Patent Publication Number: US-9850612-B2

Title: Laundry treating apparatus

Description:
Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0021851, filed on Feb. 28, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus. 
     Discussion of the Related Art 
     A laundry treating apparatus is a home appliance hat is capable of washing and/or drying laundry (clothes). The laundry treating apparatus includes a washing machine, a drying machine, and a washing and drying machine. 
     A laundry treating apparatus that is capable of drying laundry supplies high-temperature air (hot air) to the laundry. Based on flow mode of air, the laundry treating apparatus may be classified as an exhaust type laundry treating apparatus or a circulation type (condensation type) laundry treating apparatus. 
     The circulation type laundry treating apparatus is configured to have a structure in which water is removed from air discharged from a receiving space (i.e. the air is dehumidified), the dehumidified air is heated, and the heated air is resupplied into the receiving space. 
     The exhaust type laundry treating apparatus is configured to have a structure in which heated air is supplied to a receiving space and air discharged from the receiving space is not resupplied into the receiving space but is exhausted out of the laundry treating apparatus. 
     Meanwhile, in a conventional laundry treating apparatus, a space to receive laundry is divided into a first receiving space and a second receiving space such that laundry is dried using any one selected from between the first receiving space and the second receiving space based on the amount of the laundry. 
     Such a laundry treating apparatus includes an exhaust fan to discharge air from the first receiving space. The exhaust fan is rotated by a drive unit to rotate the first receiving space. That is, the first receiving space and the exhaust fan are simultaneously rotated during rotation of the drive unit. 
     Meanwhile, the laundry treating apparatus as described above is configured such that air in the first receiving space passes through the second receiving space and is then discharged out of the laundry treating apparatus to supply air to both the first receiving space and the second receiving space. However, the laundry treating apparatus has the following problems. 
     Since the first receiving space and the exhaust fan are rotated by one drive unit, the first receiving space, in which laundry is not placed, is rotated even when air is supplied only to the second receiving space with the result that a user may think that the laundry treating apparatus malfunctions. 
     In addition, when only laundry stored in the second receiving space is dried, hot air is introduced into the second receiving space through the first receiving space with the result that drying efficiency is reduced (drying time is increased and temperature of hot air is decreased). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a laundry treating apparatus that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that supplies air to a plurality of receiving spaces provided to dry laundry. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that is capable of simultaneously supply air to a plurality of receiving spaces in which laundry is received and selectively supplying air only to a specific one of the receiving spaces. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus configured such that air blowing means to supply air to a plurality of receiving spaces are individually provided in the respective receiving spaces. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus with high drying efficiency. 
     Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
     To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a laundry treating apparatus includes a first cabinet having a first receiving space to receive laundry, a second cabinet having a second receiving space to receive laundry, the second cabinet being separated from the first cabinet, a partition wall located at an upper part of the second receiving space to divide an interior of the second cabinet, a supply unit to selectively supply air to the first receiving space and the second receiving space, a discharge unit including an exhaust duct to discharge air in the first receiving space out of the first cabinet and a suction fan provided in the partition wall such that the suction fan is located in the second cabinet to suction air from the second receiving space such that the air from the second receiving space moves to the exhaust duct. 
     The exhaust duct may include a duct body provided in the first cabinet to allow the first receiving space to communicate with an outside of the first cabinet therethrough, a first connection channel connected between the duct body and the second receiving space to guide air from the duct body to the second receiving space, and a second connection channel connected between the duct body and the second receiving space, the suction fan being provided in the second connection channel. 
     The discharge unit may further include an exhaust fan provided in the duct body such that the exhaust fan is located between the first receiving space and the first connection channel to move air from the first receiving space to the duct body. 
     The discharge unit may further include a first exhaust damper to open any one selected from between the first connection channel and the duct body and a second exhaust damper to open any one selected from between the second connection channel and the duct body. 
     The discharge unit may further include a dehumidification unit located between the exhaust fan and the first connection channel to dehumidify air discharged from the first receiving space. 
     The laundry treating apparatus may further include a drive unit having a first rotary shaft to rotate the first receiving space and a second rotary shaft to rotate the exhaust fan. 
     The supply unit may include a heating channel provided in the first cabinet to heat air, the heating channel having a first discharge port and a second discharge port to discharge the heated air, a first supply channel connected between the first discharge port and the first receiving space, a second supply channel to allow the second discharge port and the second receiving space to communicate with each other therethrough, and a supply damper to selectively open the first discharge port and the second discharge port. 
     The partition wall may include a first connection channel fixing hole to allow the first connection channel to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough, a second connection channel fixing hole to allow the suction fan to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough, and a supply channel fixing hole to allow the second supply channel to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough. 
     The laundry treating apparatus may further include an introduction preventing unit located below the second connection channel fixing hole to prevent laundry in the second receiving space from being introduced into the suction fan. 
     The second connection channel fixing hole may include a plurality of second connection channel fixing holes provided at the partition wall, and the discharge unit may further include a fan supply channel connected between the second connection channel fixing holes and the suction fan. 
     The second connection channel fixing holes may include at least one selected from between a plurality of holes provided along an edge of the partition wall and a plurality of holes arranged from the edge of the partition wall toward a middle of the partition wall. 
     The laundry treating apparatus may further include a diffusion unit provided below the partition wall to diffuse air introduced into the second receiving space through at least one selected from between the first connection channel and the second supply channel in the second receiving space. 
     The diffusion unit may include a diffusion plate provided below the first connection channel fixing hole and a plurality of spacers provided along an outer circumference of the diffusion plate at intervals such that the diffusion plate is spaced apart from the first connection channel fixing hole by a predetermined distance. 
     The diffusion unit may include a diffusion plate provided below the supply channel fixing hole and a plurality of spacers provided along an outer circumference of the diffusion plate at intervals such that the diffusion plate is spaced apart from the supply channel fixing hole by a predetermined distance. 
     The diffusion unit may include a diffusion plate provided below the partition wall, a spacer provided to surround the first connection channel fixing hole, the second connection channel fixing hole, and the supply channel fixing hole such that the diffusion plate is spaced apart from the partition wall by a predetermined distance, a connection channel connection pipe formed through the diffusion plate such that the connection channel connection pipe is connected to the second connection channel fixing hole, and a plurality of supply holes formed through the diffusion plate. 
     The supply holes may include at least one selected from between a plurality of first supply holes provided along a edge of the diffusion plate and a plurality of second supply holes arranged from the edge of the diffusion plate toward a middle of the diffusion plate. 
     The second cabinet may be provided below the first cabinet to support the first cabinet, and the second receiving space may include a drawer configured to be drawn from the second cabinet. 
     The drawer may be provided with a rack to space laundry from a bottom of the drawer by a predetermined distance, and the rack may include a rack body provided in the drawer, a protruding part protruding from the rack body toward at least one selected from between the second connection channel fixing hole and the supply channel fixing hole, a plurality of rack body through holes formed through the rack body, and a body support part provided at the rack body to space the rack body from a bottom of the drawer by a predetermined distance. 
     The rack may include a rib to divide the rack body through holes from each other, a rib through hole formed through the rib such that an upper side of the rack body communicates with a lower side of the rack body through the rib through hole, and a support part through hole formed through the body support part. 
     The rack may further include a rack inclined part provided at an edge of the rack body such that the rack inclined part is at an angle to the partition wall, and the drawer may further include an inclined part provided at an edge of the drawer such that the inclined part is at an angle to the partition wall, the inclined part being perpendicular to the rack inclined part. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are views showing a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a view showing a second cabinet, a supply unit, and a discharge unit included in the laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing a cabinet wall, a partition wall, a drawer, and the second cabinet included in the laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are views showing the discharge unit included in the laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a view showing the discharge unit and the supply unit included in the laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are views showing a diffusion unit included in the laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are views showing a rack included in the laundry treating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted herein that construction of an apparatus, which will hereinafter be described, and a control method of the apparatus are given only for illustrative purposes and the protection scope of the invention is not limited thereto. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a laundry treating apparatus  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first cabinet  1  having a first receiving space to receive laundry (laundry to be washed or laundry to be dried) and a second cabinet  5  having a second receiving space to receive laundry, the second cabinet  5  being separated from the first cabinet  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a laundry introduction port  11 , through which laundry is introduced into and removed from the first cabinet  1 , is provided at a front panel of the first cabinet  1 . The laundry introduction port  11  is opened and closed by a door  15  hinged to the first cabinet  1 . 
     Meanwhile, an outside air introduction port  12  and an discharge port  13 , through which the inside of the first cabinet  1  communicates with the outside of the first cabinet  1 , may be provided at a rear panel of the first cabinet  1 . 
     The outside air introduction port  12  is a means to allow outside air to be introduced into the first cabinet  1  therethrough and the discharge port  13  is a means to allow air flowing along a duct body  811  to be discharged from the first cabinet  1  therethrough. 
     In a case in which the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention is used only to dry laundry, the first receiving space may include a drum  2  rotatably disposed in the first cabinet  1 . 
     The drum  2  may be formed in a cylindrical shape opened at the front and rear thereof. In this case, a front support unit  17  and a rear support unit  19  to rotatably support the drum  2  may be further provided in the first cabinet  1 . 
     The front support unit  17  may include a support unit body  171  fixed in the first cabinet  1 , a body through hole  173  formed through the support unit body  171 , and a front flange  175  provided at the support unit body  171  to support the front of the drum  2 . 
     The body through hole  173  is provided to communicate with the laundry introduction port  11 . Consequently, laundry introduced through the laundry introduction port  11  may move into the drum  2  through the body through hole  173 . 
     The body through hole  173  is provided with a hollow guide pipe  1731  extending toward the door  15 . In this case, the guide pipe  1731  may be connected between the front panel and the support unit body  171  to surround the circumference of the body through hole  173  and the circumference of the laundry introduction port  11 . 
     Meanwhile, in a case in which the door  15  is at an angle to the front panel of the first cabinet  1 , the length of the guide pipe  1731  located at the lower part of the door  15  may be greater than that of the guide pipe  1731  located at the upper part of the door  15 . 
     The front flange  175  may be provided along the circumference of the body through hole  173  such that the front flange  175  protrudes from the surface of the support unit body  171  toward the drum  2 . The front inner circumference of the drum  2  is supported by the outer circumference of the front flange  175 . 
     Furthermore, the front support unit  17  is further provided with a discharge unit connection hole  177 , into which a discharge unit  8 , which will be described hereinafter, is coupled. The discharge unit connection hole  177  is formed through the guide pipe  1731  such that the inside of the drum  2  communicates with the outside of the drum  2 . 
     The rear support unit  19  may include a support unit body  191  fixed in the first cabinet  1  and a rear flange  193  provided at the support unit body  191  to rotatably support the rear of the drum  2 . 
     The rear support unit  19  is further provided with a supply unit connection hole  195 , into which a supply unit  7 , which will be described hereinafter, is coupled. The supply unit connection hole  195  is formed through the support unit body  191  such that the inside of the drum  2  communicates with the outside of the drum  2 . 
     On the other hand, in a case in which the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention is used to dry and wash laundry, the first receiving space may include a tub (not shown) provided in the first cabinet  1  to contain wash water and a drum  2  rotatably coupled in the tub. 
     In this case, the front support unit and the rear support unit may be omitted. In addition, the body through hole  173 , the guide pipe  1731 , and the discharge unit connection hole  177  may be provided at the front of the tub, which is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the supply unit connection hole  195  may be provided at the rear of the tub. The drum  2  may be rotatably supported in the tub by a rotary shaft extending through the rear of the tub. In addition, a plurality of through holes, through which the tub communicates with the drum, may be provided at the outer circumference of the drum  2 . 
     Hereinafter, the laundry treating apparatus  100  that is capable of only drying laundry will be described for the convenience of description. 
     The drum  2  is rotated by a drive unit  3 . The drive unit  3  may include a drum motor  31  provided at the first cabinet  1 , a first rotary shaft  33  and a second rotary shaft  35  rotated by the drum motor  31 , and a belt  37  connected between the circumference of the drum  2  and the first rotary shaft  33 . 
     The second rotary shaft  35  is connected to an exhaust fan  83  through the duct body  811 . In the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention, therefore, it is possible to simultaneously rotate the drum  2  and the exhaust fan  83  using one drum motor  31 . 
     The second cabinet  5  is located below the first cabinet  1  to not only serve as a pedestal to support the first cabinet  1  but also dry laundry received in the second receiving space. 
     The second cabinet  5  is separated from the first cabinet  1  by a cabinet wall  4 . In a case in which the first cabinet  1  is formed in a shape opened at the bottom thereof and the second cabinet  5  is formed in a shape opened at the top thereof, the cabinet wall  4  may not only define the bottom of the first cabinet  1  but also define the top of the second cabinet  5 . 
     The second cabinet  5  may be formed in a hexahedral shape opened at the front thereof. The interior of the second cabinet  5  is divided into an upper space and a lower space by a partition wall  51 . 
     The second receiving space is provided a space below the partition wall  51  (a space defined between the partition wall  51  and the second cabinet  5 ). The second receiving space may include a drawer  6  that can be drawn from the second cabinet  4 . 
     A space above the partition wall  51  (a space defined between the partition wall  51  and the cabinet wall  4 ) may include a machinery compartment M to receive devices necessary to dry laundry stored in the drawer  6 . 
     The drawer  6  may include a drawer body  61  located at the space below the partition wall  51  to receive laundry and a drawer panel  63  located at the open front of the second cabinet  5  to draw the drawer body  61  from the second cabinet  5 . 
     The drawer body  61  may be formed in a hexahedral shape opened at the top thereof to serve as a laundry receiving space  611 . The drawer panel  63  may be provided with a handle  631  to draw the drawer body  61 . 
     Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes a supply unit  7  to selectively supply air to the drum (first receiving space)  2  and the drawer (second receiving space)  6  and a discharge unit  8  having an exhaust fan  83  and a suction fan  84  to selectively discharge air from the drum  2  and the drawer  6 . 
     The discharge unit  8  includes an exhaust duct  81  provided in the first cabinet  1 . The exhaust duct  81  discharges air in the drum  2  out of the laundry treating apparatus  100 . In addition, the exhaust duct  81  exhausts air discharged from the drum  2  out of the laundry treating apparatus  100  via the drawer body  61 . 
     To this end, the exhaust duct  81  may include a duct body  811  located in the first cabinet  1  such that the discharge unit connection hole  177  and the discharge port  13  are connected to each other through the duct body  811  and a first connection channel  813  and a second connection channel  815  extending through the cabinet wall  4  such that the duct body  811  communicates with the interior of the drawer body  61 . 
     In this case, the exhaust fan  83  is provided in the duct body  811  such that the exhaust fan  83  is located between the discharge unit connection hole  177  and the first connection channel  813 . The suction fan  84  is provided in the second connection channel  815 . 
     The exhaust fan  83  is rotated by a second rotary shaft  35  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the drum motor  31  extending through the duct body  811 . During operation of the drum motor  31 , therefore, air in the drum  2  may introduced into the duct body  811 . 
     Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the partition wall  51  is provided with a first connection channel fixing hole  511 , a second connection channel fixing hole  513 , and a supply channel fixing hole  517 , in which a second supply channel  715  provided in the supply unit is fixed. 
     The first connection channel fixing hole  511 , the second connection channel fixing hole  513 , and the supply channel fixing hole  517  are formed through the partition wall  51 . Consequently, the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  communicates with the space above the partition wall  51  through the above fixing holes, which will hereinafter be described in detail. 
     When the first connection channel  813  and the second connection channel  815  are respectively fixed in the first connection channel fixing hole  511  and the second connection channel fixing hole  513  through the cabinet wall  4 , therefore, the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  communicates with the duct body  811 . 
     In this case, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the suction fan  84  is provided in the second connection channel  815 . The suction fan  84  may include a blade  843  located above the second connection channel fixing hole  513  and a fan motor  845  provided in the machinery compartment M to rotate the blade  843 . 
     In the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention, therefore, a controller (not shown) independently control the exhaust fan  83  and the suction fan  84 . Consequently, it is possible to prevent the drum  2  from being rotated when air is supplied only to the drawer  6 , which will hereinafter be described in detail. 
     Meanwhile, a plurality of second connection channel fixing holes  513  may be provided at the partition wall  51 . 
     In a case in which a plurality of second connection channel fixing holes  513  is provided at the partition wall  51 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , the discharge unit  8  may further include a plurality of fan supply channels  847  to guide air discharged from the respective second connection channel fixing holes  513  to the suction fan  84 . 
     In particular, the second connection channel fixing holes  513  may be a plurality of holes provided along the edge of the partition wall  51  or a plurality of holes arranged from the edge of the partition wall  51  toward the middle of the partition wall  51 . 
     Alternatively, the second connection channel fixing holes  513  may include a plurality of holes provided along the edge of the partition wall  51  and a plurality of holes arranged from the edge of the partition wall  51  toward the middle of the partition wall  51 . 
     Consequently, air in the drawer  6  may be easily discharged to the duct body  811  through the suction fan  84 , thereby improving drying efficiency of the laundry stored in the drawer  6 . 
     Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the exhaust duct  81  may further include a first exhaust damper  817  provided to open any one selected from between the first connection channel  813  and the duct body  811  and a second exhaust damper  819  provided to open any one selected from between the second connection channel  815  and the duct body  811 . 
     The first exhaust damper  817  and the second exhaust damper  819  are hinged to the duct body  811 . The first exhaust damper  817  opens any one selected from between the first connection channel  813  and the duct body  811  according to a control signal of the controller (not shown). On the other hand, the second exhaust damper  819  opens any one selected from between the second connection channel  815  and the duct body  811  according to a control signal of the controller (not shown). 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the supply unit  7  includes a supply duct  71  provided in the first cabinet  1  to supply air (heated air or unheated air) to the drum (first receiving space)  2  and the drawer (second receiving space)  6 . 
     In a case in which the supply unit  7  is provided to supply heated air (hot air) to the drum  2  or the drawer  6 , a heater  73  is further provided in the supply duct  71 . 
     That is, the supply duct  71  includes a heating channel  711 , provided in the first cabinet  1 , in which the heater  73  is fixed, a drum supply channel (first supply channel)  718  connected between the heating channel  711  and the drum  2 , and a drawer supply channel (second supply channel)  715  connected between the heating channel  711  and the drawer  6 . 
     The heating channel  711  includes an open side  7111 , through which air is introduced from the first cabinet  1 , and a first discharge port  7113  and a second discharge port  7115  to discharge the air introduced through the open side  7111 . 
     In this case, the drum supply channel  718  is connected between the first discharge port  7113  and the supply unit connection hole  195  (see  FIG. 1 ) to supply air having passed through the heating channel  711  to the drum  2 . 
     In addition, the drawer supply channel  715  is formed through the cabinet wall  4  such that the second discharge port  7115  and the supply channel fixing hole  517  are connected to each other through the drawer supply channel  715 . 
     Consequently, air in the heating channel  711  may be supplied into the drawer  6  through the drawer supply channel  715 . 
     Meanwhile, the supply duct  71  is provided with a supply damper  719  to open any one selected from between the first discharge port  7113  and the second discharge port  7115 . 
     The supply damper  719  is hinged to any one selected from between the heating channel  711  and the drawer supply channel (second supply channel)  715  to open any one selected from between the drum supply channel  718  and the drawer supply channel  715  according to a control signal of the controller (not shown). 
     In this case, the controller (not shown) may control the supply damper  719  to be rotated to a position at which the first discharge port  7113  and the second discharge port  7115  are simultaneously opened. 
     Hereinafter, operation of the laundry treating apparatus  100  with the above-stated construction according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     In a case in which hot air is supplied only to the drum  2 , the first exhaust damper  817  closes the first connection channel  813  according to a control signal of the controller (not shown) and the second exhaust damper  819  closes the second connection channel  815  according to a control signal of the controller (not shown). 
     In addition, the controller (not shown) controls the supply damper  719  to close the drawer supply channel (second supply channel)  715  and to open the drum supply channel  718  (to open the first discharge port  7113  and to close the second discharge port  7115 ). 
     In this state, the controller (not shown) controls the drum motor  31  to be driven such that the drum  2  and the exhaust fan  83  are rotated by the drum motor  31 . 
     When the exhaust fan  83  is rotated by the drum motor  31 , air in the drum  2  is discharged out of the first cabinet  1  through the duct body  811  with the result that atmospheric pressure in the drum  2  is lowered. 
     Since the atmospheric pressure in the drum  2  is lowered, air in the first cabinet  1  is supplied to the drum  2  through the open side  7111 , the heating channel  711 , and the drum supply channel  718 . When the heater  73  is driven while the air passes through the heating channel  711 , hot air may be supplied to the drum  2 . 
     The drum  2  is rotated by the belt  37  while the air is supplied to the drum  2 . Consequently, laundry received in the drum  2  may easily exchange heat with the air. 
     Meanwhile, air is continuously supplied to the heater  73  through the outside air introduction port  12  provided at the first cabinet  1  and the open side  7111  provided at the drawer exhaust channel  713 . 
     In a case in which hot air is supplied simultaneously to the drum  2  and the drawer  6 , the first exhaust damper  817  opens the first connection channel  813  according to a control signal of the controller (not shown) and the second exhaust damper  819  opens the second connection channel  815  according to a control signal of the controller (not shown). 
     In addition, the controller (not shown) controls the supply damper  719  to close the drawer supply channel  715  and to open the drum supply channel  718 . 
     In this state, the controller (not shown) controls the drum motor  31  to be driven such that the drum  2  and the exhaust fan  83  are rotated by the drum motor  31 . 
     When the exhaust fan  83  is rotated by the drum motor  31 , air in the drum  2  is introduced into the duct body  811  and then supplied to the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  through the first connection channel  813  and air introduced into the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  is discharged out of the first cabinet  1  through the second connection channel  815 . 
     Since atmospheric pressure in the drum  2  is lowered as the air is discharged from the drum  2 , air in the first cabinet  1  is supplied to the drum  2  through the heating channel  711  and the drum supply channel  718 . When the heater  73  is driven while the air passes through the heating channel  711 , hot air may be supplied to the drum  2  and the drawer  6 . 
     Furthermore, the second connection channel  815  included in the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that the sectional area of the second connection channel  815  gradually increases from the duct body  811  toward the partition wall  51  to easily discharge air from the drawer  6 . 
     Meanwhile, in a case in which air is supplied simultaneously to the drum  2  and the drawer  6 , humidity of air to be supplied to the drawer  6  is high because the air has already exchanged heat with the laundry stored in the drum  2 . 
     When the humidity of air to be supplied to the drawer  6  is high, time necessary to dry the laundry stored in the drawer  6  may be increased. For this reason, the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a dehumidification unit  85  provided in the duct body  811  to dehumidify air. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5( b ) , the dehumidification unit  85  may include a housing  851  provided in the duct body  811  such that the housing  851  is disposed between the discharge unit connection hole  177  and the first connection channel  813  and a dehumidifying agent (drying agent)  853  rotatably provided in the housing to dehumidify air introduced into the duct body  811 . 
     The dehumidification unit  85  may further include a first through hole  8511  formed through the housing  851  such that the first through hole  8511  is located in the duct body  811  and a second through hole  8513  formed through the housing  851  such that the second through hole  8513  is located outside the duct body  811 . 
     The dehumidifying agent  853  is rotatably fixed in the housing  851  through a rotary shaft  855 . Air in the duct body  811  passes through the dehumidifying agent  853  through the first through hole  8511 . Air in the first cabinet  1  comes into contact with the dehumidifying agent  853  through the second through hole  8513 . 
     The dehumidifying agent  853  may be rotated in the housing  851  by a belt  857  connected between a rotary shaft of a motor  856  and the outer circumference of the dehumidifying agent  853  such that the dehumidifying agent  853  is reproduced by a heater  858  and a fan  859  to supply hot air to the second through hole  8513 . 
     That is, the dehumidifying agent  853 , which is located in the first through hole  8511  to absorb water from air flowing in the duct body  811 , is moved to the second through hole  8513  by the motor  856  and the belt  857  and the water absorbed by the dehumidifying agent  853  is removed by the  858  and the fan  859  to supply hot air to the second through hole  8513 . 
     In a case in which hot air is supplied only to the drawer  6 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the supply damper  719  opens the drawer supply channel  715  and closes the drum supply channel  718  according to a control signal of the controller (not shown). At this time, the second exhaust damper  819  opens the second connection channel  815 . 
     In this state, the controller (not shown) controls the fan motor  845  to be rotated (the drum motor  31  is not rotated). 
     When the fan motor  845  is rotated, air in the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  is discharged out of the laundry treating apparatus  100  through the second connection channel  815  and the duct body  811  by the blade  843 . 
     When the air in the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  is discharged out of the laundry treating apparatus  100 , atmospheric pressure in the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  is lowered. As a result, air in the first cabinet  1  is supplied to the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  through the heating channel  711  and the drawer supply channel  715 . 
     When the heater  73  is driven while the air passes through the heating channel  711 , hot air may be supplied to the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6 . 
     Meanwhile, wall through holes  41  may be provided at the cabinet wall  4  such that air is continuously supplied to the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6 . 
     Furthermore, in a structure in which the space above the partition wall  51  and the interior of the drawer  6  are hermetically sealed by the partition wall  51 , partition wall through holes (not shown) may also be provided at the partition wall  51 . 
     In a case in which air is supplied only to the drawer  6 , control of the first exhaust damper  817  is not particularly restricted. That is, in the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention, air in the drawer  6  is discharged out of the laundry treating apparatus  100  through the suction fan  84 . Even in a state in which the first exhaust damper  817  opens the first connection channel  813 , therefore, there is a low possibility that air introduced into the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  will move to the drum  2 . 
     If some of the air introduced into the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  moves to the drum  2 , however, the air may condense on the inner circumference of the drum  2 . For this reason, in a case in which air is supplied only to the drawer  6 , the first exhaust damper  817  closes the first connection channel  813 . 
     The reason that the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention further includes the suction fan  84  controlled independent of the exhaust fan  83  is that it is necessary to prevent rotation of the drum  2  when air is supplied only to the drawer  6 . 
     That is, in the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust fan  83  and the respective dampers  719 ,  817 , and  819  may be controlled to supply air to laundry stored in the drawer  6  without the provision of the suction fan  84  (in a case in which air is supplied simultaneously to the drum  2  and the drawer  6 ). 
     In a case in which laundry is stored only in the drawer  6 , however, the drum  2  may be rotated and hot air may be supplied to the drum  2  although no laundry is received in the drum  2  if the suction fan  84  is not provided. 
     Furthermore, since the drum  2  is rotated although the laundry treating apparatus  100  is operated only to dry the laundry stored in the drawer  6 , a user may think that the laundry treating apparatus  100  may malfunction. 
     The suction fan  84  included in the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention solves the above problem. 
     Meanwhile, since, in the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention, air in the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  is discharged out of the laundry treating apparatus  100  through the suction fan  84 , laundry in the drawer  6  may be introduced into the suction fan  84  through the second connection channel fixing hole  513 . 
     For this reason, the partition wall  51  may further be provided with an introduction preventing unit  55  to prevent laundry from being introduced into the suction fan  84 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the introduction preventing unit  55  may include a preventing unit body  551  fixed to the partition wall  51  such that the preventing unit body  551  is located below the second connection channel fixing hole  513 , a preventing unit flange  553  connected between the preventing unit body  551  and the partition wall  51 , and a flange through hole  555  formed through the preventing unit flange  553 . 
     In this case, the preventing unit flange  553  may be provided to surround the second connection channel fixing hole  513  such that the preventing unit body  551  is spaced apart from the partition wall  51  by a predetermined distance. 
     Alternatively, the introduction preventing unit  55  may be fixed to the second connection channel  815  or the suction fan  84  such that the introduction preventing unit  55  is fit in the second connection channel fixing hole  513 . 
     In addition, the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include at least one diffusion unit  53  to diffuse air supplied to the drawer  6  through the drawer supply channel (second supply channel)  715  and the first connection channel  813  in the drawer  6 . 
     The at least one diffusion unit  53  may be configured to have a form shown in  FIG. 8 or 9 . 
     The diffusion units  53  shown in  FIG. 8  are provided at the bottom of the partition wall  51  such that the diffusion units  53  are located below the first connection channel fixing hole  511  and the supply channel fixing hole  517 . 
     In this embodiment, each diffusion unit  53  may include a diffusion plate  531  located below the partition wall  51  (below the first connection channel fixing hole  511  or the supply channel fixing hole  517 ) and a plurality of spacers  534  provided along the outer circumference of the diffusion plate  531  at predetermined intervals such that the diffusion plate  531  is spaced apart from the partition wall  51  by a predetermined distance. 
     Consequently, air introduced into the drawer  6  through the first connection channel fixing hole  511  or the supply channel fixing hole  517  collides with the diffusion plate  531  and is diffused into the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  through spaces defined between the respective spacers  534 . As a result, the laundry received in the drawer  6  may be more easily dried. 
     In this embodiment, each diffusion unit  53  may further include at least one supply hole  532  formed through the diffusion plate  531 . 
     The diffusion unit  53  shown in  FIG. 9  is configured to have a structure in which air introduced into the drawer  6  through the first connection channel fixing hole  511  and the supply channel fixing hole  517  is uniformly diffused in the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  through one diffusion plate  531 . 
     That is, in this embodiment, the diffusion unit  53  may include a diffusion plate  531  disposed below the partition wall  51 , a spacer  534  to fix the diffusion plate  531  to the bottom of the partition wall  51 , a connection channel connection pipe  533  formed through the diffusion plate  531  such that the connection channel connection pipe  533  is fitted in the second connection channel fixing hole  513 , and a plurality of supply holes  537  and  539  formed through the diffusion plate  531 . 
     The diffusion plate  531  may have the same width as the partition wall  51  or a width sufficient to receive all the fixing holes  511 ,  513 , and  517 . The diffusion plate  531  fixed to the partition wall  51  is located (L) in the second cabinet  5  such that the diffusion plate  531  does not interfere with the drawer body  61 . 
     In this case, the spacer  534  extends along the outer circumference of the diffusion plate  531  to surround the respective fixing holes  511 ,  513 , and  517  such that the diffusion plate  531  is spaced apart from the partition wall  51  by a predetermined distance. 
     The supply holes  537  and  539  may include a plurality of first supply holes  537  provided along the edge of the diffusion plate  531  and a plurality of second supply holes  539  arranged from the edge of the diffusion plate  531  toward the middle of the diffusion plate  531 . 
     Air discharged from the drawer  6  through the second connection channel  815  is prevented from leaking to a space defined between the partition wall  51  and the diffusion plate  531  by the connection channel connection pipe  533 . 
     In addition, air discharged from the first connection channel  813  and the drawer supply channel  715  collides with the diffusion plate  531  and is then introduced into the drawer  6  through the supply holes  537  and  539 . In the laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention, therefore, it is possible to more easily dry the laundry received in the drawer  6 . 
     In order to easily achieve heat exchange between the air introduced into the drawer  6  and the laundry received in the drawer  6 , the drawer body  61  may be further provided with at least one selected from between inclined parts  613  and a plurality of drawer through holes  615 . 
     The inclined parts  613  may be provided at only opposite corners provided in the longitudinal direction of the drawer body  61 . Alternatively, the inclined parts  613  may be provided at all corners. 
     Consequently, the air introduced into the drawer body  61  moves toward the middle of the drawer body  61 , in which the laundry is placed, along the inclined parts  613  to exchange heat with the laundry. 
     The drawer through holes  615  are formed through the drawer body  61 . 
     Consequently, some of the air introduced into the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  by the exhaust fan  83  may be discharged from the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  and move along a space defined between the drawer body  61  and the second cabinet  5 . Since the air moving along a space defined between the drawer body  61  and the second cabinet  5  is reintroduced into the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  through the drawer through holes  615 , it is possible to prevent reduction of drying efficiency even in a case in which the laundry accumulates only at a portion of the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6 . 
     Meanwhile, during operation of the suction fan  84 , air between the drawer body  61  and the second cabinet  5  is introduced into the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  through the drawer through holes  615  and is then discharged through the second connection channel  815 . Consequently, it is possible to prevent reduction of drying efficiency through the provision of the drawer through holes  615  even in a case in which the laundry accumulates only at a portion of the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6 . 
     The drawer through holes  615  may be provided over the entire region of the drawer body  61  or only at the side wall of the drawer body  61 . 
     The laundry treating apparatus  100  according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a rack  65  provided in the laundry receiving space  611  of the drawer  6  to prevent contact between the laundry and the bottom of the drawer body  61 . 
     The rack  65  may be configured to have a folded type structure as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     In this case, the rack  65  may include a plurality of rack bodies  651  located in the drawer body  61  to support laundry, a plurality of rack body connection shafts  655  to interconnect the respective rack bodies  651 , and a plurality of body support parts (wheels)  657  provided at the respective rack body connection shafts  655  to space the rack bodies  651  from the bottom of the drawer body  61  by a predetermined distance. 
     The total length of the rack bodies  651  is greater than the length of the drawer body  61  and the rack body connection shafts  655  having no body support parts  657  (a coupling part between each rack body  651  and an adjacent rack body  651 ) protrude toward the partition wall  51 . Consequently, the respective rack bodies  651  are inclined. 
     In this case, the first connection channel  813  may be further provided with a guider  8131  (see  FIG. 5 ) to guide air to the front (one surface of the drawer body  61  located in a direction in which the drawer panel  63  is provided) or the rear of the drawer body  61 . 
     Experiments reveal that, in a case in which air is supplied toward the front of the drawer body  61 , the air moves along the inclined rack bodies  651 , thereby improving drying efficiency of laundry. 
     Meanwhile, the rack  65  may further include a plurality of rack body through holes  653  formed through the rack bodies  651  such that air flows through the rack bodies  651 . 
     In addition, the rack  65  may further include rack inclined parts  659  rotatably coupled to the rack bodies  651  via the rack body connection shafts  655 . 
     The rack inclined parts  659  are inclined from the drawer body  61  toward the partition wall  51 . In a case in which the inclined parts  613  provided at the drawer body  61  are located at only the opposite corners at which the inclined parts  613  faces each other (see  FIG. 9 ), the rack inclined parts  659  may be located in a direction perpendicular to the inclined parts  613  (at the front corner and the rear corner of the drawer body  61 ). 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the rack  65  may include a rack body  651  provided in the drawer body  61 , a body support part  657  to space the rack body  651  from the bottom of the drawer body  61  by a predetermined distance so as to improve drying efficiency, and rack inclined parts  659  provided at opposite ends of the rack body  651  such that the rack inclined parts  659  are inclined toward the partition wall  51 . 
     In this embodiment, the rack body  651  may include a plurality of rack body through holes  653  divided by ribs  654 . In this case, the body support part  657  may extend from the ribs  654  toward the bottom of the drawer body  61 . 
     In addition, the body support part  657  may include a pair of plates spaced apart from each other by the width of each rib  654 . 
     Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rack  65  may further include rib through holes  656  formed through the ribs  654  and support part through holes  658  formed through the body support part  657 . The rib through holes  656  and the support part through holes  658  are provided to easily dry the laundry received in the drawer  6 . 
     The rack body  651  may be provided with a protruding part  652  protruding toward the partition wall  51 . The protruding part  652  may protrude toward any one selected from between the first connection channel fixing hole  511  and the supply channel fixing hole  517 . 
     Air supplied into the drawer  6  through the first connection channel  813  or the drawer supply channel (second supply channel)  715  is guided by the protruding part  652  such that the air moves from the middle of the drawer body  61  to the edge of the drawer body  61 , thereby improving drying efficiency. 
     Although  FIG. 11  shows a case in which the rack body  615  is provided with only one protruding part  652 , the protruding part  652  may include a protruding part protruding toward the first connection channel fixing hole  511  and a protruding part protruding toward the supply channel fixing hole  517  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As is apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that supplies air to a plurality of receiving spaces provided to dry laundry. 
     In addition, the present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus that is capable of simultaneously supply air to a plurality of receiving spaces in which laundry is received and selectively supplying air only to a specific one of the receiving spaces. 
     In addition, the present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus configured such that air blowing means to supply air to a plurality of receiving spaces are individually provided in the respective receiving spaces. 
     In addition, the present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus with high drying efficiency. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.