WO2009020329A2

WO2009020329A2 - Clothes treating apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2009020329A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/004522
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jung Wook Moon; Dae Yun Park; Sog Kie Hong; Jong Seok Kim; Seung Gyu Ryu; Kwang Hee Lee; Hye Yong Park; Chang Gyu Choi; Dong Won Kim
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2007-08-03
Filing date: 2008-08-04
Publication date: 2009-02-12
Also published as: US20090255141A1; WO2009020329A3; CN102016160B; US8522450B2; CN102016160A; AU2008284514B2; AU2008284514A1

Abstract

A clothes-treating apparatus is disclosed. According to the present invention, Aooording to the clothes treating apparatus, it is easy and convenient for a worker to have access to components provided in a mechanism compartment for the maintenance of the components. In addition, the worker may choose a method of having access to the components provided in the mechanism compartment and as a result the maintenance cost of the clothes treating apparatus may be lower. Furthermore, it is easy for a worker to mount the mechanism compartment and it is possible to reduce the assembly time of the clothes treating apparatus. In addition, according to the clothes treating apparatus, an assembly line of the mechanism compartment may be separable from an assembly line of the clothes treating apparatus, which enhances work efficiency.

Description

CLOTHES TREATING APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a clothes-treating apparatus and a controlling method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a clothes-treating apparatus of which components can be maintained and repaired easily. Background Art

[2] A clothes-treating apparatus refers to an apparatus which treats clothes placed in an accommodating space provided in a cabinet. Here, the term 'treat' means predetermined processes, for example, ventilating air to the clothes, supplying steam or hot air to the clothes to remove bad smell, wrinkles and humidity that remain on the clothes. As a result, a user can feel pleasant when putting on the clothes.

[3] Specifically, when putting on a piece of clothes more than once, unpleasant smell, humidity and the like may remain on the clothes and this may give an unpleasant feeling to a user who tries to put on the piece again. To remove them, the piece might be washed but the quite often washing of the clothes happens to lead to short usage life of the clothes as well as the high cost required to maintain the cleaning of the clothes.

[4] In addition, even after washing and drying the clothes, wrinkles may remain. It is inconvenient of the user to perform additional chores like ironing and variations of it and not to put on the clothes immediately.

[5] To solve these problems, a clothes-treating apparatus may be used to remove unpleasant smell, wrinkles and humidity which remain on clothes.

[6] According to the clothes-treating apparatus, moisture is supplied to clothes placed in an accommodating space to remove the unpleasant smell, wrinkles and humidity and air, including dry and hot air, is supplied to the clothes having much moisture because of sprayed steam to dry the clothes.

[7] It may be effective only to expose the clothes to air or hot air when removing the unpleasant smell, wrinkles and humidity. The moisture may be supplied to the clothes to enhance the effect of the removal noticeably.

[8] If moisture is supplied to the clothes placed in the clothes-treating apparatus, minute water elements are united with unpleasant smell elements remaining on fabric texture of the clothes and then the water elements united with the smell elements may separate from the clothes during a drying process, only to be discharged outside. In sich the process, the unpleasant smell remaining on the clothes may be removed. [9] According to the above process, unpleasant smell, wrinkles and humidity remaining on the clothes may be removed and the user may put on the clothes with a pleasant feeling.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] Typically, the conventional clothes-treating apparatus is configured of a cabinet that has an accommodating space for clothes. The accommodating space is formed in an upper portion of the cabinet and a mechanism compartment is positioned. In the mechanism compartment, a moisture supply device supplying moisture to the accommodating space and an air supply device ventilating air into the accommodating space.

[11] In case of maintain and repairing the components provided in the mechanism compartment, a lower surface or a rear surface of the cabinet is opened for a worker to have access to the components provided in the mechanism compartment. However, it is inefficient to disassemble whole parts of a clothes-treating apparatus to maintain and repair the inner components of the mechanism compartment.

[12] Since large portion of the inner space of the cabinet is configured of the accommodating space, a more efficient method of the access to the mechanism compartment positioned under the accommodating space is required. And this convenience of maintenance may result in convenience of assembly of a clothes- treating apparatus. Technical Solution

[13] To solve the problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a clothes- treating apparatus of which inner components of a mechanism compartment is easy to perform its maintenance and to improve work efficiency.

[14] To achieve this object and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a clothes treating apparatus includes a cabinet having an accommodating space where clothes are placed; and a mechanism compartment separated from the accommodating space by a partition, the mechanism compartment comprising a moisture supply device supplying moisture to the accommodating space and an air supply device supplying dry or heated air to the accommodating space. An opening may be formed at a side surface of the mechanism compartment or the partition for an inside of the mechanism compartment to be exposed, and a module including at least one of the moisture supply device and the air supply device may be separable via the opening.

[15] The module may include predetermined or all components provided in the mechanism compartment.

[16] The mechanism compartment where the module is installed may be provided in a lower portion of the cabinet.

[17] The opening may be provided at a rear surface of the mechanism compartment.

[18] The clothes treating apparatus may further include a cover selectively closing the opening.

[19] The cover may be hinge-secured.

[20] The module may be separated from the mechanism compartment, with being mounted on the base plate.

[21] The opening may be formed at a side surface of the mechanism compartment and a guide member may be installed at both facing inner surfaces of the cabinet to guide the motion of the base plate toward the opening.

[22] The guide member may include an insertion groove in which both opposite ends of the base plate are inserted.

[23] The base plate may include at least one roller provided at a lower surface of the base plate.

[24] A guide groove may be formed at an upper surface of the guide member in a longitudinal direction and the roller may move on the guide member, with being seated in the guide groove.

[25] A limiting member may be formed at the guide member to limit the insertion depth of the base plate.

[26] The clothes treating apparatus may further include a protrusion preventing the base plate from separating from the position where the base plate is limited by the limiting member.

[27] A handle may be provided at the base plate.

[28] The moisture supply device may be configured of a device supplying steam to the accommodating space and the air supply device may include a heat pump including a compressor compressing refrigerant, and a heat exchanger heat-exchanging the refrigerant with air inside the mechanism compartment. Advantageous Effects

[29] The present invention has following advantageous effects.

[30] According to the clothes treating apparatus, it is easy and convenient for a worker to have access to components provided in a mechanism compartment for the maintenance of the components. In addition, the worker may choose a method of having access to the components provided in the mechanism compartment and as a result the maintenance cost of the clothes treating apparatus may be lower.

[31] Furthermore, it is easy for a worker to mount the mechanism compartment and it is possible to redice the assembly time of the clothes treating apparatus. In addition, according to the clothes treating apparatus, an assembly line of the mechanism compartment may be separable from an assembly line of the clothes treating apparatus, which enhances work efficiency. Brief Description of the Drawings

[32] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure.

[33] In the drawings:

[34] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a clothes-treating apparatus;

[35] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a base plate having components of a mechanism compartment mounted thereon, being separated from the clothes-treating apparatus;

[36] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating that the base plate having the components mounted thereon is separated from a cabinet having a guide member secured thereto;

[37] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a clothes-treating apparatus;

[38] FIG. 5 is a still fiirther embodiment of a clothes-treating apparatus; and

[39] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating key parts of a base plate inserted in a guide member secured to a mechanism compartment shown in FTG. 6. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[40] Reference will now be made in detail to the specific embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[41] A clothes-treating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a cabinet and a mechanism compartment separated from the accommodating space by a partition. An accommodating space is formed in the cabinet to contain clothes. In the mechanism compartment are provided a moisture supply device supplying moisture to the accommodating space and an air supply device supplying dry or heated air to the accommodating space. An opening is formed at a side surface or the partition to expose an inner space of the mechanism compartment and a module of at least one of the moisture supply device or the air supply device is separable via the opening.

[42] The moisture supply device is a device supplying moisture to the accommodating space and the kind of the moisture has no limit. For example, the supplied moisture may be steam, sprayed water or the like. The air supply device may be a device having a heating or dehumidifying fiinction.

[43] As a result, the module may include at least one of the moisture supply device and the air supply device. Here, the module means a unit structure of parts capable of separating and taking out from the clothes-treating apparatus.

[44] The module means that every component inside the mechanism compartment is modularized or that some components are modularized.

[45] However, the module may include at least one of the two components, because the moisture supply device and the air supply device occupy a large portion in the mechanism compartment.

[46] Here, the moisture supply device should be interpreted to include general configuration to operate itself, rather than to supply the moisture to the accommodating space. For example, a water supply source supplying water to the moisture supply device may be modularized together with the moisture supply device.

[47] Similarly, the air supply device should be interpreted to include units required to heat or dehumidify air, with circulating air inside the accommodating space. If the air supply device adapts a heat pump type, the air supply device includes a heat exchanger and a compressor, which constitute a heat pump, a circulation diet and a ventilation fane. Accordingly, accompanying units required to supply air and moisture are modularized together with the air supply device and the moisture supply device.

[48] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clothes-treating apparatus. An accommodating space 110 is formed in an upper portion of a cabinet 40 and a mechanism compartment 120 is positioned under the accommodating space. As mentioned above, an air supply device and a moisture supply device is provided in the mechanism compartment 120. A partition 115 partitions off an inner space of the cabinet 40 into the accommodating space 110 and the mechanism compartment 120.

[49] If some portion of the partition 115 is separable, a worker removes the separable portion 115a (hereinafter, a first cover) of the partition 115 to upkeep the mechanism compartment 120.

[50] It is just one example that the mechanism compartment 120 is positioned under the accommodating space 110. This stricture may be changeable.

[51] If the predetermined portion of the partition is open, the first cover 115a may be varied in various types.

[52] In this case, the first cover 115a may be hinge-fastened. The first cover 115a may be separable from the partition 115 completely or an end of the partition 115 is a hinge- fixed to be rotatable.

[53] In this case, the accommodating space 110 is formed above the mechanism compartment 120. If the opening is formed at the partition 115, the first cover is rotatalbe toward the accommodating space 110.

[54] As mentioned above, the first cover 115a is rotatable. This means that the first cover

115a rotates toward the accommodating space 110 so that the worker may have access to the various components provided in the mechanism compartment 120.

[55] However, the first cover 115 shown in FIG. 1 is easy to have access to but it is inconvenient of the worker to work the replacement of the components installed in the mechanism compartment 120. As a result, it is required to take out the inner space of the mechanism compartment 120 from the accommodating space 110 completely.

[56] FIG. 2 illustrates that the components inside the mechanism compartment 110 are mounted on a base plate 200, the base plate 200 being separated completely from the clothes-treating apparatus.

[57] The air supply device, supplying hot air to the accommodating space 110 to dry the clothes inside the accommodating space, may includes a heat exchanger 23, a compressor 22 and the ventilation duct 24. The components constituting the air supply device may be mounted on a base plate 200 that is separable from the mechanism compartment 120. The base plate 200 is used as means to modularize the components of the mechanism compartment 120. The base plate 200 makes it possible to discharge the module from the mechanism compartment 120.

[58] That is, the base plate 200 is just a plate but the base plate having the various components mounted thereon may be a single module itself.

[59] To separate the inside of the mechanism compartment 120 simply, it is more preferable to install the components of the mechanism compartment 120 on the auxiliary base plate 200, than to install them on a lower surface of the cabinet.

[60] If the auxiliary base plate 200 is provided, the base plate 200 having the component mounted thereon may be separated from the cabinet 40, that is, as the united module.

[61] A cover of the clothes-treating apparatus shown in FIG. 2 (hereinafter, "second cover" may open a rear side of the mechanism compartment 120 in the cabinet 40. If the second cover 47 is formed at a rear side of the cabinet 40, the worker may remove the second cover 47 in the rear of the mechanism compartment 120 and may separate the base plate 200 having the components mounted thereon from the cabinet 40 or the mechanism compartment 120, to work the maintenance of the components.

[62] If the base plate 200 is separated from the cabinet 40, the worker can perform the maintenance work including repairing the components.

[63] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is not necessary that the first cover

115a and the second cover 47 should be provided at the same time, if the opening is formed at the partition or the side surface of the cabinet 40 and if a cover selectively closing the opening is provided.

[64] In addition, the second cover 47 may not be separable from the cabinet 40. An end of the second cover 47 is fixed, with the second cover 47 being Rota table. This is applicable to the first cover 115 shown in FIG. 2.

[65] As mentioned above, the covers 115a and 47 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be separable from the partition 115 or the cabinet 40 completely, or they may be hinge- secured to be rotatable or they may be sliding in a predetermined single direction. For example, a guide member may be provided at a right and left portion of partition 115 so that the first cover 115a may slide forward. A guide member may be provided at side portions of the rear surface of the cabinet 40 so that the second cover 47 may slide upward from the cabinet.

[66] According to an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the components mounted in the mechanism compartment 120 may be the auxiliary base plate 200 as mentioned above.

[67] Since the various components are mounted on the base plate 200, the base plate 200 is employed as a bottom of the mechanism compartment 120 and an auxiliary bottom surface may not be provided.

[68] The base plate 200 may be taken out from the cabinet 40 together with the opening, including the rotation by the hinge) or separation of the second cover 47.

[69] To move the base plate 200 outside the cabinet 40 smoothly, with the opening of the second cover 47, auxiliary guide means may be fiirther provided. An example of the guide means of the base plate 200 may be a guide member in which both ends of the base plate 200 are inserted to fix the base plate 200 vertically.

[70] As mentioned above, the opening is formed at the side portion of the mechanism compartment and the guide members may be provided at both inner side surfaces of the cabinet, facing the inside of the mechanism compartment to guide the base plate to move toward the opening. [71] FIG. 4 shows that the base plate is separated from the cabinet 40 having the guide member 190 provided thereto, the base plate providing an installation place for the components of the mechanism compartment 120 to be modularized.

[72] The guide member 190 may be an insertion groove of a " ¹^ " shape (a kind of a concavo shape), which both opposite ends of the base plate 200 are inserted in.

[73] Such the guide member 190 reduces friction between a lower surface of the base plate 200 and a lower surface £>r a bottom) of the mechanism compartment, to secure a vertical position of the base plate 200 as well as to help the base plate 200 to be taken out smoothly.

[74] The base plate 200 may include at least one roller provided underneath the base plate

200. Such the roller is provided to reduce the refraction between a floor where the clothes-treating apparatus is installed and the base plate 200 and to reduce the refraction on the guide member.

[75] FIG. 4 refers to an embodiment of a roller which rolls in contact with the floor where the clothes-treating apparatus is installed. FIGS. 5 and 6 refer to embodiments of a roller which rolls in contact with the guide member.

[76] Next, the base plate 200 including the roller will be described in detail.

[77] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the clothes-treating apparatus.

[78] According to the embodiment of FIG. 5, there may be friction between the guide member 190 and the base plate 200 even though the base plate 200 is inserted in the guide member 190. Thus, it is required to reduce the friction.

[79] If a roller 210 is installed underneath the base plate 200, that is, on a lower outer surface of the base plate 200, the base plate 200 may be separable from the mechanism compartment 200 smoothly and the position of the clothes-treating apparatus may be moved smoothly. That is because the roller 210 minimizes the friction between the clothes-treating apparatus and the floor where the clothes-treating apparatus is installed.

[80] To reduce the friction between an inner surface of the guide member 190 and the base plate 200 more, chemicals may be treated on an inner surface of the guide groove or an auxiliary wheel (not shown) may be installed at a guide member 190 or a portion where the base plate 200 is in contact with the guide member 190.

[81] FIG. 6 illustrates a still further embodiment of the clothes-treating apparatus.

[82] FIG. 6 refers to a specific embodiment of the above embodiment in that the roller is provided at the base plate 200.

[83] FIG. 6 shows that the base plate 200 is installed in the mechanism compartment 120, omitting the components including the air supply device installed on the base plate 200 and a rear surface 116.

[84] The base plate 200 may include the roller 210 to move the base plate 200 smoothly.

It is preferable that the roller 210 is installed at corners of the base plate 200 in plural, because the tray is moved, with being supported by the roller 210.

[85] Here, the roller 210 includes a rotatable wheel 212 and a shaft 214 coupled to a center of the wheel 212. That is, the wheel 212 is coupled to the shaft 214 to be secured to the base plate 200. The wheel 212 rotates about the shaft in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

[86] The base plate 200 may include a projection (not shown) projected in a longitudinal direction of the both opposite sides of the base plate 200. It is preferable that the projection is formed at the portion where the roller 210 is installed. For example, the projection is positioned in a line connecting the wheels provided at the predetermined portion of the base plate 200.

[87] In addition, the projection may be projected downward from the base plate 200.

[88] A guide groove 191 may be formed at an upper surface of the guide member in a longitudinal direction and the roller 210 may move on the guide member 190, with being seated in the guide groove 191.

[89] The guide groove 191 is formed in the mechanism compartment 120 to guide the motion of the roller 210. Especially, the guide groove 191 is formed along a longitudinal direction of the frame 180 to guide the motion of the base plate 200.

[90] The guide groove 191 may be recessed deep enough for the roller 210 to be movable in a state of a predetermined portion of the roller 210 being inserted in the guide groove 191. That is, the base plate 200 is moving, with the wheel 212 rotating in the guide groove 191.

[91] It is preferable that the guide groove 191 is formed in longitudinal direction of a lower frame 180, being approximately linear-shaped.

[92] If the projection is provided at the base plate 200 instead of the roller 210, the projection may be inserted in the guide groove 191. The projection may guide the motion of the base plate 200 in a state of being inserted in the guide groove 191.

[93] By extension, if the projection is provided, the length of the guide groove 191 may be similar to the length of the projection. As a result, the base plate 200 may be prevented from being separated by itself or by the vibration in order to maintain the state of the projection being securely inserted in the guide groove 191.

[94] A protrusion 196 is projected from the guide groove 191 and it is preferable that the protrusion 196 is provided at an entrance portion where the base plate 200 is inserted in the mechanism compartment 120. That is, the wheel 212 may pass the protrusion 196 before being inserted in the guide groove 191.

[95] The worker can determine whether the base plate 200 is inserted in the right position because of the protrusion 196, when assembling the base plate 200 to the mechanism compartment 120.

[96] Specifically, when sliding the base plate 200 into the mechanism compartment 120, the base plate 200 passes the protrusion 196 and it is lifted a predetermined height. After the base plate 200 having passed the protrusion 196, the base plate 200 is descended as much as the lifted height. Hence, the wheel 212 is guided by the guide groove 191 in a state of being inserted in the guide groove 191.

[97] Even if the projection is provided instead of the roller 210, the base plate 200 is lifted a predetermined height when passing the protrusion 196. At this time, the projection is projected vertically in a longitudinal direction. As a result, only after the projection having passed the projection 196 completely, the base plate 200 may be descended as much as the lifted height.

[98] The protrusion 196 may have a longitudinal section that is triangle or hemisphere shaped. Especially, an oblique of a portion directly in contact between the protrusion 196 and the wheel 212 when the base plate 200 is inserted is substantially duller than an oblique of the portion when the base plate 200 is taken out. More power is required when the base plate 200 is taken out from the mechanism compartment 200 than when the base plate 200 is inserted in the mechanism compartment 120, such that is prevented that the base plate 200 is separated by itself.

[99] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating key parts when the base plate is inserted in the guide member 190 secured to the mechanism compartment 120.

[100] A limiting member may be formed at the guide member or the cabinet having the opening formed therein to limit and determine the insertion depth of the base plate.

[101] According to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the limiting member is secured to the guide member. However, the limiting member may be positioned at various portions only to limit the insertion depth of the base plate 200.

[102] The limiting member 192 is formed in the mechanism compartment 120 to prevent the base plate 200 from being inserted in the mechanism compartment 200 more than a predetermined depth. That is, the limiting member 192 is formed at a predetermined portion of the guide groove 191 and it limits the insertion depth of the base plate 200.

[103] The limiting member 192 may be provided at both side portion of the mechanism compartment 120 in plural. The limiting member 192 includes a bent portion 193 and an extended portion 194. The bent portion 193 is perpendicularly bent from the lower frame 180 and the extended portion 194 is extended from the bent portion 193. The limiting member 192 has an appearance approximately perpendicularly bent from the lower frame 180.

[104] Accordingly, the height and the insertion limit of the base plate 200 in the mechanism compartment 120 may be determined by the limiting member 192.

[105] After the base plate 200 is inserted in the mechanism compartment 120, a horizmtal direction vibration of the base plate 200 is prevented by the bent portion 193 and a vertical direction vibration of the base plate 200 is prevented by the extended portion 194.

[106] At this time, the limiting member 192 is not limited to the appearance shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. If the insertion limit of the base plate 200 in the mechanism compartment 120 is determined or the height of the base plate 200 is fixed, the shape of the limiting member 192 may be changeable variously.

[107] An insertion groove 220 may be formed at a predetermined portion of the base plate 200 and the limiting member 192 is inserted in the insertion groove 220. Because of the insertion groove 220 in which the limiting member 192 is inserted, the position determination may be more securely done.

[108] That is, the bent portion 193 is directly in contact with a vertical surface of the insertion groove 220 and the extended portion 194 is directly in contact with a horiz)ntal surface extended from the insertion groove 220. As a result, the connection between the limiting member 192 and the base plate 200 may be reinforced and the vibration of the base plate 200 may be prevented efficiently.

[109] Here, the protrusion may be fiirther provided at the guide member 190 to prevent the separation of the base plate in a state of being stopped by the limiting member.

[110] As shown in FIG. 6, if the base plate 200 is inserted in the mechanism compartment 120 enough, the roller 210 installed underneath the base plate 200 may move over the protrusion. That is, the wheel 212 may pass the protrusion 196 to be seated securely.

[I l l] At this time, the position of the base plate 200 is secured by the protrusion 196 to prevent the base plate 200 from moving in a hori-ontal direction, in other words, the oblique surface of the protrusion 196 is directly in contact with the wheel 212 installed at the lower surface of the base plate 200, only to prevent the minute motion of the base plate 200.

[112] The insertion direction of the base plate 200 is limited by the limiting member 192 and the discharge direction of the base plate 200 is limited by the protrusion 196.

[113] As a result, the horizontal movement of the base plate 200, especially, the minute right-and-left-direction movement of the base plate 200 may be prevented sich that the various components may be kept in the mechanism compartment 120 securely.

[114] If the projection is provided instead of the roller 210, the projection may be fixedly secured with an end thereof being in contact with the protrusion 196. That is, in the state of being secured, the sliding motion of the base plate 200 may be prevented.

[115] A process of the base plate described above being sliding installed in the mechanism compartment will be explained.

[116] When assembling the clothes-treating apparatus, the worker assembles the ac- oommodating space 110, the mechanism compartment 120 and the partition partitioning off the accommodating space 110 and the mechanism compartment 120. Then, the worker mounts the components contained in the mechanism compartment 120 on the base plate 200. At this time, it is preferable that the air supply device and the moisture supply device are mounted on the base plate 200.

[117] Hence, the base plate 200 is sliding into the mechanism compartment 120.

[118] Some of the wheels 212 installed at the predetermined portions of the base plate 200 may pass the protrusion 196 and the base plate 200 may be lifted to the predetermined height and descended as much as the lifted height. The predetermined portion of the wheel 212 is inserted in the guide groove 191.

[119] While the base plate 200 is inserted in the mechanism compartment 120, the wheel 212 is guided by the guide groove 191. Here, the wheel 212 rotates about the shaft 214 included in the wheel 212 within the guide groove 191.

[120] The motion of the base plate 200 is guided by the guide groove 191, which prevents the conventional problem of the base plate 200 being positioned at a wrong portion.

[121] In the meantime, the wheel 212 installed at the lower surface of the base plate 200 is directly in contact with the protrusion 196 and the rotation of the wheel is stopped. If then, the base plate 200 may not be inserted in the mechanism compartment 120 any farther to maintain its right position.

[122] If the projection is formed at the base plate 200 instead of the wheel 212, the projection may be fixedly secured with the end thereof being in contact with the protrusion 196. If the base plate 200 is inserted completely, the projection is in contact with the side surface, not the upper surface, of the protrusion 196 and the base plate 200 may be secured without its right-and-left direction sliding movement.

[123] When the base plate 200 is taken out of the mechanism compartment 120, the above process is performed vice versa.

[124] If the base plate 200 is separated for the maintenance of the components provided in the mechanism compartment 120, the above process may be performed. The base plate 200 is separated to repair or replace the components including the air supply device and the base plate 200 may be sliding into the mechanism compartment 120.

[125] According to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a handle 230 may be farther provided for the convenience when the base plate 200 is taken out of the mechanism compartment 120. If the handle 230 is used, the base plate 200 may be separated from the mechanism compartment 120 smoothly.

[126] A still farther, the steam spray part of the clothes-treating apparatus is installed in the mechanism compartment and as a result it is possible for a worker to assemble the steam spray part efficiently and then work performance may be enhanced.

[127] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[I] A clothes treating apparatus comprising: a cabinet having an accommodating space where clothes are placed; and a mechanism compartment separated from the accommodating space by a partition, the mechanism compartment comprising a moisture supply device supplying moisture to the accommodating space and an air supply device supplying dry or heated air to the accommodating space, wherein an opening is formed at a side surface of the mechanism compartment or the partition for an inside of the mechanism compartment to be exposed, and a module including at least one of the moisture supply device and the air supply device is separable via the opening.

[2] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the module includes predetermined or all components provided in the mechanism compartment.

[3] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mechanism compartment where the module is installed is provided in a lower portion of the cabinet.

[4] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening is provided at a rear surface of the mechanism compartment.

[5] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover selectively closing the opening.

[6] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the oover is hinge-secured.

[7] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the module is separated from the mechanism compartment, with being mounted on the base plate.

[8] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 7, wherein the opening is formed at a side surface of the mechanism compartment and a guide member is installed at both facing inner surfaces of the mechanism compartment to guide the motion of the base plate toward the opening.

[9] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the guide member comprises an insertion groove in which both opposite ends of the base plate are inserted.

[10] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the base plate comprises at least one roller provided at a lower surface of the base plate.

II 1] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 8, wherein a guide groove is formed at an upper surface of the guide member in a longitudinal direction and the roller moves on the guide member, with being seated in the guide groove.

[12] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 8, wherein a limiting member is formed 1 D

at the guide member to limit the insertion depth of the base plate.

[13] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 12, fiirther comprising a protrusion preventing the base plate from separating from the position where the base plate is limited by the limiting member.

[14] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 8, wherein a handle is provided at the base plate.

[15] The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moisture supply device is configured of a device supplying steam to the accommodating space and the air supply device comprises a heat pump including a compressor compressing refrigerant, and a heat exchanger heat-exchanging the refrigerant with air inside the mechanism compartment.