KR20210056305A - Fabric treating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a casing having a treatment chamber where clothes are held and having a machine room formed on a lower side of the treatment chamber; a base defining a floor of the machine room; a heat pump module conditioning air supplied into the treatment chamber; at least one supporter supporting the heat pump module and defining a predetermined storage area from the base on a lower side of the heat pump module; a steam generation module fixated and disposed in the storage area to generate steam to be supplied to the treatment chamber; and a controller controlling at least one between the heat pump module and the steam generation module and disposed below the steam generation module in the storage area.

Description

Clothing processing equipment {FABRIC TREATING APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a laundry treatment apparatus.

The clothes handling device refers to all devices for managing clothes such as washing, drying, wrinkle improvement, etc. of clothes in a home or in a laundry.

For example, clothes handling equipment is a washing machine for washing clothes, a dryer for drying clothes, a washing machine for drying that combines washing and drying functions, a refresher for refreshing clothes, and a steamer that improves unnecessary wrinkles in clothes. (Steamer) and so on.

A refresher is a device for making the state of clothing pleasant and fresh, and performs functions such as drying clothing, supplying fragrance to clothing, preventing generation of static electricity in clothing, and improving wrinkles in clothing.

A steamer is a device that removes wrinkles from clothes by simply supplying steam to clothes. Unlike a general iron, a steamer removes wrinkles from clothes without directly applying heat to clothes.

A clothing treatment apparatus equipped with the functions of a refresher and a steamer may perform functions such as removing wrinkles and odors of clothing stored therein by using steam and hot air.

7 shows a machine room of a conventional laundry treatment apparatus. Referring to FIG. 7, in the conventional laundry treatment apparatus 700, a machine room in which various devices are installed is formed under a casing 710. Devices installed in the machine room include a blower 730 and a compressor 740 shown in the drawings, and include a steam generation module, a heat pump module, and a controller as shown in FIG. 3. Among these devices, in particular, when the steam generating module, the heat pump module and/or the controller is to be withdrawn from the machine room for maintenance and repair, as shown in the drawing, other devices such as the blower 730 or the compressor 740 Because it interferes with, it was not possible to withdraw from the machine room without removing the other devices. Therefore, in the prior art, first, after removing the devices causing interference, devices requiring maintenance and repair are removed, or the base 720 itself has to be separated from the casing 10 while the devices are installed. This method has a problem that maintenance and repair of the devices are cumbersome and time-consuming.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of facilitating maintenance and repair of devices by improving the arrangement of devices in a machine room.

Second, it is to provide a laundry treatment device that solves the conventional problem in which other devices have to be pulled out together when a specific device is withdrawn from the machine room.

Third, in particular, to provide a laundry treatment apparatus in which a controller, a steam generation module, a heat pump module, and the like can be independently withdrawn from a machine room.

Fourth, it is to provide a laundry treatment device that improves the space utilization of the machine room.

The laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention includes: a treatment chamber in which clothes are placed, and a casing forming a machine room below the treatment chamber; A base defining a floor of the machine room; A heat pump module for conditioning air supplied into the processing chamber; At least one supporter supporting the heat pump module and defining a predetermined receiving area between the base and the lower side of the heat pump module; A steam generation module fixedly disposed in the receiving area to generate steam to be supplied into the processing chamber; And a controller that controls at least one of the heat pump module and the steam generation module, and is disposed below the steam generation module in the receiving area.

The laundry treatment apparatus of the present invention can facilitate maintenance and repair of devices, and has an effect of shortening the time required for maintenance and repair.

In addition, when a specific device is removed from the machine room, there is an effect of solving the conventional problem in which other devices have to be pulled out together.

In addition, there is an effect of improving the space utilization of the machine room.

1 is a perspective view of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a device assembly installed in the machine room of FIG. 1.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the device assembly of FIG. 2;
4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an assembly process of the device assembly of FIG. 2.
5 shows a structure in which a supporter is installed on the base.
6 shows the installation structure of the heat pump module.
7 shows a machine room of a conventional laundry treatment apparatus.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Even if the terms are the same, if the parts to be displayed are different, the reference numerals do not coincide.

In addition, terms to be described later are terms set in consideration of functions in the present invention, and since they may vary according to the intention or custom of users such as experimenters and measurers, their definition should be made based on the contents throughout the present specification.

In the present specification, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. The term and/or includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

The terms used in the present specification are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein including technical or scientific terms have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms as defined in a commonly used dictionary should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and should not be interpreted as an ideal or excessively formal meaning unless explicitly defined in this application. Does not.

In addition, when a part "includes" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included rather than excluding other components unless specifically stated to the contrary.

1 is a perspective view of a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a device assembly installed in the machine room of FIG. 1. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the device assembly of FIG. 2; 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an assembly process of the device assembly of FIG. 2. 5 shows a structure in which a supporter is installed on the base. 6 shows the installation structure of the heat pump module.

1 to 6, the laundry treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a casing 10 forming a treatment chamber 11 with an open front surface, and an open front surface of the treatment chamber 11. It includes an opening and closing door (20).

An upper part of the processing chamber 11 is provided with a hanger 30 on which a hanger for mounting clothes is applied. The hanger 30 may be configured to move in the front and rear, up and down and/or left and right directions in the processing chamber 11 by a driving device (not shown) such as a motor, and such movement is preferably a reciprocating motion having a certain period. .

In the casing 10, a machine room 12 may be provided outside the processing chamber 11 (preferably, the lower side of the processing chamber 11), and the heat pump module 110, the controller ( 120), including the steam generation module 130, and the like, various types of devices may be disposed. In particular, the casing 10 may include a base 400 defining the floor of the machine room 12. The base 400 may be made of a metal plate.

On the other hand, in the lower portion of the processing chamber 11, the air blown by the blower 140 is discharged into the processing chamber 11 and/or the steam generated by the steam generating module 130 is disposed in the processing chamber 11 A steam discharge port 52 for discharging into the inside may be formed. In the present embodiment, the air blower 51 and the steam discharge port 52 are integrally formed in the lower panel 50 of the treatment chamber, which defines the lower part of the treatment chamber 11, but it is not necessarily limited thereto.

The steam generation module 130 is a device that generates steam. The steam generation module 130 may include a heater that heats water, and the steam generated by the heater operation may be guided to the steam discharge port 52 through a predetermined steam supply passage (not shown).

A water supply container 41 for containing water supplied to the steam generation module 130 may be provided under the treatment chamber 11. The water supply container 41 may be detachably coupled to the casing 10. After separating the water supply container 41 from the casing 10, the user can replenish water.

The machine room 12 may be provided with a sump (not shown) for collecting condensed water generated while the steam generated by the steam generation module 130 moves along the steam supply passage. The sump may also be connected to the processing chamber 11 through a flow path, and in this case, the condensed water collected on the bottom of the processing chamber 11 may be collected into the sump.

A drain pump 182 for discharging the condensed water collected in the sump to the drain tank 42 may be installed on the base 400. The drainage container 42 may be detachably coupled to the casing 10. After the user separates the drainage container 42 from the casing 10, the collected condensate can be discarded. The sump may be provided in the lower inner side of the air supply duct 130, and a nozzle module 181 for discharging the condensed water collected in the sump to the drainage bin 42 through the drainage pump 182 may be further provided. .

A water supply pump 186 for supplying water in the water supply container 41 to the steam generation module 130 may be installed on the base 400. The water supply pump 186 may be connected to the steam generation module 130 and a flow path through the water supply lake 185.

The heat pump module 110 harmonizes air supplied into the processing chamber 11 and is connected to the compressor 160 through a refrigerant flow path, and in the process of transferring the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 160 through the refrigerant flow path. It may include a condenser, an expander and an evaporator passing in turn.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heat pump module 110 may include a housing 111 that forms a space in which the condenser is accommodated. The housing 111 may be provided with an inlet 110a for introducing air into the space in which the condenser is accommodated, and a discharge port 110b for discharging air introduced through the inlet 110a and heat-exchanged with the condenser. Meanwhile, not only the condenser but also the evaporator may be accommodated in the housing 111.

The blower 140 is a device that blows air, and includes a blower fan that is rotated by a motor, and a blower 142 through which the air blown by the blower fan is discharged is provided with an inlet 110a of the housing 111 and Communicate. Accordingly, the air blown by the blower 140 is supplied into the housing 111 through the inlet 110a, and the air supplied in this way is heated through heat exchange with the condenser, and thus the discharge port 110b of the housing 111 ), the hot air is discharged. In an embodiment, the blower 140 transfers air introduced along the rotational axial direction of the blower fan (centrifugal fan) through the inlet 141 to the blower 142 along a scroll-shaped flow path surrounding the blower fan. It is a centrifugal blower that guides and discharges, but is not limited thereto.

An air supply duct 150 for guiding air to the inlet 141 of the blowing device 140 may be disposed in front of the blowing device 140. The air supply duct 150 may be fixed by the blower 140, but is not limited thereto, and may be fixed by the base 400 as well.

A blower installation tab 420 may be formed on the base 400. The blower installation tab 420 may be formed by cutting the base 400 and then vertically bending the cut portion. The blower 140 may be coupled to the blower installation tab 420 by fastening members such as screws or screws.

In order to efficiently utilize the space in the machine room 12, the air supply duct 150 extends up and down a long passage through which air flows, and the passage is formed in a shape whose width in the front and rear direction is narrower than the width in the left and right directions. Can be. The air supply duct 150 may have an inlet 151 formed at an upper portion, and an outlet (not shown) in communication with the air outlet 141 of the air blower 140 at the lower portion of the air supply duct 150. Air in the processing chamber 11 may be sucked through the inlet 151.

The supporter 170 supports the heat pump module 110 and defines a predetermined receiving area S between the base 400 and the lower side of the heat pump module 110. That is, the heat pump module 110 is supported by the supporter 170 and is disposed on the upper side spaced apart from the base 400, and the heat pump module 110 is spaced apart from the base 400, thereby allowing the receiving area S ) May be used as a space for installing other devices, in particular, the steam generation module 130 and the controller 120.

A plurality of supporters 170 may be provided, and in an embodiment, a pair of supporters 170 spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction on the base 400 is provided. Hereinafter, different reference numerals are assigned to each of the supporters 170 to distinguish between the supporters 170(1) located in the front and the supporters 170(2) located in the rear as necessary.

Referring to FIG. 5, the supporter 170 includes at least two legs 171 and 172 fixed on the base 400 and a holder 173 extending in the transverse direction and supported by the legs 171 and 172 It may include. A supporter fixing tab 174 having a surface facing the base 400 may be formed at the lower end of the legs 171 and 172, and on the base 400, as shown in (a) of FIG. 5, clothing A supporter fixing part 410 having a supporter fastener 411 into which the supporter fixing tab 174 is inserted in the front and rear direction of the processing apparatus 1 may be formed.

The supporter fixing part 410 is, after cutting the base 400 in a direction transverse to the direction in which the supporter fixing tab 174 is inserted, and then surrounding the cut part (that is, the supporter fastener 411). It can be formed by pressing a certain area 412 upward.

In a state in which the supporter fixing tab 174 is inserted into the supporter fixing part 410 through the supporter fastener 411, the upward movement of the supporter 170, the supporter fixing tab 174 is the supporter fastener ( 411) is restrained by being caught on the rear surface of the peripheral area 412.

Supporter 170 may be provided with two or more, in this case, as shown in Figure 5, one of the two supporters 170 that are relatively installed in the front of the base 400 (170 (1)) The supporter fixing tab 174 is inserted into the supporter fastener 411 through a moving motion toward the front, and the one 170 (2) installed at the rear portion of the base 400 is moved to the rear. The supporter fixing tab 174 may be inserted into the supporter fixing part 410 opened toward the front. The base 400 and the supporter 170 may be coupled to each other by a fastening member such as a screw or bolt passing through the supporter fixing part 410 and the supporter fixing tab 174 in the vertical direction.

The supporter 170 may be formed of a metal material capable of plastic processing. The supporter 170 made of a single part in which the legs 171 and 172, the supporter fixing tab 174, and the holder 173 are integrally formed through a process of cutting and then folding a metal plate according to a predetermined design. have. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin material, or may be formed by combining two or more parts with each other.

The heat pump module 110 may be disposed on the cradle 173. The cradle 173 may include a pair of side surfaces 173b with an outer circumferential surface facing each of the front and rear, and an upper surface 173a with an outer circumferential surface facing upward and connecting the pair of side surfaces 173b. The cradle 173 may be formed by bending the metal plate at least twice.

Referring to FIG. 6, at least one coupling portion 115 and 116 coupled to the cradle 173 may be formed under the housing 111. Referring to FIG. 6A, the coupling part 115 may have a first contact surface 115a in contact with the upper surface 173a of the cradle 173. The first contact surface 115a is disposed substantially horizontally corresponding to the upper surface 173a. After the first contact surface 115a is raised on the upper surface 173a of the holder 173, the first contact surface 115a and the upper surface 173a of the holder 173 may be coupled to each other using a fastening member.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the coupling part 116 may have a second contact surface 116a in contact with the side surface 173b of the cradle 173. In this case, the second contact surface 116a is disposed substantially vertically corresponding to the side surface 173b, and may be coupled to the side surface 173b of the cradle 173 by a fastening member. Preferably, the first contact surface 115a is fastened with the upper surface 173a of the supporter 170(1), and the second contact surface 116a is fastened with the side surface 173b of the supporter 170(2).

The controller 120 controls various devices constituting the laundry treatment apparatus 1, and may include a circuit board and electrical equipment mounted on the circuit board. The heat pump module 110, the steam generation module 130, the blower 140 and/or the compressor 160 may be controlled by the controller 120.

The circuit board is accommodated in a main body forming the exterior of the controller 120. The controller 120 may be disposed in the receiving area S between the supporter 170 and the base 400, and is preferably disposed on the base 400.

3 and 5, a controller fixing tab 121 may be formed in the main body of the controller 120, and a controller fastener 414 into which the controller fixing tab 121 is inserted is formed in the base 400. Can be. The controller fixing tab 121 may be formed of a plate body extending toward the front or rear. In a state in which the controller fixing tab 121 is inserted into the controller fastener 414, the upward movement of the controller 120 is restrained by the controller fixing tab 121 caught on the bottom surface of the base 400.

Preferably, the controller fixing tab 121 protrudes forward from the main body of the controller 120, and is inserted into or removed from the controller fastener 414 according to the movement of the controller 120 on the base 400 in the front and rear directions. This is done.

An opening (refer to FIG. 7) formed to allow at least the controller 120 to pass through the rear portion of the casing 10 may be formed. Preferably, the opening is formed to allow passage of the heat pump module 110 and the steam generation module 130 as well.

Depending on the embodiment, the casing 10 may include a panel (not shown) that covers the opening, and the panel is preferably detachably coupled to the casing 10.

When the controller 120 is installed on the base 400 or when the controller 120 is separated from the base 400 for maintenance, the controller 120 may enter and exit the machine room 12 through the opening. In particular, as in the embodiment, when the heat pump module 110 is disposed above the controller 120 and the blowing device 140 is disposed in front of the controller 120, the blower 140 or the controller 120 ) Is not an obstacle in the separation process of the controller 120, the controller 120 can be withdrawn from the machine room 12 without separating the heat pump module 110 or the blower 140 from the device assembly 2. It can be, there is an effect that can be easily carried out repair or replacement of the controller 120.

The steam generation module 130 is disposed in the receiving area S, and preferably, may be disposed above the controller 120. The steam generation module 130 may be fixed by the supporter 170. A steam generation module fixing tab (not shown) may be formed on one of the steam generation module 130 and the supporter 170, and a steam generation module installation hole (175 degrees) into which the steam generation module fixing tab is inserted in the other. See 5.) can be formed. The steam generation module mounting hole 175 may be formed in at least one of the pair of supporters 170. Preferably, the steam generation module mounting hole 175 is formed on the one 170 (1) located in front of the pair of supporters 170, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The steam generation module mounting hole 175 may be formed on the side surface 173b of the cradle 173. The steam generation module 130 is installed on the supporter 170 with the steam generation module fixing tab inserted into the steam generation module installation port 175, and the supporter 170 at the front of the steam generation module 130 The supporter 170 (2) at the rear and the steam generation module 130 can be fastened using a fastening member in the state of being temporarily installed in (1)).

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, a process of configuring the device assembly 2 will be described. The dotted line indicated in FIG. 4 indicates a location and a fastening direction in which the fastening member is fastened. As shown in (a) of FIG. 4, in a state in which the compressor 160 is installed in the base 400, the heat pump module 110 may be installed in the supporter 170. The coupling portions 115 and 116 of the heat pump module 110 are fixed to the cradle 173 using a fastening member. A refrigerant pipe guiding the refrigerant may be connected between the compressor 160 and the heat pump module 110.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the controller 120 may be installed in the base 400 after being inserted into the receiving area S under the supporter 170. After the controller fixing tab 121 is inserted into the controller fastener 414 and the controller 120 is correctly positioned, the controller 120 and the base 400 may be coupled by a fastening member.

Referring to FIG. 4C, a blower 140 may be installed in front of the supporter 170. The blowing device 140 may be fastened to the blowing device installation tab 420 by a fastening member.

Referring to (d) of FIG. 4, a drain pump 182 and a water supply pump 186 may be installed on the base 400. A drain pump 182 and a feed pump 186 may be disposed on both sides of the blower 140, respectively.

Referring to (e) of FIG. 4, the air supply duct 150 may be installed in front of the blowing device 140. One of the blower 140 and the air supply duct 150 may have a pin (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction, and the other may have a pin insertion hole (not shown) into which the pin is inserted. have. After the air supply duct 150 is correctly positioned by inserting the pin into the pin insertion hole, the air supply duct 150 and the air blower 140 may be coupled using a fastening member.

Referring to (f) of FIG. 4, after the steam generation module 130 is inserted into the receiving area S under the supporter 170, the steam generation module fixing tab formed on the steam generation module 130 is formed in the steam generation module. By being inserted into the mounting hole 175, after the steam generating module 130 is positioned in place, the steam generating module 130 and the supporter 170 may be coupled by a fastening member. During maintenance, the fastening member is located at the rear of the pair of supporters 170 so that the steam generation module 130 can be easily separated through an opening (see FIG. 7) located at the rear of the casing 10. It is preferable to be fastened with (2)).

Referring to FIG. 4G, a noise filter 183 and a handle 184 that grips the device assembly 2 when a user moves it may be installed on the base 400. The noise filter 183 passes only necessary components of the signal input to the controller 120 and attenuates the noise component.

4(h), a water supply hose 185 connecting the feed pump 186 and the steam generating module 130, a nozzle module 181, a hose connecting the nozzle module 181 and the sump, nozzle Various hoses such as a hose connecting the module 181 and the drain pump 182 may be connected to the devices.

Claims (15)

A casing with an inlet formed on the front side;
A door rotatably coupled to the casing to open and close the inlet;
A processing chamber provided inside the casing to accommodate clothes;
An air intake port formed on the bottom surface of the processing chamber closer to the inlet port than the rear surface of the casing and passing through the bottom surface of the processing chamber;
A machine room providing a space separated from the processing chamber under the processing chamber;
A base forming the floor of the machine room;
A supporter located inside the machine room and coupled to the base to form a predetermined receiving area between the base and the base;
An air supply duct located in front of the supporter in the machine room and forming a passage through which air of the processing chamber is sucked through the air inlet;
A blowing device including a blower inlet through which the air in the processing chamber is introduced in communication with the supply air duct, and is positioned between the supply air duct and the supporter in the machine room to circulate the air in the processing chamber;
A heat pump module that is supported by the supporter at the upper side of the supporter, and dehumidifies and heats the air sucked through the blower device; and
The blower inlet is
Located below the air intake,
The heat pump module is
The laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that located above the inlet of the blower. The method of claim 1,
The blower device
A blower blower for discharging the air in the processing chamber sucked through the blower inlet to the heat pump module;
The blower air outlet
The laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that located above the inlet of the blower. The method of claim 2,
The heat pump module is
A housing forming a space accommodating a heat exchanger;
A housing inlet located on the front side of the housing and communicating with the blower inlet; And
And a housing discharge port for discharging the air passing through the heat exchanger to the treatment chamber. The method of claim 3,
The housing outlet is
Located facing the bottom of the processing chamber,
The location of the housing outlet is
The laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that higher than the position of the housing inlet. The method of claim 3,
The housing outlet is
The laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that formed to protrude from the rear of the upper surface of the housing toward the bottom surface of the treatment chamber. The method of claim 3,
The heat exchanger
An evaporator for dehumidifying the air discharged through the blower; And
And a condenser for heating the air passing through the evaporator. The method of claim 6,
And a compressor disposed on one side of the supporter and mounted on the base to compress a refrigerant circulating the evaporator and the condenser. The method of claim 3,
And an air outlet disposed on the bottom surface of the processing chamber and passing through the bottom surface of the processing chamber so as to communicate with the housing outlet. The method of claim 8,
The air outlet is a laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that located in the rear of the air intake. The method of claim 2,
The blower device
A blowing fan that rotates to suck in the air in the processing chamber; Clothing treatment apparatus, characterized in that it further comprises. The method of claim 10,
The blower device
A laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that the air in the treatment chamber is introduced along the rotational axis direction of the blowing fan through the blower inlet. The method of claim 1,
The air intake port is
Clothing treatment apparatus, characterized in that formed along the width direction of the casing. The method of claim 12,
The air supply duct is
An air supply duct inlet communicating with the air inlet; And
Including; an air supply duct outlet communicating with the inlet of the blower,
The inlet of the air supply duct is
The laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that formed along the width direction of the casing so as to correspond to the shape of the air intake port. The method of claim 13,
The air supply duct is
The laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that inclined downward toward the outlet of the air supply duct. The method of claim 13,
The air supply duct is
The laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that the length in the width direction of the casing is longer than the length in the depth direction of the casing.

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