Clothes treatment apparatus and control method thereof

A clothes treatment apparatus includes a cabinet; an inner door disposed to be rotatable in a front surface of the cabinet and provided with an opening; an outer door disposed to form a space in which clothes are mounted between a front surface of the inner door and the outer door, the outer door disposed to rotate with respect to the cabinet together with the inner door or with respect to the inner door separately from the inner door; a heating plate disposed on a rear surface of the outer door; a holding device disposed in an upper portion of the space between the inner door and the outer door and formed to hold one end of the clothes; and a pair of clips disposed under the holding device in the space between the inner door and the outer door and formed to hold both sides of the clothes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0150583 filed on Nov. 21, 2019 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a clothes treatment apparatus for improving a condition of clothes and a control method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, a washing machine is widely used as a device for washing articles made of fabrics such as clothes or bedding. The washing machine is configured to wash laundry by friction between the laundry and washing water contained in the water tub. Therefore, in addition to the washing process, processes such as a dehydrating process, a drying process, and the like are additionally required.

Recently, as an apparatus that treats or manages clothes more simply than such a washing machine, clothes treatment apparatuses having a function of removing winkles, dust, or odor from clothes without a separate washing process through washing water are used.

A conventional clothes treatment apparatus removes fine dust and wrinkles from clothes by supplying high-temperature steam to the clothes and transmitting a mechanical force to the clothes through strong airflow or vibration.

However, the conventional clothes treatment apparatus has a problem in that it is difficult to maintain the original crease of the clothes.

In addition, the conventional clothes treatment apparatus has a problem in that it is difficult to unfold wrinkles in special portions of the clothes such as collars, cuffs, button portions, and the like.

SUMMARY

The disclosure has been developed in order to overcome the above drawbacks and other problems associated with the conventional arrangement. An aspect of the disclosure relates to a clothes treatment apparatus capable of sharpening creases inherent in clothes and a control method thereof.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a clothes treatment apparatus capable of unfolding wrinkles in special portions of clothes such as collars, cuffs, button portions, and the like and a control method thereof.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a clothes treatment apparatus may include a cabinet; an inner door disposed to be rotatable in a front surface of the cabinet and provided with an opening; an outer door disposed to form a space in which clothes are mounted between a front surface of the inner door and the outer door, the outer door disposed to rotate with respect to the cabinet together with the inner door or with respect to the inner door separately from the inner door; a heating plate disposed on a rear surface of the outer door; a holding device disposed in an upper portion of the space between the inner door and the outer door and formed to hold one end of the clothes; and a pair of clips disposed under the holding device in the space between the inner door and the outer door and formed to hold both sides of the clothes.

The holding device may include a base plate disposed on the front surface of the inner door; a pressing plate hinged to be pivotable with respect to the base plate and configured to apply a force toward the front surface of the inner door and a heating member disposed on an inner surface of the pressing plate.

The holding device may include a pedal disposed in a lower portion of the inner door and formed to rotate the pressing plate, and wherein when a force is applied to the pedal, the pressing plate may rotate in a direction away from the inner door, and when the force applied to the pedal is removed, the pressing plate may apply a predetermined force toward the inner door.

The holding device may include a pressing member disposed between the base plate and the pressing plate and configured to press the pressing plate toward the inner door; a motor disposed on one side of the pressing plate and configured to rotate the pressing plate in a direction spaced apart from the inner door; and a foot switch disposed in a lower portion of the inner door and configured to turn on/off the motor.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a control method of a clothes treatment apparatus may include mounting clothes in a space between an inner door and an outer door of the clothes treatment apparatus; and performing ironing on the clothes, by the clothes treatment apparatus, wherein the performing ironing on the clothes may include generating steam by operating an injection device and supplying the steam to the clothes; generating heat by a heating plate of the outer door; and drying the clothes by operating a circulation device.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, a control method of a clothes treatment apparatus may include selecting a special ironing in the clothes treatment apparatus; opening an outer door of the clothes treatment apparatus; checking a position of a holding device disposed in an inner door and adjusting the position of the holding device; pressing a pedal or a foot switch so that a pressing plate of the holding device is opened; setting a special portion of clothes in the holding device; releasing the pedal or the foot switch; applying force and heat to the special portion of the clothes by the holding device; and pressing the pedal or the foot switch and removing the clothes from the holding device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, certain embodiments of a clothes treatment apparatus according to the disclosure and a control method thereof will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Various embodiments of the disclosure will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that technologies mentioned in the disclosure are not limited to specific embodiments, but include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives according to embodiments of the disclosure. The matters defined herein, such as a detailed construction and elements thereof, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of this description. Thus, it is apparent that exemplary embodiments may be carried out without those defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are omitted to provide a clear and concise description of exemplary embodiments. Further, dimensions of various elements in the accompanying drawings may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for assisting in a comprehensive understanding.

The terms ‘first’, ‘second’, etc. may be used to describe diverse components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms may only be used to distinguish one component from the others. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

The terms used in embodiments of the present disclosure may be construed as commonly known to those skilled in the art unless otherwise defined.

Further, the terms ‘leading end’, ‘rear end’, ‘upper side’, ‘lower side’, ‘top end’, ‘bottom end’, etc. used in the present disclosure are defined with reference to the drawings. However, the shape and position of each component are not limited by the terms.

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.FIG.2is a perspective view illustrating a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment in which an outer door is opened.FIG.3is a perspective view illustrating a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment in which an inner door is opened.FIG.4is a cross-sectional view illustrating the clothes treatment apparatus ofFIG.1taken along line I-I.

Referring toFIGS.1,2, and3, a clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cabinet10, an inner door20, and an outer door30.

The cabinet10forms the appearance of the clothes treatment apparatus1and may be formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An accommodation space11in which clothes may be accommodated is provided inside the cabinet10. The front surface of the cabinet10is open so that clothes may be put in and out of the accommodation space11. The inner door20and the outer door30are provided on the front of the cabinet10to open and close the accommodation space11.

The cabinet10may be divided into two spaces by an intermediate plate13. An upper side of the intermediate plate13forms the accommodation space11in which clothes are accommodated, and an injection device and a circulation device may be disposed in a space under the intermediate plate13.

The inner door20may be disposed to be rotatable with respect to the front surface of the cabinet10. The inner door20may be hinged to one side of the front surface of the cabinet10. Accordingly, the inner door20may rotate with respect to the cabinet10based on the hinge. When the inner door20is closed, the accommodation space11of the cabinet10is closed.

The inner door20may be provided with an opening21. The opening21may be formed in a shape similar to the outline of the pants. For example, as illustrated inFIG.2, the width of the upper end of the opening21may be narrow, and the width of the lower end of the opening21may be wider than that of the upper end of the opening21. The lower portion of the opening21may be formed to have the same width as the lower end of the opening21to a predetermined height.

In addition, the width of the opening21may be formed to be smaller than the width of the pants. Further, the opening21may be divided into an upper opening21-1and a lower opening21-2by the second holder mounting portions23.

Therefore, the inner portion of the pants is exposed through the opening21, and the edge of the pants may be supported by the inner door20. When a transparent window24is provided on the inner door20, the edge of the pants may be supported by the transparent window24. Steam and compressed air in the accommodation space11may be supplied to a space33between the inner door20and the outer door30through the opening21of the inner door20.

The transparent window24may be provided on both sides of the opening21in the inner door20. The user may check the mounting state of clothes, for example, pants, that are mounted in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30through the transparent window24. In addition, the transparent window24may be divided into an upper transparent window24-1and a lower transparent window24-2by a second holder mounting portion23.

The outer door30may be disposed on the outside of the inner door20by hinges so as to be rotatable with respect to each of the cabinet10and the inner door20. The outer door30may form the space33in which clothes are accommodated, that is, an ironing space, between the front surface of the inner door20and the outer door30.

In addition, the outer door30may be hinged to rotate with respect to the cabinet10together with the inner door20or with respect to the inner door20separately from the inner door20.

Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG.2, the outer door30may be opened while the inner door20is fixed to the cabinet10. Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG.3, the inner door20and the outer door30may be opened in a coupled state to open the accommodation space11of the cabinet10.

A door coupling device40may be provided between the inner door20and the outer door30, so that the outer door30is fixed to the inner door20so that the outer door30may be rotated integrally with the inner door20or the outer door30may be rotated regardless of the inner door20. An example of the door coupling device40is illustrated inFIG.5.

FIG.5is a partial perspective view illustrating a door coupling device of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.5, the door coupling device40may include a fixing lever41disposed in the outer door30and a fixing part45disposed in the inner door20.

The fixing lever41may be rotatably disposed on the side surface30cof the outer door30. The fixing lever41may be formed in an approximately L-shape, and have one end provided with a locking part42that is caught on the fixing part45of the inner door20and the other end provided with an operating part43. A rotation shaft44may be provided on the central portion of the fixing lever41and fixed to the side surface30cof the outer door30.

The front surface30aof the outer door30may extend from the side surface30cof the outer door30so as to cover the fixing lever41. Accordingly, the fixing lever41may be covered by the outer door30, so that the fixing lever41is not visible from the front of the clothes treatment apparatus1.

The fixing part45may be provided in one side of the front surface20aof the inner door20, and may include an insertion groove46into which the locking part42of the fixing lever41is inserted and a locking jaw47by which the locking part42is caught. The locking jaw47may be provided above the entrance of the insertion groove46.

Therefore, when the locking part42of the fixing lever41is inserted into the insertion groove46of the fixing part45and then rotated upward by a certain angle, the locking part42is caught by the locking jaw47so that the fixing lever41does not come off from the fixing part45. When the locking part42of the fixing lever41of the outer door30is caught by the locking jaw47of the fixing part45of the inner door20, the outer door30may rotate integrally with the inner door20.

When the user presses the operating part43of the fixing lever41toward the front surface30aof the outer door30, that is, when a force is applied to the operating part43of the fixing lever41in the counter-clockwise direction, the fixing lever41is rotated about the rotation shaft44so that the locking part42of the fixing lever41is released from the locking jaw47of the fixing part45. In this state, when the outer door30is rotated, the outer door30may be rotated separately from the inner door20.

The outer door30may include a heating plate31. The heating plate31may be formed to apply heat to clothes positioned between the outer door30and the inner door20. The heating plate31disposed on the outer door30and the front surface of the inner door20may form the space33in which clothes are accommodated.

Accordingly, the heating plate31may contact or be adjacent to the clothes positioned in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30. The heating plate31may perform an ironing function by applying heat to the clothes positioned between the outer door30and the inner door20.

For example, the heating plate31may be disposed on the rear surface30bof the outer door30. The heating plate31may be formed so as to generate heat when power is applied and not to generate heat when power is cut off. For example, the heating plate31may be formed in a flat plate shape. The heating plate31may be formed in a structure in which a heating wire is disposed inside the flat plate. However, the structure of the heating plate31is not limited thereto. As long as heat can be generated by the supply of power, the heating plate31may be formed in various structures.

As another example, as illustrated inFIG.6, the heating plate31may be disposed to be elastically supported on the rear surface of the outer door30.FIG.6is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating another example of a heating plate disposed on an outer door of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.6, a plurality of elastic members32are disposed between the heating plate31and the rear surface of the outer door30. Accordingly, the heating plate31may pressurize the clothes, for example, pants, mounted between the inner door20and the outer door30with a predetermined pressure. As illustrated inFIG.6, in the case that the heating plate31is formed to apply heat and pressure to the pants at the same time, when the pants are mounted between the outer door30and the inner door20and the ironing course is performed, the knife-edge creases of the pants may be more reliably maintained.

When the outer door30is closed with respect to the inner door20, the space33for receiving clothes, that is, an ironing space, is formed between the inner door20and the outer door30. For example, the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30may be formed so that pants may be mounted therein.

Referring toFIG.4, a holding device50may be disposed at the upper side of the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30to hold one end of clothes, for example, one end of pants.

Hereinafter, an example of the holding device50used in the clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detain with reference toFIGS.4,7,8,9, and10.

FIG.7is a perspective view illustrating a holding device of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.FIG.8is an exploded perspective view illustrating the holding device ofFIG.7.FIG.9is a cross-sectional view illustrating the holding device ofFIG.7.FIG.10is a view illustrating a holding device according to an embodiment disposed on an inner door.

Referring toFIGS.7,8, and9, the holding device50may include a base plate51and a pressing plate52.

The base plate51may be disposed on the front surface20aof the inner door20and support the pressing plate52to rotate. The base plate51may include a support portion51athat rotatably supports a hinge shaft55. The support portion51ais provided with a through hole into which the hinge shaft55is inserted.

The pressing plate52may be formed in a flat plate having a substantially rectangular shape, and may be hinged to be pivotable with respect to the base plate51. The pressing plate52may be disposed so that the pressing plate52is rotated at a certain angle around the hinge shaft55. A pair of support protrusions57into which both ends of the hinge shaft55are inserted may be provided at both side ends of the pressing plate52. A release part53may be provided at one end of the pressing plate52. The release part53may be formed to be inclined upward at a predetermined angle with respect to the pressing plate52.

The pressing plate52may be formed to apply a predetermined force toward the front surface of the inner door20. Accordingly, the pressing plate52may press one end of the clothes to fix the clothes to the front surface of the inner door20. To this end, a pressing member may be disposed between the base plate51and the pressing plate52.

A torsion spring56may be used as the pressing member. In this embodiment, two torsion springs56are provided on the hinge shaft55on both sides of the support portion51aof the base plate51. The torsion spring56may be formed to apply a predetermined force to the clothes so that the clothes do not fall out between the pressing plate52and the inner door20by its own weight when the pressing plate52presses the clothes.

On the other hand, when the user presses the release part53of the pressing plate52, the pressing plate52is rotated in the opposite direction, so that the gap between the pressing plate52and the front surface of the inner door20is widened. Accordingly, the user may separate the clothes between the pressing plate52and the inner door20.

The pressing plate52may include a heating member54. The heating member54may be disposed on the inner surface of the pressing plate52and may be formed to generate heat when power is applied thereto. Accordingly, the holding device50may apply a predetermined pressure and heat to a portion pressed by the pressing plate52.

The holding device50may be manually operated by the user. In other words, the user presses the release part53of the pressing plate52by hand, the pressing plate52is separated from the front surface of the inner door20, so that the user may place the clothes between the pressing plate52and the front surface of the inner door20. When the user removes the force applied to the release part53of the pressing plate52, the pressing plate52presses the clothes by the elastic force of the torsion spring56.

As another example, the holding device50may be formed so that the user manipulate the holding device50with his or her foot.

For example, the holding device50may further include a pedal70that is disposed at a lower portion of the inner door20and formed to rotate the pressing plate52. Therefore, when a force is applied to the pedal70, the pressing plate52may be rotated in a direction away from the front surface of the inner door20. When the force applied to the pedal70is removed, the pressing plate52may press the front surface of the inner door20.

To this end, the holding device50may include a drive part60operated by the pedal70. The drive part60may be disposed on one side of the pressing plate52and may be formed to rotate the pressing plate52at a predetermined angle.

Referring toFIG.8, the drive part60may include a drive shaft61protruding from the front surface of the drive part60and a link64protruding from the side surface of the drive part60. The drive part60may be formed so that when the link64is rotated by a certain angle by a force applied to the tip of the link64, the drive shaft61is rotated.

A male coupler62may be disposed at the tip of the drive shaft61. A female coupler63configured to be coupled to the male coupler62of the drive shaft61may be disposed at the support protrusion57of the pressing plate52. Therefore, when the male coupler62of the drive part60is coupled to the female coupler63of the pressing plate52, the pressing plate52may be rotated according to the rotation of the drive shaft61of the drive part60.

The drive part60may be disposed inside a cover68. A hole68athrough which the drive shaft61of the drive part60protrudes is provided on one surface of the cover68. A dummy cover69may be provided on the other side of the pressing plate52. The dummy cover69may have the same shape as the cover68and be disposed to be symmetrical with the cover68.

The cover68and the dummy cover69may be disposed to be fixed to the base plate51. In this case, the base plate51may be formed to support the cover68and the dummy cover69.

The pressing plate52may be formed to be rotated by a wire77connecting the drive part60and the pedal70.

Referring toFIG.10, the holding device50is disposed at the upper portion of the front surface of the inner door20, and the pedal70is disposed at the lower portion of the inner door20. An upper pulley76for supporting and guiding the wire77is disposed on the upper portion of the rear surface of the inner door20, and a lower pulley75for supporting and guiding the wire77is disposed on the lower portion of the rear surface of the inner door20.

One end of the pedal70is rotatably disposed on a pedal shaft72disposed in a pedal housing71, and the other end of the pedal70protrudes from the inner door20through a through hole27formed at the lower portion of the inner door20. Accordingly, the pedal70may rotate at a certain angle based on the pedal shaft72. In addition, the pedal70may be supported by a restoring elastic member74(seeFIG.11A) to return to its original position.

The pedal housing71may be disposed on the rear surface of the inner door20. The restoring elastic member74is disposed inside the pedal housing71to rotate the pedal70in the counter-clockwise direction by a predetermined angle.

In the case of this embodiment, two coil springs are used as the restoring elastic member74. The coil spring74is disposed so that one end of the coil spring74is supported by the inner surface of the pedal housing71, and the other end thereof is supported by the pedal70. When a force is applied to the pedal70in the clockwise direction, the coil spring74is compressed and the pedal70is rotated at a certain angle in the clockwise direction. When the force applied to the pedal70is removed, the pedal70is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction by the elastic force of the coil spring74to return to its original position. The lower pulley75may be disposed on the lower surface of the pedal housing71.

A rotation link73that rotates integrally with the pedal70may be disposed at one end of the pedal70. Accordingly, when the pedal70rotates, the rotation link73rotates integrally with the pedal70. One end77aof the wire77is connected to one end of the rotation link73.

The wire77is connected to the link64of the drive part60through the lower pulley75and the upper pulley76. In other words, the other end77bof the wire77is fixed to one end of the link64of the drive part60. Accordingly, when the pedal70rotates, the link64of the drive part60is rotated so that the pressing plate52is rotated.

Hereinafter, the operation of the pressing plate52by the pedal70will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.11A and11B.

FIG.11Ais a view illustrating a state in which a holding device according to an embodiment is closed, andFIG.11Bis a view illustrating a state in which a holding device according to an embodiment is opened.

When the user does not step on the pedal70, that is, when no force is applied to the pedal70, as illustrated inFIG.11A, the pressing plate52of the holding device50maintains a closed state in which the pressing plate52is close to front surface of the inner door20.

When the user steps on the pedal70, that is, when a force is applied to the pedal70, as illustrated inFIG.11B, the pedal70rotates in the clockwise direction based on the pedal shaft72. Then, the rotation link73rotates in the clockwise direction in the same manner as the pedal70.

When the rotation link73rotates in the clockwise direction, the wire77connected to the rotation link73is moved upward. When the wire77moves upward, the link64of the drive part60connected to the other end77bof the wire77is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction.

In this way, when the pressing plate52of the holding device50is opened by pressing the pedal70with the foot, the user places one end of the clothes, for example, pants, under the pressing plate52by hand. Thereafter, when the user releases his or her foot from the pedal70, the pressing plate52presses the one end of the pants by the pressing member, that is, two torsion springs56. At this time, the pedal70is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction by the two coil springs74to return to its original position.

When the holding device50is operated using the pedal70as described above, the user may fix the clothes to the holding device50using both hands. Accordingly, it may be convenient that the user fixes the clothes to the front surface of the inner door20.

As another example, as illustrated inFIG.12, the pressing plate may be formed to be rotated by a predetermined angle by a motor.

FIG.12is a perspective view illustrating a holding device according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIG.12, a holding device50′ may include a base plate51, a pressing plate52, a motor60′, and a foot switch78.

The base plate51and the pressing plate52are the same as the base plate51and the pressing plate52according to above-described embodiment; therefore, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

The motor60′ is disposed on one side of the pressing plate52. The motor60′ may be electrically connected to the foot switch78through an electric wire79.

The motor60′ may be disposed to rotate the pressing plate52of the holding device50′. A rotation shaft of the motor60′ and the support protrusion57of the pressing plate52may be connected to each other by a coupler. The coupler may be formed in the same manner as the coupler shown inFIG.8. In other words, the female coupler63may be disposed on the support protrusion57of the pressing plate52, and the male coupler62may be fixed to the rotation shaft of the motor60′. When the male coupler62fixed to the rotation shaft of the motor60′ is coupled to the female coupler63of the pressing plate52, the motor60′ and the pressing plate52are coupled to each other. Accordingly, when the motor60′ operates, the pressing plate52may rotate.

The motor60′ may be formed so that when the motor60′ rotates in one direction, the motor60′ rotates the pressing plate52so that the pressing plate52overcomes the elastic force of the pressing member56and rotates in a direction in which the pressing plate52is spaced apart from the inner door20.

The foot switch78may be disposed at the lower portion of the inner door20, and may be formed to turn on and off the motor60′. Accordingly, when the user presses the foot switch78, that is, when a force is applied to the foot switch78, the motor60′ is operated so that the rotation shaft of the motor60′ rotates. When the user does not press the foot switch78, that is, when no force is applied to the foot switch78, the motor60′ does not operate. At this time, the rotation shaft of the motor60′ may freely rotate.

Therefore, when a force is applied to the foot switch78, the rotation shaft of the motor60′ rotates in one direction, so that the pressing plate52is spaced apart from the inner door20. When the force applied to the foot switch78is removed, the motor60′ does not operate, and the pressing plate52is pressed toward the inner door20by the pressing member56so that the pressing plate52is in a closed state.

Hereinafter, the operation of the pressing plate52by the foot switch78will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.13A and13B.

FIG.13Ais a view illustrating a state in which the holding device ofFIG.12is closed, andFIG.13Bis a view illustrating a state in which the holding device ofFIG.12is opened.

When the user does not step on the foot switch78, that is, when no force is applied to the foot switch78, as illustrated inFIG.13A, the pressing plate52of the holding device50′ maintains a closed state in which the pressing plate52is close to the front surface of the inner door20.

When the user steps on the foot switch78, that is, when a force is applied to the foot switch78, the motor60′ operates so that the rotation shaft of the motor60′ rotates in the counter-clockwise direction. Then, the pressing plate52connected to the rotation shaft of the motor60′ also rotates in the counter-clockwise direction based on the hinge shaft55, so that the pressing plate52is opened apart from the front surface of the inner door20. In other words, the pressing plate52is in an open state.

In this way, when the pressing plate52of the holding device50′ is opened by pressing the foot switch78with the foot, the user places one end of the clothes, for example, pants, under the pressing plate52by hand. Thereafter, when the user releases his or her foot from the foot switch78, the operation of the motor60′ is stopped. Then, the pressing plate52is rotated in the clockwise direction by the pressing member, that is, two torsion springs56, and returns to the closed position. Then, the pressing plate52presses the one end of the pants.

When the holding device50is operated using the pedal70as described above, the user may fix the clothes to the holding device50using both hands. Accordingly, it may be convenient that the user fixes the clothes to the front surface of the inner door20.

When the holding device50′ is operated using the foot switch78as described above, the user may fix the clothes to the holding device50′ using both hands. Accordingly, it may be convenient that the user fixes the clothes to the front surface of the inner door20.

Hereinafter, another example of a holding device used in a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference toFIG.14.

FIG.14is a perspective view illustrating a holding device according to another embodiment.

Referring toFIG.14, a holding device80may include a base81and a pressing part82.

The base81may be integrally formed with the pressing part82. The pressing part82may be formed so that the leading end of the pressing part82is deformed as a certain angle with respect to the base81and then restored to its original state. Accordingly, one end of clothes may be inserted between the leading end of the pressing part82and the base81. The holding device80including the base81and the pressing part82may be formed by injection molding a resin or plastic having elasticity.

For example, the base81may be formed in a rectangular flat plate. The pressing part82may include a vertical portion82aextending substantially vertically from the base81and a parallel portion82bextending substantially parallel to the base81from the vertical portion82a. A jaw portion82cmay be provided on one surface of the parallel portion82bfacing the base81and may be formed to protrude toward the base81.

Because the holding device80is formed of a resin or plastic having elasticity, the pressing part82has elasticity. Accordingly, the user may insert one end of the clothes between the base81and the jaw portion82cof the pressing part82. The inserted clothes may be fixed to the base81by the jaw portion82cof the pressing part82.

The base81may be fixed to the inner door20. The base81may include a plurality of holes83for fixing the base81to the inner door20.

A plurality of holder mounting portions22and23may be provided on the front surface of the inner door20to allow the holding devices50,50′, and80to be disposed. The plurality of holder mounting portions22and23may be provided on the front surface20aof the inner door20by a predetermined interval in the vertical direction.

Referring toFIG.2, the inner door20includes two holder mounting portions, that is, a first holder mounting portion22and a second holder mounting portion23. The first holder mounting portion22may be provided at the upper end portion of the inner door20, and the second holder mounting portion23may be provided at a predetermined distance below the first holder mounting portion22. The second holder mounting portion23may be provided slightly above the center of the inner door20. The second holder mounting portion23may be provided in a position where it is easy for the user to fix one end of the clothes to the holding device50or50′ by hand.

A plurality of holes may be provided in the first and second holder mounting portions22and23to fix the holding device50or50′. The holding device50or50′ may be fixed to the holder mounting portions22and23with fastening members such as screws.

Referring again toFIG.2, a pair of clips85may be provided on both sides of the lower portion of the opening21of the inner door20. In other words, the pair of clips85may be disposed under the holding device50or50′ in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30. The pair of clips85may be provided to pull both sides of the lower portion of the clothes C fixed to the holding device50or50′, for example, both sides of the lower portion of the pants (seeFIG.16).

FIG.15is a side view illustrating a pair of clips of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.2and15, the leading end of the clip85may be formed so that the clothes C, for example, pants may be fixed by inserting the clothes into the leading end of the clip85. In addition, the clips85may be slidably disposed with respect to the front surface of the inner door20.

Each of the pair of clips85may include a spring86. One end of the spring86is fixed to the rear end of the clip85, and the other end of the spring86is fixed to a fixing piece87disposed on the inner door20. The spring86may be formed of a shape memory alloy. In other words, the clips85may be elastically supported by a shape memory alloy spring86.

The shape memory alloy spring86may be formed to contract when the ambient temperature, that is, the temperature inside the cabinet10increases. In other words, at room temperature, the shape memory alloy spring86is in an elongated stated, and when the temperature inside the cabinet10increases, the shape memory alloy spring86is in a contracted state.

The temperature inside the cabinet10may rise when the heating plate31of the outer door30operates or when steam is generated by an injection device. Therefore, when the heating plate31operates in the state where the outer door30is closed, the shape memory alloy spring86is contracted, so that the pair of clips85pull the clothes C. In this state, the heating plate31applies heat and pressure to the clothes C, so that ironing may be effectively performed.

In addition, at least one lower clip88capable of pulling the clothes C fixed to the holding device50or50′ in a downward direction may be disposed at the lower end of the opening21of the inner door20.

FIG.16is a partial front view illustrating an inner door of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment in which lower clips are disposed.

Referring toFIG.16, two lower clips88may be disposed so that the lower clips88grab and pull downward the lower end of the pants C.

The lower clip88may be formed to be elastically supported by a shape memory alloy spring89. The structure of the lower clip88is the same as that of each of the pair of clips85as described above; therefore, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a processor90for control.

FIG.17is a block diagram illustrating a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.17, the clothes treatment apparatus1may include a clothes support device91, an injection device92, a circulation device93, a heating plate31, a heating member54, a memory94, an input device95, a display96, and a processor90.

The clothes support device91is provided in the accommodation space11of the clothes treatment apparatus1capable of accommodating clothes and may be formed to support and fix clothes. The clothes support device91may be disposed at the upper end of the accommodation space11and used for hanging clothes. In addition, the clothes support device91may be separated from and taken out from the accommodation space11. The clothes support device91may be mounted in the accommodation space11again in a state in which the clothes support device91supports the clothes from the outside of the clothes treatment apparatus1.

The injection device92may be formed to inject steam or air onto the clothes accommodated in the accommodation space11. For example, the injection device92may inject high-temperature steam to change the fabric structure of the clothes into a flexible state. In addition, the injection device92may remove wrinkles from the clothes or remove dust from the clothes by injecting compressed air to press the clothes.

In addition, the injection device92may be disposed to be movable up and down along the accommodation space11. The injection device92may evenly inject steam or air while moving up and down.

The circulation device93may be formed to circulate the air in the accommodation space11. For example, the circulation device93may introduce high-temperature air into the accommodation space11and suck the air introduced into the accommodation space11again, thereby continuously circulating the high-temperature air into the accommodation space11.

The circulation device93may continuously circulate high-temperature air in the accommodation space11, thereby maintaining the fabric structure of the clothes in a flexible state, and drying the clothes by removing moisture from the clothes.

In addition, the circulation device93may include a heating source to generate the high-temperature air. The heating source may be formed as a heater or the like.

In addition, the circulation device93may be disposed under the accommodation space11, that is, below the intermediate plate13to circulate the air in the accommodation space11. However, the installation position of the circulation device93is not limited thereto.

The heating plate31may be disposed on the rear surface of the outer door30of the clothes treatment apparatus1, and may be formed so that when power is applied, the heating plate31generates heat to perform ironing on clothes mounted in the space33between the outer door30and the inner door20. The structure of the heating plate31has been described above; therefore, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The heating member54may be disposed on the pressing plate52of the holding device50or50′. The heating member54may be formed to generate heat when power is applied, thereby performing ironing on a special portion of clothes pressed by the pressing plate52. The heating member54is the same as the heating member54of the holding device50or50′ described above; therefore, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

The memory94may store programs for processing or controlling of the processor90and various data for an operation of the clothes treatment apparatus1. For example, the memory94may store a plurality of application programs driven by the clothes treatment apparatus1, and data and instructions for the operation of the clothes treatment apparatus1.

The memory94may be accessed by the processor90, and data read/write/edit/delete/update by the processor90may be performed. The memory94may be implemented as an external storage medium, a removable disk including a USB memory, a web server through a network, and the like, as well as a storage medium in the clothes treatment apparatus1.

The input device95may receive a function selection and control commands for the selected function from the user.FIG.18illustrates an example of an input device used in a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.18, the input device95of the clothes treatment apparatus1may include a display96, a plurality of course selection buttons97for selecting a clothes treatment course, a power button98, and an operation button99.

The display96may be formed to display information necessary for the user to control the clothes treatment apparatus1, such as a selected clothes treatment course, a state of the clothes treatment apparatus1, an abnormality detection alarm, and the like. The display96may be implemented as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), and the like capable of displaying such information.

The plurality of course selection buttons97may include a standard button97afor selecting a standard course, a fine dust button97bfor selecting a course for removing fine dust, a quick button97cfor selecting a quick course for rapidly performing clothes treatment, and a sterilizing button97dfor selecting a sterilizing course for sterilizing clothes.

In addition, the plurality of course selection buttons97may include a drying button97efor selecting a drying course for drying clothes, an ironing button97ffor selecting an ironing course for ironing clothes, and a special ironing button97gfor selecting a special ironing course for ironing a special portion of clothes.

The plurality of course selection buttons97as illustrated inFIG.18are only one example. When the clothes treatment apparatus1is formed to perform a clothes treatment course other than the above-described courses, a selection button for selecting the different clothes treatment course may be provided.

The power button98may be configured to turn on/off the clothes treatment apparatus1. In other words, when the power button98is pressed, power is applied to the clothes treatment apparatus1, so that the user may set an operation condition of the clothes treatment apparatus1using the plurality of course selection buttons97. When the power button98is pressed again, the power supplied to the clothes treatment apparatus1is turned off.

The operation button99may cause the clothes treatment apparatus1to perform a clothes treatment course. In other words, when the operation button99is pressed, the clothes treatment course selected by the user is performed. When the operation button99is pressed while the clothes treatment apparatus1is in operation, the operation of the clothes treatment apparatus1may be temporarily stopped.

In the above description, the input device95is implemented with the plurality of buttons97,98, and99. However, as another example, the input device95may be implemented as a touch screen. For example, the plurality of course selection buttons97, the power button98, and the operation button99may be implemented as software buttons displayed on the touch screen.

The processor90may perform control on each component in the clothes treatment apparatus1. In detail, the processor90may control an operation of a component related to a specific function. For example, the processor90may control the operation of the injection device92when it is necessary to perform the steam function, and may control the operation of the circulation device93when it is necessary to perform the drying function.

In the other hand, when performing the ironing course, the processor90may control the operations of the injection device92, the circulation device93, and the heating plate31. In addition, the processor90may control the operation of the heating member54of the holding device50or50′ when performing a special ironing course.

The processor90may include, for example, a processing circuit such as an electronic circuit board, various electronic components such as ASICs, ROMs, RAMs, and/or program modules. Because the processor90for treating clothes by controlling the clothes treatment apparatus1is the same as or similar to the processor of the clothes treatment apparatus according to the prior art, a detailed description of the configuration of the processor90is omitted.

Hereinafter, a method of treating clothes by a user using the clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference toFIG.19.

FIG.19is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a treatment other than ironing on clothes by a user with a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

First, the user opens the inner door20to open the accommodation space11of the cabinet10(S191). At this time, when the user does not operate the fixing lever41of the outer door30, the outer door30rotates integrally with the inner door20.FIG.3shows a state in which the inner door20of the clothes treatment apparatus1is opened.

Subsequently, the user separates the clothes support device91provided in the accommodation space11of the cabinet10and takes it out to the outside, and then mounts clothes on the clothes support device91(S192). The clothes support device91on which the clothes is mounted is again disposed in the accommodation space11of the cabinet10.

Next, the user closes the inner door20to seal the accommodation space11of the cabinet10(S193). At this time, the outer door30rotates integrally with the inner door20.

Subsequently, the user operates the clothes treatment apparatus1(S194). In detail, the user may activate the clothes treatment apparatus1by selecting one of the plurality of course selection buttons97provided in the input device95(seeFIG.18) and pressing the operation button99.

For example, the user may select the standard course97aand press the operation button99to operate the clothes treatment apparatus1. In this case, the processor90may control the injection device92and the circulation device93to perform a clothes treatment corresponding to the selected clothes treatment course.

When the selected clothes treatment course is completed, the user opens the inner door20and pulls out the clothes mounted on the clothes support device91(S195).

As described above, the clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure may perform the same or similar clothes treatment courses as the conventional clothes treatment apparatus.

Hereinafter, a method of ironing clothes by the user using the clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference toFIG.20.

FIG.20is a flowchart illustrating a method of ironing clothes by a user with a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

First, the user opens the outer door30(S201). At this time, when the user presses the operating part43of the fixing lever41(seeFIG.5) provided on the outer door30, the locking part42of the fixing lever41is removed from the fixing part45provided in the inner door20. Then, the user may open the outer door30while the inner door20is fixed to cabinet10as illustrated inFIG.2. When the outer door30is opened, the front surface of the inner door20is exposed to the outside.

Subsequently, the user mounts clothes using the holding device50and the pair of clips85provided on the inner door20(S202). For example, when mounting pants, one end of the pants (originally, the lower end of the pants) is fixed to the holding device50, and both sides of the pants adjacent to the other end of the pants (originally, the upper end of the pants) are fixed with the pair of clips85(seeFIG.16).

At this time, when the user presses the pedal70or the foot switch78provided in the lower portion of the inner door20with her or his foot, the pressing plate52of the holding device50is opened, so the user may use both hands to position the one end of the pants on the holding device50. In this state, when the user releases his or her foot from the pedal70or the foot switch78, the pressing plate52returns to its original position to fix the one end of the pants.

Therefore, the user may pivot the pressing plate52of the holding device50by manipulating the pedal70or the foot switch78with a foot, so that the user may easily fix the one end of the pants to the holding device50with both hands.

Next, when the mounting of the clothes on the inner door20is completed, the user closes the outer door30(S203). When the outer door30is closed, the locking part42of the fixing lever41is caught by the locking jaw47of the fixing part45of the inner door20, so that the outer door30is fixed to the inner door20.

Subsequently, the user performs an ironing course (S204). In detail, the user operates the clothes treatment apparatus1by pressing the ironing button97ffor selecting the ironing course in the input device95and pressing the operation button99.

Then, the processor90controls the clothes treatment apparatus1, thereby performing the ironing course.

Hereinafter, a control method in which the processor90performs the ironing course by controlling the clothes treatment apparatus1will be described in detail with reference toFIG.21.

FIG.21is a flowchart illustrating a control method of performing an ironing course by a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

When a signal is input by pressing the ironing button97fand the operation button99, the processor90performs the ironing course.

First, the processor90operates the injection device92(S211) to supply high-temperature steam to the accommodation space11of the cabinet10. The steam generated by the injection device92is supplied to clothes mounted in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30through the opening21of the inner door20. The high-temperature steam may change the fabric structure of the clothes mounted in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30into a flexible state.

Subsequently, the processor90turns on the heating plate31provided on the rear surface of the outer door30(S212). In other words, the processor90applies power to the heating plate31so that the heating plate31is heated. When the heating plate31is heated, ironing is performed on the clothes mounted in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30.

After supplying power to the heating plate31, the processor90determines whether a set time has elapsed (S213). The set time may be appropriately determined so that appropriate ironing may be performed for the clothes mounted in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30.

When the set time has elapsed, the processor90turns off the heating plate31(S214). In other words, the processor90cuts off power being supplied to the heating plate31.

Subsequently, the processor90operates the circulation device93(S215), thereby drying the clothes mounted in the accommodation space11of the cabinet10and the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30. In other words, the circulation device93operated by the processor90circulates high-temperature air in the accommodation space11of the cabinet10. Then, the high-temperature air is supplied to the clothes mounted in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30through the opening21of the inner door20, so that the ironed clothes may be dried.

When the ironing course is completed, the user operates the fixing lever41to open the outer door30(S205). Then, the clothes mounted on the front surface of the inner door20is exposed.

Then, the user separates the clothes from the holding device50and the pair of clips85(S206).

Finally, when the user closes the outer door30(S207), the ironing of the clothes is completed.

Hereinafter, another example of a method for a user to iron clothes by using a clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference toFIG.22.

FIG.22is a flowchart illustrating another example of a method for a user to iron clothes with a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.22, the processes of opening the outer door30, mounting clothes in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30, and closing the outer door30(S221, S222, and S223) are the same as the above-described processes S201, S202, and S203ofFIG.20. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

After closing the outer door30, the user opens the inner door20(S224). At this time, when the outer door30is closed, the locking part42of the fixing lever41of the outer door30is caught by the locking jaw47of the fixing part45of the inner door20. Therefore, when the inner door20is opened, the outer door30also rotates integrally with the inner door20.

After opening the inner door20, the user checks the state in which the clothes is mounted in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30through the transparent window24of the inner door20(S225). When the clothes are normally mounted, the user closes the inner door20(S226).

When the clothes are mounted abnormally, the user operates the fixing lever41of the outer door30to separate the inner door20from the outer door30. Then, the user may correct the mounting state of the clothes mounted on the inner door20. When the correction of the mounting state is completed, the user connects the outer door30and the inner door20using the fixing lever41, and then checks the mounting state of the clothes through the transparent window24again. When the clothes are normally mounted, the user closes the inner door20.

Subsequently, the user causes the clothes treatment apparatus1to perform an ironing course (S227). The method of performing the ironing course by the clothes treatment apparatus1is the same as the control method ofFIG.21described above; therefore, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

After the ironing course is completed, the processes of separating the clothes S228, S229, and S230are the same as the processes S205, S206, and S207ofFIG.20as described above; therefore, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

When ironing is performed after checking the mounting state of the clothes mounted in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30as in the method shown inFIG.22, poor ironing due to incorrect mounting of clothes may be prevented.

The clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure may perform ironing on a special portion of clothes that may not be ironed by mounting the clothes in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30in a separate method.

Here, the special portion of the clothes refers to a portion of the clothes that cannot be ironed using the above-described ironing course. For example, the special portion of the clothes refers to the collars101, the cuffs102, and the button portions103of the shirt100, as illustrated inFIG.23. For reference,FIG.23is a view illustrating special portions of clothes that may be ironed by a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

However, the special portions of the shirt100as illustrated inFIG.23are only an example of portions that may be ironed by the clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. The clothes treatment apparatus1according to the disclosure may perform ironing on various portions of various clothes that require partial ironing.

Hereinafter, a method of ironing a special portion of clothes using the clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.24and25.

FIG.24is a flowchart illustrating a method for a user to iron a special portion of clothes using a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.FIG.25is a view illustrating a state in which a user irons a cuff of a shirt by using a holding device of a clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment.

First, the user selects a special ironing (S241). For example, the user may select the special ironing by pressing the special ironing button97gin the input device95ofFIG.18.

Subsequently, the user opens the outer door30(S242). At this time, when the user operates the fixing lever41of the outer door30, the outer door30may be opened while the inner door20is fixed to the cabinet10. Then, the front surface of the inner door20is exposed to the outside.

Next, the user adjusts the position of the holding device50(S243). For example, when the holding device50is located on the upper end of the inner door20, that is, the first holder mounting portion22, the user moves the holding device50to the second holder mounting portion23. When the holding device50is located on the second holder mounting portion23, it may be easy for the user to place the special portion of the clothes on the holding device50. When the holding device50is located on the second holder mounting portion23, the user may not move the holding device50.

Subsequently, the user presses the pedal70or the foot switch78using the foot (S244). Then, the pressing plate52of the holding device50rotates to form a gap between the front surface of the inner door20and the pressing plate52.

The user sets the special portion102of the clothes100under the holding device50, that is, the pressing plate52(S245).FIG.25illustrates a state in which the cuff102of the shirt100is set under the pressing plate52of the holding device50.

In the state in which the special portion102of the clothes is set in the holding device50, the user takes off the foot from the pedal70or the foot switch78(S246). Then, the pressing plate52of the holding device50returns to its original position, thereby pressing the special portion102of the clothes100. At this time, power is applied to the heating member54provided in the pressing plate52to heat the pressing plate52(S247). Therefore, because the special portion102of the clothes100is pressed by the pressing plate52and heated by the heat generated by the heating member54at the same time, ironing may be effectively performed.

When the ironing of the special portion102of the clothes100is completed, the user presses the pedal70or the foot switch78again to rotate the pressing plate52of the holding device50, thereby separating the special portion102of the clothes100ironed by the pressing plate52(S248).

When the special ironing button97gis pressed in the input device95, the processor90may be configured to turn on or off the heating member54of the pressing plate52according to the operation of the pedal70or the foot switch78. At this time, the processor90may be configured so as not to operate other components of the clothes treatment apparatus1other than the holding device50.

With the clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure as described above, ironing may be performed on clothes mounted in the space33between the inner door20and the outer door30. Therefore, when clothes have original creases, such as pants, the creases may be sharpened to maintain the knife edge creases.

In addition, with the clothes treatment apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a special portion of clothes that may not be ironed while mounted in a space33between the inner door20and the outer door30may be ironed using the holding device50.

According to the clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure having the above-described structure and a control method thereof, because ironing may be performed on clothes mounted in the space between the inner door and the outer door, the original creases of the clothes, such as the creases of the pants may be sharpened like the knife edge creases.

In addition, with the clothes treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure and a control method thereof, special portions of clothes that may not be ironed while mounted in a space between the inner door and the outer door may be ironed easily.