Patent Application
20250066985
The disclosure relates to a clothes care apparatus.
A clothes care apparatus is equipment for clothes care, such as drying wet clothes, removing dust gathered on clothes or smell permeated in clothes, and smoothing out the wrinkles of clothes.
The clothes care apparatus includes a hot air supplier for supplying hot air to the care room to dry clothes, and a steam generator for performing a refresh function, such as removing the wrinkles of clothes, deodorization, removal of static electricity, providing scent, etc.
Therefore, it is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a clothes care apparatus including a spot cleaning device for performing spot cleaning of clothes.
It is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a clothes care apparatus capable of improving space utilization and user convenience by positioning a spot cleaning device in a separate space formed inside a door.
The technical object intended to be achieved by the present document is not limited to the above-mentioned technical objects, and other technical objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical art to which the disclosure belongs from the following description.
A clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment may include a cabinet, a first chamber formed inside the cabinet and configured to accommodate clothes, a first door configured to open or close the first chamber, the first door having a second chamber and configured to accommodate clothes, a second door configured to open or close the second chamber and rotatably coupled to the first door, and a spot cleaner disposed inside the second chamber and configured to spot clean the clothes accommodated in the second chamber. The spot cleaner may be movable inside the second chamber to spot clean a target area of the clothes accommodated in the second chamber.
The spot cleaner comprises a water spray configured to spray water, a cleaning liquid spray configured to spray a cleaning liquid as a mixture of water and a detergent, and a suction portion configured to intake the water, the cleaning liquid, and a foreign material.
The spot cleaner comprises at least one of a vibrating portion configured to vibrate clothes to remove contaminants from the clothes, or a roller configured to remove contaminants of the clothes by contacting the clothes.
The spot cleaner further comprises a water supply container configured to store water that is to be supplied to at least one of the water spray and the cleaning liquid spray, and a drain container configured to store the water, the cleaning liquid, and the foreign material intaken through the suction portion.
The water supply container and the drain container are detachably coupled to the spot cleaner.
The clothes care apparatus further comprises a mover configured to move the spot cleaner in at least one direction of a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction inside the second chamber.
The spot cleaner and the mover are disposed on a rear surface of the second door to be positioned inside the second chamber while the second door is in a closed state.
The mover comprises a first motor configured to generate a driving force to move the spot cleaner in the first direction, and a second motor configured to generate a driving force to move the spot cleaner in the second direction.
The mover further comprises a frame supporting the spot cleaner, a first shaft disposed in the frame, connected to the spot cleaner, and extending in the first direction, and a second shaft disposed in the second door, connected to the frame, and extending in the second direction.
The spot cleaner is movable in the first direction inside the frame.
The first motor is connected to the first shaft, and configured to rotate the first shaft, the second motor is connected to the second shaft, and configured to rotate the second shaft, the spot cleaner moves in the first direction within the frame while the first shaft rotates, and the frame and the spot cleaner move in the second direction while the second shaft rotates.
The clothes care apparatus further comprises a supporting portion positioned adjacent to an upper end of the second chamber, being movable in a vertical direction, and configured to support the clothes accommodated in the second chamber or support a clothes supporter, and a fixing portion positioned adjacent to a lower end of the second chamber and configured to fix the clothes accommodated in the second chamber.
The supporting portion comprises a guide hole formed in a rear side of the second chamber and extending along the vertical direction, and a supporter being movable in the vertical direction along the guide hole and fixable at a location in the guide hole.
The fixing portion comprises a bar positioned adjacent to the lower end of the second chamber and crossing the second chamber in a horizontal direction, and a fixer being movable in the horizontal direction along the bar and configured to hold and fix the clothes.
The first door comprises an airflow inlet formed in an upper side of the second chamber such that air inside the first chamber flows into the second chamber, and an airflow outlet formed in a lower side of the second chamber such that air inside the second chamber is discharged to the first chamber.
The first door further comprises a case forming the second chamber, and a plurality of holes formed in the case and through which air inside the second chamber flows into the first chamber or is discharged via the second chamber.
The plurality of holes is formed over an entire area of at least one side of the case.
At least one of the first door and the second door includes an input interface and an output interface, the input interface includes a spot care button for spot cleaning, and the output interface is configured to display a clothes image to set a target area that is to be spot cleaned according to an input to the spot care button.
Various embodiments of the present document and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.
In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.
The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or a plurality of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.
In this document, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C”, may include any one or all possible combinations of items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases. For example, the expression “at least one of A, B and C” may include any of the following: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, A and B and C.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.
Terms such as “first”, “second”, or “1st” or “2nd” may be used simply to distinguish a component from other components, without limiting the component in other aspects (for example, importance or order).
It is said that one (e.g., first) component is “coupled” or “connected” to another (for example, second) component, with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively”. When referenced, it means that one component can be connected to the other component directly (for example, by wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.
It will be understood that when the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.
An expression that one component is “connected”, “coupled”, “supported”, or “in contact” with another component includes a case in which the components are directly “connected”, “coupled”, “supported”, or “in contact” with each other and a case in which the components are indirectly “connected”, “coupled”, “supported”, or “in contact” with each other through a third component.
It will also be understood that when one component is referred to as being “on” or “over” another component, it can be directly on the other component or intervening components may also be present.
In the following description, the terms “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, and “lower” are defined based on the drawings, and the shapes and positions of the corresponding components are not limited by the terms.
As described in
The cabinet 10 may form a first chamber 11 that accommodates clothes. The cabinet 10 may be in a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped of which one side opens. In a front side of the cabinet 10, an opening 10a may be formed. Accordingly, the first chamber 11 may open at the front side.
The first door 20 may open and close the opening 10a of the cabinet 10. The first door 20 may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet 10. The first door 20 may open and close the first chamber 11 by opening or closing the opening 10a of the cabinet 10. The first door 20 may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet 10 through a connecting member or a connector such as a hinge 20a. On the first door 20, a control panel 70 may be provided.
Inside the cabinet 10, a machine room 13 partitioned from the first chamber 11 may be formed. The machine room 13 may accommodate a heat exchanger 45 for heating or dehumidifying inside air of the first chamber 11. The machine room 13 may accommodate a steam generator 40 for supplying steam into the first chamber 11.
The first chamber 11 may accommodate clothes. The first chamber 11 may form a space where clothes are accommodated. Inside the first chamber 11, a clothes supporting member or a clothes supporter 50 for supporting clothes may be provided. The clothes supporting member 50 may be detachably coupled to an upper side of the first chamber 11. One or more clothes supporting members 50 may be provided inside the first chamber 11. For example, a plurality of clothes supporting members 50 may be provided inside the first chamber 11. The clothes supporting members 50 may be in a shape of a hanger on which clothes is held. The clothes supporting member 50 may allow air to flow therein. By spraying air supplied to the inside of the clothes supporting member 50 toward clothes, dust or foreign materials gathered on the clothes may be removed.
The first door 20 may include a second chamber 22 partitioned from the first chamber 11 and accommodating clothes. The second chamber 22 may be formed inside the first door 20. The first door 20 may include a case 23 being in a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped of which one side opens, and the case 23 may form the second chamber 22. The case 23 may be integrated into the first door 20 or the case 23 may be provided separately and coupled to the first door 20. The second chamber 22 may open at the front side.
The second door 30 may open and close the second chamber 22. The second door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the first door 20 to open and close the second chamber 22. According to another example, the second door 30 may be coupled to the first door 20 in such a way as to be movable with respect to the first door 20 in upper and lower or left and right directions, which is not shown.
A display 35 may be provided on a front surface of the second door 30. According to another example, the display 35 of the second door 30 may include a touch panel, and include an input interface and an output interface, like the control panel 70 of the first door 20. The first chamber 11 may include a first airflow inlet 11a, a second airflow inlet 12a, a first airflow outlet 11b, and a second airflow outlet 12b.
The first airflow inlet 11a and the first airflow outlet 11b may be formed in a lower side of the first chamber 11. The first airflow inlet 11a may be positioned at a front portion of the lower side of the first chamber 11. The first airflow outlet 11b may be positioned at a rear portion of the lower side of the first chamber 11. The second airflow inlet 12a may be formed in a rear side of the first chamber 11. The second airflow outlet 12b may be formed in the upper side of the first chamber 11. The second airflow inlet 12a may be adjacent to the second airflow outlet 12b. To this end, the second airflow inlet 12a may be provided at an upper portion of the rear side of the first chamber 11. The second airflow outlet 12b may be provided adjacent to a center of the upper side of the first chamber 11.
The first airflow inlet 11a may be provided with a grille portion or a filter portion to prevent foreign materials except for water from passing through the first airflow inlet 11a. The first airflow outlet 11b may be provided with a grille portion or a filter portion to prevent foreign materials from passing through the first airflow outlet 11b and cause airflow to uniformly disperse into the first chamber 11.
The second airflow outlet 12b of the first chamber 11 may be connected to the clothes supporting member 50. Air discharged through the second air flow outlet 12b may be transferred to clothes hanging on the clothes supporting member 50 through an air hole 51 formed in the clothes supporting member 50. According to another example, the second airflow outlet 12b may not be connected to the clothes supporting member 50, and air discharged through the second air flow outlet 12b may move along an outer side of the clothes supporting member 50 and thus be transferred to clothes.
Referring to
The third airflow inlet 24a and 24b may include a rear airflow inlet 24a formed at an upper portion of a rear side of the second chamber 22, and an upper airflow inlet 24b formed in an upper side of the second chamber 22. The third airflow outlet 24c may be formed at a lower portion of the rear side of the second chamber 22.
The third airflow inlet 24a and 24b and the third airflow outlet 24c may penetrate the case 23. Dry air and/or steam inside the first chamber 11 may flow into the second chamber 22 through the third airflow inlet 24a and 24b. Air and/or steam inside the second chamber 22 may be discharged to the first chamber 11 through the third airflow outlet 24c.
Because the third airflow inlet 24a and 24c is adjacent to the second airflow outlet 12b, an amount of air having flowed into the third airflow inlet 24a and 24b may be more than an amount of air discharged through the third airflow inlet 24a and 24b. However, this explanation does not exclude discharging of air through the third airflow inlet 24a and 24b.
Unlike
Likewise, because the third airflow outlet 24c is adjacent to the first airflow inlet 11a, an amount of air discharged through the third airflow outlet 24c may be more than an amount of air having flowed into the third airflow outlet 24c. However, this explanation does not exclude inflow of air through the third airflow outlet 24c.
The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a spot cleaning device or a spot cleaner 100 provided inside the second chamber 22 to spot clean clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22.
The spot cleaning device 100 may be positioned inside the second chamber 22 upon closing of the second chamber 22 by the second door 30. The spot cleaning device 100 may be provided on a rear surface of the second door 30.
The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a moving device or a mover 200 for moving the spot cleaning device 100 in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction inside the second chamber 22.
The spot cleaning device 100 may be movable inside the second chamber 22. More specifically, the spot cleaning device 100 may be movable by the moving device 200 in the first and second directions inside the second chamber 22. Hereinafter, the first direction may be a vertical direction, and the second direction may be a horizontal direction. The vertical direction may include an up-down direction. The horizontal direction may include a left-right direction under an assumption that the second door 30 is in a closed state.
Because the spot cleaning device 100 is movable inside the second chamber 22, the spot cleaning device 100 may spot clean clothes accommodated inside the second chamber 22. Spot cleaning may be selectively cleaning an area of clothes. The area of clothes that is to be spot cleaned may be a target area. The target area may depend on a user's setting.
The spot cleaning device 100 may spray water and a cleaning liquid onto the clothes. The cleaning liquid may be a detergent or a mixture of water and a detergent. The spot cleaning device 100 may provide fine vibration to clothes after or while spraying water and a cleaning liquid onto the clothes. The fine vibration may be generated by an ultrasonic vibrator provided in the spot cleaning device 100. Accordingly, the fine vibration may be ultrasonic vibration. The spot cleaning device 100 may provide fine vibration to the target area of the clothes onto which the water and cleaning liquid have been sprayed, thereby cleaning the target area. The spot cleaning device 100 may intake the water and cleaning liquid sprayed toward the clothes. The spot cleaning device 100 may reduce or remove the water and cleaning liquid remaining in the clothes by intaking the water and cleaning liquid. The spot cleaning device 100 may absorb contaminations or foreign materials of the clothes, while intaking the water and cleaning liquid. Details about a structure of the spot cleaning device 100 will be described below.
In a lower portion of the cabinet 10, a cabinet drain container 15a and a cabinet water supply container 15b may be installed in such a way as to be separable from the cabinet 10. The cabinet drain container 15a and the cabinet water supply container 15b may be positioned below the first chamber 11.
The cabinet drain container 15a may store condensed water generated while the heat exchanger 45 operates or water generated as a result of condensation of steam before the water is discharged. The cabinet drain container 15a may be separable from the cabinet 10 to easily discharge water.
The cabinet water supply container 15b may store water required to generate steam in the steam generator 40 which will be described below. The water stored in the cabinet water supply container 15b may be supplied to the steam generator 40 to be used to form steam. The cabinet water supply container 15b may be separable from the cabinet 10 to easily add water.
The cabinet drain container 15a and the cabinet water supply container 15b may be positioned in a front space of a machine room 13. The machine room 13 may be provided in the lower portion of the cabinet 10. The machine room 13 may be positioned below the first chamber 11 and form a separate space from the first chamber 11. The heat exchanger 45 for dehumidifying and heating inside air of the first chamber 11 may be accommodated inside the machine room 13.
A first fan 42, the heat exchanger 45 and the steam generator 40 may be positioned inside the machine room 13.
The heat exchanger 45 may supply hot air into the first chamber 11. The heat exchanger 45 may include an evaporator 46, a compressor 48, and a condenser 47 along which a refrigerant circulates. The heat exchanger 45 may dehumidify and heat air.
While a refrigerant is evaporated from the evaporator 46 of the heat exchanger 45, the refrigerant may absorb latent heat from surrounding air, and thereby, the heat exchanger 45 may condense and remove moisture in the air. While the refrigerant is condensed in the condenser 47 via the compressor 48, the refrigerant may emit latent heat toward surrounding air, and thereby, the heat exchanger 45 may heat the surrounding air. Air having flowed into the machine room 13 by the first fan 42 may be dehumidified and heated by sequentially passing through the evaporator 46 and the condenser 47.
The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a first duct 71 that accommodates the evaporator 46, the condenser 47, and the first fan 42. The first duct 71 may be positioned in the machine room 13. One end 71a of the first duct 71 may be connected to the first airflow inlet 11a. Another end 71b of the first duct 71 may be connected to the first airflow outlet 11b. The first duct 71 may be connected to the first chamber 11 through the first airflow inlet 11a and the first airflow outlet 11b.
Air of the first chamber 11 may flow into the first duct 71 through the first airflow inlet 11a, and then is discharged to the first chamber 11 through the first airflow outlet 11b. Air having flowed into the first duct 71 may be dehumidified and heated by passing through the evaporator 46 and the condenser 47. The first duct 71 may form a first circulation flow path 72 along which air circulates through the first chamber 11, the first fan 42, the evaporator 46, and the condenser 47. The first fan 42 may be positioned on the first circulation flow path 72 to intake air of the first chamber 11 into the first duct 71. Air having intaken into the first duct 71 by the first fan 42 may be discharged to the first chamber 11 through the first airflow outlet 11b. The first circulation flow path 72 may be a circulation flow path through which air having flowed into the first duct 71 from the first chamber 11 through the first airflow inlet 11a is again discharged to the first chamber 11 from the first duct 71 through the first airflow outlet 11b.
The clothes care apparatus 1 may include the steam generator 40 positioned in the machine room 13. The steam generator 40 may generate steam by receiving water from the cabinet water supply container 15b of the machine room 13.
The steam generator 40 may include a steam generating portion 41 connected to the cabinet water supply container 15b to generate steam by receiving water, a steam spray 43 for spraying steam generated in the steam generating portion 41, and a steam connection tube 43 connecting the steam generating portion 41 to the steam spray 43.
The steam spray 43 may be fixed to a steam outlet 43a formed at the rear, lower portion of the first chamber 11. The steam outlet 43a may be formed to correspond to the steam spray 43. The steam spray 43 may spray steam generated inside the machine room 13 into the first chamber 11 through the steam outlet 43a. The steam spray 43 and the steam outlet 43a may be positioned at different locations.
The steam generating portion 41 may include a heater (not shown) therein. The heater of the steam generating portion 41 may heat water and thereby, the steam generating portion 41 may generate steam.
The first door 20 may include a door guide 21 that guides water moving downward by gravity to the first airflow inlet 11a. The door guide 21 may be provided in a lower portion of a rear surface of the first door 20. The door guide 21 may be inclined downward toward the first airflow inlet 11a from the rear surface of the first door 20. Water on the rear surface of the first door 20 may move to the door guide 21 by gravity and be guided in a rear direction by the door guide 21 to flow into the first airflow inlet 11a. The water having flowed into the first airflow inlet 11a may move to the cabinet drain container 15a through a connecting member (not shown).
The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a second fan 75 for moving inside air of the first chamber 11, and a second duct 73 in which the second fan 75 is installed. The second duct 73 may be connected to the first chamber 11. One end of the second duct 73 may be connected to the second airflow inlet 12a. Another end of the second duct 73 may be connected to the second airflow outlet 12b. Air having flowed into the second duct 73 through the second airflow inlet 12a may be discharged to the first chamber 11 through the second airflow outlet 12b. The second fan 75 may be installed inside the second duct 73 to intake air into the second duct 73 through the second airflow inlet 12a. Air having flowed into the second duct 73 by the second fan 75 may be discharged to the first chamber 11 through the second airflow outlet 12b.
The second duct 73 may form a second circulation flow path 74 by connecting the first chamber 11, the second airflow inlet 12a, and the second airflow outlet 12b to each other. The second circulation flow path 74 may be a circulation flow path through which air having flowed into the second duct 73 from the first chamber 11 through the second airflow outlet 12a is discharged to the first chamber 11 from the second duct 73 through the second airflow outlet 12b.
The second duct 73 may be positioned behind the first chamber 11. The second duct 73 may be positioned behind the second airflow inlet 12a formed in the rear side of the first chamber 11. The second duct 73 may be positioned at an upper portion of the rear side of the first chamber 11. A filter member or a filter 60 for filtering foreign materials from air flowing into the second airflow inlet 12a may be detachably installed in the second airflow inlet 12a. The filter member 60 may remove foreign materials such as dust and odors from the air flowing into the second duct 73. The filter member 60 may be provided with not only a filter but also a sheet (not shown) for providing scent to clothes.
The clothes supporting member 50 may be coupled to the upper side of the first chamber 11 to be connected to the second airflow outlet 12b. The clothes supporting member 50 may spray air discharged from the second airflow outlet 12b toward clothes. The air sprayed by the clothes supporting member 50 may remove foreign materials such as dust on the clothes. According to another example, the clothes supporting member 50 may be coupled to the upper side of the first chamber 11 and positioned below the second airflow outlet 12b in such a way as to be spaced from the second airflow outlet 12b.
After clothes are hung on the clothes supporting member 50 and the first door 20 is closed, the clothes care apparatus 1 may perform a clothes care mode. In the clothes care mode, inside air of the first chamber 11 may circulate the inside of the cabinet 10 along the first circulation flow path 72 and the second circulation flow path 74. A part of inside air of the first chamber 11 may flow into the second chamber 22 through the third airflow inlets 24a and 24b. Inside air of the second chamber 22 may be discharged to the first chamber 11 through the third airflow outlet 24c.
Referring to
The spot cleaning apparatus 1000 may include a water spray 101 for spraying water, a cleaning liquid spray 102 for spraying a cleaning liquid, a vibrating portion 103 for providing fine vibration to clothes by contacting the clothes, and a suction portion 104 for intaking water and a cleaning liquid. For example, the vibrating portion 103 may generate vibration by using an ultrasonic device.
The water spray 101 may spray water toward clothes. The cleaning liquid spray 102 may spray a cleaning liquid as a mixture of water and a detergent toward clothes. According to another example, the cleaning liquid may consist only of a detergent with adjusted concentration. The vibrating portion 103 may provide fine vibration to clothes by contacting the clothes, thereby cleaning the clothes. The suction portion 104 may intake water and a cleaning liquid sprayed to clothes and foreign materials.
In addition, the spot cleaning device 100 may further include a roller 105 that rotates to remove foreign materials gathered on clothes. The spot cleaning device 100 may include a motor (not shown) for rotating the roller 105. The roller 105 may clean a target area of clothes together with the vibrating portion 103. The roller 105 may clean clothes by contacting the clothes. The roller 105 may physically contact the clothes to which water and a cleaning liquid have been sprayed, thereby causing contaminations on the clothes to be well mixed with the cleaning liquid. Also, the roller 105 may contact the clothes to thus remove foreign materials such as dust on the clothes. Unlike the drawing, the spot cleaning device 100 may not include the roller 105. According to another example, the spot cleaning device 100 may include the roller 105, instead of the vibrating portion 103. According to another example, the roller 105 may have a brush shape. The other example will be described below.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the spot cleaning device 100 may include a water container 120 including a water supply container 121 (see
The water container 120 may include a first water container opening 121a through which water is supplied to or discharged from the water supply container 121. The water container 120 may include a second water container opening 122a through which water, a cleaning liquid, foreign materials, etc. flow into the drain container 122, or water, a cleaning liquid, foreign materials, etc. are discharged from the drain container 122.
Referring to
The spot cleaning device 100 may include a water container inserting portion 106 in which the water container 120 is inserted, and a water container fixing portion 106a and 106b that fixes the water container 120 inserted in the water container inserting portion 106 to prevent the water container 120 from being withdrawn from the water container inserting portion 106 by gravity.
The water container fixing portion 106a and 106b may be adjacent to the water container inserting portion 106. The water container fixing portion 106a and 106b may be rotatable. The water container fixing portion 106a and 106b may be rotatable between a fixing position to prevent the water container 120 inserted in the water container inserting portion 106 from being withdrawn from the water container inserting portion 106, and a releasing position to cause the water container 120 inserted in the water container inserting portion 106 to be withdrawn from the water container inserting portion 106. A pair of water container fixing portions 106a and 106b may be provided. However, the number and position of the water container fixing portions 106a and 106b may change. However, instead of the water container fixing portions 106a and 106b, the water container 120 may be provided with an elastic protrusion, and the water container 120 may be fitted into the water container inserting portion 106.
The spot cleaning device 100 may include a detergent inlet 107 through which a detergent is put into a detergent case. The user may put a detergent into the detergent case without separating the spot cleaning device 100 from the second door 30. That is, the user may put a detergent in the detergent case without having to access the spot cleaning device 100 from behind.
The spot cleaning device 100 may further include an inlet cover 130 detachably coupled to the detergent inlet 107 to cover the detergent inlet 107. As shown in
The spot cleaning device 100 may include a moving portion 111, 112, 113, and 114. The moving portion 111, 112, 113, and 114 may include a first moving portion 111 and a second moving portion 112, which are connected to a first shaft 211. The moving portions 111, 112, 113, and 114 may include a third moving portion 113 and a fourth moving portion 114, which are connected to a third shaft 231. The moving portions 111, 112, 113, and 114 may move in the first direction while the first shaft 211 and the third shaft 231 rotate.
The second moving portion 112 may be spaced from the first moving portion 111 in the first direction. The fourth moving portion 114 may be spaced from the third moving portion 113 in the first direction. The first direction may be an up-down direction or a vertical direction. Accordingly, the first moving portion 111 and the second moving portion 112 may be spaced from each other in the up-down direction, and the third moving portion 113 and the fourth moving portion 114 may be spaced from each other in the up-down direction.
Each of the moving portions 111, 112, 113, and 114 may include a hole through which a shaft passes. In the hole of each of the moving portions 111, 112, 113, and 114, a thread may be formed to correspond to a thread formed in the first shaft 211 or the third shaft 231. Accordingly, while the first shaft 211 rotates in one direction, the first moving portion 111 and the second moving portion 112 may move upward or downward, and while the first shaft 211 rotates in another direction, the first moving portion 111 and the second moving portion 112 may move downward or upward.
Likewise, while the third shaft 231 rotates in one direction, the third moving portion 113 and the fourth moving portion 114 may move upward or downward, and while the third shaft 231 rotates in another direction, the third moving portion 113 and the fourth moving portion 114 may move downward or upward. The one direction and other direction in which the first and third shafts 211 and 231 rotate respectively may be a clockwise direction CW and a counterclockwise direction CCW, respectively.
Referring to
The housing 110 may open at one side. The housing 110 may include the first moving portion 111, the second moving portion 112, the third moving portion 113, and the fourth moving portion 114. The water supply pump 140, the drain pump 150, and the driving motor 160, which will be described below, may be accommodated inside the housing 110. The detergent case 131 may be provided inside the housing 110, and the substrate 118a and the battery 118b may be accommodated inside the housing 110. The housing cover 110a may cover the open side of the housing 110.
According to an embodiment, the housing 110 may include the water container inserting portion 106 which the water container 120 is inserted into or withdrawn from, and a water container accommodating portion 117 provided to accommodate the water container 120 inserted into the housing 110 through the water container inserting portion 106. The water container accommodating portion 117 may be provided with a water supply connecting portion 117b connected to the first water container opening 121a of the water container 120, and a drain connecting portion 117a connected to the second water container opening 122a of the water container 120.
Referring to
The spot cleaning device 100 may include an ultrasonic vibrator 103a for providing fine vibration to the vibrating portion 103. A plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 103a may be provided, and for example, four ultrasonic vibrators 103a may be provided inside the vibrating portion 100. The ultrasonic vibrators 103a may be positioned inside the housing 110 according to coupling of the housing cover 110a with the housing 110.
Referring to
According to an embodiment, the spot cleaning device 100 may further include a third water supply duct 143 diverging at a location of the second water supply duct 142. The third water supply duct 143 may be connected to a connecting duct 133 which will be described below. Water of the third water supply duct 143 may be mixed with a detergent of the detergent case 131 inside the connecting duct 133, and then sprayed to the outside of the spot cleaning device 100 through the cleaning liquid spray 102. This will be described in detail, below.
Referring to
The spot cleaning device 100 may include the detergent case 131 that accommodates a detergent. According to an embodiment, the detergent case 131 may be integrated into the housing 110, although not limited thereto. However, the detergent case 131 may be provided as a separate component installed in the housing 110 in such a way as to be detachable from the housing 110. The detergent case 131 may be connected to the detergent inlet 107. A detergent put through the detergent inlet 107 may be stored in the detergent case 131.
The detergent case 131 may include a detergent outlet 131a. The detergent stored in the detergent case 131 may be discharged to outside of the detergent case 131 through the detergent outlet 131a.
The detergent outlet 131a may be connected to the detergent duct 132. The detergent duct 132 may form a flow path through which the detergent moves. The detergent duct 132 may be connected to the connecting duct 133. The connecting duct 133 may be provided as a T-shaped valve. The connecting duct 133 may include two inlets and one outlet. One of the two inlets of the connecting duct 133 may be connected to the third water supply duct 143, and another one may be connected to the detergent duct 132. The outlet of the connecting duct 133 may be connected to the cleaning liquid spray 102.
Referring to
The connecting duct 133 may include a nozzle portion 133b provided at one end of the first inlet 133a. One end of the nozzle portion 133b may have the same diameter as the first inlet 133a to be connected to the first inlet 133a. Another end of the nozzle portion 133b may have a diameter than is smaller than the first inlet 133a. That is, the diameter of the nozzle portion 133b may decrease from the one end toward the other end. By the structure of the nozzle portion 133b, a flow rate of water having flowed into the one end of the nozzle portion 133b may increase toward the other end from which the water is discharged. The reason may be because water passing through the nozzle portion 133b decreases in pressure and increases in flow rate due to a decrease in flow path area of the nozzle portion 133b. Because the pressure of the fluid decreases at the other end of the nozzle portion 133b, the detergent existing in the detergent duct 132 may move into the connecting duct 133 having relatively low pressure. The water having passed through the other end of the nozzle portion 133b may be mixed with the detergent having passed through the second inlet 133c inside the connecting duct 133. A cleaning liquid as the mixture of the water and detergent may be discharged through the outlet 133d of the connecting duct 133. Because the outlet 133d is connected to the cleaning liquid spray 102, the water and detergent mixed inside the connecting duct 133 may be sprayed to the outside of the spot cleaning device 100 through the cleaning liquid spray 102. Because the connecting duct 133 includes the nozzle portion 133b therein, as described above, the connecting duct 133 may automatically mix water with a detergent by using a pressure difference without a driver.
The spot cleaning device 100 may include the battery 118b for supplying power to the water supply pump 140, the drain pump 150, the driving motor 160, and the ultrasonic vibrator 103a, and a charging terminal 115a and 115b for charging the battery 118b. The charging terminal 115a and 115b may include a positive pole 115a and a negative pole 115b.
The spot cleaning device 100 may include the substrate 118a on which the second controller 180 and the second communicator 190 which will be described below are mounted. The substrate 118a may be accommodated inside the housing 110. Various components (for example, a heat sink), in addition to the second controller 180 and the second communicator 190, may be mounted on the substrate 118a, as necessary.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The moving device 200 may include a first motor 210 for providing a driving force to move the spot cleaning device 100 in the first direction and a second motor 220 for providing a driving force to move the spot cleaning device 100 in the second direction. The moving device 200 may include the first shaft 211 extending in the first direction and connected to the first motor 210, and a second shaft 221 extending in the second direction and connected to the second motor 220. The first shaft 211 may rotate in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction by a driving force of the first motor 210. The second shaft 221 may rotate in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction by a driving force of the second motor 220.
According to an embodiment, the moving device 200 may further include a third motor 230 for providing a driving force to move the spot cleaning device 100 in the first direction, and a fourth motor 240 for providing a driving force to move the spot cleaning device 100 in the second direction. The moving device 200 may further include the third shaft 231 extending in the first direction and positioned in parallel to the first shaft 211, and a fourth shaft 241 extending in the second direction and positioned in parallel to the second shaft 221. The third shaft 231 may rotate by receiving a driving force from the third motor 230, and the fourth shaft 241 may rotate by receiving a driving force from the fourth motor 240. The third motor 230 may provide a driving force to move the spot cleaning device 100 in the first direction, together with the first motor 210. The fourth motor 240 may provide a driving force to move the spot cleaning device 100 in the second direction, together with the second motor 220. For example, the first to fourth motors 210 to 240 may receive power from a power supply of the clothes care apparatus 1 through hinges of the first door 20 and the second door 30. According to another example, the first to fourth motors 210 to 240 may receive power from the spot cleaning device 100.
Unlike the drawing, the moving device 200 may include only the first motor 210 and the second motor 220. In this case, the moving device 200 may include a first link member or a first link (not shown) connecting the first shaft 211 to the third shaft 231 to rotate the first shaft 211 and the third shaft 231 together, and a second link member or a second link (not shown) connecting the second shaft 221 to the fourth shaft 241 to rotate the second shaft 221 and the fourth shaft 241 together. While the first motor 210 rotates the first shaft 211 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the third shaft 231 may rotate together with the first shaft 211 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction by the first link member. While the second motor 220 rotates the second shaft 221 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the fourth shaft 241 may rotate together with the second shaft 221 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction by the second link member.
The moving device 200 may include a frame 250 supporting the spot cleaning device 100. The frame 250 may support the spot cleaning device 100 such that the spot cleaning device 100 is movable in the first direction inside the fame 250. The frame 250 may extend in the first direction. The frame 250 may accommodate the spot cleaning device 100, the first motor 210, the third motor 230, the first shaft 211, and the third shaft 231. The frame 250 may be connected to the second shaft 221 and the fourth shaft 241. The frame 250 may move along the second shaft 221 and the fourth shaft 241.
The frame 250 may accommodate the spot cleaning device 100 such that at least one portion of the spot cleaning device 100 is exposed to the second chamber 22. The frame 250 may support the spot cleaning device 100 such that the spot cleaning device 100 is movable inside the frame 250. The frame 250 may extend in the first direction, and the spot cleaning device 100 may move in the first direction inside the frame 250. The spot cleaning device 100 may move in the up-down direction inside the frame 250.
The frame 250 may include a frame body 260, and a frame cover 270 coupled to the frame body 260.
The frame body 260 may include a first frame hole 265 in which the spot cleaning device 100 is inserted. The spot cleaning device 100 may be inserted in the first frame hole 265. At least one portion of the spot cleaning device 100 may protrude outward from the frame body 260 by passing through the first frame hole 265. The first frame hole 265 may extend in the first direction to guide a movement in first direction of the spot cleaning device 100. The spot cleaning device 100 may move in the first direction in the first frame hole 265. Unlike the drawing, the frame body 260 may not include the first frame hole 265 and the spot cleaning device 100 may be accommodated inside the frame body 260.
The frame body 260 may include a first frame moving portion 261 and a second frame moving portion 262 connected to the second shaft 221 and moving in the second direction along the second shaft 221. The first frame moving portion 261 may be spaced from the second frame moving portion 262 in the left-right direction. The first frame moving portion 261 may be adjacent to an upper end of one side of the frame body 260, and the second frame moving portion 262 may be adjacent to an upper end of another side of the frame body 260.
The frame body 260 may include a third frame moving portion 263 and a fourth frame moving portion 264 connected to the fourth shaft 241 and moving in the second direction along the fourth shaft 241. The third frame moving portion 263 may be spaced from the fourth frame moving portion 264 in the left-right direction. The third frame moving portion 263 may be adjacent to a lower end of one side of the frame body 260, and the fourth frame moving portion 264 may be adjacent to a lower end of another side of the frame body 260.
The frame body 260 may include the first to fourth frame moving portions 261, 262, 263, and 264. Each of the first to fourth frame moving portions 261, 262, 263, and 264 may include a hole which the corresponding shaft penetrates. In the hole of each of the first to fourth frame moving portions 261, 262, 263, and 264, a thread corresponding to a thread formed in the second shaft 221 or the fourth shaft 241 may be formed. Accordingly, while the second shaft 221 rotates in one direction, the first frame moving portion 261 and the second frame moving portion 262 may move to the left or right, and, while the second shaft 221 rotates in another direction, the first frame moving portion 261 and the second frame moving portion 262 may move to the right or left. Likewise, while the fourth shaft 241 rotates in one direction, the third frame moving portion 263 and the fourth frame moving portion 264 may move to the left or right, and, while the fourth shaft 241 rotates in another direction, the third frame moving portion 263 and the fourth frame moving portion 264 may move to the right or left. The one direction and other direction in which the second and fourth shafts 221 and 241 rotate respectively may be the clockwise direction CW and the counterclockwise direction CCW, respectively.
The frame cover 270 may be coupled to the frame body 260 to cover an open side of the frame body 260. The frame cover 270 may be coupled to the frame body 260 to form an inside space of the frame 250 that accommodates the spot cleaning device 100, the first motor 210, the third motor 230, the first shaft 211, and the third shaft 231.
The frame cover 270 may include a first shaft supporting portion 271 and 272 supporting the first shaft 211, and a third shaft supporting portion 273 and 274 supporting the third shaft 231. The frame cover 270 may include a first motor installing portion 275 in which the first motor 210 is installed, and a third motor installing portion 276 in which the third motor 230 is installed. The frame cover 270 may include a second frame hole 277 penetrating the frame cover 270 to expose the spot cleaning device 100 to the second chamber 22.
The first shaft supporting portion 271 and 272 may be connected to the first shaft 211. The first shaft supporting portion 271 and 272 may include a first upper supporting portion 271 that is adjacent to an upper end of one side of the frame cover 270, and a first lower supporting portion 272 that is adjacent to a lower end of the one side of the frame cover 270. Each of the first upper supporting portion 271 and the first lower supporting portion 272 may include a hole through which the first shaft 211 passes. The first shaft 211 may rotate within the first upper supporting portion 271 and the first lower supporting portion 272. The first shaft 211 may idle within the first upper supporting portion 271 and the first lower supporting portion 272. In other words, while the first shaft 211 rotates within the first upper supporting portion 271 and the first lower supporting portion 272, the first upper supporting portion 271 and the first lower supporting portion 272 may not move in the first direction.
The third shaft supporting portion 273 and 274 may be connected to the third shaft 231. The third shaft supporting portion 273 and 274 may include a second upper supporting portion 273 that is adjacent to an upper end of another side of the frame cover 270, and a second lower supporting portion 274 that is adjacent to a lower end of the other side of the frame cover 270. Each of the second upper supporting portion 273 and the second lower supporting portion 274 may include a hole through which the third shaft 231 passes. The third shaft 231 may rotate within the second upper supporting portion 273 and the second lower supporting portion 274. The third shaft 231 may idle within the second upper supporting portion 273 and the second lower supporting portion 274. In other words, while the third shaft 231 rotates within the second upper supporting portion 273 and the second lower supporting portion 274, the second upper supporting portion 273 and the second lower supporting portion 274 may not move in the first direction.
The first motor 210 may be installed in the first motor installing portion 275. Although a detailed structure of the first motor installing portion 275 is not shown in the drawings, the first motor installing portion 275 may support the first motor 210 with various structures. For example, the first motor installing portion 275 may include an elastic protrusion such that the first motor 210 is fitted into the first motor installing portion 275.
The third motor 230 may be installed in the third motor installing portion 276. Although a detailed structure of the third motor installing portion 276 is not shown in the drawings, the third motor installing portion 276 may support the third motor 230 with various structures. For example, the third motor installing portion 276 may include an elastic protrusion such that the third motor 230 is fitted into the third motor installing portion 276.
The frame cover 270 may include the second frame hole 277 in which the spot cleaning device 100 is inserted. The spot cleaning device 100 may be inserted in the second frame hole 277. At least one portion of the spot cleaning device 100 may protrude outward from the frame cover 270 by passing through the second frame hole 277. The spot cleaning device 100 may be exposed to the second chamber 22 through the second fame hole 277. The spot cleaning device 100 exposed to the second chamber 22 may spot clean clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22. The second frame hole 277 may extend in the first direction and guide a movement in first direction of the spot cleaning device 100. The spot cleaning device 100 may move in the first direction within the second frame hole 277.
The moving device 200 may include the second motor 220 and the fourth motor 240 that provide a driving force to move the spot cleaning device 100 in the second direction. The second shaft 221 may be connected to the second motor 220, and the fourth shaft 241 may be connected to the fourth motor 240.
The second motor 220 and the fourth motor 240 may be coupled to the second door 30. The second door 30 may include the door body 31, and the supporting frame 32 coupled to a rear surface of the door body 31. The door body 31 may be rotatably coupled to the first door 20. The door body 31 may open and close the second chamber 22.
The second motor 220 and the fourth motor 240 may be installed in the supporting frame 32 of the second door 30. The second motor 220 may be installed in a second motor installing portion 32a of the supporting frame 32. The second motor installing portion 32a may be adjacent to an upper end of one side of the supporting frame 32. Although a detailed structure of the second motor installing portion 32a is not shown in the drawings, the second motor installing portion 32a may support the second motor 220 with various structures. For example, the second motor installing portion 32a may include an elastic protrusion such that the second motor 220 is fitted into the second motor installing portion 32a. The fourth motor 240 may be installed in a fourth motor installing portion 32b of the supporting frame 32. The fourth motor installing portion 32b may be adjacent to a lower end of the one side of the supporting frame 32. Although a detailed structure of the fourth motor installing portion 32b is not shown in the drawings, the fourth motor installing portion 32b may support the fourth motor 240 with various structures. For example, the fourth motor installing portion 32b may include an elastic protrusion such that the fourth motor 240 is fitted into the fourth motor installing portion 32b.
The second shaft 221 may be connected to a second shaft supporting portion 32c of the supporting frame 32. The second shaft supporting portion 32c may be adjacent to an upper end of another side of the supporting frame 32. The second shaft supporting portion 32c may include a hole through which the second shaft 221 passes. The second shaft 221 may idle within the second shaft supporting portion 32c. In other words, while the second shaft 221 rotates within the second shaft supporting portion 32c, the second shaft supporting portion 32c may not move in the second direction.
The fourth shaft 241 may be connected to a fourth shaft supporting portion 32d of the supporting frame 32. The fourth shaft supporting portion 32d may be adjacent to a lower end of the other side of the supporting frame 32. The fourth shaft supporting portion 32d may include a hole through which the fourth shaft 241 passes. The fourth shaft 241 may idle within the fourth shaft supporting portion 32d. In other words, while the fourth shaft 241 rotates within the fourth shaft supporting portion 32d, the fourth shaft supporting portion 32d may not move in the second direction.
The supporting frame 32 may include a supporting frame hole 32e penetrating the supporting frame 32 such that the frame 250 moves in the second direction within the supporting frame 32. The frame 250 may move in the second direction with respect to the supporting frame hole 32e.
As described above, the spot cleaning device 100 may move in the first direction within the frame 250. The frame 250 accommodating the spot cleaning device 100 may move in the second direction within the supporting frame 32 of the second door 30. Accordingly, the spot cleaning device 100 may move in the first direction and the second direction. In other words, the spot cleaning device 100 may move within the second chamber 22 in the upper, lower, left, and right directions.
Referring to
The supporting portion 80 may be adjacent to an upper end of the second chamber 22. The supporting portion 80 may support a hanger H, as shown in
The supporting portion 80 may include a guide hole 82 extending in the vertical direction, and a supporting member or a supporter 81 that is movable in the vertical direction along the guide hole 82 and fixable at a location within the guide hole 82.
The guide hole 82 may be formed in the rear side of the second chamber 22. The guide hole 82 may be adjacent to an upper end of the rear side of the second chamber 22. The guide hole 82 may extend in the vertical direction. The supporting member 81 may move in the vertical direction within the guide hole 82. Accordingly, the guide hole 82 may define a movement range in vertical direction of the supporting member 81. To extend the movement range in vertical direction of the supporting member 81, a length in vertical direction of the guide hole 82 may extend.
The supporting portion 80 may include a coupling member or a coupler 85 coupled to the supporting member 81 to fix the supporting member 81 at a location within the guide hole 82. The coupling member 85 may be coupled to the supporting member 81 outside the second chamber 22. The coupling member 85 may be coupled to the supporting member 81 by rotating. For example, the coupling member 85 may correspond to a nut, and the supporting member 81 may correspond to a bolt. The coupling member 85 may include a thread 85a at the inner surface, and the supporting member 81 may include a thread 81a at the outer surface.
The supporting member 81 may include a first groove 83a and a second groove 84c in which at least one portion of the hanger H is inserted. The supporting member 81 may include a first protrusion 83 and a second protrusion 84a that protrude in a radial direction from the supporting member 81 to form the first groove 83a. The supporting member 81 may include a third protrusion 84b that protrudes in the radial direction from the supporting member 81 to form the second groove 84c. The first groove 83a may be formed between the first protrusion 83 and the second protrusion 84a, and the second groove 84c may be formed between the second protrusion 84a and the third protrusion 84b. According to another example, the supporting member 81 may include one of the first groove 83a or the second groove 84c.
The first groove 83a may have a greater width than the second groove 84c in a front-rear direction. The front-rear direction may be the left-right direction of
Referring to
The fixing portion 90 may hold and fix at least a part (for example, a lower part of clothes) of clothes. The fixing portion 90 may be adjacent to a lower end of the second chamber 22, and include a bar 93 crossing the second chamber 22 in the horizontal direction, and a fixing member or a fixer 91 and 92 that is movable along the bar 93 in the horizontal direction.
The fixing member 91 and 92 may hold and fix clothes. The fixing member 91 and 92 may include a first fixing member or a first fixer 91 and a second fixing member or a second fixer 92. However, the number of the fixing members 91 and 92 may be one or three or more.
The first fixing member 91 may include a first moving member or a first mover 91a that is movable along the bar 93 in the horizontal direction, and a first rotating member or a first rotator 91b rotatably coupled to the first moving member 91a. The first rotating member 91b may be elastically biased in a direction of approaching the first moving member 91a. To this end, the first fixing member 91 may include an elastic member (not shown).
The second fixing member 92 may include a second moving member or a second mover 92a that is movable along the bar 93 in the horizontal direction, and a second rotating member or a second rotator 92b rotatably coupled to the second moving member 92a. The second rotating member 92b may be elastically biased in a direction of approaching the second moving member 92a. To this end, the second fixing member 92 may include an elastic member (not shown).
According to an embodiment, the bar 93 may be fixed at a location that is adjacent to the lower end of the second chamber 22. Because the supporting member 81 is movable in the vertical direction within the guide hole 82 although the bar 93 is fixed, the supporting member 81 or the hanger H hung on the supporting member 81 may support an upper part of clothes and the fixing members 91 and 92 may fix a lower part of the clothes. According to clothes having a short length, the supporting member 81 may move downward such that the supporting member 81 or the hanger H hung on the supporting member 81 supports an upper part of the clothes, and the fixing members 91 and 92 may fix a lower part of the clothes. To fix upper and lower parts of clothes having various sizes, the bar 93 may be movable in the up-down direction.
Because the clothes care apparatus 1 includes the supporting portion 80 and the fixing portion 90, clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22 may be pulled tightly in the up-down direction. Because the supporting portion 80 fixes an upper part of clothes and the fixing portion 90 holds and fixes a lower part of the clothes, the clothes may be maintained in a tight state. Accordingly, spot cleaning of the spot cleaning device 100 may become easier, and cleaning efficiency of the spot cleaning device 100 may be improved.
Referring to
The spot cleaning device 100 may be docked to the home position portion 25 such that the charging terminals 115a and 115b of the spot cleaning device 100 are respectively in contact with the charging terminals 25a and 25b provided in the home position portion 25. The spot cleaning device 100 may be docked to the home position portion 25 to charge the battery 118, and then clean a target area of clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22 by receiving a user's input or a command from a controller.
Referring to
Referring to
Each button may include a visual indictor (for example, text, an icon, etc.) capable of representing a function.
The at least one input interface 70a may include, for example, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.
In the disclosure, a ‘button’ may be replaced with a User Interface (UI) Element, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.
At least one output interface 70b may generate sensory information and transfer various information related to operations of the clothes care apparatus 1 to a user.
For example, the at least one output interface 70b may transfer information related to a clothes care course, an operation time of the clothes care apparatus 1, a target area setting of spot care, etc. to the user.
Information related to operations of the clothes care apparatus 1 may be output through a display 70b-1, indicators 70b-2, 70b-3, 70b-4, and 70b-5, a voice, etc. The at least one output interface 70b may include, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, an indicator, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc. According to another example, at least one area of the input interface 70a or the output interface 70b may be implemented through a display having a touch panel.
The display 70b-1 may output information related to the clothes care course, an operation time of the clothes care apparatus 1, a target area setting of spot care, etc. The display 70b-1 may include a touch panel for receiving a user's touch input.
The indicators 70b-2, 70b-3, 70b-4, and 70b-5 may visually inform an operation state of the clothes care apparatus 1.
A clothes care indicator 70b-2 may light up while the clothes care course operates.
A delicate dry indicator 70b-3 may light up while a delicate dry course operates.
A spot care indicator 70b-4 may light up while a spot care course operates.
The power button 70a-1 may be a button for turning on/off power of the clothes care apparatus 1.
The course selection buttons 70a-2, 70a-3, and 70a-4 may be buttons for selecting courses of the clothes care apparatus 1.
The course selection buttons 70a-2, 70a-3, and 70a-4 may include buttons 70a-2 and 70a-3 for enabling the user to select a course for caring clothes accommodated in the first chamber 11, and a button 70a-4 for enabling the user to select a course for caring clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22.
The buttons 70a-2 and 70a-3 for enabling the user to select a course for caring clothes accommodated in the first chamber 11 may include a clothes care button 70a-2.
In response to a selection of the clothes care button 70a-2, at least one course corresponding to clothes care may be displayed on the output interface 70b (for example, the display 70b-1), and the user may select a desired course by using the direction selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6. The at least one course may include various courses, such as a standard course, a large-capacity care course, a sterilization course, a fine dust course, a rapid course, a school uniform course, a denim course, a coat course, a wool/knit course, and a suit course.
The buttons 70a-2 and 70a-3 for enabling the user to select a course for caring clothes accommodated in the first chamber 11 may include the delicate dry button 70a-2.
In response to a selection of the delicate dry button 70a-2, at least one course corresponding to delicate dry may be displayed on the output interface 70b (for example, the display 70b-1), and the user may select a desired course by using the direction selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6. The at least one course may include various courses, such as a customized drying course, a shirt course, a swimsuit course, an outdoor course, a fitness course, a blouse course, a denim course, a coat course, a wool/knit course, a suit course, and a space dehumidification course.
In response to a selection of the start/stop button 70a-7 after a course for caring clothes is selected, the first controller 300 may perform the selected course by controlling a component (for example, the heat exchanger 45, the steam generator 40, the first fan 42, and/or the second fan 75) of the clothes care apparatus 1 according to an algorithm of the selected course.
According to an embodiment, because the second chamber 22 includes the airflow inlets 24a and 24b and the airflow outlet 24c, clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22 may be cared together while a course for caring clothes accommodated in the first chamber 11 is performed.
Accordingly, the user may select a course for caring clothes accommodated in the first chamber 11 to care clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22.
The button 70a-4 for enabling a user to select a course for caring clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22 may include the spot care button 70a-4.
The spot care button 70a-4 may be a button for enabling a user to select a course for spot caring clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22 through the spot cleaning device 100.
In response to a selection of the spot care button 70a-4, an interface for controlling the spot cleaning device 100 may be provided on the output interface 70b (for example, the display 70b-1).
For example, in response to a selection of the spot care button 70a-4, an interface for enabling a user to set a target area may be provided on the output interface 70b (for example, the display 70b-1).
The direction selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 may include a left button 70a-5 and a right button 70a-6. According to various embodiments, the direction selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 may include an up button and a down button, and a button for any one direction may be omitted.
The direction selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 may be buttons for enabling a user to control an interface provided by the display 70b-1. For example, the direction selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 may be used to change a selection of a UI element provided by the display 70b-1.
According to an embodiment, the direction selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 may be used to set a target area in the spot care course.
The start/stop button 70a-7 may be used to operate a selected course or temporarily stop a course operating.
The second door open button 70a-8 may be a button for automatically opening the second door 30.
The communication button 70a-10 may be a button for setting communication of the clothes care apparatus 1. Through the communication button 70a-10, the clothes care apparatus 1 may access a surrounding Access Point (AP). The clothes care apparatus 1 may communicate with an external device, such as a server, a user device, and another home appliance, through the surrounding AP.
The selection button 70a-12 may be a button for controlling an interface provided by the display 70b-1. For example, the selection button 70a-12 may be used to select a UI element provided by the display 70b-1.
Examples of various buttons included in the control panel 70 according to an embodiment of the disclosure are not limited to the above-described examples. Some buttons may be omitted or some buttons may be added.
For example, the control panel 70 may display, on the display 35, a user interface related to the spot cleaning device 100 which will be described below, or the control panel 70 may remove a user interface from the display 35.
The heat exchanger 45 may be used to heat air supplied into the first chamber 11, and include a compressor 48 for compressing a refrigerant. The compressor 48 may operate based on a control signal from the controller 300.
The first fan 42 may cause inside air of the first chamber 11 to pass through the machine room 13, the evaporator 46, and the condenser 47 and then be again discharged to the first chamber 11. The first fan 42 may operate based on a control signal from the controller 300.
The steam generator 40 may spray steam into the first chamber 11. The steam generator 40 may operate based on a control signal from the first controller 300.
The second fan 75 may cause inside air of the first chamber 11 to pass through the second airflow outlet 12b or the clothes supporting member 50 and then again circulate into the first chamber 11. The second fan 75 may operate based on a control signal from the controller 300.
The actuator 76 may open the second door 30. The actuator 76 may operate based on a control signal from the first controller 300. For example, the actuator 76 may be configured with a member, such as an electromagnet or a link member, or a link or may be any component capable of pushing the second door 30.
The clothes care apparatus 1 may include the first communicator 330 for communicating with an external device (for example, a server, a user device, the spot cleaning device 100, and/or a home appliance) in a wired and/or wireless manner.
The first communicator 330 may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-distance communication module.
The first communicator 330 may transmit/receive data to/from the external device. For example, the first communicator 330 may establish communication with a server, a user device, and/or another home appliance and transmit/receive various data to/from the server, the user device, and/or the other home appliance.
To this end, the first communicator 330 may establish a direct (for example, wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel with the external device, and support communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the first communicator 330 may include a wireless communication module (for example, a cellular communication module, a short-range communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (for example, a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication module). A corresponding communication module among the communication modules may communicate with an external device through a first network (for example, a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth, WiFi Direct, or Infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (for example, a long-distance communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a 5-Generation (5G) network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (for example, a LAN or a wide area network (WAN)). The various kinds of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (for example, a single chip) or implemented with a plurality of components (for example, a plurality of chips).
The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a Near Field Communication (NFC) communication module, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN; WiFi) communication module, a Zigbee communication module, an IrDA communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, a Ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., although not limited thereto.
The long-distance wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various kinds of long-distance communications, and may include the first communicator 330. The first mobile communicator 330 may transmit/receive a wireless signal to/from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, or a server on a mobile communication network.
According to an embodiment, the first communicator 330 may communicate with an external device, such as a server, a user device, another home appliance, etc., through a surrounding AP. The AP may connect a LAN to which the clothes care apparatus 1, another home appliance, and/or a user device is connected to a WAN to which a server is connected. The clothes care apparatus 1, the other home appliance, and/or the user device may be connected to the server through the WAN.
The spot cleaning device 100 may be provided inside the second chamber 22 to spot clean clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22.
The spot cleaning device 100 may include the second controller 180 for controlling components (for example, the water spray 101, the cleaning liquid spray 102, the vibrating portion 103, the suction portion 104, and/or the at least one sensor 108) of the spot cleaning device 100, and the second communicator 190 for communicating with an external device (for example, a server, a user device, the first communicator 330, and/or a home appliance).
The second communicator 190 included in the spot cleaning device 100 may communicate with the first communicator 330 of the clothes care apparatus 1 in a wired or wireless manner.
According to an embodiment, the second communicator 190 included in the spot cleaning device 100 may perform wireless communication with the first communicator 330 of the clothes care apparatus 1, and in this case, the internal aesthetics of the second chamber 22 may be prevented from being impaired by a wire for connecting the cabinet 10 of the clothes care apparatus 1 to the spot cleaning device 100.
Controlling the spot cleaning device 100 by the first controller 300 may include transmitting a control command to the second controller 180 by the first controller 300.
The second communicator 190 may transmit a control command transferred from the first controller 300 to the second controller 180 by communicating with the first communicator 330 of the clothes care apparatus 1.
The second controller 180 may control components of the spot cleaning device 100 based on the control command transferred from the first controller 300.
The moving device 200 may move the spot cleaning device 100.
According to various embodiments, the moving device 200 may include a third controller (not shown) for controlling the first to fourth motors, and a third wired/wireless communicator (not shown).
The third controller of the moving device 200 may receive a control command from the second controller 180 through the third communicator. That is, the second controller 180 may control the moving device 200. According to another example, a motor of the moving device 200 may be wiredly connected to the controller of the spot cleaning device 100 to be controlled directly by the controller of the spot cleaning device 100.
For example, according to transferring of a movement control signal to the spot cleaning device 100 by the first controller 300, the second controller 180 of the spot cleaning device 100 may control the moving device 200 to move the spot cleaning device 100.
According to various embodiments, the moving device 200 may receive a control command from the first controller 300. That is, the first controller 300 may control the moving device 200. For example, the first controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to move the spot cleaning device 100.
According to the disclosure, controlling the spot cleaning device 100 may include controlling the components (for example, the water spray 101, the cleaning liquid spray 102, the vibrating portion 103, the suction portion 104, and/or the at least one sensor 108) of the spot cleaning device 100, and controlling a movement of the spot cleaning device 100 by controlling the moving device 200.
According to an embodiment, the spot cleaning device 100 may include the at least one sensor 108. Sensor data collected from the at least one sensor 108 may be transferred to the first controller 300. For example, the sensor 108 of the spot cleaning device 100 may include a camera, and image data collected by the camera may be transferred to the first controller 300.
The first controller 300 may control various components (for example, the display 35, the control panel 70, the heat exchanger 45, the first fan 42, the steam generator 40, the second fan 75, the actuator 76, the spot cleaning device 100, the moving device 200, and the first communicator 330) of the clothes care apparatus 1. The first controller 300 may control various components of the clothes care apparatus 1 to perform a clothes care course or a spot care course according to a user's input. For example, the first controller 300 may control the heat exchanger 45 and the first fan 42 to supply hot air into the first chamber 11, control the steam generator 40 to supply steam into the first chamber 11, control the second fan 75 to circulate air of the first chamber 11, or control the spot cleaning device 100 to spot clean clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22.
According to another example, the first controller 300 may control the actuator 76 to open the second door 30.
The first controller 300 may process data collected from various components (for example, the control panel 70, the display 35, the first communicator 330, and the spot cleaning device 100) of the clothes care apparatus 1. The first controller 300 may process a user input input through the control panel 70 and/or the display 35, and perform an operation corresponding to the user input.
According to another example, the first controller 300 may control the actuator 76 to open the second door 30, in response to a selection of the second door open button 70a-8.
The first controller 300 may process image data collected by the at least one sensor 108 of the spot cleaning device 100.
The first controller 300 may include hardware, such as a central processing unit (CPU), Micom, a memory, etc., and software such as a control program. For example, the first controller 300 may include at least one memory 320 that stores data in the form of an algorithm or program for controlling operations of components in the clothes care apparatus 1, and at least one processor 310 that performs the above-described operations and operations which will be described below by using the data stored in the at least one memory 320. The memory 320 and the processor 310 may be implemented with separate chips. The processor 310 may include one, two, or more processor chips or one, two, or more processing cores. The memory 320 may include one, two, or more memory chips or one, two, or more memory blocks. Also, the memory 320 and the processor 310 may be implemented with a single chip.
The at least one memory 320 may store algorithms for a clothes care course, a spot care course, and a target area setting.
The first controller 300 may be mounted on a printed circuit board provided on a rear surface of the control panel 70, although a location of the first controller 300 is not limited thereto.
The first controller 300 may be electrically connected to the display 35, the control panel 70, the heat exchanger 45, the first fan 42, the steam generator 40, the second fan 75, the actuator 76, the spot cleaning device 100, the moving device 200, and/or the first communicator 330.
The components shown in
For example, the clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may include an actuator for automatically opening the first door 20, a first door opening/closing sensor for sensing opening/closing of the first door 20, a second door opening/closing sensor for sensing opening/closing of the second door 30, and a proximity sensor for detecting an approach of an object within a preset range around the clothes care apparatus 1.
Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the first controller 300 is referred to as a controller 300, and the first communicator 330 is referred to as a communicator 330.
Referring to
The clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may set a target area based on a user input received through the input interface 70a of the control panel 70.
According to an embodiment, the controller 300 may receive an input of selecting at least one area from among a plurality of areas through the control panel 70 (1220).
The controller 300 may set at least one area selected from among a plurality of areas through the control panel 70 to a target area (1230).
The spot cleaning device 100 may clean the target area (1240).
Referring to
For example, the controller 300 may control, in response to a selection of the spot care button 70a-4, the display 70-b to provide an interface for receiving a selection of at least one area from among a plurality of areas a2 partitioned from each other.
According to an embodiment, the interface for receiving a selection of at least one area from among the plurality of areas a2 partitioned from each other may include a pre-stored clothes image and a visual indicator g2 that partitions the pre-stored clothes images into the plurality of areas a2.
According to an embodiment, the controller 300 may control, in response to a selection of the spot care button 70a-4, the display 70b-1 to provide an interface for setting a kind (for example, short sleeves, long sleeves, pants, etc.) of clothes, and in response to a selection of a kind of clothes, the controller 300 may control the display 70b-1 to output a pre-stored clothes image corresponding to the kind of clothes and the visual indicator g2 that partitions the pre-stored clothes image into the plurality of areas a2.
The visual indicator g2 may include a grid. However, a form of the visual indicator g2 that partitions the pre-stored clothes image displayed on the display 70b-1 into the plurality of areas a2 is not limited thereto.
A user may select at least one area from among the plurality of areas a2 through the control panel 70. For example, the user may select at least one area from among the plurality of areas a2 through the direction selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 and the selection button 70a-12, or may select at least one area from among the plurality of areas g2 through an input of touching the display 70b-1.
The controller 300 may control the display 70b-1 to output a visual mark for distinguishing at least one area selected from among the plurality of areas a2 through the control panel 70 from unselected areas.
The controller 300 may set the at least one area selected from among the plurality of areas a2 through the control panel 70 to a target area.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, even though the user may not see clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22, the user may easily set a target area by identifying a contaminated part of the clothes in advance and selecting at least one area corresponding to the contaminated part.
The control panel 70 according to an embodiment may include a plurality of buttons bb to receive a selection of at least one area among a plurality of areas partitioned from each other.
According to an embodiment, the plurality of buttons bb may form a shape of clothes. For example, the plurality of buttons bb may form a short-sleeved shape, a long-sleeved shape, a pants shape, and/or a dress shirt shape.
The plurality of buttons bb may correspond to the plurality of areas a2. That is, the plurality of buttons bb may correspond to the plurality of areas a2, respectively.
The user may select at least one area from among the plurality of areas a2 partitioned from each other by selecting a button bb corresponding to an area desired to be cleaned among the plurality of buttons bb.
Each of the plurality of buttons bb may be a physical button. Each of the plurality of buttons bb may light up in response to being selected and may light out in response to being deselected. According to another example, the plurality of buttons bb may be provided on a touch panel such that button areas light up or out.
The controller 300 may set at least one area selected from among the plurality of areas a2 through the control panel 70 to a target area. That is, the controller 300 may set an area corresponding to a selected button among the plurality of buttons bb to a target area.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, even though the user may not see clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22, the user may easily set a target area by identifying a contaminated part of the clothes in advance and selecting at least one button bb corresponding to the contaminated part.
According to the disclosure, the user may set a target area through the control panel 70 of the clothes care apparatus 1.
Referring to
That is, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to obtain a whole image of clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22 while moving in the second chamber 22, in response to satisfaction of a preset condition.
The preset condition may include at least one among detecting opening and closing of the second door 30, detecting new clothes based on an image obtained by the camera of the spot cleaning device 100, detecting replacement of clothes based on an image obtained by the camera of the spot cleaning device 100, or receiving a clothes scan command.
For example, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to obtain a whole image of clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22, in response to reception of a clothes scan command through a user interface provided by the control panel 70 and/or the display 35.
According to another example, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to obtain a whole image of clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22, in response to reception of a clothes scan command through the communicator 330.
According to another example, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to obtain a whole image of clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22, in response to reception of a user input for setting a target area.
According to another example, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to obtain a whole image of clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22, in response to detection of opening and closing of the second door 30.
According to another example, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to obtain a whole image of clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22, in response to detection of new clothes or replacement of clothes based on an image obtained by the camera of the spot cleaning device 100.
Referring to
For example, the spot cleaning device 100 may obtain a partial image ma of clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22 at each of a plurality of preset locations dp while moving in the second chamber 22 along a preset path da, in response to reception of a clothes scan command from the controller 300. For example, the partial image ma may be obtained by the camera (image sensor) which is the sensor 108 provided in the spot cleaning device 100.
The spot cleaning device 100 may transfer a plurality of partial images ma obtained at the plurality of preset locations dp to the controller 300.
The clothes care apparatus 1 may generate a whole image M of the clothes by synthesizing the plurality of partial images ma obtained at the plurality of locations (1320).
According to an embodiment, the controller 300 may generate the whole image M of the clothes by synthesizing the plurality of partial images ma.
According to an embodiment, the controller 300 may identify a contaminated part from the whole image M of the clothes. To this end, the memory 320 may store an algorithm for identifying a contaminated part from a whole image of clothes. For example, the controller 300 may identify a contaminated part by inputting a whole image M of clothes to a machine-learning model.
According to various embodiments, the second controller 180 of the spot cleaning device 100 may generate the whole image M of the clothes by synthesizing the plurality of partial images ma.
The clothes care apparatus 1 may receive a command of selecting an area in the whole image M of the clothes (1330).
The command of selecting the area in the whole image M of the clothes may be received from the control panel 70, a user interface provided by the display 35, and/or an external device through the communicator 330.
To receive the command of selecting the area in the whole image M of the clothes, the clothes care apparatus 1 may need to show the whole image M of the clothes for the user.
In response to reception of the command of selecting the area in the whole image M of the clothes, the clothes care apparatus 1 may set the selected area to a target area, and the spot cleaning device 100 may clean the target area (1340).
Referring to
The whole image of clothes may be displayed on the display 70b-1 of the control panel 70.
The controller 300 may control, while displaying the whole image M of clothes, the display 70b-1 to display a visual indicator pp for highlighting a contaminated part identified from the whole image M of clothes.
According to the disclosure, the user may easily set a target area with reference to the contaminated part identified from the whole image M of clothes by the clothes care apparatus 1.
The whole image M of clothes displayed on the display 70b-1 may be enlarged or reduced based on a user input for enlarging or reducing the whole image M of clothes.
The user input for enlarging or reducing the whole image M of clothes may include, for example, a pinch-zoom touch input with respect to the display 70b-1.
The controller 300 may control, in response to reception of the user input for enlarging or reducing the whole image M of clothes, the display 70b-1 to enlarge or reduce the whole image M of clothes.
According to the disclosure, the user may easily find a contaminated part of clothes by enlarging or reducing the clothes.
The controller 300 may set a target area based on a selection of an area in the whole image M of clothes displayed on the display 70b-1.
The controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to clean the target area based on the setting of the target area.
A method of receiving a selection of an area in the whole image M of clothes displayed on the display 70b-1 may include receiving a touch input with respect to the display 70b-1 and/or using the direction selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 and the selection button 70a-12 of the control panel 70.
According to various embodiments, the whole image M of clothes displayed on the display 70b-1 may be partitioned into a plurality of areas by a visual indicator, as in the embodiment of
Referring to
For example, the controller 300 may transmit the whole image M of clothes to the external device in response to reception of a command for setting a target from the external device through the communicator 330.
According to another example, the controller 300 may transmit the whole image M of clothes to an external device (for example, a user device) based on generation of the whole image M of clothes.
The user device may store an application for managing a home appliance.
After a user executes the application for managing the home appliance through the user device 3, the user may log on to the user's account to transmit various control commands to the home appliance linked to the user's account or receive various information from the home appliance linked to the user's account.
In the case in which the clothes care apparatus 1 has been linked to the user's account, the user may transmit a command for controlling the clothes care apparatus 1 to the clothes care apparatus 1 through the user device 3.
In the case in which the clothes care apparatus 1 has been linked to the user's account, the clothes care apparatus 1 may transmit a whole image M of clothes to the user device 3.
The user device 3 may display the whole image M of clothes received from the clothes care apparatus 1, according to the user's control.
The user device 3 may display, while displaying the whole image M of clothes, a visual indicator pp for highlighting a contaminated part identified from the whole image M of clothes.
The whole image M of clothes displayed on the user device 3 may be partitioned into a plurality of areas by the visual indicator pp.
A method of receiving a selection of an area in the whole image M of clothes displayed on the user device 3 may include receiving a touch input with respect to the user device 3.
The user may control the user device 3 to complete a selection of an area in the whole image M of clothes and then select a confirm button ml.
The user device 3 may transmit a spot cleaning command to the clothes care apparatus 1 in response to reception of the selection of the area in the whole image M of clothes and the selection of the confirm button ml.
The spot cleaning command may include a command of selecting the area in the whole image M of clothes.
The controller 300 may set an area corresponding to the area selected by the user device 3 in the whole image M of clothes, to a target area.
The controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to clean the target area in response to the setting of the target area.
According to the disclosure, the user may remotely set the target area.
According to the disclosure, the target area may be set through various methods and tools.
Referring to
The controller 300 may receive a user input for starting an automatic cleaning operation (1410). The user input for starting the automatic cleaning operation may be transferred to the controller 300 by various methods.
For example, in response to a selection of the spot care button 70a-4, an interface for selecting an automatic cleaning mode may be provided on the display 70b-1, and in response to a selection of the start/stop button 70a-7 after the automatic cleaning mode is selected, the controller 300 may perform an automatic cleaning operation.
According to another example, in response to a selection of the automatic cleaning button of the user interface provided by the display 35, the controller 300 may perform an automatic cleaning operation.
The automatic cleaning operation may be an operation in which the controller 300 automatically identifies a contaminated part of clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22 based on sensor data collected from the at least one sensor 108 of the spot cleaning device 100, and causes the spot cleaning device 100 to clean the contaminated part.
According to various embodiments, upon a start of the automatic cleaning operation, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to move along a preset path in the second chamber 22.
According to an embodiment, the controller 300 may identify a contaminated part of clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22 based on sensor data collected from the sensor 108 while the spot cleaning device 100 moves (1420).
The controller 300 may identify a contaminated part of clothes based on sensor data collected from the sensor 108. To this end, the memory 320 may store an algorithm for identifying a contaminated part based on sensor data. For example, the controller 300 may identify a contaminated part by inputting sensor data to a machine-learning model.
According to the sensor 108 being a camera, the controller 300 may identify a contaminated part of clothes based on image data. According to the sensor 108 being an optical sensor, the controller 300 may identify a contaminated part of clothes based on light quantity data.
According to various embodiments, in the case in which the second controller 180 of the spot cleaning device 100 identifies a contaminated part of clothes based on sensor data collected from the sensor 108, the above-described operations and operations which will be described below may be performed by the second controller 180.
According to an embodiment, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to clean the contaminated part (1430).
According to various embodiments, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to clean a contaminated part, in response to identification of the contaminated part while the spot cleaning device 100 moves along the preset path in the second chamber 22.
According to an embodiment, the spot cleaning device 100 may clean a contaminated part in real time while moving in the second chamber 22.
According to various embodiments, the controller 300 may store coordinate data of a contaminated part while the spot cleaning device 100 moves along the preset path in the second chamber 22, and control, in response to termination of scanning on the clothes by the spot cleaning device 100, the spot cleaning device 100 to clean the contaminated part.
According to an embodiment, by cleaning a contaminated part of clothes accommodated in the second chamber 22 after accurately identifying the contaminated part, a time required to complete an automatic cleaning operation may be relatively accurately calculated.
Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium that stores instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program codes, and when executed by a processor, the instructions may create a program module to perform operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.
The computer-readable recording medium may include all kinds of recording media storing instructions that can be interpreted by a computer. For example, the computer-readable recording medium may be read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disc, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, etc.
Also, the computer-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium, wherein the term ‘non-transitory’ simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (for example, an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, a ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.
According to an embodiment, the method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloadable or uploadable) online via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly. When distributed online, at least part of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as a memory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store, or a relay server.
According to an embodiment, a clothes care apparatus 1 may include a cabinet 10, a first chamber 11 formed inside the cabinet and configured to accommodate clothes, a first door 20 configured to open and close the first chamber, the first door having a second chamber 22 partitioned from the first chamber and configured to accommodate clothes, a second door 30 configured to open and close the second chamber and rotatably coupled to the first door, and a spot cleaning device 100 provided inside the second chamber and configured to spot clean clothes accommodated in the second chamber. The spot cleaning device may be movable inside the second chamber to spot clean a target area of the clothes accommodated in the second chamber.
The spot cleaning device may include a cleaning liquid spray 102 configured to spray a cleaning liquid as a mixture of water and a detergent, a vibrating portion 103 configured to provide fine vibration to the clothes, and a suction portion 104 configured to intake the water, the cleaning liquid, and a foreign material.
The spot cleaning device may further include a water spray 101 configured to spray water, and a roller 105 configured to remove contaminants of the clothes by contacting the clothes.
The spot cleaning device may further include a water supply container configured to store water that is to be supplied to the water spray and the cleaning liquid spray, and a drain container configured to store the water, the cleaning liquid, and the foreign material intaken through the suction portion.
The water supply container and the drain container 120 may be detachably coupled to the spot cleaning device.
The clothes care apparatus 1 may further include a moving device 200 configured to move the spot cleaning device in a first direction (vertical direction) and a second direction (horizontal direction) intersecting the first direction inside the second chamber.
The spot cleaning device and the moving device may be provided on a rear surface of the second door to be positioned inside the second chamber while the second door is in a closed state.
The moving device may include a first motor 210 configured to provide a driving force to move the spot cleaning device in the first direction, and a second motor 220 configured to provide a driving force to move the spot cleaning device in the second direction.
The moving device may further include a frame 250 supporting the spot cleaning device, a first shaft 211 provided in the frame, connected to the spot cleaning device, and extending in the first direction, and a second shaft 221 provided outside the frame, connected to the frame, and extending in the second direction.
The spot cleaning device may be movable in the first direction inside the frame.
The first motor may be connected to the first shaft and configured to rotate the first shaft.
The second motor may be connected to the second shaft and configured to rotate the second shaft.
While the first shaft rotates, the spot cleaning device may move in the first direction within the frame.
While the second shaft rotates, the frame and the spot cleaning device may move in the second direction.
The clothes care apparatus 1 may further include a supporting portion 80 positioned adjacent to an upper end of the second chamber, being movable in a vertical direction, and configured to support clothes accommodated in the second chamber or support a clothes supporting member, and a fixing portion 90 positioned adjacent to a lower end of the second chamber and configured to fix the clothes accommodated in the second chamber.
The supporting portion may include a guide hole 82 formed in a rear side of the second chamber and extending in the vertical direction, and a supporting member 81 being movable in the vertical direction along the guide hole and fixable at a location in the guide hole.
The fixing portion may include a bar 93 positioned adjacent to the lower end of the second chamber and crossing the second chamber in the horizontal direction, and a fixing member 91 and 92 being movable in the horizontal direction along the bar and configured to hold and fix the clothes.
The first door may include an airflow inlet 24a and 24b formed in an upper side of the second chamber such that dry air and/or steam inside the first chamber flows into the second chamber, and an airflow outlet 24c formed in a lower side of the second chamber such that air and/or steam inside the second chamber is discharged to the first chamber.
The first door may further include a case 23 forming the second chamber, and a plurality of holes which is formed in the case and through which air and/or steam inside the second chamber flows into the first chamber or is discharged via the second chamber.
The plurality of holes may be formed over an entire area of at least one side of the case.
The first door 20 or the second door 30 may include an input interface and an output interface.
The input interface may include a spot care button for spot cleaning.
The output interface may be configured to display a clothes image for setting a target area that is to be spot cleaned, in correspondence to an input to the spot care button.
The clothes image may be a pre-stored image based on a kind of clothes to be spot cleaned, or an image photographed before the clothes to be spot cleaned is accommodated in the second chamber 22.
According to the disclosure, the clothes care apparatus including the spot cleaning device for spot cleaning of clothes may be provided.
According to the disclosure, the clothes care apparatus capable of improving space utilization by positioning the spot cleaning device in a separate space formed inside the door may be provided.
So far, specific embodiments have been shown and described. However, the disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the technical idea of the disclosure defined by the claims below.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0112167 | Aug 2023 | KR | national |
| 10-2023-0139920 | Oct 2023 | KR | national |
This application is a continuation application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 111 (a), of International Application PCT/KR2024/008628 filed Jun. 21, 2024, and is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2023-0112167, filed on Aug. 25, 2023, and Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2023-0139920, filed on Oct. 18, 2023 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2024/008628 | Jun 2024 | WO |
| Child | 18763514 | US |
