Patent Abstract:
A laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a drawer with a drawer body and a drawer panel, an accommodation unit in the drawer body and defining a space for receiving washing water, a discharge unit for discharging washing water from the accommodation unit to the outside of the accommodation unit, a water discharge channel for guiding discharged washing water in the discharge unit to the outside of the cabinet, and a residual water discharge unit that provides an alternative path for discharging washing water in the discharge unit to the outside of the cabinet, wherein at least a portion of the residual water discharge unit is exposed to and accessible from the outside of the cabinet based on the drawer body being withdrawn from the cabinet, and wherein the entire residual water discharge unit is covered by the cabinet based on the drawer body being retracted within the cabinet.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0065894, filed on May 30, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, a laundry treatment apparatus can include an apparatus adapted to wash laundry, an apparatus adapted to dry laundry, and an apparatus adapted to perform both washing and drying of laundry. 
     A front-loading laundry treatment apparatus (also called a drum washing machine) is designed to allow laundry to be put into the apparatus from the front of the apparatus and has an introduction port through which laundry can be put into the apparatus. Since the front-loading laundry treatment apparatus has an introduction port positioned at a level lower than a user&#39;s waist, use of the apparatus may be inconvenient in that a user has to stoop in order to put laundry into the apparatus or takes laundry out of the apparatus. 
     In order to eliminate such inconvenience, among conventional laundry treatment apparatuses, a laundry treatment apparatus in which a support platform is additionally provided at a front-loading laundry treatment apparatus has been proposed. 
     Such a support platform is intended to raise the height of an introduction port and not for performing a function of laundry treatment such as washing or drying of laundry. 
     SUMMARY 
     An object of the present disclosure may be to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which is detachably coupled to another laundry treatment apparatus to perform washing or/and drying of laundry. 
     Another object of the present disclosure may be to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which is constructed to enable washing water to be easily supplied to or discharged from an accommodation unit retractably provided at a cabinet to accommodate laundry. 
     A further object of the present disclosure may be to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of condensing moisture discharged from the accommodation unit and returning the condensed water to the accommodation unit. 
     Still another object of the present disclosure may be to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of preventing washing water from remaining in a discharge unit serving to discharge washing water contained in an accommodation unit. 
     Yet another object of the present disclosure may be to provide a laundry treatment apparatus including means for circulating washing water in an accommodation unit. 
     According to one aspect, a laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet having an open surface, a drawer that includes a drawer body provided in the cabinet and configured to be retracted out of the cabinet through the open surface and a drawer panel provided at the drawer body and configured to close the open surface based on the drawer body being retracted within the cabinet, an accommodation unit provided within the drawer body and defining a space for receiving washing water, a discharge unit configured to discharge washing water from the accommodation unit to the outside of the accommodation unit, a water discharge channel configured to guide discharged washing water in the discharge unit to the outside of the cabinet, and a residual water discharge unit configured to provide an alternative path for discharging washing water in the discharge unit to the outside of the cabinet, wherein at least a portion of the residual water discharge unit is exposed to and accessible from the outside of the cabinet based on the drawer body being withdrawn from the cabinet, and wherein the entire residual water discharge unit is covered by the cabinet based on the drawer body being retracted within the cabinet. 
     Implementations according to this aspect may include one or more of the following features. For example, the water discharge channel may be inclined such that washing water in the water discharge channel moves back toward the discharge unit based on the discharge unit being turned off. The residual water discharge unit may include a residual water discharge tube communicating with the discharge unit and extending toward the drawer panel from the discharge unit. The residual water discharge tube may have a free end detachably provided at the drawer. The free end of the residual water discharge tube may include an opening and closing device that is configured to open and close the residual water discharge tube. The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a fixed body provided at the drawer, the fixed body including a receiving portion for receiving the residual water discharge tube to thereby releasably attach a free end of the discharge tube to the drawer. The fixed body may define a through hole for receiving the residual water discharge tube. The fixed body may be positioned closer to a front side of the drawer than a rear side of the drawer. The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a water discharge tube support provided at the drawer body and configured to support the residual water discharge tube such that the residual water discharge tube does not contact an inner surface of the cabinet. The drawer body may include an introduction opening, and the accommodation unit may include a tub provided in the drawer body and configured to receive washing water, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, and a tub cover defining a tub introduction port that provides a passage from the introduction opening to the drum, wherein the fixed body may be positioned along a side surface of the drawer body at a location between the drawer panel and a portion of the introduction opening closest to the drawer panel. 
     Further according to this aspect, the discharge unit may include a housing fixed to the drawer body and configured to communicate with the accommodation unit, the housing defining a space for receiving washing water, a first housing water discharge part that provides a fluidic connection between the housing and the water discharge channel, a second housing water discharge part that provides a fluidic connection between the housing and the residual water discharge unit, and an impeller configured to transfer washing water in the housing to the water discharge channel. The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a guider including a first body rotatably coupled to the cabinet, and a second body rotatably coupled to the first body and the drawer body to connect the first body to the drawer body, wherein the water discharge channel is provided at the guider. The water discharge channel may include a second channel provided at the first body, a first water discharge pipe providing a fluidic connection between the second channel and the first housing water discharge part, and a second water discharge pipe configured to guide washing water in the second channel to the outside of the cabinet. The first water discharge pipe may be inclined such that washing water remaining in the first water discharge pipe is recovered to the first housing water discharge part based on the impeller being turned off. The first housing water discharge part may be inclined such that washing water remaining in the first water discharge pipe is recovered to the first housing water discharge part based on the impeller being turned off. The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a supply unit connected to a water supply source, a first channel provided at the first body, a connecting pipe providing a fluidic connection between the first channel and the supply unit, and a water supply pipe supported by the second body and configured to guide washing water in the first channel to the accommodation unit. The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a first valve connected to a first water supply source, a second valve connected to the second water supply source and configured to supply washing water of a temperature different from that of the first water supply source, a first channel provided in the first body, a first connecting pipe providing a fluidic connection between the first channel and the first valve, a second connecting pipe providing a fluidic connection between the first channel and the second valve, and a water supply pipe supported by the second body and configured to guide washing water in the first channel to the accommodation unit. 
     Additional advantages, objects, and features of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the disclosure. The objectives and other advantages of the disclosure may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present disclosure are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated as a part of this application, illustrate implementations of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an example laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the laundry treatment apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are views showing an drawer, a tub, and a door of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C  are views showing an example tub cover of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are cross-sectional views showing an example recovery unit of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 6, 7, 8A, 8B, and 8C  are various views showing an example guider of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are plan views showing an example operation of the guider. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the implementations of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in connection with a laundry treatment apparatus including both a first treatment apparatus T and a second treatment apparatus L. 
     The first treatment apparatus T according to the present disclosure may include a first treatment apparatus cabinet  1  defining an exterior appearance, a first treatment apparatus tub disposed in the first treatment apparatus cabinet  1  to contain washing water therein, a first treatment apparatus drum rotatably disposed in the first treatment apparatus tub to contain laundry, a first treatment apparatus water supply unit for supplying washing water to the first treatment apparatus tub, and a first treatment apparatus water discharge unit for discharging washing water contained in the first treatment apparatus tub to the outside of the first treatment apparatus cabinet  1 . 
     The first treatment apparatus cabinet  1  includes a first treatment apparatus introduction port through which laundry is put into the cabinet  1  or taken out of the cabinet  1 . The first treatment apparatus introduction port is opened and closed by a first treatment apparatus door  11  hinged to the first treatment apparatus cabinet  1 . 
     The first treatment apparatus tub includes a first treatment apparatus tub introduction port communicating with the first treatment apparatus introduction port, and thus a user can put laundry into the first treatment apparatus drum upon opening of the first treatment apparatus door  11 . 
     When the first treatment apparatus T is designed to also perform a function of drying of laundry, the first treatment apparatus cabinet  1  has to be provided therein with a hot air supply unit for supplying hot air to the first treatment apparatus tub. 
     The hot air supply unit may include a circulation duct for circulating air in the first treatment apparatus tub, and a heat exchange unit disposed at the circulation duct to dehumidify and heat the air discharged from the first treatment apparatus tub. 
     Alternatively, the hot air supply unit may also include a discharge duct for discharging air in the first treatment apparatus tub to the outside of the first treatment apparatus cabinet  1 , a supply duct for supplying air from outside the first treatment apparatus cabinet  1  to the first treatment apparatus tub, and a heat exchange unit disposed at the supply duct. 
     Unlike the above construction, if the first treatment apparatus T is designed to perform a function of drying of laundry, the first treatment apparatus may not need the first treatment apparatus tub. In this case, the hot air supply unit has to supply hot air to the first treatment apparatus drum provided in the first treatment apparatus cabinet  1 . 
     The second treatment apparatus L incorporated in the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a cabinet  2  detachably provided at the first treatment apparatus cabinet  1 , a drawer  3  disposed in the cabinet  2  to be retractable therefrom, and an accommodation unit  4 ,  5  disposed in the drawer  3  and serving as a treatment space of laundry. 
     The cabinet  2 , which defines an exterior appearance of the second treatment apparatus L, may support the first treatment apparatus cabinet  1 . Unlike the cabinet shown in  FIG. 1 , the cabinet  2  provided at the second treatment apparatus may be detachably provided at an upper surface or a side surface of the first treatment apparatus cabinet  1 . 
     However, since a height of the first treatment apparatus door  11  is increased when the second treatment apparatus L is positioned under the first treatment apparatus T, it is convenient for a user to put laundry into the treatment apparatus or to take laundry out of the treatment apparatus. 
     The cabinet  2  includes an open surface  21  such that the drawer  3  is withdrawn from the cabinet  2  through the open surface  21  or is accommodated in the cabinet  2 . When the second treatment apparatus L is provided at a bottom surface of the first treatment apparatus T, the open surface  21  may be disposed at a side (a front side of the first treatment apparatus T) at which the first treatment apparatus door  11  is positioned. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the drawer  3  includes a drawer body  31  having an open upper surface, and a drawer cover  35  disposed at the open upper surface of the drawer body  31 . 
     The drawer body  31  may be configured to have a hexahedral shape having a hollow cavity defined therein. The drawer cover  35  is fixed to the drawer body  31  to define the upper surface of the drawer body  31 . 
     The drawer body  31  is provided at a front surface thereof with a drawer panel  33 . The drawer panel  33  may include a handle. In this case, a user can draw the drawer body  31  disposed in the cabinet  2  from the cabinet  2  using the handle. 
     The drawer panel  33  may include a control panel  331  for controlling operation of the second treatment apparatus L. The control panel  331  serves to allow a user to input control commands for control of units for supplying washing water to the accommodation unit  4 ,  5  and discharging the washing water from the accommodation unit  4 ,  5 , a unit for rotating laundry, units for supplying steam or hot air to laundry and the like. 
     The control panel  331  may also serve to allow a user to check control commands input by a user and to display an execution state of the control commands input by the user. 
     The drawer cover  35  may be provided with an introduction opening  353  formed through the drawer cover  35  to communicate the inside of the drawer body  31  with the outside of the drawer body  31 , and a water supply opening  355  formed through the drawer cover  35  to guide washing water to the accommodation unit  4 ,  5 . 
     The accommodation unit  4 ,  5  provided in the drawer  3  may include a tub  4  provided in the drawer body  31  to provide a space for containing laundry, and a drum  5  rotatably provided in the tub  4  to contain laundry. 
     The tub  4  may include a tub body  41  having a space for containing washing water and having an open upper surface, and a tub cover  43  fixed to the upper surface of the tub body  41 . The drum  5  may be configured to have a cylindrical shape having an open upper surface. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the drum  5  may be rotatable in the tub body  41  by means of a driving unit provided outside the tub body  41 . The driving unit may include a stator M 1  fixed to the tub body  41  to generate a rotating magnetic field, a rotor M 2  which is rotated by the rotating magnetic field, and a driving shaft M 3  extending through the tub body  41  and connecting the drum  5  to the rotor M 2 . 
     The drum  5  includes drum through holes  51  formed at an outer circumferential surface thereof to communicate the inside of the drum  5  with the inside of the tub body  41 . 
     The tub body  41  is held in the drawer body  31  by means of tub supports D. 
     Each of the tub supports D may include a drawer connecting portion D 1 , a tub connecting portion D 3 , and a rod D 5  connecting the tub connecting portion D 3  to the drawer connecting portion D 1 . 
     Here, the drawer body  31  may be provided with a first bracket  311  for supporting the drawer connecting portion D 1 , and the tub body  41  may be provided at an outer circumferential surface thereof with a second bracket  411  supported by the tub connecting portion D 3 . 
     The first bracket  311  may be provided at the drawer body  31 , and the second bracket  411  may protrude toward the inner surface of the drawer body  31  from the outer circumferential surface of the tub body  41 . 
     The tub cover  43  includes a cover body  431  defining an upper surface of the tub body  41 , and a tub introduction port  435  formed through the cover body  431  to communicate the introduction opening  353  with the drum  5 . 
     The tub introduction port  435  is provided with a door  49  hinged to the cover body  431 . 
     The door  49  is coupled to the cover body  431  by means of a hinge. The introduction opening  353  is positioned over the tub introduction port  435 . The door  49  or the tub introduction port  435  has a smaller size than that of the introduction opening  353 . Accordingly, even though the tub introduction port  435  is positioned below the drawer cover  35 , the tub introduction port  435  may be opened and closed by the door  49 . 
     Particularly, the outer circumferential surface of the door may be spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the introduction opening  353  by predetermined distances X 1  and X 2  in order to avoid a problem that the door  49  cannot be opened because of interference between the door  49  and the introduction opening  353  caused by geometric tolerance or positional tolerance. 
     Furthermore, when the outer circumferential surface of the door  49  is spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the introduction opening  353  by a predetermined interval, it is possible to also prevent breakage of the door due to vibration of the tub. 
     The door  49  may be provided with a door handle  493  which detachably secures the door  49  to the drawer cover  35  or the cover body  431 . 
     The door  49  may be provided with a sealing unit  495  for preventing washing water from leaking through the tub introduction port  435 . 
     The sealing unit  495  may include a sealing body  496  fixed to a lower surface of the door  49 , which is fitted in the tub introduction port  435  upon closing the tub introduction port  435 , and first and second protrusions  497  and  498  protruding from the sealing body  496 . 
     The first protrusion  497  protrudes toward the inner circumferential surface of the tub introduction port  435  from the outer circumferential surface of the sealing body  496 . The first protrusion  497  may have a length sufficient to contact the inner circumferential surface of the tub introduction port  435  when the tub introduction port  435  is closed by the door  49 . 
     The first protrusion  497  may include two or more protrusions provided at the sealing body  496 . The two or more first protrusions  497  may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. 
     The second protrusion  498  may protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the sealing body  496  so as to close the tub introduction port  435  when the tub introduction port  435  is closed by the door  49 . In other words, the second protrusion  498  must have a length sufficient to contact the upper surface of the cover body  431  when the tub introduction port  435  is closed by the door  49 . 
     Although the sealing unit  495  may be made of any materials so long as it can seal the tub introduction port  435  when the tub introduction port  435  is closed by the door  49 , as an example, the sealing unit  495  may be made of an elastic material such as rubber. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C , the cover body  431 , which defines the upper surface of the tub body  41 , includes a fitting rib  439  fitted in the inner circumferential surface of the tub body  41 . The fitting rib  439  may be provided with an inclined portion  4391  for guiding washing water in the tub body  31  into the drum  5 . 
     The drum  5  disposed in the tub body  41  is configured to have a cylindrical shape having an open upper surface. The drum  5  includes drum through holes  51  which are formed at an outer circumferential surface thereof to communicate the inside of the drum  5  with the inside of the tub body  41 . 
     In this implementation, when the drum  5  rotates, washing water contained in the tub body  41  may rise to the tub cover  43  from the bottom surface of the tub body  41  while rotating along the inner circumferential surface of the tub body  41 . At this time, the inclined portion  4391  serves to guide washing water having moved to the tub cover  43  from the bottom surface of the tub body  41 , toward the upper surface of the drum  5 . 
     When the washing water is again supplied to the drum  5  through the upper surface of the drum  5 , washing water can strike laundry contained in the drum  5 . Consequently, the present disclosure can improve washing performance by virtue of the inclined portion  4391 . 
     The cover body  431  includes a through hole  438  which is disposed under the water supply opening  355  formed at the drawer  3  to guide washing water introduced to the water supply opening  355  to the drum  5 . 
     Since the tub  4  is fixedly disposed in the drawer  3 , the through hole  438  is theoretically considered to be fixed under the water supply opening  355  (it is considered that relative movement between the through hole and the water supply hole does not occur). Accordingly, it is also possible to supply washing water, which is introduced into the water supply opening  355  through a pipe connected between the through hole  438  and the water supply opening  355 , to the tub  4 . 
     However, the pipe connected between the through hole  438  and the water supply opening  355  may vibrate when vibration generated during rotation of the drum  5  is transmitted to the tub body  41 . In this case, problems that durability of the pipe is deteriorated or a structure for attenuating vibration of the pipe has to be adopted should be considered. Accordingly, it may be the case that washing water is supplied to the tub  4  by positioning the through hole  438  under the water supply opening  355  without using an intermediate member connected between the through hole  438  and the water supply opening  355 . 
     Meanwhile, under the condition that there is no pipe connected between the through hole  438  and the water supply opening  355 , when hot water is supplied to the tub body  41  or steam is supplied to the tub body  41  from a steam generation device, there is a problem that moisture (water, steam, mist, etc.) in the tub  41  is discharged into the cabinet  2  through the through hole  438 . 
     Specifically, when moisture in the tub  41  is discharged in to the cabinet  2  through the through hole  438 , washing performance may be deteriorated and devices (electronic devices) disposed in the cabinet  2  may fail or corrode. Accordingly, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include a recovery unit for minimizing moisture or heat that is discharged from the tub  41  into the cabinet  2  through the through hole  438 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the recovery unit  45  incorporated in the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may include a first recovery part  451  provided at the drawer cover  35  and contacting moisture discharged from the through hole  438 , and a second recovery part  453  for guiding moisture supplied from the first recovery part  451  to the through hole  438 . 
     The second recovery part  453  may include a recovery body  454  protruding toward the first recovery part  451  from the upper surface of the tub cover  43 , and a body through hole  456  formed through the recovery body  454  and communicating with the through hole  438 . 
     The first recovery part  451  may be configured to have any shape so long as it can guide moisture discharged from the through hole  438  to the second recovery part  453 . 
     Specifically, the first recovery part  451  according to the present disclosure may be configured into a flat or curved board shape protruding toward the second recovery part  453  from the drawer cover  35 , and may also be configured into a hollow bar shape having an open surface facing the second recovery part  453 . 
     When the first recovery part  451  is configured into the hollow bar shape, the hollow bar may be variously configured.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate an implementation in which the hollow bar is configured into a cylindrical shape. 
     When the first recovery part  451  is configured into the flat board, the first recovery part  451  may be positioned in the body through hole  456 . 
     In other words, when the first recovery part  451  includes a plurality of boards, the plurality of boards have to be positioned in a space which is defined by projection of the through hole  456  to the drawer cover  35  (through hole projection space) in order to supply moisture (water or condensed water) fallen toward the second recovery part  453  from the plurality of boards to the through hole  438  through the body through hole  456 . 
     Meanwhile, when the first recovery part  451  includes a plurality of hollow bars, the hollow bars have to be positioned in the through hole projection space. 
     Specifically, when the plurality of hollow bars are arranged to have the same center, the hollow bar having the largest surface area has to be positioned in the through hole projection space. However, when the plurality of hollow bars are not arranged to have the same center, the space defined by the plurality of hollow bars has to be positioned in the through hole projection space. 
     The first recovery part  451  may not interfere with the water supply opening  355  regardless of the shape of the first recovery part  451 . Furthermore, the free ends of the first recovery part  451  may not interfere with the free end of the recovery body  454 . 
     This prevents a problem that the first recovery part  451  collides with the recovery body  454  owing to vibration transmitted to the tub body  41  during rotation of the drum  5  and thus the first recovery part  451  or the second recovery part  453  is broken. 
     The first recovery part  451  may be made of any materials so long as the first recovery part  451  is able to prevent water discharged from the tub  4  from spreading in the drawer  3  (for guiding water discharged from the tub  4  to the second recovery part). 
     When the first recovery part  451  is meant to condense moisture discharged from the tub  4  (exchanging heat with moisture discharged from the tub  4 ) and guiding the condensed water to the second recovery part, the first recovery part  451  may be made of a metal material. In this case, the second recovery part  453  may be made of an elastic material. 
     The recovery unit  45  according to the present disclosure may further include the following components in order to increase recovered amount and condensed amount of moisture. 
     Specifically, the tub cover  43  may further include a reception recess  437  formed at the cover body  431  to be concave and at which the through hole  438  is positioned. The second recovery part  453  may further include a body flange  455  protruding from an outer surface of the recovery body  454  and positioned over the reception recess  437 , and a flange through hole  457  formed through the body flange  455 . 
     Here, the first recovery part  451  may be positioned in a space which is defined by projection of the body flange  455  to the drawer cover  35  (flange projection space). 
     In other words, when the first recovery part  451  is in the form of a board, the first recovery part  451  may protrude toward the recovery body  454  from the drawer cover  35  such that the first recovery part  451  is positioned in the flange projection space. 
     Alternatively, when the first recovery part  451  is in the form of a plurality of hollow bars, the plurality of hollow bars should be positioned in the flange projection space. 
     Even if the plurality of hollow bars are arranged so as not to have the same center, it is not a problem if a range defined by connection of hollow bars positioned at the periphery is positioned in the flange projection space. 
     However, when the plurality of hollow bars are in the form of cylinders having the same center, the hollow bar having the greatest diameter may be positioned in the flange projection space positioned outside the through hole projection space and the hollow bar having the smallest diameter may be positioned in the through hole projection space. 
     If the plurality of hollow bars have the same center but do not have the cylindrical shape, the hollow bar having the greatest surface area has to be positioned in the flange projection space and the hollow bar having the smallest surface area has to be positioned in the through hole projection space. 
     In conclusion, regardless of shape of the plurality of hollow bars, the hollow bar having the greatest surface area may be configured to be smaller than that of the flange projection space but larger than that of the through hole projection space. Furthermore, the hollow bar having the greatest surface area may be configured to have a smaller surface area than that of the through hole projection space. 
     When the first recovery part  451  is in the form of a plurality of hollow bars having the same center, the centers of the respective hollow bars may be positioned at the water supply opening  355 . In this case, distances between the respective hollow bars may be regular or irregular. 
     Since the first recovery part  451  is held by the drawer cover  35  and the drawer cover  35  can continuously exchange heat with outside air, the surface temperature of the first recovery part  451  can be maintained to be lower than the temperature of air discharged from the through hole  438 . 
     Furthermore, when the first recovery part  451  is provided near the water supply opening  355 , the first recovery part  451  may further decrease in surface temperature by directly exchanging heat with cool water supplied through the water supply opening  355  or outside air introduced through an area around the water supply opening  355 , thus improving cooling performance of the first recovery part  451 . 
     The recovery unit  45  has to further include a recovery hole  47  for guiding moisture introduced into the reception recess  437  through the flange through hole  457  to the through hole  438 . 
     When the reception recess  437  is provided with a support pipe  4381  that protrudes toward the first recovery part  451  to support a lower surface of the recovery body  454 , the recovery hole  47  may be formed through the support pipe  4381 . However, when the recovery body  454  is directly fixed to a circumferential surface of the through hole  438 , the recovery hole  47  has to be formed through the recovery body  454 . 
     In any case, the inner surface of the reception recess  437  may be inclined such that condensed water in the reception recess  437  flows toward the recovery hole  47 . 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with an implementation in which the recovery unit  45  includes both the first recovery part  451  and the second recovery part  453 , the recovery unit  45  may include only the first recovery part  451  positioned over the through hole  438 . 
     The reason is because steam discharged from the through hole  438  will be condensed on a surface of the first recovery part  451  and then introduced into the through hole  438  by gravity, and water discharged from the through hole  438  will come into contact with the surface of the first recovery part  451  and then will be introduced into the through hole  438  by gravity. 
     For coupling of the tub cover  43  to the tub body  41 , the tub cover  43  may further include a first fitting groove  432  having a larger diameter than that of the fitting rib  439 , and a second fitting groove  433  positioned between the first fitting groove  432  and the fitting rib  439 . 
     In this case, the upper end of the tub body  41  may be fitted in the second fitting groove  433  and a fitting member  413 ,  415  provided at an outer circumferential surface of the tub body  41  may be fitted in the first fitting groove  432 . 
     The fitting member may include a first fitting member body  413  protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the tub body  41  outward, and a second fitting member body  415  protruding toward the tub cover  43  from the first body  413  and fitted in the second fitting groove  433 . 
     In addition, the tub cover  43  may further include a fitting groove partition  434  for discriminating the first fitting groove  432  from the second fitting groove  433 . The fitting groove partition  434  is fitted in a groove formed between the second fitting member body  415  and the outer circumferential surface of the tub body  41 . 
     Thanks to the above coupling structure between the tub body  41  and the tub cover  43 , the present disclosure can minimize washing water or steam outwardly leaking through between the tub body  41  and the tub cover  43  from the tub body  41 . 
     Unlike the above structure, the fitting member  413 ,  415  according to the present disclosure may be positioned in the tub body  41 . In other words, the second fitting member body  415  may have a smaller diameter than that of the tub body  41 . 
     In this case, the second fitting member body  415  may be fitted in the second fitting groove  433  and the upper end of the tub body  41  may be fitted in the first fitting groove  432 . 
     The laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure, which is constructed as described above, supplies washing water into the tub body  41  through a water supply channel, and discharges the washing water in the tub body  41  to the outside of the cabinet  2  through a water discharge channel. 
     The water discharge channel has to be constructed to connect a discharge unit F ( FIG. 6 ) fixed to the drawer  3  to a rear panel  23 , and the water supply channel has to be constructed to connect the water supply opening  355  provided at the drawer  3  to a water supply source positioned outside the cabinet  2  through a supply unit S ( FIG. 7 ). 
     Accordingly, if the water supply channel and the water discharge channel merely include a pipe connecting the supply unit S to the water supply opening  355  and a pipe connecting the water discharge unit F to the rear panel  23 , respectively, there may be a risk of the water supply channel or the water discharge channel becoming entangled or broken when the drawer  3  is withdrawn from the cabinet  2  or is pushed into the cabinet  2 . 
     In order to avoid such risk, the laundry treatment apparatus  100  according to the present disclosure may further include a guider  6  which is provided in the cabinet  2  not only to serve as a water supply channel or a water discharge channel but also to guide movement of the water supply channel and the water discharge channel. 
     Hereinafter, the supply unit S and the discharge unit F are first described and then the guider  6 , the water supply channel and the water discharge channel are described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the discharge unit F may include a pump fixed to the drawer body  31 . The pump may include a housing F 1  fixed to the drawer body  31  to contain washing water, and a motor F 2  for rotating an impeller disposed in the housing F 1 . 
     The housing F 1  is connected to the tub body via a housing introduction part F 3  and connected to the water discharge channel via a first housing water discharge part F 4 . Accordingly, when the impeller is rotated by the motor F 2 , washing water contained in the tub body  41  is introduced into the housing F 1  through the housing introduction part F 3  and then introduced into the water discharge channel through the first housing water discharge part F 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the supply unit S may include a first valve V 1  connected to a first water supply source (washing water supply source of a first temperature), and a second valve V 2  connected to a second water supply source (washing water supply source of a second temperature) for supplying washing water having a temperature different from the temperature of washing water supplied from the first water supply source. However, when there is only one water supply source provided outside the cabinet  2  to supply washing water, the supply unit S may include only one valve. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the guider  6  according to the present disclosure may include a support  61  secured in the cabinet  2 , a first body  63  rotatably connected to the support  61 , and a second body  65  connecting the first body  63  to the drawer cover  35 . 
     The support  61  may include a support body  611  fixed to the cabinet  2 , a discharge pipe  615  provided at the support body  611  and extending through the rear panel  23 , and a shaft support  613  supporting the first body  63 . 
     The support body  611  may be secured to the rear panel  23  of the cabinet  2 . In this case, the first valve V 1  and the second valve V 2  may be fixed to the support body  611 . 
     The discharge pipe  615  serves to discharge washing water introduced to the water discharge channel to the outside of the cabinet  2 . The shaft support  613  may be fixed to an outer surface of the discharge pipe  615  (see  FIG. 8 ) so as to minimize a size of the support  61 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the first body  63  may include a base  631  defining a first channel  71  (body water supply pipe) connected to the supply unit S and a second channel  81  (body water discharge pipe) connected to the discharge unit F, a cover  635  provided on the base  631  to close the first channel  71  and the second channel  81 , and a first shaft  637  for rotatably connecting the base  631  to the shaft support  613 . 
     The first channel  71  and the second channel  81  are discrete channels which are isolated from each other by a partition  633 . The base  631  and the cover  635  may be coupled to each other through thermal fusion so as to prevent fluid present in the first channel  71  and the second channel  81  from leaking to the outside of the first body  63 . 
     The first channel  71  includes a first inlet  632  communicating with a first connecting pipe  73  which is opened and closed by the first valve V 1 , and a second inlet  634  communicating with a second connecting pipe  75  which is opened and closed by the second valve V 2 . Washing water having been introduced to the first channel  71  is discharged to the water supply pipe  77  through a first channel outlet  636 . 
     As described above, the water supply channel according to the present disclosure includes the first channel  71  provided in the first body  63 , the first and second connecting pipes  73  and  75  connected between the first channel  71  and the respective power supply sources and controlled to be opened and closed by the first and second valves V 1  and V 2 , respectively, and the water supply pipe  77  connected between the first channel outlet  636  and the water supply opening  355  and supported by the second body  65 . 
     Washing water supplied from the water supply sources is introduced into the first channel  71  through the first and second connecting pipes  73  and  75  which are opened and closed by the first and second valves V 1  and V 2 , and the washing water in the first channel  71  is supplied to the water supply opening  355  formed at the drawer cover  35  through the first channel outlet and the water supply  77 . The water supply pipe  77  may be secured to the water supply opening  355  formed at the drawer cover  35  by means of a fixing portion  771 . 
     The second channel  81  is provided with a second channel inlet  638  and a second channel outlet  639 . The second channel inlet  638  and the first housing water discharge part F 4  are connected to each other through a first water discharge pipe  83 , and the second channel outlet  639  and the discharge pipe  615  are connected to each other through a second water discharge pipe  85 . 
     Accordingly, the water discharge channel according to the present disclosure includes the second channel  81  defined in the first body  63 , the first water discharge pipe  83  connected between the second channel  81  and the housing F 1 , and the second water discharge pipe  85  connected between the second channel  81  and the discharge pipe  615 . 
     The second body  65  of the guider  6  is rotatably connected to the first body  63  through a second shaft  651  and rotatably connected to the drawer cover  35  through a third shaft  653 . 
     The second body  65  is provided with a first flange  656  and a second flange  657  which define a reception space  655  accommodating the water supply pipe  77 . 
     The first flange  656  is longitudinally provided along the second body  65  and protrudes toward the upper surface of the cabinet  2  from a side surface of the second body  65 . The second flange  657  is longitudinally provided along the second body  65  to face the first flange  656 . 
     A water supply pipe attachment  659 , which is detachably provided at the water supply pipe  77  to hold the water supply pipe  77  in the reception space  655 , may be provided at at least one of the first flange  656  and the second flange  657 . 
     Since the discharge pipe  615  provided at the support  61  includes a drainpipe F 7  which is connected between the discharge pipe  615  and a sewage outlet to discharge washing water supplied through the water discharge channel, washing water in the tub body  41  may be discharged by the siphon effect upon activation of the motor F 2 . 
     When the siphon effect occurs, it may be advantageous if washing water does not remain in the tub body  41  or the water discharge channel. However, bad smell generated from the sewage outlet may be introduced into the tub body  41  through the drainpipe F 7 . Furthermore, when washing water is supplied to the tub body  41  before completion of discharge of washing water, there is a risk that even washing water introduced to the tub body  41  may be discharged. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure may further include a communication pipe  79  for preventing the siphon effect by the water discharge channel. 
     The communication pipe  79  may be configured in any shape so long as it can communicate the inside of the water discharge channel with the outside of the water discharge channel. In other words, the communication pipe  79  according to the present disclosure may be constructed to be connected between the water supply channel and the water discharge channel, and may be constructed to communicate the water supply channel with the inside of the drawer. 
     The communication pipe  79  may be constructed to connect one of the second channel  81 , the first water discharge pipe  83  and the second water discharge pipe  85  to the water supply pipe  77  or the water supply opening  355 . The drawings illustrate an implementation in which the communication pipe  70  is connected between the water supply pipe  77  and the second channel inlet  638  and is supported by the second body  65 . 
     In order to support the communication pipe  79 , the second flange  657  provided at the second body  65  may further include a communication pipe attachment  658  for detachably holding the communication pipe  79  outside the reception space  655 . 
     In order to ensure that washing water supplied to the tub body  41  is not discharged to the outside of the tub body  41  through the water discharge channel even though the motor F 2  provided at the discharge unit F is not operated, the discharge pipe  615  has to be positioned at a higher level than the maximum level of washing water contained in the tub body  41  (the first water discharge pipe  83  defining the water discharge channel is positioned below the guider  6  including the second channel  81 ). 
     Under the above condition, when operation of the impeller is halted by deactivation of the motor F 2  of the discharge unit F, air in the tub body  41  is introduced into the water discharge channel through the communication pipe  79 , thus blocking the siphon effect. Consequently, washing water present at a position lower than the position at which the communication pipe  79  is connected to the first water discharge pipe  83  will remain in the first water discharge pipe  83 . 
     When washing water remains in the first water discharge pipe  83 , it is possible to introduction of foul odor generated from a sewage outlet into the tub body  41  but there is a risk of the first water discharge pipe  83  is rupturing upon freezing in winter. Accordingly, there is a need to discharge even washing water in the first water discharge pipe  83 . To this end, the present disclosure may include a residual water discharge unit  9  if desired. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the residual water discharge unit  9  may include a residual water discharge tube  91  which communicates with the housing F 1  of the discharge unit F and is exposed to the outside of the cabinet  2  when the drawer  3  is withdrawn from the cabinet  2 . 
     A fixed end of the residual water discharge tube  91  may communicate with the housing F 1  through the second housing water discharge part F 5 , and a free end of the residual water pipe  91  may be detachably held on the drawer body  31 . The free end of the residual water discharge tube  91  may be provided with a water discharge pipe opening and closing device  911  for opening and closing the residual water discharge tube  91 . In some cases, the closing device  911  may be integrated in the drawer body  31  or the drawer panel  33 . 
     In order to hold the free end of the residual water discharge tube  91  on the drawer body  31 , the residual water discharge unit  9  may further include a water discharge pipe attachment  93  provided at the drawer body  31 . 
     The water discharge pipe attachment  93  is provided at the drawer body  31  such that it is positioned in the rear of the drawer panel  33  (near the open surface  21 ). 
     Specifically, the water discharge pipe attachment  93  may include a fixed body  931  fixed to the drawer body  31  to be positioned between the rear surface of the drawer panel  33  and the introduction opening  353 , a fixed body through hole  933  formed through the fixed body  931 , and an entrance  935  formed at the fixed body  931  such that the fixed body through hole  933  communicates with the outside of the fixed body  931 . The fixed body through hole  933  and the entrance  935  form a receiving portion for receiving the residual water discharge tube to thereby releasably attach a free end of the discharge tube to the drawer. 
     The fixed body through hole  933  has a diameter equal to or larger than that of the residual water discharge tube  91 , and the entrance  935  has a width smaller than the diameter of the residual water discharge tube  91 . 
     As a result, a user can fit the residual water discharge tube  91  into the fixed body through hole  933  through the entrance  935 , or can take the residual water discharge tube  91  out of the fixed body  931 . 
     In order to prevent the residual water discharge tube  91  from becoming entangled in the cabinet or interfering with components provided in the cabinet  2  when the drawer  3  is withdrawn from the cabinet  2 , the drawer body  31  may further include a water discharge tube support  313  for preventing the residual water discharge tube  91  from contacting the inner surface of the cabinet  2 .  FIG. 7  illustrates an implementation in which the water discharge tube support  313  is provided at a lower position of the drawer body  31 . 
     In order to more efficiently discharge washing water remaining in the first water discharge pipe and the housing F 1  through the residual water discharge tube  91 , the first water discharge pipe  83  may be positioned such that a distance between the bottom surface of the drawer body  31  and the first water discharge pipe decreases toward the housing F 1  of the water discharge unit F. In other words, the first water discharge pipe  83  may be downwardly inclined toward the housing F 1  of the water discharge unit F. 
     The laundry treatment apparatus  100  according to the present disclosure may further include a water discharge pipe holder  95  adapted to hold the first water discharge pipe  83  at a location on the drawer body  31  higher than the first housing water discharge part F 4  of the housing F 1  such that the first water discharge pipe  83  is partially inclined downwardly toward the first housing water discharge part F 4  of the housing F 1 . 
     The effects obtained by the inclined first water discharge pipe  83  may, of course, be obtained by inclining the first housing water discharge part F 4  of the housing F 1  such that a distance between the bottom surface of the drawer body  31  and the first housing water discharge part F 4  increases in a direction away from the housing F 1 . 
     Although not shown in the drawings, the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure may further include a hot air supply device for supplying hot air to the tub  4  to dry laundry contained in the drum  5 . The hot air supply device may be provided at any of the first treatment apparatus T and the second treatment apparatus L. 
     Hereinafter, operation of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the drawer  3  is positioned in the cabinet  2  before laundry is put into the second treatment apparatus L. 
     In order to put laundry into the accommodation unit  4 ,  5  provided in the drawer  3 , a user has to withdraw the drawer body  31  from the cabinet  2  using the drawer panel  33 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , when the drawer body  31  is withdrawn from the cabinet  2 , the first body  63  is rotated in a drawing direction of the drawer body  31  about the first shaft  637  while the second body  65  maintains the state in which the first body  63  is connected to the drawer cover  35  through the second shaft  651  and the third shaft  653 . 
     The first channel  71  that forms the water supply channel is provided at the first body  63 , and the water supply pipe  77  connected between the first channel  71  and the water supply opening provided at the drawer cover  35  is supported by the second body  65 . Therefore, the present disclosure can prevent the water supply channel from becoming entangled or caught by components provided in the cabinet  2  and thus broken. 
     In addition, since the second channel  81  that forms the water discharge channel is provided at the first body  63  and the first water discharge pipe  83  connected between the second channel  81  and the discharge unit F is positioned below the guider  6 , it is also possible to prevent the water discharge channel from becoming entangled or broken when the drawer  3  is withdrawn from the cabinet  2 . 
     However, since the rotation center of the first body  63  and the rotation center of the second water discharge pipe  85  are different from each other as shown in  FIG. 10 , the second water discharge pipe  85  according to the present disclosure may be made of an elastic material (such as rubber) or may be constructed into a bellows structure capable of extending and contracting in a longitudinal direction. 
     When the drawer body  31  is withdrawn from the cabinet  2 , the introduction opening  353  formed at the drawer cover  35  is exposed to the outside. As a result, a user can put laundry into the drum  5  positioned below the tub introduction port  435  by rotating the door  49  disposed in the introduction opening  353  to open the tub introduction port  435 . 
     When laundry is put into the drum  5 , a user closes the tub introduction port  435  by the door  49  and pushes the drawer  3  into the cabinet  2  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     At this point, since the first body  63  of the guider  6  is rotated in the same direction as the moving direction of the drawer  3  (counterclockwise direction) about the first shaft  637  and the second body  65  is rotated toward the first body  63  by the second shaft  651  and the third shaft  653 , it is possible to possible to prevent the water supply channel and the water discharge channel according to the present disclosure from breaking due to components provided in the cabinet  2 , by virtue of the guider  6 . 
     When a user inputs a control command for washing through the control panel  331  in the state in which the drawer  3  is disposed in the cabinet  2 , the respective valves V 1  and V 2  provided at the supply unit S open one of connecting pipes  73  and  75  connected between the respective valves and the first channel  71 . 
     Specifically, if only a first temperature washing water is required, a control unit controls the first valve V 1  to open only the first connecting pipe  73 . In addition, if only a second temperature washing water is required, the control unit controls the second valve V 2  to open only the second connecting pipe  75 . 
     In any case, washing water from the water supply source is supplied to the first channel  71  provided at the first body  63 , and the washing water supplied to the first channel  71  is supplied to the drum  5  through the water supply pipe  77  supported by the second body  65 , the water supply opening  355  provided at the drawer cover  35  and the through hole  438  formed at the tub cover  43 . 
     Upon completion of supply of the washing water, the driving unit rotates the drum  5 . When the drum  5  rotates, washing water in the tub body  41  can rotate in the tub body  41 , together with the drum. 
     When washing water is rotated in the tub body  41  by the drum  5 , the washing water in the tub body  41  can move toward the tub cover  43  from the bottom surface of the tub body  41 . However, since the tub cover  43  is provided with the inclined portion  4391 , the present disclosure can again introduce washing water into the drum  5  through the open upper surface of the drum  5 . 
     Upon completion of washing, the control unit discharges washing water contained in the tub body  41 . 
     More specifically, the control unit supplies power to the motor F 2  provided at the discharge unit F to transfer washing water in the tub body  41  to the first water discharge pipe  83 . The washing water introduced to the first water discharge pipe  83  flows to a sewage outlet through the second channel  81  provided at the first body  63 , the second water discharge pipe  85 , the discharge pipe  615  and the drainpipe F 7 . 
     Since the first water discharge pipe  83  is connected to the water supply pipe  77  through the communication pipe  79  and the water supply pipe  77  communicates with the drawer body  31  through the water supply opening  355 , when the control unit stops supply of power to the motor F 2 , air is supplied to the first water discharge pipe  83 , thus eliminating siphon effect. Consequently, the washing water that is flowing to the second channel  81  through the first water discharge pipe  83  remains in the first water discharge pipe  83 . 
     Furthermore, since the first water discharge pipe  83  according to the present disclosure is constructed to enable residual water in the first water discharge pipe  83  to be moved to the discharge unit F, almost all of the residual water in the first water discharge pipe  83  will be contained in the housing F 1  of the discharge unit F. 
     If washing water is contained in the housing F 1 , it is possible to prevent introduction of foul odor generated from a sewage outlet into the tub body  41  through the water discharge channel and to prevent breakage of the first water discharge pipe  83  in the case of decrease in outside temperature of the laundry treatment apparatus. 
     Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, since the residual water discharge tube  91  is connected to the housing F 1 , even residual water in the housing F 1  can be discharged if desired. However, in order to discharge residual water in the housing F 1 , a user has to withdraw the drawer  3  from the cabinet  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , since the free end of the residual water discharge tube  91  is exposed to the outside of the cabinet  2  when the drawer  3  is withdrawn from the cabinet  2 , a user can discharge residual water in the housing F 1  by separating the residual water discharge tube  91  from the water discharge pipe attachment  93  and then opening the water discharge pipe opening and closing device  911 . 
     Furthermore, when washing water supplied for laundry washing is hot water or steam is supplied to laundry after washing of laundry, moisture (vapor or steam of hot water) supplied into the tub body  41  can be discharged to the outside of the tub body  41  through the through hole  438 . 
     The moisture, which has been discharged to the outside of the tub body  41  through the through hole  438 , is condensed on a surface of the first recovery part  451  provided over the through hole  438  and then falls to the secondary recovery part  453 . Therefore, the present disclosure can minimize that leakage of moisture in the tub body  41  into the drawer  3  or the cabinet  2 . 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with the above implementation in which the first channel  71  forming the water supply channel and the second channel  81  forming the water discharge channel are provided in the first body  63  of the guider, structures of the water supply channel and the water discharge channel are not limited thereto. In other words, the water discharge channel may be supported by the outer surface of the guider while the first channel  71  maintains the same construction as described above. 
     Here, the water discharge channel may be formed by a single pipe connected between the housing F 1  of the discharge unit F and the discharge pipe  615 , and may be detachably held on the outer surface of the first body  63 . 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with an implementation in which the second treatment apparatus L is detachably mounted on the first treatment apparatus T (the cabinet  1  of the first treatment apparatus and the cabinet  2  of the second treatment apparatus are separated from each other), the second treatment apparatus may be integrally formed with the first treatment apparatus T. 
     In this case, the drawer  3  of the second treatment apparatus L has to be constructed to be retractable from the cabinet of the first treatment apparatus (the cabinet  2  of the second treatment apparatus is omitted), and components of the second treatment apparatus L, which are fixed to or rotatably coupled to the cabinet  2  of the second treatment apparatus, have to be provided at the cabinet  1  of the first treatment apparatus. 
     As described above, the present disclosure can provide a laundry treatment apparatus which is detachably coupled to another laundry treatment apparatus to perform both functions of washing and drying of laundry. 
     Furthermore, the present disclosure can provide a laundry treatment apparatus which is constructed to enable washing water to be easily supplied to or discharged from an accommodation unit retractably provided at a cabinet to accommodate laundry. 
     In addition, the present disclosure can provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of condensing moisture discharged from the accommodation unit and returning the condensed water to the accommodation unit. 
     Furthermore, the present disclosure can provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of preventing washing water from remaining in a discharge unit serving to discharge washing water contained in an accommodation unit. 
     In addition, the present disclosure can provide a laundry treatment apparatus including means for circulating washing water in an accommodation unit. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosures. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3