Patent Publication Number: US-8966943-B2

Title: Laundry treating apparatus with a rotatable water supply part

Description:
This application is a 35 U.S.C. §371 National Stage entry of International Application No. PCT/KR2009/003820, filed on Jul. 13, 2009, and claims priority to Korean Application Nos. KR 10-2008-0067943, filed on Jul. 14, 2008 and KR 10-2008-0067944, filed Jul. 14, 2008, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties as if fully set forth herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a laundry treating apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In recent, various kinds of laundry treating apparatus have been consumed together with washing machines for washing laundry. For example, the various kinds are drum-type dryers for drying laundry having being washed and cabinet-type dryers for drying laundry hung thereon and refreshers for refreshing laundry by supplying hot air to the laundry, which are still under development. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention is directed to a laundry treating apparatus capable of refreshing laundry by supplying hot air or steam to laundry therein. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of refreshing laundry more efficiently. 
     Solution to Problem 
     Additional advantages, objects, and features of the disclosure 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 cabinet comprising accommodating space receiving laundry; a hot air supply device supplying hot air to the accommodating space; a steam generating device supplying steam to the accommodating space; a water supply part rotatably provided in a predetermined portion of the cabinet, the water supply part receiving water supplied to the steam generating device; and a water supply unit allowing water to be supplied to the steam generating device from the water supply part as the water supply part is rotated. 
     The water supply part may include a water supply source storing the water supplied to the steam generating device; and a case rotatably provided with the cabinet, the case comprising seating space seating the water supply source therein. 
     The hot supply device may include a heat pump heating air and removing moisture contained in the air and the case further comprises water collecting space collecting condensed water from the heat pump. 
     The case may include a body panel where the seating space and the water collecting space are provided and a front panel forming a predetermined portion of a front surface of the cabinet, the front panel formed integrally with the body panel. 
     The water supply source may include a water inlet through which the water stored in the water supply source is supplied to the steam generating device and the water supply unit is provided in the water inlet. 
     The water inlet may be perpendicularly provided in a bottom of the water supply source. 
     The water supply unit may open the water inlet if the water supply part is rotated to be seated in the cabinet and the water supply unit may close the water inlet if the water supply part is rotated to be separated from the cabinet. 
     The water supply unit may include a sealing member movable a predetermined distance to open and close the water inlet; an elastic member applying elasticity to the sealing member; and a supporting bar selectively pressing the sealing member according to the rotation of the water supply part. 
     The supporting bar may be provided in the sealing member. 
     The laundry treating apparatus may further include intermediary space provided between the water supply part and the steam generating device, the intermediary space temporarily storing water supplied from the water supply source before supplied to the steam generating device. 
     The supporting bar may be provided in a predetermined portion of the intermediary space. 
     The intermediary space may be provided in the cabinet substantially higher than the steam generating device. 
     The laundry treating apparatus may further include a valve (V) provided between the steam generating device and the intermediary space, the valve (V) adjusting the amount of water supplied to the steam generating device. 
     The laundry treating apparatus may further include a pump fP) pumping the water stored in the intermediary space into the steam generating device. 
     The laundry treating apparatus may further include a guide unit guiding the water supply part if the water supply part is rotated. 
     The guide unit may include a housing having a guide groove guiding the motion of the water supply part formed therein and a guide bar provided in the water supply part, the guide bar corresponding to the guide groove. 
     the guide groove may be provided in one side or both sides of the housing, along the rotation of the of the water supply part. 
     The guide groove may be formed in an arc shape having a predetermined semi-diameter or a curvature shape. 
     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. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     The laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention can supply water because the water supply unit supplying water to the steam generating device is provided above the steam generating device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view illustrating a laundry treating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically illustrating inner configuration of a mechanism compartment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a water supply part shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  are a side sectional view illustrating a water supply part and a steam generating device. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the specific embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view illustrating a laundry treating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In reference to  FIG. 1 , a laundry treating apparatus  100  according to this embodiment includes a cabinet  10 , a hot air supply device ( 22 , see  FIG. 2 ), a steam generating device ( 30 , see  FIG. 2 ) and a water supply part  60 . The cabinet  10  includes an accommodating space  12  receiving laundry  1  therein and the hot air supply device  22  supplies hot air to the accommodating space  12 . The steam generating device  30  generates and sprays steam into the accommodating space  12 . Water supplied to the steam generating device  30  is stored in the water supply part  60 . 
     In the cabinet  10  are provided various elements which will be described later and the accommodating space  12  is formed in the cabinet  10 . Such the accommodating space  12  is in communication with an outside by a door  14  and it includes plural supporters  16  hanging the clothes thereto. This supporting configuration is well-known in the art the present invention pertains to and thus its detailed description will be omitted. 
     In a predetermined portion of the cabinet  10  may be formed a mechanism compartment  20  receiving the hot air supply device  22  and the steam generating device  30 . It is preferable that the mechanism compartment  20  is positioned under the accommodating space  12  and it accommodates the hot air supply device  22  and the steam generating device  30  therein as mentioned above. The reason why the mechanism compartment  20  is positioned under the accommodating space  12  is that the hot air and steam supplied to the accommodating space  12  has property of ascending upward. As a result, it is preferable that the hot air and steam are supplied upward to the accommodating space from the mechanism compartment  20  positioned under the accommodating space  12 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view schematically illustrating inner configuration of the mechanism compartment  20 . here,  FIG. 2  shows only configuration elements composing the heat pump  22  which is a hot air supply device and the steam generating device  30  and  FIG. 2  does not show a drainage line connecting the above elements each other. 
     In reference to  FIG. 2 , both the heat pump  22  as the hot air supply device supplying hot air to the accommodating space ( 12 , see  FIG. 1 ) and the steam generating device  30  supplying steam to the accommodating space  12  may be positioned within the mechanism compartment  20 . 
     The heat pump  22  employed as the hot air supply device of this embodiment is similar to a heat pump useable in an air conditioner. That is, the heat pump  22  includes an evaporator  24 , compressor  26 , condenser  28  and expansion valve (not shown), where refrigerant passes sequentially to dehumidify and heat air. Specifically, the evaporator  24  evaporates refrigerant and absorbs latent heat of ambient air, such that the air is cooled to condense moisture contained in the air. If the refrigerant having passed the compressor  26  is condensed in the condenser  28 , the latent heat is exhausted toward ambient air and the ambient air is heated. As a result, the evaporator  24  and the condenser  28  have a heat-exchanging function, such that the air supplied to the mechanism compartment  20  may be dehumidified and heated to be re-supplied to the accommodating space  12 , passing the evaporator  24  and the condenser  28 . 
     Although the temperature of the air heated by the heat pump  22  may be substantially lower than the air heated by a conventional electric heater, the air could be dehumidified without an auxiliary dehumidifier. The air re-supplied to the accommodating space  12  by the heat pump  22  may be relatively low temperature dried air. Here, the low temperature means heated air having a relatively low temperature, compared with the air conventional heated by the conventional heater, not the substantially low temperature air. Because of that, the air supplied by the heat pump  22  according to the present invention may have a low temperature, compared with the hot air supplied in the conventional laundry treating apparatus and the dehumidified air can be supplied, without any auxiliary dehumidifiers. As a result, the laundry may be dried and refreshed smoothly without difficulties. 
     Specifically, an inlet  21  may be formed at a top of the mechanism compartment  20  and air inside the accommodating space  12  is drawn into the mechanism compartment  20  via the inlet  21 . A path may be formed by a circulation duct  29  connecting the condenser  28  and a fan  32  and the air is passed along the path. The air drawn into the mechanism compartment  20  by the circulation duct  29  via the inlet  21  may be dehumidified and heated, passing the heat pump  22 , and then the air may be re-supplied to the accommodating space  12  via an outlet  33  by a fan  32 . 
     Although not shown in the drawings, a filter may be provided at the inlet  21 . The filter provided at the inlet  21  may filter various foreign substances which might be contained in the air supplied to the mechanism compartment  20  and only fresh air can be re-supplied to the accommodating space  12 . 
     The steam generating device  30  may be provided in the mechanism compartment  20  of the laundry treating apparatus. Such the steam generating device  30  selectively supplies steam to the accommodating space  12  and wrinkles which might be generated on the laundry received in the accommodating space  12  may be removed. Moreover, high temperature steam may sterilize or bulk fabric of the laundry and then refresh the laundry. A steam spraying timing may be variable appropriately and it is preferable that steam is sprayed prior to the supply of the dried air performed by the first condensing device  22 . This is because it is preferable that the laundry is dried by the dried air after spraying high temperature steam to the laundry. 
     Specifically, the steam generating device  30  includes a heater (not shown) heating water there inside to generate steam and the generated steam is supplied to the accommodating space  12 . A water supply source supplying water to the steam generating device  30  may be an external water tap or a water supply part provided in a predetermined portion of the mechanism compartment  20 . Such the water supply part may be separable from the mechanism compartment  20 . The user separates the water supply source from the mechanism compartment  20  to fill up the water supply part with water and then install it back. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the water supply part detachably provided in the mechanism compartment  20  and preferably in a front of the mechanism compartment  20 . 
     In reference to  FIG. 3 , the water supply part  60  may be provided in a predetermined portion of the mechanism compartment  20  and preferably detachable from the front of the mechanism compartment  20 . 
     Specifically, the water supply part  60  includes a water supply source ( 70 , see  FIG. 4 ) receiving water and a case  62  forming seating space where the water supply source  70  is seated. The case  62  is detachably provided in the mechanism compartment  20 . For example, the case  62  may be configured of a drawer-type sliding in the front of the mechanism compartment or a rotation-type rotatable about the front of the mechanism compartment  20  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     That is, the case  62  is rotatable with respect to a lower end of the front of the mechanism compartment  20 . If the user fills water in the water supply part  60 , the user rotates the case  62  to take out the water supply source  70  outside the mechanism compartment  20 . 
     Within the case  62  may be formed the seating space  65  seating the water supply source  70  thereto. Specifically, the case  62  includes a body panel  64  defining the seating space  65  and a front panel  63  formed integrally with the body panel  64  to define the front of the cabinet  10 , in other words, some portion of the front of the mechanism compartment  20 . In this case, the water supply source  70  receiving water is seated in the seating space  65  and it supplies water to the steam generating device  30 . This configuration will be described later. 
     In addition, an auxiliary water collecting space  66  may be formed in the body panel  64  of the case, separate from the seating space  65 . The water collecting space  66  collects and holds contaminated water generated in the mechanism compartment  20  or the like. Especially, in case of adapting the heat pump as the hot air supply device according to this embodiment, condensed water would be generated by the heat exchange inside the heat pump. If it remains in the heat pump, such the condensed water would be polluted and causes bad smell and malfunction of the heat pump. 
     Because of that, the condensed water generated in the heat pump is collected in the water collecting space  66  and it is preferable that an auxiliary water collecting container (not shown) is further seated in the water collecting space  66  to collect the contaminated water such as the condensed water. If the condensed water is transmitted to the water collecting space  66 , a pump positioned beyond the heat pump is provided to pump and transmit the condensed water to the water collecting space  66 . 
     As a result, if the contaminated water is collected in the water collecting space  66  by the operation of the laundry treating apparatus, the user rotates and separates the case  62  and then he/she can throw out the contaminated water. 
     Next, a method of supplying water to the steam generating device  30  by using the water supply part  60  will be described in detail as follows. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a configuration in that the water supply part  60  is rotated to be installed in the mechanism compartment  20  so as to supply water to the steam generating device  30 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a state in that the water supply part  60  is rotated to separate from the mechanism compartment  20 . 
     In reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a housing  110  is provided in a predetermined portion of the cabinet  10  and the water supply part  60  is rotatably provided in the housing  110 , such that the water supply part  60  may be able to be selectively inserted in the housing  110 . such the housing  110  provided in the cabinet  10  has an open front through which the water supply part  60  is able to be inserted. If the water supply part  60  is rotated, a guide unit is provided to guide the motion of the water supply part  60 , which will be described later. 
     The steam generating device  30  is mounted underneath the housing  110 . specifically, a fixing part  120  is provided in the bottom of the housing  110  and the steam generating device  30  is mounted to the fixing part  120 . 
     In the meanwhile, the water supply source  70  is seated in the seating space  65  of the case  62  of the water supply part  60 . A water inlet  72  is formed in the water supply source  70 , preferably, in a bottom of the water supply source  70  and the water received in the water supply source  70  is supplied to the steam generating device  30  via the water inlet  72 . The water inlet  72  may include a water supply unit  80  selectively supplying water. 
     Specifically, an opening  63  is formed in a bottom of the seating space  65  and a tap  71  is detachably provided underneath the water supply source  70 , such that the tap  71  is projected via the opening  63  in case the water supply source  70  is seated in the seating space  65 . Here, the water inlet  72  may be formed in an end of the tap  71 . If then, the tap  71  is installed in the bottom of the water supply source  70  perpendicularly and the water inlet  72  may be formed at the end of the tap  71 . 
     In the meanwhile, if the water supply part  60  is positioned in the cabinet  10 , the water inlet  72  may include the water supply unit  80  supplying water selectively. The water supply unit  80  includes a sealing member  82 , an elastic member  84  and a supporting bar  90 . The sealing member  82  is movable to close the water inlet  72  selectively and the elastic member  84  applies elasticity to the sealing member  82 . The supporting bar  90  applies a force toward a predetermined direction opposite to the elasticity of the elastic member  84  according to the rotation of the water supply part  60 . 
     That is, a supporting member  86  is provided adjacent to the water inlet  72  and an end of the elastic member  84  is supported by the supporting member and the other end is connected with the sealing member  82 . This elastic member  84  is supported by the supporting member  86  and the elastic member  84  applies the elasticity toward the water inlet  72  with respect to the sealing member  82 . As a result, if the water supply part  60  is detached from the cabinet  10 , the sealing member  82  closes the water inlet  72  by the elasticity of the elastic member  84  such that water may not flow outside the water supply source  70 . 
     However, if the water supply part  60  is installed in the housing  110  of the cabinet  10 , the supporting bar  90  corresponding to the sealing member  82  is provided in a predetermined portion of the housing of the cabinet  10 . As a result, in case the water supply part  60  is positioned in the cabinet  10 , the supporting bar  90  pushes the sealing member  82  and the sealing member  82  is pushed against the elasticity such that the water inlet  72  is opened. As the water inlet  72  is open, the water inside the water supply source  70  is supplied via the water inlet  72 . Also, in case the supporting bar  90  pushes the sealing member  82 , more specifically, in order to push the sealing member, the sealing member  82  may include a projection portion  83  having a predetermined portion inserted in a groove  93  of the supporting bar  90 . 
     Although the supporting bar is provided in the predetermined portion of the housing in  FIG. 4 , the supporting bar of the present invention may be embodied variously. For example, the supporting bar may be formed in the sealing member  82  and projected via the water inlet  72 . That is, if the water supply part is installed, the supporting bar formed in the sealing member  82  is supported by the housing  110  of the cabinet  10  and the sealing member  82  is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the water inlet  72  against the elasticity such that water supply may start. 
     In the meanwhile, in case water is supplied to the steam generating device  30  by the water supply part  60  as mentioned above, the water supply part  60  may be provided above the steam generating device  30 . If the water supply part  60  is positioned in the cabinet  10  and under the steam generating device  30 , an auxiliary pump is necessary to pump the water of the water supply part upward to the steam generating device  30 . This is the reason why the water supply part  60  is provided above the steam generating device  30 . As a result, if the water supply part  60  is positioned in the cabinet  10  above the steam generating device  30 , auxiliary members such as a pump do not have to be provided and water supply is possible only by height difference. 
     Alternatively, in this case, when the water inlet  72  is open, water may be supplied to the steam generating device  30  directly. However, if then, the water may be over-supplied via the water inlet  72  and water may overflow the steam generating device  30 . 
     Because of that, intermediary space  68  may be further provided in the laundry treating apparatus according to this embodiment and the water supplied by the water supply part  60  may be received in the intermediary space temporarily before being supplied to the steam generating device  30 . 
     Such the intermediary space  68  is provided a lower portion of the housing  110  above the steam generating device  30 . Specifically, the intermediary space  68  has a kind of recess shape capable of receiving a predetermined amount of water and a path  92  connected with the steam generating device  30  may be provided in the intermediary space  68 . 
     Thus, when the water supply part  60  is mounted to the housing  110  to start water supply via the water inlet  72  provided in the water supply part  60 , supplied water is received in the intermediary space  68  initially and the water is supplied to the steam generating device  30  via the path  92  secondarily. In this case, a valve (not shown) may be provided in the path  92  to adjust the amount of water supplied to the steam generating device  30  and a bottom surface of the intermediary space  68  may be oblique downward to the path  92  such that the water may flow into the path  92  smoothly. 
     In case such the intermediary space  68  is provided, the supporting bar  90  provided in the cabinet  10  may be projected from the bottom surface of the intermediary space  68 . In case the supporting bar  90  is formed in the sealing member  82 , the supporting bar  90  is supported by the bottom surface of the intermediary space  68  such that the sealing member  82  is open. 
     In the meanwhile,  FIG. 5  illustrates that the water supply part  60  is separated from the housing  110  after the rotation to a predetermined angle and  FIG. 5  does not show the body panel  64  accommodating the water supply source  70  for explanation convenience s sake. 
     In reference to  FIG. 5 , the water supply part  60  is rotatable about the cabinet  10  as mentioned above and a guide unit guiding the motion of the water supply part  60  may guide the water supply part  60  during the rotation of the water supply part  60 . 
     Such the guide unit may include a housing  110  having a guide groove  112  formed therein and a guide bar (not shown) corresponding to the guide groove  112 . 
     The housing  110  may be provided in a side surface of the cabinet  10  and it is preferable that the housing  110  is provided in a front of the cabinet  10 . In addition, the housing  110  may be above the steam generating device  30  as well. 
     The guide groove  112  guiding the motion of the water supply part  60  is provided in the housing  110 , specifically, in a side or both sides of the housing  110  which the water supply part is rotated along. In case the water supply part  60  according to this embodiment rotation-moves, the guide groove  112  may formed in an arc having a predetermined semi-diameter or a simple curvature. Although not shown in the drawings, a guide bar (not shown) may be provided in the portion of the cabinet  10  forming the water supply part  60  and the guide bar is inserted in the guide groove  112  to guide the motion of the water supply part  60 . 
     That is, if the guide bar is inserted in the guide groove  112  and the user rotates the water supply part  60 , the water supply part  60  may move along the guide groove  112 . Because of the guide unit, the water inlet  72  of the water supply part  60  can be rotated precisely corresponding to the supporting bar  90  of the intermediary space  68  even with the rotation of the water supply part  60 . 
     In reference to  FIG. 2  again, once water is supplied to the steam generating device  30  according to the method mentioned above, the water is heated by the heater of the steam generating device  30  and steam is generated. The generated steam is supplied to the accommodating space  12  via a steam hose  36  and a steam nozzle  40 . Here, during the flow of the steam along the steam hose  36 , the temperature of steam would decrease or the steam would be condensed. To prevent that, the length of the steam hose  36  may be relatively short. The shorter is the length of the steam hose  36 , the more preferable is it. As a result, if the mechanism compartment  20  is positioned underneath the accommodating space  12 , the steam nozzle  40  may supply steam via a top surface of the mechanism compartment  20 , that is, a bottom surface of the accommodating space  12 . 
     Furthermore, a fan  34  may be provided in a rear of the mechanism compartment  20 . The fan  34  blows external air of the mechanism compartment  20  into the mechanism compartment  20  such that the temperature inside the mechanism compartment  20  may not increase too much during the operation of the heat pump  22  and the steam generating device  30 . 
     Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention has this advantage. Without any auxiliary devices, water supply may be performed efficiently because the water supply unit supplying water to the steam generating device is provided above the steam generating device. 
     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. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     Therefore, the laundry treating apparatus according to the present invention has this advantage. Without any auxiliary devices, water supply may be performed efficiently because the water supply unit supplying water to the steam generating device is provided above the steam generating device.