Patent Application
20250179720
The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus capable of deodorizing, drying, and removing wrinkles from laundry by supplying hot air or moisture to the laundry.
In general, a laundry treating apparatus is a concept including a washing machine that soaks laundry in water and then removes foreign substances via a chemical action of detergent and a physical action such as drum rotation, and a dryer that dries the wet laundry using hot air and steam.
Recently, however, a clothes care apparatus that deodorizes, removes moisture from, or removes wrinkles from dry laundry without soaking the laundry in water has appeared. Such a clothes care apparatus may supply steam or hot air while the laundry is hung to perform a refresh process of deodorizing the laundry, drying the laundry, or sterilizing the laundry.
In addition, in general, a heat pump or a heater may be used to dry the laundry in the laundry treating apparatus. The laundry treating apparatus using the heat pump dehumidifies wet air using an evaporator and a condenser, then heats the air again, and then supplies the dry, high-temperature air to the laundry. The heat pump is excellent in terms of energy efficiency because it is able to generate high-temperature heat using a small amount of energy compared to the heater.
Referring to Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2016-0075157, a conventional laundry treating apparatus 1 includes a casing 10 that forms an outer appearance of the apparatus and a door 20 pivotably disposed on the casing 10 to open and close an opening defined in a front surface of the casing 10.
A treating room 11 in which laundry is treated is defined inside the casing 10, and a machine room 12 in which devices for supplying hot air or steam used when treating the laundry are installed is defined below the treating room 11.
In addition, a hanger 30 for hanging the laundry may be disposed in the treating room 11. The laundry may be coupled to the hanger 30 while being hung on a clothes hanger. Thus, the laundry may be treated in an unfolded state inside the treating room 11.
A water supply container 41 for storing therein water for generating the steam used when treating the laundry may be installed at a front portion of the machine room 12. In addition, a drain container 42 in which condensate generated when treating the laundry is stored may be installed at the front portion of the machine room 12.
In addition, the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1 may include a treating room bottom panel 50 forming a bottom surface of the treating room 11. Through-holes for allowing the machine room 12 and the treating room 11 to communicate with each other may be defined in the treating room bottom panel 50.
The through-holes may include a steam outlet 52 for supplying the steam generated in the machine room 12 to the treating room 11. In addition, the through-holes may include an air outlet 51 that allows air in the treating room 11 to flow to the machine room 12 or allows air in the machine room 12 to flow to the treating room 11.
Referring to
An air supply duct 65 through which air from the treating room 11 is introduced may be disposed inside the machine room 12. The air supply duct 65 may be connected to a blower 64. The blower 64 may be constructed to include a fan motor to form an air flow. In addition, the blower 64 may be in communication with the air supply duct 65 to form the air flow.
A heat pump module 61 for exchanging heat with air may be disposed downstream of the blower 64. The heat pump module 61 may include an evaporator and a condenser. That is, air introduced into the heat pump module 61 by the blower 64 may be cooled in the evaporator and heated again in the condenser.
In addition, a supporter 67 for supporting the components may be installed on top of the base 70. The supporter 67 may include a plurality of supporters to more firmly support the components.
A controller 62 for controlling the components of the laundry treating apparatus 1 may be installed in the supporter 67. In addition, the supporter 67 may support a steam generating module 63 for generating the steam to be supplied to the treating room 11.
That is, the steam generating module 63 and the controller 62 may be supported by the supporter 67 separately installed on the base 70.
In addition, a compressor 66 for compressing a refrigerant to be supplied to the heat pump module 61 may be installed in the machine room 12. The compressor 66 may be connected to the heat pump module 61 to supply the compressed refrigerant to the heat pump module 61.
In summary, the air supply duct 65, the blower 64, and the heat pump module 61 may be sequentially connected to each other to define a passage through which air inside the treating room 11 circulates. In addition, other components may be installed outside the passage through which the air circulates. Other components may be installed inside the machine room 12 via the supporter 67 installed separately on the base 70 without being directly coupled to the base 70.
That is, in the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1, various components for treating the laundry are disposed in the machine room 12, and the components are formed as separate parts. That is, the various parts are installed on the base 70 that forms the bottom surface of the machine room 12 to define the passage through which the air circulates. In addition, in order to install the controller 62 and the steam generating module 63, the separate supporter 67 must be installed on the base 70.
That is, because it is difficult to directly install the parts on the base 70, an assembly process becomes complicated, and because are individually subdivided, structural stability deteriorates.
In addition, the compressor 66 applied to the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1 has a width greater than a height. Accordingly, the compressor 66 occupies a large area on the base.
In addition, in the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1, a space for separately storing the condensate is not secured inside the heat pump module 61.
In addition, in the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1, the blower 64 is disposed at a front portion of the machine room 12, resulting in poor air flow efficiency.
In addition, in the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1, the passage through which the air is circulated is subdivided into several parts such as the air supply duct 65, the blower 64, and the heat pump module 61, so that air leakage may occur.
In addition, in the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1, a flow loss may occur while the air introduced from the treating room 11 flows downward via the air supply duct 65 and then upward again via the blower 64.
In addition, in the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1, because the base 70 is formed as a thin structure such as an iron plate, it is difficult to reduce vibration caused by the compressor 66.
In addition, in the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1, the controller 62 is supported by the separate supporter 67 coupled to the base 70. Accordingly, an assembly process becomes complicated, and there is a limit in that it is difficult to secure structural stability of the assembly.
That is, in the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1, as the products constituting the machine room are individualized, the assembling process is increased, and there is a high possibility of air leak or water leak.
The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may secure structural stability inside a machine room by integrally forming a base that provides an installation space for various components in the machine room of the laundry treating apparatus and a circulation duct that defines a passage through which air is circulated with each other.
The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may simplify an assembly process of a machine room by integrally forming a base that provides an installation space for various components in the machine room of the laundry treating apparatus and a circulation duct that defines a passage through which air is circulated with each other.
The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may densely arrange components installed in a machine room of the laundry treating apparatus to reduce a volume of the entire laundry treating apparatus or secure a space in which laundry is treated.
The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that may reduce manufacturing and production costs by simplifying a process of assembling various components in a machine room of the laundry treating apparatus.
In order to solve the above problems, a laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet for forming an outer appearance of the laundry treating apparatus, an inner casing disposed inside the cabinet, defining therein a laundry treating space for accommodating laundry, and having an opening defined in a front surface thereof for the laundry to enter and exit therethrough, a machine room located inside the cabinet and below the inner casing, a heat supply unit disposed inside the machine room and including an evaporator for removing moisture from air introduced from the laundry treating space, a condenser for heating air introduced from the laundry treating space, and a compressor for supplying a compressed refrigerant to the condenser, a circulation duct disposed inside the machine room, having an open top surface so as to accommodate the evaporator and the condenser therein, and providing therein a passage for air in the laundry treating space to circulate, a base disposed inside the machine room and supporting a lower portion of the circulation duct, and a steam supply unit disposed inside the machine room and generating steam supplied to the laundry treating space, and the steam supply unit is disposed to overlap at least a portion of the compressor in a height direction of the cabinet.
The base may include a compressor installation portion for providing a space for the compressor to be installed, and the steam supply unit may be disposed upwardly of the base.
The steam supply unit may include a steam supply unit casing for storing water for generating steam therein, and an installation bracket for surrounding at least a portion of the steam supply unit casing and positioning the steam supply unit casing upwardly of the compressor.
The installation bracket may be coupled to one side surface facing the compressor of the steam supply unit casing.
The installation bracket may be made of a non-combustible material.
The installation bracket may be made of a metal material.
The installation bracket may include a lower panel located beneath the steam supply unit casing, and side panels extending from the lower panel and positioned on both side surfaces of the steam supply unit casing.
The installation bracket may include fixing clips extending from the side panels and coupled to the steam supply unit casing, wherein the fixing clips prevent the steam supply unit casing from being separated from the installation bracket.
The installation bracket may include a bracket recessed portion defined as a portion of the lower panel is recessed in a direction away from the steam supply unit casing so as to be spaced apart from the steam supply unit casing.
The laundry treating apparatus may further include a base cover coupled to the circulation duct and shielding at least a portion of the open top surface of the circulation duct so as to define a portion of the passage for air in the laundry treating space to circulate, and the steam supply unit may be installed on the base cover.
The base cover may include a shielding body for shielding a portion of the open top surface of the circulation duct, an inlet body extending from the shielding body and allowing the inner casing and the circulation duct to be in communication with each other, and a steam supply unit fixing portion disposed on the shielding body so as to fix the steam supply unit.
The installation bracket may include a lower panel located beneath the steam supply unit casing, side panels extending from the lower panel and positioned on both side surfaces of the steam supply unit casing, and a bracket fixing portion extending from the lower panel in a direction away from the steam supply unit casing and coupled to the steam supply unit fixing portion.
The installation bracket may include a bracket hole defined to extend through the lower panel, and the steam supply unit casing may include a casing body for defining therein a space for storing water, and a steam casing protrusion protruding from the casing body and inserted into the bracket hole.
The laundry treating apparatus may further include a fan installation portion coupled to the circulation duct, allowing the inner casing and the circulation duct to be in communication with each other, and circulating air in the laundry treating space, and the steam supply unit may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the fan installation portion in a width direction of the base.
The fan installation portion may include a blower fan for generating an airflow for air in the laundry treating space to circulate, a fan housing coupled to the circulation duct and accommodating the blower fan therein, and a discharge duct extending from the fan housing toward the inner casing and allowing the fan housing and the inner casing to be in communication with each other, and the steam supply unit may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the discharge duct in the width direction of the base.
The circulation duct and the base may be integrally formed with each other.
The present disclosure may provide the laundry treating apparatus that may secure the structural stability inside the machine room by integrally forming the base that provides the installation space for the various components in the machine room of the laundry treating apparatus and the circulation duct that defines the passage through which the air is circulated with each other.
The present disclosure may provide the laundry treating apparatus that may simplify the assembly process of the machine room by integrally forming the base that provides the installation space for the various components in the machine room of the laundry treating apparatus and the circulation duct that defines the passage through which the air is circulated with each other.
The present disclosure may provide the laundry treating apparatus that may densely arrange the components installed in the machine room of the laundry treating apparatus to reduce the volume of the entire laundry treating apparatus or secure the space in which the laundry is treated.
The present disclosure may provide the laundry treating apparatus that may reduce the manufacturing and production costs by simplifying the process of assembling the various components in the machine room of the laundry treating apparatus.
Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Herein, the same or similar reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components even in different embodiments, and a description of the same or similar components is replaced with the first description. Singular expressions used herein include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, in describing the embodiment disclosed herein, when it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiment disclosed herein, the detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In addition, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiment disclosed herein, and do not limit the technical idea disclosed herein.
Referring to (a) in
The door 400 may include a main body 410 that forms a front surface of the cabinet 100, and an installation body 420 extending from one side of the main body 410 and where a display for displaying information of the laundry treating apparatus may be installed.
The installation body 420 may be constructed to form a step 430 from the main body 410 in a rearward direction of the cabinet 100.
In one example, at least a portion of the installation body 420 may be disposed to overlap the main body 410 in a front and rear direction at the rear of the main body 410. Thus, the step 430 may serve as a handle.
The installation body 420 may be made of a material different from that of the main body 410 or may have a color different from that of the main body 410. In addition, the installation body 420 may be made of a translucent material through which light emitted from the display may pass.
Referring to (b) in
The inner casing 200 may be made of a plastic resin, and may be made of a reinforced plastic resin that is not deformed by air at a temperature higher than a room temperature or heated air (hereinafter, referred to as hot air), and steam or moisture.
The inner casing 200 may have a height greater than a width. Accordingly, the laundry may be accommodated in the laundry treating space 220 in a state of not being folded or wrinkled.
The laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may include mounting means 500 capable of mounting the laundry in the laundry treating space 220 of the inner casing 200.
The mounting means 500 may include a hanger 510 disposed on a top surface of the inner casing 200 to hang the laundry.
When the laundry is hung on the hanger 510, the laundry may be disposed in a floating state in the air inside the laundry treating space 220.
In one example, the mounting means 500 may further include pressing means 520 coupled to an inner surface of the door 400 to fix the laundry.
The hanger 510 may be formed in a bar shape disposed along a width direction of the inner casing 200 so as to support a clothes hanger on which the laundry is hung. In addition, as shown, the hanger 510 may be formed in a shape of the clothes hanger such that the laundry may be directly hung thereon.
The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include vibration generating means capable of vibrating the hanger 510 to remove foreign substances such as fine dust or the like attached to the laundry.
The mounting means 500 may include the pressing means 520 disposed on the door 400 so as to press and fix the laundry. The pressing means 520 may include a support 522 fixed to the inner surface of the door 400 so as to support one surface of the laundry, and a pressing portion 521 for pressing the laundry supported by the support 522.
The pressing portion 521 may be constructed to move toward the support 522 or away from the support 522. For example, the pressing portion 521 may be pivotably disposed on the support 522 or the inner surface of the door 400.
Accordingly, the pressing portion 521 and the support 522 may press both surfaces of the laundry to remove wrinkles from the laundry and create intended creases.
The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a machine room 300 in which various apparatuses capable of supplying at least one of the hot air and the steam to the laundry treating space 220 or purifying or dehumidifying outside air of the cabinet 100 are installed.
The machine room 300 may be disposed separately or partitioned from the inner casing 200, but may be in communication with the inner casing 200.
The machine room 300 may be disposed below the inner casing 200. Accordingly, when the hot air and the steam with a small specific gravity are supplied to the inner casing 200, the hot air and the steam may be naturally supplied to the laundry.
The machine room 300 may include a heat supply unit 340 capable of supplying the hot air into the inner casing 200. The heat supply unit 340 may be formed as a heat pump system or as a heater that directly heats air with electrical energy.
When the heat supply unit 340 is formed as the heat pump system, the heat supply unit 340 may be constructed to dehumidify and heat the air discharged from the inner casing 200 again and supply the dehumidified and heated air to the inner casing 200. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.
The machine room 300 may include a steam supply unit 800 capable of supplying the steam into the inner casing 200. The steam supply unit 800 may be constructed to directly supply the steam into the inner casing 200. A detailed structure thereof will be described later.
To this end, the inner casing 200 may include a plurality of through-holes 230 in communication with the machine room 300 through one surface of the inner casing 200.
The air in the laundry treating space 220 may be supplied to the machine room 300 through the through-holes 230, and at least one of the hot air and the steam generated in the machine room 300 may be supplied to the laundry treating space 220.
The through-holes 230 may include an inlet hole 231 extending through a bottom surface of the inner casing 200 and through which the air inside the inner casing 200 is discharged to or sucked into the machine room 300, and a discharge hole 232 extending through the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 and through which the hot air generated in the machine room 300 is discharged.
The discharge hole 232 may be defined in the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 so as to be biased toward a rear surface of the inner casing 200. For example, the discharge hole 232 may be defined at an angle to the ground at a space between the bottom surface and the rear surface of the inner casing 200 and facing the hanger 510.
In addition, the inlet hole 231 may be defined in the bottom surface of the inner casing 200 so as to be biased forwardly. Thus, the inlet hole 231 may be spaced apart from the discharge hole 232.
The through-holes 230 may include a steam hole 233 through which the steam generated by the steam supply unit 800 is supplied. The steam hole 233 may be disposed on one side of the discharge hole 232.
In one example, a water supply container 301 capable of supplying water to the steam supply unit 800, and a drain container 302 in which condensate condensed in the heat supply unit 340 is collected may be disposed at a front portion of the machine room 300.
The water supply container 301 and the drain container 302 may be detachably disposed at the front portion of the machine room 300. Thus, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure may be freely installed regardless of a water supply source or a drainage source.
In one example, a drawer 303 withdrawn in a forward direction and defining a separate accommodation space may be further disposed at the front portion of the machine room 300. The drawer 303 may store a steam generating apparatus or an iron therein.
(a) in
The components for supplying the hot air to the laundry treating space, circulating the air inside the laundry treating space, supplying the steam to the laundry treating space, or purifying the air outside the cabinet may be disposed inside the machine room 300.
The machine room 300 may include a base 310 for supporting or installing various devices thereon. The base 310 may provide an area where the various devices are installed.
A circulation duct 320 through which air introduced from the outside of the inner casing 200 or the cabinet 100 flows may be installed on the base 310.
The base 310 and the circulation duct 320 may be integrally formed with each other. In addition, a base molding M may be defined as a component encompassing the base 310 and the circulation duct 320. That is, the base molding M may be used to refer to an entirety of the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 integrally formed with each other. In other words, the base molding M may be used to refer to one injection-molded product.
The circulation duct 320 may be formed in a shape of a casing with an open top surface, and some components of the heat supply unit 340 may be installed in the circulation duct 320.
When the heat supply unit 340 is formed as the heat pump system, the heat supply unit 340 may include heat exchangers 341 and 343 to be described below inside the circulation duct 320, and a compressor 342 for supplying a high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant to the heat exchangers.
The heat exchangers 341 and 343 may be accommodated inside the circulation duct 320 to cool and dehumidify the air flowing through the circulation duct 320, or to generate the hot air by heating the air.
When the circulation duct 320 is constructed to suck the outisde air of the cabinet 100, an outside air duct 370 for sucking the outside air may be installed in front of the circulation duct 320.
The circulation duct 320 may be constructed to be in communication with the outside air duct 370 so as to selectively suck the outside air.
The water supply container and the drain container may be detachably coupled to a front surface of the circulation duct 320. The water supply container 301 and the drain container 302 may be seated and disposed on top of the outside air duct 370.
A separate frame (not illustrated) in which the water supply container 310 and the drain container 302 are installed may be provided at the front of the circulation duct 320 and the upper side of the outside air duct 370.
The circulation duct 320 may be coupled to the base 310, or may be formed integrally with the base 310. For example, the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 may be manufactured by injection-molding.
The machine room 300 may include a base cover 360 constructed to allow the circulation duct 320 and the inlet hole 231 to communicate with each other.
The base cover 360 may be coupled to an upper portion of the circulation duct 320 so as to guide the air sucked from the inlet hole 231 into the circulation duct 320.
The base cover 360 may block discharge of the air inside the circulation duct 320 to the outside by shielding a top surface of the circulation duct 320. A lower portion of the base cover 360 and the top surface of the circulation duct 320 may form one surface of a passage of the circulation duct 320.
The base cover 360 may include an inlet 362 for connecting the inlet hole 231 and the circulation duct 320 to each other. The inlet 362 may be formed in a duct shape and may serve as an air intake duct for delivering the air inside the inner casing 200 to the circulation duct 320.
The steam supply unit 800 that is connected to the water supply container 301, receive water, generate steam, and supply the steam to the inner casing 200 may be installed inside the machine room 300. The steam supply unit 800 may be seated and disposed on top of the base cover 360.
The steam supply unit 800 may be disposed at the rear of the inlet 362.
The machine room 300 may include a fan installation portion 350 constructed to allow the circulation duct 320 and the inner casing 200 to communicate with each other. The fan installation portion 350 may include a blower fan 353 that provides power for the air inside the circulation duct 320 to flow in one direction, and a fan housing 351 that accommodates the blower fan 353 therein and is coupled to or extends from the circulation duct 320.
The fan installation portion 350 may include a discharge duct 352 constructed to allow the circulation duct 320 and the discharge hole 232 to communicate with each other.
The discharge duct 352 may extend toward the discharge hole 232 with a cross-section in the fan housing 351 having an area corresponding to that of the discharge hole 232.
As a result, the air inside the inner casing 200 may be introduced via the base cover 360, then pass through the circulation duct 320, and then be supplied into the inner casing 200 again via the fan installation portion 350.
In one example, the base 310 may have a compressor installation portion 312 in which the compressor 342 for supplying the refrigerant to the heat exchangers 341 and 343 is installed. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed outside the circulation duct 320.
In addition, a controller or a control panel 700 for controlling the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may be installed on the base 310.
The base 310 may have a controller installation portion 313 for defining a space into which the controller 700 may be inserted at a location beneath the circulation duct 320.
The controller 700 may be configured to control all components that are electronically controlled, such as the compressor 342, the steam supply unit 800, the blower fan 353, and the like.
Because the controller 700 is inserted into and supported by the base 310, vibration or impact applied to the controller 700 may be buffered. In addition, because the controller 700 is disposed close to all electronic components, occurrence of control errors such as noise may be minimized.
In addition, the steam supply unit 800 is disposed on the circulation duct 320, and the controller 700 is disposed beneath the circulation duct 320. Accordingly, the circulation duct 320 may be formed in a straight duct shape at a location between the steam supply unit 800 and the controller 700. Accordingly, a passage resistance of the air passing through the circulation duct 320 may be minimized.
The circulation duct 320, the outside air duct 370, the steam supply unit 800, the controller 700, and the heat supply unit 340 may be disposed on the base 310 in a modular form.
Thus, the base 310 may be easily installed and maintained by being extended from and retracted into the machine room 300 in forward and rearward directions.
(a) in
The base 310 may be installed on a base cabinet that forms a bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus. The base 310 itself may form the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus.
The base 310 may include a base bottom surface 311 that forms a support surface. The base bottom surface 311 may form the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus. In addition, the base bottom surface 311 may be installed on a top surface of the bottom surface of the cabinet 100 forming the bottom surface of the laundry treating apparatus.
The base 310 may be integrally formed with the circulation duct 320 that defines at least a portion of the passage through which the air flows. The circulation duct 320 may be formed by extending upward from the base bottom surface 311.
The circulation duct 320 may include a duct body 321 extending from the base bottom surface 311 to define the passage, a heat exchanger installation portion 3212 providing a space in which an evaporator 341 or a condenser 343 is installed inside the duct body 321, and an air discharge port 323 disposed at the rear of the duct body 321 to discharge air from the duct body 321.
The air discharge port 323 may be formed in a pipe shape extending rearward from the duct body 321. A diameter of the air discharge port 323 may be smaller than a width of the duct body 321.
The air discharge port 323 may be connected to the fan housing 351. Air discharged from the air discharge port 323 may be guided into the inner casing 200 via the fan housing 351.
The circulation duct 320 may include an outside air suction portion 322 defined by extending through a front surface of the duct body 321.
The outside air suction portion 322 may be in communication with the outside air duct 370. The outside air duct 370 may be seated and supported in front of the outside air suction portion 322.
The outside air suction portion 322 may be provided with a width greater than the height. That is, the outside air suction portion 322 may be formed to extend along the width direction of the duct body 321. In the case that the shape of the outside air suction portion 322 is provided as described above, outside air can be more effectively introduced into the duct body 321.
An outside air suction portion damper 373 that opens and closes the outside air suction portion 322 may be disposed on the circulation duct 320. Via the opening and closing of the outside air suction portion damper 373, the inflow of the outside air into the circulation duct 320 may be allowed or blocked.
The base 310 may include a compressor installation portion 312 providing a space in which the compressor 342 is installed. The compressor installation portion 312 may be formed at one side of the base bottom surface 311 and may be integrally formed with the base bottom surface 311.
The compressor installation portion 312 may have a protrusion capable of supporting the compressor 342. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to be biased to a rear side of the base 310. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to at least partially overlap the air discharge port 323 in the width direction.
A buffer member that reduces vibration transmitted from the compressor 342 may be installed in the compressor installation portion 312. The buffer member may be fixed to the protrusion.
The base 310 may include a controller installation portion 313 on which the controller 700 is installed. The controller installation portion 313 may be defined between the base bottom surface 311 and the circulation duct 320. The controller installation portion 313 may be defined between the base bottom surface 311 and a bottom surface of the circulation duct 320. The controller installation portion 313 may be formed in a shape of a duct open in one of forward and rearward directions at a location beneath the circulation duct 320.
A structure of the controller installation portion 313 will be described later.
The circulation duct 320 may extend upward from the base bottom surface to define the passage through which the air flows. The circulation duct 320 may include the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 providing the space in which the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 are installed. The heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be defined inside the duct body 321.
The duct body 321 may have an open top surface. Via the opening of the duct body 321, the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may be introduced and installed.
The opening of the duct body 321 may be shielded by the base cover 360, and the base cover 360 and the duct body 321 may define the passage of the circulation duct 320.
The front surface of the duct body 321 may be spaced rearwardly apart from a front end of the base bottom surface 311.
Accordingly, the base bottom surface 311 may secure a support surface 3111 on which at least one of the water supply container 301, the drain container 302, and the outside air duct 370 described above is installed and supported.
In one example, the heat supply unit 340 may include the evaporator 341 formed as the heat exchanger installed inside the circulation duct 320 so as to cool and dehumidify the air introduced into the circulation duct 320, the condenser 343 formed as the heat exchanger that heats the air that has passed through the evaporator 341 to form the hot air, the compressor 342 that supplies the refrigerant that exchanges heat with the air to the condenser 343 and is disposed outside the circulation duct 320, and an expansion valve 344 that expands and cools the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 343.
In one example, as the duct body 32 is integrally molded with the base 310, a greater vertical dimension of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be secured, and vertical dimensions of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may also be increased.
As a result, widths in the front and rear direction of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 may be reduced, so that the number of refrigerant pipes passing through the condenser and the evaporator may be reduced. Accordingly, there is an effect of reducing a flow loss of air passing through the condenser and the evaporator.
In one example, a sum of a length in the front and rear direction of the evaporator 341 and a length in the front and rear direction of the condenser 343 may be smaller than a length of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212. Accordingly, the length in the front and rear direction of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be equal to or smaller than half of the length of the duct body 321.
Therefore, because the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be sufficiently spaced apart from the outside air suction portion 322, sufficient space may be secured in the circulation duct 320 to allow the outside air and the air inside the inner casing 200 to be introduced thereinto.
In one example, an installed partition wall 3211 that divides the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 and the outside of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 from each other may be included inside the duct body 321. The installed partition wall 3211 may protrude from a side surface of the duct body 321 to support a front portion of the evaporator 341.
In addition, the duct body 321 may extend rearwards while expanding in width from the installed partition wall 3211.
As a result, a width of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be greater than half of the width of the base 310. In addition, a width of the circulation duct 320 may be greater than the half of the width of the base 310.
The width of the condenser 343 and the width of the evaporator 341 may also be greater than the half of the total width of the base 310.
As described above, when the widths of the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 are secured, there is an effect of ensuring sufficient heat exchange capacity.
In addition, the fan installation portion 350 may be disposed to overlap the condenser 343 or the evaporator 341 in the front and rear direction. Therefore, the air that has passed through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may flow into the fan housing 351 without bending of the passage. That is, the air introduced into the circulation duct 320 may flow to the fan housing 351 without the bending of the passage, so that flow loss may be minimized.
The base bottom surface 311 of the base 310 may be molded integrally with the circulation duct 320 via the injection-molding.
A mold forming an inner surface of the duct body 321 may be removed by being withdrawn in an upward direction from the inside of the duct body 321. In this regard, in order to facilitate the withdrawal of the mold, a wall surface of the duct body 321 may be inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the removal direction of the mold.
A width of the bottom surface 321a of the duct body 321 may be smaller than a width of the top surface 321b of the duct body 321.
Specifically, a distance between wall surfaces of the duct body 321 facing each other may increase as a distance from the base bottom surface 311 increases. A distance between a left side surface and a right side surface of the circulation passage facing each other may be increased along the withdrawal direction of the mold. Accordingly, the removal of the mold may be facilitated.
In one example, the air discharge port 323 may include an air extension pipe 3231 extending from a rear surface of the duct body 321 to decrease in a diameter or a width, and an air discharge pipe 3232 extending from the air extension pipe 3231 in a pipe shape having a uniform diameter so as to define a hollow 3233 therein. The air extension pipe 3231 may perform a function of a nozzle, thereby increasing a speed of the discharged air.
An inner diameter of the air discharge pipe 3232 may increase as a distance from the duct body 321 increases. The change in the inner diameter of the air discharge pipe 3232 may be caused by the mold removal direction. Conversely, it may be seen that the mold removal is facilitated by the change in the inner diameter.
In addition, the mold for forming the air discharge port 323 may be removed as shown in the above drawing. After being withdrawn forward from the inside of the air discharge port 323 toward the inside of the circulation duct 320, the mold may be removed toward the open top surface of the circulation duct 320. The mold may be formed into a structure that is easy to be withdrawn in such process.
The installed partition wall 3211 may protrude inwardly from an inner wall of the duct body 321 or may be formed as an outer wall of the circulation duct is recessed inwardly.
The heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be formed between the heat exchanger installed partition 3211 and the air discharge port 323.
A mold for forming the air discharge port 323 may be removed by being withdrawn forwardly of the air discharge port 323 and then withdrawn upward. When the mold for forming the air discharge port 323 is withdrawn forward from the inside of the air discharge port 323, it is necessary to prevent interference with the heat exchanger installed partition wall. To this end, design values of the air discharge port 323 may be adjusted.
Specifically, when molding the air discharge port 323, based on a parting line 3233 of the air discharge port 323 in the drawing, a mold for forming a front side and a mold for forming a rear side may be formed separately. Accordingly, removal directions of the molds may also be different from each other. The mold for forming a portion located at a front side based on the parting line of the air discharge port 323 may be withdrawn forward, and the mold for forming a portion located at a rear side based on the parting line of the air discharge port 323 may be withdrawn to rearward.
That is, in order to prevent the mold that is withdrawn forward from interfering with the heat exchanger installed partition wall during the withdrawing process, a distance 1323a may be smaller than a distance 2321c in the drawing. The distance 1323a may mean a distance between the parting line of the air discharge port 323 and a front end of the air discharge port 323. In addition, the distance 1323a may mean a distance between the parting line of the air discharge port 323 and a rear opening of the circulation duct. The distance 2323c may mean a distance between the front end of the air discharge port 323 and the heat exchanger installed partition wall. In addition, the distance 2323c may mean a distance between the rear opening of the circulation duct and the heat exchanger installed partition wall 3211.
In the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure, when the compressor 342 and the blower fan 353 are driven, the air supplied from the outside of the cabinet 100 and the air supplied from the inner casing 200 are cooled while passing through the evaporator 341, and water vapor contained in the air is condensed.
The water condensed in the evaporator 341 may accumulate on the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320.
The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a water reservoir 326 formed as a portion of the bottom surface of the duct body 321 is recessed so as to collect the condensate condensed by the evaporator 341.
The water reservoir 326 is a space defined as the portion of the bottom surface of the duct body 321 is recessed. The water reservoir 326 may form one side surface of the controller installation portion 313. In particular, a side surface of the water reservoir 326 may form the side surface of the controller installation portion 313.
The water reservoir 326 may be formed by being recessed downward from the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320.
The water reservoir 326 may be integrally formed with the circulation duct 320. While injection-molding the circulation duct 320 on the base 310, the portion of the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320 may be molded to be recessed to form the water reservoir 326.
At least a portion of a top surface of the water reservoir 326 may be disposed parallel to the heat exchanger installation portion 3212.
The base 310 may include a drain pipe 3263 for discharging the water collected in the water reservoir 326 to the outside.
The drain pipe 3263 may protrude from a lower portion of the water reservoir 326 outwardly of the circulation duct 320. The drain pipe 3263 may discharge the water stored in the water reservoir to the outside of the base. Accordingly, the water collected in the water reservoir 326 may be prevented from rotting or flowing back to the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320 again.
The circulation duct 320 includes the installed partition wall 3211 extending from the inner surface of the duct body 321. The installed partition wall 3211 may protrude inwardly from the inner wall of the circulation duct 320 or may protrude inwardly as the outer wall of the circulation duct 320 is recessed inwardly. The installed partition wall 3211 may guide locations where the heat exchangers 341 and 343 are installed, and prevent the air entering the heat exchangers from bypassing the heat exchangers.
The installed partition wall 3211 may be disposed in the water reservoir 326.
The water reservoir 326 may include a water reservoir bottom surface 3261 on which the water accumulates, and a water reservoir recessed portion 3262 recessed further downward from the water reservoir bottom surface 3261. The drain pipe 3263 may be disposed on an outer surface of the circulation duct 320 at a position corresponding to the water reservoir recessed portion 3262. As a result, the drain pipe 3263 may be disposed at a portion of the water reservoir 326 with the lowest water level. The water collected in the water reservoir 326 may flow to the drain pipe 3263 by a weight thereof.
(a) in
A bottom surface of the circulation duct 320 and a bottom surface of the water reservoir 326 may have a predetermined inclination.
In particular, the circulation duct bottom surface 325 may be inclined toward the water reservoir 326, and the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be inclined toward the drain pipe 3263.
The circulation duct bottom surface 325 may be inclined toward the water reservoir 326 at an angle of 1(a) based on the bottom surface of the base 310 or the ground.
In addition, the circulation duct bottom surface 325 may be inclined downwards forwardly toward the drain pipe 3263. The circulation duct bottom surface 325 may be inclined forwardly at an angle 2(b) based on the bottom surface of the base 310.
As a result, the water condensed on the bottom surface of the circulation duct may flow toward the water reservoir 326 while flowing forward.
In one example, the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may also have the predetermined inclination.
The drain pipe 3263 may be disposed biasedly on an inner surface of the water reservoir 326 rather than on the outer surface.
The water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be inclined inwardly of the circulation duct 320 based on the bottom surface of the base 310.
The water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be inclined at an angle of 3(c) based on the bottom surface of the base 310, and an inclined direction of the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be opposite to that of the circulation duct bottom surface 325.
The angle of 3(c) may be an angle for the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 to be inclined downward in a direction away from the partition wall 3211.
The water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be inclined downward toward the drain pipe 3263.
The water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be inclined downwards rearwardly at an angle of 4(d) based on the base 310.
The angles 1 to 4 described above may be formed by the molds during a molding process of the base 310. The angles 1 to 4 may be formed in a process of molding the circulation duct 320 or the water reservoir 326. The angle 2(b) and the angle 4(d) may form the inclinations in the same direction.
A mold for forming the water reservoir 326 may be removed by being withdrawn in the upward direction. In this regard, in order to facilitate the removal of the mold, sidewalls of the water reservoir 326 may be tapered. Specifically, the sidewalls of the water reservoir 326 may be constructed to be increased in a cross-sectional area along the withdrawal direction of the mold. In other words, a circumference of the top surface of the water reservoir 326 may be larger than a circumference of the bottom surface of the water reservoir 326.
A front surface of the water reservoir 326 may be inclined forwards upwardly. A rear surface of the water reservoir 326 may be inclined rearwards upwardly. Left and right side surfaces of the water reservoir 326 may be inclined leftwards and rightwards upwardly, respectively.
(a) in
In the water reservoir 326, the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be disposed to be inclined downwards forwardly, and the circulation duct bottom surface 325 of the circulation duct 320 may also be disposed to be inclined downwards forwardly.
The water reservoir recessed portion 3262 may have a drain filter 3264 to prevent the foreign substances from being discharged to the outside of the drain pipe 3263.
The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include residual water treating means 330 that collects the water collected in the water reservoir 326 into the drain container 302.
The residual water treating means 330 may include a drain pump 331 for discharging the water collected in the water reservoir 326 to the drain container 302. The drain pipe 3263 and the drain pump 331 may be connected to each other via a first drain hose 3351, and the water discharged from the drain pump 331 may flow along a second drain hose 3352.
The drain pipe 3263 may be disposed upwardly of the drain pump 331. Accordingly, the water collected in the water reservoir 326 by the weight thereof may be collected in the drain pump 331.
Because the condensate collected in the water reservoir 326 must be collected in the drain container 302, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may include the residual water treating means 330 for collecting the condensate in the drain container 302.
In one example, because the drain container 302 is disposed in front of the duct body 321, it may be advantageous that the residual water treating means 330 is also disposed in front of the duct body 321.
In one example, the residual water treating means 330 may install a portion of a component that connects the drain pump 331 and the drain container 302 to each other on the base 310. Accordingly, when the drain container 302 is completely filled with water or the condensate flows backward in the drain container 302, the condensate may be transferred back into the base 310 and circulated to the water reservoir 326. Thus, the condensate may be prevented from leaking out of the base 310.
The water reservoir 326 may include the drain pipe 3263 for discharging the condensate to the outside of the water reservoir 326. The drain pipe 3263 may extend forward on the base 310.
The residual water treating means 330 may include the drain pump 331 for providing power to transfer the water discharged from the drain pipe 3263 to the drain container 302.
The residual water treating means 330 may include an inlet pipe 332 extending from one side of the circulation duct and in communication with the drain pump 331.
The residual water treating means 330 may include a discharge pipe 334 in communication with the inlet pipe 332 and transferring the condensate to the drain container 302, and the discharge pipe 334 may be integrally formed with the base 310.
The residual water treating means 330 may further include a guide pipe 333 disposed below the discharge pipe 334. The guide pipe 333 may be constructed to allow the drain container 302 and the circulation duct 320 to communicate with each other. The guide pipe 333 may guide the water inside the drain container back into the circulation duct 320 when a water level of the drain container 302 is equal to or higher than a predetermined water level.
The water guided to the circulation duct 320 may be recovered again into the water reservoir 326 and may be guided to the drain container 302 again via the residual water treating means 330.
As a result, even when the drain container 302 is completely filled with the water, because the condensate is introduced into the circulation duct 320 via the guide pipe 333, overflow of the water in the drain container 302 may be prevented.
The laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include a water cover 327 seated on the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320. The water cover 327 may be constructed to support at least one of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343, and to block the water condensed in the evaporator 341 from flowing to the condenser 343 and guide the water to the water reservoir 326.
The water cover may prevent the bottom surface of the circulation duct from being exposed to the outside. In addition, the water cover may form a support surface on which the evaporator and the condenser are supported. The water cover may support the evaporator and the condenser away from the bottom surface of the circulation duct. The water cover may shield the top surface of the water reservoir. That is, the water cover may perform a cover function of the water reservoir.
The water cover 327 may also shield an upper portion of the water reservoir 326. Accordingly, the air introduced into the circulation duct 320 may be prevented from receiving a resistance due to a step between the water reservoir 326 and the circulation duct 320.
The water cover 327 may include a water cover body 3271 formed in a plate shape and supporting at least one of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343, and support ribs 3276 extending downward from the water cover body 3271 so as to maintain a vertical level or an inclination of the water cover body 3271.
One of the support ribs 3276 may be supported by the recessed portion 3262 or the drain filter 3264. Accordingly, the support ribs 3276 may directly guide the water flowing along the water cover body 3271 to the drain pipe 3263.
The water cover 327 may have a plate shape that shields at least a portion of the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320.
The water cover 327 may block exposure of the water reservoir 326 to a region facing the inlet 362 or a region into which the outside air flows.
The water cover 327 may be constructed to support lower ends of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343. Even when the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320 is disposed to be inclined, the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may be disposed at the same vertical level because of the water cover 327.
In addition, the water cover 327 may prevent the positions of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 from being changed.
The water cover body 3271 of the water cover 327 may be inclined parallel to the base 310. Accordingly, the air introduced into the evaporator 341 may be prevented from receiving an unnecessary slope resistance.
The water cover may include the water cover body 3271 positioned upwardly of the bottom surface of the circulation duct or the bottom surface of the water reservoir. The water cover body 3271 may prevent the bottom surface 325 of the circulation duct or the bottom surface 3261 of the water reservoir from being exposed to the outside.
The water cover 327 may include seating ribs 3274 protruding upward from the water cover body 3271. The seating ribs 3274 may be constructed to fix at least one of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343, and may also maintain a distance between the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343.
The water cover 327 may include a through-hole 3272 extending through the water cover body 3271. The through-hole 3272 may be defined between the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343. As a result, the water condensed in the evaporator 341 may be guided to a portion below the water cover.
In addition, the through-hole 3272 may be disposed beneath the evaporator 341. That is, the through-hole 3272 may be defined to overlap the evaporator 341 in a height direction of the cabinet.
The water cover 327 may further include a water discharge hole 3275 that extends through the water cover body 3271 and is spaced apart from the through-hole 3272. The water discharge hole 3275 may be defined in a region facing the water reservoir 326.
The water discharge hole 3275 may discharge the water flowing along the top surface of the water cover body 3271 to the water reservoir 326.
In addition, the water discharge hole 3275 may guide the water overflowing from the drain container 302 to the water reservoir 326.
The water cover 327 may include spacing ribs 3273 supported on the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320 on the water cover body 3271. The spacing ribs 3273 may be constructed to correspond to the inclination of the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320 and to be in contact with the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320, thereby preventing the air flowing between the water cover body 3271 and the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320.
In one example, the spacing ribs 3273 may be disposed along a circumference of the water cover body 3271.
In one example, the water cover 327 may further include an avoidance portion 3277 preventing interference with the partition wall 3211 of the circulation duct. The avoidance portion 3277 may be formed by being recessed from a side surface of the water cover body 3271. The avoidance portion 3277 may be defined to correspond to a shape of the partition wall.
The water cover 327 may include the support ribs 3276 supported by the water reservoir 326. The support ribs 3276 may be formed in a shape that does not shield the drain pipe 3263.
(a) in
The controller 700 may be configured to control all devices required to perform an arbitrary course in which the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure performs a refresh process of the laundry. The controller 700 may be formed as a PCB board, but the present disclosure may not be limited thereto, and the controller 700 may be formed as various devices for control.
The controller 700 may be inserted into and seated in the controller installation portion 313.
The controller installation portion 313 may be disposed beneath the circulation duct 320.
The bottom surface of the circulation duct 320 may form a top surface of the controller installation portion 313. The controller installation portion 313 may be disposed downwardly of the air discharge port 323.
The controller installation portion 313 may be integrally formed with the base bottom surface 311. The controller installation portion 313 may be defined as a recessed space beneath the circulation duct in a process of forming the circulation duct 320 on the base 310.
The controller 700 may be retracted forwardly in the controller installation portion 313 in a sliding manner.
A bracket 3131 constructed to surround the controller may be further disposed on a surface of the controller 700. The brackets 3131 may be placed at upper and lower portions of the controller to prevent the foreign substances from entering the controller.
In addition, the bracket 3131 may prevent a circuit board inside the controller 700 from being damaged by heat or vibration transmitted to the controller 700. The bracket 3131 may be made of a metal material. Because the bracket 3131 is made of the metal material, fire may be prevented from being transferred to the controller 700.
(b) in
As shown in the drawing, the controller 700 may be installed at a predetermined angle with the base bottom surface 311.
For example, the controller 700 may be inclined toward the water reservoir 326. Accordingly, when the water leaks to a top surface of the controller 700, the water may quickly escape from the controller 700. The bottom surface of the circulation duct 320 may be inclined toward the water reservoir 326.
The controller 700 may include each supporter 3132 protruding from each side surface thereof.
The controller installation portion 313 may include ribs 3134 protruding from both side surfaces of the installation portion. Each supporter 3132 of the controller may be mounted above each rib 3134.
The supporter 3132 of the controller may support a weight of an entirety of the controller 700. When the supporter 3132 of the controller is supported above the rib 3134, the controller 700 may be spaced apart from the base bottom surface 311 by a predetermined distance.
The rib 3134 may be integrally formed with the base 310. The rib 3134 may be molded together when the base 310 is injection-molded and integrally formed with components such as the base bottom surface 311 and the circulation duct 320.
A controller seating protrusion 3136 may protrude from a front surface of the controller 700. In addition, a guide 3133 protruding rearwards may be disposed on an inner surface of the controller installation portion 313. The controller seating protrusion 3136 may be coupled with the guide 3133. The controller seating protrusion may be inserted into the guide. When the controller is retracted into the controller installation portion 313, the controller may be aligned in place in a scheme of coupling the controller seating protrusion to the guide. The present disclosure may not be limited to the above embodiment, and a male-female relationship may be changed in the coupling between the controller and the controller installation portion.
In addition, both side surfaces of the controller may be positioned in such a way that the supporter is seated on the rib, as described above. Using such coupling process, the controller may be coupled to a right position of the controller installation portion without a separate fastening member.
The base 310 may include the air discharge port 323 for discharging the treated air toward the fan housing 351.
The air discharge port 323 may allow the inside of the circulation duct 320 or the duct body 321 and the fan housing 351 to communicate with each other. The air discharge port 323 may have a bell mouth shape. The air discharge port 323 may be formed in the bell mouth shape so as to reduce the flow loss of the air and improve an air circulation efficiency.
The air discharge pipe 3232 of the air discharge port 323 may be formed in the pipe shape, and the mold disposed in front of the parting line 3233 may be withdrawn forward and the mold disposed at the rear of the parting line 3233 may be withdrawn rearward in the mold removal process.
The fan installation portion 350 may be coupled to and supported by the air discharge pipe 3232. The fan housing 351 may have a coupling hole coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the air discharge pipe 3232, and the blower fan 353 may be disposed in the coupling hole.
The fan housing 351 may include the discharge duct 352 extending from an outer circumferential surface or an outer surface of the blower fan 353 to the discharge hole 232.
The fan housing 351 and the discharge duct 352 may define therein a passage for accommodating the blower fan 353 therein and through which the air may flow.
A motor for rotating the blower fan 353 may be coupled to and supported at a position outside the fan housing 351.
The base cover 360 may be coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 so as to prevent the inside of the circulation duct 320 from being exposed.
The base cover 360 may include an inlet body 361 coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 and allowing the inner casing 200 and the circulation duct 320 to communicate with each other, and a shielding body 363 extending from the inlet body 361 so as to shield the circulation duct 320.
The inlet body 361 may be formed in a duct shape so as to allow inlet hole 231 of the inner casing and the inside of the circulation duct 320 to communicate with each other. The inlet body 361 may protrude upwardly of the shielding body 363.
The inlet body 361 may be disposed forwardly of the evaporator 341 so as not to face the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 and may be disposed forwardly of the partition wall 3211.
The inlet body 361 may serve as an inlet duct for allowing the air from the inner casing 200 to flow to the circulation duct 320.
The inlet body 361 may have the inlet 362 therein through which the air of the inner casing 200 may pass.
Specifically, the base cover 360 may include a first rib 362a extending along the width direction of the inlet body 361, and a second rib 362b spaced rearwardly apart from the first rib 362a and extending along the width direction of the inlet body 361.
The first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may be constructed to be parallel to each other. The first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may have a plate shape extending in a vertical direction, and may have a vertical dimension corresponding to that of the inlet body 361.
A front edge of the inlet body 361 and the first rib 362a may define a first inlet hole 3621, the first rib 362a and the second rib 362b may define a second inlet hole 3622, and the second rib 362b and a rear edge of the inlet body 361 may define a third inlet hole 3623.
The first inlet hole 3621 and the second inlet hole 3622 may have the same area, and the third inlet hole 3623 may have an area smaller than that of the first inlet hole 3621 and the second inlet hole 3622.
The base cover 360 may include a damper assembly 364 constructed to open and close the inlet 362, and a driver 365 coupled to the damper assembly 364 and controlling the opening and closing of the damper assembly 364.
The damper assembly 364 may include a first damper 3641 constructed to open and close the first inlet hole 3621 and a second damper 3642 constructed to open and close the third inlet hole 3623.
The first damper 3641 may be formed in a plate shape having an area corresponding to that of the first inlet hole 3621, and may be pivotably coupled to both side surfaces of the inlet body 361 at a location inside the first inlet hole 3621.
The second damper 3642 may be formed in a plate shape having an area corresponding to that of the third inlet hole 3622, and may be pivotably coupled to both side surfaces of the inlet body 361 at a location inside the third inlet hole 3622.
The second inlet hole 3622 may be equipped with a cut-off filter 366 capable of filtering the foreign substances such as fine dust and lint while allowing the air to pass therethrough.
The cut-off filter 366 may be inserted into the second inlet hole 3622 to divide the first inlet hole 3621 and the third inlet hole 3623 from each other. The cut-off filter 366 may be disposed to extend from the second inlet hole 3622 to be in contact with the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320.
The cut-off filter 366 may be formed as a filter capable of filtering up to the moisture. For example, the cut-off filter 366 may be formed as a HEPA filter or the like.
In one example, when the cut-off filter 366 is inserted into the second inlet hole 3622, a shielding member for shielding the second inlet hole 3622 may be further coupled to the second inlet hole 3622.
The driver 365 may include a motor for providing power to selectively pivot the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642, and a plurality of gear members capable of selectively pivoting the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642 while rotating in engagement with the motor.
Because of the driver 365, the first inlet hole 3611 and the third inlet hole 3623 may be selectively opened.
Because of the driver 365, the air accommodated inside the inner casing 200 may be introduced into the circulation duct 320 along the first inlet hole 3621, or may be introduced into the circulation duct 320 along the second inlet hole 3622.
In one example, the driver 365 may control the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642 so as to open both the first inlet hole 3621 and the second inlet hole 3622, and may control the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642 so as to cover both the first inlet hole 3621 and the second inlet hole 3622.
The driver 365 may be formed in any structure as long as it may pivot the first damper 3641 and the second damper 3642. For example, the driver 465 may be formed as a combination of the motor, a driving gear rotated by the motor, and a driven gear coupled to the first damper and the second damper and rotated by the rotation of the driving gear.
The base cover 360 may include the shielding body 363 extending from the inlet body 361 so as to shield the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343. The shielding body 363 may be formed in a plate shape.
The base cover 360 may be detachably coupled to the top surface of the circulation duct 320 via an inlet hook 3612 extending from a bottom surface of the inlet body 361.
The circulation duct 320 may have a coupling portion detachably coupled to the inlet hook 3612.
Referring to (a) in
The outside air duct 370 may be constructed to be in communication with the outside air suction portion 322.
The outside air duct 370 may include the outside air suction portion damper 373 that opens and closes the outside air suction portion 322, and a damper driver 374 that selectively opens and closes the outside air suction portion 322 by pivoting the outside air suction portion damper 373.
The outside air suction portion damper 373 may have a plate shape capable of sealing the outside air suction portion 322, and may be pivotably coupled to both side surfaces of the outside air suction portion 322.
The damper driver 374 may be formed as an actuator that is coupled to the outside air duct 370 or the circulation duct 320 to pivot the outside air suction portion damper 373.
The outside air duct 370 may include an extension duct 372 extending forward from a front surface of the outside air suction portion 322, and an air intake duct 371 extending forward from the extension duct 372 and into which the outside air may flow.
The air intake duct 371 may extend from a bottom of the extension duct 372, and the water supply container 301 and the drain container 302 may be disposed on the air intake duct 371. The water supply container 301 and the drain container 302 may be coupled to or seated on the air intake duct 371.
The air intake duct 371 may include an outside air hole 3711 through which the outside air is sucked defined at one end or a free end thereof, and a partition rib 3712 constructed to partition the outside air hole 3711.
The outside air hole 3711 may be defined downwardly of the door 400 so as not to be shielded by the door 400.
The partition rib 3712 may be constructed to partition the inside of the outside air hole 3711 to block the foreign substances or a user's body from entering.
Referring to (b) in
In this regard, when the blower fan 353 is driven, the outside air of the cabinet may flow into the circulation duct 320. When the compressor 342 operates, the outside air may be dehumidified while passing through the circulation duct 320 and supplied into the inner casing 200.
The door 400 may further include an outlet for discharging the air inside the inner casing 200 to the outside, and a discharge damper for selectively opening and closing the outlet. The outlet may be defined to face the accommodation space of the inner casing 200.
As a result, the dehumidified air may be discharged through the outlet.
In addition, the outside air may be filtered while passing through the cut-off filter 366 and discharged to the outside of the cabinet 100 again.
Referring to (a) in
When the blower fan 353 is driven, the air inside the inner casing 200 may flow into the first inlet hole 3621 and may be filtered while passing through the cut-off filter 366.
When the compressor 342 operates, the air that has passed through the cut-off filter 366 may be dehumidified and heated while passing through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343.
The air that has passed through the condenser 343 may pass through the fan installation portion 350 and be supplied into the inner casing 200.
This state may be a state in which the steam is not supplied to the inner casing 200. This is because, when the steam is supplied to the inner casing 200, the moisture wets the cut-off filter 366, and thus a performance of the cut-off filter 366 is not able to be guaranteed.
As a result, when the steam is not supplied to the inner casing 200, when the steam is yet to be supplied into the inner casing 200, or when a humidity is lowered even after the steam is supplied into the inner casing 200, the air inside the inner casing 200 may pass through the first inlet hole 3641 and the cut-off filter 366 to filter the foreign substances such as the lint.
Referring to (b) in
When the blower fan 353 is driven, the air inside the inner casing 200 may flow into the second inlet hole 3622. Because the second inlet hole 3622 is defined downstream of the cut-off filter 366, the air introduced into the second inlet hole 3622 may not pass through the cut-off filter 366.
When the compressor 342 operates, the air that has passed through the cut-off filter 366 may be dehumidified and heated while passing through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343.
The air that has passed through the condenser 343 may pass through the fan installation portion 350 and be supplied into the inner casing 200.
As a result, when the steam is supplied to the inner casing 200 or when the humidity inside the inner casing 200 is very high, the air of the inner casing 200 may be allowed to flow into the second inlet hole 3622 and may be blocked from flowing into the first inlet hole 3621, thereby blocking exposure of the cut-off filter 366 to the moisture.
Referring to (c) in
When the blower fan 353 is driven, the air inside the inner casing 200 may be blocked from flowing into the second inlet hole 3622, and only the outside air of the cabinet 100 may be introduced into the circulation duct 320 and pass through the cut-off filter 366. As a result, the foreign substances such as the fine dust contained in the outside air may be filtered via the cut-off filter 366.
When the compressor 342 operates, the air that has passed through the cut-off filter 366 may be dehumidified while passing through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343.
The air that has passed through the condenser 343 may pass through the fan installation portion 350 and be supplied into the inner casing 200 to supply fresh hot air to the laundry.
In this regard, when the door 400 has an apparatus for discharging the air inside the inner casing 200 to the outside, the outside air of the cabinet may be discharged in a purified and dehumidified state after passing through the cut-off filter 366 and the heat supply unit 340.
As a result, in the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure, the controller 700 may control the damper driver 374 and the driver 365 to determine flow directions of the air inside the inner casing 200 and the outside air of the cabinet.
The steam supply unit 800 may be supported by being seated on the base cover 360.
The steam supply unit 800 may include a steam supply unit casing 810 seated on the base cover 360 and storing therein water for generating the steam.
The circulation duct 320 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the steam supply unit 800 in the height direction of the cabinet 100.
The steam supply unit 800 may further include an installation bracket 870 capable of fixing the steam supply unit casing 810 to the base cover 360.
The installation bracket 870 may be coupled to the base cover 360 to fix the steam supply unit casing 810.
The installation bracket 870 may include a lower panel 871 for supporting the bottom surface of the steam supply unit casing 810, and side panels 872 for supporting both side surfaces of the steam supply unit casing 810 from the lower panel 871.
The installation bracket 870 may further include one or more fixing clips 873 extending from the side panel 872 to prevent the steam supply unit casing 810 from being deviated.
A fixing clip 873 may be detachably disposed on a top surface of a side surface of the steam supply unit casing 810.
The compressor 342 may be disposed downwardly of the steam supply unit 800.
The installation bracket 870 may be constructed to block heat generated from the compressor or heat generated from the refrigerant compressed by the compressor from being transferred to the steam supply unit 800.
The installation bracket 870 may also prevent the fire from being transferred to the steam supply unit 800 when the fire occurs in the compressor 342.
In one example, the base cover 360 may include a fastening portion 3631 disposed on the shielding body 363 and detachably coupled to the steam supply unit 800. The fastening portion 3631 may have a structure that is detachably coupled to a protrusion protruding from a lower portion of the steam supply unit casing 810.
Thus, even when a large amount of water is accommodated inside the steam supply unit casing 810, the steam supply unit casing 810 may be stably seated on the base cover 360.
In addition, because the steam supply unit casing 810 is disposed upwardly of the circulation duct 320 and thus a distance thereof to the inner casing 200 becomes smaller, condensation of the steam generated in the steam supply unit casing 810 before reaching the inner casing 200 may be minimized.
Referring to
The circulation duct 320 may be formed in such a way as to extend upward from the base 310. That is, the circulation duct 320 may be integrally formed with the base 310. The circulation duct 320 and the base 310 may be injection-molded via the mold. That is, the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 may be made of a material used for injection such as synthetic resin or plastic.
The circulation duct 320 and the base 310 as a whole may be defined as the base molding M. The base molding M may be made of various materials including injection-molded products. When there is no separate fastening portion between the circulation duct 320 and the base 310, it may be understood that the circulation duct 320 and the base 310 constitute the base molding M.
As the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 are integrally formed with each other, there is an effect of preventing the air from leaking from the inside the circulation duct 320. The circulation duct 320 and the base 310 may be connected to each other without a separate connection member. Accordingly, the circulation duct 320 may be more firmly supported by the base 310.
In addition, as the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 are integrally formed with each other, a vertical dimension of the circulation duct 320 may be increased. As the vertical dimension of the circulation duct 320 increases, the vertical dimensions of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may increase. As the vertical dimensions of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 increase, widths in the front and rear direction of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may decrease. Because the vertical dimension is increased, a designed heat exchange effect may be generated even when the width is reduced.
As the widths in the front and rear direction of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 are reduced, the flow loss of the air passing through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may be reduced. Accordingly, an efficiency of the entire laundry treating apparatus may be improved.
In addition, when the circulation duct 320 extends from the base 310 and is integrally formed with the base 310, a process of separately assembling the circulation duct 320 on the base 310 is not required. Therefore, there is an effect that a productivity of the laundry treating apparatus may be improved.
In one example, the circulation duct 320 may include the duct body 321 extending from the base 310 toward the inner casing 200. The duct body 321 may extend upward from the base 310. The duct body 321 may define the passage through which the air in the laundry treating space 220 circulates.
In addition, the circulation duct 320 may include the duct opening 324 defined as the top surface of the duct body 321 is opened. That is, the duct body 321 may form the side surfaces of the circulation duct 320. The duct body 321 may extend to form the side walls of the passage, and the duct opening 324 may be defined at the top of the duct body 321.
The evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may be inserted via the duct opening 324. The evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may be installed inside the circulation duct 320 via the duct opening 324. The duct body 321 may be disposed to surround the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343.
When the duct body 321 is integrally formed with the base 310, the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may be more stably positioned inside the duct body 321. In addition, the leakage of the air passing through the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 may be prevented.
The base cover 360 for shielding at least a portion of the duct opening 324 may be coupled to the upper portion of the duct body 321. The base cover 360 may define the passage through which the air circulates together with the duct body 321.
The base cover 360 may include the shielding body 363 that shields a portion of the duct opening 324, and the inlet body 361 extending from the shielding body 363 and allowing the circulation duct 320 and the laundry treating space 220 to communicate with each other. The base cover 360 may include the inlet 362 defined in the inlet body 361 and through which the air passes.
In one example, the inlet body 361 may be disposed forwardly of the evaporator 341. That is, the inlet body 361 may be located in a direction away from the condenser 343 based on the evaporator 341.
The shielding body 363 may be disposed to overlap the evaporator 341 or the condenser 343 in the height direction. In one example, the inlet body 361 may extend forward from the shielding body 363 and may be spaced apart from the evaporator 341 or the condenser 343 in the front and rear direction.
When the inlet body 361 and the evaporator 341 are arranged as above, the air introduced into the circulation duct 320 via the inlet body 361 may flow in the internal space of the circulation duct 320 without being in direct contact with the evaporator 341.
That is, the air introduced into the circulation duct 320 via the inlet body 361 may be guided to sequentially pass through an empty space inside the circulation duct 320, the evaporator 341, and the condenser 343. Therefore, there is an effect that a heat exchange efficiency of the air may be increased.
In one example, the base 310 may include the base bottom surface 311 that forms the support surface. The circulation duct 320 may extend upward from the base bottom surface 311. In addition, the duct body 321 may extend upward from the base bottom surface 311.
At least one of the aforementioned water supply container 301 and drain container 302 may be disposed on the base bottom surface 311.
In one example, the circulation duct 320 may include the installed partition wall 3211 protruding from the inner wall of the duct body 321. The installed partition wall 3211 may be placed forwardly of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343.
The installed partition wall 3211 may concentrate the air inside the duct body 321 toward the evaporator 341. In other words, the air may be prevented from escaping to one side of the evaporator 341. The installed partition wall 3211 may improve a heat exchange efficiency inside the duct body 321.
In one example, the base 310 may include the compressor installation portion 312 providing the space in which the compressor 342 is installed. The compressor installation portion 312 may be formed on the base bottom surface 311. The compressor installation portion may be integrally formed with the base 310. The compressor installation portion 312 may protrude from the base bottom surface 311.
That is, when manufacturing the base 310 and the circulation duct 320, the compressor installation portion 312 may also be manufactured together. For example, the compressor installation portion 312 may be formed on the base 310 using a mold.
Referring to
As the duct body 321 is rearwardly spaced apart from the base bottom surface 311, an empty space may be defined at a front side of the base bottom surface 311. At least one of the outside air duct 370, the water supply container 301, and the drain container 302 may be disposed in the corresponding space.
As the duct body 321 is disposed to be rearwardly spaced apart from the front end of the base 310, the front space of the base 310 may be utilized more efficiently.
In one example, the circulation duct 320 may further include the air discharge port 323 extending from the duct body 321 and guiding the air to the outside of the circulation duct 320. The air discharge port 323 may extend from the duct body 321 so as to be in communication with a rear wall of the duct body 321. The air discharge port 323 may have a smaller width than the duct body 321.
In addition, the circulation duct 320 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the compressor installation portion 312 in the front and rear direction. In particular, a right side of the circulation duct 320 may overlap a left side of the compressor installation portion 312 in the front and rear direction. In other words, the circulation duct 320 may overlap at least a portion of the compressor 342 in the front and rear direction.
In addition, the circulation duct 320 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the compressor installation portion 312 in the width direction of the base 310. The air discharge port 323 may be disposed to overlap the compressor installation portion 312 in the width direction.
In the conventional laundry treating apparatus, because a space occupied by the compressor on the base was large, a component corresponding to the circulation duct was disposed above the compressor. That is, it was difficult to overlap the circulation duct and the compressor in the width direction or the front and rear direction.
However, in the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a size of the compressor has been changed. Accordingly, a space occupied by the compressor 342 on the base 310 may be reduced. Therefore, the circulation duct 320 may be disposed to overlap the compressor 342 or the compressor installation portion 312 in the front and rear direction. In addition, the circulation duct 320 may be disposed to overlap the compressor 342 or the compressor installation portion 312 in the width direction of the base 310.
Accordingly, there is an effect that the components such as the compressor 342 may be more compactly arranged on the base 310. That is, as space utilization increases, there is an effect of further expanding the laundry treating space 220.
Referring to
In one example, the base 310 may include the controller installation portion 313 defined beneath the circulation duct 320 to provide a space in which the controller 700 is installed. The circulation duct bottom surface 325 may form a top surface of the controller installation portion 313. At least a portion of the controller installation portion 313 may be disposed beneath the circulation duct bottom surface 325.
In addition, the water reservoir side surface 3265 forming a side surface of the water reservoir 326 may form one side surface of the controller 700. The controller installation portion 313 and the water reservoir 326 may be disposed to overlap each other in the width direction of the cabinet 100. In addition, the circulation duct 320 may overlap the controller installation portion 313 and the cabinet 100 in the height direction. In particular, the circulation duct bottom surface 325 may overlap the controller installation portion 313 in the height direction of the cabinet 100.
In one example, a mold for forming the inner surface of the circulation duct may be removed in a direction withdrawn toward the duct opening 324. Accordingly, the width of the duct body 321 may increase as the distance from the base 310 increases. When the width of the duct body 321 increases in the upward direction, it may be easy to remove the mold.
Referring to
In addition, the duct body 321 may be constructed to be inclined outwardly of the duct body 321 in the upward direction along the extending direction of the duct body 321. In other words, the inner walls of the duct body 321 may be farther apart from each other in the upward direction. In particular, the distance between the inner walls of the duct body 321 facing each other may increase in the upward direction.
Referring to
In addition, angles formed by the direction in which the mold is removed and the inner walls of the duct body 321 are shown as “m1” and “m2”.
A left inner wall of the duct body 321 may form a first body angle m1 with the mold removal direction MR. The first body angle m1 may mean an angle formed so as to incline outwardly of the duct body 321 as a distance from the circulation duct bottom surface 325 increases.
A right inner wall of the duct body 321 may form a second body angle m2 with the mold removal direction MR. The second body angle m2 may mean an angle formed so as to incline outwardly of the duct body 321 as a distance from the circulation duct bottom surface 325 increases.
That is, the first body angle m1 and the second body angle m2 may form angles in different directions. Molds forming the left inner wall and the right inner wall of the duct body 321 may be easily removed by the first body angle m1 and the second body angle m2.
In addition, a right inner wall of the water reservoir 326 may be formed by the right inner wall of the duct body 321. However, a left inner wall of the water reservoir 326 may be separately formed by a mold. The water reservoir side surface 3265 forming the left inner wall of the water reservoir 326 may form a third body angle m3 with the mold removal direction MR. The third body angle m3 may mean an angle at which the water reservoir side surface 3265 becomes farther away from the outside of the water reservoir 326 in the upward direction along a direction away from the base 310.
In other words, the third body angle m3 may form an inclination in the same direction as the first body angle m1. In addition, the third body angle m3 may form an inclination in a direction different from that of the second body angle m2. When the third body angle m3 and the second body angle m2 form the inclinations different from each other, the mold forming the water reservoir 326 may be more easily removed.
In addition, as described above, the installed partition wall 3211 may protrude from the inner wall of the duct body 321. In addition, the installed partition wall 3211 may be formed in such a way that the outer wall of the duct body 321 is recessed inwardly of the duct body 321.
In this regard, the mold for forming the installed partition wall 3211 may be introduced into the duct body 321 from the outside of the duct body 321, and may be widthdrawn toward the outside of the duct body 321 when being removed.
In other words, the mold for forming the inner surface of the installed partition wall 3211 may be removed in the upward direction, and the mold for forming the outer surface of the installed partition wall 3211 may be removed in the width direction of the base 310.
In this regard, in order to easily remove the molds for forming the installed partition wall, the installed partition wall 3211 may form predetermined angles with the mold removal direction.
First, the mold for forming the inner surface of the installed partition wall 3211 may be removed in the height direction of the cabinet 100. Therefore, the inner surface of the installed partition wall may form a fourth body angle m4 with the mold removal direction MR. The fourth body angle m4 may mean an angle inclined toward the duct body 321 in which the installed partition wall 3211 is formed in the upward direction with respect to the mold removal direction MR.
In other words, the installed partition wall 3211 may have a cross-sectional area decreasing in the upward direction. That is, the fourth body angle m4 may mean an angle at which the cross-sectional area of the installed partition wall 3211 parallel to the ground decreases in the upward direction.
As the fourth body angle m4 is formed, the mold for forming the inner surface of the installed partition wall 3211 may be more easily removed.
In one example, the mold for forming the outer surface of the installed partition wall 3211 may be removed along the width direction of the base 310. The outer wall of the installed partition wall 3211 may form a fifth body angle m5 with the mold removal direction MR.
The fifth body angle m5 may mean an angle at which a distance between outer surfaces of the installed partition wall 3211 facing each other increases along the mold removal direction MR.
In addition, a length of the installed partition wall 3211 perpendicular to the direction in which the installed partition wall 3211 is recessed may decrease along the direction in which the installed partition wall 3211 is recessed. In other words, the length of the installed partition wall 3211 perpendicular to the mold removal direction MR may be increased along the mold removal direction MR.
When the fifth body angle m5 is formed in the above-described form, the mold for forming the outer surface of the installed partition wall 3211 may be more easily removed.
The directions of the above-mentioned body angles m1, m2, m3, m4, and m5 or inclination directions may not be limited to the above-described examples, and the inclination directions may be changed in a direction in which the molds for forming the respective components are more easily removed.
When the body angles m1, m2, m3, m4, and m5 are formed as described above, the mold for forming the circulation duct 320 may be more easily removed, and there will be an effect of reducing defects in the circulation duct.
In addition, as the mold is easily removed, qualities of the inner and outer surfaces of the circulation duct 320 may be improved, and the overall air flow may be smoothed.
Referring to
In the conventional laundry treating apparatus, the compressor installation portion was coupled to the base forming the bottom surface as a separate component. However, as in the present disclosure, when the compressor installation portion 312 is integrally formed with the base 310, vibration generated by the compressor 342 may be more effectively reduced. In addition, because the compressor 342 is a component that generates a lot of vibration, there is an effect of securing the stability of the compressor 342.
The compressor installation portion 312 may be located downwardly of the circulation duct bottom surface 325. In other words, the compressor installation portion 312 may be defined by being recessed in the base bottom surface 311. That is, the compressor installation portion 312 may be located closer to the ground than the circulation duct bottom surface 325. In addition, the compressor installation portion 312 may be farther away from the inner casing than the circulation duct bottom surface 325.
In general, the compressor 342 is one of components that generate a lot of vibration or noise. In this regard, when the compressor installation portion 312 is disposed at a low position as described above, there is an effect of securing structural stability against the vibration generated by the compressor 342.
The compressor installation portion 312 may include an installation protrusion 3121 protruding from the base bottom surface 311. The installation protrusion 3121 may be coupled to the compressor 342. The installation protrusion 3121 may include a plurality of installation protrusions so as to be coupled to various points of the compressor 342.
In addition, the compressor installation portion 312 may include a circumferential rib 3123 protruding upward from the base bottom surface 311, formed in a cylindrical shape, and located beneath the compressor. In addition, the compressor installation portion 312 may include a radial rib 3124 protruding upward from the base bottom surface 311 and extending in a radial direction from the circumferential rib 3123.
The circumferential rib 3123 and the radial rib 3124 are disposed beneath the compressor 342 to reduce the vibration or the noise generated by the compressor 342. In addition, the circumferential rib 3123 and the radial rib 3124 may be disposed between the plurality of installation protrusions 3121. In addition, the circumferential rib 3123 and the radial rib 3124 may be arranged to connect the plurality of installation protrusions 3121 to each other.
The circumferential rib 3123 and the radial rib 3124 may improve the structural stability of the compressor installation portion 312. In addition, the circumferential rib 3123 and the radial rib 3124 may support a lower side of the compressor 342 or form an installation surface 3122 disposed beneath the compressor 342.
In one example, the compressor installation portion 312 may be integrally formed with the base bottom surface 311. In this regard, the compressor installation portion 312 may be molded via a mold. The mold for forming the compressor installation portion 312 may be removed in the height direction of the cabinet 100. The drawing shows the direction MR for removing the mold for forming the compressor installation portion.
In addition, the base 310 may include the controller installation portion 313 for providing the space in which the controller 700 is installed. The compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the controller installation portion 313 in the width direction of the base.
As described above, both the controller installation portion 313 and the compressor installation portion 312 may be formed by the base 310, and may be arranged in the width direction, thereby improving space utilization.
In addition, the base 310 may include a reinforcing wall 3125 extending upward from the base bottom surface 311 and disposed between the circulation duct 320 and the compressor installation portion 312. The reinforcing wall 3125 may form one surface of the compressor installation portion 312.
The reinforcing wall 3125 may extend by a predetermined vertical dimension. The reinforcing wall 3125 may extend by a vertical dimension greater than that of the compressor installation portion 312. The reinforcing wall 3125 may be formed by the mold for forming the compressor installation portion 312.
The reinforcing wall 3125 may increase a mass around the compressor installation portion 312. As the mass around the compressor installation portion 312 increases, the vibration generated from the compressor 342 may be more effectively reduced.
In addition, the reinforcing wall 3125 may be disposed in front of the compressor installation portion 312. Therefore, the reinforcing wall 3125 may partially reduce the noise emitted from the compressor 342.
In one example, the reinforcing wall 3125 may have a reinforcing wall surface 3125s on one surface thereof facing the compressor 342. The reinforcing wall surface 3125s may form a predetermined angle with the mold removal direction MR. That is, the reinforcing wall surface 3125s forms the predetermined angle with the height direction, so that the mold may be removed more easily.
In addition, the base 310 may include a support wall 3126 extending upward from the base bottom surface 311 and forming the other surface of the compressor installation portion 312.
The support wall 3126 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the reinforcing wall 3125. When the reinforcing wall 3125 is disposed in front of the compressor 342, the support wall 3126 may be disposed at the rear of the compressor 342.
The support wall 3126 may also extend by the predetermined height like the reinforcing wall 3125. That is, the support wall 3126 may also increase the mass around the compressor installation portion 312 to reduce the vibration generated from the compressor 342. In addition, the support wall 3126 may reduce the noise emitted from the compressor 342.
The support wall 3126 may also be formed via the mold for forming the compressor installation portion 312.
In addition, the base 310 may further include a connecting wall 3127 for connecting the reinforcing wall 3125 and the support wall 3126 to each other. The connecting wall 3127 may extend upward from the base bottom surface 311. The connecting wall 3127 may form one surface of the compressor installation portion 312.
The connecting wall 3127 may extend upward from the base bottom surface 311 so as to separate the compressor installation portion 312 and the controller installation portion 313 from each other. That is, the connecting wall 3127 may separate a space in which the compressor 342 is installed and a space in which the controller 700 is installed from each other to prevent electrical signals of the compressor 342 and the controller 700 from interfering with each other.
In one example, the base 310 may include a handle 3128 formed at the rear of the compressor installation portion 312 and the support wall 3126. The handle 3128 may be formed in a shape that is easy for a worker to grip.
The worker may grip the handle 3128 when moving the base molding M in which the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 are integrally formed with each other. The handle 3128 has an effect of improving productivity of the worker.
In addition, the handle 3128 may be integrally formed with the base 310. That is, the handle 3128 may be formed by the mold for forming the base 310. In addition, the handle 3128 may be disposed to overlap the compressor installation portion 312 in the front and rear direction. The handle 3128 may reduce the vibration generated by the compressor 342 by increasing the mass around the compressor installation portion.
Referring to the drawing showing the base 310 from the top, the compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the circulation duct 320 in the front and rear direction. In addition, the compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the circulation duct 320 in the width direction of the base 310.
As described above, when the compressor installation portion 312 is disposed to overlap the circulation duct 320 in the front and rear direction or the width direction, there is an effect of using the limited space more efficiently.
In addition, the compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the water reservoir 326 in the front and rear direction. The water reservoir 326, as the component in which the condensed water is collected, may be disposed closer to the ground. When the compressor installation portion 312 overlaps the water reservoir 326 in the front and rear direction, the compressor installation portion 312 may also be disposed close to the ground. Therefore, the vibration generated by the compressor 342 may be effectively reduced, thereby securing the structural stability.
In one example, the reinforcing wall 3125 may be inclined so as to be closer to the circulation duct 320 as it extends from the base bottom surface 311. More specifically, the reinforcing wall surface 3125s may be inclined so as to get closer to the circulation duct 320 as it extends from the base bottom surface 311. In other words, the reinforcing wall surface 3125s may be inclined so as to be closer to the circulation duct 320 as it extends upward.
Referring to
The reinforcing wall 3125 may be inclined in a direction away from the compressor 342 as it extends upward from the base bottom surface 311. In other words, the reinforcing wall surface 3125s may form the predetermined angle with the mold removal direction MR.
In particular, the reinforcing wall surface 3125s may be inclined in a direction away from the compressor 342 based on the mold removal direction MR or in a direction closer to the circulation duct 320 based on the mold removal direction MR.
There is an effect that the mold for forming the reinforcing wall 3125 may be more easily removed by the inclination.
In addition, the installation protrusion 3121, the circumferential rib 3123, and the radial rib 3124 may also be formed such that cross-sectional areas thereof decrease in the upward direction. Therefore, the molds for forming the installation protrusion 3121, the circumferential rib 3123, the radial rib 3124, and the like may be easily removed.
A reinforcing wall vertical dimension 3125L, which is a length of the reinforcing wall 3125 in the height direction of the cabinet 100, may be smaller than ½ of a circulation duct vertical dimension ML, which is a length of the circulation duct in the height direction of the cabinet 100, and larger than ⅓ of the circulation duct vertical dimension ML.
In this regard, the circulation duct vertical dimension ML may mean a vertical distance between an uppermost end and a lowermost end of the circulation duct. In addition, the circulation duct vertical dimension ML may mean a vertical dimension of the base molding M including both the circulation duct 320 and the base 310. That is, the circulation duct vertical dimension ML may mean a distance between an uppermost end and a lowermost end of the base molding M.
When the reinforcing wall height 3125L is defined as described above, the reinforcing wall 3125 may reduce the vibration and the noise of the compressor, and may prevent interference of the reinforcing wall 3125 with components disposed above the reinforcing wall 3125. That is, when the reinforcing wall 3125 is formed as described above, the space inside the machine room may be utilized more effectively.
In one example, a support wall vertical dimension 3126L, which is a length of the support wall 3126 in the height direction of the cabinet 100, may be smaller than the reinforcing wall vertical dimension 3125L. Because the support wall 3126 is disposed at the rear of the compressor 342, the support wall 3126 may have less effect on the noise reduction than the reinforcing wall 3125.
In addition, the fan installation portion may be disposed on a side of the support wall 3126. Accordingly, when the support wall vertical dimension 3126L is smaller than the reinforcing wall vertical dimension 3125L, interference between the support wall 3126 and the fan installation portion 350 may be prevented. Therefore, there is an effect of efficiently utilizing the limited space.
In one example, the reinforcing wall 3125 and the support wall 3126 may be disposed to overlap along the front and rear direction. In addition, the reinforcing wall 3125 may be disposed in front of the support wall 3126.
In addition, the handle 3128 may be disposed at the rear of the support wall 3126. That is, the reinforcing wall 3125, the support wall 3126, and the handle 3128 may be sequentially arranged along the front and rear direction. In addition, the reinforcing wall 3125, the support wall 3126, and the handle 3128 may be disposed to surround the compressor installation portion 312. That is, the reinforcing wall 3125, the support wall 3126, and the handle 3128 may form one surface of the compressor installation portion 312.
In addition, when the base 310 is formed, the reinforcing wall 3125, the support wall 3126, and the handle 3128 may be formed as one injection-molded product using a mold. That is, the base bottom surface 311, the reinforcing wall 3125, the support wall 3126, and the handle 3128 may all be integrally formed with each other.
In one example, the connecting wall 3127 may be disposed to be inclined downward from the reinforcing wall 3125 toward the support wall 3126. Interference between the connecting wall 3127 and the fan installation portion 350 may be prevented as the connecting wall 3127 is inclined downwards rearwardly.
In addition, as the connecting wall 3127 extends from the reinforcing wall 3125 to the support wall 3126, an inclination angle thereof may be reduced.
In particular,
Referring to
The controller 700 may be installed in a scheme of being inserted into the controller installation portion 313. In particular, the controller installation portion 313 may be disposed below the circulation duct 320. That is, the controller 700 may be installed in the controller installation portion 313 and disposed below the circulation duct 320. More specifically, the controller 700 may be installed in the controller installation portion 313 and disposed below the duct body 321
As described above, the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 may be integrally formed with each other. As described above, the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 may be integrally injection-molded with each other using the mold.
In addition, the controller installation portion 313 may be defined to overlap at least a portion of the circulation duct 320 in the height direction of the cabinet 100. That is, the controller installation portion 313 and the circulation duct 320 may be arranged in the vertical direction.
When the controller installation portion 313 and the circulation duct 320 are arranged in the vertical direction, the space inside the machine room may be utilized more efficiently. In addition, the controller installation portion 313 may be defined indirectly as the circulation duct 320 is formed. That is, it may be understood that the controller installation portion 313 is naturally defined in the process of integrally forming the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 with each other without adding a separate part to define the controller installation portion 313.
Therefore, in the case described above, a process of adding a separate bracket so as to install the controller as in the conventional laundry treating apparatus may be reduced. That is, there is an effect of improving an assembly property of the entire laundry treating apparatus.
In addition, the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the fan installation portion 350 that allows the inner casing 200 and the circulation duct 320 to be in communication with each other and circulates the air in the laundry treating space 220. In this regard, the controller installation portion 313 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the fan installation portion 350 in the front and rear direction. In particular, the controller installation portion 313 may be disposed to overlap a lower portion of the fan installation portion 350 in the front and rear direction.
More specifically, the controller 700 may be fixed to the controller installation portion 313 by the fan installation portion 350. A specific coupling structure thereof will be described later.
In one example, the controller installation portion 313 may be defined as a portion of the circulation duct 320 is recessed. In particular, the controller installation portion 313 may be defined as a rear side of the circulation duct 320 is recessed forwardly. That is, the controller installation portion 313 may be defined between the base bottom surface 311 and the circulation duct 320.
In one example, the controller 700 may include the bracket 3131 for surrounding an outer surface of the controller 700. The bracket 3131 may be made of a metal material. In addition, the bracket 3131 may be made of an incombustible material. Therefore, the bracket 3131 may prevent the fire from spreading to a circuit board, a PCB board, and the like constituting the controller 700.
In one example, the controller installation portion 313 may further include the guide 3133 protruding from a front surface among inner walls of the controller installation portion 313. The guide 3133 may protrude rearwards from the front inner wall of the controller installation portion 313.
In addition, the controller may include the controller seating protrusion 3136 protruding toward the guide. The controller may include the controller seating protrusion 3136 protruding from a front surface of the controller. The controller seating protrusion 3136 may be coupled to the guide 3133. That is, the controller seating protrusion 3136 may be coupled to the guide 3133 so as to determine a position of the controller 700 within the controller installation portion 313.
In addition, the controller 700 may include a controller fixing protrusion 3137 protruding from a rear surface of the controller. The controller fixing protrusion 3137 may be formed on an opposite side of the controller seating protrusion 3136. The controller seating protrusion 3136 may fix a front side of the controller 700, and the controller fixing protrusion 3137 may fix a rear side of the controller 700.
That is, a movement of the controller 700 in the front and rear direction may be limited by the controller seating protrusion 3136 and the controller fixing protrusion 3137. A specific coupling structure of the controller fixing protrusion 3137 will be described later.
The description of the structures and the shapes of the controller seating protrusion 3136 and the controller fixing protrusion 3137 made above is merely one embodiment. That is, whether the controller seating protrusion 3136 and the controller fixing protrusion 3137 protrude or are recessed may be appropriately changed.
In addition, the controller 700 may include the supporter 3132 protruding from a side surface of the controller 700. The supporter 3132 may extend in the front and rear direction. In addition, the controller installation portion may further include a controller rib 3134 protruding from a inner sidewall of the controller installation portion 313.
The controller rib 3134 may extend in the front and rear direction. The supporter 3132 may be positioned on the controller rib 3134. That is, the controller rib 3134 may support the supporter 3132 from below.
In one example, the inner wall of the controller installation portion 313 may form one surface with the connecting wall 3127. In addition, the supporter 3132 may protrude from the inner surface of the controller installation portion 313 forming one surface with the connecting wall 3127.
In one example, as shown in
When the controller 700 is installed in the controller installation portion 313, the controller 700 may be inserted into the controller installation portion 313 in a direction opposite to the mold removal direction MR.
The laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a noise filter 390 for removing noise from electrical signals transmitted and received by the controller 700. The noise filter 390 may be configured to remove noise from electrical signals transmitted and received not only by the controller 700 but also by the compressor 342, the fan installation portion 350, and the like.
The noise filter 390 may be disposed adjacent to the controller 700. When the noise filter 390 and the controller 700 are disposed close to each other, electrical connection therebetween may be facilitated. The noise filter 390 may be disposed at the rear of the controller 700. In particular, the noise filter 390 may be disposed adjacent to the controller 700 in the front and rear direction. In addition, the noise filter 390 may be coupled to the base 310.
The base 310 may include a noise filter installation portion 3138 protruding from the base bottom surface 311. The noise filter installation portion 3138 may be disposed at a rear portion of the controller installation portion 313. The noise filter installation portion 3138 may also be formed by the mold for defining the controller installation portion 313.
In this regard, in order to form the noise filter installation portion 3138 protruding from the base bottom surface 311, the controller installation portion 313 may include a noise filter guide 3139 to help remove the mold. The noise filter guide 3139 may protrude from the base bottom surface 311 and may extend along the front and rear direction. The noise filter guide 3139 may be disposed to overlap the noise filter installation portion 3138 in the front and rear direction.
The noise filter guide 3139 may extend along the mold removal direction MR, and in particular, may be formed such that a cross-sectional area thereof decreases along the mold removal direction MR. That is, the noise filter guide 3139 may be constructed such that a cross-sectional area thereof increases as a distance from the noise filter installation portion 3138 increases. When the cross-sectional area of the noise filter guide 3139 is changed as described above, there is an effect that the mold for forming the noise filter installation portion 3138 may be more easily removed.
Referring to
In other words, a circumferential length of the controller installation portion 313 may decrease along a direction in which the controller installation portion 313 is recessed. Referring to the drawing, an inner circumferential length S2 may be smaller than an outer circumferential length S1. In this regard, the inner side and the outer side may be defined as an inner side and an outer side based on the recessed direction. In addition, the inner side may mean the front side, and the outer side may mean the rear side.
As described above, when the inner circumferential length S2 is smaller than the outer circumferential length S1, the mold for defining the controller installation portion 313 may be more easily removed.
That is, the cross-sectional area of the controller installation portion 313 may be tapered to decrease along the direction in which the controller installation portion 313 is recessed. In this regard, the cross-sectional area of the controller installation portion 313 may mean an area of the cross-section of the controller installation portion 313 perpendicular to the recessed direction.
In addition, the cross-sectional area of the controller installation portion 313 may mean an area of a cross-section of the controller installation portion 313 perpendicular to the front and rear direction.
Referring to
The controller installation portion side surface 313c may refer to a side surface of the controller installation portion 313 adjacent to the compressor installation portion 312.
In addition, the controller installation portion top surface 313b may be formed by the circulation duct bottom surface 325. Because the water condensed in the evaporator 341 may flow on the circulation duct bottom surface 325, the circulation duct bottom surface 325 may be formed inclined in one direction. Accordingly, the controller installation portion top surface 313b may also be inclined in one direction like the circulation duct bottom surface 325.
As described above, the controller installation portion top surface 313b may be formed by the bottom surface of the heat exchanger installation portion. Accordingly, a top surface of a wall that forms the bottom surface of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may be defined as the bottom surface of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212, and a bottom surface thereof may be defined as the controller installation portion top surface 313b.
In addition, a controller rib vertical dimension 3134L, which is a length of the controller rib 3134 in the height direction of the cabinet 100, may increase along the direction in which the controller installation portion 313 is recessed.
The controller rib 3134 may also be injection-molded using the mold when defining the controller installation portion 313. In this regard, in order to easily remove the mold for forming the controller rib 3134, the controller rib vertical dimension 3134L may be reduced along the mold removal direction.
In addition, the controller rib 3134 may extend from the front surface of the controller installation portion 313 in the rearward direction.
In addition, a cross-sectional area of the noise filter guide 3139 may increase along the direction in which the controller installation portion 313 is recessed. That is, the cross-sectional area of the noise filter guide 3139 may increase in the forward direction. In other words, the cross-sectional area of the noise filter guide 3139 may increase along a direction away from the noise filter installation portion.
In this regard, the cross-sectional area of the noise filter guide 3139 may mean a plane perpendicular to the front and rear direction. That is, the cross-sectional area of the noise filter guide 3139 may mean a cross-section parallel to the cabinet front surface. That is, the cross-sectional area of the noise filter installation portion 3138 may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the noise filter guide 3139.
When the noise filter guide 3139 is formed in the same way as above, the mold for defining the controller installation portion 313 may be easily removed without interfering with the controller rib 3134, the noise filter installation portion 3138, and the noise filter guide 3139.
In particular,
The circulation duct according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the circulation duct bottom surface 325 that forms the bottom surface of the passage through which the air in the laundry treating space 220 circulates. In addition, the circulation duct 320 may include the water reservoir 326 that is recessed downward from the circulation duct bottom surface 325 and collects therein the water condensed by the evaporator 341.
The controller installation portion 313 may be defined to overlap the water reservoir 326 in the width direction of the base 310. In addition, one side surface of the water reservoir 326 may form one side surface of the controller installation portion 313.
More specifically, the water reservoir 326 may include a water reservoir side surface 3265 that forms a side surface of the space in which the water is collected. The water reservoir side surface 3265 may be formed by the same wall as the controller installation portion side surface 313c.
In particular, an opposite side of the controller installation portion side surface 313c may form the water reservoir side surface 3265. An opposite side of the water reservoir side surface 3265 may form the controller installation portion side surface 313c. In other words, one side of the specific wall may form the controller installation portion 313 and the other side may form the water reservoir 326.
In addition, as described above, the bottom surface of the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 may form the controller installation portion top surface 313b. That is, a top surface of the specific wall may form the heat exchanger installation portion 3212 and a bottom surface of the specific wall may form the controller installation portion 313.
As described above, by densely arranging the controller installation portion 313 and the water reservoir 326 within a limited space, the space inside the machine room may be utilized more effectively. In addition, because separate parts are not added to form each component, the assembly property may be improved. In addition, because the controller installation portion 313 and the water reservoir 326 are integrally formed on the base 310 and the circulation duct 320, leakage may be prevented.
Hereinafter, a description will be made with reference to
The laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the circulation duct 320 disposed inside the machine room 300, having the open top surface to accommodate the evaporator and the condenser therein, and providing the passage through which the air in the laundry treating space circulates, and the base 310 disposed inside the machine room and supporting the lower portion of the circulation duct 320.
In addition, the laundry treating apparatus may include the blower fan 353 for generating the flow of the air circulating in the laundry treating space 220, and the fan housing 351 coupled to the circulation duct 320 so as to accommodate at least a portion of the blower fan 353 therein and allowing the circulation duct 320 and the laundry treating space 220 to be in communication with each other.
The fan housing 351 may be disposed to allow the circulation duct 320 and the laundry treating space 220 to be in communication with each other. That is, the fan housing 351 allows the circulation duct 320 and the laundry treating space 220 to be in direct communication with each other, thereby minimizing the flow loss caused by the blower fan 353.
In the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1, the fan housing did not connect the circulation duct and the laundry treating space 220 to each other. In particular, in the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1, the fan generating the air flow was disposed in front of the circulation duct. Accordingly, there was a problem in that the flow loss of the air occurs. However, in the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the fan housing 351 allows the circulation duct 320 and the laundry treating space 220 to be in communication with each other, thereby preventing the flow loss from occurring.
In addition, the blower fan 353 may include a blower motor 3531 coupled to one side of the fan housing 351 so as to provide the power for generating the air circulation, a blower shaft 3532 extending from the blower motor 3531 so as to transmit the power of the blower motor 3531, and a blower blade 3533 that is connected to the blower shaft 3532 and receives the power to rotate. In particular, the blower shaft 3532 may extend through the fan housing 351.
In one example, the circulation duct 320 may include the duct body 321 extending upward from the base 310, accommodating the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 therein, and forming the passage through which the air in the laundry treating space circulates.
In addition, the circulation duct 320 may include the air discharge port 323 that extends rearward from the duct body 321, is coupled to the fan housing 351, and guides the air inside the duct body to the fan housing 351.
That is, the air discharge port 323 may perform a function of discharging the air inside the duct body 321 to the outside of the circulation duct 320. The air discharge port 323 may function as a nozzle. That is, the air discharge port 323 may have a smaller air flow area than the duct body 321. Accordingly, a speed of the air passing through the air discharge port 323 may be increased. In addition, there is an effect of reducing the flow loss of the air passing through the air discharge port 323.
In one example, the duct body 321 and the air discharge port 323 may be integrally formed with each other. Accordingly, there is an effect of preventing the air leakage or the flow loss from occurring at a boundary between the duct body 321 and the air discharge port 323.
In addition, the fan housing 351 may include a first housing 354 that is coupled to the air discharge port 323, forming a portion of a discharge passage for guiding the air discharged from the air discharge port 323 to the laundry treating space 220, and including a fan housing outlet 3544 for discharging the air toward the inner casing.
In addition, the fan housing 351 may include a second housing 355 coupled to the first housing 354 to form the discharge passage together with the first housing 354.
The first housing 354 may be directly coupled to the air discharge port 323 to form a portion of the discharge passage. In addition, the first housing may be opened in a direction toward the second housing 355. The second housing 355 may be formed to shield the open portion of the first housing 354.
As described above, when the fan housing 351 is divided into the first housing 354 and the second housing 355, a process of assembling the blower fan 353, which is installed in the fan housing 351, is facilitated. That is, because the fan housing 351 is formed as the first housing 354 and the second housing 355, the assembly property may be improved.
In addition, the first housing 354 may include a first housing body 3541 forming the portion of the discharge passage. The first housing body 3541 may accommodate a portion of the blower fan 353 therein. In particular, the first housing body 3541 may be constructed to accommodate the blower blade 3533 therein.
In addition, the first housing 354 may include a fan housing inlet 3542 extending from the first housing body 3541 toward the air discharge port 323. The fan housing inlet 3542 may be extended in a pipe shape. The fan housing inlet 3542 may be directly connected to the air discharge port 323.
In addition, an inlet sealing 3561 may be disposed between the fan housing inlet 3542 and the air discharge port 323 so as to prevent the air from leaking at a connection point. The inlet sealing 3561 may prevent the air flowing from the air discharge port 323 to the fan housing 351 from leaking at the connection portion.
In one example, the circulation duct 320 may include a discharge port coupling portion 3234 protruding from an outer side of the air discharge port 323 toward the first housing. In addition, the first housing 354 may include a duct-coupled-portion 3543 extending parallel to the fan housing inlet 3542 from the first housing body 3541. The duct-coupled-portion 3543 may be coupled to the discharge port coupling portion 3234.
The first housing 354 may be coupled to the circulation duct 320 by the duct-coupled-portion 3543. In particular, the first housing may be coupled to the discharge port coupling portion 3234 by the duct-coupled-portion 3543.
In a state in which the discharge port coupling portion 3234 and the duct-coupled-portion 3543 are aligned with each other, the first housing 354 is coupled to the circulation duct 320 via one side thereof facing the second housing 355.
When illustrating an embodiment in which the circulation duct 320 and the first housing 354 are coupled to each other, the first housing may be firmly fixed to the circulation duct using a coupling member such as a screw in the state in which the duct-coupled-portion 3543 and the discharge port coupling portion 3234 are positioned at correct positions to face each other.
In particular, the coupling member may fix the first housing 354 disposed at the correct position in the forward direction.
In addition, the first housing 354 may include a first housing fixing portion 3548 protruding from the first housing body 3541. The first housing fixing portion 3548 may protrude from the first housing body 3541 toward the controller 700. The first housing fixing portion 3548 may fix the controller 700 in place. A specific coupling process will be described later.
In one example, the first housing 354 may include the fan housing outlet 3544 for discharging the air toward the laundry treating space 220. The fan housing outlet 3544 may be spaced upwardly apart from the blower fan 353. The fan housing outlet 3544 may be constructed to discharge the air introduced into the fan housing 351 in the upward direction.
An outlet sealing 3563 for preventing air leakage may be installed in the fan housing outlet 3544. The outlet sealing 3563 may be installed on an inner surface of the fan housing outlet 3544. In addition, the outlet sealing 3563 may be disposed between the fan housing outlet 3544 and the laundry treating space 220 to prevent the air leakage.
In one example, an open surface may be formed at a rear portion of the first housing 354. The second housing 355 may be coupled to the first housing 354 so as to shield the open surface. The blower fan 353 may be coupled to the second housing.
Specifically, the blower motor 3531 may be coupled to a rear surface of the second housing 355. In addition, the blower shaft 3532 may be constructed to pass through the second housing. In addition, the blower blade (not shown) may be located on an opposite side of the blower motor 3531 based on the second housing. In addition, the blower blade may be rotated in connection with the blower shaft 3532. Accordingly, the blower blade may be located inside the first housing 354.
In addition, the first housing 354 may include a first housing fastening portion 3547 disposed on the first housing body 3541. The first housing fastening portion 3547 may protrude from a circumference of the open rear surface of the first housing body 3541.
In addition, the second housing 355 may include a second housing body 3551 for shielding the open rear surface of the first housing body 3541. In addition, the second housing 355 may include a second housing fastening portion 3552 extending from the second housing body 3551.
The second housing fastening portion 3552 may be coupled to the first housing fastening portion 3547. The first housing fastening portion 3547 and the second housing fastening portion 3552 may be hook-coupled with each other. Shapes of the first housing fastening portion 3547 and the second housing fastening portion 3552 may be changed contrary to those shown in the drawings.
In addition, the first housing fastening portion 3547 and the second housing fastening portion 3552 may be hook-coupled with each other, so that the first housing 354 and the second housing 355 may be assembled with each other.
In one example, the first housing fastening portion 3547 and the second housing fastening portion 3552 may be constructed to be screwed together as well as hooked together.
In addition, a coupling sealing 3562 may be disposed between the first housing 354 and the second housing 355 to prevent air from leaking from the connection point. In particular, the coupling sealing 3562 may be manufactured in a form surrounding the open rear surface of the first housing 354.
In one example, referring to the enlarged view in
The circulation duct 320 may further include a discharge port receiving portion 3235 coupled to the first housing 354 as well as the discharge port coupling portion 3234. The discharge port receiving portion 3235 may be formed to protrude from one side of the duct body 321. In addition, the discharge port receiving portion 3235 may protrude from one side of the air discharge port 323. The discharge port receiving portion 3235 may include a hole or a slit defined therein into which a specific component of the first housing 354 may be inserted. A specific coupling relationship of the discharge port receiving portion 3235 will be described later.
In one example, the second housing 355 may include a protective rib 3553 protruding from the second housing body 3551. The protective rib 3553 may be placed upwardly of the noise filter 390. The noise filter 390 may be configured to remove the noise from the electrical signals transmitted and received by the controller 700.
The hot air that has passed through the condenser 343 may pass through the fan housing 351. In this regard, condensation may occur on an outer surface of the fan housing 351 by the hot air. In addition, there is a possibility that moisture in the air flowing through the fan housing 351 is condensed on the outer surface of the fan housing 351.
When the second housing 355 is coupled in place, the protective rib 3553 may be disposed upwardly of the noise filter 390. That is, the protective rib 3553 may prevent the moisture from falling onto the noise filter 390.
Referring to
The housing rib 3546 may be inserted into the hole or the slit of the discharge port receiving portion 3235 described above. The housing rib 3546 may extend in the height direction.
The first housing 354 may be coupled to or supported by the circulation duct 320 by the duct-coupled-portion 3543 and the housing rib 3546. The housing rib 3546 may function to temporarily assemble the first housing 354 before coupling the first housing 354 to the circulation duct 320 using a separate fastening member. Accordingly, the housing rib 3546 has an effect of improving the assembly property.
In addition, the second housing fastening portion 3552 may be engaged with the first housing fastening portion 3547. The first housing fastening portion 3547 may be formed as a protrusion, and the second housing fastening portion 3552 may be formed as a hook engaged with the protrusion. In addition, both the first housing fastening portion 3547 and the second housing fastening portion 3552 may include a plurality of first housing fastening portions and a plurality of second housing fastening portions, respectively.
However, the present disclosure may not be limited to the above contents described above and the contents shown in the drawings. Various schemes may be applied as long as the first housing fastening portion 3547 and the second housing fastening portion 3552 are coupled to each other so as to allow the first housing 354 and the second housing 355 to be coupled to each other.
Referring to
Referring to
The controller 700 may be prevented from moving in the front and rear direction by being coupled to the first housing fixing portion 3548 and the guide 3133. That is, the controller 700 may be fixed in place via coupling between components without separate coupling members such as bolts and nuts.
Specifically, the controller fixing protrusion 3137 may be inserted into the first housing fixing portion 3548. Conversely, the first housing fixing portion 3548 may be inserted into or supported by the controller fixing protrusion 3137. A scheme in which the controller fixing protrusion 3137 and the first housing fixing portion 3548 are coupled to each other may be designed in a variety of ways.
A specific coupling process thereof will be described. When the first housing 354 is coupled to the circulation duct 320, the first housing fixing portion 3548 may be engaged with the controller fixing protrusion 3137. Therefore, the controller 700 may be coupled to the controller installation portion 313 without the separate bolts or nuts.
That is, the front surface of the controller 700 may be coupled to the guide 3133, and the rear surface of the controller 700 may be coupled to the first housing fixing portion 3548. In addition, both side surfaces of the controller 700 may be supported by the controller ribs 3134. Via the above support and coupling, the controller 700 may be fixed within the controller installation portion 313. The controller 700 in the fixed state may form a predetermined angle with the base bottom surface 311.
Referring to
In addition, the noise filter 390 may be installed at the rear of the controller 700. In addition, the noise filter 390 may be disposed downwardly of the protective rib 3553. The protective rib 3553 may prevent the moisture from falling onto the noise filter 390.
In one example, the protective rib 3553 may include an inclined surface 3553a extending downwardly from a portion above the noise filter 390 and a discharge surface 3553b extending downwardly in a vertical direction from a lower end of the inclined surface 3553a.
In one example, the protective rib 3553 may be disposed to overlap the noise filter 390 in the height direction of the cabinet 100. When the protective rib 3553 is disposed to overlap the noise filter 390 in the height direction, the protective rib 3553 may more effectively prevent the moisture from falling onto the noise filter 390.
In addition, the noise filter 390 may be disposed to overlap the inclined surface 3553a in the height direction. The water falling onto the inclined surface 3553a may flow in a direction avoiding the noise filter 390 because of an inclination of the inclined surface 3553a.
In addition, the discharge surface 3553b may be disposed at the lower end of the inclined surface 3553a. The discharge surface 3553b may discharge the moisture that has flowed along the inclined surface 3553a to the outside of the noise filter 390. That is, the inclined surface 3553a and the discharge surface 3553b may effectively prevent the moisture generated at a location above the noise filter 390 from flowing onto the noise filter 390.
In one example, the blower fan 353 may be disposed to overlap the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 in the front and rear direction. In the conventional laundry treatment apparatus, the evaporator and the condenser were spaced apart from the blower fan in the height direction. Accordingly, the flow loss was able to occur.
However, in the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the condenser 343 or the evaporator 341 may be disposed to overlap the blower fan 353 in the front and rear direction, thereby preventing the flow loss from occurring. In addition, the blower fan 353 may be disposed at the rear of the evaporator 341 or the condenser 343 so as to more easily adjust the airflow supplied to the laundry treating space 220.
In addition, the fan housing 351 may be disposed to overlap the compressor 342 in the width direction of the base 310. In other words, the fan housing 351 may be disposed to overlap the compressor 342 in the left and right direction. As the fan housing 351 is disposed at the rear, the fan housing 351 may overlap the compressor 342 in the width direction, and the space utilization may be increased.
In addition, the fan housing 351 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the steam supply unit 800 in the width direction of the base. In the conventional laundry treating apparatus, because the fan housing is disposed at a front side of the machine room, it was difficult for the fan housing to overlap the steam supply unit in the width direction. However, in the present disclosure, as the fan housing 351 is installed at the rear of the circulation duct 320, the fan housing 351 may overlap the steam supply unit 800 in the width direction.
The steam supply unit 800 and the fan housing 351 are components for generating the hot air or the steam to be supplied to the laundry treating space 220. That is, when the components for generating the hot air or the steam to be supplied to the laundry treating space 220 are arranged to overlap each other in the width direction, the components may be easily connected to the through-holes defined at the rear side of the bottom surface of the laundry treating space. Therefore, there is an effect of improving the efficiency of space utilization.
In addition, when the steam supply unit 800 and the fan housing 351 are disposed to overlap each other in the width direction, the through-holes in communication with the laundry treating space 220 may also be easily defined adjacent to each other. That is, a convenience of manufacturing and the assembly property may be improved.
Referring to
The air extension pipe 3231 may be constructed to guide the air inside the duct body 321 in the rearward direction. In addition, the air discharge pipe 3232 may be constructed to discharge the air inside the duct body 321 to the outside of the duct body 321.
The air extension pipe 3231 and the air discharge pipe 3232 may be integrally formed with the duct body 321. In particular, the duct body 321, the air extension pipe 3231, and the air discharge pipe 3232 may be integrally formed with each other using molds.
Referring to
Accordingly, an air discharge pipe parting line 3236 may be formed at a point at which the air discharge pipe 3232 and the air extension pipe 3231 are connected to each other. A rear side and a front side of the air discharge port 323 based on the air discharge pipe parting line 3236 may be respectively defined as the air discharge pipe 3232 and the air extension pipe 3231.
That is, because the mold removal directions of the air extension pipe 3231 and the air discharge pipe 3232 are different from each other, diameter gradients of the air extension pipe 3231 and the air discharge pipe 3232 may also be different from each other. In particular, inner diameter gradients of the air extension pipe 3231 and the air discharge pipe 3232 may be different from each other.
In general, an inner diameter may mean an inner diameter of the pipe shape. That is, it may mean a diameter of a tubular shape. However, the air extension pipe 3231 may be formed in a bell mouth shape rather than the cylindrical pipe shape. Therefore, herein, the inner diameter may be understood to mean a cross-sectional area of the passage through which the air flows.
In other words, herein, the inner diameter of the passage may be understood to mean a vertical dimension or a width of a cross-section perpendicular to the direction in which the air flows or the direction in which the pipe extends. That is, when the passage through which the air flows is cut in a plane perpendicular to the front and rear direction, a width or a vertical dimension of the cut surface of the passage may be referred to as the inner diameter.
The air extension pipe 3231 and the air discharge pipe 3232 may increase in inner diameters along the respective mold removal directions thereof. For example, the mold for forming the air extension pipe 3231 may be removed in the forward direction. In this regard, the inner diameter of the air extension pipe 3231 may increase in the forward direction.
On the other hand, the mold for forming the air discharge pipe 3232 may be removed in the rearward direction. In this regard, the inner diameter of the air discharge pipe 3232 may increase in the rearward direction.
In the above case, a portion where the air extension pipe 3231 and the air discharge pipe 3232 are connected to each other may have the smallest inner diameter in the entire air discharge port 323. That is, the portion where the air extension pipe 3231 and the air discharge pipe 3232 are connected to each other may have the smallest inner diameter in the air extension pipe 3231 and the air discharge pipe 3232. In other words, a diameter of the air discharge pipe parting line 3236 may be the smallest inner diameter of the air discharge port 323.
In other words, an internal cross-sectional area of the air extension pipe 3231 may decrease along the extension direction of the air extension pipe 3231, and an internal cross-sectional area of the air discharge pipe 3232 may increase along the extension direction of the air discharge pipe 3232. In this regard, the extension direction may refer to the rearward direction. In addition, the extension direction may mean an extension direction of the air discharge port 323.
In addition, the first housing 354 may be in communication with the air discharge pipe 3232. The fan housing inlet 3542 may be coupled to the air discharge pipe 3232 so as to be in communication therewith. That is, when the duct-coupled-portion 3543 and the discharge port coupling portion 3234 are coupled to each other, the fan housing inlet 3542 and the air discharge pipe 3232 may be placed so as to be in communication with each other.
Referring to
In other words, the inner diameter D1 of the air extension pipe may decrease more rapidly as it is closer to the duct body, and may decrease more gently as it is farther from the duct body. When the inner diameter D1 of the air extension pipe is formed based on the aforementioned decrease rate, the inside of the air extension pipe may be formed in a bell mouth shape. A flow rate of the air passing through the air extension pipe 3231 may be improved by the above shape. In addition, there is an effect of reducing a flow loss of the air flowing through the air extension pipe 3231.
In one example, an inner diameter D3 of the air discharge pipe may increase as the distance from the duct body 321 increases. That is, the inner diameter D3 of the air discharge pipe 3232 may increase along the extension direction.
In summary, the air discharged from the duct body 321 may increase in the flow rate while flowing along the air extension pipe 3231, the inner diameter of which narrows along the flow direction. In addition, the air that has passed through the air extension pipe 3231 may be discharged to the outside of the circulation duct 320 via the air discharge pipe 3232 whose inner diameter gradually increases.
That is, the air discharged from the duct body 321 may be discharged from the circulation duct 320 as the flow rate thereof increases and then decreases. There is an effect of reducing the flow loss of the air by the above-described shape.
In addition, a gradient formed between an inner surface of the air extension pipe 3231 and the extension direction of the air extension pipe 3231 may be different from a gradient formed between an inner surface of the air discharge pipe 3232 and the extension direction of the air discharge pipe 3232.
In this regard, the extension direction of the air extension pipe 3231 and the extension direction of the air discharge pipe 3232 may mean the front and rear direction. In addition, the extension direction of the air extension pipe 3231 and the extension direction of the air discharge pipe 3232 may mean a direction in which the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 are sequentially arranged.
Referring to an enlarged view in
In particular, the gradient 3231r of the air extension pipe and the gradient 3232r of the air discharge pipe may be formed in different directions. In particular, the direction of the gradient may be reversed around the air discharge pipe parting line 3236.
Referring to
The mold for forming the air extension pipe 3231 may be removed by moving upward after being withdrawn in the forward direction. That is, the mold for forming the air extension pipe 3231 may be withdrawn forward and then removed by being moved upward in a state of being located inside the duct body 321.
In this regard, when the distance 1323a is greater than the distance 2323c, the removal of the mold for forming the air extension pipe 3231 may be interfered. Therefore, when the distance 1323a is greater than the distance 2323c, there is an effect of enabling manufacturing using the mold.
In addition, the distance 1323a, which is the length of the air extension pipe 3231 in the front and rear direction, may be smaller than a distance between the installed partition wall and the air extension pipe. The distance between the installed partition wall 3211 and the air extension pipe 3231 may mean the same distance as the distance 2323c. In addition, in the above case, there is an effect of facilitating the manufacture of the air extension pipe 3231 using the mold.
In one example, the installed partition wall 3211 may be constructed to partially support a front surface of the evaporator 341. That is, the installed partition wall 3211 may prevent the air from flowing into one side surface of the evaporator 341. Accordingly, the air passing through the evaporator 341 may be prevented from leaking to the side surface of the evaporator 341 without sufficiently exchanging heat. That is, the installed partition wall 3211 has an effect of improving a heat exchange efficiency of the evaporator 341.
In one example, the air discharge port 323 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the compressor 342 in the width direction of the base 310. As the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 are integrally formed with each other and the compressor installation portion 312 is integrally formed with the base 310, the compressor installation portion 312 may overlap the air discharge port 323 of the circulation duct 320 in the width direction.
When the air discharge port 323 overlaps the compressor 342 in the width direction, there is an effect of using the limited space of the machine room more effectively.
In addition, the air discharge port 323 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the controller 700 in the height direction of the cabinet 100. Because the controller installation portion 313 may be defined beneath the circulation duct 320, the controller 700 may also be disposed in the height direction with the air discharge port 323.
In the above case, the limited space of the machine room may be utilized more efficiently. Accordingly, there is an effect of further securing the laundry treating space 220.
Referring to
In the conventional laundry treating apparatus, the steam supply unit was disposed to overlap the compressor in the width direction. In the conventional laundry treating apparatus, because the circulation duct and the base are spaced apart from each other, it was difficult for the compressor and the steam supply unit to overlap each other in the height direction.
However, in the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 are integrally formed with each other, and an area occupied by the compressor on the base 310 is reduced. Accordingly, an arrangement structure of the steam supply unit 800 is also changed.
As the above arrangement structure is changed, the steam supply unit 800 may be disposed upwardly of the compressor installation portion 312. In other words, the steam supply unit 800 may be disposed upwardly of the compressor 342. A specific arrangement structure of the steam supply unit 800 will be described later.
In addition, the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the fan installation portion 350 coupled to the circulation duct 320, allowing the inner casing 200 and the circulation duct 320 to be in communication with each other, and circulating the air in the laundry treating space 220.
The steam supply unit 800 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the fan installation portion 350 in the width direction of the base 310. As the steam supply unit 800 is installed on the base cover 360, the steam supply unit 800 may be disposed to overlap the fan installation portion 350 in the width direction.
In addition, the fan installation portion 350 may include the blower fan 353 that forms the airflow for the air in the laundry treating space 220 to circulate, the fan housing 351 coupled to the circulation duct 320 and accommodating the blower fan 353 therein, and the discharge duct 352 extending from the fan housing 351 toward the inner casing 200 and allowing the fan housing 351 and the inner casing 200 to be in communication with each other.
That is, the discharge duct 352 may be formed to extend upward from the fan housing 351. That is, the discharge duct 352 may be located closer to the inner casing 200 than the blower fan 353.
The steam supply unit 800 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the discharge duct 352 in the width direction of the base.
As the steam supply unit 800 is disposed on the base cover 360, the steam supply unit 800 may be disposed to overlap the discharge duct 352 in the width direction.
In the conventional laundry treating apparatus, the steam supply unit 800 was disposed downwardly of the circulation duct 320. Therefore, the steam supply unit 800 was located farther from the inner casing 200 than the circulation duct 320. However, the steam supply unit 800 according to the present disclosure may be disposed upwardly of the circulation duct 320. Accordingly, the steam supply unit 800 may be disposed to overlap the discharge duct 352 in the width direction.
Both the discharge duct 352 and the steam supply unit 800 may be in communication with the laundry treating space 220 so as to supply the hot air or the moisture to the laundry treating space 220. Therefore, it may be preferable to arrange the discharge duct 352 and the steam supply unit 800 adjacent to the laundry treating space 220 in consideration of a thermal efficiency and the like.
Therefore, as the steam supply unit 800 is disposed to overlap the discharge duct 352 in the width direction, in a process in which the steam generated in the steam supply unit 800 flows to the laundry treating space 220, a decrease in temperature may be prevented.
In one example, the steam supply unit 800 may include the steam supply unit casing 810 that stores therein water for generating the steam. In addition, the steam supply unit 800 may include the installation bracket 870 that surrounds at least a portion of the steam supply unit casing 810 and positions the steam supply unit casing 810 upwardly of the compressor 342.
That is, the installation bracket 870 may be coupled to another component inside the machine room so as to position the steam supply unit casing 810 upwardly of the compressor 342. That is, the installation bracket 870 may locate the steam supply unit 800 upwardly of the compressor 342.
The installation bracket 870 may be coupled to one side surface of the steam supply unit casing 810 facing the compressor. That is, the installation bracket 870 may be coupled to the steam supply unit casing 810 so as to surround a lower side of the steam supply unit casing 810.
The installation bracket 870 may serve to protect the steam supply unit casing 810. The compressor 342 is constructed to discharge high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. Therefore, a possibility of ignition of the compressor 342 may be high. In this regard, because the steam supply unit 800 also generates the steam therein, the steam supply unit 800 is maintained at a high temperature, so that a possibility of ignition of the steam supply unit 800 may be high.
In this regard, the installation bracket 870 may be disposed to surround one surface of the steam supply unit casing 810 facing the compressor 342 so as to prevent ignition of the steam supply unit casing 810 caused by the compressor 342.
As described above, in order to prevent the ignition of the steam supply unit casing 810, the installation bracket 870 may be made of an incombustible material. In particular, the installation bracket 870 may be made of a metal material. The installation bracket 870 may also perform the function of preventing the ignition of the steam supply unit casing 810, but may also perform a role of fixing the position of the steam supply unit casing 810. Accordingly, when the installation bracket 870 is made of the metal material, the steam supply unit casing 810 may be supported more firmly.
Referring to
In one example, the installation bracket 870 may include the lower panel 871 located beneath the steam supply unit casing 810, and the side panels 872 extending from the lower panel 871 and located on both side surfaces of the steam supply unit casing 810. That is, the installation bracket 870 may be disposed to surround the steam supply unit casing 810.
That is, the side panels 872 may place the steam supply unit casing 810 in place. In addition, the lower panel 871 may separate the steam supply unit casing 810 from the compressor 342. Accordingly, the lower panel 871 may prevent the ignition of the steam supply unit casing 810.
In one example, the installation bracket 870 may include the fixing clip 873 that extends from the side panel 872, is coupled to the steam supply unit casing 810, and prevents the steam supply unit casing 810 from being separated from the installation bracket 870. The fixing clip 873 may be formed to be elastically deformed. Accordingly, the fixing clip 873 may firmly support the steam supply unit casing 810 using elasticity.
In particular, the steam supply unit casing 810 may include a casing body 811 that provides a space for storing water and accommodates water therein. In addition, a casing support 812 extending along a circumference of the casing body 811 may be included. The casing support 812 may protrude from the casing body and may extend along the circumference of the casing body 811.
The aforementioned fixing clip 873 may be coupled to the casing support 812. The fixing clip 873 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the casing support 812 and may be more firmly fixed to the steam supply unit casing 810.
In addition, the installation bracket 870 may include a bracket recessed portion 875 in which a portion of the lower panel 871 is recessed in a direction away from the steam supply unit casing 810 so as to be spaced apart from the steam supply unit casing 810.
The bracket recessed portion 875 may be defined as the portion of the lower panel 871 is recessed downwards. In addition, the bracket recessed portion 875 may be defined by pressing the lower panel 871. A portion of the lower panel 871 and the steam supply unit casing 810 may be spaced apart from each other by the bracket recessed portion 875.
In addition, an air layer may be formed in the bracket recessed portion 875. Therefore, a fire in the compressor 342 or the heat generated from the compressor 342 may be more effectively prevented from being transferred to the steam supply unit casing 810. That is, the bracket recessed portion 875 prevents fire of the steam supply unit 800.
In one example, the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the base cover 360 coupled to the circulation duct 320 and shielding at least a portion of the open top surface of the circulation duct 320. In addition, the base cover 360 may form a portion of the passage through which the air in the laundry treating space 220 circulates. In particular, the base cover 360 may form an upper surface of the passage through which the air in the laundry treating space 220 circulates.
The steam supply unit 800 may be installed on the base cover 360. In particular, the installation bracket 870 may be coupled to the base cover 360.
In particular, the base cover 360 may include the shielding body 363 that shields the portion of the open top surface of the circulation duct 320, and the inlet body 361 that extends from the shielding body 363 and allows the inner casing 200 and the circulation duct to be in communication with each other. The inlet body 361 may be disposed in front of the shielding body 363.
In addition, the base cover 360 may include a steam supply unit fixing portion 3632 disposed on the shielding body 363 to fix the steam supply unit 800. The steam supply unit fixing portion 3632 may be coupled to the installation bracket 870. The steam supply unit fixing portion 3632 may extend from the shielding body 363 in a direction away from the inlet body 361.
In addition, the installation bracket 870 may include a bracket fixing portion 874 extending downward from the lower panel 871. The bracket fixing portion 874 may extend from the lower panel 871 in a direction away from the steam supply unit casing 810. The bracket fixing portion 874 may be formed by bending one side of the lower panel 871.
The bracket fixing portion 874 may be coupled to the steam supply unit fixing portion 3632. The bracket fixing portion 874 may be coupled to the steam supply unit fixing portion 3632 via a separate fastening member. That is, the steam supply unit 800 may be disposed above the compressor 342 by the coupling between the bracket fixing portion 874 and the steam supply unit fixing portion 3632.
In one example, the installation bracket 870 may include a bracket hole 876 defined to extend through the lower panel 871. The bracket hole 876 may be defined to extend through one side of the lower panel 871 facing the steam supply unit casing 810.
In addition, the steam supply unit casing 810 may include a steam casing protrusion 813 that protrudes from the casing body 811 and is inserted into the bracket hole 876. The steam casing protrusion 813 may protrude from one surface of the steam supply unit casing 810 facing the lower panel 871. The steam casing protrusion 813 may be inserted into the bracket hole 876, so that the steam supply unit casing 810 and the installation bracket 870 may be firmly fixed.
The steam casing protrusion 813 and the bracket hole 876 may include a plurality of steam casing protrusions and a plurality of bracket holes, respectively. When the plurality of steam casing protrusions 813 are respectively coupled to the plurality of bracket holes 876, a relative movement of the steam supply unit casing 810 on the installation bracket 870 may be prevented.
Referring to
The fixing clip 873 may be made of the material that is elastically deformed. Accordingly, the fixing clip 873 may be removed from the steam supply unit casing 810 by elastically deforming the fixing clip 873 in a direction away from the steam supply unit casing 810.
In addition, the steam casing protrusion 813 may be inserted into the bracket hole 876. The steam casing protrusion 813 may protrude from the bottom surface of the steam supply unit casing 810. In addition, the steam casing protrusion 813 may protrude toward the lower panel 871 from the bottom surface of the steam supply unit casing 810.
Referring to
In one example, the installation bracket 870 may include a bracket slit 877 extending through one side of the lower panel 871. The bracket slit 877 may be defined so as to be spaced apart from the bracket hole 876. In particular, the bracket slit 877 may be defined to extend in one direction. That is, the bracket slit 877 may be defined in a shape of a slit.
The steam body rib 814 may be inserted into the bracket slit 877. The steam body rib 814 may extend in the same direction as the bracket slit 877. The steam body rib 814 may be prevented from moving in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction thereof.
As described above, the steam casing protrusion 813 and the steam body rib 814 may be spaced apart from each other so as to support the steam supply unit casing 810 at different points. Accordingly, the steam body rib 814 and the steam casing protrusion 813 may increase a coupling force between the steam supply unit casing 810 and the installation bracket 870. Accordingly, the steam body rib 814 and the steam casing protrusion 813 have an effect of improving structural stability of the entire steam supply unit 800.
In one example, the bracket fixing portion 874 described above may be formed by bending one side of the lower panel 871 where the bracket recessed portion 875 is defined downward. As described above, the bracket fixing portion 874 may be coupled to the steam supply unit fixing portion 3632 formed on the base cover 360. A lower portion of the steam supply unit 800 may be supported as the steam supply unit fixing portion 3632 and the bracket fixing portion 874 are coupled to each other.
Referring to
In addition, the circulation duct 320 may include the circulation duct bottom surface 325 that forms the bottom surface of the passage through which the air in the laundry treating space circulates, and the water reservoir 326 that is defined as one side of the circulation duct bottom surface 325 is recessed and collects the water condensed in the evaporator 341 therein.
The water reservoir 326 may be defined by being recessed in the circulation duct bottom surface 325 and integrally formed with the circulation duct bottom surface 325. That is, no separate components are coupled or added to define the water reservoir 326. Accordingly, the water leakage from the water reservoir 326 may be prevented.
In addition, when forming the circulation duct 320, the water reservoir 326 may be defined together. That is, the mold for forming the circulation duct 320 may define the water reservoir 326.
As described in
In one example, the mold for defining the water reservoir 326 may be removed upwards. That is, the water reservoir 326 may be inclined with respect to a direction in which the mold for defining the water reservoir 326 is removed. The mold for defining the water reservoir 326 may be more easily removed by the corresponding inclination. Accordingly, a quality of the water reservoir 326 defined by the mold is improved.
In addition, the water reservoir 326 may be defined to overlap the evaporator 341 or the condenser 343 in the height direction. In the conventional laundry treating apparatus 1, a separate space for storing the water generated by the evaporator 341 was not defined. However, the present disclosure has an effect of more effectively collecting the water generated from the evaporator 341 and discharging the collected water to the outside by defining the water reservoir 326 in the circulation duct bottom surface 325.
As the condensate is effectively discharged, there is an effect of solving hygiene problems that occur as the condensate remains. In addition, when the evaporator 341 and the water reservoir 326 are disposed to overlap each other in the height direction, a flow path of the condensate generated by the evaporator 341 may be reduced.
Accordingly, the condensate may be prevented from remaining at a location other than the water reservoir 326 and causing hygiene and performance problems.
In one example, the water reservoir 326 may be defined to overlap the controller installation portion 313 in the width direction of the base 310. In particular, when viewed from the front, the water reservoir 326 may be defined on a right side of the controller installation portion 313.
When the water reservoir 326 and the base 310 are disposed to overlap each other in the width direction as described above, the limited space inside the machine room may be utilized more efficiently.
In the case of the conventional laundry treating apparatus, the separate water reservoir 326 was not defined, and the controller 700 was also fixed by the supporter separately coupled to the base 310. Therefore, it was difficult to arrange the water reservoir 326 and the controller installation portion 313 to overlap each other in the width direction.
In one example, the water reservoir 326 may be defined to overlap at least a portion of the compressor installation portion 312 in the front and rear direction.
In the conventional laundry treating apparatus, the evaporator was placed upwardly of the compressor. Therefore, the condensate generated by the evaporator was also generated from the position above the compressor.
However, in the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the compressor 342 and the evaporator 341 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the front, rear, left and right directions instead of being disposed in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the water reservoir 326 and the compressor installation portion 312 may be disposed to overlap each other in the front and rear direction.
As described above, when the compressor installation portion 312 and the water reservoir 326 are disposed to overlap each other in the front and rear direction, the limited space inside the machine room may be utilized more efficiently.
In one example, a width 326w of the water reservoir may be smaller than the width of the compressor installation portion 312. When the width 326w of the water reservoir is excessively large, a space where residual water may be generated may be expanded. Therefore, a probability of generating the residual water may be reduced by defining the width 326w of the water reservoir smaller than the width of the compressor installation portion 312.
In addition, the width 326w of the water reservoir may be smaller than half of the width 321w of the duct body. When the width 326w of the water reservoir is greater than the half of the width 321w of the duct body, the region where the residual water may be generated may be expanded as described above.
Therefore, when the width of the water reservoir 326w is smaller than the half of the width 321w of the duct body, a possibility of an occurrence of the hygiene problems may be reduced.
In addition, the width 326w of the water reservoir may be greater than the width 3211w of the installed partition wall. When the width 326w of the water reservoir is larger than a width 3211w of the installed partition wall, the water located at the rear of the installed partition wall 3211 may flow forward.
The width 326w of the water reservoir, the width 321w of the duct body, and the width 3211w of the installed partition wall may respectively mean all of maximum widths or minimum widths of the respective components. In addition, it may be interpreted that each of the width 326w of the water reservoir, the width 321w of the duct body, and the width 3211w of the installed partition wall means a value between the maximum width and the minimum width of each component.
In addition, the water reservoir 326 may include the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 that forms the bottom surface thereof. The water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be spaced further apart from the inner casing 200 than the circulation duct bottom surface 325. That is, the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be located downwardly of the circulation duct bottom surface 325. That is, the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be disposed closer to the ground than the circulation duct bottom surface 325.
When the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 is located closer to the ground, the water located on the circulation duct may be collected into the water reservoir 326 by gravity.
In addition, at least a portion of the installed partition wall 3211 may be located in the water reservoir 326. That is, the installed partition wall 3211 may protrude from the inner surface of the duct body 321 and may extend upward from the water reservoir bottom surface 3261.
Because the installed partition wall 3211 is located in the water reservoir 326, the air flowing into the evaporator 341 may be prevented from flowing through the water reservoir 326. That is, the installed partition wall 3211 may increase the exchange efficiency of the heat generated by the evaporator 341.
In one example, the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be inclined downward along a direction in which the installed partition wall 3211 protrudes from the inner surface of the duct body 321. That is, the installed partition wall 3211 protrudes in the leftward direction on the drawing. In this regard, the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be inclined downwards in the leftward direction.
When the installed partition wall 3211 is disposed, the residual water may be generated between a rear surface of the installed partition wall 3211 and the inner wall of the duct body 321. When the inclination of the installed partition wall 3211 is formed as described above, there is an effect of preventing the residual water from being generated by the installed partition wall 3211.
In one example, the water reservoir 326 may include the drain pipe 3263 extending through one side of the circulation duct 320 and allowing the water reservoir 326 and the outside of the circulation duct to be in communication with each other. The drain pipe 3263 may be formed to extend through the duct body 321. The drain pipe may be formed to extend through the front surface of the water reservoir 326.
In one example, the installed partition wall 3211 may be disposed on one side in the width direction of the water reservoir 326, and the drain pipe may be disposed on the other side in the width direction of the water reservoir 326. In other words, based on the width direction of the water reservoir 326, the installed partition wall 3211 and the drain pipe 3263 may be disposed on different sides.
For example, when the installed partition wall 3211 is disposed at a right side of the water reservoir 326, the drain pipe 3263 may be disposed at a left side of the water reservoir 326.
As described above, when the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 is inclined downward along the protruding direction of the installed partition wall 3211, the water inside the water reservoir 326 may be collected in the protruding direction. In this regard, in order to more effectively discharge the water inside the water reservoir 326 via the drain pipe 3263, the drain pipe 3263 should be located in the direction where the water is collected.
Therefore, as described above, when the installed partition wall 3211 and the drain pipe 3263 are positioned on the opposite sides based on the inclination, the generation of the residual water caused by the installed partition wall 3211 may be prevented. At the same time, there is an effect of discharging the water inside the water reservoir 326 more effectively.
In one example, the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be disposed to be inclined downward toward the drain pipe 3263. The drain pipe 3263 is a component that discharges the water inside the water reservoir 326 to the outside of the water reservoir 326. Accordingly, when the water inside the water reservoir 326 is concentrated toward the drain pipe 3263, the water inside the water reservoir 326 may be removed more effectively.
Accordingly, when the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 is inclined downward toward the drain pipe 3263, the water inside the water reservoir 326 may be concentrated toward the drain pipe 3263. That is, the water inside the water reservoir 326 may be easily discharged, and the generation of the residual water may be effectively prevented.
For example, when the drain pipe 3263 is formed at a front left side of the water reservoir 326, the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be inclined downward in the forward direction. At the same time, the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 may be inclined downward in the leftward direction.
In one example, the water reservoir 326 may include the water reservoir recessed portion 3262 defined as one side of the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 is recessed and positioned downwardly of the water reservoir bottom surface.
The water reservoir recessed portion 3262 may be positioned closest to the ground among the components of the water reservoirs 326. The water reservoir recessed portion 3262 may be positioned in the direction in which the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 is inclined downward. For example, when the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 is inclined downwards in the leftward and forward direction, the water reservoir recessed portion 3262 may be formed on a left front side of the water reservoir bottom surface 3261.
In addition, the drain pipe 3263 may be constructed to allow the water reservoir recessed portion 3262 and the outside of the circulation duct 320 to be in communication with each other. That is, the drain pipe 3263 is formed where the water inside the water reservoir 326 is concentrated, so that the water inside the water reservoir 326 may be more effectively discharged.
The drain pipe 3263 may be formed to extend through one side of the circulation duct 320 where the water reservoir recessed portion 3262 is positioned. That is, the drain pipe 3263 may be constructed to allow a lowermost portion of the water reservoir 326 to be in communication with the outside.
In one example, referring to
The sensor receiving hole 3267 may be located at a vertical level higher than a maximum level of the water collected in the water reservoir. In other words, a vertical dimension HL, which is a distance between the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 and the sensor receiving hole 3267, may be greater than a maximum vertical dimension of the water WL. The vertical dimension HL may mean a distance between the water reservoir bottom surface 3261 and a lower end of the sensor receiving hole 3267.
When the sensor receiving hole 3267 is spaced upwardly apart from the maximum water level, leakage via the sensor receiving hole 3267 may be prevented.
In one example, the water level sensor 3266 may include a sensor body 3266c that is located outside the circulation duct 320 and is connected to the controller 700, and a first detection sensor 3266a and a second detection sensor 3266b that extend from the sensor body 3266c so as to extend through the sensor receiving hole 3267 and are located inside the circulation duct.
The first detection sensor 3266a and the second detection sensor 3266b may be inserted into the sensor receiving hole 3267 so as to be disposed inside the circulation duct 320. The first detection sensor 3266a and the second detection sensor 3266b may measure the water level inside the water reservoir 326.
Referring to
In addition, the residual water treating means 330 may include the inlet pipe 332 extending from one side of the circulation duct 320 so as to be connected to the second drain hose 3352, the discharge pipe 334 that extends from one side of the circulation duct 320 so as to allow the inlet pipe 332 and the drain container 302 to be in communication with each other, and the guide pipe 333 that extends from one side of the circulation duct 320 so as to allow the drain container 302 and the inside of the circulation duct 320 to be in communication with each other and to guide the water flowing backward from the drain container 302 into the circulation duct. That is, the water flowing back from the drain container 302 may flow back into the circulation duct 320 via the guide pipe 333. That is, the drain container 302 may be constructed to be in communication with the guide pipe 333 and the discharge pipe 334. The water may be introduced into the drain container 302 via the discharge pipe 334, and the water may be discharged from the drain container 302 via the guide pipe 333.
The guide pipe 333 may prevent the backflow in the drain container 302, so that hygiene or electrical problems caused by the backflow water may be prevented.
In one example, the residual water treating means 330 may further include a guide passage 337 extending along the inner surface of the circulation duct 320 from the guide pipe 333 toward the water reservoir 326 and guiding the water introduced via the guide pipe 333 to the water reservoir 326.
The guide passage 337 may allow the water guided to the circulation duct 320 via the guide pipe 333 to the water reservoir 326. The guide passage 337 may include a prevention rib 3373 disposed facing the guide pipe 333 so as to prevent the water introduced into the guide pipe 333 from being introduced in a direction of the evaporator 341.
The prevention rib 3373 may extend upwardly of the guide pipe 333 on the inner surface of the duct body 321. Accordingly, the water introduced into the guide pipe 333 may be more effectively prevented from flowing toward the evaporator 341.
In addition, the guide passage 337 may include a guide rib 3371 constructed to allow the water introduced into the guide pipe 333 to flow toward the water reservoir 326 along the inner surface of the duct body 321. The guide rib 3371 may protrude from the inner surface of the duct body 321. In particular, the guide rib 3371 may protrude from one inner surface of the duct body 321 on which the guide pipe 333 is formed.
The guide rib 3371 may extend downwardly from the guide pipe 333 toward the water reservoir 326. The water introduced into the guide pipe 333 may flow in the width direction of the base 310 along the guide rib 3371.
In addition, the guide rib 3371 may be located upwardly of the outside air suction portion 322. That is, the guide rib 3371 may be disposed on one of the inner surfaces of the duct body 321 where the outside air suction portion 322 is defined.
In one example, the guide passage 337 may include an inducement rib 3372 extending from the guide rib 3371 toward the water reservoir 326. The guide rib 3371 may be constructed to connect the prevention rib 3373 and the inducement rib 3372 to each other.
The inducement rib 3372 may extend in the height direction from the guide rib 3371. Thus, the inducement rib 3372 may extend in the vertical direction. One end of the inducement rib 3372 may be connected to the guide rib 3371, and the other end thereof may be connected to the water reservoir bottom surface 3261.
The inducement rib 3372 may guide the water flowed via the guide rib 3371 to the water reservoir 326. The inducement rib 3372 may prevent the water that has passed through the guide rib 3371 from splashing out of the water reservoir 326.
Referring to
When the water reservoir 326 is disposed on one side far from the compressor installation portion 312 inside the circulation duct 320, the distance between the residual water treating means 330 and the water reservoir 326 may be reduced. Accordingly, the residual water treating means 330 has an effect of reducing the probability of the occurrence of the leakage while the water in the water reservoir 326 is flowing.
In addition, a distance between the guide pipe 333 and the water reservoir 326 may be short. Accordingly, a length of the above-described guide passage 337 may be further reduced. Therefore, there is an effect of effectively reducing the residual water generated in the guide passage 337.
Referring to
The outside air suction portion 322 may be defined to overlap the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 in the front and rear direction. That is, the air introduced into the outside air suction portion 322 may flow to pass through the evaporator 341 and the compressor 342.
The outside air suction portion 322 may extend in the width direction of the duct body 321. In other words, the outside air suction portion 322 may have a width greater than a vertical dimension. Therefore, the outside air of the cabinet 100 may be smoothly introduced into the circulation duct via the outside air suction portion 322.
The air introduced from the outside of the cabinet 100 may be introduced into the laundry treating space 220 so as to ventilate the inside of the laundry treating space. In addition, the outside air of the cabinet 100 may be dehumidified using the condenser 343 and the evaporator 341 disposed inside the circulation duct 320. That is, the outside air suction portion 322 may be defined such that the laundry treating apparatus 1 performs a function of dehumidifying the space.
In addition, the outside air suction portion 322 may be defined so as to overlap the fan installation portion 350 in the front and rear direction. In addition, the outside air suction portion 322 may be defined so as to overlap the blower fan 353 in the front and rear direction. That is, the air introduced via the outside air suction portion 322 may flow to the blower fan 353 without bending of the passage. Therefore, there is an effect of reducing the flow loss of the air introduced into the outside air suction portion 322.
In one example, the outside air suction portion 322 may be defined to be spaced upwardly apart from the water reservoir 326. In addition, the outside air suction portion 322 may be defined to be spaced upwardly apart from the circulation duct bottom surface 325.
In one example, the outside air suction portion 322 may be defined in the circulation duct 320. Therefore, when the outside air of the cabinet 100 flows into the outside air suction portion 322, leakage may be prevented from occurring.
In one example, the duct body 321 may be disposed so as to be spaced rearwardly apart from a front end of the base 310. Accordingly, the outside air suction portion 322 extending through the duct body 321 may also be spaced rearwardly apart from the front end of the base 310.
That is, the outside air suction portion 322 may be defined so as to be spaced rearwardly apart from the front surface of the machine room. Therefore, the outside air suction portion 322 may be defined so as to be spaced rearwardly apart from the front surface of the cabinet 100. Because the outside air suction portion 322 is spaced rearwardly apart from the front surface of the cabinet 100, a component for guiding the outside air of the cabinet 100 to the outside air suction portion 322 may be required.
Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the outside air duct 370 connected to the outside air suction portion 322 so as to guide the outside air of the cabinet 100 to the outside air suction portion 322.
The outside air duct 370 may include the extension duct 372 extending forward from the front surface of the outside air suction portion 322, and the air intake duct 371 extending forward from the extension duct 372 such that the outside air may be introduced thereinto.
The air intake duct 371 may extend forward from a lower portion of the extension duct 372. One end of the air intake duct 371 may be connected to the extension duct 372, and the other end of the air intake duct 371 may be disposed facing the outside of the cabinet 100.
The extension duct 372 may be coupled to the outside air suction portion 322 and extend downward, and the air intake duct 371 may extend forward from the extension duct 372. That is, a space in which the drain container 302 or the water supply container 301 is located may be defined in front of the extension duct 372 and above the air intake duct 371.
That is, the air intake duct 371 may be disposed beneath at least one of the drain container 302 and the water supply container 301. In addition, the extension duct 372 may be disposed at the rear of at least one of the drain container 302 and the water supply container 301.
A separate installation casing (not shown) for installing the drain container 302 and the water supply container 301 may be disposed on the front surface of the machine room 300. The installation casing (not shown) may be disposed in the space defined in front of the extension duct 372 and above the air intake duct 371. The drain container 302 and the water supply container 301 may be coupled to the installation casing (not shown) and disposed in front or above the outside air duct 370.
In addition, the extension duct 372 may form a predetermined angle with the outside air suction portion 322. The extension duct 372 may include a stopper surface 372s for preventing the outside air suction portion damper 373 from opening beyond the predetermined angle while the outside air suction portion damper 373 is opening the outside air suction portion 322.
In addition, a width 371w of the air intake duct may be smaller than a width 372w of the extension duct. That is, the cross-sectional area of the passage defined inside the outside air duct 370 may be smaller in the air intake duct 371 than in the extension duct 372. The flow of the air flowing along the outside air duct 370 may be stabilized by the above-described change in the cross-sectional area of the passage. That is, there is an effect of reducing the flow loss.
In one example, the extension duct 372 may include an extension duct exhaust port 3721 in which one side facing the outside air suction portion 322 is opened. An area of the extension duct exhaust port 3721 may be larger than that of the outside air suction portion 322.
The extension duct exhaust port 3721 may be disposed to surround the outside air suction portion 322. Accordingly, the air that has passed through the extension duct 372 may be smoothly introduced into the outside air suction portion 322.
In one example, the extension duct 372 may include an extension duct coupling portion 3722 so as to be coupled to the duct body. The extension duct coupling portion 3722 may be formed to be coupled with a coupling member such as a bolt. Accordingly, the extension duct 372 may be coupled to the duct body 321 by the extension duct coupling portion 3722. In addition, the extension duct 372 may be coupled to the outside air suction portion 322 by an extension duct coupling portion 3722.
In one example, a hose accommodating portion 3724 extending from one side of the extension duct 372 may be included. The hose accommodating portion 3724 may be constructed to accommodate the second drain hose 3352 therein. The hose accommodating portion 3724 may define a space in which the second drain hose 3352 is accommodated together with the front surface of the duct body 321.
In addition, a damper shaft accommodating portion 3723 defined on the other side surface of the extension duct 372 and into which at least a portion of the outside air suction portion damper 373 is inserted may be included. The damper shaft accommodating portion 3723 may provide a region in which the outside air suction portion damper 373 is installed.
The air intake duct 371 may include the outside air hole 3711 through which the outside air is sucked in and the partition rib 3712 constructed to partition the outside air hole 3711 at one end or a free end thereof.
The outside air hole 3711 may be defined downwardly of the door 400 so as not to be blocked by the door 400. The partition rib 3712 may be constructed to partition the inside of the outside air hole 3711 to block the entry of the foreign substances or the user's body.
In addition, the partition rib 3712 may include a main partition rib 3712 extending along the air intake duct 371 and a sub-partition rib 3712 disposed beneath the extension duct 372. The main partition rib 3712 may be longer than the sub-partition rib 3712.
Referring to
The outside air suction portion damper sealing 3732 may be made of a material such as rubber so as to be closely adhered to a circumference of the outside air suction portion 322 and to prevent the air from leaking through the circumference of the outside air suction portion 322.
The outside air suction portion damper 373 may include an outside air suction portion damper protrusion 3733 disposed on one side in the width direction of the outside air suction portion damper body 3731. The outside air suction portion damper protrusion 3733 may be supported by the outside air duct 370 or the duct body 321. The outside air suction portion damper protrusion 3733 may support the pivoting of the outside air suction portion damper body 3731.
In addition, the outside air suction portion damper 373 may include an outside air suction portion damper shaft 3734 disposed on the other side in the width direction of the outside air suction portion damper body 3731. The outside air suction portion damper shaft 3734 may be connected to the damper driver 374 that provides power for pivoting the outside air suction portion damper body 3731.
The damper driver 374 may include a driving shaft that transmits a rotational force, and may be connected to the outside air suction portion damper shaft 3734, which is the driving shaft, to pivot the outside air suction portion damper body 3731 and the outside air suction portion damper sealing 3732 coupled to the outside air suction portion damper body 3731 together. In addition, at least a portion of the outside air suction portion damper shaft 3734 may be accommodated in the damper shaft accommodating portion 3723. The damper shaft accommodating portion 3723 may prevent the outside air suction portion damper shaft 3734 from being separated.
The extension duct 372 may include the stopper surface 372s that is constructed to form a predetermined angle with the outside air suction portion 322 so as to prevent the outside air suction portion damper 373 from opening beyond the predetermined angle in the state in which the outside air suction portion damper 373 opens the outside air suction portion 322. The stopper surface 372s may define a space for accommodating the outside air suction portion damper 373. That is, the stopper surface 372s may limit the opening angle of the outside air suction portion damper 373.
Referring to (a) in
That is, when the outside air suction portion damper 373 closes the outside air suction portion 322, a laundry treatment step in which the air inside the laundry treating space 220 is circulated may be performed.
Referring to (b) in
A step of ventilating the inside of the laundry treating space 220 or dehumidifying the outside air of the cabinet 100 may be performed in the state in which the outside air suction portion damper 373 opens the outside air suction portion 322.
In one example, a space may be defined between the outside air duct 370 and the base bottom surface 311. In particular, the air intake duct 371 may be formed to be spaced apart from the base bottom surface 311. Specifically, the air intake duct 371 may be disposed so as to be inclined downward in the forward direction from the extension duct 372. Accordingly, a space 370s below the outside air duct may be defined between the air intake duct 371 and the base bottom surface 311.
The discharge pipe 334 may be disposed between the outside air duct 370 and the base 310. That is, the discharge pipe 334 may be located in the space 370s below the outside air duct. In addition, the discharge pipe 334 may be disposed between the air intake duct 371 and the base bottom surface 311.
The first drain hose 3351 connected to the discharge pipe 334 may be disposed in the space 370s below the outside air duct. That is, the first drain hose 3351 may be disposed in the space 370s below the outside air duct and may extend in the width direction of the base.
Referring to
In particular, the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus may include a step of installing the heat supply unit in which the evaporator 341 for removing the moisture from the air introduced from the laundry treating space 220 and the condenser 343 for heating the air introduced from the laundry treating space 220 are installed inside the circulation duct 320, and the compressor 342 for supplying the compressed refrigerant to the condenser 343 is installed on the base 310 located outside the circulation duct 320.
The step of installing the heat supply unit may refer to an assembly method shown in (b) in
In addition, the step of installing the heat supply unit may include all of the above-described installation structures of the compressor, the evaporator, and the condenser.
In addition, the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus may include a step of installing the base cover in which the base cover 360 that is coupled to the circulation duct 320 so as to shield at least a portion of the duct opening 324 and defines the passage through which the air in the laundry treating space 220 circulates together with the circulation duct 320 is installed on the circulation duct 320.
The base cover installation step may include assembly processes shown in (c) and (d) in
Referring to (c) and (d) in
It may be understood that, when the first base cover 360a and the second base cover 360b are coupled to each other, the covers 360a and 360b have the same function and configuration as the above-described base cover 360.
In one example, the base cover installation step may include a first base cover installation step in which the first base cover 360a is installed on the circulation duct 320, and a second base cover installation step in which the second base cover 360b is installed in the first base cover 360a.
The first base cover installation step may refer to the assembly process shown in (c) in
As described above, in the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus, after installing the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 in the circulation duct 320 and installing the compressor 342 on the compressor installation portion 312, the base cover 360 may be coupled to the open top surface of the circulation duct 320 so as to define the passage.
In addition, the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus may further include, before the heat supply unit installation step is performed, a water cover installation step of installing the water cover 327 that is seated on the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320 and disposed between the evaporator 341 or the condenser 343 and the bottom surface of the circulation duct 320.
The step of installing the water cover 327 may refer to the assembly process shown in (a) in
In addition, the base cover installation step may include a damper assembly installation step in which the damper assembly 364 for selectively opening and closing the inlet 362 is coupled. The damper assembly installation step may refer to the assembly process shown in (e) in
In the damper assembly installation step, the first damper 3641, the second damper 3642, and the driver 365 may be installed. As for a specific installation structure of the damper assembly 364, the contents described in
In addition, the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus may include a steam supply unit installation step in which the steam supply unit 800 is coupled to the base cover 360. The steam supply unit installation step may refer to an assembly process shown in (a) in
In the steam supply unit installation step, processes of coupling the installation bracket 870 to the base cover 360 and then coupling the steam supply unit casing 810 to the installation bracket 870 may be sequentially performed. Conversely, the steam supply unit casing 810 may be coupled to the installation bracket 870 first, and then the installation bracket 870 to which the steam supply unit casing 810 is coupled may be coupled to the base cover 360.
As for a specific coupling structure of the steam supply unit 800, the contents described hereinabove may be applied.
In addition, in the steam supply unit installation step, the steam supply unit 800 may be installed on the base cover 360. In addition, the steam supply unit 800 may be disposed upwardly of the compressor 342.
In addition, the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus may include a controller installation step in which the controller 700 is installed in the controller installation portion 313. The controller installation step may refer to an assembly process shown in (b) in
In addition, the controller installation portion 313 may be defined by recessing the lower portion of the circulation duct 320 forward as described above. Therefore, it is not necessary to install the separate bracket to install the controller 700. That is, there is an effect of improving the assembly property.
The specific coupling structure and coupling scheme in which the controller 700 is coupled to the controller installation portion 313 described hereinabove may be applied to the controller installation step. In particular, the controller 700 may be slidably inserted into the controller installation portion 313.
In the controller installation step, the controller 700 may be installed below at least one of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343. In addition, the controller 700 may be disposed to overlap at least one of the evaporator 341 and the condenser 343 in the height direction of the cabinet 100.
In addition, in the controller installation step, the controller 700 may be disposed to overlap at least a portion of the water reservoir 326 in the width direction of the base 310.
When the controller installation step proceeds as described above, there is an effect of more compactly arranging the various components inside the machine room.
In addition, the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus may include a fan installation portion installation step in which the controller 700 is installed in the controller installation portion 313 and then the fan installation portion 350 is coupled to the circulation duct 320.
The fan installation portion installation step may be understood to mean assembly processes in (c) and (d) in
In addition, it may be understood that (d) in
As for a detailed coupling structure of the blower fan 353, the first housing 354, and the second housing 355, the contents described above may be applied as it is.
In particular, when the first housing 354 is coupled to the circulation duct 320, a portion of the first housing 354 may be coupled to the controller 700. The position of the controller 700 may be determined as the controller 700 is coupled with the first housing 354.
That is, in the fan installation portion installation step, the fan installation portion 350 may be installed at the rear of the controller 700 to support a rear side of the controller 700.
In one example, the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus may include a noise filter installation step in which the noise filter 390 is coupled to the base 310. It may be understood that (e) in
The noise filter 390 may be disposed at the rear of the fan installation portion 350 and below the protective rib 3553. Therefore, the protective rib 3553 may prevent the moisture from falling onto the noise filter 390.
In one example, the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus may include an outside air suction portion damper installation step in which the outside air suction portion damper 373 for selectively opening and closing the outside air suction portion 322 is installed. It may be seen that (a) in
As for a specific structure in which the outside air suction portion damper 373 is installed in the circulation duct 320, the contents described above may be applied. In particular, the outside air suction portion damper body 3731 and the outside air suction portion damper sealing 3732 may be coupled to the damper driver 374 while being coupled to each other.
The damper driver 374 may be coupled to an outer side of the circulation duct 320 so as to pivot the outside air suction portion damper body 3731. The outside air suction portion damper body 3731 may have one side coupled to the damper driver 374 and the other side pivotably supported by the circulation duct 320.
In one example, the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus may include a pump installation step in which a steam pump 820 connected to the steam supply unit 800 to supply water to the steam supply unit 800 and the residual water treating means 330 that discharges the water condensed in the evaporator 341 out of the circulation duct 320 are installed. It may be seen that (b) in
The steam pump 820 may connect the water supply container 301 and the steam supply unit 800 to each other. In addition, the residual water treating means 330 may connect the water reservoir and the drain container 302 to each other. In one example, the residual water treating means 330 may include one component of the circulation duct 320. That is, the drain container 302 and the water reservoir 326 may be connected to each other via various components.
As for a detailed structure of the residual water treating means 330, all of the contents described above for the residual water treating means 330 may be applied.
In one example, the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus may include an outside air duct installation step in which the outside air duct 370 is coupled to the circulation duct. It may be seen that (c) in
In the outside air duct installation step, the outside air duct 370 may be disposed upwardly of the residual water treating means 330. More specifically, the outside air duct 370 may be disposed upwardly of the first drain hose 3351 (see
When the method for assembling the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure is applied, the limited space inside the machine room 300 may be used as efficiently as possible. In addition, based on the sequential assembly processes, various components may be stacked on each other or supported by each other. Therefore, there is an effect that the efficiency of space utilization may be further increased.
In addition, when the base 310 and the circulation duct 320 are not manufactured as separate components but are molded into a single component, an assembly process of an assembler may be reduced and thus the assembly property may be improved. In addition, there is an effect that productivity may be improved and costs may be reduced.
The present disclosure may be implemented in various forms, so that the scope of the rights thereof is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, when the modified embodiment includes components of claims of the present disclosure, it should be regarded as belonging to the scope of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2021-0169283 | Nov 2021 | KR | national |
| 10-2022-0151848 | Nov 2022 | KR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2022/018679 | 11/24/2022 | WO |
