Clothing treatment apparatus

Abstract

A clothing treatment apparatus of the present invention may comprise: a drum which includes a front surface provided with an inlet and a rear surface provided with a drum shaft, and provides a space in which an object to be treated is accommodated; a heat exchange unit provided with a first heat exchanger that removes water vapor from air discharged from the inside of the drum, and a second heat exchanger that heats the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger; a flow path unit provided with a heat exchange flow path provided with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, an exhaust flow path that guides the air discharged from the drum, to the heat exchange flow path, and a supply flow path that guides the air discharged from the heat exchange flow path, to the drum; a water collection unit provided with a water collection chamber that provides a storage space in which condensed water discharged from the air passing through the first heat exchanger is stored, and a water collection flow path that guides the condensed water to the water collection chamber; a water level sensor including first and second electrodes which extend from the upper surface of the water collection chamber toward the bottom surface of the water collection chamber and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other; and a chamber dust collection unit which is provided adjacent to the first and second electrodes of the water level sensor and includes a hollow portion on the upper surface of the water collection chamber facing the storage space.

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 heat exchanger is provided to include a first heat exchanger for cooling the air inside the circulation path, and a second heat exchanger for heating the air passing through the first heat exchanger. Since the air discharged from the drum is condensed while passing through the first heat exchanger, a collection chamber for storing condensate is provided inside the circulation path. A water level sensor is provided in the collection chamber, and when a certain level of condensate is stored, the stored condensate is discharged to the outside of the clothing treatment device through a pump or stored in a drain tank provided inside the clothing treatment device.

[0005] A conventional water level sensor is equipped with two electrodes protruding toward a storage space where condensate is stored, and when the water level rises as the condensate is stored in the collection unit and reaches a level where both electrodes come into contact, a pump is driven to discharge the condensate outside the clothing treatment device or to a drain tank installed inside the clothing treatment device for storage.

[0006] The above water level sensor has a problem in that since the electrode is exposed to the storage space of the water collection chamber and comes into contact with condensate, lint remaining in the condensate may adhere to the electrode, causing the water level sensor to malfunction.

[0007] 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.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a clothing treatment device capable of reducing the possibility of foreign substances contained in condensate attaching to a water level sensor.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a clothing treatment device including a configuration for collecting foreign substances contained in condensate.

[0010] One embodiment of the clothing treatment device of the present invention comprises: a drum having a front surface having an inlet and a rear surface having a drum shaft, providing a space for receiving a subject to be treated; a heat exchange unit having a first heat exchanger for removing water vapor from air discharged from the inside of the drum, and a second heat exchanger for heating air passing through the first heat exchanger; a heat exchange path having the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, an exhaust path for guiding air discharged from the drum to the heat exchange path, and a flow path unit having a supply path for guiding air discharged from the heat exchange path to the drum; a water collecting unit having a water collecting chamber for providing a storage space for storing condensate discharged from air passing through the first heat exchanger, and a water collecting passage for guiding condensate to the water collecting chamber; a water level sensor having a first electrode and a second electrode extending from an upper surface of the water collecting chamber toward a bottom surface of the water collecting chamber but arranged to be spaced apart from each other; a first electrode of the water level sensor; and It may include a chamber dust collector provided adjacent to the second electrode and having a hollow portion formed on the upper surface of the collection chamber facing the storage space.

[0011] In one embodiment of the clothing treatment device of the present invention, the free ends of the first electrode and the second electrode may be positioned at a point lower than the lowest end of the inlet of the water collection channel.

[0012] The chamber dust collector of one embodiment of the clothing treatment device of the present invention may include a first chamber dust collector provided to surround the first electrode, and a second chamber dust collector provided spaced apart from the first chamber dust collector and provided to surround the second electrode.

[0013] In one embodiment of the clothing treatment device of the present invention, the hollow portion of the first chamber dust collector may be provided to extend along the longitudinal direction of the first electrode, and the hollow portion of the second chamber dust collector may be provided to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second electrode.

[0014] The water collection chamber of one embodiment of the clothing treatment device of the present invention includes a chamber body positioned outside the heat exchange path, a chamber cover fixed to the chamber body and forming an upper surface of the water collection chamber, and the first electrode and the second electrode of the water level sensor may be provided to protrude downward from the lower surface of the chamber cover.

[0015] The chamber dust collection unit of one embodiment of the clothing treatment device of the present invention may be provided on the chamber cover.

[0016] The chamber cover of one embodiment of the clothing treatment device of the present invention includes a first electrode mounting portion to which the first electrode is fixed, a second electrode mounting portion provided spaced apart from the first electrode mounting portion and to which the second electrode is fixed, and the first chamber dust collecting portion may be provided to surround the first electrode mounting portion, and the second chamber dust collecting portion may be provided to surround the second electrode mounting portion.

[0017] In one embodiment of the clothing treatment device of the present invention, the first electrode may be provided to protrude further downward than the lower surface of the first electrode mounting portion, and the second electrode may be provided to protrude further downward than the lower surface of the second electrode mounting portion.

[0018] In one embodiment of the clothing treatment device of the present invention, the first electrode mounting portion and the second electrode mounting portion may be provided to protrude further downward than the lower surface of the chamber cover.

[0019] 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.

[0020] The present invention provides a clothing treatment device capable of reducing the possibility of foreign substances contained in condensate attaching to a water level sensor.

[0021] The present invention provides a clothing treatment device including a configuration for collecting foreign substances contained in condensate.

[0022] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate examples of a clothing treatment device.

[0023] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a cabinet and base.

[0024] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a drum.

[0025] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a euro section and a heat exchange section.

[0026] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a heat exchange path.

[0027] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a base.

[0028] Figure 8 illustrates an example of a Euroguide.

[0029] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate examples of a water collection unit and a pump.

[0030] Figure 11 illustrates an example of the lower surface of a collection chamber.

[0031] Fig. 12 illustrates an example of a cross-section of a collection chamber.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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".

[0037] 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.

[0038] Hereinafter, a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0039] 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).

[0040] The above cabinet (1) may be provided to include a base (15) forming the bottom surface of the garment treatment device, a front panel (11) fixed to the base (15) and forming the front surface of the garment treatment device, a first support part (12) fixed to the front panel or the base and supporting one end of the drum (2) so as to be rotatably supported, and a second support part (13) fixed to the base (15) and supporting the other end of the drum (2) so as to be rotatably supported.

[0041] 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).

[0042] 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).

[0043] 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).

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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).

[0046] 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).

[0047] 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 unit (127) that filters air discharged from the drum.

[0048] 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).

[0049] Figure 4 illustrates an example in which the lower end of the fixed panel (131) is fixed to a panel mounting portion (152) 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).

[0050] 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).

[0051] 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).

[0052] The front surface (22) of the drum may be provided with a mounting hole (221) that is connected to the inlet (122), 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.

[0053] 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).

[0054] 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). Accordingly, 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) not only serves as 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 interior of the drum body (21).

[0055] 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).

[0056] 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).

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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).

[0061] As shown 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 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.

[0062] 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 mounting space (32a) where the heat exchange unit (4) is mounted, and a drainage space (32b) for discharging condensate generated during the drying process from the mounting space.

[0063] 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 installation space (32a) is located above the drainage space (32b). In order for the condensate inside the installation space (32a) to move to the drainage space (32b), the partition wall (321) may be provided with a plurality of condensate drainage holes (326).

[0064] The above heat exchange unit (4) may be provided to include a first heat exchanger (41) provided in the installation space (32a) to remove (dehumidify) water vapor contained in the air, a second heat exchanger (43) provided in the installation space to heat air that has passed through the first heat exchanger, a refrigerant pipe (48) that forms a circulation path of refrigerant passing through the heat exchangers, a compressor (45) that moves refrigerant along the refrigerant pipe, and a pressure regulator (47) that controls the pressure of the refrigerant moving along the refrigerant pipe.

[0065] 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).

[0066] 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.

[0067] The above base (15) may be provided with a compressor mounting portion (158) for fixing the compressor (45). The compressor mounting portion (158) may be provided in a space located outside the heat exchange path (32) among the spaces provided by the base body (15a).

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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).

[0070] 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).

[0071] 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).

[0072] The fan (49) may be provided with an impeller that rotates by the motor (51). 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 mounting 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).

[0073] The above supply path (35) may be provided to include an air supply duct (351) that connects the fan mounting portion (353) and the air supply port (136) of the fixed panel, and a sealing portion (352) that guides air passing through the air supply port (136) to the drum air supply port (231).

[0074] The above sealing portion (352) may be provided in a pipe shape, such that one end (the fixed end of the sealing portion) is fixed to the fixed panel (131), and the other end (the free end of the sealing portion) may be provided to contact the rear surface (23) of the drum.

[0075] Accordingly, the air introduced into the fan mounting portion (353) 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).

[0076] 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 mounting space (32a) through the exhaust passage (31). The air introduced into the mounting 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).

[0077] 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 installation 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).

[0078] 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).

[0079] In conventional clothing treatment devices, the water collection unit was generally located on the side of the flow path (3). The space where the inlet of the flow path (3) was located had to be provided so as to communicate with the drum (2), and the space where the outlet of the flow path (3) was located had to be provided so as to supply air with a fan. In addition, since flow resistance can be minimized when the flow path is provided in a form in which the inlet and the outlet are arranged on the same straight line, in conventional clothing treatment devices, the rotation center of the fan was located at the center of the outlet of the flow path. Therefore, in conventional clothing treatment devices, the location of the water collection unit was generally set to either the left or right side of the flow path.

[0080] If the above-mentioned water collection unit is provided in a space on either the left or right side of the above-mentioned flow path, the above-mentioned clothing treatment device must be provided with a water collection channel provided along a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement (A) of air passing through the above-mentioned flow path.

[0081] If the above 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 will decrease near the collection channel, so foreign substances (such as lint) remaining in the condensate are likely to remain near the collection channel.

[0082] However, as shown in Fig. 8, if the position of the water collecting unit (8) 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.

[0083] 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).

[0084] The 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 an upper surface of the water collection chamber. The water collection path (62) may be provided as a path that penetrates the rear surface of the base and connects the chamber body (611) and the drainage space (32b).

[0085] 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).

[0086] 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).

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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).

[0090] 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.

[0091] The first inclined surface (322) may be a surface inclined downward toward the water collection channel (62), the second inclined surface (323) may be a surface located on the left side of the first inclined surface and inclined downward toward the left edge of the first inclined surface, and the third inclined surface (324) may be a surface located on the right side of the first inclined surface and inclined downward toward the right edge of the first inclined surface.

[0092] 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).

[0093] 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).

[0094] The rotation center (B) 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 so as 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).

[0095] The above-mentioned flow path (3) may be further provided to include a connecting flow path (34) connecting the mounting 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 (345). Accordingly, the connecting flow path (34) may be provided as a flow path that guides air discharged from the mounting space (32a) to the flow path communication hole (354).

[0096] When the direction of movement of air passing through the above-mentioned mounting space (32a) is defined as the first direction, the direction of movement of air passing through the above-mentioned 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).

[0097] Fig. 9 (b) illustrates an example in which the angle formed by the direction of movement of air passing through the mounting 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 resistance to the passage due to the connecting passage).

[0098] The condensate stored in the above collection chamber (61) can be discharged to the outside of the collection chamber through the pump (8).

[0099] As shown in Fig. 10, the pump (8) can be fixed to the chamber cover (612).

[0100] The chamber cover (612) may be provided with a cover penetration hole (613) and a discharge pipe (614) positioned at a point spaced apart from the cover penetration hole. In this case, the pump (8) may be provided to include an impeller housing (81) fixed to the lower surface of the chamber cover (612) and surrounding the cover penetration hole (613) and the discharge pipe (614), a pump impeller (83) inserted into the cover penetration hole (613) and positioned inside the impeller housing (81), and a drain motor (84) fixed to the chamber cover (612) and rotating the pump impeller (83). The impeller housing (81) is provided to communicate with the chamber body (611) through a housing inlet (82).

[0101] 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).

[0102] 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).

[0103] 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).

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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).

[0107] 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).

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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).

[0110] 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).

[0111] In addition, the chamber cover (612) may be provided with a water level sensor (63) including a first electrode (631) and a second electrode (632) that extend toward the bottom surface of the water collection chamber (61) but are spaced apart from each other. The water level sensor (63) may be provided to detect the water level of the condensate stored in the water collection chamber (61).

[0112] The water level sensor operates by electrically connecting the first electrode (631) and the second electrode (632) when condensate comes into contact with them, and the water level can be determined by detecting conductivity that varies depending on the water level. Accordingly, the water level at the starting point for detecting the height of the condensate can vary depending on the positions of the free ends of the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0113] That is, the first electrode (631) and the second electrode (632) may be provided at a predetermined height apart from the bottom surface of the water collection chamber, and the predetermined height may be a height at which discharge of condensate begins.

[0114] For example, the free ends of the first electrode and the second electrode may be positioned at a point lower than the lowest end of the inlet of the water collecting channel (62). If the first electrode and the second electrode are positioned at a point higher than the lowest end of the inlet of the water collecting channel (62), the pump (8) is not driven until the condensate reaches a water level higher than the lowest end of the inlet of the water collecting channel, so the condensate may flow back into the water collecting channel. Therefore, in order to prevent the backflow, it is necessary to discharge the condensate at a position lower than the lowest end of the inlet of the water collecting channel. Therefore, the free ends of the first electrode and the second electrode may be positioned at a point lower than the lowest end of the inlet of the water collecting channel (62).

[0115] However, the water level sensor (63) is not limited to this, and any means capable of detecting the water level may be used.

[0116] Figure 11 illustrates the bottom surface of the chamber cover (612).

[0117] The condensate stored in the water collection chamber (61) may be supplied to the washing unit by the flow conversion unit (9) and used to remove foreign substances from the first heat exchanger. The condensate containing foreign substances that washed the first heat exchanger may be collected again in the water collection chamber. At this time, foreign substances contained in the condensate collected again may attach to the first electrode (631) and the second electrode (632) of the water level sensor (63), causing a malfunction.

[0118] Accordingly, the chamber cover (612) is provided at a position adjacent to the first electrode (631) and the second electrode (632) on the bottom surface of the chamber cover (a surface facing the storage space where the condensate is stored) to induce foreign substances contained in the condensate, and a chamber dust collection unit (618, 619) including a hollow portion may be provided.

[0119] When the condensate is stored in the above-mentioned collection chamber (61) and reaches a height where the chamber dust collector (618, 619) having a smaller area than the above-mentioned collection chamber is provided, the condensate can be instantly sucked in by capillary action.

[0120] When condensate is sucked into the hollow portion of the chamber dust collector (618, 619), foreign substances may also be concentrated into the chamber dust collector together with the condensate. Accordingly, foreign substances may be concentrated and attached to the surface of the chamber dust collector, and foreign substances attached to the first electrode (631) and the second electrode (632) may be minimized.

[0121] More specifically, the chamber cover (612) may include a first electrode mounting portion (616) that fixes the first electrode (631) and a second electrode mounting portion (617) that is provided spaced apart from the first electrode mounting portion and to which the second electrode (632) is fixed, and may include a first chamber dust collector (618) that includes a hollow portion that is provided to surround the first electrode mounting portion and a second chamber dust collector (619) that includes a hollow portion that is provided to surround the second electrode mounting portion. The first chamber dust collector and the second chamber dust collector may be provided spaced apart from each other.

[0122] Figure 12 illustrates a cross-section of the chamber cover (612).

[0123] Referring to FIG. 12, the first electrode (631) may be fixed by penetrating the first electrode mounting portion (616) and may be provided so as to protrude further than the lowermost end of the first electrode mounting portion, and the second electrode (632) may be fixed by penetrating the second electrode mounting portion (617) and may be provided so as to protrude further than the lowermost end of the second electrode mounting portion.

[0124] In addition, the first mounting portion (616) and the second mounting portion (617) may be provided to protrude downwards further than the bottom surface of the chamber cover (612). This allows protection from external force due to condensation applied to the first electrode (631) and the second electrode (632).

[0125] In addition, the hollow portion of the first chamber dust collector (618) may extend upward from the bottom surface of the chamber cover (612) along the longitudinal direction of the first electrode (616), and the hollow portion of the second chamber dust collector (619) may extend upward from the bottom surface of the chamber cover along the longitudinal direction of the second electrode (617). Accordingly, the surface areas of the first chamber dust collector and the second chamber dust collector can be increased while maintaining the areas of the inlets of the first chamber dust collector and the second chamber dust collector, so that the pressure due to the capillary phenomenon is maintained, the force that concentrates foreign substances is maintained, and the amount of foreign substances collected can be increased, so that the foreign substances remaining in the first electrode and the second electrode can be further reduced.

[0126] Meanwhile, in order to prevent the first electrode (616) and the second electrode (617) from being damaged by the flow of condensate, a guide protruding from the bottom surface of the chamber cover (612) and provided in the form of a partition wall may be provided.

[0127] 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 drum having a front surface equipped with an inlet and a rear surface equipped with a drum shaft, thereby providing a space for receiving a processing target; A heat exchange unit having a first heat exchanger for removing water vapor from air discharged from inside the drum, and a second heat exchanger for heating air passing through the first heat exchanger; A heat exchange path section having a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, an exhaust path for guiding air discharged from the drum to the heat exchange path, and a supply path for guiding air discharged from the heat exchange path to the drum; A collecting unit having a collecting chamber that provides a storage space for storing condensate discharged from air passing through the first heat exchanger, and a collecting passage that guides the condensate to the collecting chamber; A water level sensor including a first electrode and a second electrode extending from the upper surface of the water collection chamber toward the bottom surface of the water collection chamber but arranged to be spaced apart from each other; A clothing treatment device characterized in that a chamber dust collection unit is provided adjacent to the first electrode and the second electrode of the water level sensor and includes a hollow portion on the upper surface of the water collection chamber facing the storage space.

2. In paragraph 1, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the free ends of the first electrode and the second electrode are positioned at a point lower than the lowest end of the inlet of the water collection channel.

3. In paragraph 1, The above chamber dust collection unit A first chamber dust collector including a hollow portion provided to surround the first electrode; A clothing treatment device characterized by including a second chamber dust collector that is provided spaced apart from the first chamber dust collector and includes a hollow portion provided to surround the second electrode.

4. In paragraph 3, The hollow portion of the first chamber dust collector extends along the length direction of the first electrode, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the hollow portion of the second chamber dust collection unit is provided to extend along the longitudinal direction of the second electrode.

5. In paragraph 3, The above collection chamber A chamber body located outside the above heat exchange path; A chamber cover fixed to the chamber body and forming the upper surface of the water collection chamber; A clothing treatment device characterized in that the first electrode and the second electrode of the water level sensor are provided to protrude downward from the lower surface of the chamber cover.

6. In paragraph 5, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the chamber dust collection unit is provided in the chamber cover.

7. In paragraph 6, The above chamber cover A first electrode mounting portion through which the first electrode penetrates and is fixed; A second electrode mounting portion is provided spaced apart from the first electrode mounting portion and the second electrode penetrates and is fixed therethrough; A clothing treatment device characterized in that the first chamber dust collector is provided to surround the first electrode mounting portion, and the second chamber dust collector is provided to surround the second electrode mounting portion.

8. In paragraph 7, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the first electrode protrudes further downward than the lowest end of the first electrode mounting portion, and the second electrode protrudes further downward than the lowest end of the second electrode mounting portion.

9. In paragraph 8, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the first electrode mounting portion and the second electrode mounting portion are provided to protrude further downward than the lower surface of the chamber cover.

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