Clothing treatment apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clothing treatment apparatus comprising: a cabinet including a support panel having an inlet and an outlet, and a fixing panel having an air supply port; a drum having one end rotatably fixed to the support panel to communicate with the inlet and the exhaust port and the other end rotatably fixed to the fixing panel to communicate with the air supply port; a flow path part having an exhaust flow path through which the air inside the drum is discharged, a supply flow path for guiding the air to the air supply port, and a heat exchange flow path for guiding the air introduced into the exhaust flow path to the supply flow path; a partition wall dividing the heat exchange flow path into a mounting space and a drain space located below the mounting space; a heat exchange unit including a first heat exchanger provided in the mounting space to remove water vapor from the air, a second heat exchanger provided in the mounting space to heat the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger, and a fan for moving the air along the flow path unit; and a blocking unit provided in at least a partial area of a space in which the partition wall and the heat exchange flow path are in contact with each other, thereby blocking the communication between the mounting space and the drain 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. The condensate stored in the collection chamber is discharged to the outside of the garment treatment device through a pump or stored in a drain tank provided inside the garment treatment device.

[0005] The conventional water collection chamber is provided as a space separate from the circulation path and is located on the side of the circulation path. The space where the inlet of the circulation path is located (the front space of the circulation path) must be provided so as to communicate with the drum, and the space where the outlet of the circulation path is located (the rear space of the circulation path) must be provided so as to supply air to the fan. In addition, since the circulation path resistance can be minimized when the inlet and outlet are provided in a form in which they are arranged on the same straight line, in conventional clothing treatment devices, the rotation center of the fan is located at the center of the outlet of the circulation path (the fan is located in the rear space of the circulation path). Therefore, in conventional clothing treatment devices, the location of the water collection chamber was generally installed on either the left or right side of the circulation path.

[0006] When the above-mentioned water collection chamber is installed in either the left or right space of the above-mentioned circulation path, the above-mentioned clothing treatment device must be provided with a water collection path that guides the condensate inside the above-mentioned circulation path to the above-mentioned collection chamber, the water collection path being perpendicular to the direction of movement of the air passing through the above-mentioned circulation path.

[0007] Since the condensate discharged from the first heat exchanger may contain foreign substances (lint, etc.) discharged from the treatment target, if the collecting passage is provided as a passage orthogonal to the direction of movement of air passing through the circulation passage, the speed of the condensate moving to the collecting chamber will decrease near the collecting passage, so foreign substances remaining in the condensate are likely to remain near the collecting passage.

[0008] Meanwhile, conventional clothing treatment devices have a partition wall that divides the internal space of the circulation path into a mounting space and a drainage space. The mounting space is a space located above the partition wall, where the first and second heat exchangers are mounted, and the drainage space is a space that guides condensate discharged from air passing through the first heat exchanger to the collection path.

[0009] In a garment treatment device equipped with the above-mentioned partition, a phenomenon may occur in which a portion of the air that should move along the installation space is discharged into the drainage space when the fan is in operation, or in which condensate inside the drainage space flows into the installation space. The above-mentioned shapes may cause a decrease in the heat exchange efficiency between the heat exchange unit and the air.

[0010] The above heat exchange unit requires a refrigerant pipe that forms a circulation path for the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and the refrigerant pipe is exposed to both sides of the first heat exchanger and both sides of the second heat exchanger. Therefore, air could move through the space formed between the circulation path and both sides of the first heat exchanger, and the space formed between the circulation path and both sides of the second heat exchanger. This means that some of the air introduced into the installation space may move to the fan without passing through the heat exchangers, which may lower the heat exchange efficiency between the heat exchange unit and the air.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a clothing treatment device capable of reducing the possibility of condensate discharged from a mounting space where a heat exchanger is located being re-introduced into the mounting space.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] The present invention aims to provide a clothing treatment device capable of reducing the possibility that air introduced into a mounting space where a heat exchange unit is located will move without passing through the heat exchange unit.

[0015] 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.

[0016] The present invention comprises: a cabinet having a support panel having an inlet and an exhaust port formed therein, and a fixed panel having an air supply port formed therein; a drum having one end rotatably fixed to the support panel and communicating with the inlet and the exhaust port, and the other end rotatably fixed to the fixed panel and communicating with the air supply port; a flow path section having an exhaust path through which air inside the drum is discharged, a supply path for guiding air to the supply port, and a heat exchange path for guiding air introduced into the exhaust path to the supply path; a partition wall dividing the heat exchange path into a mounting space and a drainage space located below the mounting space; a heat exchange section having a first heat exchanger provided in the mounting space for removing water vapor from air, a second heat exchanger provided in the mounting space for heating air passing through the first heat exchanger, and a fan for moving air along the flow path section; And a blocking part is provided in at least a part of the space where the bulkhead and the heat exchange path come into contact, and blocks the communication between the installation space and the drainage space.

[0017] The above blocking member may include a blocking groove provided in the bulkhead; and a blocking projection provided in the heat exchange path and inserted into the blocking groove.

[0018] The above blocking groove may include a side blocking groove provided in the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the direction of movement of air moving along the installation space; and the blocking projection may include a side blocking projection provided in the heat exchange path and inserted into the side blocking groove.

[0019] The above clothing treatment device further includes a connecting passage connecting the installation space and the supply passage, wherein the installation space is provided to move air along a first direction, and the connecting passage may be provided to move air along a second direction set in a direction different from the first direction.

[0020] The above blocking groove may include a side blocking groove provided in the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the first direction; and a rear blocking groove provided so as to be parallel to the second direction; and the blocking projection may include a side blocking projection provided in the heat exchange path and inserted into the side blocking groove; and a rear blocking projection provided in the heat exchange path and inserted into the rear blocking groove.

[0021] The above clothing treatment device may include a water collection chamber located outside the heat exchange channel and storing condensate; and a water collection channel provided along the first direction and connecting the drainage space and the water collection chamber, at least a portion of which is located below the partition wall.

[0022] The above blocking groove may include a lateral blocking groove provided in the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the first direction; a rear blocking groove provided in the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the second direction; and a water collection channel blocking groove provided in the bulkhead so as to surround an edge of the water collection channel; and the blocking projection may include a lateral blocking projection provided in the heat exchange channel and inserted into the lateral blocking groove; a rear blocking projection provided in the heat exchange channel and inserted into the rear blocking groove; and a water collection channel blocking projection provided in the heat exchange channel or the connecting channel and inserted into the water collection channel blocking groove.

[0023] The above clothing treatment device may further include a drainage port that is provided to penetrate the partition wall and discharge condensate discharged from air passing through the first heat exchanger into the drainage space; and a communication hole that is provided in the partition wall so as to be positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger and that connects the installation space and the drainage space.

[0024] The area of ​​the above-mentioned chimney hole may be set smaller than the area of ​​the above-mentioned drain.

[0025] The above blocking part may include a blocking projection provided on the bulkhead; and a blocking groove provided on the heat exchange path to accommodate the blocking projection.

[0026] The above blocking projection may include a side blocking projection provided on the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the direction of movement of air moving along the installation space; and the blocking groove may include a side blocking groove provided on the heat exchange path into which the side blocking projection is inserted.

[0027] The above clothing treatment device further includes a connecting passage connecting the installation space and the supply passage, wherein the installation space is provided to move air along a first direction, and the connecting passage may be provided to move air along a second direction set in a direction different from the first direction.

[0028] The blocking projection may include a side blocking projection provided on the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the first direction; and a rear blocking projection provided so as to be parallel to the second direction; and the blocking groove may include a side blocking groove provided in the heat exchange channel into which the side blocking projection is inserted; and a rear blocking groove provided in the heat exchange channel into which the rear blocking projection is inserted.

[0029] The above clothing treatment device may include a water collection chamber located outside the heat exchange channel and storing condensate; and a water collection channel provided along the first direction and connecting the drainage space and the water collection chamber, at least a portion of which is located below the partition wall.

[0030] The blocking projection may include a side blocking projection provided on the partition wall so as to be parallel to the first direction; a rear blocking projection provided on the partition wall so as to be parallel to the second direction; and a water collection channel blocking projection provided on the partition wall so as to surround an edge of the water collection channel; and the blocking groove may include a side blocking groove provided on the heat exchange channel into which the side blocking projection is inserted; a rear blocking groove provided on the heat exchange channel into which the rear blocking projection is inserted; and a water collection channel blocking groove provided on the heat exchange channel or the connecting channel into which the water collection channel blocking projection is inserted.

[0031] The present invention provides a clothing treatment device capable of reducing the possibility that condensate discharged from a mounting space where a heat exchanger is located will re-enter the mounting space.

[0032] 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.

[0033] The present invention provides a clothing treatment device capable of reducing the possibility that foreign substances contained in condensate will remain inside a duct.

[0034] The present invention provides a clothing treatment device capable of reducing the possibility that air introduced into a mounting space where a heat exchange unit is located will move without passing through the heat exchange unit.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate examples of a clothing treatment device.

[0037] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a cabinet.

[0038] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a drum.

[0039] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate examples of a euro section and a heat exchange section.

[0040] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a base.

[0041] Figure 8 illustrates an example of a heat exchanger.

[0042] Figure 9 illustrates an example of a mounting space and a drainage space.

[0043] Figures 10 and 11 illustrate examples of a water collection unit and a pump.

[0044] Figure 12 illustrates an example of a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a euro guide.

[0045] Figure 13 illustrates an example of a blocking section.

[0046] Figure 14 illustrates another embodiment of a bulkhead.

[0047] Figures 15 and 16 illustrate examples of mounting covers.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] Hereinafter, a garment treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0054] 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).

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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).

[0057] 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) located 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).

[0058] 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).

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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).

[0061] 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).

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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).

[0064] FIG. 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). That is, the base (15) is provided with a panel mounting portion (152), and at least a portion of the lower end of the fixed panel (131) may be provided to be coupled to the panel mounting portion (152). In this case, the rear surface of the garment treatment device (100) will be formed by the combination of the rear surface of the base (15) and the fixed panel (131).

[0065] 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).

[0066] 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).

[0067] 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, 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.

[0068] 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).

[0069] The support panel (121) may be provided with a ring-shaped mounting rib that surrounds the inlet (122), and the mounting rib may be inserted into the mounting hole (221). Accordingly, the drum body (21) may be rotatably connected to the support panel (121) by inserting the mounting rib into the mounting hole (221).

[0070] The processing target introduced 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 for introducing the processing target into the drum body (21).

[0071] 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).

[0072] 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).

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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) (such as a first heat exchanger) 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).

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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).

[0079] The above supply path (35) may be provided to include a supply duct (351, supply duct) that guides air discharged from the heat exchange path (32) to the supply hole (136) of the fixed panel, and a sealing portion (352) that guides air passing through the supply hole (136) to the drum supply hole (231).

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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).

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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 drainage holes (326, condensate drainage holes).

[0084] The above heat exchange unit (4) may be provided to include a first heat exchanger (41) provided in the installation space (32a) to remove water vapor contained in 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.

[0085] 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).

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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).

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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).

[0090] 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).

[0091] 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).

[0092] 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 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).

[0093] 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).

[0094] 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).

[0095] In addition, when the lower end of 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).

[0096] The above panel mounting portion (152) may be provided to include a body mounting portion (152a) provided on the base body (15a) to which a portion of the fixed panel (131) is fixed, and a cover mounting portion (152b) provided on the base cover (15b) to which a portion of the fixed panel (131) is fixed.

[0097] The body mounting portion (152a) may be provided on the rear edge of the upper surface of the base body (15a), and the cover mounting portion (152b) may be provided on the rear edge of the upper surface of the base cover (15b).

[0098] The above body mounting portion (152a) may be provided as a groove (body mounting groove) in which one surface of the base body (15a) is concavely bent, and the cover mounting portion (152b) may be provided as a groove (cover mounting groove) in which one surface of the base cover (15b) is concavely bent.

[0099] When the base cover (15b) is fixed to the base body (15a), the body mounting portion (152a) and the cover mounting portion (152b) may be provided to be connected to each other. That is, when the base cover (15b) is fixed to the base body (15a), the body mounting groove and the cover mounting groove may be provided to be connected to each other.

[0100] Meanwhile, the body mounting portion (152a) may be provided with a body support rib provided on the rear surface of the base body (15a), and the cover mounting portion (152b) may be provided with a cover support rib provided on the rear surface of the base cover (15b).

[0101] The above body support rib may be provided with a first body extension portion that protrudes from one side (such as the rear side) of the base body (15a) to support a portion of the fixed panel (131), and a second body extension portion that protrudes from the first body extension portion along the height direction of the base (15) to prevent the fixed panel (131) from coming off.

[0102] The above cover support rib may be provided with a cover first extension portion that protrudes from one surface (such as the rear surface) of the base cover (15b) to support a portion of the fixed panel (131), and a cover second extension portion that protrudes from the cover first extension portion along the height direction of the base (15) to prevent the fixed panel (131) from coming off.

[0103] 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).

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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).

[0107] 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).

[0108] 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).

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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).

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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).

[0116] 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).

[0117] 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).

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] In order to prevent the condensate discharged to the collection chamber (61) from re-entering the heat exchange path (32) through the collection path (62), the clothing treatment device may be equipped with a path blocking part (65).

[0121] The above-mentioned flow path blocking portion (65) may be provided as a blocking wall extending from the bottom surface of the drainage space (32b) (bottom surface of the heat exchange channel) toward the bottom surface of the water collection channel (62). Since the bottom surface of the water collection channel (62) is located at a point lower than the bottom surface of the drainage space (32b), the blocking wall may be provided as a step formed between the bottom surface of the water collection channel (62) and the bottom surface of the drainage space (32b). In addition, the blocking wall may be provided as a wall extending from the bottom surface of the water collection channel (62) toward the bottom surface of the drainage space (32b).

[0122] Since the water collection channel (62) equipped with the above-mentioned flow blocking part (62) can serve as a condensate storage space, the flow blocking part (62) also serves as a means of expanding the condensate storage capacity of the water collection chamber (61).

[0123] FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the above-mentioned flow path blocking portion (65) is provided as a vertical surface extending along the height direction (Y-axis direction) of the heat exchange flow path, but the above-mentioned flow path blocking portion (65) may also be provided as a sloped surface that slopes downward from the bottom surface of the drainage space (32b) toward the bottom surface of the water collection flow path (62).

[0124] Meanwhile, 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).

[0125] 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.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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).

[0128] 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).

[0129] 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 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 of both sides of the heat exchange channel (32) based on the width direction of the base (X-axis direction, width direction of the drum).

[0130] In this case, the 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). Therefore, 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). In this case, the connecting flow path (34) may be located at a higher point than the drainage space (32b).

[0131] 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).

[0132] 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).

[0133] The condensate stored in the above collection chamber (61) can be discharged to the outside of the collection chamber through the pump (8).

[0134] As shown in Fig. 10, the pump (8) can be fixed to the chamber cover (612).

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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).

[0137] 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).

[0138] 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).

[0139] 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).

[0140] 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).

[0141] 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.

[0142] 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.

[0143] 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).

[0144] 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).

[0145] 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.

[0146] 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).

[0147] 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).

[0148] 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).

[0149] 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.

[0150] 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).

[0151] Meanwhile, in the garment 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 installation space (32a) through the drainage port (326) provided in the bulkhead.

[0152] 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). This means that when the fan (4) operates, the water level of the water collection chamber (61) may fluctuate, and the water level measured by the water level sensor (63) may not be accurate.

[0153] In order to increase the accuracy of the value measured by the water level sensor (63), as shown in Fig. 11, it is preferable that the free ends of the electrodes (631, 632) be positioned at a point (H) lower than the inlet (621) of the water collection channel. That is, the free ends (lowest ends of the electrodes) of the electrodes (631, 632) may be positioned between the upper and lower ends of the water flow blocking portion (65).

[0154] FIG. 11 illustrates an example in which the inlet (621) of the water collection channel is provided parallel to the bottom surface of the drainage space (32b), but the inlet (621) of the water collection channel may also be provided to be inclined from the bottom surface of the drainage space (32b) toward the bottom surface of the water collection channel (62). In the latter case, the free ends of the electrodes (631, 632) should be provided to be positioned lower than the lowest end of the inlet (621).

[0155] The drum (2), the exhaust path (31), the mounting space (32a), the connection path (34), and the supply path (35) form an air circulation path, and the drainage space (32b) and the water collecting unit (6) form a drainage path that discharges condensate generated during the drying process to the outside of the circulation path.

[0156] As shown in Fig. 12, the heat exchange path (32) is provided with a first receiving portion (361, 363) that provides a space in which the first heat exchanger (41) is mounted, and a second receiving portion (371, 372) that provides a space in which the second heat exchanger (43) is mounted.

[0157] The first receiving portion may be provided to include a first receiving groove (361) for receiving one side (left side) of the first heat exchanger (41) and a second receiving groove (363) for receiving the other side (right side) of the first heat exchanger (41). The first receiving groove (361) may be provided as a groove in which the left side of the heat exchange path (32) is bent in a direction away from the first heat exchanger (41), and the second receiving groove (363) may be provided as a groove in which the right side of the heat exchange path (32) is bent in a direction away from the first heat exchanger (41).

[0158] The second receiving portion may be provided to include a third receiving groove (371) in which one side (left side) of the second heat exchanger (43) is received, and a fourth receiving groove (373) in which the other side of the second heat exchanger (43) is received.

[0159] The third receiving groove (371) may be provided as a groove in which the left side of the heat exchange path (32) is bent in a direction away from the second heat exchanger (43), and the fourth receiving groove (373) may be provided as a groove in which the right side of the heat exchange path (32) is bent in a direction away from the second heat exchanger (43).

[0160] The above-mentioned receiving grooves (361, 363, 371, 373) are not only a means for fixing each heat exchanger (41, 43) inside the heat exchange path (32), but also a means for providing a space in which the refrigerant pipes (48) exposed on the left and right sides of each heat exchanger can be installed inside the heat exchange path (32).

[0161] The first heat exchanger (41) may be provided with a plurality of first heat exchange plates (411) arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the heat exchange path (X-axis direction, width direction of the base), and the second heat exchanger (43) may be provided with a plurality of second heat exchange plates (431) arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the width direction of the heat exchange path. The first heat exchange plates (411) and the second heat exchange plates (431) are each provided with a conductor and are fixed to the refrigerant pipe (48) as illustrated in the drawing.

[0162] The refrigerant pipe (48) forming the refrigerant circulation path is partially exposed on both sides of the first heat exchanger (41) and both sides of the second heat exchanger (43), and the first receiving groove (361) and the second receiving groove (363) provide a space for receiving the refrigerant pipes (48a, 48b) exposed on both sides of the first heat exchanger (41), and the third receiving groove (371) and the fourth receiving groove (373) provide a space for receiving the refrigerant pipes (48c, 48d) exposed on both sides of the second heat exchanger (43).

[0163] In the garment treatment device having the structure described above, there is a possibility that some of the air discharged from the drum (2) may move to the fan (49) through the space formed between both sides of the first heat exchanger (41) and the receiving grooves (361, 363) or through the space formed between both sides of the second heat exchanger (43) and the receiving grooves (371, 373).

[0164] This means that some of the air introduced into the heat exchange path (32) may be re-supplied to the drum (2) without passing through the heat exchangers (41, 43), which may cause a problem of reduced heat exchange efficiency (increased drying time, increased energy consumption).

[0165] To solve the above-described problem, the heat exchanger (4) may further be provided with a euro guide (42, 44).

[0166] The above-mentioned euro guide may be provided to include at least one of a first guide (42) that blocks air from moving to the first receiving portion (361, 363) and a second guide (44) that blocks air from moving to the second receiving portion (371, 373).

[0167] The first guide (42) may be provided to guide air introduced into the heat exchange path (32) to the front surface of the first heat exchanger (41) by closing the first receiving groove (361) and the second receiving groove (363), and the second guide (44) may be provided to guide air passing through the first heat exchanger to the front surface of the second heat exchanger (43) by closing the third receiving groove (371) and the fourth receiving groove (373).

[0168] The first guide (42) may be provided to include a first blocking plate (421) that closes the first receiving groove (361) to form the left side (left side of the mounting space) of the heat exchange passage (32), and a second blocking plate (423) that closes the second receiving groove (363) to form the right side (right side of the mounting space) of the heat exchange passage (32).

[0169] In this case, the first heat exchange plates (411) are arranged to be spaced apart from each other between the first blocking plate (421) and the second blocking plate (423), and the area (48a) of the refrigerant pipe (48) that passes through the first blocking plate (421) and is exposed to the outside will be located in the first receiving groove (361), and the area (48b) of the refrigerant pipe (48) that passes through the second blocking plate (423) and is exposed to the outside will be located in the second receiving groove (363).

[0170] In order for the first guide (42) to also perform a heat exchange function, the first blocking plate (421) and the second blocking plate (423) may be provided as conductors. Furthermore, the first blocking plate (421) and the second blocking plate (423) may be provided with the same material as the first heat exchange plate (411).

[0171] The second guide (44) may be provided to include a third blocking plate (441) that closes the third receiving groove (371) to form the left side (left side of the mounting space) of the heat exchange passage (32), and a fourth blocking plate (443) that closes the fourth receiving groove (373) to form the right side (right side of the mounting space) of the heat exchange passage (32).

[0172] In this case, the second heat exchange plates (431) are arranged to be spaced apart from each other between the third blocking plate (441) and the fourth blocking plate (443), and the area (48c) of the refrigerant pipe (48) that passes through the third blocking plate (441) and is exposed to the outside will be located in the third receiving groove (371), and the area (48d) of the refrigerant pipe (48) that passes through the fourth blocking plate (443) and is exposed to the outside will be located in the fourth receiving groove (373).

[0173] In order for the second guide (44) to also perform a heat exchange function, the third blocking plate (441) and the fourth blocking plate (443) may be provided as conductors. Furthermore, the third blocking plate (441) and the fourth blocking plate (443) may be provided with the same material as the second heat exchange plate (431).

[0174] In order to minimize air leakage into the first receiving groove (361) and the second receiving groove (363), the first blocking plate (421) may be provided with a first bending portion (422), and the second blocking plate (423) may be provided with a second bending portion (424).

[0175] The first bending portion (422) may be provided at least on one of the opposing ends of the first blocking plate (421), and the second bending portion (424) may be provided at at least on one of the opposing ends of the second blocking plate (423). FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which the first bending portion (422) is provided at each of the opposing ends of the first blocking plate (421), and the second bending portion (424) is provided at each of the opposing ends of the second blocking plate (423).

[0176] In this case, the first receiving groove (361) may be provided with a first fastening groove (362) into which the first bending portion (422) is inserted, and the second receiving groove (363) may be provided with a second fastening groove (364) into which the second bending portion (424) is inserted.

[0177] In order to minimize air leakage into the third receiving groove (371) and the fourth receiving groove (373), the third blocking plate (441) may be provided with a third bending portion (442), and the fourth blocking plate (443) may be provided with a fourth bending portion (444).

[0178] The third bending portion (442) may be provided at at least one of the opposing ends of the third blocking plate (441), and the fourth bending portion (444) may be provided at at least one of the opposing ends of the fourth blocking plate (443). FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which the third bending portion (442) is provided at each of the opposing ends of the third blocking plate (441), and the fourth bending portion (444) is provided at each of the opposing ends of the fourth blocking plate (443).

[0179] In this case, the third receiving groove (371) may be provided with a third fastening groove (372) into which the third bending portion (442) is inserted, and the fourth receiving groove (373) may be provided with a fourth fastening groove (374) into which the fourth bending portion (444) is inserted.

[0180] To further increase heat exchange efficiency, the heat exchange path (32) may further include a first extension body (38) positioned between the first bend (422) and the third bend (442), and a second extension body (39) positioned between the second bend (424) and the fourth bend (444).

[0181] The two sides of the first extension body (38) are provided to contact the first bending portion (422) and the third bending portion (442), and the surfaces connecting the two sides of the first extension body (38) may be provided to connect the first blocking plate (421) and the third blocking plate (441). Unlike the above, the surfaces connecting the two sides of the first extension body (38) may be provided to be located on the same plane as at least one of the first blocking plate (421) and the third blocking plate (441).

[0182] Likewise, both sides of the second extension body (39) may be provided to contact the second bending portion (424) and the fourth bending portion (444), and the surfaces connecting the both sides of the second extension body (39) may be provided to connect the second blocking plate (423) and the fourth blocking plate (443). Unlike the above, the surfaces connecting the both sides of the second extension body (39) may be provided to be located on the same plane as at least one of the second blocking plate (423) and the fourth blocking plate (443).

[0183] As previously described, the heat exchange path (32) is divided into the installation space (32a) and the drainage space (32b) by the partition wall (321), and the two spaces (32a, 32b) are connected through the drainage port (326) provided in the partition wall. Therefore, when the fan (49) is operated, there is a possibility that the condensate in the drainage space (32b) flows into the installation space (32a), and some of the air moving along the installation space (32a) is supplied to the drainage space (32b). In either case, the above-described phenomenon may cause a problem of lowering the heat exchange efficiency of the clothing treatment device.

[0184] In order to reduce the phenomenon of condensate in the above drainage space (32b) flowing into the inside of the above mounting space (32a), the above clothing treatment device may further be provided with a blocking part (328, 329) as shown in FIG. 13.

[0185] The above blocking portion (328, 329) may be provided in at least a portion of the space where the bulkhead (321) and the heat exchange path (32) come into contact, and may be provided to block communication between the mounting space (32a) and the drainage space (32b).

[0186] Fig. 13 illustrates an example in which the blocking part is provided with a blocking groove (329) provided in the bulkhead (321) and a blocking projection (328) provided in the heat exchange path (32) and inserted into the blocking groove (329).

[0187] The above blocking projection (328) may be provided as a lateral blocking projection (328a) provided in the heat exchange path (32) so as to be parallel to the direction of movement (first direction) of air passing through the installation space (32a). In this case, the blocking groove (329) may be provided in the bulkhead (321) to include a lateral blocking groove (329a) into which the lateral blocking projection is inserted.

[0188] The above-mentioned side blocking projection (328a) is provided as a rib protruding from the heat exchange path (32), and the above-mentioned side blocking groove (329a) may be provided in the bulkhead (321) as a groove or slot in which the rib is received.

[0189] The above-mentioned lateral blocking protrusion (328a) may be provided in an area parallel to the first direction among the first receiving portion (361), an area parallel to the first direction among the second receiving portion (363), an area parallel to the first direction among the third receiving portion (371), and an area parallel to the first direction among the fourth receiving portion (373).

[0190] The above blocking projection (328) may further include a rear blocking projection (328b), and the blocking groove (329) may further include a rear blocking groove (329b).

[0191] The rear blocking projection (328b) is provided as a rib protruding from the heat exchange path (32) so as to be parallel to the direction of movement (second direction) of air passing through the connecting path (34), and the rear blocking groove (329b) may be provided in the bulkhead (321) as a groove or slot into which the rear blocking projection (328b) is inserted.

[0192] In addition, the blocking projection (328) may further include a water collection channel blocking projection (329c) provided in at least one of the heat exchange channel (32) or the connecting channel (34), and the blocking groove (329) may further include a water collection channel blocking groove (328c) provided in the partition wall (321) so as to surround the edge of the water collection channel (62).

[0193] Accordingly, the clothing treatment device (100) can significantly reduce the amount of condensate from the drainage space (32b) flowing into the installation space (32a) through the blocking portion (328, 329).

[0194] Unlike as shown in Fig. 13, the blocking projection (328) may be provided on the partition wall (321), and the blocking groove (329) may be provided on the heat exchange path (32). That is, the side blocking projection (328a), the rear blocking projection (328b), and the water collection path blocking projection (328c) may be provided on the partition wall (321), and the side blocking groove (329a), the rear blocking groove (329b), and the water collection path blocking groove (329c) may be provided on the heat exchange path (32).

[0195] In the present embodiment, the side blocking projection (328a) may be provided as a rib provided on the partition wall (321) along the first direction, and the rear blocking projection (328b) may be provided as a rib provided on the partition wall (321) along the second direction. The water collection channel blocking groove (329c) may be provided as a rib having a shape that surrounds the edge of the water collection channel (62) and is connected to the rear blocking projection (328b).

[0196] The side blocking groove (329a) of the present embodiment may be provided in the heat exchange channel (32) as a groove or slot into which the side blocking projection is inserted, and the rear blocking groove (329b) may be provided in the heat exchange channel (32) as a groove or slot into which the rear blocking projection is inserted. The water collection channel blocking groove (329c) may be provided in the heat exchange channel (32) or the connecting channel (34) as a groove or slot into which the water collection channel blocking projection is inserted.

[0197] Meanwhile, condensate discharged from air passing through the first heat exchanger (41) may remain in the installation space (32a) despite the presence of a drain (326) provided in the bulkhead. The condensate remaining in the installation space (32a) may move to the second heat exchanger (43) by air moving along the installation space (32a). In this case, a problem of reduced heat exchange efficiency may occur.

[0198] In order to reduce the occurrence of the above-described phenomenon, the partition wall (321) may be provided with a communication hole (327) as illustrated in Fig. 14. The communication hole (327) may be provided as a plurality of through holes provided in the partition wall so as to be located between the first heat exchanger (41) and the second heat exchanger (43) (located between the space where the drain port and the second heat exchanger come into contact). The area of ​​the communication hole (327) may be set to be smaller than the area of ​​the drain port (326).

[0199] If the installation space (32a) and the drainage space (32b) are separated by a partition wall (321) that is provided with the blocking portions (328, 329) but does not have the communication hole (327), there is a possibility that condensate will fly into the installation space (32a) through the space formed between the blocking projection and the blocking groove when the rotation speed of the fan (49) is high. However, if the communication hole (327) is provided in the partition wall (321), the possibility of the above-described phenomenon occurring can be reduced.

[0200] As shown in Fig. 15, the base (15) is provided with a pump mounting portion (159) that provides a space in which the pump (8) is mounted.

[0201] The above pump mounting portion (159) is a space formed in the base (15) to be positioned between the lower end of the fixed panel (131) and the water collection chamber (61), and one side (the side positioned toward the rear surface of the base) may be provided as an open surface. This is to facilitate mounting or repairing the pump (8) and detachment of the chamber cover (612). The cover mounting portion (152b) may be provided to form the upper surface of the pump mounting portion (159).

[0202] In order to block the pump (8) provided in the pump mounting portion (159) from being exposed to the outside, the garment treatment device may further be provided with a mounting portion cover (17). That is, the mounting portion cover (17) may be provided to close the pump mounting portion (159) and block the pump (8) from being exposed to the outside of the cabinet.

[0203] However, considering the ease of cleaning of the water collection chamber (61) and installation or repair of the pump (8), the pump mounting portion (159) may be detachably fixed to at least one of the base (15) and the fixing panel (131). FIG. 15 illustrates an example in which one end of the mounting portion cover (17) is fixed to the fixing panel (131), and the other end of the mounting portion cover (17) is fixed to the rear surface of the base (15).

[0204] In the case of a garment treatment device (100) equipped with the above-mentioned mounting cover (17), the rear surface of the cabinet (rear surface of the garment treatment device) will be formed by the fixed panel (131), the rear surface of the base (15), and the mounting cover (17).

[0205] In order to reduce the possibility of foreign substances entering the pump mounting portion (159), the mounting portion cover (17) may be provided to be inclined in a direction away from the rear surface of the base (15) as it approaches the rear surface of the base (15) from the fixed panel (131).

[0206] The upper part of the mounting part cover (17) may be provided with a fixing part (173, 174) that is coupled to the fixing panel (131), and the lower part of the mounting part cover (17) may be provided with a position setting part (171, 172) that sets the position of the mounting part cover (17).

[0207] As shown in Fig. 16, the fixing member may be provided to include a fastening hole (173) located in the upper region of the mounting member cover (17) and a bolt (174) inserted into the fastening hole (173) to fasten the mounting member cover (17) to the fixing panel (131).

[0208] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the positioning part may be provided to include a mounting protrusion (171) provided on the mounting part cover (17), and a mounting protrusion receiving groove (172) provided on the base (15) to receive the mounting protrusion.

[0209] As illustrated in FIG. 16, the mounting protrusion (171) includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion provided to be spaced apart from each other at the bottom of the mounting portion cover (17), and the mounting protrusion receiving groove (172) may be provided in the base (15) to include a first protrusion receiving groove in which the first protrusion is received and a second protrusion receiving groove in which the second protrusion is received.

[0210] Unlike what is shown in the drawing, the mounting protrusion (171) may be provided on the base (15), and the mounting protrusion receiving groove (172) may be provided on the mounting portion cover (17).

[0211] 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 with an inlet and an exhaust port formed therein, and a fixed panel with an air supply port formed therein; A drum whose first end is rotatably fixed to the support panel and communicates with the inlet and the exhaust port, and whose other end is rotatably fixed to the fixed panel and communicates with the supply port; A flow path section having an exhaust path through which air inside the drum is discharged, a supply path for guiding air to the supply port, and a heat exchange path for guiding air introduced into the exhaust path to the supply path; A partition wall dividing the above heat exchange passage into a mounting space and a drainage space located below the mounting space; A heat exchanger having a first heat exchanger provided in the above-mentioned installation space to remove water vapor from air, a second heat exchanger provided in the above-mentioned installation space to heat air passing through the first heat exchanger, and a fan for moving air along the passage; and A clothing treatment device characterized by including a blocking part provided in at least a portion of a space where the bulkhead and the heat exchange path come into contact, and blocking communication between the installation space and the drainage space.

2. In paragraph 1, The above blocking part is, A blocking groove provided in the above bulkhead; and A clothing treatment device characterized by including a blocking projection provided in the heat exchange path and inserted into the blocking groove.

3. In paragraph 2, The above blocking groove includes a lateral blocking groove provided in the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the direction of movement of air moving along the installation space; A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above blocking projection includes a side blocking projection provided in the heat exchange path and inserted into the side blocking groove.

4. In paragraph 2, It further includes a connecting path connecting the above-mentioned mounting space and the above-mentioned supply path; A garment treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned mounting space is provided to move air along a first direction, and the above-mentioned connecting path is provided to move air along a second direction set in a different direction from the first direction.

5. In paragraph 4, The above blocking groove includes a side blocking groove provided in the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the first direction; and a rear blocking groove provided so as to be parallel to the second direction; A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above blocking projections include a side blocking projection provided in the heat exchange path and inserted into the side blocking groove; and a rear blocking projection provided in the heat exchange path and inserted into the rear blocking groove.

6. In paragraph 4, A collection chamber located outside the heat exchange path and storing condensate; and A garment treatment device characterized by including a water collection channel provided along the first direction, connecting the drainage space and the water collection chamber, at least a portion of which is located at the lower portion of the bulkhead.

7. In paragraph 6, The above blocking groove includes a side blocking groove provided in the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the first direction; a rear blocking groove provided in the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the second direction; and a water collection channel blocking groove provided in the bulkhead so as to surround the edge of the water collection channel. A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above blocking projections include: a side blocking projection provided in the heat exchange path and inserted into the side blocking groove; a rear blocking projection provided in the heat exchange path and inserted into the rear blocking groove; and a water collection path blocking projection provided in the heat exchange path or the connecting path and inserted into the water collection path blocking groove.

8. In paragraph 1, A drain port provided to penetrate the bulkhead and to discharge condensate discharged from the air passing through the first heat exchanger into the drain space; and A clothing treatment device characterized in that it further includes a communication hole provided in the partition wall so as to be positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, and connecting the installation space and the drainage space.

9. In paragraph 8, A clothing treatment device characterized in that the area of ​​the above-mentioned communication hole is set smaller than the area of ​​the above-mentioned drain.

10. In paragraph 1, The above blocking part is, A blocking projection provided on the above bulkhead; and A clothing treatment device characterized by including a blocking groove provided in the heat exchange path and accommodating the blocking projection.

11. In paragraph 10, The above blocking projection includes a lateral blocking projection provided on the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the direction of movement of air moving along the mounting space; A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above blocking groove is provided in the heat exchange path and includes a side blocking groove into which the side blocking projection is inserted.

12. In paragraph 10, It further includes a connecting path connecting the above-mentioned mounting space and the above-mentioned supply path; A garment treatment device characterized in that the above-mentioned mounting space is provided to move air along a first direction, and the above-mentioned connecting path is provided to move air along a second direction set in a different direction from the first direction.

13. In paragraph 12, The above blocking projection includes a side blocking projection provided on the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the first direction; and a rear blocking projection provided so as to be parallel to the second direction; A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above blocking groove includes a side blocking groove provided in the heat exchange path into which the side blocking projection is inserted; and a rear blocking groove provided in the heat exchange path into which the rear blocking projection is inserted.

14. In paragraph 12, A collection chamber located outside the heat exchange path and storing condensate; and A garment treatment device characterized by including a water collection channel provided along the first direction, connecting the drainage space and the water collection chamber, at least a portion of which is located at the lower portion of the bulkhead.

15. In paragraph 14, The blocking projection includes a side blocking projection provided on the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the first direction; a rear blocking projection provided on the bulkhead so as to be parallel to the second direction; and a water collection channel blocking projection provided on the bulkhead so as to surround the edge of the water collection channel. A clothing treatment device characterized in that the above blocking groove comprises: a side blocking groove provided in the heat exchange path into which the side blocking projection is inserted; a rear blocking groove provided in the heat exchange path into which the rear blocking projection is inserted; and a water collection path blocking groove provided in the heat exchange path or the connecting path into which the water collection path blocking projection is inserted.

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