottom surface of the drainage space (32b) is provided with a first inclined surface (322), a second inclined surface (323) located on one side of the first inclined surface and connected to the first inclined surface, and a third inclined surface (324) located on the other side of the first inclined surface and connected to the first inclined surface.

[0148] The first inclined surface (322) may be a surface that slopes downward toward the water collection channel (62), the second inclined surface (323) may be a surface that slopes downward toward the left edge of the first inclined surface and is located on the left side of the first inclined surface, and the third inclined surface (324) may be a surface that slopes downward toward the right edge of the first inclined surface and is located on the right side of the first inclined surface. Unlike what is shown in the drawing, the garment treatment device may be provided to include at least one of the inclined surfaces.

[0149] When the water collecting unit (6) is provided in the location described above, it is difficult for the fan (49) to be located at the rear of the heat exchange path (32) due to the location of the water collecting unit (6) or the pump (8).

[0150] Accordingly, since the fan (49) must be positioned at a point spaced apart from the water collecting unit (6), it is preferable that the fan mounting unit (353) be positioned at a point spaced apart from the water collecting unit (6) along the width direction of the base (X-axis direction, width direction of the drum).

[0151] The rotation center (B, motor shaft) of the fan (49) may be provided parallel to the direction of movement (A) of the condensate passing through the collection channel (62), but may be provided to be located at a point spaced apart from the collection channel (62). Fig. 9 (b) illustrates an example in which the rotation center (B) of the fan (49) is located at a point outside the edges on both sides of the heat exchange channel (32) based on the width direction of the base (X-axis direction, width direction of the drum).

[0152] In this case, the flow path (3) may be further provided to include a connecting flow path (34) connecting the heat exchange space (32a) and the fan mounting portion (353). As described above, the fan mounting portion (353) may be connected to the heat exchange flow path (32) through the flow path communication hole (354). Therefore, the connecting flow path (34) may be provided as a flow path that guides air discharged from the heat exchange space (32a) to the flow path communication hole (354). In this case, the connecting flow path (34) may be located at a higher point than the drainage space (32b).

[0153] When the direction of movement of air passing through the heat exchange space (32a) is defined as the first direction, the direction of movement of air passing through the connecting passage (34) may be set to a second direction different from the first direction. The first direction may be set to the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the drum (2), and the second direction may be set to the width direction of the drum (X-axis direction, width direction of the base).

[0154] Fig. 9 (b) illustrates an example in which the angle formed by the direction of movement of air passing through the heat exchange space (32a) and the direction of movement of air passing through the connecting passage (34) is set to an angle of 90 degrees or more and less than 120 degrees (an angle capable of reducing passage resistance due to the connecting passage).

[0155] The condensate stored in the above collection chamber (61) can be discharged to the outside of the collection chamber through the pump (8).

[0156] As shown in Fig. 10, the pump (8) can be fixed to the chamber cover (612).

[0157] The chamber cover (612) may be provided with a cover penetration hole (613) that is provided to penetrate the chamber cover, and a discharge pipe (614) that is provided to penetrate the chamber cover but is located at a point spaced apart from the cover penetration hole.

[0158] In this case, the pump (8) may be provided to include an impeller housing (81) that is fixed to the lower surface of the chamber cover (612) and surrounds the cover penetration hole (613) and the discharge pipe (614), a pump impeller (83) that is inserted into the cover penetration hole (613) and is positioned inside the impeller housing (81), and a drain motor (84) that is fixed to the chamber cover (612) and rotates the pump impeller (83).

[0159] The above cover penetration hole (613) is closed by the housing of the drain motor (84), and the impeller housing (81) is provided to communicate with the chamber body (611) through the housing inlet (82).

[0160] Accordingly, when the pump impeller (83) rotates, the condensate inside the chamber body (611) flows into the impeller housing (81) through the housing inlet (82), and the condensate flowing into the impeller housing (81) will be discharged to the outside of the collection chamber (61) through the discharge pipe (614).

[0161] The condensate discharged from the water collection chamber (61) through the pump (8) may be supplied to the drain tank (7) or may be supplied to the washing unit (155) that sprays water to the first heat exchanger (41). That is, as shown in Fig. 6, the clothing treatment device (100) may be equipped with a flow conversion unit (9) that controls the direction of movement of the condensate discharged from the water collection chamber (61) through the pump (8).

[0162] The above-described euro switching unit (9) may be provided to include a euro body (91), a valve supply pipe (91) connecting the discharge pipe (614) to the euro body (91), a washing unit supply pipe (93) guiding condensate inside the euro body (91) to the washing unit (155), a drain tank supply pipe (94) guiding condensate inside the euro body (91) to the drain tank housing (116), and a switching valve (95) controlling the opening and closing of the two supply pipes (93, 94).

[0163] The above washing unit (155) may be provided to include a washing passage (155a) formed on the upper surface of the base (15), a passage cover (155b) fixed to the base (15) to form the upper surface of the washing passage (155a), and a spray port (155c) provided to penetrate the upper surface of the base (15) and discharge condensate inside the washing passage to the first heat exchanger (41). The spray port (155c) may be provided as a slit-shaped through hole whose length in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the base is longer than its length in the length direction (Z-axis direction) of the base.

[0164] When the pump (8) operates while the switching valve (95) opens the washing unit supply pipe (93), the condensate inside the water collection chamber (61) will be discharged to the front surface of the first heat exchanger (41) through the washing passage (155a). Accordingly, foreign substances remaining on the front surface of the first heat exchanger (41) will be separated from the first heat exchanger (41) by the condensate discharged from the injection port (155c), and the condensate containing the foreign substances will move to the drain space (32b) through the drain port (326) of the bulkhead.

[0165] As shown in Fig. 3, a tank water supply port (71) is provided on the upper surface of the drain tank (7), and a water supply pipe (116a) connected to the drain tank supply pipe (94) of the flow conversion unit is provided in the drain tank housing (116).

[0166] When the above drain tank (7) is inserted into the drain tank housing (116), the tank water supply port (71) is located below the outlet of the water supply pipe (116a). Therefore, when the pump (8) operates while the switching valve (95) opens the drain tank supply pipe (94), the condensate inside the water collection chamber (61) will move to the drain tank (7).

[0167] Meanwhile, if an amount of condensate greater than the amount that the drain tank (7) can store is supplied to the drain tank (7), the condensate will move to the drain tank housing (116) in which the drain tank (7) is accommodated.

[0168] In order to prevent condensate inside the drain tank housing (116) from falling to the drum (2) or the base (15), the clothing treatment device (100) may be provided with a recovery pipe (116b) connecting the drain tank housing (116) and the drain space (32b).

[0169] One end of the above recovery pipe (116b) may be fixed to the bottom surface of the drain tank housing (116), and the other end of the above recovery pipe (116b) may be provided to pass through the base cover (15b) and be connected to the drainage space (32b).

[0170] As shown in Fig. 10, a water level sensor (63) may be further provided in the water collection unit (6) to determine the amount of condensate inside the water collection chamber (61).

[0171] The water level sensor (63) may be provided to include two electrodes (631, 632) that extend from the upper surface of the water collection chamber (61) toward the bottom surface of the water collection chamber (61) but are spaced apart from each other.

[0172] That is, the water level sensor (63) may be provided to include a first electrode (631) having one end fixed to the chamber cover (612) and the other end (free end) positioned inside the chamber body (611), and a second electrode (632) having one end fixed to the chamber cover (612) and the other end (free end) positioned inside the chamber body (611).

[0173] Meanwhile, in the clothing treatment device (100) having the above-described structure, the pressure in the drainage space (32b) may fluctuate when the fan (49) operates. This is because the drainage space (32a) is connected to the heat exchange space (32a) through a drain port (326) provided in the bulkhead.

[0174] Since the above water collection chamber (61) is connected to the drainage space (32b) through the water collection path (62), a change in the pressure of the drainage space (32b) causes a change in the pressure of the water collection chamber (61), which means that the water level inside the water collection chamber (61) may decrease when the fan (49) is in operation, and the water level measured by the water level sensor (63) may not be accurate.

[0175] FIG. 11 shows an example in which the fixed panel (131) is fixed to the upper surface of the base (15) to form the rear surface of the cabinet (1), and the supply duct (9) forming the supply path (35) is mounted on the rear surface of the cabinet (1).

[0176] When the position of the water collecting unit (6) is set so that the movement path of the condensate discharged from the first heat exchanger (41) as described above is the same as the movement direction (A) of the air passing through the heat exchange path (32), the fan (49) can be placed at a point spaced apart from the water collecting unit (6) or the pump (8), taking the water collecting unit (6) or the pump (8) into consideration.

[0177] The above pump (8) can be placed in a pump mounting portion (152a) formed between the upper surface of the base (15) and the water collecting portion (6). One surface of the pump mounting portion (152a) can be provided as an open surface.

[0178] The open surface of the above pump mounting portion (152a) may be provided as a surface exposed to the outside through the rear of the base (15). Since one surface of the above pump mounting portion (152a) is provided as an open surface, the installation or repair of the pump (8) and the removal of the chamber cover (612) may be facilitated. Accordingly, the above supply duct (9) may be fixed to the above base (15) so as to avoid the open surface of the above pump mounting portion (152a).

[0179] Accordingly, reflecting the above-described structure, the rear surface of the base (15) is exposed to the rear of the cabinet (1), and the fixed panel (131) can be fixed to the upper surface of the base (15) to form the rear surface of the cabinet (1).

[0180] When the above base (15) and the above fixed panel (131) form the rear surface of the cabinet (1), materials such as a separate panel forming the rear surface of the cabinet (1) are omitted, so the production cost is reduced, and the arrangement can be optimized, such as increasing the capacity of the drum (2) relative to the volume of the garment treatment device (1).

[0181] A support member (158) for fixing the lower part of the fixed panel (131) may be formed on the upper surface of the base (15).

[0182] The above support member (158) may be provided with a first support member (1581) formed on the base body (15a) to fix the lower end of the fixed panel (131) and a second support member (1582) fixed to the base cover (15b) to fix the lower end of the fixed panel (131).

[0183] The first support portion (1581) and the second support portion (1582) are connected to each other in a slot shape that provides a space in which the lower end of the fixed panel (131) is accommodated, and a portion of the lower end of the fixed panel (131) can be accommodated in the first support portion (1581), and the remaining portion can be accommodated in the second support portion (1582).

[0184] Accordingly, the first support portion (1581) and the second support portion (1582) can be formed to cross the width direction of the cabinet (1).

[0185] The supply duct (9) is fixed to the rear surface of the base (15) and the fixed panel (131), thereby strengthening the connection between the base (15) and the fixed panel (131) and improving the strength of the rear surface of the clothing treatment device (1).

[0186] The fan (49) is positioned downstream of the second heat exchanger (43) to cause the air in the heat exchange path (32) to flow at a negative pressure. When the fan (49) moves the air at a negative pressure, the air flowing to the first heat exchanger (41) and the second heat exchanger (43) is evenly distributed, and since the resistance due to the internal configuration is relatively low, the heat exchange efficiency can be increased.

[0187] In one embodiment of the present invention, since the heat exchange path (32) moves air from the front to the rear of the base (15), the fan (49) can be placed on the rear of the base (15).

[0188] The above fan mounting portion (353) may be positioned to be exposed to the outside of the base (15), specifically, the rear of the base (15).

[0189] As described above, the air moves to the fan mounting portion (353) through the first heat exchanger (41) and the second heat exchanger (43), and the air inside the fan mounting portion (353) will be resupplied to the drum (2) through the supply path (35).

[0190] When the above supply duct (9) is mounted so as to be fixed to the rear of the base (15) and the fixed panel (131), the clothing holding capacity of the drum (2) can be increased in relation to the volume of the cabinet (1) because the supply path (35) is arranged outside the cabinet (1), and interference between the supply path (35) and other components can be minimized, so that heat exchange efficiency, etc. can be increased.

[0191] The above supply duct (9) may be provided so that some areas are fixed to the base (15) and surround the fan (49), and the remaining areas are fixed to the fixed panel (131) and surround the air supply port (136).

[0192] In one embodiment of the present invention, the supply duct (9) is provided to communicate the fan mounting portion (353) and the air supply port (136), so that air discharged through the fan mounting portion (353) by the fan (49) can flow to the air supply port (136).

[0193] The above supply duct (9) provides a passage for air to flow and may include a duct body (90) fixed to the base (15) and the fixed panel (131), a duct sealing portion (93) that prevents air moving to the fan mounting portion (353) outside the supply duct (9) and the air supply port (136) from leaking, and a duct insulation portion (95) that is provided as an insulation layer on the outside of the duct body (90) to prevent the heat of the air from moving to the outside.

[0194] The above duct sealing portion (93) is provided in a form that surrounds the path of air moving through the supply duct (9) and can be interposed between the supply duct (9), the base (15), and the fixed panel (131).

[0195] The above duct sealing portion (93) may be provided in a closed cross-section shape, with one end fixed to the fixed panel (131) and the base (15), and the other end provided to contact the supply duct (9).

[0196] Accordingly, the air discharged from the heat exchange path (32) can be discharged through the fan mounting portion (353), moved to the supply port (136) through the duct body (90) and the duct sealing portion (93), and supplied into the drum (2) through the drum supply port (231).

[0197] The above duct sealing portion (93) is made of an elastic material such as rubber, so that damage to the duct body (90) can be prevented due to vibration caused by the operation of the drum (2).

[0198] The above duct insulation part (95) prevents the heat of the air inside the duct body (90) from being released to the outside, thereby ensuring the reliability of the drying efficiency of the clothing treatment device (1) and preventing safety accidents caused by the release of heat.

[0199] When the above duct insulation part (95) is mounted on the rear surface of the duct body (90), the strength of the duct body (90) can be reinforced.

[0200] FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which the fixed panel (131) is fixed to the upper surface of the base (15) to form the rear surface of the cabinet (1), and FIG. 13 illustrates a state in which the duct body (9) of FIG. 12 is mounted on the cabinet (1).

[0201] The above supply path (35) can be formed by the gap between the supply duct (9) and the rear surface of the cabinet (1).

[0202] The base (15) may be formed with a base flow path (355) that forms a part of the supply flow path (35) along the fan mounting portion (353), and a panel flow path (356) that forms a part of the supply flow path (35) along the supply port (136).

[0203] When the above fixed panel (131) is fixed to the base (15) by the support member (158), the base path part (355) and the panel path part (356) may be provided to be connected to each other.

[0204] As described above, the water collection unit (6) and the fan mounting unit (353) may be provided to be spaced apart in the width direction of the base. Accordingly, the base flow path unit (355) may be arranged to be biased to one side with respect to the width direction (X-axis direction) of the cabinet (1) relative to the panel flow path unit (356).

[0205] At least one of the base flow path (355) and the panel flow path (356) may be provided with a damping part (357) that reduces the resistance of air moving from the base flow path (355) to the panel flow path (356).

[0206] The above base flow path (355) is provided with a circular cross-section in consideration of the shape of the impeller-shaped fan (49) provided in the fan mounting portion (353), but may be formed thicker toward the panel flow path (356) in the width direction. In this case, the base flow path (

[0207] 355) can facilitate flow toward the panel euro section (356).

[0208] A mounting sealer (not shown) may be provided at the portion where the base flow path (355) and the panel flow path (356) are connected to prevent air inside the supply flow path (35) from leaking into the cabinet (1).

[0209] The above base flow path (355) is formed by recessing the rear surface of the base (15) to a certain depth, and the panel flow path (356) is formed by recessing the rear surface of the fixed panel (131) to a certain depth, thereby ensuring the amount of air flowing.

[0210] The panel passage part (356) may be inserted into a smaller depth than the base passage part (355) in consideration of the arrangement of the drum (2) and securing of capacity. Alternatively, in consideration of ease of combination with the panel mounting part (158), or due to the molding characteristics of the materials of the base (15) and the fixed panel (131), the base passage part (355) and the panel passage part (356) may be formed to be spaced apart in the front-back direction (Z direction).

[0211] When the panel path part (356) and the base path part (355) are provided to be spaced apart in the front-back direction as described above, the damping part (357) can be formed to bridge the spaced gap.

[0212] The above damping unit may include a base damping unit (357a) provided in the base path unit (355) and a panel damping unit (357b) provided in the panel path unit (356).

[0213] When the panel flow path (356) is positioned rearward relative to the base flow path (355), the base damping portion (357a) may be provided in a shape that is inclined rearward, and the panel damping portion (357b) may be provided in a shape that is inclined forward. Accordingly, the resistance of air flowing from the base flow path (355) to the panel flow path (356) may be minimized.

[0214] The support member (158) may be provided with a plurality of first fastening portions (153) that prevent the fixed panel (131) from being detached from the base (15), and the fixed panel (131) may be provided with a plurality of second fastening portions (137) that are fastened to and fixed by the first fastening portions (153).

[0215] The above base (15) may be provided to include a base body (15a) forming the bottom surface of the garment treatment device, and a base cover (15b) coupled to the base body (15a) to form a portion of the upper surface of the base (15).

[0216] The first fastening portion (153) may be partially provided on the base body (15a) and the remainder may be provided on the base cover (15b). Accordingly, when the second fastening portion (137) is fixed to the first fastening portion (153), the positions of the base body (15a) and the base cover (15b) may also be fixed.

[0217] A plurality of first assembly parts (138) may be formed on the rear of the cabinet. Specifically, the first assembly parts (138) are formed along the perimeter of the panel flow part (356) and the base flow part (355) formed on the rear of the fixed panel (131) and the rear of the base, so that the supply duct (9) can be fixed to the rear surface of the cabinet (1).

[0218] A position fixing protrusion (139) may be formed on the rear surface of the cabinet (1) to guide the position of the supply duct (9) before it is fixed. Specifically, the position fixing protrusion (139) may be positioned on the upper side of the panel path (356) of the fixed panel (131) so as not to overlap with the second fastening portion (137), thereby guiding the supply duct (9) to be pre-assembled.

[0219] Figure 13 shows the supply duct (9) mounted on the rear surface of the cabinet (1).

[0220] The above supply duct (9) may include an air flow portion (91) that provides a space for air to flow by connecting the fan mounting portion (353) and the air supply port (136), and a duct peripheral portion (92) that extends along the perimeter of the air flow portion (91) and is fixed to the base (15) and the fixed panel (131).

[0221] The above air flow portion (91) may be provided at a predetermined distance from the rear surface of the cabinet (1) to provide a space through which air can flow together with the base flow portion (355) and the panel flow portion (356).

[0222] The above duct circumference (92) may be provided so that a portion thereof is in contact with the rear surface of the cabinet (1) to prevent air of the air flow portion (91) from leaking out of the supply path (35) and to secure the duct body (90) to the base (15) and the fixing panel (131).

[0223] A second assembly part (921a) that is fixed to the first assembly part (138) and fixes the supply duct (9) to the base (15) and the fixed panel (131) can be formed on the duct circumference part (922).

[0224] A temporary assembly protrusion (921b) into which the position fixing protrusion (139) is inserted is formed on the duct circumference (922), and the position fixing protrusion (139) is temporarily fastened to the temporary assembly protrusion (921b), so that the accuracy of mounting of the supply duct (9) can be improved.

[0225] As illustrated in the above drawing 12, the fixed panel (131) may be provided with a shaft support portion for supporting the drum shaft (25). The shaft support portion may be provided to include a shaft through-hole (133) that penetrates the fixed panel (131) and into which the drum shaft (25) is inserted, and the holder (135) that prevents the drum shaft (25) from being pulled out of the shaft through-hole (133).

[0226] Since the holder (135) or the drum shaft (25) is provided to penetrate the fixed panel (131), it may interfere with the supply duct (9) mounted on the rear surface of the fixed panel (131). Therefore, an axis avoidance groove (91b) may be formed in the supply duct (9) to prevent interference with the holder (135) or the drum shaft (25).

[0227] The above-mentioned air supply hole (136) is formed to face the air flow portion (91) of the duct body (90), and the axial avoidance groove (91b) can be formed in the air flow portion (91).

[0228] The duct body (90) is illustrated in Fig. 14. Fig. 14(a) illustrates a surface where the duct body (90) is attached to the rear surface of the cabinet (1), and Fig. 14(b) illustrates one surface of the duct body (90) to which the duct insulation part (95) is attached, which is the opposite surface of Fig. 14(a).

[0229] The above duct circumference (92) forms the circumference of the supply duct (9) and may include a fixed circumference (921) that is in contact with the base (15) and the fixed panel (131) and in which the second assembly portion (921a) is formed, a flow blocking rib (923) that extends along the circumference of the air flow portion (91) to restrict the air of the air flow portion (91) from moving to the duct circumference (92), and a reinforcing rib (924) that extends so that one end is in contact with the flow blocking rib (923) and the other end is in contact with the fixed circumference (921) to prevent deformation of the supply duct (9).

[0230] During or after the duct body (90) is processed, shrinkage deformation may occur due to differences in thickness and shape between the air flow portion (91) and the duct peripheral portion (92). In this case, shrinkage deformation may be minimized by the reinforcing rib (924) that is arranged along the duct peripheral portion (92) and the flow blocking rib (923) to radially support the duct peripheral portion (92).

[0231] Since the above-mentioned air supply hole (136) can be formed in an area wider than the fan mounting portion (353), the area of ​​the air flow portion (91) facing the panel flow portion (356) can be provided to be larger than the area of ​​the air flow portion (91) facing the base flow portion (355).

[0232] Accordingly, the shrinkage strain rate of the area of ​​the duct body (90) facing the fixed panel (131) may be greater. Accordingly, the flow blocking rib (923) and the reinforcing rib (924) may be formed only along the perimeter of the air flow portion (91) facing the fixed panel (131).

[0233] Since the above flow blocking rib (923) and the above reinforcing rib (924) are not formed in the portion of the duct body (90) facing the base (15), it is easy to avoid interfering with the water collection unit (6), and since they do not encroach on the area of ​​the fan mounting unit (353) which is relatively narrower than the air supply unit (136), a space for air flow can be secured.

[0234] The above air flow portion (91) may be provided with a flow guide portion (91a) that guides air to the air supply port (136).

[0235] The above flow guide part (91a) is formed in a portion facing the panel flow part (356), and can reduce the pressure of air flowing to the duct circumference part (92).

[0236] The above flow guide portion (91a) may be formed to have a different thickness and shape from the surrounding area, and thus may undergo shrinkage deformation. Accordingly, a forming rib (911) that prevents deformation may be formed on the flow guide portion (91a) to minimize shrinkage deformation.

[0237] Figure 15 illustrates the base body (15a), the fixed panel (131), and the supply duct (90) being combined to form a path through which air flows.

[0238] The air discharged from the drum (2) flows into the heat exchange path (32) through the exhaust path (31), and the air that has been heat-exchanged in the heat exchange path (32) and dried at a high temperature can be discharged into the supply path (35) through the connection path (34).

[0239] The air discharged to the rear surface of the base (15) through the fan mounting portion (353) can flow to the supply port (136) provided in the fixed panel (131) through the supply duct.

[0240] The above base body (15a) may be provided with the heat exchange path (32), a mounting space (152) arranged outside the heat exchange path (32), a collection chamber (61) provided in the mounting space (152) and storing condensate discharged from the first heat exchanger (41), and a first support member (1581) supporting the lower end of the fixed panel (131).

[0241] Afterwards, in the remaining space of the above-mentioned mounting space (152) where the water collection chamber (61) is formed, a pump mounting space (152a) can be provided in which the pump (8) for discharging the condensate collected in the water collection chamber (61) can be accommodated.

[0242] The above base body (15a) may be provided with the fan mounting portion (353), and the first support portion (1581) may be provided on the upper portion of the fan mounting portion (353). That is, the fan mounting portion (353) may be spaced apart from the base cover (15b) and exposed to the rear of the base (15).

[0243] Accordingly, since the fan mounting portion (353) is formed by a single mold formed by the base body (15a), air can be prevented from leaking through the gap between the base cover (15b) and the base body (15a) in the fan mounting portion (353).

[0244] The fan mounting portion (353) and the heat exchange passage (32) can be formed entirely in a single mold constituting the base body (15a). Accordingly, air flowing through the heat exchange passage (32) to the fan mounting portion (353) can be prevented from leaking, thereby improving the reliability of drying performance.

[0245] The above-mentioned water collection chamber (61) and the heat exchange path (32) can be formed entirely in a single mold constituting the base body (15a). Accordingly, the condensate collected in the drainage space (32b) or the air in the heat exchange path (32) is prevented from leaking through joints formed between molds, thereby ensuring heat exchange efficiency and minimizing sanitary deterioration and safety risks due to condensate leakage.

[0246] Figure 16 shows a drawing of the base cover (15b) fixed to the base body (15a) and combined with the washing unit (155).

[0247] The above base cover (15b) may be provided with a cover body (150b) forming the upper surface of the heat exchange path (32), and a second support member (1582) positioned at the upper portion of the mounting space (152) to be connected to the first support member (1581) and supporting the lower portion of the fixed panel.

[0248] The above base cover (15b) is formed to avoid the fan mounting portion (353), so that the sealing of the fan mounting portion (353) can be guaranteed.

[0249] As described above, the clothing treatment device (100) is characterized in that the direction of movement of the condensate toward the water collection unit (6) is set to be the same as the direction of movement (A) of the air passing through the heat exchange path (32).

[0250] By setting the position of the water collecting unit (6) so that the movement path of the condensate is the same as the movement direction (A) of the air passing through the heat exchange path (32), the possibility of condensate and foreign substances contained in the condensate remaining in the drainage space (32b) can be reduced.

[0251] In this case, considering the volume of the garment treatment device (100) and the arrangement of each component, the water collection chamber (61) may be formed to protrude somewhat toward the rear of the base body (15a). Accordingly, the mounting space (152) that provides a space in which the water collection chamber (61) is accommodated is provided with one side as an open surface penetrating the rear of the base (15) so that the water collection chamber (61) can be accommodated.

[0252] The second support portion (1582) may be provided to pass through the upper portion of the open surface of the mounting space (152) and be connected to the first support portion (1581) provided on the rear surface of the base body (15a) excluding the portion where the mounting space (152) is formed.

[0253] Figure 17 shows the appearance of the fixed panel (131) coupled to the base body (15a) and the base cover (15b).

[0254] Due to the combination with the above fixed panel (131), the positional displacement of the base body (15a) and the base cover (15b) can be prevented.

[0255] As described above, the first support member (1581) and the second support member (1582) may be provided as means capable of supporting the lower end of the fixed panel (131).

[0256] The first support portion (1581) and the second support portion (1582) may be provided in a slot shape that provides a space in which the lower end of the fixed panel (131) is accommodated, as will be described later in FIG. 19.

[0257] A portion of the above fixed panel (131) may be accommodated in the first support portion (1581), and the remaining portion may be accommodated in the second support portion (1582).

[0258] The first support member (1581) and the second support member (1582) can extend across the width direction of the cabinet (1).

[0259] Fig. 18 illustrates the side panels (14) arranged on both sides of the cabinet (1) to form the side surfaces of the cabinet (1).

[0260] The rear end of the side panel (14) may be formed with a bending portion (141) that extends to shield a portion of the rear surface of the base (15).

[0261] Since the base (15) is not exposed from the side of the clothing treatment device (1) by the bending portion (141), an integrated aesthetic feel can be conveyed to the user, and the combination and rearward movement of the base (15) and the fixed panel (131) can be restricted, making the structure robust.

[0262] An interference prevention groove (141a) with a concave portion may be formed in the above bending portion (141).

[0263] As illustrated in Fig. 19, when the bending portion (141) of the side panel (14) shields a portion of the rear surface of the base (15), it may interfere with the first assembly portion (138) arranged along the perimeter of the base passage portion (355). The interference prevention groove (141a) is formed to be recessed to avoid the point where the first assembly portion (138) and the bending portion (141) overlap, thereby stably fixing the supply duct (9) to the base (15).

[0264] The support portion (158) formed on the upper surface of the base (15) may include a flange portion (158a) that supports the fixed panel (131) upward, a fastening rib (158b) that extends upward from the front end of the flange portion (158a) and has the first fastening portion (153) formed therein to prevent the fixed panel (131) from falling off, and a limiting rib (158c) that extends upward from the rear end of the flange portion (158a) and restricts movement of the fixed panel (131) toward the rear.

[0265] The above-mentioned limit rib (158c) is formed at a position that does not interfere with the second fastening portion (137) when the above-mentioned fixed panel (131) is fixed to the base (15), so that it does not interfere with the fixing of the base (15) and the above-mentioned fixed panel (131), and can also serve to guide the position when the above-mentioned fixed panel (131) is temporarily assembled to the base (15).

[0266] The above limit rib (158c) can prevent the fixed panel (131) from falling backwards, thereby preventing the fixed panel (131) from being detached from the base (15).

[0267] Fig. 20 shows the side panel (14) and the supply duct (9) that shield a part of the base (15) combined, and Fig. 21 shows a cross-section taken along line A-A' of Fig. 18.

[0268] A bending cover portion (925) extending from the outer surface of the duct circumference portion (92) may be formed on the duct circumference portion (92) to prevent the end of the bending portion (14) from being exposed.

[0269] The above bending cover portion (925) may be provided with a first extension portion (921a) extending rearward from the outer circumference of the fixed peripheral portion (921), and a second extension portion (921b) extending laterally from the end of the first extension portion (921a).

[0270] The above second extension portion (921b) may be provided to support the end of the bending portion (141).

[0271] The above second extension portion (921b) can prevent the end of the bending portion (141) from encroaching on the fixed circumference portion (921) and interfering with the fixed circumference portion (921).

[0272] When the above clothing treatment device (1) is operated, the bending portion (141) of the side panel (14) collides with the second assembly portion (921a) and the second assembly portion (138) due to vibration, thereby loosening the fixation of the supply duct (9) and the base (15), thereby preventing air from leaking between them.

[0273] Since the above-described clothing treatment device and control method are examples of the present invention, the scope of rights of the present application cannot be limited to the above-described structure and control method.

Claims

1. A cabinet having a support panel in which an inlet and an exhaust port are formed, and a fixed panel in which an air supply port is formed; A drum having one end connected to the above-mentioned inlet and exhaust port, and the other end connected to the above-mentioned supply port; An exhaust path that receives air from the drum through the exhaust port; A supply path for supplying air to the drum through the above-mentioned air inlet; A base body having a heat exchange path that connects the exhaust path and the supply path and has a heat exchanger, a mounting space arranged outside the heat exchange path, a collection chamber provided in the mounting space to store condensate discharged from the heat exchanger, and a first support part that supports the lower end of the fixed panel; and A clothing treatment device comprising: a base cover having a cover body fixed to the base body to form the upper surface of the heat exchange path, and a second support part positioned at the upper portion of the mounting space to be connected to the first support part and supporting the lower portion of the fixed panel.

2. In paragraph 1, The first support portion and the second support portion are provided in a slot shape that provides a space in which the lower part of the fixed panel is accommodated, A garment treatment device characterized in that a portion of the lower portion of the fixed panel is accommodated in the first support portion, and the remaining portion is accommodated in the second support portion.

3. In paragraph 1, A garment treatment device characterized in that the supply path includes a supply duct connecting the base body and the fixed panel.

4. In paragraph 3, The above base body further includes a fan mounting portion that provides a space for mounting a fan that moves air to the heat exchanger, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the supply duct is fixed to the base body in some areas and communicates with the fan mounting portion, and the remaining areas are fixed to the fixed panel and communicates with the supply port.

5. In paragraph 3, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the supply duct includes a duct insulation part mounted on the outside of the supply duct to prevent internal heat from moving to the outside.

6. In paragraph 3, A garment treatment device characterized in that the supply duct includes a duct sealing portion extending along the perimeter of the supply duct to prevent internal air from leaking to the outside.

7. In paragraph 3, The above supply duct includes an air flow portion that provides a space for air to flow, and a duct perimeter portion that extends along the perimeter of the air flow portion and is fixed to the base body and the fixed panel. A garment treatment device characterized in that an assembly groove is formed around the duct to guide the fixed panel and the base body to the correct position where the supply duct is mounted.

8. In paragraph 7, The above duct circumference is, A fixed peripheral portion formed to contact the base body and the fixed panel; A flow blocking rib extending along the perimeter of the air flow portion to restrict air from the air flow portion from moving to the duct perimeter; and A garment treatment device characterized by including a reinforcing rib extending so that one end contacts the flow blocking rib and the other end contacts the fixed circumference to prevent deformation of the supply duct.

9. In paragraph 4, The above base body further includes a collection channel that guides condensate discharged from the heat exchanger to the collection chamber, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the direction of movement of air passing through the heat exchange channel and the direction of movement of condensate passing through the water collection channel are set to be the same.

10. In paragraph 9, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the direction of movement of air passing through the heat exchange channel and the direction of movement of condensate passing through the water collection channel are set in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the drum.

11. In paragraph 9, A pump mounting unit is provided in the above mounting space and is equipped with a pump for discharging condensate stored in the collection chamber, and includes one side as an open surface; A garment treatment device characterized in that the supply duct is fixed to the base so as to avoid the open surface of the pump mounting portion.

12. In paragraph 11, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the center of rotation of the fan is positioned at a point spaced apart from the water collection channel based on the width direction of the drum.

13. In paragraph 11, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the open surface and the fan mounting portion are arranged to be spaced apart from each other based on the width direction of the drum on the rear surface of the base body.

14. In paragraph 9, A partition wall dividing the heat exchange passage into a heat exchange space in which the heat exchanger is mounted and a drainage space located at the bottom of the heat exchange space; and It further includes a drain port that is provided to penetrate the bulkhead and discharge condensate of the heat exchange space into the drain space; A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above water collection channel is provided to connect the drainage space and the water collection chamber and the bottom surface is set lower than the bottom surface of the drainage space.

15. In paragraph 14, A clothing treatment device characterized in that at least a portion of the bottom surface of the water collection channel slopes downward from the drainage space toward the water collection chamber.

16. In paragraph 8, The above cabinet, The rear surface is formed by the base body, the base cover, and the fixed panel, Includes a side panel extending from the front to the rear of the cabinet to form a side surface, The rearwardly extending end of the side panel includes a bending portion that extends in a band to shield a portion of the rear surface of the base body, A garment treatment device characterized in that the bending part includes an interference prevention groove inserted therein to prevent collision with the fixed peripheral part.

17. In paragraph 16, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the duct peripheral portion includes a bending cover portion extending from the outer circumference of the fixed peripheral portion to prevent the end of the interference prevention groove from being exposed.

18. In paragraph 17, The above base body includes a base flow path forming the supply flow path along the fan mounting portion, The above fixed panel includes a panel flow path forming the supply flow path along the above supply hole, A clothing treatment device characterized in that at least one of the base flow section and the panel flow section is provided with a damping section that reduces resistance of air moving from the base flow section to the panel flow section.

19. A cabinet having a support panel in which an inlet and an exhaust port are formed, and a fixed panel in which an air supply port is formed; A drum having one end connected to the above-mentioned inlet and exhaust port, and the other end connected to the above-mentioned supply port; An exhaust path that receives air from the drum through the exhaust port; A supply path for supplying air to the drum through the above-mentioned air inlet; A base body having a heat exchange path that connects the exhaust path and the supply path and has a heat exchanger, a mounting space arranged outside the heat exchange path, a collection chamber provided in the mounting space to store condensate discharged from the heat exchanger, and a first support part that supports the lower end of the fixed panel; and A clothing treatment device characterized by comprising: a base cover having a cover body fixed to the base body and forming an upper surface of the heat exchange path, and a second support part connected to the first support part and supporting the lower end of the fixed panel.

Images