KR20240010843A - Laundry Treatment Apparatus and Control Method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

This application provides a drum that provides a space for receiving clothing; a circulation passage that re-supplies air discharged from the drum to the drum; A heat exchanger provided with a fan impeller for moving air along the circulation passage, a first heat exchanger for dehumidifying the air moving along the circulation passage, and a second heat exchanger for heating the air passing through the first heat exchanger; a storage unit where condensate discharged from the air passing through the first heat exchanger is collected; a first chamber that includes a drain unit that drains water from the storage unit, wherein the drain unit receives water from the storage unit through a chamber inlet and discharges water through a chamber drain port; a second chamber located above the first chamber; a chamber communication hole connecting the first chamber and the second chamber; a pump impeller rotatably provided inside the first chamber, located at a lower portion of the chamber communication hole, and moving water to the chamber drain; and an exhaust passage provided to connect the second chamber and the circulation passage, and guiding air inside the second chamber to the circulation passage when the fan impeller operates.

Description

Laundry Treatment Apparatus and Control Method for the same}

This application relates to a clothing processing device and a control method of the clothing processing device.

Clothing treatment equipment is a general term for devices that can wash washable items such as clothing (objects to be washed), dry items that can be dried (objects to be dried), and wash and dry items that require processing.

A conventional clothing processing device capable of drying includes a drum that provides a space for storing clothes, a circulation passage that guides the air discharged from the drum to the drum, a fan that moves air along the circulation passage, and a drum that flows into the circulation passage. It was a structure that included a heat exchange unit that sequentially dehumidified and heated the air.

The heat exchanger provided in the above-described structure is provided to include a first heat exchanger that cools the air inside the circulation passage, and a second heat exchanger that heats the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger. Since the air discharged from the drum is condensed as it passes through the first heat exchanger, a storage unit for collecting condensate is provided inside or outside the circulation passage. The condensed water stored in the storage unit was discharged to the outside of the clothing treatment device through a drain pump or was stored in a drain tank provided inside the clothing treatment device.

In order to collect condensate inside the circulation flow path, the storage part of a conventional clothing treatment device had to be provided inside the circulation flow path or provided as a chamber with a flow path connected to the circulation flow path (Publication No. KR10-2016-0059933). In the clothes handling apparatus of the above-described structure, when the fan inside the circulation passage operates, the pressure inside the storage unit can be lowered, and the pressure drop inside the storage unit causes external air to flow into the impeller housing constituting the drain pump (drainage pump). This caused the inflow of outside air through the passage connecting the pump and the drain tank. When outside air flows into the impeller housing, the water level inside the impeller housing decreases, making it difficult to drain all of the condensate inside the storage unit through the drain pump.

This application aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing treatment device and a control method that facilitates the discharge of condensate inside the storage unit.

In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing treatment device and a control method that can minimize the amount of residual water inside the storage unit where condensate is stored.

In addition, this application aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing treatment device equipped with a drainage unit with excellent drainage performance and a control method thereof.

In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing treatment device and a control method for easily recovering condensed water generated in the heat exchanger to the storage portion.

In addition, the present application aims to solve the problem of providing a clothing treatment device and a control method thereof that can increase the accuracy of the water level sensor that detects the water level inside the storage unit by minimizing the change in water level inside the storage unit.

This application provides a drum that provides a space for receiving clothing; a circulation passage that re-supplies air discharged from the drum to the drum; A heat exchanger provided with a fan impeller for moving air along the circulation passage, a first heat exchanger for dehumidifying the air moving along the circulation passage, and a second heat exchanger for heating the air passing through the first heat exchanger; a storage unit where condensate discharged from the air passing through the first heat exchanger is collected; It provides a clothing treatment device including a drainage unit that drains water from the storage unit.

The drain unit includes a first chamber capable of receiving water from the storage unit through a chamber inlet and discharging water through a chamber drain port; a second chamber located above the first chamber; a chamber communication hole connecting the first chamber and the second chamber; a pump impeller rotatably provided inside the first chamber, located at a lower portion of the chamber communication hole, and moving water to the chamber drain; and an exhaust passage provided to connect the second chamber and the circulation passage, and guiding the air inside the second chamber to the circulation passage when the fan impeller operates.

The circulation passage includes a first mounting part on which the first heat exchanger is mounted, a second mounting part on which the second heat exchanger is mounted, and a fan mounting part where the fan impeller is rotatably accommodated and into which air passing through the second heat exchanger is introduced; It includes, and the exhaust passage may be provided as a passage connecting the second chamber and the fan mounting unit.

The circulation flow path includes a first mounting part on which the first heat exchanger is mounted, a second mounting part on which the second heat exchanger is mounted, a fan mounting part on which the fan impeller is rotatably received, and a connection between the second mounting part and the fan mounting part. It may include a guide that is provided to guide air passing through the second heat exchanger to the rotation center of the fan impeller.

The exhaust flow path may be provided as a flow path connecting the second chamber and the guide, or a flow path connecting the second chamber and the fan mounting unit.

The drain unit includes a first body that forms an upper surface of the storage unit and is provided with a chamber communication hole; a first chamber forming tube provided on a lower surface of the first body to surround the chamber communication hole and forming a circumferential surface of the first chamber; A second chamber forming pipe is provided on the upper surface of the first body to surround the chamber communication hole to form a circumferential surface of the second chamber, and a pump motor for rotating the pump impeller is fixed to the open surface. and a second body provided to close the first chamber forming pipe, forming a bottom surface of the first chamber, and provided with the chamber inlet.

The chamber drain may be provided to penetrate the first chamber forming pipe, and the exhaust passage may be provided to connect the second chamber forming pipe and the circulation passage.

The laundry treatment device may further include a rotating shaft passing through the chamber communication hole and connecting the pump motor and the pump impeller.

The diameter of the rotation shaft may be set smaller than the diameter of the chamber communication hole so that the air in the first chamber flows into the second chamber through the chamber communication hole.

The exhaust passage includes an exhaust hole provided to pass through the first body; a connection passage connecting the exhaust hole and a chamber exhaust port penetrating the second chamber forming pipe; and an exhaust pipe connecting the exhaust hole and the guide, or connecting the exhaust hole and the fan mounting unit.

The clothing treatment device may further include a flow path drain that is provided to penetrate the bottom surface of the connection flow path and discharges water inside the connection flow path into the storage unit.

The clothing treatment device may further include a flow valve that controls opening and closing of the exhaust hole.

The exhaust flow path includes a connection hole provided in the guide or in the fan mounting portion; and a connection passage connecting the connection hole with a chamber exhaust port penetrating the second chamber forming pipe.

The clothing treatment device may further include a flow path drain that is provided to penetrate the bottom surface of the connection flow path and discharges water inside the connection flow path into the storage unit.

The laundry treatment device may further include a flow valve that controls opening and closing of the connection hole.

The clothing treatment device includes a duct drain hole that guides condensed water inside the circulation passage to the storage unit; and a protruding wall extending from either the first body or the second body toward the bottom surface of the storage unit, and having a free end so as not to contact the bottom surface of the storage unit.

The protruding wall may be provided to divide the inside of the storage unit into a space where the chamber inlet is located and a space where the duct drain hole is located when the water level inside the storage unit reaches a preset water level.

The clothing treatment device may further include a body penetration hole provided to penetrate the first body and connect the external space of the storage unit and the internal space of the storage unit.

This application provides a clothing treatment device that facilitates discharge of condensate inside the storage unit and a control method thereof.

In addition, the present application provides a clothing treatment device and a control method thereof that can minimize the amount of remaining water inside the storage unit where condensate water is stored.

In addition, the present application provides a clothing treatment device equipped with a drainage unit with excellent drainage performance and a control method thereof.

In addition, the present application provides a clothing treatment device and a control method that facilitates recovery of condensed water generated in the heat exchanger to the storage portion.

In addition, the present application provides a clothing treatment device and a control method thereof that can increase the accuracy of a water level sensor that detects the water level inside the storage section by minimizing changes in the water level inside the storage section.

Figures 1 and 2 show an example of a clothing treatment device.
Figure 3 shows an example of a circulation passage and a heat exchange unit.
Figure 4 shows an example of a storage unit and a drain unit.
Figure 5 shows an example of a drain tank and a washing unit.
Figures 6, 7, and 8 show the connection structure of the flow control unit and the drain unit.
Figures 9 and 10 show an example of a drain unit.
Figures 11, 12, and 13 show other embodiments of the drain unit.
Figures 14 and 15 show an example of a drain unit equipped with a flow path valve, a protruding wall, and a body through hole.
Figure 16 shows an example of a control method for a clothing treatment device.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the clothing treatment device and its control method will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the clothing treatment device 100 is provided inside a cabinet 1 and includes a receiving portion 17 that provides a space to accommodate processing objects (clothing, etc.), and discharges from the receiving portion 17. It may be provided to include a circulation passage (2) for re-supplying the circulated air to the drum, and a heat exchanger (3) for exchanging heat with the air flowing into the circulation passage (2).

The cabinet 1 has a front surface 11 located in front of the laundry treatment device, a rear side 12 located behind the laundry treatment device, and a base 13 that forms the bottom of the laundry treatment device. It may be provided to include.

The front surface 11 is provided with a cabinet inlet 111 for entering and exiting clothing, and the cabinet inlet 111 is provided to be closed by a door 115 rotatably fixed to the front surface 11. You can.

As shown in FIG. 2, a control panel may be provided on the front surface 11. The control panel may be provided to include a display unit 114 that displays control commands selectable by the user and an input unit 113 that allows the user to select control commands displayed on the display unit 114.

The receiving portion 17 may be provided as a drum rotatably provided inside the cabinet 1. The drum 17 may be provided as a cylindrical drum body 171 with open front and rear surfaces, respectively.

In order to rotatably support the drum body 171, the cabinet 1 includes a front panel 14 that rotatably supports the front surface of the drum body 171, and a front panel 14 that rotatably supports the drum body 171. It may be provided to include a rear panel 15 that rotatably supports the rear surface.

The front panel 14 includes a front panel body 141 fixed to the front surface 11 or the cabinet 1, a drum inlet 142 provided to penetrate the front panel body, and the drum body 171. ) It may be provided to include a drum exhaust hole 143 that discharges the internal air into the circulation passage 2.

The drum inlet 142 may be connected to the cabinet inlet 111. Therefore, when the door 115 opens the cabinet inlet 111, the user inserts clothing into the drum body 171 through the cabinet inlet 111 and the drum inlet 142, or the drum body ( Clothing can be withdrawn from 171).

To filter air discharged from the drum body 171, a filter detachably fixed to the front panel body 141 may be provided in the drum exhaust hole 143.

The rear panel 15 includes a rear panel body 151 fixed to the rear surface 12 or the cabinet 1, and a drum supply hole 152 provided to penetrate the rear panel body 151. It may be provided to do so.

The drum body 171 can be rotated by the driving unit 18 provided inside the cabinet 1. The driving unit 18 may be provided with a drum motor 181 and a belt 182 connecting the rotation axis of the drum motor and the circumferential surface of the drum body 171.

In order to agitate the clothes inside the drum body 171, a lifter 172 may be further provided inside the drum body 171. The lifter 172 may be provided as a board protruding from the circumferential surface of the drum body 171 toward the center of rotation of the drum body.

The circulation passage 2 includes a first duct 21 connected to the drum exhaust hole 143, a second duct 22 connected to the drum supply hole 152, and a connection between the first duct and the second duct. It may be provided to include a third duct (23, connection duct). The connection duct 23 may be provided to be fixed to the base 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, the heat exchange unit 3 includes a fan 36 that moves air along the circulation passage 2, and a heat that sequentially dehumidifies and heats the air moving along the circulation passage. It may be provided to include pumps 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35.

The fan 36 includes a fan impeller 361 located inside the circulation passage 2, and a fan motor 362 located outside the circulation passage 2 to rotate the fan impeller 361. It may be provided to do so.

The heat pump includes a refrigerant pipe 33 that forms a passage through which the refrigerant circulates, a compressor 34 that causes the refrigerant to move along the refrigerant pipe 33, and a connection duct 23 fixed to the refrigerant pipe 33. ), a first heat exchanger (31) that transfers the heat of the air flowing into the refrigerant to the refrigerant, and a second heat exchanger that is fixed to the refrigerant pipe (33) and transfers the heat of the refrigerant to the air that passed through the first heat exchanger (31). It may be provided to include a heat exchanger 32 and a control valve 35 for controlling the pressure of the refrigerant.

The connection duct 23 may be provided to include a duct body 231 fixed to the base 13 and a duct cover 232 forming an upper surface of the duct body. As shown in FIG. 4, the duct body 231 includes a first mounting portion 233 on which the first heat exchanger 31 is mounted, and a second mounting portion 234 on which the second heat exchanger 32 is mounted. , and a third mounting part 235 (fan mounting part) in which the fan impeller 361 is rotatably accommodated.

The second mounting part 234 and the third mounting part 235 are connected to the connecting duct 23 so that the air passing through the second heat exchanger 32 can move to the center of the fan impeller 361. A guide 236 may be further provided.

The air flowing into the connection duct 23 is condensed while passing through the first heat exchanger 31, is heated while passing through the second heat exchanger 32, and is connected to the second duct 22 and the drum supply hole. It moves to the drum body 171 through (152).

The base 13 may be provided with a storage part 61 (first water collection part) in which condensed water generated when the air passing through the first heat exchanger 31 is condensed is stored. Figure 4 shows an example where the storage unit 61 is located outside the connection duct 23. In this case, the storage unit 61 and the connection duct 23 are connected to the duct drain hole 239. It can be provided to be connected to each other through.

The bottom surface of the storage unit 61 is so that the condensed water falling from the first heat exchanger 31 to the bottom surface of the first mounting part 233 is naturally drained into the storage part 61. 233) may be provided to be located at a lower point than the floor surface.

In addition, to prevent the condensed water from contacting the first heat exchanger 31 and the second heat exchanger 32 and to facilitate the discharge of the condensed water inside the first mounting part 233 to the storage part 61. , the connection duct 23 may be provided with a support part.

As shown in FIG. 3, the support part includes a support plate 237 that supports the bottom surface of the first heat exchanger 31 and the bottom surface of the second heat exchanger 32, and connects the support plate 237. It may be provided to include a separation plate 2371 positioned at a certain height from the bottom surface of the duct 23, and a support plate through hole 238 provided to penetrate the support plate 237 to provide a flow path through which condensate water passes. there is.

As shown in FIG. 2, the condensed water stored in the storage unit 61 may be discharged to the drain tank 62 (second water collection unit) through the drain unit 7. The drain tank 62 may be located at a higher point than the storage unit 61.

As shown in FIG. 5, the drain tank 62 is provided to be withdrawable from the cabinet 1 and includes a drawer 621 that provides a space for storing condensed water, and an upper surface of the drawer 621. It may be provided to include a drawer through hole 622 provided to penetrate.

The front surface 11 is provided with an outlet 112 for entering and exiting the drawer 621, and a tank housing 16 providing a space for receiving the drawer 621 inside the cabinet 1. This can be provided.

Condensate discharged from the storage unit 61 through the drain unit 7 moves to the tank housing 16 through the tank water supply pipe 928, and condensate discharged from the tank water supply pipe 928 flows to the drawer. It can move into the interior of the drawer 621 through the through hole 622. A detailed description of the process by which condensed water moves from the storage unit 61 to the drain tank 62 will be described later.

The laundry treatment device 100 may further be provided with a washing unit 5 that cleans the first heat exchanger 31 by spraying condensed water stored in the storage unit 61.

The washing unit 5 may be fixed to the duct cover 232 and may be provided with a plurality of nozzles that spray water into the first heat exchanger 31. Figure 5 shows an example where the cleaning unit 5 is provided with a first nozzle 51, a second nozzle 52, and a third nozzle 53, where the three nozzles are connected to the duct cover. It may be arranged along the width direction (X-axis direction) of (232).

The condensed water stored in the storage unit 61 may be supplied to the washing unit 5 through the flow control unit 9 or may be supplied to the drain tank 62.

As shown in FIG. 6, the flow control unit 9 is provided to include a housing 91 and a cover 92. Either the housing 91 or the cover 92 may be fixed to the upper surface (duct cover, 232) of the connection duct 23.

The housing 91 and the cover 92 are combined with each other to form a space 95 in which water (condensate) supplied from the drain unit 7 is stored. The housing 91 is provided with a housing supply port 911, and the drain unit 7 may be connected to the housing supply port 911 through a drain pipe 717.

The cover 92 is provided with supply ports 921, 922, and 923 for discharging water inside the flow control unit 9 to the outside. As described above, when the cleaning unit 5 is provided with three nozzles 51, 52, and 53, the supply ports are a first nozzle supply port 921, a second nozzle supply port 922, and a third nozzle supply port 921. It may be provided to include a nozzle supply port 923.

The first nozzle supply port 921 is connected to the first nozzle 51 through a first water supply pipe 925, and the second nozzle supply port 922 is connected to the second water supply pipe 926. It is connected to the nozzle 52, and the third nozzle supply port 923 may be connected to the third nozzle 53 through a third water supply pipe 927.

Additionally, the cover 92 may be provided with a tank supply port 924 that guides the water inside the flow control unit 9 to the drain tank 62. The tank water supply pipe 928 mentioned above is provided to connect the tank supply port 924 and the tank housing 16.

In order to control the opening and closing of the above-described supply ports 921, 922, 923, and 924, the flow control unit 9 may be provided with a valve 93 and a valve motor 94 that controls the operation of the valve.

The valve 93 is a disk 931 that separates the internal space 95 of the flow control unit into a space where the supply ports 921, 922, 923, and 924 are located and a space where the housing supply port 911 is located. valve body), and a through hole 932 provided to penetrate the disk.

The disk 931 may be fixed to the valve body rotation shaft 941 provided to penetrate the housing 91. Accordingly, when the valve body rotation shaft 941 rotates by the valve motor 94, the position of the through hole 932 provided in the disk 931 will change.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first nozzle supply port 921, the second nozzle supply port 922, the third nozzle supply port 923, and the tank supply port 924 are connected to the valve motor. It is disposed on the rotation path of the through hole 932 by (94). Therefore, by controlling the position of the through hole 932 through the valve motor 94, it is possible to open only the desired supply port among the four supply ports.

For example, with reference to FIG. 8, when the drain unit 7 operates, condensed water inside the storage unit 61 is supplied to the flow control unit 9 through the drain pipe 717. In this situation, when the through hole 932 opens any one of the three nozzle supply ports 921, 922, and 923, the condensate inside the flow control unit 9 flows through the nozzle connected to the open supply port. It will be sprayed into the first heat exchanger (31). Therefore, the clothing treatment device 100 is capable of hygienic management of the first heat exchanger.

Meanwhile, when the through hole 932 opens the tank supply port 924 while the drain unit 7 is operating, the condensed water in the storage unit 61 is discharged through the tank water supply pipe 928. You will move to tank 62. As shown in Figure 5, the tank housing 16 is connected to the storage unit 61 through a return pipe 718. Accordingly, the condensed water overflowing from the drain tank 62 can be recovered to the storage unit 61 through the return pipe 718.

As shown in FIG. 9, the drain unit 7 is a first chamber C1 that receives water from the storage unit 61 through the chamber inlet 722 and discharges condensed water through the chamber drain 713. , a second chamber (C2) located above the first chamber, a chamber communication hole 715 connecting the first chamber and the second chamber, and condensate flowing into the first chamber (C1). It may be provided to include a pump 74 that moves it to the chamber drain 713.

The pump 74 includes a pump impeller 741 rotatably provided inside the first chamber C1, a rotation shaft 743 inserted into the chamber communication hole 715 and connected to the pump impeller, and the rotation shaft 743. ) may be provided to include a pump motor 742 that operates.

The pump impeller 741 is provided to be located between the chamber inlet 722 and the chamber communication hole 715, and the diameter of the chamber communication hole 715 is set to be larger than the diameter of the rotation shaft 743. desirable. The pump motor 742 may be provided to form one surface of the second chamber (C2). Figure 9 shows a case where the pump motor 742 is provided to form the upper surface of the second chamber (C2). is shown as an example.

As described above, since the storage unit 61 is connected to the connection duct 23 through the duct drain hole 239, the pressure of the storage unit 61 increases when the fan 36 operates. It can be lowered. A decrease in pressure inside the storage unit 61 causes external air to flow into the first chamber C1 through the drain pipe 717 or the return pipe 718.

When external air flows into the first chamber (C1), the water level inside the first chamber (C1) may be lowered, and in this case, the amount of condensate that can be drained by the pump impeller 741 is reduced, the storage unit ( 61) A problem may arise where a large amount of condensate remains. Additionally, if the clothing treatment device is equipped with a sensor for detecting the water level of the storage unit 61, a problem may occur in which the sensor does not accurately measure the water level of the storage unit 61. The above-mentioned problem can be solved by stopping the operation of the fan 36 before the operation of the pump 74, but this has the disadvantage of causing an increase in drying time.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the laundry treatment device 100 is provided to connect the second chamber C2 to the circulation passage 2, so that when the fan 36 operates, the second chamber C2 ) An exhaust passage 73 is provided to guide the internal air to the circulation passage 2.

When the second chamber (C2) is connected to the circulation passage (2), the outside air flowing into the first chamber (C1) when the fan (36) operates is transmitted to the second chamber (C1) through the chamber communication hole (715). moves to the chamber C2, and the air in the second chamber C2 moves to the circulation passage 2 through the exhaust passage 73. That is, the clothing treatment device 100 provided with the exhaust passage 73 can prevent the water level in the first chamber C1 from lowering when the fan 36 operates. Therefore, the clothing treatment device 100 equipped with the exhaust passage 73 has the problem that the drainage performance of the pump 74 is reduced when the fan 36 is operated, and a large amount of condensate is stored in the storage unit 61. Residual problems can be minimized.

In addition, in the case of the clothing treatment device 100 equipped with a sensing unit 8 for detecting the water level of the storage unit 61, the exhaust passage 73 is capable of minimizing measurement error of the sensing unit 8. It will also have an effect.

Figure 9 shows an example where the sensing unit 8 is provided with a first electrode 81 and a second electrode 82. When the two electrodes (81, 82) are connected by the condensate flowing into the storage unit (61), current will flow in the circuit including the two electrodes, so the two electrodes (81, 82) are adjusted according to the water level desired to be measured. By adjusting the length, the control unit (not shown) will be able to determine the water level inside the storage unit 61.

The exhaust passage 73 may be provided to connect the second chamber (C2) to the third mounting portion (235, fan mounting portion), and may be provided to connect the second chamber (C2) to the guide 236. It may be possible. FIG. 8 shows an example where the exhaust passage 73 is provided to connect the second chamber C2 and the guide 236.

Figure 10 shows an example of the drain unit 7 capable of implementing the above-described function. The drain unit 7 according to this embodiment is fixed to the base 13 and covers the upper surface of the storage unit 61. It may be provided to include a first body 71 forming a first body 71 and a second body 72 fixed to the first body.

The first body 71 is provided with the chamber communication hole 715, and the lower surface of the first body 71 is provided to surround the chamber communication hole 715 to form the first chamber C1. A first chamber forming pipe 711 forming the circumferential surface is provided, and the upper surface of the first body 71 is provided to surround the chamber communication hole 715 to form a circumferential surface of the second chamber C2. A second chamber forming pipe 712 may be provided. In this case, the surface of the first body 71 formed inside the second chamber forming tube 712 will become a partition 716 that separates the two chambers C1 and C2.

The second chamber forming tube 712 may be provided in a cylindrical shape with an open upper surface, and the pump motor 742 is fixed to the second chamber forming tube 712 to form the second chamber C2. It may be provided to form an upper surface.

The first chamber forming tube 711 may be provided in a cylindrical shape with an open bottom, and the second body 72 may be provided to close the open surface of the first chamber forming tube 711. .

The first body 71 has a drain hole 717a that supplies condensed water to the flow control unit 9 through the drain pipe 717, and a drain hole 717a that supplies condensed water to the drain tank 62 through the return pipe 718. A recovery hole 718a is provided through which condensed water flows into the storage unit 61.

The second body 72 has a chamber cover 721 that is fixed to the first body 71 and closes the open surface of the first chamber forming tube 711, and is provided on the circumferential surface of the chamber cover 721. It may be provided to include a drain guide 723 that guides the condensed water discharged from the chamber drain 713 to the drain hole 717a. The chamber inlet 722 may be provided as a hole penetrating the chamber cover 721.

A chamber exhaust port 714 is provided on the circumferential surface of the second chamber forming pipe 712 for discharging the air inside the second chamber C2 to the outside. The exhaust passage 73 is connected to the chamber exhaust port 714. It may be provided to guide the air discharged to the circulation passage (2).

As shown in FIG. 9, the exhaust passage 73 has an exhaust hole 731 provided to penetrate the first body 71, and a connection connecting the chamber exhaust port 714 and the exhaust hole 731. It may be provided to include a passage 733 and an exhaust pipe 732 connecting the exhaust hole 731 and the circulation passage 2. As previously described, the exhaust pipe 732 is provided with a hose that connects the exhaust hole 731 and the guide 236 of the connection duct, or connects the exhaust hole 731 and the third mounting portion 235. It can be.

The connection passage 733 may be provided in various structures as long as it can implement the above-described function. Figure 10 shows an example where the connection passage 733 is provided on the circumferential surface of the chamber cover 721. It was done. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the connection passage 733 may be provided in the chamber cover 721 and may be provided as a passage connecting the chamber exhaust port 714 and the exhaust hole 731.

Since there is a possibility that the condensate in the first chamber (C1) flows into the connection passage 733, the bottom surface of the connection passage 733 contains the condensate water flowing into the connection passage 733 into the storage unit 61. ) may be further provided with a flow path drain 734 that guides to.

Figure 11 shows another embodiment of the drain part 7. The drain part 7 of this embodiment is different from the drain part 7 of Figure 10 in the structure of the exhaust passage 73. That is, the exhaust passage 73 provided in this embodiment directly connects the second chamber C2 and the connection duct 23 through the connection passage 737, so that the exhaust passage 73 is connected to the second chamber through the exhaust pipe 732. It is distinguished from the exhaust passage 73 of FIG. 10 connecting (C2) and the connection duct 23.

As shown in FIG. 12, the drain unit 7 provided in this embodiment may also be provided with a first body 71 and a second body 72.

The lower surface of the first body 71 (one surface of the first body facing the storage unit) is provided with a first chamber forming pipe 711 that forms the circumferential surface of the first chamber C1, and the first body ( A second chamber forming pipe 712 forming the circumferential surface of the second chamber C2 is provided on the upper surface of 71).

The inner space of the first chamber forming pipe 711 and the inner space of the second chamber forming pipe 712 are connected to each other through the chamber communication hole 715, and the bottom surface of the first chamber forming pipe 711 is It may be closed by the second body 72, and the upper surface of the second chamber forming pipe 712 may be closed by the pump motor 742. The chamber drain port 713 may be provided on the circumferential surface of the first chamber forming tube 711, and the chamber exhaust port 714 may be provided on the circumferential surface of the second chamber forming tube 712.

Like the embodiment of FIG. 10, the first body 71 has a drain hole 717a that guides condensed water in the storage unit 61 to the flow control unit 9 and condensate flowing back from the drain tank 62. A recovery hole (718a) is provided through which water flows into the storage unit (61).

In addition, the second body 72 includes a chamber cover 721 that closes the open surface of the first chamber forming pipe 711 to form the first chamber C1, and a chamber cover 721 that penetrates the chamber cover 721. A chamber inlet 722 is provided, and a drain guide 723 is fixed to the chamber cover and guides condensed water discharged from the chamber drain 713 to the drain hole 717a.

As shown in FIG. 11, the exhaust passage 73 provided in this embodiment is a connection passage 737 connecting the connection hole 736 provided in the connection duct 23 and the second chamber C2. It can be provided with . The connection hole 736 may be provided as a hole penetrating the guide 236 or the third mounting portion 235.

If the connection passage 737 is provided to directly connect the second chamber C2 and the connection duct 23, the exhaust hole 731 and the exhaust pipe 732 of FIG. 10 can be omitted. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a flow path drain 738 may be further provided on the bottom of the connection flow path 737 to discharge condensate flowing into the connection flow path 737.

14 and 15 show another embodiment of the above-described drain unit 7, and are characterized in that flow valves 735 and 739 are provided in the exhaust passage 73.

The embodiment of FIG. 14 is characterized in that it is provided with a flow path valve 735 that is provided in the drain part 7 of FIG. 10 to open and close the drain hole 717a, and the embodiment of FIG. 15 is provided in the drain part 7 of FIG. 12. It is characterized by a flow valve 739 that opens and closes the connection hole 736.

When the heat exchanger (3) is operated, a portion of the air passing through the second heat exchanger (32) flows into the storage portion (61) and the drain portion (7) provided with the above-described connection passages (733, 737). It may be a flow path that moves to the drum 17 via the exhaust flow path 73. This may result in some of the air passing through the second heat exchanger 32 exchanging heat with the condensed water in the storage unit 61 (deterioration of drying performance and increase of drying time). The flow path valve 735 that controls the opening and closing of the exhaust hole 731 or the flow path valve 739 that controls the opening and closing of the connection hole 736 can prevent the above-mentioned problems.

That is, the exhaust hole 731 and the connection hole 736 are opened only when the water level of the storage unit 61 reaches a preset reference water level (so that the connection passage is opened only when the storage unit needs to be drained), If the control unit (not shown) controls the flow valves 735 and 739, the problems of the above-mentioned deterioration of drying performance or increase in drying time can be minimized.

When the water level inside the storage unit 61 reaches a preset water level in the drain unit 7, the inside of the storage unit 61 is divided into a space where the chamber inlet 722 is located and the duct drain hole 239. A protruding wall 74 dividing this space may be further provided.

As long as the above-described function can be implemented, the protruding wall 74 can be provided anywhere between the first body 71 and the second body 72. Figures 14 and 15 show that the protruding wall 74 is An example is shown in which a board is provided protruding from the bottom surface of the first body 71 toward the bottom surface of the storage unit 61. The free end of the protruding wall 74 must be provided so as not to contact the bottom surface of the storage portion 61.

When the fan impeller 361 rotates, the pressure change inside the circulation passage 2 causes a pressure change inside the storage part 61, and the pressure change inside the storage part 61 causes the storage part 61. ) may cause sloshing in the condensate. Changes in the water level of the storage unit 61 may cause a decrease in the accuracy of the water level measured by the sensing unit 8, and the protruding wall 74 minimizes the sloshing of condensate in the storage unit 61. The problem of lowering the accuracy of the detection unit 8 can be minimized.

Furthermore, the first body 71 may be further provided with a body through hole 75 that supplies external air to the storage unit 61. Figures 14 and 15 show an example where the body through hole 75 is provided to supply air inside the cabinet 1 to the storage unit 61.

When the air in the first chamber (C1) moves to the circulation passage (2) through the connection passages (733, 737) (when the pressure inside the first chamber is lowered), it flows through the body through hole (75). When outside air is supplied, the water level inside the first chamber C1 can be further raised. Accordingly, the drain unit 7 provided with the body through hole 75 will be able to drain condensed water from the storage unit 61 more effectively.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a control method of the laundry treatment device 100 equipped with the drain unit 7 of FIGS. 14 and 15.

As shown in FIG. 16, the control method of the clothing treatment device includes a drying step (S10) and a draining step (S20). The drying step (S10) is a step of sequentially dehumidifying and heating the air discharged from the drum body 171 and then resupplying the air to the drum body 171. The drying step (S10) is performed through the heat exchange unit 3, and the drum body 171 is preferably controlled to rotate when the drying step (S10) is performed.

The draining step (S20) is a step of draining condensed water from the storage unit 61. In the case of a clothing treatment device equipped with the flow path control unit 9, the draining step (S20) will be a step of moving the condensed water in the storage unit 61 to the flow path control part 9. In this case, the condensed water in the storage unit 61 may be supplied to the cleaning unit 5 by the flow control unit 9 (first heat exchanger cleaning) or may be supplied to the drain tank 62. .

In the drying step (S10), the fan impeller 761 rotates at a preset first rotation speed, the flow valves 735 and 739 are controlled to close the connection channels 733 and 737, and the pump impeller (741) doesn't work.

The draining step (S20) may be started when the water level of the storage unit 61 measured by the sensing unit 8 reaches the reference water level. In the drain step (S20), the fan impeller 361 rotates at a second rotation speed set higher than the first rotation speed, and the flow valves 735 and 739 open the connection passages 733 and 737. controlled, and the pump impeller 741 can be controlled to rotate.

When the rotation speed of the fan impeller 361 increases, the water level inside the first chamber (C1) may temporarily increase, so through the above-described control method, the laundry treatment device 100 controls the storage unit 61. Not only can condensate be drained in a short time, but it will also be possible to minimize the amount of condensate remaining in the storage unit 61.

Meanwhile, in the draining step (S20), the operation end time of the fan impeller 361 may be set to be the same as the operation end time of the pump impeller 741, or may be earlier than the operation end time of the pump impeller 741. It may be arranged to end at a certain point. Figure 16 shows the latter case. The flow valves 735 and 739 may be controlled to close the connection channels 733 and 737 when the rotation of the pump impeller 741 ends.

While the fan impeller 361 rotates, it takes a relatively long time for the condensed water remaining on the surface of the first heat exchanger 31 to fall to the bottom of the connecting duct 23, as shown in FIG. 16. Likewise, if the rotation of the fan impeller 361 is terminated first (if the pump impeller rotates for a certain period of time after the rotation of the fan impeller ends), the condensate remaining in the first heat exchanger 31 is stored in the storage unit 61. It has the effect of being easy to recover.

When the fan impeller 361 rotates at the second rotation speed, condensed water in the storage unit 61 may flow into the connection passages 732 and 737, but the connection passages do not have the passage drains 734 and 738. is provided, so that condensate can be prevented from flowing back into the circulation passage (2).

In addition, when the fan impeller 361 rotates at the second rotation speed, the change in water level in the storage part 61 may increase, but since the above-mentioned protruding wall 74 is provided in the drain part 7 Therefore, it is possible to minimize the problem of lowering the accuracy of the detection unit 8.

Since the structure and control method of the above-described clothing treatment device are described as an example of the present application, the scope of rights of the present application is not limited to the above-described structure and control method.

100: Clothing processing device 1: Cabinet 111: Cabinet inlet
112: outlet 115: door 14: front panel
141: Front panel body 142: Drum inlet 143: Drum exhaust hole
15: Rear panel 151: Rear panel body 152: Drum supply hole
16: tank housing 17: drum 171: drum body
18: Drive unit 2: Circulation passage 21: First duct
22: second duct 23: connection duct 231: duct body
232: Duct cover 233: First mounting portion 234: Second mounting portion
235: Third mounting portion 236: Guide 237: Support plate
239: Duct drain hole 3: Heat exchanger 31: First heat exchanger
32: second heat exchanger 36: fan 361: fan impeller
5: Washing unit 61: Storage unit 62: Drainage tank
7: Drainage part C1: First chamber C2: Second chamber
71: first body 711: first chamber forming pipe 713: chamber drain
712: Second chamber forming pipe 714: Chamber exhaust port 715: Chamber communication hole
717a: drain hole 717: drain pipe 718a: recovery hole
718: Recovery pipe 72: Second body 721: Chamber cover
722: Chamber inlet 723: Drainage guide 73: Exhaust flow path
731: exhaust hole 732: exhaust pipe 733: connection passage
734: Euro drain 735: Euro valve 736: Connection hole
74: Protruding wall 75: Body through hole 8: Sensing unit
9: Flow control unit 91: Housing 911: Housing supply port
92: Cover 921: First nozzle supply port 925: First water supply pipe
922: Second nozzle supply port 926: Second water supply pipe 923: Third nozzle supply port
927: Third water supply pipe 924: Tank supply port 928: Tank water supply pipe
93: valve 931: valve body 932: through hole
94: Valve motor

Claims (13)

a drum that provides space to accommodate clothing;
a circulation passage that re-supplies air discharged from the drum to the drum;
A heat exchanger provided with a fan impeller for moving air along the circulation passage, a first heat exchanger for dehumidifying the air moving along the circulation passage, and a second heat exchanger for heating the air passing through the first heat exchanger;
a storage unit where condensate discharged from the air passing through the first heat exchanger is collected;
It includes a drain unit that drains water from the storage unit,
The drainage part
a first chamber capable of receiving water from the storage unit through a chamber inlet and discharging water through a chamber drain;
a second chamber located above the first chamber;
a chamber communication hole connecting the first chamber and the second chamber;
a pump impeller rotatably provided inside the first chamber, located at a lower portion of the chamber communication hole, and moving water to the chamber drain; and
An exhaust passage is provided to connect the second chamber and the circulation passage, and guides air inside the second chamber to the circulation passage when the fan impeller operates. According to paragraph 1,
The circulation passage includes a first mounting part on which the first heat exchanger is mounted, a second mounting part on which the second heat exchanger is mounted, and a fan mounting part where the fan impeller is rotatably accommodated and into which air passing through the second heat exchanger is introduced; Including,
The clothing treatment device, characterized in that the exhaust flow path is provided as a flow path connecting the second chamber and the fan mounting unit. According to paragraph 1,
The circulation flow path includes a first mounting part on which the first heat exchanger is mounted, a second mounting part on which the second heat exchanger is mounted, a fan mounting part on which the fan impeller is rotatably received, and a connection between the second mounting part and the fan mounting part. A guide is provided to guide the air passing through the second heat exchanger to the rotation center of the fan impeller,
The clothing treatment device, characterized in that the exhaust flow path is provided as a flow path connecting the second chamber and the guide, or a flow path connecting the second chamber and the fan mounting unit. According to paragraph 3,
The drainage part
a first body forming an upper surface of the storage unit and having the chamber communication hole;
a first chamber forming tube provided on a lower surface of the first body to surround the chamber communication hole and forming a circumferential surface of the first chamber;
A second chamber forming pipe is provided on the upper surface of the first body to surround the chamber communication hole to form a circumferential surface of the second chamber, and a pump motor for rotating the pump impeller is fixed to the open surface. and
A second body is provided to close the first chamber forming pipe, forms a bottom surface of the first chamber, and is provided with an inlet to the chamber,
Wherein the chamber drain is provided to pass through the first chamber forming pipe, and the exhaust passage is provided to connect the second chamber forming pipe and the circulation passage. According to clause 4,
It further includes a rotating shaft passing through the chamber communication hole and connecting the pump motor and the pump impeller,
A laundry treatment device, wherein the diameter of the rotation shaft is set smaller than the diameter of the chamber communication hole so that the air in the first chamber flows into the second chamber through the chamber communication hole. According to clause 4,
The exhaust flow path is
an exhaust hole provided to penetrate the first body;
a connection passage connecting the exhaust hole and a chamber exhaust port penetrating the second chamber forming pipe; and
A clothing treatment device comprising: an exhaust pipe connecting the exhaust hole and the guide, or connecting the exhaust hole and the fan mounting unit. According to clause 6,
A clothing treatment device further comprising a flow path drain provided to penetrate the bottom surface of the connection flow path and discharging water inside the connection flow path to the storage unit. According to clause 6,
A clothing treatment device further comprising a flow valve that controls opening and closing of the exhaust hole. According to clause 4,
The exhaust flow path is
a connection hole provided in the guide or in the fan mounting part; and
A clothing treatment device comprising a connection passage connecting the connection hole and a chamber exhaust port penetrating the second chamber forming pipe. According to clause 9,
A clothing treatment device further comprising a flow path drain provided to penetrate the bottom surface of the connection flow path and discharging water inside the connection flow path to the storage unit. According to clause 9,
A clothing treatment device further comprising a flow valve that controls opening and closing of the connection hole. According to clause 4,
a duct drain hole that guides condensed water inside the circulation passage to the storage unit; and
It further includes a protruding wall extending from either the first body or the second body toward the bottom surface of the storage unit, the free end of which is provided so as not to contact the bottom surface of the storage unit,
The protruding wall divides the inside of the storage unit into a space where the chamber inlet is located and a space where the duct drain hole is located when the water level inside the storage unit reaches a preset water level. According to clause 4,
A body through hole provided to penetrate the first body and connect the external space of the storage unit and the internal space of the storage unit.

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