KR101366267B1 - Laundry Treating Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clothes processing apparatus. Clothing processing apparatus according to the present invention is a cabinet for forming a receiving space therein; Sterilization space that is separately partitioned in the receiving space; A hot wind supply device for supplying hot air by heating air to the accommodation space and the sterilization space; And a control unit for controlling the operation of the hot air supply device.

In the case of the clothes treating apparatus, a separate sterilization space is provided inside the clothes treating apparatus so that the sterilization process can be performed intensively.

Clothing processing device, storage space, sterilization space, control unit

Description

{Laundry Treating Apparatus}

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus, and more particularly, to a laundry treatment apparatus having a device for supplying hot air to the clothes and the like stored therein.

In general, the clothes treating apparatus is a device for performing various operations related to clothes, and includes many apparatuses such as a laundry washing apparatus for washing clothes, a drying apparatus for drying wet clothes, a refreshing apparatus for regenerating clothes, and the like. .

Recently, in order to treat clothing in an optimal state, a laundry treatment apparatus for removing wrinkles, deodorization, and sterilization of clothes, as well as conventional washing and drying, has emerged.

Among these, the sterilization treatment of the clothing is carried out in such a manner as to boil hot washing water or supply hot hot air.

However, conventionally, the sterilization administration is not performed independently, but only includes a configuration capable of achieving a sterilization effect while the washing administration and the drying administration are performed. Therefore, there is no stroke for sterilization, so that intensive sterilization is difficult.

In addition, even when a small amount of clothing such as underwear and sneakers is required to sterilize, the entire clothing processing apparatus can only be driven, resulting in a long processing time and a large energy consumption.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a clothes treatment apparatus for intensively performing a sterilization treatment in a separate stroke to the clothes treatment apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved clothes processing apparatus capable of preventing waste of time and energy generated while driving the entire clothes processing apparatus for sterilizing administration of a small amount of clothes.

An object of the present invention as described above, the cabinet to form a receiving space therein; Sterilization space that is separately partitioned in the receiving space; A hot wind supply device for supplying hot air by heating air to the accommodation space and the sterilization space; And a control unit for controlling the operation of the hot air supply device; is achieved by a clothes processing apparatus comprising a.

Here, the hot air supply may include a respective hot air supply pipe communicating with the receiving space and the sterilization space.

Here, the first flow path control device for selectively supplying the hot air heated in the hot air supply device to the receiving space and the sterilization space through the hot air supply pipe, the first flow path control device is selectively opened and closed by the control unit It is preferable.

On the other hand, the sterilization space is preferably formed adjacent to the hot air supply device.

Here, the lower side of the cabinet may be formed in the machine room is separated from the receiving space and the hot air supply device is installed, the sterilization space is installed above the machine room.

In addition, the sterilization space may be further provided with an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating the ultraviolet rays inside.

On the other hand, the steam generator is installed in the machine room for supplying steam to the accommodation space; The steam generator may further include a steam supply pipe connected to the accommodation space and the sterilization space, respectively, wherein the steam generator is controlled by the controller.

The apparatus may further include a second flow path control device for selectively supplying steam to the accommodation space and the sterilization space through the steam supply pipe, wherein the second flow path control device is selectively opened and closed by the controller.

On the other hand, the sterilization space may include a shelf or cradle for mounting the clothing.

Here, the shelf is preferably made of a network structure to facilitate ventilation, more preferably the shelf may be formed to be folded to one side of the sterilization space, including a hinge.

As described above, the clothes treating apparatus according to the present invention may be provided with a separate sterilization space in the clothes treating apparatus so that the sterilization treatment may be performed intensively.

In addition, by using the components of the existing clothing treatment apparatus to enable partial driving during sterilization administration has the effect of saving time and energy.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a front view showing a clothes treating apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the inside of the clothes handling apparatus of FIG.

The cabinet 10 forms an appearance of a clothes treating apparatus according to the present invention, and an accommodation space 20 for accommodating clothes therein and various components described below are installed therein.

First, a sterilization space 100 that is separately partitioned is formed in the cabinet in which the accommodation space 20 and the accommodation space 20 are formed, and the accommodation space 20 and the sterilization space 100 inside the cabinet. It comprises a hot air supply device 30 for supplying hot air and a control unit 50 for controlling the operation of the hot air supply device (30).

Hereinafter, each component described above will be described in detail.

The cabinet 10 forms an appearance of the clothes treating apparatus and forms an accommodation space 20 for accommodating clothes requiring a predetermined treatment process therein. In addition, the front surface is preferably surrounded by a cover so as to seal the accommodation space (20). And the door 11 is installed on one surface to be opened and closed when storing the clothes into the accommodation space (20). In addition, various types of operation switches (not shown) may be formed on the outer surface of the cabinet 10 to adjust the operation contents of the clothes treating apparatus.

In addition, the laundry treatment apparatus includes a sterilization space 100 separately partitioned from the accommodation space 20 formed inside the cabinet 10.

When a person wears clothes outdoors, the clothes are easily contaminated by bacteria or the like. If the clothing is contaminated with bacteria, there is a possibility of causing a disease on the wearer's skin or the like, or in the case of clothing made of microfibers, the clothing itself is damaged.

In the conventional case, there was a case in which an intermediate stroke for sterilization was included during the operation of the clothes treating apparatus, but only a partial stroke had a deterioration in effectiveness and efficiency. In addition, considering the frequency of use of the sterilization treatment of clothing, it was not desirable to manufacture a separate clothes treatment apparatus for sterilization treatment.

Therefore, in the present invention, a separate sterilization space 100 is separately provided in the accommodation space 20 of the clothes treatment apparatus to proceed with an independent sterilization administration. In this case, since the hot air is not supplied to the entire accommodating space 20, it is possible to shorten the processing time and save energy, and to make the most of the components provided in the clothes treating apparatus.

The sterilization space 100 accommodates clothes requiring sterilization treatment and may be sterilized by hot air, steam, and ultraviolet irradiation. Specific components for the sterilization process will be described later.

The hot air supply device 30 is installed inside the cabinet 10 to supply hot air by heating air to the accommodation space 20 and the sterilization space 100. The hot air supply device 30 may supply hot air using a heater or a thermoelectric element according to the capacity of the accommodation space 20. However, it is preferable to use a heat pump capable of performing a dehumidification function at the same time as supplying hot air. A configuration for supplying hot air from the hot air supply device 30 to the accommodation space 20 and the sterilization space 100 will be described later.

The controller 50 may control the operation of the hot air supply device 30, and may preferably control the operation of other components included in the clothes treating apparatus. In addition, when the operation switch or the like is formed on the outer surface of the cabinet 10, it is preferable that the user can control the operation of the hot air supply device 30 and the like by receiving the operation contents operated by the user.

3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a path through which hot air is supplied from the clothes treating apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 3, a process in which the hot air supply device 30 supplies hot air to the accommodation space 20 and the sterilization space 100 will be described.

The present embodiment preferably further includes respective hot air supply pipes 31 communicating from the hot air supply device 30 to the accommodation space 20 and the sterilization space 100. This is because the hot air can be supplied to the accommodation space 20 and the sterilization space 100 by using one hot air supply device 30.

As shown in FIG. 3, the air heated in the hot air supply device 30 is guided toward the accommodation space 20 or the sterilization space 100, and in this case, the fan 34 is efficiently circulated so that the hot air circulation can be performed. It is preferable to induce the hot air by installing. However, the present invention is not limited to the position of the fan 34, and may be configured as long as the hot air can be guided to the accommodation space 20 and the sterilization space 100.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the first flow path control device 32 selectively supplies the hot air heated by the hot air supply device 30 to the accommodation space 20 and the sterilization space 100 through the hot air supply pipe 31. ) May be further included.

The present invention is intended to shorten the processing time and improve energy efficiency by allowing the operation of the hot air supply device 30 independently of the accommodation space 20 to the sterilization space 100, the supply flow path of hot air It is desirable to be able to selectively control.

Accordingly, the first flow path control device 32 may selectively open and close the hot air supply pipe 31 to supply hot air selectively to the accommodation space 20 or the sterilization space 100, and further, the accommodation space 20. It is also possible to supply hot air to the sterilization space 100 and at the same time.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a three-way valve is installed as the first flow path control device 32 at a point where the hot air supply pipe 31 is branched. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be any configuration that can selectively adjust the flow path of the hot air supply pipe 31. For example, when the hot air supply pipe 31 is individually connected to the accommodation space 20 and the sterilization space 100, a damper may be installed to selectively control the opening and closing of the flow path.

In general, since the sterilization effect is improved as the hot air is supplied at a high temperature, the sterilization space 100 is preferably formed adjacent to the hot air supply device 30. Since the temperature of the hot air heated in the hot air supply device 30 decreases as the hot air supply pipe 31 proceeds, the hot air is supplied to the sterilization space 100 at the highest temperature.

As shown in Figure 3, in the present embodiment, it is more preferable to form a machine room 12, which is separated from the accommodation space 20 and the hot air supply device 30 is installed below the cabinet 10, The sterilization space 100 is installed above the machine room 15.

In order to secure a wide accommodation space 20, it is preferable to install the hot air supply device 30 on one side of the cabinet 10, clothing from condensed water, etc. generated during operation of the hot air supply device (30). In order to protect the hot air supply device 30 is preferably installed in a space separated by the partition wall 16 or the like below the receiving space (20).

In the present embodiment, the hot air supply device 30 is installed by having a machine room 15 under the cabinet 10, and the sterilization space 100 is located above the machine room 15. Can be installed adjacent to. As described above, hot air is supplied to the live sterilization space 100 by the hot air supply pipe 31, and in this case, an exhaust port 33 may be provided at the lower end of the sterilization space 100 to discharge the hot air. . Therefore, the hot air heated by the hot air supply device 30 can be circulated through the sterilization space 100 while the high temperature is maintained.

In addition, as a configuration for sterilization treatment of the sterilization space 100, the ultraviolet lamp 110 for irradiating ultraviolet rays into the sterilization space 100 may be further installed.

The bactericidal effect of ultraviolet rays is completely dependent on the wavelength of ultraviolet rays and is most effective at 250 ~ 260nm wavelength. In addition, the sterilization effect at the wavelength of 250nm to 260nm is directly related to the amount of accumulated UV radiation (radiation intensity * irradiation time). In addition, the UV germicidal effect is similar for dozens of species and new viruses that are not yet known. In particular, the bactericidal effect of the new strain is similar to the known virus, which is a great advantage over the sterilization by drugs.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the ultraviolet lamp 110 may maximize the sterilization effect by irradiating the sterilization space 100 with ultraviolet light for a predetermined time.

And as a configuration for sterilization treatment of the sterilization space 100, by further installing the steam generating device 40, the sterilization effect as when boiled clothes by spraying high-temperature steam into the sterilization space 100 Can be obtained.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the steam generator 40 for supplying steam to the accommodation space 20 is installed in the machine room 15, the accommodation from the steam generator 40 A steam supply pipe 41 is connected to the space 20 and the sterilization space 100 to supply steam.

In general, a clothes treatment apparatus including a steam generator 40 capable of supplying steam to clothes to see the ironed effect on the wrinkled clothes or to see the boiled effect as in the present invention is spreading. Therefore, when the clothes treating apparatus is provided with a steam generating device 40, it is not necessary to provide a separate steam generating device 40 for the sterilization space 100, to share the same as the hot air supply device 30 It is preferable.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, similar to that described in the configuration of the hot air supply pipe 31 connected to the receiving space 20 and the sterilization space 100 by receiving the hot air from the single hot air supply device 30, The steam generating device 40 is capable of supplying steam by the steam supply pipe 41 connected to the receiving space 20 and the sterilization space 100, respectively.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, a second flow path control device 42 is provided to selectively supply or simultaneously supply steam between the accommodation holes 20 and the sterilization space 100 according to the operation contents of the clothes treating apparatus. .

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the steam generator 40 and the second flow path controller 42 are controlled by the controller 50 according to the operation contents input by the user, so that the sterilization space 100 is controlled. Independent operation is possible.

5 is a block diagram showing the content controlled by the control unit 50 of the clothing treatment apparatus.

The clothes treating apparatus preferably includes various operation switches (not shown) that allow a user to directly operate the clothes treating apparatus. The clothing processing apparatus can be operated for the accommodation space 20, the operation for the sterilization space 100, and the operation for the accommodation space 20 and the sterilization space 100, all according to the needs of the user It is preferable to be able to input the contents of the operation.

In addition, the clothing treatment apparatus includes a controller 50 for controlling the operation of the hot air supply device (30). That is, the controller 50 controls the driving of the hot air supply device 30 according to the operation content input by the user. For example, the controller 50 may adjust the operation time and the air volume of the hot air supply device 30 according to the operation content input by the user.

Preferably, the control unit may control components driven according to the operation contents of the clothes treating apparatus including the hot air supply device 30, that is, the fan 34 and the first channel control device 32. In particular, the first channel control device 32 is preferably opened and closed by the control unit 50.

The configuration that can be operated only in the sterilization space 100 is one of the features of the present invention, which can selectively supply the air heated in the hot air supply device 30 to the receiving space 20 and the sterilization space 100 It is preferable that the first flow path controller 32 selects a flow path under the control of the controller 50 according to the operation contents input by the user and supplies hot air.

In addition, the steam generator 40 is preferably controlled by the control unit 50 in accordance with the operation content of the clothes treating apparatus.

In addition, it is preferable that the second flow path control device 42 for selectively supplying steam to the accommodation space 20 through the steam supply pipe 41 is also selectively opened and closed by the controller 50.

6 is a front view showing the interior of the sterilization space (100).

Referring to FIG. 6, the sterilization space may include a holder 120 such as a shelf for mounting clothes. It is preferable to form a cradle 120 such as a shelf in consideration of appropriately mounting various kinds of clothes.

And the shelf 120 is preferably made of a network structure to facilitate ventilation. Since the sterilization space 100 forms a circulation path through which hot air is supplied and discharged, it is preferable to form a network structure to facilitate the ventilation. In addition, when steam is supplied by the steam supply pipe 41, it is advantageous to form a shelf 120 of the network structure so that steam can be evenly sprayed on the upper surface, the lower surface of the clothes mounted on the shelf.

In addition, the shelf 120 preferably includes a hinge 121 to be folded to one side of the sterilization space. It is advantageous to create a storage environment according to various kinds of clothes by folding or unfolding the shelf 120 as necessary, such as when the clothes stored in the sterilization space 100 are to be kept long in the height direction.

The operation of the clothes treating apparatus having the same configuration as described above will be briefly described.

When the user wants to sterilize clothes such as underwear, the user places the clothes on the sterilization space 100 of the clothes processing apparatus and inputs the driving contents through the operation button. If the operation of the accommodation space 20 is unnecessary, the operation is performed only for the sterilization space (100).

When the user inputs only the sterilization space 100 to proceed with the operation, the hot air supply device 30, the steam generator 40, the fan 34, and the like are in proper mode under the control of the controller 50. Drive. In this case, it is possible to operate with a lower energy than the operation for the accommodation space (20).

First, the ultraviolet lamp 110 irradiates ultraviolet rays for a predetermined time inside the sterilization space 100 to perform a sterilization process.

In addition, the steam generator 40 generates steam and the second flow path controller 42 opens the steam supply pipe 41 toward the sterilization space 100 under the control of the controller 50. Therefore, steam generated by the steam generator 40 is supplied into the sterilization space 100 to perform a sterilization process.

The hot air supply device 30 heats the air, and the first flow path control device 32 opens the hot air supply pipe 31 toward the sterilization space 100 under the control of the controller 50. Therefore, the hot air heated by the hot air supply device 30 is supplied into the sterilization space to perform a sterilization process. In addition, the hot air is discharged through the exhaust port 33 installed at the lower end of the sterilization space 100 and circulated while being reheated by the hot air supply device 30 again.

The processes are listed in any order, and the processes can be performed sequentially or simultaneously.

1 is a front view showing a laundry treatment apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the clothes handling apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a path through which hot air is supplied in the clothes processing apparatus of FIG.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a path in which steam is sprayed in the clothes treatment apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing contents controlled by a control unit of the laundry treatment apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.

Figure 6 is a front view of the sterilization space provided in the clothes treating apparatus of FIG.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: cabinet 20: accommodation space

30: hot air supply device 31: hot air supply pipe

32: first flow controller 40: steam generator

41: steam supply pipe 42: second flow control device

50: control unit 100: sterilization space

110: ultraviolet fluorescent lamp

Claims (13)

A cabinet forming an accommodation space for accommodating clothes therein; A sterilization space that is separately partitioned in the accommodation space and accommodates clothes that require sterilization treatment; A hot wind supply device for supplying hot air by heating air to the accommodation space and the sterilization space; A control unit controlling an operation of the hot air supply device; And And a respective hot air supply pipe communicating with the accommodation space and the sterilization space from the hot air supply device. delete The method of claim 1, And a first flow path control device for selectively supplying hot air heated by the hot air supply device to the accommodation space and the sterilization space through the hot air supply pipe. The method of claim 3, The first flow control device is a clothing processing apparatus, characterized in that the opening and closing selectively by the control unit. 5. The method of claim 4, The sterilization space is a clothes processing apparatus, characterized in that formed adjacent to the hot air supply. The method of claim 5, Forming a machine room below the cabinet and separated from the accommodation space and in which the hot air supply device is installed; The sterilization space is a clothes processing apparatus, characterized in that installed on the upper part of the machine room. The method according to claim 6, The sterilization space is a clothes treatment apparatus, characterized in that the UV lamp further installed to irradiate the ultraviolet rays inside. The method according to claim 6, A steam generator installed in the machine room and supplying steam to the accommodation space; Clothes processing apparatus further comprises a steam supply pipe connected to each of the receiving space and the sterilization space from the steam generator. 9. The method of claim 8, The steam generator is controlled by the controller. 10. The method of claim 9, And a second flow path control device for selectively supplying steam to the accommodation space and the sterilization space through the steam supply pipe, wherein the second flow path control device is selectively opened and closed by the control unit. . The method of claim 1, The sterilization space is a clothes processing apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a shelf or cradle for mounting the clothes. 12. The method of claim 11, The shelf is a clothes processing apparatus, characterized in that made of a network structure to facilitate ventilation. 12. The method of claim 11, The shelf is a clothes processing apparatus, characterized in that formed to fold to one side of the sterilization space, including a hinge.

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