Laundry dryer

A laundry dryer includes: a cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed inside the cabinet and configured to receive hot air and steam, a steam unit disposed inside the cabinet and configured to generate the steam, a storage tank configured to detachably couple to an inside of the cabinet and receive water to be supplied to the steam unit, a tank accommodating the storage tank, and a floater placed inside the storage tank and configured to move in a vertical direction according to a volume of water in the storage tank. The floater includes a body portion having a first outer surface and a second outer surface, a third outer surface and a fourth outer surface, and a fifth outer surface and a sixth outer surface, where the first outer surface defines an upper surface of the floater and the second outer surface defines a lower surface of the floater.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0027380, filed on Mar. 4, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a laundry dryer, and more particularly, a laundry dryer capable of improving reliability and preventing delay in steam generation process by configuring a shape of a floater and a shape of a magnet embedded in the floater so that the floater can maintain a floating state even with an amount less than the minimum amount required for performing the steam process.

BACKGROUND

A laundry dryer removes the moisture from damp laundry to be dried by supplying hot air into a drum while the laundry to be dried such as clothes or bedding is put into a rotating drum.

The hot air supplied into the drum is generated by combustion heat using electric resistance heat or gaseous fuel, or by a condenser constituting a heat pump cycle, and the hot air thus generated is supplied to the inside of the drum by a circulation fan.

The moisture of the laundry to be dried is evaporated from the drum, and the air vented from the drum retains the moisture of the object to be dried, resulting in a high temperature and high humidity state. The type of dryer is classified into a condenser type and a vented type according to a method of treating the hot and humid air.

The condenser type laundry dryer does not discharge hot and humid air to an outside, but condenses the moisture contained in the hot and humid air through heat exchange while circulating inside the dryer. In contrast, the vented type laundry dryer directly discharges the hot and humid air to the outside. The condenser type laundry dryer has a structure for treating condensed water, and the vented type laundry dryer has a structure for venting air.

On the other hand, in recent years, in order to improve the drying efficiency of laundry, or for sterilization of laundry to be dried and sterilization of the drum itself, a laundry dryer having a means for spraying steam into the drum has been developed.

The steam jet type laundry dryer is configured to receive water for steam generation directly from an external water supply source or from a storage tank installed inside the laundry dryer.

In the case of using a storage tank to supply water to the steaming part, when the water stored in the storage tank is exhausted, a user separates the storage tank from the laundry dryer, recharges the water and installs the storage tank in the laundry dryer again. Accordingly, the water replenishment for the steam production is made.

In this regard, Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0075031 discloses a clothes treatment apparatus which includes an internal water supply tank having a water storage space for steam generation and determines the remaining amount of water stored in the water supply tank through a floater floating along the water surface inside thereof.

The floater disclosed in the literature is provided with a magnet inside, and is configured to detect a change in a magnetic field according to the movement of a magnet and to determine the water level of the water supply tank and the remaining amount of water.

However, in the configuration disclosed in the literature, the vertical height of the floater moving upward and downward according to the change of the water level in the water supply tank is designed too large compared to the measurement section for determining whether there is insufficient water, and the height of the magnet installed inside the floater is designed too small compared to the vertical height of the floater. Thus, there is a case where a considerable amount of water is stored inside the water supply tank even though the floater is in the lowest position.

That is, since the floater is at the lowest position, the control unit receiving the position signal of the floater from the floater sensor determines that the amount of water in the water tank is insufficient, stops the steam generation process and generates a water shortage message to be delivered to a user.

However, the remaining amount of water actually stored in the water supply tank corresponds to the amount of water that can perform one or more cycle of the steam generation process. Accordingly, the user who has received a water shortage message despite the sufficient amount of water stored in the water supply tank can mistakenly perceive it as a failure of a product.

In addition, there is a problem that the operation of the entire device may be delayed due to an incorrect determination of water shortage.

On the other hand, in the configuration disclosed in the literature, a floater case for guiding the vertical movement of the floater is manufactured separately from the water supply tank and attached to the water supply tank.

Therefore, there are problems that the manufacturing process and manufacturing cost are remarkably increased due to the manufacture of the floater case itself and the assembly with the water supply tank.(Patent document 0001) Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0075031

SUMMARY

The present invention has been conceived to solve the above-described problems, and a first aspect of the present invention is directed to provide a laundry dryer capable of improving reliability and preventing delay in steam generation process by configuring a shape of a floater and a shape of an magnet embedded in the floater so that the floater can maintain a floating state even with an amount less than the minimum amount required for performing the steam process.

A second aspect of the present invention is directed to provide a laundry dryer capable of simplifying a manufacturing process of a storage tank and significantly reducing a manufacturing cost by integrally forming a floater case that guides the vertical movement of the floater in the storage tank.

A laundry dryer according to the present invention may include a cabinet forming an outer body, a drum rotatably supported inside the cabinet and supplied with hot air and steam therein, a steam unit placed inside the cabinet and to generate the steam, a storage tank placed inside the cabinet and to store water to be supplied to the steam unit therein, a tank housing placed inside the cabinet and to accommodate the storage tank and a floater placed inside the storage tank and to move in a vertical direction according to a level of water stored in the storage tank. The floater may include a body portion having a first outer surface and a second outer surface formed parallel to each other and spaced apart by a first interval, a third outer surface and a fourth outer surface formed parallel to each other and spaced apart by a second interval and a fifth outer surface and a sixth outer surface formed parallel to each other and spaced at a third interval. Inside the storage tank, the first outer surface may be placed to become an upper surface in the vertical direction and the second outer surface may be placed to become a lower side surface in the vertical direction, based on a state in which the storage tank is accommodated in the tank housing. The first interval may be smaller than the second interval or the third interval.

In addition, the third interval may be 8 to 10 times larger than the first interval.

In addition, the second interval may be 1.5 to 2.5 times larger than the first interval.

In addition, the floater may further include a magnet in a hexahedral shape embedded in the body portion, and the body portion may include a magnet receiving unit having a shape corresponding to the shape of the magnet and in which the magnet is inserted.

In addition, a height of the magnet in the vertical direction may be 0.5 to 0.8 times the first interval.

In addition, the floater may further include a pair of through holes each extending from the first outer surface to the second outer surfaces in the vertical direction.

In addition, the magnet may be placed between the pair of through holes.

In addition, the pair of through holes may include a first through hole formed close to the fifth outer surface, and a second through hole formed close to the sixth outer surface. A distance from a center of the first through hole to the magnet and a distance from a center of the second through hole to the magnet may be equal to each other.

In addition, a distance from the fifth outer surface to the center of the first through hole and a distance from the sixth outer surface to the center of the second through hole may be equal to each other.

In addition, the floater may further include a plurality of internal ribs in a linear shape protruding from an inner circumferential surface of each of the pair of through holes and extending in a direction from the first outer surface toward the second outer surface.

In addition, each of the plurality of internal ribs may have the same shape, and each may be spaced apart at a same interval.

In addition, the storage tank may include a box-shaped tank body with an open upper surface and to include a storage space for storing the water formed therein and a tank cover coupled to the open upper surface of the tank body. The tank body may include a pair of guide bars formed to protrude from the lower side surface of the tank body and extending in the vertical direction through each of the pair of through holes.

In addition, the tank body may further include a floater case protruding from the lower side surface of the tank body in a U-shape to surround the floater.

In addition, the floater case may include a main plate in a plate shape formed toward one side surface of the box-shaped tank body, a first subplate in a plate shape integrally formed on a front end of the main plate and formed toward a front surface of the box-shaped tank body and a second subplate in a plate shape integrally formed on the other rear end of the main plate and formed toward a rear surface of the box-shaped tank body. The floater may move in the vertical direction within an accommodation space defined as the main plate, the first subplate, the second subplate and the one side surface of the tank body.

In addition, the first subplate and the second subplate may be respectively spaced apart from the one side surface of the tank body at a predetermined interval.

In addition, the tank body may further include, in the accommodation space, a plurality of bottom ribs extending in a linear shape in a direction parallel to the lower side surface of the tank body and protruding from the lower side surface of the tank body.

In addition, the floater may further include a plurality of outer ribs protruding and extending in a linear shape along a direction parallel to the first outer surface and the second outer surface, respectively, and protruding from the first and second outer surfaces, respectively. The plurality of outer ribs may extend in a direction intersecting a direction in which the plurality of bottom ribs extends.

In addition, the tank cover may include a stopper in a columnar shape having one end fixed to the lower side surface of the tank cover, and the other end extending toward the first outer surface of the floater. The floater may be stopped when the other end of the stopper comes into contact with the first outer surface.

In addition, a height from the lower side surface of the tank body to the other end of the stopper may be shorter than a height at which the pair of guide bars protrudes from the lower side surface of the tank body.

In addition, the main plate, the first subplate and the second subplate may be formed to protrude to the same height from the lower side surface of the tank body, respectively. The height from the lower side surface of the tank body to the other end of the stopper may be shorter than the heights of the main plate, the first subplate or the second subplate.

In addition, a height from the lower side surface of the tank body to the other end of the stopper may be 2.5 to 3.5 times greater than the first interval.

In addition, the laundry dryer may further include a floater sensor installed in the tank housing and detecting a vertical position of the magnet embedded in the floater. The floater sensor may include a sensing unit extending in the vertical direction between a lowest position and a highest position of the magnet.

In addition, the floater sensor may be installed on the outer surface of the tank housing, and the sensing unit may be placed at a position on the outer surface of the tank housing closest to the magnet.

The laundry dryer according to the present invention can improve reliability and prevent delay in steam generation process by configuring a shape of a floater and a shape of an magnet embedded in the floater so that the floater can maintain a floating state even with an amount less than the minimum amount required for performing the steam process.

In addition, the laundry dryer according to the present invention can simplify a manufacturing process of a storage tank and significantly reduce a manufacturing cost by integrally forming a floater case that guides the vertical movement of the floater in the storage tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the present invention, various modifications may be made and various embodiments may be provided, and specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. This is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific embodiment, and should be construed as including all changes, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In describing the present invention, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various elements, but the elements may not be limited by terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component.

The term “and/or” includes a combination of a plurality of related described items or any of a plurality of related described items.

When a component is referred to as being “connected” or “contacted” to another component, it may be understood that it may be directly connected or contacted to the other component, but other components may exist in the middle. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly contacted” to another component, it may be understood that there is no other component in the middle.

The terms used in the present application 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.

In the present application, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate the existence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts or a combination thereof described in the specification, and it may be understood that the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features or numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, is not preliminarily excluded.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein including technical or scientific terms may 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 may be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and unless explicitly defined in this application, it may not be interpreted as an ideal or excessively formal meaning.

In addition, the following embodiments are provided to more completely describe to those with average knowledge in the art, and the shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer explanation.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of a laundry dryer according to the present invention, andFIG.2is a cross-sectional view ofFIG.1.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, a cabinet10forming an outer body of a laundry dryer1may include a front panel11constituting a front surface, a rear panel12constituting a rear surface, a pair of side panels14constituting side surfaces and an upper panel13constituting an upper surface of the laundry dryer1.

The front panel11may be provided with an inlet111configured to communicate with a drum20, which will be described later, and a door112rotatably coupled to the cabinet10to open and close the inlet111.

A control panel117may be provided on the front panel11.

The control panel117may be installed with an input unit118to receive a control command from a user, a display unit119to display information such as a control command selectable by a user and a main control unit (not shown) to control an operation command of the laundry dryer1.

Meanwhile, the input unit118may be configured to include a power supply request unit to request power supply to the laundry dryer, a course input unit to allow a user to select a desired course among a plurality of courses and an execution request unit to request the start of the course selected by the user, and the like.

The display unit119may be configured to include at least one of a display panel to display characters and/or figures and a speaker to output an audio signal and a sound. A user can easily identify a current operation status and a remaining time by using the output information of the display unit119.

The cabinet may include the drum20which is rotatably provided inside the cabinet10and provides a space for accommodating clothes, a duct unit30forming a flow path for resupplying the air discharged from the drum20to the drum20and a heat exchange unit40which dehumidifies and heats the air introduced into the duct unit30and then resupplies it to the drum20.

The drum20may include a cylindrical drum body21with an open front surface. A first support unit22rotatably supporting the front surface of the drum body21and a second support unit23rotatably supporting the rear surface of the drum body21may be provided inside the cabinet10.

The first support unit22may be configured to include a first fixing body22afixed to the inside of the cabinet10, a drum inlet22bpassing through the first fixing body22aand communicating the inlet111and the inside of the drum body21and a first support body22cprovided in the first fixing body22aand inserted into the front surface of the drum body21.

The first support unit22may be configured to further include a connection body22dconnecting the inlet111and the drum inlet22b. As shown, the connection body22dmay be provided in a pipe shape extending from the drum inlet22btoward the inlet111. In addition, the connection body22dmay be provided with an air outlet22ecommunicating with the duct unit30.

As shown inFIG.2, the air outlet22emay be a passage that allows the internal air of the drum body21to move to the duct unit30, and include a through hole penetrating the connection body22d.

The second support unit23may be configured to include a second fixing body23afixed inside the cabinet10and a second support body23bprovided on the second fixing body23aand inserted into the rear surface of the drum body21.

The second support unit23may be provided with an air inlet23cpenetrating the second fixing body23aand communicating the inside of the drum body21with the inside of the cabinet10.

In this case, the duct unit30may be configured to connect the air outlet22eand the air inlet23c.

The drum body21in a cylindrical shape may rotate by various types of driving units50.

For example, the driving unit50according to one embodiment, as shown inFIG.2, may include a motor51fixed inside the cabinet10, a pulley52rotated by the motor51and a belt53connecting the circumferential surface of the pulley52and the circumferential surface of the drum body21.

In this case, the first support unit22may be provided with a first roller R1rotatably supporting the circumferential surface of the drum body21, and the second support unit23may be provided with a second roller R2rotatably supporting the circumferential surface of the drum body21.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a direct driven driving unit in which the motor51is directly connected to the drum to rotate the drum without passing through a pulley and a belt may also be applicable, which naturally falls within the scope of the present invention. For convenience, the following description will be made based on the illustrated embodiment of the driving unit50.

The duct unit30may include an exhaust duct31connected to the air outlet22e, a supply duct32connected to the air inlet23cand a connection duct33connecting the exhaust duct31and the supply duct32and having the heat exchange unit40installed inside therein.

The heat exchange unit40may be provided with various devices capable of sequentially performing dehumidification and heating of the air introduced into the duct unit30. For example, the heat exchange unit40may be provided as a heat pump system.

As a heat pump system, the heat exchange unit40may include a circulation fan43to move air along the duct unit30, a first heat exchanger (a heat absorbing unit)41to perform dehumidifying function by lowering the humidity of the air introduced into the duct unit30and a second heat exchanger (a heating unit)42provided inside the duct unit30to heat the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger41.

The circulation fan43may be configured to include an impeller43aprovided in the duct unit30and an impeller motor43bto rotate the impeller43a.

The impeller43amay be installed at any position among the exhaust duct31, the connection duct33and the supply duct32. In the embodiment shown inFIG.2, the impeller43ais provided on the connection duct32, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For convenience hereinafter, it is described the embodiment in which the impeller43ais provided in the connection duct32.

The heat absorbing unit41and the heating unit42may be sequentially arranged along the direction from the exhaust duct31to the supply duct32in the connection duct33, and connected to each other through a refrigerant pipe44forming a circulation flow path of the refrigerant.

The heat absorbing unit41may cool the air and evaporate the refrigerant by transferring the heat of the air introduced into the exhaust duct31to the refrigerant.

The heating unit42may heat the air and condense the refrigerant by transferring the heat of the refrigerant passing through a compressor45to the air.

In this case, when the moisture contained in the air passes through the heat absorbing unit41, it moves along the surface of the heat absorbing unit41and collects on the bottom surface of the connection duct33.

As described above, a configuration already known in the art may be adopted as the configuration of the heat exchange unit40of the heat pump system having the heat absorbing unit41and the heating unit42, and detailed configurations related thereto will be omitted.

On the other hand, in order to collect the condensed water that is condensed from the air passing through the heat absorbing unit41and collected on the bottom surface of the connection duct33, the laundry dryer1according to the present invention may be provided with a water collecting unit60.

The condensed water condensed in the heat absorbing unit41may be first collected in the water collecting unit60and then secondly collected in the water storage unit70. The water collecting unit60may be located inside the connection duct33as shown, or may be separately provided in a space spaced apart from the connection duct33.

The condensed water first collected through the water collecting unit60may be supplied to the water storage unit70through the condensate water supply pipe61. In this case, the condensate water supply pipe61may be provided with a condensate pump62to smoothly discharge the condensed water.

The water storage unit70may be configured to include a water storage tank72provided to be withdrawn from one side of the front panel11to an outside. The water storage tank72may be configured to collect the condensed water delivered from the water collecting unit60, which will be described later.

A user can remove the condensed water by drawing out the water storage tank72from the cabinet10and then mount it in the cabinet10again. Accordingly, the laundry dryer according to the present invention may be disposed at any place where a sewer or the like is not installed.

In more detail, the water storage unit70may be configured to include the water storage tank72detachably provided in the cabinet10to provide a space for storing water and an inlet72aprovided to pass through the water storage tank72to introduce the water discharged from condensate water supply pipe61into the water storage tank72.

The water storage tank72may be provided as a drawer-type tank drawn out from the cabinet10. In this case, the front panel11of the cabinet may be provided with a reservoir mounting hole into which the water storage tank72is inserted.

A panel71may be fixed to the front surface of the water storage tank72, and the panel71may be provided to form a part of the front panel11by detachably coupling it to the reservoir mounting hole.

The panel71may further include a groove portion71ainto which a user's hand is inserted and gripped. In this case, the panel71may also serve as a handle for drawing the water storage tank72out of the cabinet or inserting it into the cabinet.

The inlet72amay be formed to receive condensed water discharged from a condensate nozzle63fixed to the cabinet10. The condensate nozzle63may be fixed to the upper panel13of the cabinet10so that the water storage tank72is positioned above the inlet72awhen the water storage tank72is inserted into the cabinet10.

A user can dispose of the water inside the water storage tank72by turning or tilting the water storage tank72toward the direction in which the inlet72ais located after withdrawing the water storage tank72from the cabinet10. A communication hole72bmay be further provided to penetrate the upper surface of the water storage tank72so that the water inside the water storage tank72can be easily discharged through the inlet72a.

In addition, the laundry dryer1according to the present invention may include a first filter unit F1and a second filter unit F2as a means for removing foreign substances such as lint or dust generated during the drying process of laundry such as clothes.

The first filter unit F1may be provided in the exhaust duct31to primarily filter foreign substances contained in the air discharged from the drum20.

The second filter unit F2may be placed downstream of the first filter unit F1in the flow direction of the air so that the foreign substances contained in the air passing through the first filter unit F1can be secondarily filtered. In more detail, as shown, the second filter unit F2may be preferably placed on the upstream side of the first heat exchanger41in the connection duct33. This can prevent the foreign substance contained in the air from accumulating in the first heat exchanger41acting as a heat absorbing unit and contaminating the first heat exchanger41or causing performance degradation.

As for the detailed configuration of the first filter unit F1and the second filter unit F2, any means known in the art can be applied, so a description of the detailed configuration will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the laundry dryer1according to the present invention may further include a water supply unit80having an internal water supply unit81and an external water supply unit82and a steam unit90to generate steam by receiving water from the water supply unit80.

The steam unit90may be provided to generate steam by receiving fresh water instead of condensed water. The steam unit90may be provided to generate steam by heating water, using ultrasonic waves, or vaporizing.

The steam unit90may be controlled to supply steam to the inside of the drum body21by receiving water from the internal water supply unit81as well as the external water supply unit82as needed.

The external water supply unit82may include a direct water valve82aadjacent to the rear panel13or fixed to the rear panel13, and a direct water pipe82bto supply the water delivered from the direct water valve82ato the steam unit90.

The direct water valve82amay be provided to be coupled to an external water supply source. For example, the direct water valve82amay be coupled to a water supply pipe (not shown) extending to the rear surface of the cabinet. Accordingly, the steam unit90may be configured to receive water directly through the direct water valve82a.

Therefore, even if the internal water supply unit81is omitted or water is not stored in the internal water supply unit81, the steam unit90can receive water for steam generation through the direct water valve82awhen necessary.

The direct water valve82amay be directly controlled by a steam control unit100.

The steam control unit100may be installed on the control panel117, but may be provided as a separate control panel to prevent overloading of the control panel117and not increase manufacturing cost, as shown inFIG.1.

In this case, the steam control unit100may be provided adjacent to the steam unit90. The steam control unit100may be provided on the side panel14on which the steam unit90is installed to reduce the length of a control line or the like connected to the steam unit90.

On the other hand, the steam unit90may be preferably installed adjacent to the direct water valve82a. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent unnecessary residual water from remaining in the direct water pipe82b, and water can be immediately supplied when necessary.

Meanwhile, the internal water supply unit81may be configured to include a storage tank810to store water, a supply pump820to receive water from the storage tank810and to deliver water to the steam unit90and a tank housing830to provide spaces for accommodating the storage tank810and the supply pump820.

A tank withdrawal hole131may be formed in an area of the upper panel13corresponding to the portion where the storage tank810is installed in the tank housing830.

Since the storage tank810is smaller in volume than the water storage tank72of the water storage unit70, it may be easily drawn out. Accordingly, the storage tank810may be provided to be withdrawn from the upper panel13upward. As a result, since the storage tank810and the water storage unit70are drawn in different directions from each other, a user can be less likely to get confused.

The upper panel13may be provided with a withdrawal cover132provided to shield the tank withdrawal hole131to prevent the storage tank810from being arbitrarily withdrawn.

The withdrawal cover132may include a panel coupling unit133provided to be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the tank withdrawal hole131. The panel coupling unit133may be provided extending from one side of the withdrawal cover132so as to rotatably couple the withdrawal cover132to the upper panel13. The panel coupling unit133and the upper panel13may be coupled and provided in a hinge coupling manner.

On the other hand, the withdrawal cover132may be provided with a panel handle134on the surface that can be gripped by a user, and the panel handle134may be composed of a groove formed concave toward the lower portion of the withdrawal cover132.

As shown inFIG.3, the tank housing830may accommodate both a storage tank810and a supply pump820supplying the water stored in the storage tank810.

Thus, the tank housing830may be divided into a tank receiving unit832accommodating the storage tank810and a pump receiving unit833accommodating the supply pump820, and the tank receiving unit832and the pump receiving unit833may be divided using a partition wall831.

Even if water leaks from the storage tank810through the partition wall831, the leaked water can be blocked from moving to the pump receiving unit833in which the supply pump820driven by electricity is accommodated, and an accident due to a short circuit and the failure of the supply pump820can be prevented.

The partition wall831may be configured to extend through the connection pipe850connecting the supply unit817of the storage tank810and the supply pump820.

The tank housing830may be fixed and supported inside the laundry dryer through a support bar840. One end and the other end of the support bar840have a structure that can be fixed to a frame and the internal structure of the laundry dryer or to the cabinet10.

In addition, one side of the tank housing830may be coupled between the one end and the other end of the support bar840.

Meanwhile, a floater sensor SF, which will be described later, may be fixed to the other side of the tank housing830. The floater sensor SF may measure the water level inside the storage tank810and transmit the sensed water level to the above-described main control unit, and the main control unit may notify a user of a water replenishment alarm through a display unit119. The configuration of the floater sensor SF and the fixing structure to the floater sensor SF will be described later with reference toFIG.5.

When a user opens the withdrawal cover132described above in order to replenish water, the storage tank810may be exposed to an outside.

In this case, a user can separate the storage tank810from the tank housing830by simply griping and pulling a handle unit816formed on the front upper side surface of the storage tank810(in a direction toward the front panel of the cabinet) based on the state in which the storage tank810is accommodated in the tank housing830(in a flat state).

For easy separation of the storage tank810, as shown inFIG.3, the front lower portion of the storage tank810may be formed as a convex downward curved surface having a predetermined curvature, and the curved surface corresponding to the curved surface of the storage tank810may be formed on the tank housing830.

After the storage tank810is detached, when a user grips the handle unit816and moves to a position for replenishing water, the handle unit816of the storage tank810, as shown at the top ofFIG.3, may be in the upward direction. That is, it becomes a standing state by rotating 90 degrees based on the state in which the storage tank810is accommodated in the tank housing830.

On the other hand, a user can open a water supply cap814in a state in which the storage tank810is laid down in the same manner as the state accommodated in the tank housing830and supply water to the internal storage space S of the storage tank810, and then, close the water supply cap814again and complete water replenishment.

The coupling of the storage tank810may be performed in the reverse order of the separation process described above.

FIG.4is a perspective view of a storage tank810of the laundry dryer according to the present invention andFIG.5is an exploded perspective view ofFIG.4.

Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the storage tank810will be described with reference toFIGS.4and5.

As described above, the storage tank810may store water to be supplied to the steam unit90in an airtight manner.

The storage tank810may include a tank body811having a storage space S formed therein and a tank cover812coupled to the open upper side surface of the tank body811.

The tank body811may be configured to include a main body portion811ain a box shape having an open upper side surface to store water therein, and a closed front surface811a1, rear surface811a2, first side surface811a3, second side surface811a4and lower side surface811a5. The tank body811may be manufactured by a plastic injection method in consideration of sealing properties, processability and light weight of the storage space S.

As described above, the front surface811a1of the main body portion811amay be formed to have a convex downward curved surface with a predetermined curvature in order to easily separate the storage tank810from the tank housing830. The first side surface811a3, the second side surface811a4, and the rear surface811a2may be formed in a simple planar structure.

The supply unit817may be installed on the rear surface811a2of the main body portion811aof the tank body811.

The supply unit817may deliver the water stored in the storage space S of the tank body811to the outside of the tank body811, and include a check valve penetrating the rear surface811a2of the tank body811and a water supply pipe having a shape that is bent in an L-shape toward the lower side surface811a5of the main body portion811aof the tank body811from the check valve.

The check valve may be connected in a fitting manner with the connection pipe850of the tank housing830described above, and regulate the internal flow path so that water is supplied from the water supply pipe to the connection pipe850only when connected to the connection pipe850.

As for the configuration of the check valve and the water supply pipe, a means already known in the art can be applied, and a detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

A floater815may be placed at a position adjacent to either the first side surface811a3or the second side surface811a4in the storage tank810to measure the level of stored water.

FIG.5illustrates an embodiment in which the floater815is placed in a position adjacent to the second side surface811a4, but the present invention is not limited thereto. However, for the purpose of convenience, the following description will be made based on an embodiment in which the floater815is placed at a position adjacent to the second side surface811a4, and a detailed configuration will be described later with reference toFIG.6.

The tank cover812may be coupled to the open upper side surface of the tank body811and cover the upper side surface of the tank body811to form a storage space S therein together with the tank body811.

As shown inFIG.5, the tank cover812may have a rectangular flat plate812ahaving an approximately uniform thickness, and a first concave surface812bformed close to the front edge812a1of the flat plate812a.

In order to prevent leakage, the circumferential surface including the front edge812a1, side edge812a2and rear edge of the tank cover812and the upper end portion811a6of the tank body811may be coupled to each other in a fusion bonding to form a fusion portion.

In order to increase the fusion strength and reduce the possibility of leakage, the upper end portion811a6of the tank body811and the circumferential surface of the tank cover812forming the fusion surface may be formed as a stepped surface.

The tank cover812can be manufactured by a plastic injection method like the tank body811in order to be easily fused with the tank body811, and the fusion can be made by using any method already known in the art such as thermal fusion, ultrasonic fusion, etc.

The first concave surface812bmay be a configuration for forming the handle unit816together with a second concave surface813bof a decorative cover813to be described later.

The first concave surface812bmay be configured as an inclined curved surface that is convex downward so as to have a depth enough to be easily gripped by a user, and has the shape of a curved surface that is entirely blocked.

Meanwhile, a water supply hole812cmay be formed between the first concave surface812band the rear edge.

A water supply cap814may be detachably fastened to the water supply hole812c. A user can separate the water supply cap814from the water supply hole812cby rotating the water supply cap814in the locked state in the release direction. In the state where the water supply cap814is separated, water can be replenished.

In the water supply hole812c, a step portion812eextending toward the inside of the tank body811may be installed as a structure for fastening the water supply cap814to be detachable and improving the sealing performance of the water supply cap814.

As for the configuration of the detachable structure between the water supply hole812cand the water supply cap814, a means already known in the art can be applied, and a detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

Meanwhile, the step portion812eextending toward the inside of the tank body811may also act as a means for visually recognizing the maximum storage capacity of the storage tank810to a user.

Thus, while a user separates the water supply cap814to replenish water, it acts as a means to visually inform the user that water cannot be added any more when the water level reaches the bottom of the step portion812e. A visual means such as a character or a leader line may be further added to the step portion812eas a means for informing the maximum water level and maximum capacity limitation.

Meanwhile, a second intake hole812hextending through the flat plate812abetween the first concave surface812band the side edge812a2may be formed at a position close to the front edge812a1of the tank cover812.

The second intake hole812hmay act as an intake hole for forming an air flow path by communicating the storage space S of the storage tank810and an external space together with a first intake hole813hto be described later.

The second intake hole812hmay be formed at a position avoiding the above-described fusion portion so as to form an unblocked air flow path.

On the other hand, the storage tank810of the laundry dryer according to the present invention may further include a decorative cover813attached to the upper side surface812a3of the tank cover812and to at least partially cover the upper side surface812a3of the tank cover812.

As an example,FIGS.4and5illustrate a decorative cover813covering all of the upper side surface812a3of the tank cover812, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the configuration of the decorative cover813covering a part of the upper side surface812a3belongs to the scope of the present invention. For convenience, the following description will be made with respect to the configuration of the decorative cover813covering the entire upper side surface812a3of the tank cover812.

The decorative cover813may be manufactured by injection molding in the same manner as the tank body811and the tank cover812. It may be attached to the upper side surface812a3of the tank cover812to protect the upper side surface812a3of the tank cover812and to improve user convenience by forming the handle unit816together with the first concave surface812bof the tank cover812described above.

For enhancing such convenience function, a second concave surface813bin the form of a convex downward curved surface at a position corresponding to the above described first concave surface812bmay be provided on a flat plate813aof the decorative cover813.

The second concave surface813bmay be formed to have a shape corresponding to the first concave surface812bonly partially. Therefore, the second concave surface813bmay function as a space in which a finger can enter when a user is gripping it, and the portion between a front edge813a1of the flat plate813aand the second concave surface813b, as a portion where the concave surface is not formed, may function as a grip unit through which the user's finger can be caught.

The decorative cover813may be configured to be detachably fastened to the tank body811. To this end, the decorative cover813may include an edge portion813dextending from the front edge813a1, a side edge813a2and rear edge of the flat plate813atoward the tank body811.

In addition, a plurality of locking protrusions811ethat fits to the edge portion813dof the decorative cover813may be formed on the upper end portion811a6of the tank body811that is a position corresponding to the edge portion813dduring fastening.

On the other hand, a through hole813chaving a shape corresponding to the water supply hole812cof the tank cover812may be formed between the second concave surface813band the rear edge of the flat plate813aand at a position corresponding to the water supply hole812cof the tank cover812.

In addition, a first intake hole813hextending through the upper side surface813a3and the lower side surface813a4of the flat plate813amay be formed at a position close to the front edge813a1of the decorative cover813and between the second concave surface813band the front edge813a1.

The first intake hole813hmay act as an intake hole for forming an air flow path by communicating the storage space S of the storage tank810with an external space, together with the second intake hole812has described above.

FIGS.6to9show a detailed configuration of the floater815.

Referring toFIGS.6to9, the floater815may include a body portion815amade of a plastic material having a predetermined rigidity but having a lower density than water so that the position in the vertical direction can be moved according to the water level.

In more detail, as shown, the body portion815amay be configured to have a hexahedral shape having a first outer surface815a1and a second outer surface815a2formed parallel to each other and spaced apart by a first interval Hf, a third outer surface815a3and a fourth outer surface815a4formed parallel to each other and spaced apart by a second interval Wf, and a fifth outer surface815a5and a sixth outer surface815a6formed parallel to each other and spaced apart by a third interval Lf.

In this case, the first outer surface815a1to the sixth outer surface815a6may all be formed as flat surfaces, and the first interval Hf, the second interval Wf and the third interval Lf may be respectively different from each other. Preferably, the first interval Hf may be the shortest and the third interval Lf may be the longest, and it may be a bar-shaped rectangular prism.

However, as described above, the present invention may firstly provide a more reliable detection performance for the water level while maintaining a floating state of the floater815even with an amount less than the amount required for performing the steam process.

In order to minimize the height of the floater815based on the state in which the storage tank is accommodated in the tank housing, the floater815may be installed in the storage tank so that the first interval Hf among the first interval Hf, the second interval Wf and the third interval Lf acts as the height of the floater815.

That is, the floater815may be installed in the storage tank such that the first outer surface815a1becomes the upper side surface, and the second outer surface815a2becomes the lower side surface.

In this case, the third outer surface815a3and the fourth outer surface815a4may become a first side surface and a second side surface, respectively, and the fifth outer surface815a5and the sixth outer surface815a6may be defined as a front surface and a rear surface, respectively.

On the other hand, if the first interval Hf corresponding to the smallest interval is selected as the height in the vertical direction, that is, in a gravitational direction, it may be difficult to generate sufficient buoyancy while submerged in water. In particular, since a magnet M having a density much higher than that of water is embedded inside the floater815as described later, it is necessary to increase the buoyancy of the floater815in order to measure the water level more accurately.

Thus, the floater815according to one embodiment of the present invention may be formed such that the third interval Lf that is the total length of the floater815and the second interval Wf that is the total width of the floater815have a fairly large ratio compared to the first interval Hf, thereby increasing the buoyancy of the entire floater815.

Preferably, the third interval Lf acting as the total length may be formed to be 8 to 10 times larger than the first interval Hf, and the second interval Wf acting as the entire width may be formed to be 1.5 to 2.5 times larger than the first interval Hf.

As described above, by limiting the ratio of the second interval Wf and the third interval Lf to the first interval Hf, the floating state in which the body portion815aof the floater815is at least partially exposed above the water surface can be maintained.

In addition, the first interval Hf may be limited compared to the movable section Hs of the floater815defined as the height from the lower side surface811a5of the tank body811to the other end of a stopper812d, as described later.

That is, by setting the movable section Hs of the floater815to be 2.5 to 3.5 times larger than the first interval Hf, a margin for the movement of the floater815and the magnet M can be secured, and it is possible to accurately specify the water level at which water shortage occurs.

Meanwhile, a magnet M may be embedded in the body portion815aof the floater815so that the water level can be measured in a manner that detects changes in magnetic force or magnetism.

In this case, as described above, the vertical height among the sizes of the embedded magnet M may be configured to be maintained at a predetermined ratio compared to the first interval Hf of the floater815so as to provide a reliable detection performance. Preferably, the vertical height of the magnet M may be limited to 0.5 to 0.8 times the first interval Hf.

As shown inFIG.8, a magnet receiving unit815M, in which a magnet M is inserted and embedded, may be formed in a groove shape in the body portion815a.

In this case, in order to form a symmetrical structure of the floater815and the magnet M, as described later, the distance from the magnet M to the third outer surface815a3and the distance from the magnet M to the fourth outer surface815a4can be set equally in the state where the insertion into the magnet receiving unit815M is completed.

For the same reason, the distance from the magnet M to the first outer surface815a1and the distance from the magnet M to the second outer surface815a2can be set equally.

In the illustrated embodiment, a magnet M having a hexahedral shape and a magnet receiving unit815M having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the magnet M are formed, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the magnet M of various shape may be applicable, and the shape of the magnet receiving unit815M may be changed correspondingly. Hereinafter, a description will be made based on a magnet M having a hexahedral shape as an example.

After the magnet M is inserted into the open insertion hole815Mh of the magnet receiving unit815M, the insertion hole815Mh may be closed through a magnet cover815c.

The magnet cover815cmay be configured to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the insertion hole815Mh, and the magnet cover815cmay be coupled to the insertion hole815Mh by a method such as forced press-fitting.

On the other hand, a first through hole815h1and a second through hole815h2each having the same cylindrical shape may be formed in the body portion815awith the magnet M interposed therebetween by extending through the first outer surface815a1and the second outer surface815a2.

When the floater815is installed in the storage tank, a guide bar811cmay extend through the first through hole815h1and the second through hole815h2, and the floater815may be guided to move only in the vertical direction along the water surface through the first through hole815h1and the second through hole815h2. Thus, the floater815can be prevented from being separated from a predetermined position.

Meanwhile, the distance between the magnet M and the center of the first through hole815h1and the distance between the magnet M and the center of the second through hole815h2may be set equal to each other.

In addition, the distance from the fifth outer surface815a5of the body portion815ato the center of the first through hole815h1and the distance from the sixth outer surface815a6to the center of the second through hole815h2may be set equal to each other.

In this way, when the position of the first through hole815h1, the position of the second through hole815h2and the position of the magnet M are set, it can maintain the first through hole815h1, the second through hole815h2and the magnet M in a left-right symmetrical shape and a vertically symmetrical shape based on the center of the magnet M. When the floater815is installed, an assembly is possible even in a reversed state in which the first outer surface815a1and the second outer surface815a2are inverted and the fifth outer surface815a5and the sixth outer surface815a6are inverted. Thus, it is possible to prevent defects due to misassemblies.

Meanwhile, inside the first through hole815h1and the second through hole815h2, a plurality of internal ribs815dprotruding from respective inner circumferential surfaces may be provided.

Each of the plurality of inner ribs815dmay be configured to have a linear shape extending in a direction from the first outer surface815a1toward the second outer surface815a2of the body portion815a, as shown inFIG.7, each may have the same shape and be spaced equally apart from each other.

FIG.7shows an embodiment in which a total of eight internal ribs815dare provided in the first through hole815h1and the second through hole815h2, respectively, but this is only an example and its number and size can be adjusted according to the overall size of the floater815and the inner diameter d1of the first through hole815h1and the second through hole815h2. Hereinafter, it is described based on the illustrated embodiment.

As described above, the guide bar811cmay be inserted and passed through the first through hole815h1and the second through hole815h2, respectively.

Since the floater815moves vertically along the outer surface of the guide bar811cin a stationary state, a frictional force may be generated between the outer surface of the guide bar811cand the inner surface of the first through hole815h1, and the outer surface of the guide bar811cand the inner surface of the second through hole815h2, so that smooth movement of the floater815may be hindered.

Therefore, the effective inner diameter d2of the first through hole815h1and the second through hole815h2can be limited to the diameter of virtual circle connecting the upper ends of the individual inner ribs815dof the plurality of inner ribs815d. Thus, the direct contact of the inner circumferential surface of the first through hole815h1and the inner circumferential surface of the second through hole815h2can be prevented, and a contact area with respect to the guide bar811ccan be minimized. Accordingly the frictional force that hinders the movement of the floater815can be minimized and smooth vertical movement of the floater815can be ensured.

In addition, a plurality of outer ribs815bprotruding and extending in a straight line may be provided on the first outer surface815a1and the second outer surface815a2of the body portion815a.

In this case, each of the plurality of outer ribs815bmay be configured to have the same shape.

The plurality of outer ribs815bcan minimize the contact area between the lower side surface811a5of the tank body811and the second outer surface815a2of the body portion815a. This can prevent a phenomenon in which the floater815is fixed to the lower side surface811a5of the tank body811and the floater815does not float along the water surface.

FIGS.6to8show an embodiment in which a total of six outer ribs815bare formed only on the first outer surface815a1corresponding to an upper side surface, but it is configured to form the outer rib815dof the same shape in a symmetrical position on the second outer surface815a2corresponding to a lower side surface

In the other hand, as described later, a plurality of bottom ribs811dmay be formed on the position of the lower side surface811a5of the tank body811corresponding to the second outer surface815a2of the floater815, so that the bottom ribs811dmay be in contact with the external ribs815bin a state in which the floater815is moved to the lowest position P1.

In this case, the plurality of bottom ribs811dmay be each configured to have a linear shape, but extend in a direction intersecting with the outer ribs815bso that the contact area with the outer ribs815bcan be minimized. The detailed configuration of the bottom rib811dis described later.

Meanwhile, the floater sensor SF for detecting the position of the magnet M provided in the floater815may be attached on the other side of the tank housing830.

The floater sensor SF may be fixed to a sensor installation unit834integrally formed the outside of the tank housing830as shown inFIG.10.

The floater sensor SF may include a sensing unit SF1extending in a vertical direction between the lowest position P1and the highest position P2of the magnet M and identifying the center position Cf of the magnet M moving vertically according to the water level. The effective sensing surface of the sensing unit SF1may be configured to extend in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the magnet M in order to measure the change of magnetic force or change of magnetism to be changed according to the moving direction of the magnet M.

Since any means capable of detecting a change in magnetic force or magnetism is applicable as the sensing unit SF1of the floater sensor SF, a detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

On the other hand, as described above, the present invention can simplify the manufacturing process of the storage tank and significantly reduce the manufacturing cost by integrally forming a floater case811bthat guides the vertical movement of the floater815in the storage tank.

To this end, at a position adjacent to the second side surface811a4of the tank body811in which the floater815is disposed, the floater case811band the guide bar811cmay be formed as a means for preventing separation of the floater815and guiding the movement in the vertical direction (Z direction).

First, as shown, the floater case811bmay have a U-shape, be configured to have a shape protruding upward from the lower side surface811a5of the main body portion811aof the tank body811and be injection molded integrally with the main body portion811a.

Therefore, by integrally forming the floater case811bwith the tank body811, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the manufacturing process can be simplified compared to the conventional manufacturing process of separately forming and assembling.

In more detail, as shown inFIGS.5,10and11, the floater case811bmay include a main plate811b1constituting U-shape, a first subplate811b2, and a second subplate811b3.

The main plate811b1may be formed toward one side of the tank body811, preferably toward the second side surface811a4on which the floater815is installed, and configured to have a flat plate shape as a whole.

The first subplate811b2may be integrally formed at the front end of the main plate811b1, formed toward the front surface811a1of the box-shaped tank body811and configured to have a flat plate shape as a whole.

The second subplate811b3may be integrally formed at the other rear end of the main plate811b1, formed toward the rear surface811a2of the tank body811and configured to have a flat plate shape as a whole.

In this case, the main plate811b1, the first subplate811b2and the second subplate811b3may be formed to have the same height from the lower side surface811a5of the tank body811, respectively.

The floater815may be installed in the accommodation space defined by the second side surface of the tank body811and the U-shaped structure including the main plate811b1, the first subplate811b2and the second subplate811b3, and the influence of the floating of the water surface in the outer space of the floater case811bcan be minimized, and the vertical movement of the floater815cannot be disturbed.

On the other hand, the floater case811bmay be spaced apart from the second side surface811a4of the tank body811at a predetermined interval, so that the accommodation space defined by the floater case811band the second side surface811a4of the tank body811can communicate with the outer space of the floater case811b.

In addition, a plurality of reinforcing ribs811b4extending linearly in the vertical direction (Z direction) may be formed on the inner surfaces of the main plate811b1, the first subplate811b2and the second subplate811b3facing the floater815, so that the frictional force can be reduced by minimizing each contact area with the floater815, while reinforcing the rigidity of the floater case811b.

In addition, a plurality of the bottom ribs811dmay be further installed on the lower side surface811a5of the tank body811inside the accommodation space defined by the floater case811band the second side surface811a4of the tank body811, so that the contact area with the floater815can be minimized and the lowermost position of the floater815can be defined.

As described above, the plurality of bottom ribs811dmay be each configured to have a linear shape, and extend in a direction intersecting with the outer ribs815bso that the contact area with the outer ribs815bmay be minimized.

The highest position P2of the floater815based on the center position Cf of the magnet M can be defined by the stopper812dformed on the tank cover812to be described later.

On the other hand, the guide bar811cmay guide the movement of the floater815together with the floater case811b, and, like the floater case811b, be integrally injection molded with the main body portion811aof the tank body811.

Specifically, as shown, the guide bar811cmay be configured as a pair of pillars, preferably cylinders, extending upwardly (Z direction) from the lower side surface811a5of the tank body811.

The guide bar811ccomposed of a pair of cylinders may be inserted into a pair of the first through hole815h1and the second through hole815h2formed in the floater815to guide the movement of the floater815and to prevent the departure of the floater815.

The stopper812dfor setting the maximum height of the floater815or the magnet M may be integrally formed on the lower side surface812a4of the flat plate812aof the tank cover812.

As shown inFIGS.10and11, the stopper812dmay be configured in a columnar shape having one end fixed to the lower side surface812a4of the flat plate812aof the tank cover812, and the other end protruding and extending toward the upper side surface of the floater815, i.e., the first outer surface815a1, and integrally formed and manufactured during the injection molding of the flat plate812aof the tank cover812.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG.11, the height Hs from the lower side surface811a5of the tank body811to the other end of the stopper812dmay be need to set shorter than the height from the lower side surface811a5of the tank body811to the height at which the pair of guide bars811cprotrudes, or the protruding height of the above-described floater case811b.

That is, as described above, the floater815can be guided to move in the vertical direction along a pair of guide bars811c, if the height Hs from the lower side surface811a5of the tank body811to the other end of the stopper812dis higher or lower than the height at which the pair of guide bars811cprotrude, the possibility that the floater815may be separated from the guide bar811cin the process of replenishing water into the tank body811may increase.

By setting the height Hs from the lower side surface811a5of the tank body811to the other end of the stopper812din this way, when the floater815rises from the lowest position P1, as shown inFIG.11, and reaches the highest position P2that comes into contact with the other end of the stopper812d, the separation of the floater815from the pair of guide bars811ccan be effectively prevented even when various external forces such as shock or vibration are applied.

As such, it will be appreciated that the technical configuration of the present invention described above can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the embodiments described above are to be understood as illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims to be described later rather than the detailed description described above, and the meaning and scope of the claims and all changes or modified forms derived from the equivalent concept should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.