Patent Publication Number: US-2023137038-A1

Title: Clothing treatment apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus, and more particularly to an integrated laundry treating apparatus in which a washing machine that simultaneously implements a washing function and a drying function and a dryer that performs a drying function are stacked. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In general, a laundry treating apparatus is an apparatus for processing various tasks related to laundry, and is a concept including a washing machine for washing laundry, a dryer for drying wet laundry, and a refresher for removing odors or wrinkles from laundry. 
     A conventional washing machine includes a cabinet defining an outer appearance, a tub provided inside the cabinet to store water, a drum rotatably provided inside the tub to store laundry, and a driver for rotating the drum. 
     In particular, washing machines are classified into top-loading and front-loading washing machines according to a posture of the drum. In the case of the front-loading washing machine, unlike the top-loading washing machine, the drum is laid down, and accordingly, laundry is put into the drum through a front side of the washing machine. Such a front-loading washing machine has a smaller size and has a larger washing capacity than a top-loading washing machine, has high washing performance, and does not cause tangling of laundry, and thus is widely used. 
     In addition to these washing machines, front-loading dryers have been developed and widely used. A washing machine and a dryer are mostly used together at home or a laundry. In particular, a plurality of washing machines and dryers are used together in a laundry, and washing machines or dryers may be used in combination in pairs. In this case, in order to reduce an installation area, a dryer may be stacked and used above the washing machine. In addition, an all-in-one washing machine equipped with a dryer on the top and a washing machine on the bottom is used in one cabinet. 
     However, there is a problem in that the height to a laundry inlet of the dryer is too large even in the case of a simply stacked laundry treating apparatus or an integrated washing machine. That is, for a short user, it may be difficult to load or take out laundry from the dryer. In addition, although the washing machine and the dryer perform the same drying function, the drying capacity is different, and thus there is a problem in that parts need to be used separately to provide respective drying functions. 
     Chinese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 104928883A discloses a stack-type integrated washing machine to implement drying functions in a washing machine and a dryer, respectively. However, due to different drying capacities of the washing machine and dryer, two condensers are used. In the end, there is a problem that an internal space is not capable of being used efficiently by using separate parts. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     An object of the present disclosure is to simultaneously use a dryer and a washing machine by sharing a connection duct (or a drying module) included in a heat exchanger required for drying functions of a dryer and a washing machine. 
     An object of the present disclosure is to reduce production cost using a common connection duct. 
     An object of the present disclosure is to independently or selectively perform a drying function using a common connection duct. 
     An object of the present disclosure is to conveniently allow a user to easily access an entrance of a dryer by reducing the overall height using a common connection duct. 
     Technical Solution 
     To overcome the aforementioned object, an embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus using one common drying module for an independent or selective drying function in an upper dryer and a lower washing machine. 
     To this end, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a laundry treating apparatus includes a first cabinet defining an outer appearance, a first drum with a cylindrical shape having open front and rear surfaces, a second cabinet disposed below the first cabinet, a tub disposed inside the second cabinet, a second drum rotatably provided inside the tub to accommodate laundry, a first intake duct for sucking air of the first drum, a second intake duct for sucking air of the tub, a connection duct including a heat exchanger connected to the first intake duct and the second intake duct to exchange heat with the sucked air, a first exhaust duct for discharging the air heat-exchanged through the heat exchanger to the first drum, and a second exhaust duct for discharging the air heat-exchanged through the heat exchanger to the tub. 
     The first cabinet and the second cabinet may be integrally formed. 
     The laundry treating apparatus may further include a first opening/closing unit for opening and closing the first intake duct, a second opening/closing unit for opening and closing the second intake duct, and a third opening/closing unit for branching the first exhaust duct and the second exhaust duct, wherein, by independently opening and closing the first opening/closing unit, the second opening/closing unit, and the third opening/closing unit, the first intake duct, the connection duct, and the first exhaust duct may form a first circulation path to circulate air of the first drum or the second intake duct, the connection duct, and the second exhaust duct may form a second circulation path to circulate air of the tub. 
     The first opening/closing unit may be disposed between the first intake duct and the connection duct, and the second opening/closing unit may be disposed between the second intake duct and the connection duct. 
     The laundry treating apparatus may further include a first purifier disposed in the connection duct to filter a foreign substance before air sucked from the first intake duct and the second intake duct is heat-exchanged, and the first purifier may be detachable from the connection duct through a filter insertion hole provided at a bottom of the first cabinet or a top front surface of the second cabinet. 
     The first opening/closing unit may be disposed between the first intake duct and an upper part of the first purifier, and the second opening/closing unit may be disposed between the second intake duct and first purifier. 
     The first opening/closing unit may include a first blocker for opening and closing the first intake duct; and a first opening/closing driver connected to the first blocker and opening and closing the first intake duct by rotating the first blocker, where the second opening/closing unit may include 
     a second blocker for opening and closing the second intake duct, and a second opening/closing driver for opening and closing the second intake duct by rotating the second blocker. 
     The first blocker may include a first main body formed in a left-to-right side longer than a front-to-rear side with respect to a front surface of the first cabinet and having a curved surface on the front-to-rear side, and a first sub-body with a circular shape coupled to each of both ends in left and right directions of the first main body. 
     The first opening/closing driver may have a rotation shaft connected to the first sub-body in a longitudinal direction of the first main body. 
     A thickness of a cross-section of the first main body may increase toward a center. 
     The first blocker may further include a plurality of first reinforcing ribs protruding from a convex curved surface among curved surfaces of the first main body, and a size of the plurality of first reinforcing ribs may be equal to or smaller than a size of a portion of the first sub-body, positioned toward a direction of the convex curved surface. 
     The second blocker may include a second main body formed in a left-to-right side longer than a front-to-rear side with respect to a front surface of the first cabinet and having a curved surface on the front-to-rear side, and a second sub-body with a circular shape coupled to each of both ends in left and right directions of the second main body, wherein a thickness of a cross-section of the second main body may increase toward a center. 
     The second opening/closing driver may have a rotation shaft connected to the second sub-body in a longitudinal direction of the second main body. 
     The second blocker may further include a plurality of second reinforcing ribs protruding from a convex curved surface among curved surfaces of the first main body, and a size of the plurality of second reinforcing ribs may be equal to or smaller than a size of a portion of the second sub-body, positioned toward a direction of the convex curved surface. 
     A length in a left and right direction of the first blocker may be longer than a length in a left and right direction of the second blocker. 
     The first exhaust duct may further include a communication hole for connection with the second exhaust duct, and the connection duct may be connected to the first exhaust duct, and the first exhaust duct may be connected to the second exhaust duct through the communication hole. 
     The third opening/closing unit may include a third blocker for opening and closing the first exhaust duct and the second exhaust duct, and a third opening/closing driver for rotating the third blocker for opening and closing the first exhaust duct and the second exhaust duct. 
     The first exhaust duct may further include a guide disposed at a position at which the third blocker rotates inside to close the first exhaust duct and stopping rotation of the third blocker. 
     The first exhaust duct may further include a blower fan for discharging heat-exchanged air to the first exhaust duct or the second exhaust duct, and the communication hole may be disposed above the blower fan. 
     The third opening/closing unit may include a third blocker for opening and closing the first exhaust duct or the second exhaust duct, and a third opening/closing driver for rotating the third blocker to be positioned at a first position at which the third blocker opens and closes the second exhaust duct, a second position at which the third blocker opens and closes the first exhaust duct, and a third position at which the third blocker is opened by a predetermined angle to open the first exhaust duct and the second exhaust duct, and the first circulation path or the second circulation path may be selectively formed or both the first circulation path and the second circulation path are formed. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to the present disclosure, drying functions of a dryer and a washing machine may be simultaneously used by sharing a connection duct required in the drying functions of the dryer and the washing machine. 
     According to the present disclosure, production cost may be reduced using a common connection duct. 
     According to the present disclosure, drying functions may be independently or selectively performed using a common connection duct. 
     According to the present disclosure, the overall height may be lowered using a common connection duct to provide user convenience. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram showing an example of a laundry treating apparatus. 
         FIG.  2    is a diagram showing one cross-section of a laundry treating apparatus. 
         FIG.  3    is a diagram showing an example of a circulation duct including a common connection duct including a heat exchanger. 
         FIG.  4 ( a )  shows an example in which a first exhaust duct and a second exhaust duct are connected.  FIG.  4 ( b )  shows an example in which a first intake duct and a second intake duct are connected to a filter part provided in a connection duct. 
         FIG.  5 ( a )  shows an example of a first opening/closing driver and a second opening/closing driver between a first intake duct and a connection duct and between a second intake duct and a connection duct.  FIG.  5 ( b )  shows an example of a third opening/closing driver for opening and closing a third blocker disposed between a first exhaust duct and a second exhaust duct. 
         FIGS.  6 ( a ) and  6 ( b )  show an example in which a first intake duct is opened through a first blocker, a second intake duct is closed through a second opening/closing unit, and a second exhaust duct is closed through a third opening/closing unit when air of a first drum is circulated. 
         FIGS.  6 ( c ) and  6 ( d )  show an example in which a first intake duct is closed through a first opening/closing unit, a second intake duct is opened through a second opening/closing unit, and a first exhaust duct is closed through a third blocker when air of a tub is circulated. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE 
     Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration or control method of a device to be described below is only for explaining an embodiment of the present disclosure, not for limiting the scope of the present disclosure, and the same reference numbers used throughout the specification refer to the same components. 
     Unlike that shown in  FIG.  1   , a first cabinet  110  and a second cabinet  210  may be integrally formed. That is, a first lower panel  106  of the first cabinet  110  and a second upper panel  208  of the second cabinet are not stacked to face each other, but without the first lower panel  106  and the second upper panel  208 , the first cabinet  110  and the second cabinet  210  may be integrally formed, and then may be partitioned with a partition base (not shown) between a first drum  130  and a tub  220 . In addition, the partition base (not shown) may be disposed under the first drum  130  to support various components. That is, the partition base may be the first lower panel  106  and may simultaneously function as a base  180  ( FIG.  4   ) to which various components are coupled and supported. 
       FIG.  1    shows that a control panel  910  is disposed between a first door  113  and a second door  213 . Alternatively, however, the control panel  910  may include each of front panels  104  and  204  of the first cabinet  110  and the second cabinet  210 . A filter part  300  may be provided in a part of the control panel  910 . For the sake of aesthetics, when the control panel  910  is rotated to reveal a back side thereof, a through hole (not shown) into which a filter is to be inserted may be provided. In contrast, the first front panel  104  or the second front panel  204  may include the filter door  314 , and when a filter door  314  is opened, a filter insertion hole  313  (refer to  FIG.  2   ) into which a filter (not shown) is to be inserted may be provided. 
       FIG.  2    shows one cross section of a laundry treating apparatus  100  that is integrally configured.  FIG.  2    shows an embodiment of the present disclosure. First, a first laundry treating apparatus  1000  may be disposed at an upper side and a second laundry treating apparatus  2000  may be disposed at a lower side. The first laundry treating apparatus  1000  may be a dryer, and the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  may be a laundry dryer having a drying function. This is only considering a weight, and unlike this, the upper and lower sides may be reversed. When the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  has a drying function, this means that when the amount of laundry to be dried is small or does not need to be completely dried, it may not be necessary to take out the laundry to be dried from the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  and move the laundry cumbersomely to the first laundry treating apparatus  1000 , thereby providing convenience of drying the laundry immediately. 
     To this end, thus far, the case in which heat exchangers for drying are provided separately has been described, but the feature of the present disclosure relates to integration of the heat exchangers into one and sharing the heat exchangers with each other. 
     To emphasize a relationship of a second intake duct  412 , a second exhaust duct  492 , and a connection duct  450 , the second intake duct  412 , the second exhaust duct  492 , and the connection duct  450  are only shown before a detergent storage  270  and a first water supply pipe  271 , the detergent storage  270  and the first water supply pipe  271  may not be disconnected by the second intake duct  412  and the second exhaust duct  492 . 
     The laundry treating apparatus  100  may include the first cabinet  110  defining an outer appearance, the first drum  130  having a cylindrical shape with an open front and rear, the second cabinet  210  disposed below the first cabinet, the tub  220  disposed inside the second cabinet  210 , a second drum  230  rotatably provided inside the tub to accommodate laundry, a first intake duct  411  for sucking air of the first drum  130 , the second intake duct  412  for sucking air of the tub  220 , the connection duct  450  including a heat exchanger  500  connected to the first intake duct  411  and the second intake duct  412  to exchange heat with the sucked air, a first exhaust duct  491  for discharging the air heat-exchanged through the heat exchanger  500  to the first drum  130 , and the second exhaust duct  492  for discharging the air heat-exchanged through the heat exchanger  500  to the tub  220 . 
     First, the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  disposed at the lower side of the laundry treating apparatus  100  will be described. The second laundry treating apparatus  2000  may include the second cabinet  210  defining an outer appearance, the tub  220  provided inside the second cabinet  210  to store washing water and to perform a drying function, the second drum  230  rotatably provided inside the tub  220  to store laundry, and a second driver  240  for applying torque to the second drum  230  to rotate the second drum  230 . 
     The second cabinet  210  may include a second entrance  211  for loading and unloading laundry, and the second entrance  211  may be opened and closed by the second door  213  rotatably provided in the second cabinet  210 . 
     The tub  220  may include a tub entrance  221  connected to the second entrance  211  and may be fixed to the inside the second cabinet  210  by a tub support  219 . The tub support  219  may be a spring or a damper for absorbing vibration of the tub  220 . 
     A gasket  212  is disposed between the tub entrance  221  and the second entrance  211 , and the gasket  212  not only prevents washing water inside the tub  220  from being discharged to the outside, but also prevents vibration of the tub  220  from being transferred to the second cabinet  210 . 
     The tub  220  may receive water through a water supply  250 , and the water supply may include a first water supply pipe  251  connecting a water source (not shown) and the tub  220 , and a water supply valve  253  for opening and closing the first water supply pipe  251 . In addition, the tub  220  may define a circulation path including the heat exchanger  500  to dry laundry inside the second drum  230 . 
     Although the first water supply pipe  251  and the water supply valve  253  are connected to the second cabinet  210  and then connected to the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  through the second water supply pipe, this is only an example, and otherwise, after the first water supply pipe  251  and a second water supply pipe  257  are branched, the second water supply pipe  257  may be connected thereto through the first cabinet  110  (refer to  FIG.  4   ). 
     The detergent storage  270  for storing detergent may be further disposed in an upper portion of the tub  220 , and may include a detergent storage body  271  for storing detergent and a tub supply pipe  273  connecting the detergent storage body  271  to the tub. 
     In this case, the first water supply pipe  251  may connect a water source (not shown) and the detergent storage body  271 . Therefore, when water is supplied through the first water supply pipe  251 , the detergent stored in the detergent storage body  271  may be supplied to the tub  220 . 
     In addition, the water supply  250  may supply water passing through the water supply valve  253  to the detergent storage  270  along the first water supply pipe  251  by a first switching valve  255 , and may supply water to a condensate storage  670  disposed in a lower portion of the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  along the water supply pipe  257 . This is to clean the filter part  300  by directly storing the water supplied for the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  in the condensate storage unit  670  and spraying the water to the filter part  300 . 
     In contrast, water supplied to the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  and the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  may be branched and connected to each other by using a Y-shaped branch pipe (not shown) in an external water source. In this case, the branch pipe (not shown) may be connected to the first water supply pipe  251  and a third water supply pipe  256  (refer to  FIG.  3   ), and water from the external water source may be supplied into the tub  220  through the first water supply pipe  251  or may be connected directly to a spray part  650  to be described later through the third water supply pipe  256 . Unlike the second water supply pipe  257 , the third water supply pipe  256  may be connected to a second switching valve  655  of the spray part  650  to be described later without going through the condensate storage  670 . 
     The water stored inside the tub  220  may be discharged to the outside of the second cabinet  210  through a drain  260 . The drain  260  may include a third drain pipe  263  for guiding the water inside the tub  220  to the outside of the second cabinet  210 , and a drain pump  265  connected to the third drain pipe  263 . In addition, the drain  260  may include a first drain pipe  261  through which water inside the tub  220  is connected to the drain pump  265 , and a second drain pipe  262  for guiding the drained water of the condensate storage  670  of the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  to the drain pump  265 . 
     The second drum  230  provided in the tub  220  may include a second drum entrance  231  connected to the tub entrance  221 . Accordingly, the user may put laundry into the second drum  230  or withdraw the laundry from the second drum  230  through the second entrance  211 , the tub entrance  221 , and the second drum entrance  231 . 
     A plurality of second drum through holes  233  connecting the inside of the second drum  230  to the tub  220  may be further provided on an outer peripheral surface of the second drum  230 . Therefore, the water stored in the tub  220  may be supplied to the laundry stored in the second drum  230  through the second drum through holes  233 , and the water contained in the laundry may be discharged to the tub  220  through the second drum through holes  233 . 
     The second drum  230  may be rotated by the second driver  240  provided outside the tub  220 , and the second driver  240  may include a second motor  246 , that is, a stator  242  fixed to a rear surface of the tub  220 , a rotor  241  rotated by electromagnetic action with the stator  242 , and a rotation shaft  243  connecting the rotor  241  to the rear surface of the second drum  230 . As such, in the second drum  230 , the rotation shaft  243  of the second motor  246  may be directly connected to the rear surface of the drum, unlike the first drum  130 . 
     The stator  242  may receive electric power from a power supply to form a rotating field, and the rotor  241  may rotate by the rotating field provided by the stator  242 . Since rotation of the rotor  241  is transmitted to the second drum  230  through the rotation shaft  243 , electric power may be supplied to the stator  242  to provide torque required for rotation of the second drum  230 . 
     The rotation shaft  243  may connect the second drum  230  and the rotor  241  through the rear surface of the tub  220 , and in this case, a bearing  223  for rotatably supporting the rotation shaft  243  may be further disposed on the rear surface of the tub  220 . 
     In order for the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  to implement a drying function, the tub  220  not only stores water but also circulates air and requires a circulation duct for heating and dehumidifying. To this end, the tub  220  requires a circulation path including the second intake duct  412  connected to the tub  220  to suck air of the tub  220 , the second exhaust duct  492  for discharging the heat-exchanged air back to the tub  220 , and the connection duct  450  that connects the intake duct  412  and the second exhaust duct  492  and in which the heat exchanger  500  is disposed. 
     To this end, the tub  220  may include a second air outlet  278  to connect the second intake duct  412  and the tub  220 , and may include a second air inlet  298  to connect the second exhaust duct  492  and the tub  220 . Air introduced into the tub  220  may flow into and out of the second drum through the second drum through holes  233  to dry the laundry. 
     The second intake duct  412  and the second exhaust duct  492  may be exclusive ducts connected to the tub  220 , but the connection duct  450  may also be used in the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  to be described later. That is, air sucked from the first intake duct  411  and the second intake duct  412 , which will be described later, may be dehumidified and heated by the heat exchanger  500  provided inside the connection duct  450 , and may then pass through a fan  470  and may be discharged through the first exhaust duct  491  and the second exhaust duct  492 . 
     The first laundry treating apparatus  1000  disposed at the upper side may include the first cabinet  110 , the first drum  130  that is rotatably provided inside the first cabinet to provide a space for storing laundry, the first intake duct  411 , the first exhaust duct  491 , and the connection duct  450 , which circulate air of the first drum  130 , and the heat exchanger  500  that is provided inside the connection duct  450  to dehumidify and heat air introduced into the circulation duct  400  and then to resupply the air to the first drum  130 . 
     The circulation duct  400  may include the first intake duct  411 , the second intake duct  412 , the connection duct  450 , the first exhaust duct  491 , and the second exhaust duct  492 . In addition, the heat exchanger  500  for heat exchange may be provided inside the circulation duct  400 , specifically, inside the connection duct  450 , and the fan  470  for circulating air using the circulation duct may be disposed therein. A filter for removing foreign substances from the circulated air may be provided in front of the heat exchanger. 
     The first cabinet  110  may include the first front panel  104  defining a front surface of the first laundry treating apparatus  1000 , a first rear panel  105  defining a rear surface of the first laundry treating apparatus, and a first upper panel  108  defining an upper surface of the first laundry treating apparatus. 
     The first front panel  104  may include a first entrance  111  connected to the first drum  130 , and the first entrance  111  may be provided to be opened and closed by the first door  113  that is rotatably coupled to the first cabinet  110 . 
     The first front panel  104  may include a separate control panel (not shown). However, as described above, a control panel  910  for integrally controlling the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  and the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  may be disposed between the first drum  130  and the tub  220  in the front panels  104  and  204  of the first cabinet  110  and the second cabinet  210 . This is in consideration of user accessibility. 
     The control panel  910  may include an input unit (not shown) and a display unit (not shown). The input unit may include an electric power supply request unit for requesting electric power supply to the laundry treating apparatus  100 , a course input unit for allowing a user to select a desired course among a plurality of courses, and an execution request unit for requesting start of the course selected by the user. The display unit may include at least one of a display panel for outputting a text and a figure, and a speaker for outputting a voice signal and sound. 
     When the first drum  130  is provided with a cylindrical first drum body  131  having open front and rear surfaces, a first support  170  for rotatably supporting a front surface of the first drum  130  and a second support  190  for rotatably supporting a rear surface of the first drum  130  may be provided inside the first cabinet  110 . 
     The first support  170  may include a first fixed body  171  fixed inside the first cabinet  110 , a first drum entrance  173  that is formed through the first fixed body  171  to connect the first entrance  111  to the inside of the first drum body  131 , and a first support body  175  that is provided on the first fixed body  171  and is inserted into a front surface (a first open surface) of the first drum body  131 . 
     The first fixed body  171  may be provided in any shape as long as the first drum entrance  173  and the first support body  175  are provided. The first support body  175  may be provided in a pipe shape protruding from the first fixed body  171  toward the first drum body  131 , and a diameter of the first support body  175  may be set to be greater than a diameter of the first drum entrance  173  and to be smaller than a diameter of a front surface of the first drum body  131 . In this case, the first drum entrance  173  may be disposed inside a space formed by the first support body  175 . 
     The first support  170  may further include a connection body  177  connecting the first entrance  111  and the first drum entrance  173 . The connection body  177  may be provided in a pipe shape extending from the first drum entrance  173  toward the first entrance  111 . The connection body  177  may be provided with a first air outlet  178  connected to the circulation duct  400 . The circulation duct  400  may include the first intake duct  411  that sucks air from the first drum  130 , the first exhaust duct  491  that discharges the air passing through the first intake duct  411  back to the first drum  130 , the connection duct  450  that connects the first intake duct  411  and the first exhaust duct  491  and includes the heat exchanger  500  therein, and the second intake duct  412  and the second exhaust duct  492  that are connected to the tub  220 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the first air outlet  178  may be a passage for allowing air inside the first drum body  131  to move to the first intake duct  411 , and may be provided as a through hole formed through the connection body  177 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the second support  190  may include a second fixed body  191  fixed inside the first cabinet  110 , and a second support body  195  provided on the second fixed body  191  and inserted into a rear surface (second open surface) of the first drum body  131 . The second support  190  may include a first air inlet  198  formed through the second fixed body  191  to connect the inside of the first drum body  131  to the inside of the first cabinet  110 . In this case, the circulation duct  400  may be provided to connect the first air outlet  178  and the first air inlet  198 . 
     The first drum body  131  of a cylindrical shape with an empty interior is capable of rotating through a first driver with various types, and  FIG.  2    shows an example of the case in which a first driver  140  includes a first motor  141  fixed inside the first cabinet  110 , a pulley  145  rotated by the first motor  141 , and a belt  143  connecting a circumferential surface of the pulley  145  and a circumferential surface of the first drum body  131 . 
     In this case, the first support  170  may include a first roller  132  for rotatably supporting a circumferential surface of the first drum body  131 , and a second support  190  may include a second roller  134  for rotatably supporting the circumferential surface of the first drum body  131 . 
     The circulation duct  400  may include the first intake duct  411  connected to the first air outlet  178 , the second intake duct  412  connected to the second air outlet  278 , a first exhaust duct  490  connected to the first air inlet  198 , the second exhaust duct  492  connected to the second air inlet  298 , and the connection duct  450  connecting the first intake duct  411 , the second intake duct  412 , the first exhaust duct  491 , and the second exhaust duct  492 . 
     The heat exchanger  500  may be provided as a variety of devices for sequentially performing dehumidification and heating of air introduced into the circulation duct  400 , and  FIG.  2    shows an example in which the heat exchanger  500  is a heat pump. 
     The heat exchanger  500  shown in  FIG.  2    may include the fan  470  for moving air along the connection duct  450 , a first heat exchanger  510  (a heat absorber) for removing moisture from air introduced to the connection duct  450 , and a second heat exchanger  530  (a heater) provided inside the connection duct  450  to heat air passing through the first heat exchanger  510 . 
     The fan  470  may include an impeller  471  provided inside the circulation duct  400 , and a blower motor  473  for rotating the impeller  471 . The impeller  471  may be provided anywhere in the first exhaust duct  491 , the second exhaust duct  492 , or the connection duct  450 , and  FIG.  2    shows an example in which the impeller  471  is provided in the first exhaust duct  491  (or when the impeller  471  is provided behind a second heat exchanger  520 ). 
     Accordingly, according to another embodiment, the fan  470  may be disposed in front of the heat exchanger  500 , that is, between the filter part  300  and the first heat exchanger  510 . 
     The first heat exchanger  510  may include a plurality of metal plates disposed in a width direction (Y-axis direction) of the connection duct  450  or a height direction (Z-axis direction) of the connection duct, and the second heat exchanger  520  may include a plurality of metal plates disposed along the width direction of the connection duct or the height direction of the connection duct. The first heat exchanger  510  and the second heat exchanger  520  may be sequentially disposed in a direction toward the first exhaust duct  491  or the second exhaust duct  492  from the first intake duct  411  or the second intake duct  412  inside the connection duct  450 , and may be connected to each other through a refrigerant pipe  580  defining a circulation path of a refrigerant. 
     The refrigerant may move along the refrigerant pipe  580  by a compressor  570  disposed outside the circulation duct  400 , and the refrigerant pipe  580  may include an expander  550  for adjusting a pressure of the refrigerant passing through the second heat exchanger  520 . 
     The second heat exchanger  520  is a device for cooling the air and evaporating the refrigerant by transferring heat of air introduced into the first intake duct  411  or the second intake duct  412  to the refrigerant. The second heat exchanger  520  is a device for heating air and condensing the refrigerant by transferring heat of the refrigerant passing through the compressor  570  to the air. In this case, when passing through the first heat exchanger  510 , moisture contained in air may be collected on a bottom surface of the connection duct  450  along a surface of the first heat exchanger  510 . 
     In order to collect condensed water from air passing through the first heat exchanger  510 , the laundry treating apparatus  100  may include the condensate storage  670 .  FIG.  2    shows an example of the case in which the condensate storage  670  is disposed below the first heat exchanger  510  and the second heat exchanger  520  inside the condensate storage  670 . This is to move condensate by gravity without the aid of a mechanism or a mechanical device that forces movement of the condensate. 
     For explanation, referring to  FIG.  3   , the condensate storage  670  may include a water collecting body  671  that is fixed to a bottom surface of the connection duct  450  and connected to the inside of the connection duct. To prevent the first heat exchanger  510  and the second heat exchanger  520  from contacting the water (condensate) stored in the water collecting body  671 , a heat exchanger support may be further provided inside the water collecting body  671 . The heat exchanger support may include a support plate  672  that is in contact with the first heat exchanger  510  and the second heat exchanger  520 , a spacer  675  maintaining a gap between the support plate  672  and a bottom surface of the water collecting body  671 , and a support plate through hole  674  formed through the support plate  672 . 
     The support plate through hole  674  may be provided only in a space in which the first heat exchanger  510  is supported among spaces provided by the support plate  672 , and may also be provided in each of a space in which the first heat exchanger  510  is supported, and a space in which the second heat exchanger is provided. When the support plate through hole  674  is also provided in a lower portion of the second heat exchanger  520 , it may be possible to discharge water moving to the second heat exchanger  520  along the support plate  672  to the water collecting body  671 . This is to prevent a decrease in heat transfer efficiency that occurs when the second heat exchanger  520  comes into contact with water, as in the first heat exchanger  510 . 
     In order to minimize stacking of foreign substances (lint, etc.) discharged from the first drum body  131  on the first heat exchanger  510  and the second heat exchanger  520 , the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  may further include the filter part  300  for filtering air.  FIG.  2    shows an example of the case in which the filter part  300  includes a first purifier  350  provided in the connection duct  450  and a second purifier  370  is provided in the first intake duct  410 . 
     The filter part  300  may further include a third purifier (not shown) to filter foreign substances discharged from the tub  220  performing a drying function. 
     The second purifier  370  may be a device for filtering air introduced into the first intake duct  411  from the first drum body  131 , and the first purifier  350  may be a device disposed between the second purifier  370  and the first heat exchanger  510  and between the third purifier (not shown) and the first heat exchanger  510  to filter air passing through the second purifier  370 . 
     The first purifier  350  may be detachably provided in the connection duct  450 . In this case, the first front panel  104  of the first cabin may include a filter insertion hole  313  (refer to  FIG.  2   ) from which the first purifier  350  is drawn out (refer to  FIG.  2   ) and the filter door  314  for opening and closing the filter insertion hole  313 , and the connection duct  450  may include a duct through hole  315  (refer to  FIG.  4 ( b ) ) into which the first purifier  350  is inserted. Accordingly, a user may remove the foreign substances remaining in the first purifier  350  and may wash the first purifier after separating the first purifier  350  from the laundry treating apparatus as needed. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the first purifier  350  may include a first frame  353  inserted into the duct through hole  315  and disposed between the second purifier  370  and the first heat exchanger  510 , and filters  351  and  352  provided in the first frame  353  to filter a fluid (air and water) moving to the first heat exchanger  510  and the water collecting body  671 . 
     The first frame  353  may be provided in various forms depending on a shape of a cross-section (Y-Z plane, and X-Z plane) of the connection duct  450 , and  FIG.  2    shows an example in which the first frame  353  has a shape similar to a hexahedron. 
     In this case, a first filter inlet for introducing air passing through the second purifier  370  into the first frame  353  may be provided on an upper surface of the first frame  353 , and a handle  317  protruding toward the filter insertion hole  313  may be provided on a front surface of the first frame  353 . The filters  515  and  517  may include a first filter  351  provided on a rear surface of the first frame  353  and a second filter  352  provided on a bottom surface of the first frame  353 . A rear surface of the first frame may refer to a surface facing the first heat exchanger  510  among spaces formed by the first frame  353 , and a bottom surface of the first frame may be set to be a surface directed toward the bottom surface of the connection duct  450  to face the filter inlet. 
     A second filter inlet for introducing air passing through the third purifier (not shown) into the first frame  353  may be provided in a lower surface of a first frame  354 . 
     The second purifier  370  may include a second frame  371  that is detachably inserted into the first intake duct  411  through the first air outlet  178 , and a third filter  373  provided in the second frame to filter air. Diameters of filter holes provided in the first filter  351  and the second filter  352  may be set to be smaller than a diameter of a filter hole provided in the third filter  373 . Thus, first, foreign substances having a relatively large size are filtered by the third filter, and then, foreign substances having a relatively small size may be filtered through the first filter  351  and the second filter  352  again. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  may further include the spray part  650  for washing the first purifier  350  using water stored in the water collecting body  671 , and the drain  260  for discharging water inside the water collecting body  671  to the outside of the water collecting body  671 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the spray part  650  may be a device for washing at least one of the first filter  351 , the second filter  352 , and the first heat exchanger  510  by spraying water stored in the water collecting body  671  to the first purifier  350 . The spray part  650  may include the spray part  650  provided in the connection duct  450  to supply water to the first purifier  350 , and a water supply pump  716  for moving water stored in the water collecting body  671  to the spray part  650 . 
     The water supply pump  716  may be connected to the water collecting body  671  through a water supply pump connection pipe  717  and may be connected to the spray part  650  through a storage water supply pipe  715 . 
     The spray part  650  may be provided as a nozzle fixed to the connection duct  450  to spray water to the first filter  351  and the second filter  352 , or may also be provided as a nozzle for spraying water to each of the first filter  351 , the second filter  352 , and a front surface of the first heat exchanger  510 . 
     The reason for washing through the spray part  650  is to prevent foreign substances from being attached to the first filter  351 , the second filter  352 , and the first heat exchanger  510  to degrade filtration performance of a filter and heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger, and to prevent hygiene problems from being caused. 
       FIG.  3    shows an example in which the spray part  650  includes a connection duct through hole  652  formed through the connection duct  450  and connected to a spray pipe  653 , a first guide  6581  for guiding supplied from the connection duct through hole  652  to the first filter  351 , and a second guide  6582  for guiding at least a portion of water supplied through the first guide  6581  to the front surface of the first heat exchanger  510 . In this case, the second guide  6582  may be a device for supplying water to the front surface of the first heat exchanger  510  through the first filter  351 . That is, the first filter  351  may be disposed between the first guide  6581  and the second guide  6582  when the first purifier  350  is fixed to the connection duct  450 , and the second guide  6582  may be an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the first filter  351  from an upper surface of the connection duct  450 . 
     The first guide  6581  may further include a guide through hole  659 . The guide through hole  659  may be a hole formed through the first guide  6581  and may supply water introduced into the connection duct through hole  652  to a front region of the first heat exchanger  510  through the guide through hole  659 . The front region of the first heat exchanger may refer to a region positioned toward the first filter  351  based on a vertical line passing through the center of the first heat exchanger  510 . 
     The aforementioned laundry treating apparatus  100  may have an effect for washing the first purifier  350  and the first heat exchanger  510  through water stored in the water collecting body  671  during an operation of the heat exchanger  500 , but when the amount of the water stored in the collecting body  671  is small, there may be a problem in that washing of the first purifier  350  and the first heat exchanger  510  is not performed. This is because, when the amount of laundry put into the first drum body  131  is small, the amount of water collected in the water collecting body  671  during an operation of the heat exchanger  500  is small, and when the amount of water stored in the water collecting body is small, it is not possible to supply water with an amount sufficient to wash the purifier  350  and the first heat exchanger  510 . 
     To solve the above problem, the laundry treating apparatus  100  may supply water to the water collecting body  671  of the condensate storage  670  using an external water source required for the second laundry treating apparatus  2000 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the water supply  250  may include the first water supply pipe  251  connected to an external water source and the water supply valve  253  for opening and closing the first water supply pipe  251 . The first water supply pipe  251  and the water supply valve  253  may be necessary for a washing function of the first laundry treating apparatus  1000 , but may be used to ensure the amount of water sufficient for washing the first purifier  350  of the filter part  300  and washing of the first heat exchanger. To this end, water passing through the water supply valve  253  may be supplied to the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  or the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  through the first switching valve  255 . 
     That is, the first switching valve  255  may be a valve for switching a water supply direction by selecting one of the tub  220  or the condensate storage  670 . A controller (not shown) may supply water to one of the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  and the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  through the first switching valve  255 . However, unlike this, while water is being supplied to the first laundry treating apparatus  1000 , water may be supplied to the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  when necessary. 
     A flow path when water is supplied to the water collecting body  671  of the condensate storage  670  through the first switching valve  255  will be described below. The second water supply pipe  257  may be disposed between the first switching valve  255  and the water collecting body  671 , and may connect the first switching valve  255  and the water collecting body  671 . Water passing through the first switching valve  255  may be supplied to the water collecting body  671  through the second water supply pipe  257 . 
     The water supplied as such may be used to wash the first heat exchanger  510  or the first purifier  350  of the filter part  300 , specifically, the first filter  351  and the second filter  352  using the spray part  650 . 
     A flow path of the spray part  650  will be described now, and may include the water supply pump  716  for supplying water stored in the water collecting body  671 , the water supply pump connection pipe  717  may be connected between the water collecting body  671  and the water supply pump  716 , and the spray part  650  and the water supply pump  716  may be connected by the storage water supply pipe  715 . 
     The spray part  650  may be installed above a connection duct upper plate  451  defining an upper body of a connection duct. The spray part  650  may include a spray nozzle  651  for spraying water for washing the first heat exchanger  510  or the first purifier  350 , and the spray pipe  653  connecting the spray nozzle  651  and the storage water supply pipe  715 . 
     Due to a compact structure of the laundry treating apparatus, the size of the water collecting body  671  of the condensate storage  670  may not be large. In this case, the capacity of the water supply pump  716  may be limited. To overcome this limitation and to evenly spray water to the first heat exchanger or the first purifier  350 , the spray nozzle  651  may be provided in a plural number, and thus may include the same number of the spray pipes  653  as the spray nozzles  651 . In order to spray water while maintaining a sufficient water pressure, it may be possible to selectively spray water into one of the plurality of the sprays pipe  653  rather than supplying water through each the spray pipe  653  at the same time. 
     In addition, when it is determined that a specific area of the first heat exchanger  510  or the filter part  300  has a high degree of contamination, only the area with a high degree of contamination may be washed via spraying. 
     In the first heat exchanger  510  or the first purifier  350 , when it is determined that an area washed by spraying water by a first spray nozzle  6511  has a high degree of contamination, a controller needs to wash only a corresponding part using the first spray nozzle  6511 . 
     If there are the plurality of spray nozzles  651 , water may be supplied through the corresponding spray pipe  653  by selecting each spray nozzle. In addition, the spray nozzles  651  may also sequentially spray water. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , when there are three spray nozzles, water is first supplied to the first spray nozzle  6511  to spray water, when a predetermined time elapses, water is supplied to a second spray nozzle  6512  to spray water, and when a predetermined time elapses again, water is supplied to a third spray nozzle  6513  to spray water. 
     For the aforementioned spraying method, the storage water supply pipe  715  may be connected to the plurality of spray pipes  653  through the second switching valve  655  rather than being connected directly to the plurality of spray pipes  653 . 
     That is, the second switching valve  655  may switch a direction of water to supply water to each spray pipe for a preset time by the controller. For example, the second switching valve may be a three-way solenoid valve and the like. 
     Therefore, when water of the water collecting body  671  is not sufficient, the controller may control the first switching valve  255  and the second water supply pipe to receive water of the condensate storage  670 , and, if necessary, may wash the first purifier  350  or the first heat exchanger  510  through the water supply pump  716 , the storage water supply pipe  715 , the second switching valve  655 , the spray pipe  653 , and the spray nozzle  651  using the water stored in the water collecting body  671 . 
     In contrast, water may be directly supplied to the spray part  650  through a branch pipe (not shown) without going through the water collecting body  671 , which will be described below with reference to  FIG.  3   . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2  or  3   , the laundry treating apparatus  100  may include a water level detector  693  for measuring a water level of the water collecting body  671  and transmitting the result to the controller. When the water level detector  693  is provided, the laundry treating apparatus may drain water stored in the water collecting body  671 , thereby preventing water of the water collecting body  671  from flowing back into the connection duct  450 . In addition, during washing of the filter part and/or the first heat exchanger through the spray part  650 , if water supply is larger than drainage due to clogging or high water pressure, a water level in the water collecting body  671  of the condensate storage  670  may go up to back flow without going down, thereby preventing a backflow problem in advance. 
     The water level detector  693  may be provided with any device that is capable of detecting a water level inside the water collecting body  671 , and  FIG.  3    shows an example of a sensor including a plurality of electrodes (a plurality of electrodes that are electrically connected depending on a water level) with different lengths. In contrast, a water level may be determined by detecting the position of a floater that is provided on a bottom surface of the water collecting body  671  and ascends and descends according to the water level. 
     When the water level measured through the water level detector  693  is less than a preset reference water level, the controller provided in the laundry treating apparatus may open the water supply valve  253 , and may switch the first switching valve  255  to supply water to the water collecting body  671  through the second water supply pipe  257  and the storage water supply pipe  715 . The water supplied as such may be supplied to the spray part  650  using the water supply pump  716 . 
     As such, the laundry treating apparatus  100  may be capable of minimizing a problem that the first purifier  350  or the first heat exchanger  510  is not washed due to insufficient water of the water collecting body  671 . That is, this is to satisfy a reference water level for always ensuring washing performance to the maximum by supplementing water required for washing. 
     The above-described laundry treating apparatus may drain water stored in the water collecting body  671  only with the water level detector  693  through the drain  260 , or may control a time point at which water is supplied to the condensate storage  670  by controlling an operating time point and operating time period of the water supply valve  253  for opening and closing the first water supply pipe  251 . 
     Water sprayed through the spray part  650 , water condensed through the heat exchanger  500 , and water stored in the condensate storage  670  through the water supply  250  are all stored in the water collecting body  671 . Accordingly, according to a storage capacity of the water collecting body  671  while performing a drying function of the first laundry treating apparatus  1000 , only the condensate may exceed a full water level. In this case, it may be necessary to drain the water to prevent backflow of the stored water. 
     In addition, when the first purifier and/or the first heat exchanger are washed through the spray part  650 , the water level needs to go down because water of the condensate storage  670  is used. However, when drainage is blocked or water pressure is higher than drainage, a water level in the water collecting body  671  of the condensate storage  670  may not go down, and thus this may be determined through the water level detector  693  and water may be drained. 
     The drain  260  is described now with reference to  FIG.  3   , and the drain  260  may include a drain hole  672  provided on a bottom surface of the water collecting body  671 , a drain valve  681  that is opened and closed by a controller to drain water of the water collecting body, a drain valve connecting pipe  682  connecting the drain valve  681  and the drain hole  672 , the first drain pipe  261  for draining water of the tub  220  to the drain pump  265 , the second drain pipe  262  for draining water discharged by the drain pump to the outside, and the third drain pipe  263  connecting the drain valve  681  and the drain pump  265 . 
     Here, the drain pump  265  does not simply refer to a pump used to transport water, but the drain pump  265  may include a drain pump housing (not shown) connected to the first drain pipe  261  or the third drain pipe  263  to provide a space for storing water, a drain pump impeller (not shown) rotatable inside the first housing, a drain pump motor (not shown) for rotating the drain pump impeller, and a drain pump outlet (not shown) formed through a circumferential surface of the drain pump housing and connected to the second drain pipe  262 . 
     Even if a water level of the water collecting body  671  is not high, it may be necessary to discharge water remaining in the water collecting body  671  of the condensate storage  670  when a washing process of the heat exchanger and the filter part is finished or a drying cycle is finished. This is to prevent hygiene and odor problems in the laundry treating apparatus  100  in advance. Even in this case, all remaining water may be discharged using the drain hole  672  formed in a bottom surface of the water collecting body  671 . 
     The laundry treating apparatus disclosed herein may further include a controller (not shown). The controller may be disposed anywhere as long as the controller is capable of controlling the laundry treating apparatus. In general, the controller may be installed invisibly behind the control panel  910 , but is not limited thereto. The controller may control rotation of the first drum  130  and the second drum  230 , may determine a dryness through a dryness detector  691 , and may wash the first heat exchanger  510  and/or the filter part  300  using the water supply valve  253 , the first switching valve  255 , the second switching valve  655 , and the water supply pump  716  of the water supply  250 . In addition, the water level may be measured through the water level detector  693  of the water collecting body  671 , the drain valve  681  may be opened when the water level is full, and after draining, the drain pump  265  may be controlled to discharge water to the outside. 
     In addition, as necessary, the controller (not shown) may control opening and closing of a first opening/closing unit  710 , a second opening/closing unit  720 , and a third opening/closing unit  730 , which will be described below, to circulate air of the first laundry treating apparatus  1000 , to circulate air for a drying cycle of the second laundry treating apparatus  2000 , or to circulate air at the both sides. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the laundry treating apparatus  100  may include dryness detectors  691  and  692  to determine a time to stop an operation of the heat exchanger  500  by determining the dryness of laundry. The dryness detectors  691  and  692  may include at least one of an electrode sensor  691  that is in contact with laundry to measure the amount of moisture contained in the laundry, and a humidity sensor  692  for measuring humidity of air flowing into the circulation duct  400  from the first drum  130 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the electrode sensor  691  may include two electrodes that are fixed to the first fixed body  171  to be in contact with laundry inside the first drum body  131 . As a dryness increases, the amount of moisture contained in the laundry may decrease (the electrical resistance of the laundry increases), and thus the laundry treating apparatus  100  may determine the dryness of the laundry by observing the electrical resistance measured when the two electrodes are connected by the laundry. 
     As the dryness of the laundry increases, the amount of moisture contained in air introduced into the circulation duct  400  may be reduced, and accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus  100  may determine the dryness of laundry by observing the humidity of the air introduced into the first intake duct  411  or the second intake duct  412  through the humidity sensor  692 . 
     In order to determine the dryness of the laundry, unlike  FIG.  3   , a separate humidity sensor may be provided for each intake duct. 
     If the dryness that is measured through the dryness detector  691  after rotation of the first drum  130  is started to start a drying cycle is above a preset reference dryness, the controller may control the water supply  250  to supply water to the condensate storage  670  when the water level detector  693  determines the amount of water currently stored in the storage  670  to be insufficient. When the amount of the water is not insufficient, the spray part may spray water immediately, but the amount of water stored in the water collecting body is smaller than the amount for washing, water needs to be added during spraying. In this case, similarly, when the amount of water currently stored in the condensate storage  670  is determined to be insufficient through the water level detector  693 , the controller may control the water supply  250  to supply water to the condensate storage  670 . 
     Although not shown in the drawings, the laundry treating apparatus  100  may further include a laundry weight detector for determining the amount of laundry stored inside the first drum body  131 . The laundry weight detector may be a device for transmitting the amount of current supplied to the first motor  141  of a driver to the controller to rotate the first drum body  131  at a constant number of revolutions, or may be a device for transmitting information on the number of revolutions of the first drum body  131  to the controller when supplying current with a constant magnitude to the first motor  141  for a predetermined period of time. 
     When the laundry weight detector is provided, the controller may predict the amount of condensate to be generated from laundry accommodated in the first drum by detecting the amount of laundry. When it is determined that the amount of the generated condensate is smaller than the amount required for washing the first purifier  350  or the first heat exchanger  510 , the insufficient water may be added through an external water source before cleaning the first purifier  350  or the first heat exchanger  510 . 
     If it is determined that the amount of water stored in the water collecting body  671  is greater than the amount of water required for washing the first purifier  350  or the first heat exchanger  510 , that is, when the amount of water stored in the water collecting body  671  exceeds a preset reference water level through the water level detector  693 , the controller may drain water by opening the drain valve  681 . 
       FIG.  3    shows an example of a circulation duct including a common connection duct including a heat exchanger. As described above, the circulation duct  400  may include the first intake duct  411  connected to the first air outlet  178 , the second intake duct  412  connected to the second air outlet  278 , the first exhaust duct  491  connected to the first air inlet  198 , the second exhaust duct  492  connected to the second air inlet  298 , and the connection duct  450  connecting the first intake duct  411 , the second intake duct  412 , the first exhaust duct  491 , and the second exhaust duct  492 . 
     The heat exchanger  500  may be disposed inside the connection duct  450 , and the connection duct  450  may include the fan  470  for circulating air of the tub  220  or the first drum  130 . In addition, the filter part  300  for filtering foreign substances from the air of the tub  220  or the first drum  130  may be disposed inside the connection duct  450 . 
     A structure for forming a circulation path by opening and closing the circulation duct  400  for forming a circulation path for performing a drying function of the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  and the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  will be described. 
     For this, the circulation duct  400  may further include the first opening/closing unit  710  for opening and closing the first intake duct  411 , the second opening/closing unit  720  for opening and closing the second intake duct  412 , and the third opening/closing unit  730  that is disposed at a connection portion between the first exhaust duct  491  and the second exhaust duct  492  and selectively branches the first exhaust duct  491  and the second exhaust duct  492 . 
     By independently driving the first opening/closing unit  710 , the second opening/closing unit  720 , and the third opening/closing unit  730 , the first intake duct  411 , the connection duct  450 , and the first exhaust duct  491  may form a first circulation path to circulate air of the first drum, or the second intake duct  412 , the connection duct  450 , and the second exhaust duct  492  may form a second circulation path to circulate air of the tub  220 . In addition, the first circulation path and the second circulation path may be simultaneously opened or closed. 
     The inside of the connection duct  450  may include the filter part  300  in front of the first heat exchanger  510 . The fan  470  may be provided behind the second heat exchanger  520  to forcibly circulate air of the tub  220  and the first drum  130 . The fan  470  is shown to be disposed at an end of the first exhaust duct  490  connected to the connection duct  450 , but even if the fan  470  is installed elsewhere, the fan  470  may be disposed anywhere as long as air of air of the tub  220  and the second drum  230  is circulated. 
     The fan  470  may include the impeller  471  inside the circulation duct  400 , and the blower motor  473  for rotating the impeller  471 . The impeller  471  may be provided anywhere in the first exhaust duct  490 , the connection duct  450 , and the second exhaust duct  492 , and  FIG.  2    shows an example in which the impeller  471  is provided in the exhaust duct  490  (when the impeller  471  is disposed behind the second heat exchanger  520 ). 
     The first intake duct  410  may suck air through the first air inlet  198  formed in the connection body  177 . The second intake duct  412  may suck air through the second air inlet  298 . In a front surface of the connection duct  450 , the duct through hole  315  may be connected to the filter insertion hole  313  to insert or separate the first purifier  350 . The connection duct  450  may include the duct through hole  315  into which the spray nozzle  651  is inserted, and may spray water to wash the first purifier  350  or the first heat exchanger  510 . Further, the connection duct  450  may include a first connection hole  456  connected to the first intake duct  410 , a second connection hole  457  connected to the second intake duct  412 , and a third connection hole  458  connected to the first exhaust duct  490 . The first exhaust duct  490  may include a communication hole  493  connected to the second exhaust duct  492 , and may be connected to the second exhaust duct  492  through the communication hole  493 . 
     The circulation duct  400  may include the first opening/closing unit  710  for opening and closing the first intake duct  410  in the vicinity of the first connection hole  456 , the second opening/closing unit  720  for opening and closing the second intake duct  412  in the vicinity of the second connection hole  457 , and the third opening/closing unit  730  for opening and closing the communication hole  493 . A first circulation path circulating a first drum and/or a second circulation path circulating a tub may be formed through the first opening/closing unit  710 , the second opening/closing unit  720 , and the third opening/closing unit  730 . In addition, this may be controlled by the controller (not shown). 
     That is, when air of the first drum  130  is circulated, the first opening/closing unit  710  may be opened, the second opening/closing unit  720  may be closed to open the first intake duct  410 , the second intake duct  412  may be closed, and the first exhaust duct  490  may be opened with the third opening/closing unit  730  to close the second exhaust duct  492 . In contrast, when air of the tub  220  is circulated, the second opening/closing unit  720  may be opened, the first opening/closing unit  710  may be closed to open the second intake duct  412 , and the first intake duct  410  may be closed, and the second exhaust duct  492  may be opened and the first exhaust duct  490  may be closed with the third opening/closing unit  730 . 
     In order to circulate air at the both sides, the third opening/closing unit  730  may be opened by a predetermined angle, and then both the first opening/closing unit  710  and the second opening/closing unit  720  may be opened to form both the first circulation path and the second circulation path. 
     Unlike opening and closing of the first exhaust duct  490  and the second exhaust duct  492  using the third opening/closing unit  730 , the first intake duct  410  and the second intake duct  412  may have the first opening/closing unit  710  and the second opening/closing unit  720  that are respectively opened and closed. This is because the first purifier  350  needs to inserted or separated through the duct through hole  315  provided in a front surface of the connection duct and the filter insertion hole  313  provided in a front surface of the laundry treating apparatus  100 , and thus the first opening/closing unit  710  and the second opening/closing unit  720  for respectively opening and closing the first intake duct  410  and the second intake duct  412  may be separately provided to prevent interference with the first purifier  350 . 
     In contrast, since there is no such detachable component behind the connection duct  450 , the connection duct  450  may be connected to the first exhaust duct  490  through the third connection hole  458  provided at an end of the connection duct  450 , and may be connected to the second exhaust duct  492  through the communication hole  493  of the first exhaust duct, and accordingly, opening and closing of the first exhaust duct  490  and the second exhaust duct  492  may be controlled with only the third opening/closing unit  730 . 
     The first exhaust duct  490  and the second exhaust duct  492  may be connected through the first air inlet  198  and the second air inlet  298 , respectively. 
       FIG.  4 ( a )  shows an example in which a first exhaust duct and a second exhaust duct are connected.  FIG.  4 ( b )  shows an example in which a first intake duct and a second intake duct are connected to a filter part provided in a connection duct.  FIGS.  4 ( a ) and  4 ( b )  show an example in which the spray part  650  including the plurality of spray nozzles  651  is directly connected to an external water source. 
     The drawings show the case in which an external water source is directly connected to the spray pipe  653  and the spray nozzle  651  through a third switching valve  657 . Here, three spray pipes  6531 ,  6533 , and  6535  may be connected to three spray nozzles  6511 ,  6512 , and  6113 , respectively, and the third switching valve  657  may connect each spray pipe to the third water supply pipe  256  at a predetermined time interval and may spray water thereto. 
     This is because water pressure of water is different depending on an environment in which the laundry treating apparatus  100  is used, and thus a spray pressure is maintained constant in any environment to achieve the same effect. That is, the third switching valve  657  may be used to connect only one spray pipe at one time by selectively selecting each spray pipe rather than spraying water pressure by connecting three spray pipes at the same time. 
     The three spray pipes  6531 ,  6533 , and  6535  may each be fixed to an upper plate  451  of the connection duct by a fixing part  654  to prevent each of spray pipes  6531 ,  6533 , and  6535  from shaking under water pressure. A first fixing part  654  may be connected from the third switching valve  657  to fix the spray pipe  653  when passing over the upper plate, and a second fixing part  656  may fix a portion of the spray pipe  653  at which the spray nozzle  651  is disposed. 
     The upper plate  451  may be a part defining a body of the connection duct. The body of the connection duct may be divided into the upper plate  451  and a lower plate (not shown), and the lower plate may not be formed separately, but when a portion of the base  180 , in which the connection duct is positioned, is injected, a shape of the lower plate may be ejected together. Here, the upper plate  451  may be combined to form a flow path through which air passes. 
     The spray nozzle  651  may be inserted into the connection duct through the connection duct through hole  652  to spray water to the first heat exchanger and/or the first purifier  350 . 
     The plurality of the spray nozzle  651  may be provided to be arranged side by side in left and right directions of the connection duct  450  on the upper plate  451  as shown. The left-right direction of the connection duct  450  may be a direction perpendicular to a direction in which air flows inside the connection duct  450 . When water is sequentially sprayed through the plurality of the spray nozzles  651 , each of spray nozzle  6511 ,  6512 , and  6513  may wash a part of the first heat exchanger  510  and/or the first purifier  350  in a sprayed area. When all of the plurality of spray nozzles  651  sequentially performs spaying, as a result, a front area of the first heat exchanger  510  and/or the first purifier may be washed. 
     In contrast, the spray nozzles  651  may simultaneously perform spraying and washing. In addition, washing may be repeatedly performed. That is, the third switching valve  657  may switch a direction of water to supply water to each spray pipe for a time preset by a controller. A 3 way solenoid valve or the like may be used as the third switching valve  657 . The third switching valve  657  or the second switching valve  655  may have different names depending on whether it is directly connected to an external water source but may have the same feature of sequentially or selectively passing the supplied water through the plurality of spray pipes  653  to the plurality of spray nozzles  651 . 
       FIG.  4 ( a )  shows a form in which the second purifier  370  is coupled to the first intake duct  410 . The second purifier  370  may be inserted and mounted in the first intake duct  410 , but according to an embodiment, in  FIG.  4 ( a ) , the first intake duct  410  includes a filter guide  419 , and the second purifier  370  may be inserted into the filter guide  419 . A curved surface of an upper portion of the filter guide  419  may have the same radius of curvature to form a smooth circle along an inner circumferential surface when coupled to the circular connection body  177 . An upper part of the second purifier  370  also forms the same curved surface. 
     The height of the first intake duct  410  is lower than that of the first exhaust duct  490  because the first intake duct  410  sucks air from a lower part of the connection body  177 . The first exhaust duct  490  may be connected to the first drum  130  through the first air inlet  198  provided on the upper part of the second support  190 . 
       FIG.  4 ( a )  shows an example in which the connection duct  450 , the spray part  650 , and the like are installed on a base  180 . The connection duct  450  needs to have a duct shape to form a circulating air path, and thus a lower part of the duct may be formed by the base  180 , and an upper part of the duct may be formed by the upper plate  451 . That is, when the base is injected, the lower part of the duct may be already formed, and here, the upper plate  451  may be combined here to have the overall duct shape. Before the upper plate  451  is combined, the fan  470 , the first heat exchanger  510 , the second heat exchanger  520 , the refrigerant pipe  580 , and the like may be installed, and the spray nozzle  651  may be inserted into the upper plate  451  through the connection duct through hole  315  to fix the spray pipe  653 . The third switching valve (not shown) may also be fixed. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 ( a ) , the second exhaust duct  492  may be connected to a lower portion of the first exhaust duct  490 . To simplify a flow path as much as possible, the second exhaust duct  492  may be connected to the first exhaust duct as soon as the second exhaust duct  492  passes the heat exchanger  500  and the fan  470 . The first exhaust duct may include the communication hole  493 , and the communication hole  493  may have the third opening/closing unit  730  to open and close the communication hole  493 . The third opening/closing unit  730  may be rotatably coupled into the first exhaust duct  490 . That is, the third opening/closing unit  730  rotates only inside, and a position when the communication hole  493  is closed may be referred to as a first position, and in this case, an angle with the communication hole  493  may be determined as 0 degrees (°). 
     Referring to  FIG.  4 ( b ) , the first intake duct  410  may be disposed above the filter insertion hole  313 . The second intake duct  412  may be disposed below the filter insertion hole  313 . The first opening/closing unit  710  may be disposed at an end of the first intake duct  410 , at which the first intake duct  410  is connected to the connection duct  450 . In addition, the second opening/closing unit  720  may be disposed at an end of the second intake duct  412 , at which the second intake duct  412  is connected to the connection duct  450 . Unlike the third opening/closing unit  730 , a part for opening and closing the first intake duct  410  and the second intake duct  412  may be divided into the first opening/closing unit  710  and the second opening/closing unit  720  in order to ensure a space into which the first purifier  350  positioned in front is inserted. 
     Therefore, when the first opening/closing unit  710  is opened, the first intake duct  410  may move air sucked through an upper portion of the first purifier  350  to the connection duct  450 . The second intake duct  412  may not be connected to a lower portion of the first purifier  350  or a lower portion of the filter insertion hole  313  to avoid interference with the filter part  300 , specifically, the first purifier  350 . As shown in  FIG.  4 ( b ) , the second intake duct  412  may be connected to the outside of the filter insertion hole to move the sucked air to the connection duct  450  through a lateral surface of the first purifier  350 . 
     In contrast, when the second opening/closing unit  720  is opened, the second intake duct  412  may move air to the connection duct  450  through a lower portion of the first purifier  350 . 
     Accordingly, the width of the first intake duct  410  may be greater than the width of the second intake duct  412 . The width of the first intake duct  410  may be similar to the sum of the second intake duct and the filter insertion hole  313 . 
     The filter insertion hole  313  may be opened by the filter door  314 , and the filter door  314  may include the handle  317  for rotating the filter door  314  and a filter fixing part  319  for inserting the first purifier  350  and closing and then fixing the filter door  314 . 
     The first opening/closing unit  710  may include a first blocker  711  for opening and closing the first intake duct  410 , and a first opening/closing driver  713  connected to the first blocker  711  to rotate the first blocker  711  and to open and close the first intake duct  410 . Similarly, the second opening/closing unit  720  may include a second blocker  721  for opening and closing the first intake duct  410 , and a second opening/closing driver  723  for rotating the first blocker  711  to open and close the second intake duct  412 . The third opening/closing unit  730  may also include a third blocker  731  for opening and closing the first exhaust duct  490  and the second exhaust duct  492 , and a third opening/closing driver  733  for rotating the third blocker  731 . 
     The first opening/closing driver  713 , the second opening/closing driver  723 , and the third opening/closing driver  733  may include a motor for transferring torque. As an example of the motor, a geared motor using DC power may be used. 
       FIG.  5 ( a )  shows the first blocker  711  and the first opening/closing driver  713 , and the second blocker  721  and the second opening/closing driver  723  between the first intake duct  410  and the connection duct  450 , and between the second intake duct  412  and the connection duct  450 . 
     The first blocker  711  has a shape in which a circular cylinder is positioned sideways. Specifically, the first blocker  711  that opens and closes the first intake duct  410  may include a first main body  7111  formed in a left-to-right side longer than a front-to-rear side with respect to a front surface of the first cabinet and having a curved surface on the front-to-rear side, and a first sub-body  7112  with a circular shape coupled to each of both ends in left and right directions of the first main body. That is, both ends of the first main body  7111  may include the first sub-body  7112 , which has a circular shape like both ends of a general cylinder, but the first main body  7111  connecting the first sub bodies  7112  at both ends does not have a cylindrical shape, but may have at least two curved surfaces with different radii of curvature, and here, a size of the first main body  7111  orthogonally projected onto a virtual plane is the same as a diameter of the first sub-body, and eventually is equal to the length of a front-to-rear section of the first intake duct  410 . 
     Accordingly, when the first blocker  711  rotates, the first main body  7111  may close the inside of the first intake duct  410 . In addition, the length of the first blocker  711  in a left and right direction is longer than that in a front and rear direction to correspond to a cross section of the inside of the first intake duct  410 . As such, when the first blocker  711  rotates, the first main body  7111  may close the first intake duct  410 , and when the first blocker  711  rotates, the first main body  7111  may open the first intake duct. Since the first blocker  711  has a shape similar to a circular cylinder, it is not necessarily required to rotate the first blocker  711  in different directions for opening and closing. 
     The first main body  7111  may have at least two curved surfaces. Accordingly, the first main body  7111  may have a concave surface and a convex surface on the other surface. In addition, a cross section of the first main body  7111  may be in the form of a crescent that becomes thicker toward the center. This reduces a polar moment of inertia and minimizes rotational force caused by the second opening/closing driver  723 . 
     The first main body  7111  has a shape with at least two curved surfaces in order to smoothly convert a flow direction. Thus, even if the first main body  7111  is not necessarily in such a shape, the first main body  7111  may have any shape as long as the flow is smoothly converted. 
     Since the first main body  7111  has a laterally long shape, the first main body  7111  may be bent by fatigue or torsion over time. To prevent this, the first main body  7111  may include a first reinforcing rib  7113  on a convex side. This is because, if the first reinforcing rib  7113  is placed on a concave surface, stress concentration may occur at a concave point. 
     The size of the first reinforcing rib  7113  protruding from the convex surface of the first main body  7111  is equal to or smaller than the size of the first sub-body  7112 , and thus when the first sub-body  7112  is orthogonally projected in a longitudinal direction of the body  7111 , the first reinforcing rib  7113  may be equal to or smaller than the orthogonal projected first sub-body  7112 . 
     In other words, the first reinforcing rib  7113  may be disposed in a virtual cylinder surface and space formed by the first sub-body  7112 . 
     The second blocker  721  has a shape in which a circular cylinder is positioned sideways. Specifically, the second blocker  721  that opens and closes the second intake duct  412  may include a second main body  7211  formed in a left-to-right side longer than a front-to-rear side with respect to a front surface of the first cabinet and having a curved surface on the front-to-rear side, and a second sub-body  7212  with a circular shape coupled to each of both ends in left and right directions of the second main body. That is, both ends of the second main body  7211  may include the second sub-body  7212 , which has a circular shape like both ends of a general cylinder, but the second main body  7211  connecting the second sub-body  7212  at both ends does not have a cylindrical shape, but may have at least two curved surfaces, and here, a size of the second main body  7211  orthogonally projected onto a virtual plane is the same as a diameter of the second sub-body, and eventually is equal to the length of a front-to-rear section of the second intake duct  412 . 
     Accordingly, when the second blocker  721  rotates, the second main body  7211  may close the inside of the second intake duct  412 . In addition, the length of the second blocker  721  in a left and right direction is longer than that in a front and rear direction to correspond to a cross section of the inside of the second intake duct  412 . As such, when the second blocker  721  rotates, the second main body  7211  may close the second intake duct  412 , and when the second blocker  721  rotates, the second blocker  721  may open the second intake duct. Since the second blocker  721  has a shape similar to a circular cylinder, it is not necessarily required to rotate the second blocker  721  in different directions for opening and closing. 
     The second main body  7211  may have at least two curved surfaces. Accordingly, the first main body  7111  may have a concave surface and a convex surface on the other surface. In addition, a cross section of the second main body  7211  may be in the form of a crescent that becomes thicker toward the center. This reduces a polar moment of inertia and minimizes rotational force caused by the second opening/closing driver  723 . 
     The second main body  7211  has a shape with at least two curved surfaces in order to smoothly convert a flow direction. Thus, even if the second main body  7211  is not necessarily in such a shape, the second main body  7211  may have any shape as long as the flow is smoothly converted. 
     Since the second main body  7211  has a laterally long shape, the second main body  7211  may be bent by fatigue or torsion over time. To prevent this, the second main body  7211  may include a second reinforcing rib  7213  on a convex side. This is because, if the second reinforcing rib  7213  is placed on a concave surface, stress concentration may occur at a concave point. 
     The size of the second reinforcing rib  7213  protruding from the convex surface of the second main body  7211  is equal to or smaller than the size of the first sub-body  7112 , and thus when the second sub-body  7212  is orthogonally projected in a longitudinal direction of the second main body  7211 , the first reinforcing rib  7113  may be equal to or smaller than the orthogonal projected second sub-body  7212 . 
     In other words, the first reinforcing rib  7113  may be positioned in a virtual cylinder surface and space formed by the first sub-body  7112 . 
       FIG.  5 ( b )  shows an example of a connection part of the first exhaust duct  490  and the second exhaust duct  492  and the third opening/closing driver  733  for opening and closing the third blocker  731 . 
     The first exhaust duct  490  may include the fan  470  disposed through the third connection hole  458  connected to the connection duct  450 , and the communication hole  493  connected to the second exhaust duct  492  at a portion at which a direction of air flow through the fan is directed upward. The first exhaust duct  490  may include the third blocker  731  for opening and closing the communication hole  493 , and a third opening/closing driver for driving the same may be positioned on an outer side of the first exhaust duct  490 . 
     A coupler may be provided around the communication hole to connect the second exhaust duct  492  to the first exhaust duct  490 , and thus the second exhaust duct  492  may be fixed and connected to the first exhaust duct  490  through a coupling member. 
       FIGS.  6 ( a ) and  6 ( b )  show an example in which the first intake duct  410  is opened through the first blocker  711 , the second intake duct  412  is closed through the second blocker  721 , and the second exhaust duct is closed through the third blocker  731  when air of the first drum  130  is circulated.  FIGS.  6 ( c ) and  6 ( d )  show an example in which the first intake duct  410  is closed through the first opening/closing unit  710 , the second intake duct  412  is opened through the second opening/closing unit  720 , and the first exhaust duct  490  is closed through the third blocker  731  when air of the tub  220  is circulated. 
       FIG.  6 ( a )  shows the case in which the first blocker  711  is opened, the second blocker  721  is closed, and the first intake duct  410  is opened. The first blocker  711  may be connected to a rotation shaft of the first opening/closing driver  713  in a longitudinal direction of the first main body  7111 , and along rotation of the first opening/closing driver  713 , the first main body  7111  may rotate. When the first blocker  711  rotates at a predetermined angle, the first intake duct  410  may be opened. Similarly, as shown in  FIG.  6 ( c ) , the second blocker  721  may be connected to a rotation shaft of the second opening/closing driver  723  in a longitudinal direction of the second main body  7211 , and along rotation of the second opening/closing driver  723 , the second main body  7211  may rotate. When the second blocker  721  rotates at a predetermined angle, the second intake duct  412  may be opened. 
     Since a controller (not shown) independently controls the first blocker  711  and the second blocker  721 , only the first blocker  711  may be opened, and the second blocker  721  may be closed, and in contrast, the blocking part  711  may be closed, and only the second blocker  721  may be opened. Drying functions of the first laundry treating apparatus  1000  and the second laundry treating apparatus  2000  may also be simultaneously used by simultaneously opening the first blocker  711  and the second blocker  721 . 
       FIG.  6 ( b )  shows an example in which the third blocker  731  closes the communication hole  493  to close the second exhaust duct  492 . In the present specification, when the third blocker  731  closes the second exhaust duct  492 , the third blocker  731  may be referred to as being in the first position. When the third blocker  731  is in the first position, a circulation path of the first laundry treating apparatus may be formed through the first exhaust duct  490 . 
     In contrast,  FIG.  6 ( d )  shows an example in which the third blocker  731  opens the communication hole  493  to open the second exhaust duct  492 . When the third blocker  731  is rotated inside the first exhaust duct  490  and reaches a position (second position) for closing the first exhaust duct, a guide  495  for preventing the third blocker  731  from rotating any more may be provided. The guide  495  may prevent excessive rotation of the third blocker  731  to prevent the third blocker  731  from being deformed or damaged. 
     To reach the second position, the third blocker  731  needs to rotate at a predetermined angle through the third opening/closing driver. When a rotation angle at the first position is a first rotation angle, for example, 0 degrees (°), and an angle at the second position is a second rotation angle θ 2 , the third blocker  731  may be rotated at a predetermined angle θ 3  between the first rotation angle and the second rotation angle and may be positioned at the third position. 
     When the third blocker  731  is positioned at the third position, both the first exhaust duct  490  and the second exhaust duct  492  may be opened. Accordingly, as necessary, the controller may use both a drying function of the first laundry treating apparatus and a drying function of the second laundry treating apparatus. 
     The present disclosure may be modified and implemented in various forms, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, if the modified embodiment includes components of the claims according to the present disclosure, it should be regarded as belonging to the scope of the present disclosure.