Patent Description:
A dryer includes a device that blows hot air (e.g., high-temperature and dry air) into a drum to dry an object contained in the drum. As a general example of the dryer, a clothes dryer for drying washed-wet-laundry is widely used.

In general, a clothes dryer may be installed and used in a separate laundry room or utility room in the house. The laundry room or utility room may not have windows or may be small, so that ventilation is not performed well. When a humidity in the laundry room or utility room is high, the clothes dryer installed there may be corroded, and the high humidity may cause discomfort to users who use the room.

The dryer may dry an object to be dried using a refrigerant cycle. For example, the dryer may remove moisture from humid air flowing from the drum, raise a temperature of the air, and then return the air to the drum for circulation. That is, because the dryer dries the object to be dried through a process of air circulation, a closed flow path is formed inside a main body.

A dehumidifier includes a device used to remove moisture. The dehumidifier suctions air from outside of the dehumidifier, removes moisture, raises a temperature of the air, and then discharges the dehumidified air to the outside. That is, an open flow path is formed inside the dehumidifier.

A dehumidifier may be installed to control a humidity of a space where the dryer is installed, but the laundry room or utility room may be relatively small, so an installation space for the dehumidifier may not be sufficient. Additionally, it is quite inefficient to purchase a separate dehumidifier.

<CIT> discloses a dryer with a first adapter for performing a normal dryer operation and a second adapter for performing a dehumidifying operation.

The present invention is directed to providing a dryer capable of not only drying an object to be dried but also dehumidifying a surrounding space.

Further, the present invention is directed to providing a dryer capable of easily recognizing whether a dehumidification unit, which is mounted in order for the dryer to operate a dehumidifying mode, is installed or not.

Further, the present invention is directed to providing a dryer capable of easily switching between a drying mode for drying clothes and a dehumidifying mode for indoor dehumidification.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dryer according to claim <NUM>.

According to the preceding paragraph, the inlet port and the outlet port may be disposed adjacent to one another (e.g., side by side in a left and right direction).

According to the preceding paragraphs, the drum may be rotatably arranged in the cabinet, and the dryer may further include a fan arranged in a middle of a flow path from an entrance of the drum to the intake port.

According to the preceding paragraphs, with respect to a vertical line passing through a center of the first opening, the outlet port may be disposed closer to the vertical line than the inlet port.

According to the preceding paragraphs, the guide may include a curved portion to form a curved section in the second flow path.

According to the preceding paragraphs, the dryer may further include a discharge rib disposed to protrude from the guide horizontally to at least partially divide the second flow path into upper and lower regions.

According to the preceding paragraphs, the inlet port may be disposed on a right side of the outlet port. The inlet port may include a plurality of inlet guide ribs extending in an oblique direction disposed in the inlet port to allow air to be introduced from a lower right direction. The outlet port may include a plurality of outlet guide ribs extending in an oblique direction disposed in the outlet port to allow air to be discharged to an upper left direction.

According to the preceding paragraphs, the dehumidification unit may include an identification portion configured to allow the dryer to detect whether the dehumidification unit is mounted. For example, the dryer may be configured to detect whether the dehumidification unit is mounted to the cabinet based on the identification portion.

According to the preceding paragraphs, an area occupied by the inlet port and an area occupied by the outlet port may be the same.

The dehumidification unit may include a protrusion disposed to protrude beyond the front side of the cabinet in a state in which the dehumidification unit is mounted to the cabinet. That is, when the dehumidification unit is mounted to the cabinet, the protrusion protrudes outwardly beyond the front side of the cabinet.

According to the preceding paragraphs, the protrusion may be disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port.

According to the preceding paragraphs, the dryer may further include a unit cover configured to open and close the second opening, and the unit cover may not be closed in a state in which the dehumidification unit is mounted. That is, in a state in which the dehumidification unit is mounted to the cabinet, the unit cover is in an open position and is prevented from being moved to the closed position by the protrusion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dryer according to claim <NUM>.

According to the preceding paragraphs, the guide may be rotatable between the first position and the second position.

A dryer may perform a dehumidification function as well as a drying function.

Further, a dryer may easily recognize whether a dehumidification unit is mounted or not.

Further, a dryer may easily switch between a drying mode and a dehumidifying mode.

Embodiments described in the disclosure and configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the disclosure, and may be modified in various different ways within the scope of the claims.

In addition, the same reference numerals or signs shown in the drawings of the disclosure indicate elements or components performing substantially the same function.

Also, the terms used herein are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit and / or restrict the disclosure. The singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this disclosure, the terms "including", "having", and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, elements, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

When it is stated in the disclosure that one element is "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, the expression encompasses an example of a direct connection or direct coupling, as well as a connection or coupling with another element interposed therebetween.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, the elements are not limited by these terms. For example, a first element may be termed as a second element, and a second element may be termed as a first element. The term of "and / or" includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items. For example, the scope of the expression or phrase "A and / or B" includes the item "A", the item "B", and the combination of items "A and B".

In addition, the scope of the expression or phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to include all of the following: (<NUM>) at least one of A, (<NUM>) at least one of B, and (<NUM>) at least one A and at least one of B. For example, the scope of the expression or phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" is intended to include all of the following: (<NUM>) at least one of A, (<NUM>) at least one of B, (<NUM>) at least one of C, (<NUM>) at least one of A and at least one of B, (<NUM>) at least one of A and at least one of C, (<NUM>) at least one of B and at least one of C, and (<NUM>) at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.

Hereinafter example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that those embodiments that do not fall within the scope of the claims relate to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure that are not covered by the claimed invention. Dryers <NUM> and <NUM> according to embodiments of the disclosure may be used to dry and/or take care of clothes, shoes, miscellaneous goods, and the like.

<FIG> is a view of a dryer according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is a vertical cross-sectional view of the dryer to which a filter unit is mounted. <FIG> is a view of the filter unit of the dryer illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view of the filter unit illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a direction along an X-axis may be defined as a front and rear direction, a direction along a Y-axis may be defined as a left and right direction, and a direction along a Z-axis may be defined as an up and down direction. Further, the terms "front and rear direction", "left and right direction", "up and down direction" used in the following description are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component is not limited by these terms.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the dryer <NUM> includes a cabinet <NUM>. The cabinet <NUM> may include a front surface <NUM>, an upper (top) surface <NUM>, a first (right) side surface <NUM>, a second (left) side surface (not visible in <FIG> and <FIG>) opposite of the first (right) side surface <NUM>, a rear surface <NUM>, and a lower (bottom) surface <NUM>, and may be provided in a substantially cuboid shape. The cabinet <NUM> may form a main body of the dryer <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> may be provided with a water drain tank <NUM>. For example, the water drain tank <NUM> may be provided on an upper portion of the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. The water drain tank <NUM> may store condensed water generated by an operation of a refrigerant cycle to be described later.

The cabinet <NUM> may be provided with a manipulator <NUM> for manipulating or controlling operations of the dryer. The manipulator <NUM> may also be referred to as a user interface or control panel, for example. For example, the manipulator <NUM> may be provided on the upper portion of the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. The manipulator <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> includes a rotary switch 17a, a display 17b, and a button 17c. The rotary switch 17a may be gripped and rotated by a user so as to allow the user to select a mode of the dryer <NUM>. The display 17b may be provided to display an operation state of the dryer <NUM> and/or a user's manipulation state. The display 17b may be configured to receive a touch input via a touch-sensitive interface. The button 17c may be pressed by a user so as to allow the user to select a mode of the dryer <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited to the examples of the rotary switch 17a, display 17b, and button 17c, and various manipulation or input methods and devices may be implemented to control operations of the dryer. For example, operations of the dryer may be controlled by voice input, wirelessly via a remote device such as a smartphone or computer, and the like. Additionally, while <FIG> illustrates that the manipulator <NUM> is provided on an upper portion of the front surface <NUM>, the manipulator <NUM> may be provided at another location, for example, on the upper surface <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> may include a base <NUM>. The base <NUM> may be provided in a lower portion of the cabinet <NUM> to form the lower surface <NUM>. Legs <NUM> provided to support the cabinet <NUM> may be provided on the lower surface <NUM>.

The dryer <NUM> includes a drum <NUM> provided to accommodate an object to be dried. The drum <NUM> may include an entrance of the drum into which the object to be dried is placed. The drum <NUM> may be rotatably disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>.

The dryer <NUM> may include a driver configured to rotate the drum <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> (and <FIG>), the driver may include a drive motor <NUM> mounted on the base <NUM>, a pulley <NUM> rotated by the drive motor <NUM>, and a belt <NUM> provided to transmit power of the drive motor <NUM> to the drum <NUM> by connecting the pulley <NUM> to the drum <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the drum <NUM> may include an inlet <NUM> through which air is introduced into an internal space <NUM> of drum <NUM> and an outlet <NUM> through which air is discharged from the internal space <NUM> of the drum <NUM> to the outside of the drum <NUM>. The inlet <NUM> may be formed on one side of the drum <NUM>, and the outlet <NUM> may be formed on the other side of the drum <NUM>. For example, the inlet <NUM> may be a rear side opening of the drum <NUM>, and the outlet <NUM> may be a front side opening of the drum <NUM>. For example, the front side opening of the drum <NUM> may be an entrance of the drum.

High-temperature and dry air may be introduced into the drum <NUM> through the inlet <NUM> to dry an object, which is to be dried and which is accommodated in the drum <NUM>. In addition, air containing a large amount of moisture after drying the object to be dried may be discharged from the drum <NUM> through the outlet <NUM>.

A plurality of lifters <NUM> may be disposed inside the drum <NUM>. The lifter <NUM> raises and drops the object to be dried to allow the object to come into contact with the hot air while floating or travelling in a space inside the drum <NUM>.

A first opening (or an inlet) <NUM> is formed on the front side of the cabinet <NUM> to allow a user put an object to be dried into the drum <NUM>, and a door <NUM> configured to open and close the first opening <NUM> may be installed thereon. The door <NUM> may be hinge-coupled to one side of the first opening <NUM> to be rotatable.

The base <NUM> may be disposed under the drum <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, a heat exchanger <NUM>, a compressor <NUM>, an expansion device <NUM> and the like that form the refrigerant cycle may be mounted on the base <NUM>. In addition, a fan <NUM>, the drive motor <NUM>, and the pulley <NUM> may be mounted on the base <NUM>. A base cover <NUM> may be provided on an upper portion of the base <NUM> to cover the heat exchanger <NUM> and the like. For example, the base cover <NUM> may form a duct structure together with the base <NUM>.

The fan <NUM> may be provided on the base <NUM>. The fan <NUM> may generate a blowing force to form an air flow path. For example, the fan <NUM> may discharge air in a radial direction. For this, the fan <NUM> may include a rotating shaft <NUM> formed in a center and a plurality of blades <NUM> formed in a circumferential direction about the rotating shaft <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the fan <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> to be described later. For example, the fan <NUM> may be disposed on a flow path connecting the drum <NUM> to the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the fan <NUM> may be disposed on a flow path connecting the entrance of the drum to intake ports <NUM> and <NUM> of the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> to be described later. For example, the fan <NUM> may be disposed in the middle of the flow path connecting the entrance of the drum to the intake ports <NUM> and <NUM> of the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). Further, a discharge side <NUM> of the fan <NUM> may be disposed to face the intake ports <NUM> and <NUM> of the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM>. Accordingly, air discharged from the drum <NUM> may be easily introduced into the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> by the blowing force of the fan <NUM>, and the introduced air may be easily discharged to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through outlet flow paths <NUM> and <NUM> inside the dehumidification unit. As a result, the fan <NUM> may function to easily discharge the air, which is dehumidified by exchanging heat with the heat exchanger <NUM>, to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the fan <NUM> may be disposed at any location that allows air to flow smoothly. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the fan <NUM> may be provided at a rear side of the heat exchanger <NUM> on the base <NUM>.

Inside the cabinet <NUM>, the refrigerant cycle for heating and condensing air may be formed. A refrigerant may circulate in a series of processes including compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation. For example, the refrigerant cycle may include the heat exchanger <NUM>, the compressor <NUM>, and the expansion device <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> exchanges heat with air, and may include an evaporator <NUM> and a condenser <NUM>.

The compressor <NUM> compresses a refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure state and discharges the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant, and the discharged refrigerant flows into the condenser <NUM>. The condenser <NUM> may condense the compressed refrigerant and release heat to the surroundings through a condensation process. In addition, the expansion device <NUM> expands the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant condensed in the condenser <NUM> to a low-pressure state. The evaporator <NUM> may evaporate the expanded refrigerant and remove heat from the surrounding air through an evaporation process.

When an object to be dried is put into the dryer and the dryer is operated in a drying mode, high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged from the drum <NUM> may pass through the evaporator <NUM>. Accordingly, the high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged from the drum <NUM> may be cooled while passing through the evaporator <NUM>, and thus the high-temperature and high-humidity air may be changed to low-temperature and dry air. At this time, condensed water may be generated as the high-temperature and high-humid air is cooled in the evaporator <NUM>. The condensed water may be moved to the water drain tank <NUM> or drained to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>. Further, the low-temperature and dry air, which passed through the evaporator <NUM>, may pass through the condenser <NUM>. Accordingly, the low-temperature and dry air discharged from the evaporator <NUM> is heated while passing through the condenser <NUM>, and thus the low-temperature and dry air may be changed into high-temperature and dry air. The high-temperature and dry air may be introduced into the drum <NUM> through the inlet <NUM> to dry the object to be dried. As the air dries the object to be dried, high-temperature and high-humidity air containing a large amount of moisture may be discharged through the outlet <NUM>. The discharged air may pass through the evaporator <NUM>, again. In other words, the air may dry the object, which is to be dried and which is accommodated in the drum <NUM>, while circulating inside the cabinet <NUM>.

In general, a closed flow path may be formed inside the cabinet <NUM> of the dryer <NUM> in the drying mode. The closed flow path may be an air movement path (refer to the arrows in <FIG>) provided to circulate the inside air of the cabinet through the heat exchanger <NUM> and the drum <NUM>. The closed flow path may not communicate with the outside of the cabinet <NUM> so as to prevent the outside air of the cabinet <NUM> from flowing in or out. That is, the flow of air may form a closed loop.

Referring to <FIG>, the dryer <NUM> includes a second opening <NUM> provided on the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> to access the heat exchanger <NUM>. For example, the second opening <NUM> may be provided at a lower part of the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. The dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> and the filter unit <NUM> to be described later can be mounted to the inside of the cabinet <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. The dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> and the filter unit <NUM> are detachably mounted to a unit accommodating portion <NUM> formed inside the cabinet <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. That is, the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> or the filter unit <NUM> can be mounted on the unit accommodating portion <NUM>, and the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> and the filter unit <NUM> are provided to be interchangeable with each other. For example, when the dehumidification unit <NUM> and <NUM> is mounted on the unit accommodating portion <NUM>, the dryer <NUM> can perform a dehumidifying mode (dehumidifying operation) for dehumidifying the surrounding space. When the filter unit <NUM> is mounted on the unit accommodating portion <NUM>, the dryer <NUM> can perform the drying mode (drying operation) for drying the object to be dried, such as clothes. Further, a unit cover <NUM> may be provided on the front surface of the cabinet <NUM> to open and close the second opening <NUM>.

In a state in which the unit cover <NUM> closes the second opening <NUM>, a front surface of the unit cover <NUM> and the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> are connected to each other to form a smoothly connected surface without a step difference. For example, the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> and the outer surface of the unit cover <NUM> may be flush with one another. In a state in which the filter unit <NUM> or the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> is not mounted to the inside of the cabinet <NUM>, a user can access the heat exchanger <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. When the dryer is used for a long time, foreign substances such as lint may be attached to the heat exchanger, and a user can remove these foreign substances through the second opening <NUM>. Therefore, the location of the second opening <NUM> may serve to allow access through a single opening to the filter unit <NUM>, dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM>, and the heat exchanger <NUM>.

The unit cover <NUM> may include a coupling protrusion <NUM>. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may protrude from an inner surface of the unit cover <NUM>. The cabinet <NUM> may include a coupling groove <NUM> corresponding to the coupling protrusion <NUM>. When the coupling protrusion <NUM> is coupled to the coupling groove <NUM>, the unit cover <NUM> may be in a closed state. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cabinet <NUM> may include a coupling protrusion, and the unit cover <NUM> may include a coupling groove. That is, the coupling of the cabinet <NUM> and the unit cover <NUM> may be provided in various forms.

In addition, the unit cover <NUM> may include a coupling hinge <NUM> providing a rotating shaft to allow the unit cover <NUM> to be rotated about the cabinet <NUM>. The coupling hinge <NUM> may be provided at a lower portion of the unit cover <NUM>. The cabinet <NUM> may include a coupling hinge mounting portion <NUM> corresponding to the coupling hinge <NUM>. The coupling hinge <NUM> may be rotated by being coupled to the coupling hinge mounting portion <NUM> and due to a rotation thereof, a space in which the dehumidification unit <NUM> and <NUM> or the filter unit <NUM> is mounted, that is, the unit accommodating portion <NUM> may be opened and closed. As illustrated in <FIG>, the unit cover <NUM> is rotatable about an axis corresponding to the Y direction, where the axis passes through a lower portion of the second opening <NUM>. However, as another example the unit cover <NUM> may be rotatable about an axis corresponding to the Y direction, where the axis passes through an upper portion of the second opening <NUM>, or the unit cover <NUM> may be rotatable about an axis corresponding to the Z direction, where the axis passes through a left or right side of the second opening <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the filter unit <NUM> is detachably mounted to the dryer <NUM>. For example, the filter unit <NUM> is detachably mounted on the inside of the cabinet <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. The filter unit <NUM> may be mounted to or removed from the unit accommodating portion <NUM>. The filter unit <NUM> may prevent air from escaping from the closed flow path. That is, the filter unit <NUM> may prevent the deterioration in the drying efficiency of the dryer <NUM>. The filter unit <NUM> may be disposed on the base <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the filter unit <NUM> may include a body <NUM>. The filter unit <NUM> may include a front cover <NUM> coupled to a front side of the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may be provided in a substantially box shape. An inlet <NUM> through which air is introduced and an outlet <NUM> through which air is discharged is formed in the body <NUM> (see <FIG>). For example, the outlet <NUM> may be provided on a rear side, and the inlet <NUM> may be provided on a lateral side. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and although the inlet <NUM> is illustrated as being provided on the left side in <FIG>, the inlet <NUM> may be provided on the right side. For example, the high-temperature and high-humidity air discharged from the drum <NUM> may be introduced into the filter unit <NUM> through the inlet <NUM>. Further, the high-temperature and high-humidity air introduced into the filter unit <NUM> is discharged through the outlet <NUM> and moved toward the heat exchanger <NUM>.

A partition wall <NUM> is provided to allow the inlet <NUM> to communicate with the outlet <NUM> and provided to form a flow path 50a inside the body <NUM>. The flow path 50a may be a partial region of the closed flow path. A partition wall protrusion 55a may be formed on the partition wall <NUM>. The partition wall protrusion 55a may improve the flow uniformity by adjusting a flow rate of air flowing into the heat exchanger <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, in an example the partition wall protrusion 55a extends from a rear side of the partition wall <NUM> in a direction toward the rear side of the body <NUM>. The partition wall protrusion 55a may be formed to be straight or may be curved, for example.

A filter member <NUM> may be provided at a rear side of the body <NUM> of the filter unit <NUM>. The filter member <NUM> may filter out foreign substances in the air flowing into the heat exchanger <NUM>. The filter member <NUM> may include a filter frame 57a and a filter 57b mounted on the filter frame 57a. For example, the filter 57b may include at least one of a wool (cloth) material, a PET material, and a steel material. That is, the filter 57b may include (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material, (<NUM>) a PET material, (<NUM>) a steel material, (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material and a PET material, (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material and a steel material, (<NUM>) a PET material and a steel material, or (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material, a PET material, and a steel material.

A fixing member <NUM> may be provided on a front surface of the front cover <NUM> of the filter unit <NUM>. The fixing member <NUM> may fix the filter unit <NUM> to the dryer <NUM>. In addition, a gripping groove <NUM> may be provided on the front surface of the front cover <NUM>. The gripping groove <NUM> may be gripped by a user so as to allow the user to easily mount the filter unit <NUM> to the dryer <NUM> or remove the filter unit <NUM> from the dryer <NUM>.

The filter unit <NUM> may be provided with a first identification portion <NUM>. For example, the first identification portion <NUM> may be provided on an upper right side of the front cover <NUM>. A first sensor 410a (refer to <FIG>) configured to detect the first identification portion <NUM> may be provided in the dryer <NUM> to which the filter unit <NUM> is mounted. For example, the first identification portion <NUM> may be a magnet. Further details of the first identification portion <NUM> will be described later. The disclosure is not limited to the first identification portion <NUM> being located at the upper right side of the front cover <NUM>. For example, the first identification portion <NUM> may be located at a position other than the upper right side of the front cover <NUM>, for example, the upper left side of the front cover <NUM>. The first identification portion <NUM> may be located at other positions of the filter unit <NUM> so long as the first identification portion <NUM> can be detected by the first sensor 410a.

When the filter unit <NUM> is mounted to the dryer <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the dryer <NUM> can perform the drying operation (drying mode). For example, when the first sensor 410a detects the first identification portion <NUM>, a controller <NUM> may control an operation of the dryer to perform the drying mode. However, in the dryer <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the disclosure, the filter unit <NUM> may not be included in the dryer <NUM>. In other words, even when the filter unit <NUM> is not mounted, the dryer <NUM> may perform the drying mode.

<FIG> is a view of a dryer to which a dehumidification unit according to one embodiment of the disclosure is mounted. <FIG> is a vertical cross- sectional view of the dryer illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view of a base of the dryer illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view of the dehumidification unit illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view of the dehumidification unit illustrated in <FIG> when viewed from different directions. <FIG> is an exploded view of the dehumidification unit illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view of the dehumidification unit illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> may be detachably mounted to the dryer <NUM>. The dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> may be mounted to the inside of the cabinet <NUM> through the second opening <NUM> provided in the front surface of the cabinet <NUM>. Further, the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> can be mounted in the dryer <NUM> instead of the filter unit <NUM>. That is, the dehumidification unit <NUM> and <NUM> and the filter unit <NUM> are provided to be interchangeable with each other. In other words, a user can mount the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> or the filter unit <NUM> to the dryer <NUM> according to a function (dehumidifying mode or drying mode) to be used. For example, in a state in which the filter unit <NUM> is separated from the cabinet <NUM>, the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> is detachably mounted to the unit accommodating portion <NUM>. In addition, the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> may be detachably mounted on the base <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided on the base <NUM>. For example, the dehumidification units <NUM> and <NUM> may be detachably mounted to the base <NUM>.

For example, when the dehumidification unit <NUM> and <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM>, the dryer <NUM> may include an open flow path. The open flow path may be an air movement path (refer to the arrows in <FIG>) in which outside air is sucked into the dryer <NUM>, passes through the heat exchanger <NUM> and the drum <NUM>, and is then discharged to the outside of the dryer <NUM>. Alternatively, the open flow path may be an air movement path in which outside air is sucked into the dryer <NUM>, is passed through the heat exchanger <NUM>, and is then discharged to the outside of the dryer <NUM>. Both ends of the open flow path (inlet port <NUM> and outlet port <NUM>, illustrated in <FIG>, to be described later) may communicate with the outside of the cabinet <NUM>, respectively, and a flow of air may form an open loop.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the dehumidification unit <NUM> and <NUM> is mounted to the dryer <NUM> after removing the filter unit <NUM>, the closed flow path can be switched to the open flow path. Accordingly, the dryer <NUM> can perform a dehumidifying operation (i.e., operate in a dehumidifying mode). That is, the dryer can be switched from the drying mode to the dehumidifying mode.

Hereinafter the dehumidification unit <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG>, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may include a body <NUM>. The dehumidification unit <NUM> may include first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM>. The first chamber <NUM> provides a first flow path <NUM> for air from outside the cabinet to be supplied to the heat exchanger <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. The second chamber <NUM> provides a second flow path <NUM> for air discharged from the heat exchanger <NUM> to be discharged through the second opening <NUM>. The chambers may alternatively be referred to as compartments or partitioned spaces. The body <NUM> may be provided in a substantially box shape. The dehumidification unit <NUM> includes an inlet port <NUM> and an outlet port <NUM>. The inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> are provided on a front side of the body <NUM>. The inlet port <NUM> is provided to introduce air from the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through the second opening <NUM> into the first chamber <NUM>. The outlet port <NUM> is provided to allow the air to be discharged from the second chamber <NUM> to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. For example, the outside high-humid air may be sucked into the dryer <NUM> through the inlet port <NUM>, and high-temperature and dry air may be discharged from the inside of the dryer <NUM> to the outside of the dryer <NUM> through the outlet port <NUM>.

The outlet port <NUM> may be disposed on a lateral or adjacent side of the inlet port <NUM>. For example, the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> may be disposed side by side in the left and right direction. The inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> may be located on the same plane (e.g., Y-Z plane in <FIG>). According to the disclosure, when viewed toward the front surface of the dryer <NUM>, the outlet port <NUM> may be disposed on the left side and the inlet port <NUM> may be disposed on the right side. This arrangement structure is determined depending on which side the heat exchanger <NUM> is positioned with respect to the drum <NUM> of the dryer <NUM>, and as illustrated in <FIG>, in a structure in which the heat exchanger <NUM> is disposed on the right side of the drum <NUM> when viewed toward the front surface of the dryer <NUM>, the outlet port <NUM> may be disposed close to the drum <NUM> and the inlet port <NUM> may be disposed far from the drum <NUM>, and thus it is possible to simplify the flow path. In other words, in order to facilitate the flow of air discharged from the drum <NUM>, it may be appropriate that the outlet port <NUM> is disposed close to the center of the dryer <NUM> and the inlet port <NUM> is disposed close to the lateral side of the dryer <NUM>. That is, as illustrated in <FIG>, with respect to a vertical line P passing through the center of the first opening <NUM>, the outlet port <NUM> may be disposed closer to the vertical line P than the inlet port <NUM>.

In the disclosure, the dehumidification unit <NUM> is formed in a cuboid shape with a wide width W1 and a low height H1. That is, the width W1 may be greater than the height H1, and thus it is efficient to divide the width W1 into halves and form the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>, respectively. That is, an area occupied by the inlet port <NUM> and an area occupied by the outlet port <NUM> on the front surface of the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be approximately the same and thus a flow rate of the inflow air and a flow rate of the exhaust air may be equal.

A discharge port <NUM> is provided at a first side of the body <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. For example, the discharge port <NUM> is formed on a rear side of the body <NUM> which faces in a direction toward the heat exchanger <NUM>. The discharge port <NUM> guides the outside air, which is introduced through the inlet port <NUM>, to the heat exchanger <NUM>. That is, the discharge port <NUM> communicates with the inlet port <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> may be disposed at a rear side of the discharge port <NUM>, and the discharge port <NUM> may be disposed to face the heat exchanger <NUM>. The introduced outside air may be air in a state before dehumidification, and the air may be high-humid air (i.e., air having a high humidity).

The intake port <NUM> is provided at a second side of the body <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. For example, the intake port <NUM> is formed on the lateral side of the body <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate that the intake port <NUM> is formed on the left side of the body <NUM>, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, by changing the air flow path, the base structure and the like, the intake port <NUM> may be formed on the right side of the body <NUM>. According to the disclosure, in a structure in which the dehumidification unit <NUM> is disposed on the right side of the drum <NUM>, a smooth flow path may be formed by providing the intake port <NUM> on the left side of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. The intake port <NUM> communicates with the outlet port <NUM> to allow air, which is discharged from the drum <NUM>, to be discharged to the outside through the outlet port <NUM>. The air discharged from the drum <NUM> may be air that is dehumidified and heated by passing through the heat exchanger <NUM>, and thus high-temperature and dry air may be discharged through the drum <NUM>. In detail, in a state in which the dryer <NUM> according to the disclosure is operated in the dehumidifying mode, it is appropriate that the inside of the drum <NUM> is empty. Therefore, there is practically no change in humidity of the high-temperature and dry air, which is introduced into the rear side of the drum <NUM>, in the process of being discharged through the entrance of the drum <NUM>.

The dehumidification unit <NUM> may further include at least one of a suction filter <NUM> and an exhaust filter <NUM>. That is, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may include the suction filter <NUM>, the exhaust filter <NUM>, or both the suction filter <NUM> and the exhaust filter <NUM>. For example, the suction filter <NUM> and the exhaust filter <NUM> may be detachably mounted on the body <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. The suction filter <NUM> may filter out foreign substances flowing into the dehumidification unit <NUM>, and the exhaust filter <NUM> may filter out foreign substances to be discharged to the outside of the dryer <NUM>.

The suction filter <NUM> may be provided on a rear side (to the rear) of the inlet port <NUM>. For example, the suction filter <NUM> may be provided in the discharge port <NUM>. The suction filter <NUM> may be detachably mounted to the body <NUM>. A filter rail <NUM> provided to mount the suction filter <NUM> may be provided on the body <NUM>. The suction filter <NUM> may include a filter frame <NUM> and a filter <NUM> mounted on the filter frame <NUM>. The suction filter <NUM> may filter out foreign substances in the air introduced from the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through the inlet port <NUM>. Accordingly, in a state in which outside air is introduced, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from entering the heat exchanger <NUM>. For example, the filter <NUM> may include at least one of a wool (cloth) material, a PET material, and a steel material. That is, the filter <NUM> may include (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material, (<NUM>) a PET material, (<NUM>) a steel material, (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material and a PET material, (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material and a steel material, (<NUM>) a PET material and a steel material, or (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material, a PET material, and a steel material.

The exhaust filter <NUM> may be provided at a rear side (to the rear) of the outlet port <NUM>. For example, the exhaust filter <NUM> may be provided on the outlet flow path <NUM> to be described later. The exhaust filter <NUM> may be detachably mounted to the body <NUM>. A filter rail <NUM> provided to mount the exhaust filter <NUM> may be provided on the body <NUM>. The exhaust filter <NUM> may include a filter frame <NUM> and a filter <NUM> mounted on the filter frame <NUM>. The exhaust filter <NUM> may filter out foreign substances in air received into the body <NUM> through the intake port <NUM>. Accordingly, in a state in which the air is discharged to the outside, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from being discharged to the outside. For example, the filter <NUM> may include at least one of a wool (cloth) material, a PET material, and a steel material. That is, the filter <NUM> may include (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material, (<NUM>) a PET material, (<NUM>) a steel material, (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material and a PET material, (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material and a steel material, (<NUM>) a PET material and a steel material, or (<NUM>) a wool (cloth) material, a PET material, and a steel material.

The dehumidification unit <NUM> includes a guide <NUM>, also referred as a wall portion or partition, provided inside the body <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the guide <NUM> partitions the inside of the body <NUM> into the first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM> which respectively provide an inlet flow path <NUM> and the outlet flow path <NUM>.

The inlet flow path <NUM> extends from the inlet port <NUM> to the discharge port <NUM>. That is, the inlet flow path <NUM> is a passage through which the discharge port <NUM> and the inlet port <NUM> communicate with each other in the body <NUM>. Air introduced into the body <NUM> through the inlet port <NUM> is supplied to the heat exchanger <NUM> through the discharge port <NUM> along the inlet flow path <NUM>. That is, the air before dehumidification may be delivered to the heat exchanger <NUM> along the inlet flow path <NUM>.

The outlet flow path <NUM> extends from the intake port <NUM> to the outlet port <NUM>. That is, the outlet flow path <NUM> is a passage through which the intake port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> communicate with each other in the body <NUM>. Air introduced into the body <NUM> through the intake port <NUM> is moved to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through the outlet port <NUM> along the outlet flow path <NUM>. That is, the dehumidified air, which is dried by passing through the heat exchanger <NUM>, may be discharged to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> along the outlet flow path <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the guide <NUM> may include a curved portion <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be partially curved to allow the inlet flow path <NUM> and the outlet flow path <NUM> to provide a smooth air flow. For example, referring to <FIG>, the curved portion <NUM> may form a curved section on the outlet flow path <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be curved such that the inlet flow path <NUM> extends toward the rear side of the body <NUM>. That is, a width of the inlet flow path <NUM> may increase in a front to rear direction of the body <NUM>. For example, the width of the inlet flow path <NUM> may be equal to or correspond to a width of the body <NUM> at a rear side of the body <NUM>, as the curved portion <NUM> curves away in a direction toward the intake port <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the curved portion <NUM> may be curved more sharply or less sharply, for example. Because the guide <NUM> includes the curved portion <NUM>, air may be smoothly introduced or discharged.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the guide <NUM> may include at least one discharge rib <NUM> provided on the outlet flow path <NUM>. For example, the discharge rib <NUM> may be formed to protrude horizontally from the guide <NUM>. Accordingly, the discharge rib <NUM> may at least partially divide the outlet flow path <NUM> into upper and lower regions. That is, the discharge rib <NUM> may extend horizontally across the outlet flow path <NUM> partially (e.g., as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) or may extend horizontally across the outlet flow path <NUM> to fully divide the outlet flow path <NUM> into upper and lower regions. The discharge rib <NUM> may guide the air, which is received into the inside of the body <NUM> through the intake port <NUM>, to the outlet port <NUM>. That is, the discharge rib <NUM> may allow the dehumidified air to be easily discharged to the outside. As illustrated in <FIG>, the discharge rib <NUM> is disposed on one side of the exhaust filter <NUM>, that is, between the intake port <NUM> and the exhaust filter <NUM>.

For example, the discharge rib <NUM> may have be in the form of a shelf that protrudes from a side surface of the guide <NUM>, such that an inner side of the discharge rib <NUM> facing the guide <NUM> has a same curvature as the guide <NUM>. An outer side of the discharge rib <NUM> facing away from the guide <NUM> may also be curved. A thickness or height of the discharge rib <NUM> in the vertical direction of the body <NUM> may be less than a width of the discharge rib <NUM> which extends along the guide <NUM>. As an example, a plurality of discharge ribs <NUM> may be disposed to protrude from the guide <NUM>. For example, the plurality of discharge ribs <NUM> may be stacked vertically and spaced apart from one another.

For example, the discharge rib <NUM> may prevent a vortex that may be generated in the outlet flow path <NUM>. For example, in a state in which the exhaust filter <NUM> is provided on the outlet flow path <NUM>, a direction of air moving toward the outlet port <NUM> along the outlet flow path <NUM> may be changed to the side of the intake port <NUM> by the resistance of the exhaust filter <NUM>. That is, as the vortex is generated, there may be a difficulty in that the dehumidified air is not smoothly discharged. To alleviate the difficulty, the discharge rib <NUM> may effectively guide the air, which is introduced into the body <NUM> from the intake port <NUM>, toward the outlet port <NUM>, thereby preventing the vortex. As a result, because the dehumidified air is smoothly discharged, dehumidification efficiency may be improved.

For example, a description of the flow of air with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> is as follows. Outside high-humid air, that is, air before dehumidification, may be introduced into the body <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM> through the inlet port <NUM>. The introduced air passes through the discharge port <NUM> along the inlet flow path <NUM> provided in the body <NUM>. The air that passed through the discharge port <NUM> passes through the heat exchanger <NUM>. For example, the air which passes through the discharge port <NUM> exchanges heat with the evaporator <NUM> and the condenser <NUM> while passing through the evaporator <NUM> and the condenser <NUM>. Accordingly, the air which passes through the heat exchanger <NUM> becomes high-temperature and dry air. The term 'high-temperature' means a relatively higher temperature than the air before passing through the heat exchanger <NUM>, and does not mean that it is absolutely hot. Therefore, the air which has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM> may have a higher temperature than the air which has passed through the discharge port <NUM> but has not passed through the heat exchanger <NUM>. Likewise, the air which has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM> may have a lower humidity or be drier than the air which has passed through the discharge port <NUM> but has not passed through the heat exchanger <NUM>. Air from which moisture is removed through the heat exchanger <NUM> passes through the inlet <NUM> of the drum <NUM>, the internal space <NUM> of the drum <NUM> and the outlet <NUM>, and then be introduced into the inside of the body <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM> through the intake port <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. For example, the fan <NUM> may be disposed in the flow path connecting the outlet <NUM> of the drum <NUM> to the intake port <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. The fan <NUM> may allow the dehumidified air to move smoothly. The air introduced into the body <NUM> is discharged to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through the outlet port <NUM> along the outlet flow path <NUM>. Accordingly, air before dehumidification is introduced from the outside of the dryer <NUM> and dehumidified by exchanging heat with the heat exchanger <NUM>, and then the dehumidified air is discharged to the outside of the dryer <NUM>. By the flow of air, the dehumidifying operation (i.e., a dehumidifying mode) may be performed.

<FIG> is a view of a front cover of the dehumidification unit illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view of the front cover taken along line A-A of <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view of the front cover taken along line B-B of <FIG>.

The dehumidification unit <NUM> includes the inlet port <NUM> provided on the front side of the front cover <NUM> to allow air to be introduced through the second opening <NUM>, and the outlet port <NUM> provided on the front side of the front cover <NUM> to allow the air, which is introduced through the intake port <NUM>, to be discharged through the second opening <NUM>.

The front cover <NUM> may be coupled to the front side of the body <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. The inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> may be formed on the front cover <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> may provide an orientation to the air before and after dehumidification. That is, air introduced through the inlet port <NUM> (air before dehumidification) and air discharged through the outlet port <NUM> (air after dehumidification) may not be mixed with each other. Accordingly, dehumidification efficiency may be improved.

Hereinafter examples for providing the orientation to the air before and after dehumidification will be described.

For example, the inlet port <NUM> may include a plurality of inlet guide ribs <NUM> provided to guide air in a first direction. For example, the first direction may be in a rear to upper diagonal direction (refer to <FIG>). In addition, when viewed from the front of the dehumidification unit, the plurality of inlet guide ribs <NUM> may extend diagonally in the inlet port <NUM> to introduce air from a lower right direction. Among the plurality of inlet guide ribs <NUM>, inlet guide ribs adjacent to each other may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and arranged in parallel. Each of the plurality of inlet guide ribs <NUM> may include a first surface 127a facing upward, a second surface 127b facing downward, a third surface 127c facing forward, and a fourth surface 127d facing rearward. When viewed from the front, the first surface 127a may be inclined to be more exposed than the second surface 127b. When viewed from the lateral side (e.g., line A-A), the third surface 127c may be inclined to be positioned lower than the fourth surface 127d.

Further, the outlet port <NUM> may include a plurality of outlet guide ribs <NUM> provided to guide air in a second direction. The second direction may be different from the first direction. For example, the second direction may be in a front to upper diagonal direction (refer to <FIG>). In addition, when viewed from the front of the dehumidification unit, the plurality of outlet guide ribs <NUM> may extend diagonally in the outlet port <NUM> to discharge air to an upper left direction. Among the plurality of outlet guide ribs <NUM>, outlet guide ribs adjacent to each other may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and disposed in parallel. Each of the plurality of outlet guide ribs <NUM> may include a first surface 128a facing upward, a second surface 128b facing downward, a third surface 128c facing forward, and a fourth surface 128d facing rearward. When viewed from the front, the second surface 128b may be inclined to be more exposed than the first surface 128a. When viewed from the lateral side (e.g., line B-B), the fourth surface 128d may be inclined to be positioned lower than the third surface 128c.

However, the shapes of the plurality of inlet guide ribs <NUM> and the plurality of outlet guide ribs <NUM> are not limited thereto, and may include various shapes. Alternatively, the shapes of the plurality of inlet guide ribs <NUM> and the plurality of outlet guide ribs <NUM> may be opposite to each other, which is different from those shown in the drawings.

The front cover <NUM> may further include a protrusion <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in response to that the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted, the protrusion <NUM> may protrude more than (beyond) the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. Accordingly, the unit cover <NUM> of the dryer <NUM> is not closed, and a user visually identifies the protrusion <NUM> while the unit cover <NUM> is open. Therefore, the user may intuitively recognize a state in which the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted to the dryer <NUM>. In other words, it is possible to prevent an accident in that a user tries to operate the dryer <NUM> in the drying mode instead of the dehumidifying mode in a state in which the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted.

The protrusion <NUM> may be used for a user to grip the dehumidification unit <NUM>. For example, the user can easily mount or remove the dehumidification unit <NUM> to or from the dryer <NUM> while holding the protrusion <NUM>. That is, the protrusion <NUM> may serve as a kind of handle that can be gripped by a user. As another example, the protrusion <NUM> may not be included and the front cover <NUM> itself may protrude beyond the front surface of the cabinet <NUM> such that the unit cover <NUM> of the dryer <NUM> may not be closed when the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted to the dryer <NUM>. For example, the front cover <NUM> may include a recess or indentation for a user to grip the dehumidification unit <NUM> to install or remove the dehumidification unit <NUM>. As another example, the protrusion <NUM> may not be included and the guide <NUM> itself may protrude beyond the front surface of the cabinet <NUM> such that the unit cover <NUM> of the dryer <NUM> may not be closed when the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted to the dryer <NUM>. For example, the guide <NUM> may include a recess or indentation for a user to grip the dehumidification unit <NUM> to install or remove the dehumidification unit <NUM>.

The protrusion <NUM> may be disposed between the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> so as to function as a handle. However, the disclosure is not limited to this position and the protrusion <NUM> may be at other positions on the front portion of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. Additionally, the shape of the protrusion <NUM> may be different, for example, the protrusion <NUM> may have a curved shape instead of the rectangular shape shown in <FIG>.

At least one fixer <NUM> may be provided on the front surface of the front cover <NUM>. The fixer <NUM> may fix the dehumidification unit <NUM> to the dryer <NUM>. For example, a fixing groove <NUM> corresponding to the fixer <NUM> may be formed inside the cabinet <NUM>. When the fixer <NUM> is fitted into the fixing groove <NUM>, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be firmly fixed to the dryer <NUM>.

The front cover <NUM> may include a cover mounting portion <NUM> to be coupled to the body <NUM>. The cover mounting portion <NUM> may be provided at the rear side of the front cover <NUM>. The body <NUM> may include a body mounting portion <NUM> to be coupled to the front cover <NUM>. The body mounting portion <NUM> may be provided in the front side of the body <NUM>. A plurality of mounting protrusions <NUM> may be formed in the body mounting portion <NUM>, and a plurality of mounting holes <NUM> corresponding to the plurality of mounting protrusions <NUM> may be formed in the cover mounting portion <NUM> (see <FIG>). When the body mounting portion <NUM> is coupled to the cover mounting portion <NUM>, the mounting protrusion <NUM> may be seated in the mounting hole <NUM>.

Further, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may include a sealing member <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> may be provided between the body <NUM> and the front cover <NUM>. In detail, as illustrated in <FIG>, the sealing member <NUM> may be provided between an outer surface of the body <NUM> and an inner surface of the front cover <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> may serve to seal the body <NUM> to prevent air which flows inside the body <NUM> from leaking.

The dryer <NUM> may further include a unit sensor configured to detect the filter unit <NUM> or the dehumidification unit <NUM>. For example, the unit sensor may include a first sensor 410a configured to detect the filter unit <NUM> and a second sensor 410b configured to detect the dehumidification unit <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

The filter unit <NUM> may include the first identification portion <NUM>. The first identification portion <NUM> may be provided on the front cover <NUM>. The dehumidification unit <NUM> may include a second identification portion <NUM>. The second identification portion <NUM> may be provided on the front cover <NUM>. For example, the first identification portion <NUM> and the second identification portion <NUM> may be a magnet. However, the disclosure is not so limited and other methods for identifying or distinguishing between the dehumidification unit <NUM> and the filter unit <NUM> may be implemented. For example, the first identification portion <NUM> and the second identification portion <NUM> may be in the form of a respective bar code which is associated with the dehumidification unit <NUM> and the filter unit <NUM>. The bar codes can be read by the first sensor 410a and/or the second sensor 410b, which may be image sensors, and the controller <NUM> may determine whether the dehumidification unit <NUM> or the filter unit <NUM> is installed based on information (e.g., a signal) received from the first sensor 410a and/or the second sensor 410b. For example, the first identification portion <NUM> and the second identification portion <NUM> may be in the form of a respective pattern which is associated with the dehumidification unit <NUM> and the filter unit <NUM>. The patterns can be identified or captured by the first sensor 410a and/or the second sensor 410b, which may be image sensors, and the controller <NUM> may determine whether the dehumidification unit <NUM> or the filter unit <NUM> is installed based on information (e.g., a signal) received from the first sensor 410a and/or the second sensor 410b. The first sensor 410a may be located so as to correspond to the first identification portion <NUM>, and the second sensor 410b may be located so as to correspond to the second identification portion <NUM>. In another example, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may include two identification portions and the filter unit <NUM> may include one identification portion. In response to the first sensor 410a and the second sensor 410b detecting both identification portions, the controller <NUM> may determine that the dehumidification unit <NUM> is installed, and in response to one of the first sensor 410a and the second sensor 410b detecting a single identification portion, the controller <NUM> may determine that the filter unit <NUM> is installed. In another example, the filter unit <NUM> may include two identification portions and the dehumidification unit <NUM> may include one identification portion. In response to the first sensor 410a and the second sensor 410b detecting both identification portions, the controller <NUM> may determine that the filter unit <NUM> is installed, and in response to one of the first sensor 410a and the second sensor 410b detecting a single identification portion, the controller <NUM> may determine that the dehumidification unit <NUM> is installed.

In addition, the first identification portion <NUM> and the second identification portion <NUM> may be provided at different positions from each other. For example, a position of the first identification portion <NUM>, in a state in which the filter unit <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM>, may be different from a position of the second identification portion <NUM> in a state in which the dehumidification unit <NUM> and <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM>. For example, the first identification portion <NUM> may be provided on the upper right side of the front cover <NUM>, and the second identification portion <NUM> may be provided on the upper left side of the front cover <NUM>. In another example, the positions of the first identification portion <NUM> and the second identification portion <NUM> may be reversed. Accordingly, based on the detection position, the dryer <NUM> may easily determine whether the filter unit <NUM> is mounted and/or whether the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted.

In response to the first sensor 410a detecting the first identification portion <NUM>, it may be recognized or determined (for example, by the controller <NUM>) that the filter unit <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM>. In this case, the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the dryer <NUM> to perform the drying operation (drying mode). In other words, the controller <NUM> may determine whether to perform the drying mode based on information (e.g., a signal) received from the first sensor 410a. In response to the second sensor 410b detecting the second identification portion <NUM>, it may be recognized or determined (for example, by the controller <NUM>) that the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM>. In this case, the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the dryer <NUM> to perform the dehumidifying operation (dehumidifying mode). In other words, the controller <NUM> may determine whether to perform the dehumidifying mode based on information (e.g., a signal) received from the second sensor 410b.

In some circumstances, a user may operate the dryer <NUM> in the dehumidifying mode in the state in which the filter unit <NUM> is mounted, or a user may operate the dryer <NUM> in the drying mode in the state in which the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted. In this case, the dryer <NUM> may not appropriately perform the dehumidification function or the drying function. Accordingly, the dryer <NUM> according to the disclosure may be programmed in such a way that, by the controller <NUM>, the dryer <NUM> is not operated in the dehumidifying mode in response to detecting that the filter unit <NUM> is mounted, and the dryer <NUM> is not operated in the drying mode in response to detecting that the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted.

For example, in response to the first sensor 410a detecting the first identification portion <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may recognize or determine that the filter unit <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM> based on information (e.g., a signal) received from the first sensor 410a. In this case, in response to a user providing an input, for example, via the manipulator <NUM>, to perform a dehumidifying operation, the controller <NUM> may prevent the dehumidifying operation from being performed, and may control the manipulator <NUM> to output a message or sound indicating that the dryer is unable to perform the dehumidifying operation and/or informing the user that the filter unit <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM> and should be replaced by the dehumidification unit <NUM> in order to perform the dehumidifying operation.

For example, in response to the second sensor 410b detecting the second identification portion <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may recognize or determine that the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM> based on information (e.g., a signal) received from the second sensor 410b. In this case, in response to a user providing an input, for example, via the manipulator <NUM>, to perform a drying operation, the controller <NUM> may prevent the drying operation from being performed, and may control the manipulator <NUM> to output a message or sound indicating that the dryer is unable to perform the drying operation and/or informing the user that the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM> and should be replaced by the filter unit <NUM> in order to perform the drying operation.

Further, the dryer <NUM> may include a detection sensor <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) configured to detect an object, which is to be dried, accommodated in the drum <NUM>. In a state in which the object to be dried remains inside the drum <NUM>, the object to be dried may act as an obstacle on the open flow path, so the dehumidification efficiency may be greatly reduced and power may be consumed greatly during the dehumidifying operation. Accordingly, in response to the detection sensor <NUM> detecting the object to be dried, the controller <NUM> may prevent the dehumidifying mode from being performed. In addition, in response to the detection sensor <NUM> detecting the object to be dried, the detection may be displayed on the display 17b to notify a user. Accordingly, the user can intuitively identify the presence of the object to be dried. For example, in response to the detection sensor <NUM> detecting the object accommodated in the drum <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may recognize or determine that the drum <NUM> is not empty based on information (e.g., a signal) received from the detection sensor <NUM>. In this case, in response to a user providing an input, for example, via the manipulator <NUM>, to perform a dehumidifying operation, the controller <NUM> may prevent the dehumidifying operation from being performed based on the controller <NUM> determining that the drum <NUM> is not empty, and the controller may control the manipulator <NUM> to output a message or sound indicating that the dryer is unable to perform the dehumidifying operation and/or informing the user that the drum <NUM> is not empty and that the object should be removed from the dryer <NUM> in order to perform the dehumidifying operation.

For example, the detection sensor <NUM> may include at least one of a weight detection sensor 420a and a moisture detection sensor 420b. That is, the detection sensor <NUM> may include (<NUM>) at least one weight detection sensor 420a, (<NUM>) at least one moisture detection sensor 420b, or (<NUM>) at least one weight detection sensor 420a and at least one moisture detection sensor 420b. For example, in response to the weight detection sensor 420a detecting a weight exceeding a weight of the empty drum <NUM> or a predetermined reference value, it may be recognized or determined (e.g., by controller <NUM>) that there is an object to be dried inside the drum <NUM>. In response to the moisture detection sensor 420b detecting moisture greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value in the drum <NUM>, it may be recognized or determined (e.g., by controller <NUM>) that there is an undried object, which is to be dried, inside the drum <NUM>. That is, in response to the weight detection sensor 420a and/or the moisture detection sensor 420b detecting the object present in the drum, the controller <NUM> may control the operation of the dryer to prevent the dehumidifying operation (dehumidifying mode) from being performed. For example, in response to the weight detection sensor 420a and/or the moisture detection sensor 420b detecting the object accommodated in the drum <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may recognize or determine that the drum <NUM> is not empty based on information (e.g., a signal) received from the weight detection sensor 420a and/or the moisture detection sensor 420b. In this case, in response to a user providing an input, for example, via the manipulator <NUM>, to perform a dehumidifying operation, the controller <NUM> may prevent the dehumidifying operation from being performed based on the controller <NUM> determining that the drum <NUM> is not empty, and the controller may control the manipulator <NUM> to output a message or sound (e.g., an alarm) indicating that the dryer is unable to perform the dehumidifying operation and/or informing the user that the drum <NUM> is not empty and that the object should be removed from the dryer <NUM> in order to perform the dehumidifying operation.

The dehumidification unit <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the disclosure will be described. The same reference numbers or symbols refer to parts or components that perform substantially the same functions, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a view of a dehumidification unit according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded view of the dehumidification unit illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a guide of the dehumidification unit illustrated in <FIG> is located at a first position. <FIG> is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the guide of the dehumidification unit illustrated in <FIG> is located at a second position.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may include a body <NUM>. The body <NUM> may include a body mounting portion <NUM> and a mounting protrusion <NUM> for coupling with the front cover <NUM>. The body mounting portion <NUM> performs the same function as the above-described body mounting portion <NUM>, and the mounting protrusion <NUM> performs the same function as the mounting protrusion <NUM>, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

A front cover <NUM> may be coupled to the front side of the body <NUM>. A suction filter <NUM> may be provided at the rear side of the body <NUM>. A sealing member <NUM> may be provided between the body <NUM> and the front cover <NUM>.

The dehumidification unit <NUM> may be formed in a cuboid shape with a wide width W2 and a low height H2. That is, the width W2 may be greater than the height H2, and thus it is efficient to divide the width W2 into halves and form an inlet port <NUM> and an outlet port <NUM>, respectively. That is, an area occupied by the inlet port <NUM> and an area occupied by the outlet port <NUM> on the front surface of the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be approximately the same and thus a flow rate of the inflow air and a flow rate of the exhaust air may be equal.

A discharge port <NUM> is provided at a first side of the body <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. For example, the discharge port <NUM> is formed on a rear side of the body <NUM> which faces in a direction toward the heat exchanger <NUM>. The discharge port <NUM> guides the outside air, which is introduced through the inlet port <NUM>, to the heat exchanger <NUM>. That is, the discharge port <NUM> communicates with the inlet port <NUM>. The heat exchanger <NUM> may be disposed at the rear side of the discharge port <NUM>, and the discharge port <NUM> may be disposed to face the heat exchanger <NUM>. The introduced outside air may be air in a state before dehumidification, and the air may be high-humid air (i.e., air having a high humidity).

An intake port <NUM> is provided at a second side of the body <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. For example, the intake port <NUM> is formed on the lateral side of the body <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate that the intake port <NUM> is formed on the left side of the body <NUM>, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the intake port <NUM> may be formed on the right side of the body <NUM>. The intake port <NUM> may accommodate air that has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM>. The intake port <NUM> communicates with the outlet port <NUM> to allow air, which has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM>, to be discharged to the outside through the outlet port <NUM>. The air which has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM> may be air that is dehumidified by exchanging heat with the heat exchanger <NUM>, and thus the air may be high-temperature and dry air. In other words, the air which has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM> may have a higher temperature than the air which is discharged from the discharge port <NUM> before passing through the heat exchanger <NUM>. Likewise, the air which has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM> may have a lower humidity than the air which is discharged from the discharge port <NUM> before passing through the heat exchanger <NUM>.

Unlike the above-described dehumidification unit <NUM>, the dehumidification unit <NUM> includes a guide <NUM>. The guide <NUM> divides the inner space of the dehumidification unit <NUM> in different ways in different positions of the guide. For example, the guide <NUM> may be rotatably provided inside the body <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may also be referred as a wall portion, partition or movable partition.

The guide <NUM> may include a rotating shaft <NUM> rotatably coupled to the body <NUM>, and the body <NUM> may include a coupling hole <NUM> corresponding to the rotating shaft <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be rotated within a predetermined range while the rotating shaft <NUM> is inserted into the coupling hole <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in an opposite configuration, the body <NUM> may include a rotating shaft, and the guide <NUM> may include a coupling hole. As illustrated in <FIG>, the rotating shaft <NUM> may be protrude out of an upper surface of the body <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the guide <NUM> can be located at a first position P1 to divide the inner space of the dehumidification unit <NUM> into first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM>. The first chamber <NUM> provides an inlet flow path <NUM> for air from outside the cabinet to be supplied to the heat exchanger <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. The second chamber <NUM> provides an outlet flow path <NUM> for air discharged from the heat exchanger <NUM> to be discharged through the second opening <NUM>. The guide <NUM> forms the inlet flow path <NUM> by allowing the discharge port <NUM> to communicate with the inlet port <NUM>. The guide <NUM> forms the outlet flow path <NUM> partitioned from the inlet flow path <NUM> by allowing the intake port <NUM> to communicate with the outlet port <NUM>. The inlet flow path <NUM> performs the same function as the above-described inlet flow path <NUM>, and the outlet flow path <NUM> performs the same function as the above-described outlet flow path <NUM>, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the guide <NUM> can be located at a second position P2 provided to form a flow path 230a by allowing the discharge port <NUM> to communicate with the intake port <NUM>. In addition, when the guide <NUM> is located at the second position P2, the guide <NUM> can block communication between the discharge port <NUM> and the inlet port <NUM> and block the communication between the intake port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>. The flow path 230a may be a partial region of the closed flow path, and may perform the same function as the flow path 50a formed inside the filter unit <NUM>.

The guide <NUM> is configured to be movable between the first position P1 and the second position P2. Further, the guide <NUM> may be rotatably disposed. That is, the guide <NUM> may be rotated from the first position P1 and switched to the second position P2. In addition, the guide <NUM> may be rotated from the second position P2 and switched to the first position P1. For example, a user may manually rotate the guide <NUM> (e.g., by rotating the rotating shaft <NUM>) from the first position P1 to the second position P2 to perform a drying operation in the drying mode before installing the dehumidification unit <NUM> in the dryer <NUM>. For example, a user may manually rotate the guide <NUM> (e.g., by rotating the rotating shaft <NUM>) from the second position P2 to the first position P1 to perform a dehumidification operation in the dehumidifying mode before installing the dehumidification unit <NUM> in the dryer <NUM>. In an example, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be fixedly or permanently installed in the dryer <NUM>. In another example, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be insertable, installable, attachable, or mountable to the dryer <NUM>, and removable or detachable from the dryer <NUM>.

For example, when the guide <NUM> is located at the first position P1, the open flow path may be formed inside the dryer <NUM>. In this case, both ends (that is, the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>) of the open flow path may communicate with the outside, respectively. That is, when the guide <NUM> is located at the first position P1, the dryer <NUM> may perform the dehumidifying operation (operate in the dehumidifying mode). When the guide <NUM> is located at the second position P2, the closed flow path may be formed inside the dryer <NUM>. That is, when the guide <NUM> is located at the second position P2, the dryer <NUM> may perform the drying operation (operate in the drying mode). As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a protruding portion 210a of the body <NUM> may be located at a rear of the body <NUM> and extend from an inner side surface of the body <NUM> in a direction toward a side of the body <NUM> at which the intake port <NUM> is located. A length of the protruding portion 210a is such that when the guide <NUM> is located at the second position P2 the end <NUM> of the guide <NUM> abuts the protruding portion <NUM> so as to close off the inlet flow path <NUM> between the inlet <NUM> and the discharge port <NUM>, and form the closed flow path. In summary, a driving mode of the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be changed or switched (e.g., between the drying mode or dehumidifying mode) according to the rotation of the guide <NUM>. Accordingly, the dryer <NUM> may easily switch between the drying mode for drying an object to be dried and the dehumidifying mode for indoor dehumidification.

Further, the guide <NUM> may include a curved portion <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be partially curved to allow the inlet flow path <NUM> and the outlet flow path <NUM> to be smooth. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the guide <NUM> is located at the first position P1, the guide <NUM> may form a curved section on the outlet flow path <NUM>. In addition, the guide <NUM> may be curved such that the inlet flow path <NUM> extends toward the rear side of the body <NUM>. That is, a width of the inlet flow path <NUM> may increase in a front to rear direction of the body <NUM>. For example, the width of the inlet flow path <NUM> may be equal to or correspond to a width of the body <NUM> at a rear side of the body <NUM>, as the curved portion <NUM> curves away in a direction toward the intake port <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the curved portion <NUM> may be curved more sharply or less sharply, for example. Because the guide <NUM> includes the curved portion <NUM>, air may be smoothly introduced or discharged.

Alternatively, the guide <NUM> may be configured to be automatically rotatable. For example, the guide <NUM> may receive a rotational force by being connected to a rotation motor (not shown).

For example, the guide <NUM> may automatically switch the flow path formed inside the dryer <NUM> from the closed flow path to the open flow path. That is, as the guide <NUM> moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the dryer <NUM> may be switched from the drying mode to the dehumidifying mode. For example, in response to the manipulator <NUM> receiving an input (e.g., from a user) for the dryer to perform a dehumidifying operation, the controller <NUM> may be configured to control the rotation motor to rotate the guide <NUM> from the second position P2 to the first position P1. As mentioned in previous examples, the controller <NUM> may be configured to prevent the dehumidifying operation from being performed if an object remains in the drum <NUM>. As another example, in response to detecting that a drying operation has completed (e.g., within a predetermined amount of time), and the drum <NUM> is empty (e.g., no objects are present within the drum <NUM>), the controller <NUM> may be configured to automatically control the rotation motor to rotate the guide <NUM> from the second position P2 to the first position P1 and may control the dryer <NUM> to perform a dehumidifying operation, i.e., without receiving an input from a user via the manipulator <NUM> to perform the dehumidifying operation. In addition, the guide <NUM> may switch the flow path formed inside the dryer <NUM> from the open flow path to the closed flow path. That is, as the guide <NUM> moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the dryer <NUM> may be switched from the dehumidifying mode to the drying mode. In other words, because the guide <NUM> is automatically rotatable, a user can easily select the drying mode or the dehumidifying mode. For example, in response to the manipulator <NUM> receiving an input (e.g., from a user) for the dryer to perform a drying operation, the controller <NUM> may be configured to control the rotation motor to rotate the guide <NUM> from the first position P1 to the second position P2. As another example, the controller <NUM> may be configured to automatically control the rotation motor to rotate the guide <NUM> from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in response to a dehumidifying operation being completed.

Accordingly, even when the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM>, the drying mode may be performed when the guide <NUM> is located at the second position P2. In other words, in order to perform the drying mode, there is no need to mount the filter unit <NUM> to the dryer <NUM> again after the dehumidification unit <NUM> is removed from the dryer <NUM>. That is, the inconvenience of mounting and/or attaching a separate component (e.g., the filter unit <NUM>) is eliminated. As a result, according to the disclosure, the dryer <NUM> may automatically change the flow path, and thus a user can freely select the drying mode or the dehumidifying mode.

Further, a guide sensor <NUM> (also referred to as a partition sensor) (refer to <FIG>) of the dryer <NUM> may detect a position of the guide <NUM>. For example, the guide sensor <NUM> may distinguish between a case in which the guide <NUM> is at the first position P1 and a case in which the guide <NUM> is at the second position P2. For example, by detecting the positions of both ends <NUM> and <NUM> of the guide <NUM>, the guide sensor <NUM> may distinguish between the case, in which the guide <NUM> is at the first position P1, and the case, in which the guide <NUM> is at the second position P2. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may quickly recognize or determine whether the drying mode or the dehumidifying mode may be performed, and it is possible to prevent a delay due to the switching of the driving mode of the dryer <NUM>. As a result, power consumption may be minimized.

A dehumidification unit <NUM> according to an example embodiment of the disclosure will be described. The same reference numbers or symbols refer to parts or components that perform substantially the same function, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a view of a dryer to which a dehumidification unit according to another embodiment of the disclosure is mounted. <FIG> is a vertical cross-sectional view of the dryer illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view of a base of the dryer illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view of the dehumidification unit illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a view of the dehumidification unit illustrated in <FIG> when viewed from different directions.

Referring to <FIG>, the dehumidification unit <NUM> is detachably mounted to a dryer <NUM>. The dehumidification unit <NUM> can be mounted to the dryer <NUM> instead of the filter unit <NUM>. The dehumidification unit <NUM> can be mounted to the inside of the cabinet <NUM> through the second opening <NUM> provided on the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. For example, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be mounted on the unit accommodating portion <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be provided on the base <NUM>. For example, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be detachably mounted to the base <NUM>.

For example, when the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM>, an open flow path may be formed inside the cabinet <NUM> of the dryer <NUM>. The open flow path may be an air movement path (refer to arrows in <FIG>) in which outside air is sucked into the dryer <NUM>, is passed through the heat exchanger <NUM> and the drum <NUM>, and is then discharged to the outside of the dryer <NUM>. Alternatively, the open flow path may be an air movement path in which outside air is sucked into the dryer <NUM>, is passed through the heat exchanger <NUM>, and is then discharged to the outside of the dryer <NUM>. Both ends of the open flow path (inlet port <NUM> and outlet port <NUM> to be described later) may communicate with the outside of the cabinet <NUM>, respectively, and a flow of air may form an open loop.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the dehumidification unit <NUM> is mounted on the dryer <NUM>, the open flow path may be formed inside the cabinet <NUM>. Accordingly, the dryer <NUM> may perform the dehumidifying operation (operate in a dehumidifying mode). That is, the drying function and the dehumidification function may be implemented with one dryer <NUM>. In addition, a user does not need to purchase a separate dryer and dehumidifier. As a result, the dryer <NUM> according to the embodiment of the disclosure has excellent effects in terms of securing space and reducing costs.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may include a body <NUM>. The inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> may be provided on a front side of the body <NUM>. The inlet port <NUM> is provided to allow air to be introduced from the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. The outlet port <NUM> is provided to allow the air to be discharged to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. For example, the outside high-humid air may be sucked into the dryer <NUM> through the inlet port <NUM>, and high-temperature and dry air may be discharged from the inside of the dryer <NUM> to the outside of the dryer <NUM> through the outlet port <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, at least a portion of the inlet port <NUM> may be provided below the outlet port <NUM>. Additionally, the inlet port <NUM> may be provided below a protruding rib <NUM> to be described later.

A discharge port <NUM> is formed in a portion of the body <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. For example, the discharge port <NUM> is formed in at least a portion of a rear surface <NUM> of the body <NUM>. However, according to unclaimed embodiments, the discharge port <NUM> may be formed at a position different from that shown in the drawings. The discharge port <NUM> guides the outside air, which is introduced through the inlet port <NUM>, to the heat exchanger <NUM>. That is, the discharge port <NUM> communicates with the inlet port <NUM>, and may be disposed adjacent to the heat exchanger <NUM>. The outside air introduced through the inlet port <NUM> may be air before dehumidification (air that has not been dehumidified by the heat exchanger <NUM>), and thus the air may be high-humid air.

An intake port <NUM> is formed in another portion of the body <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the intake port <NUM> may be formed in at least a portion of an upper surface and/or at least a portion of a side surface of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the intake port <NUM> may be formed at a position different from that shown in the drawings. The intake port <NUM> may receive air which has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM>. For example, the intake port <NUM> communicates with the outlet port <NUM> to allow air, which has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM>, to be discharged to the outside through the outlet port <NUM>. The air which has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM> may be air that is dehumidified by exchanging heat with the heat exchanger <NUM>, and thus the air may be high-temperature and dry air. Alternatively, the air which has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM> may be air that exchanges heat with the heat exchanger <NUM> and flows out of the outlet <NUM> of the drum <NUM> by passing through the drum <NUM>.

The dehumidification unit <NUM> includes a guide <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may also be referred as a wall portion or partition. The guide <NUM> may be provided inside the body <NUM>. The guide <NUM> divides the inside of the body <NUM> into first and second chambers <NUM>, <NUM>. The first chamber <NUM> provides an inlet flow path <NUM> for air from outside the cabinet to be supplied to the heat exchanger <NUM> through the second opening <NUM>. The second chamber <NUM> provides an outlet flow path <NUM> for air discharged from the heat exchanger to be discharged through the second opening <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may include a curved portion. Accordingly, the inlet flow path <NUM> and the outlet flow path <NUM> may be formed to be smooth, and air may move smoothly. However, the guide <NUM> may also include a straight portion.

The inlet flow path <NUM> may be a passage through which the discharge port <NUM> and the inlet port <NUM> communicate with each other in the body <NUM>. Air introduced into the body <NUM> through the inlet port <NUM> may be moved to the heat exchanger <NUM> through the discharge port <NUM> along the inlet flow path <NUM>. That is, the air before dehumidification may be delivered to the heat exchanger <NUM> along the inlet flow path <NUM>.

The outlet flow path <NUM> may be a passage through which the intake port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> communicate with each other in the body <NUM>. Air introduced into the body <NUM> through the intake port <NUM> may be moved to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through the outlet port <NUM> along the outlet flow path <NUM>. That is, the dehumidified air, which is dried by passing through the heat exchanger <NUM>, may be discharged to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> along the outlet flow path <NUM>.

The guide <NUM> may extend in a diagonal direction inside the body <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, when a region, in which the inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM> are provided, is viewed from the front, an upper left corner may be defined as a first corner <NUM>, an upper right corner may be defined as a second corner <NUM>, a lower left corner may be defined as a third corner <NUM>, and a lower right corner may be defined as a fourth corner <NUM>. In this case, the diagonal direction may be a direction connecting the first corner <NUM> to the fourth corner <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the diagonal direction may be a direction connecting the second corner <NUM> to the third corner <NUM>. Further, the diagonal direction may include a curved line or portion. That is, a certain portion of the guide <NUM> may be curved.

The inlet port <NUM> may be formed on one side of the guide <NUM> with respect to the diagonal direction. For example, the inlet port <NUM> may include a lattice-shaped frame.

The outlet port <NUM> may be formed on the other side with respect to the diagonal direction of the guide <NUM>. For example, the outlet port <NUM> may include a plurality of outlet guide ribs <NUM>. The plurality of outlet guide ribs <NUM> may serve to guide the dehumidified air to be smoothly discharged. Further, among the plurality of outlet guide ribs <NUM>, outlet guide ribs adjacent to each other may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and arranged in parallel or in a concentric fashion.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the inlet port <NUM> and outlet port <NUM> may be disposed on opposite sides with respect to the diagonal direction of the guide <NUM>. The inlet port <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM> may be disposed on the same plane (e.g., Y-Z plane in <FIG>). For example, according to the disclosure, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be formed in a cuboid shape with a wide width W3 and a low height H3. For example, the width W3 may be greater than the height H3. Further, an area occupied by the inlet port <NUM> and an area occupied by the outlet port <NUM> on the front surface of the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be approximately the same and thus a flow rate of the inflow air and a flow rate of the exhaust air may be equal.

The dehumidification unit <NUM> may further include a protruding rib <NUM>. The protruding rib <NUM> may protrude forward from the guide <NUM>. For example, the protruding rib <NUM> may protrude from the guide <NUM> toward the front upper side. Referring to <FIG>, the protruding rib <NUM> may guide the dehumidified air to the front upper side (i.e., in an outward direction away from the dryer and upward), and thus the dehumidified air may not be mixed with the air which has not been dehumidified. Accordingly, dehumidification efficiency may be improved.

Further, the protruding rib <NUM> may protrude forward to prevent the unit cover <NUM> from being closed. For example, the protruding rib <NUM> may protrude more than (beyond) the front surface <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may further include a guide flange (also referred to as a guide plate) <NUM>. For example, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may further include one or more guide plates <NUM>. The guide flange <NUM> may extend from at least a portion of the plurality of outlet guide ribs <NUM> by being curved upward and backward. For example, the guide flange <NUM> may form a plurality of outlet guide flow paths <NUM> by partitioning at least a portion of the outlet flow path <NUM>. Accordingly, the guide flange <NUM> may guide the air to be discharged from the intake port <NUM> to the outlet port <NUM>. That is, the guide flange <NUM> may guide the dehumidified air to be smoothly discharged. As a result, it is possible to prevent encountering a difficulty which inhibits the smooth discharge of air (e.g., by preventing vortex generation) in which the dehumidified air flows back into the dryer <NUM> through the intake port <NUM>. Therefore, dehumidification efficiency may be improved.

At least one fixer <NUM> may be mounted on the front surface of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. The fixer <NUM> may be detachably mounted on the front surface of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. The fixer <NUM> may fix the dehumidification unit <NUM> to the dryer <NUM>. For example, a fixing groove corresponding to the fixer <NUM> may be formed inside the cabinet <NUM>. When the fixer <NUM> is fitted into the fixing groove, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be firmly fixed to the dryer <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the flow of air will be described as follows. Outside high-humid air, that is, air which has not been dehumidified by the dryer <NUM>, may be introduced into the body <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM> through the inlet port <NUM>. The air introduced into the body <NUM> may flow along the inlet flow path <NUM> provided inside the body <NUM> and pass through the discharge port <NUM>. The air that passes through the discharge port <NUM> may pass through the heat exchanger <NUM>. For example, the air which has passed through the discharge port <NUM> may exchange heat with the evaporator <NUM> and the condenser <NUM> while passing through the evaporator <NUM> and the condenser <NUM>. Accordingly, the air which has through the heat exchanger <NUM> may become high-temperature and dry air. That is, the air may become dehumidified air (air after dehumidification). The dehumidified air may be introduced into the inlet <NUM> of the drum <NUM> by the blowing force of the fan <NUM> provided at the rear side on the base <NUM>.

The air introduced into the drum <NUM> may pass through an internal space <NUM> of drum <NUM> and the outlet <NUM>. The air discharged from the drum <NUM> may be introduced into the intake port <NUM> of the dehumidification unit <NUM>. The air introduced into the body <NUM> through the intake port <NUM> may pass through the outlet port <NUM> along the outlet flow path <NUM> and then be discharged to the outside of the dryer <NUM>. As a result, by mounting the dehumidification unit <NUM> to the dryer <NUM>, the air before dehumidification may be introduced from the outside of the cabinet <NUM>, and the introduced air may be dehumidified by exchanging heat with the heat exchanger <NUM>, and then discharged to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>. By the flow of air, the dehumidifying operation (via a dehumidifying mode) may be performed.

For example, the dryer <NUM> may include the controller <NUM>, the first sensor 410a, the second sensor 410b, and the detection sensor <NUM>, described herein. For example, the dehumidification unit <NUM> may be interchangeable with filter unit <NUM>. Operations of the controller <NUM> with respect to the first sensor 410a, the second sensor 410b, and the detection sensor <NUM> may be similar to those discussed above with respect to the dehumidification units <NUM>, <NUM>, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The dehumidification unit <NUM> may also include an identification portion or a plurality of identification portions so that the controller <NUM> may determine whether the dehumidification unit <NUM> is installed in the dryer <NUM>, in accordance with the examples previously described herein.

In an example, the controller <NUM> may include a processor <NUM> and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include, for example, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an image processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array, a programmable logic unit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, or combinations thereof. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium <NUM> may include, for example, any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that stores executable instructions. For example, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium <NUM> may include a nonvolatile memory device and/or a volatile memory. For example, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium <NUM> may include Read Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), flash memory, a USB drive, Random Access Memory (RAM), a hard disk, floppy disks, a blue-ray disk, CD ROM discs, DVDs, or combinations thereof.

The non-transitory computer readable storage medium <NUM> may include instructions that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, cause the dryer <NUM>, <NUM> to perform various functions. For example, the instructions may be instructions executed via an application or program.

The instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium <NUM> may include instructions for the controller <NUM> to identify or determine whether the dehumidification unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is mounted according to information (e.g., a signal) received from the first sensor 410a and/or the second sensor 410b.

For example, in response to receiving information (e.g., a signal) from the first sensor 410a and/or the second sensor 410b indicating the dehumidification unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is mounted, the instructions may include switching to a dehumidifying mode, enabling a dehumidifying operation in a dehumidifying mode, automatically performing a dehumidifying operation in a dehumidifying mode, or combinations thereof.

For example, in response to receiving information (e.g., a signal) from the first sensor 410a and/or the second sensor 410b indicating the dehumidification unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is not mounted, the instructions may include disabling a dehumidifying mode, preventing a dehumidifying operation in a dehumidifying mode from being performed, switching to a drying mode (e.g., the default mode), or combinations thereof.

For example, in response to receiving information (e.g., a signal) from the first sensor 410a and/or the second sensor 410b indicating the filter unit <NUM> is mounted, the instructions may include disabling a dehumidifying mode, preventing a dehumidifying operation in a dehumidifying mode from being performed, switching to the drying mode, automatically performing a drying operation in the drying mode, or combinations thereof.

The instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium <NUM> may include instructions for the controller <NUM> to determine whether a dehumidifying operation can be performed by the dehumidification unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> according to information (e.g., a signal) received from the detection sensor <NUM>, for example according to information (e.g., a signal) received from the weight detection sensor 420a and/or the moisture detection sensor 420b.

For example, in response to receiving information (e.g., a signal) from the weight detection sensor 420a and/or the moisture detection sensor 420b indicating an object is present in the drum <NUM>, the instructions may include disabling a dehumidifying mode and/or preventing a dehumidifying operation in a dehumidifying mode from being performed. The instructions may further include controlling the manipulator <NUM> to output a message (textually or graphically) and/or a sound (e.g., an alarm). For example, the message and/or sound may guide or instruct a user to remove the object from the drum <NUM> so that a dehumidifying operation can be performed.

The instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium <NUM> may include instructions for the controller <NUM> to identify or determine a position of the guide <NUM> according to information (e.g., a signal) received from the guide sensor <NUM>.

For example, in response to receiving information (e.g., a signal) from the guide sensor <NUM> indicating the guide <NUM> is at the first position P1, the instructions may include switching to a dehumidifying mode, enabling a dehumidifying operation in a dehumidifying mode, automatically performing a dehumidifying operation in a dehumidifying mode, or combinations thereof.

For example, in response to receiving information (e.g., a signal) from the guide sensor <NUM> indicating the guide <NUM> is not at the first position P1, the instructions may include disabling a dehumidifying mode, preventing a dehumidifying operation in a dehumidifying mode from being performed, switching to a drying mode (e.g., the default mode), or combinations thereof.

For example, in response to receiving information (e.g., a signal) from the guide sensor <NUM> indicating the guide <NUM> is at the second position P2, the instructions may include disabling a dehumidifying mode, preventing a dehumidifying operation in a dehumidifying mode from being performed, switching to the drying mode, automatically performing a drying operation in the drying mode, or combinations thereof.

The instructions stored in the non-transitory computer readable storage medium <NUM> may include instructions for the controller <NUM> to inform or warn a user in response to receiving a request to perform the dehumidification operation in the dehumidifying mode, when the dehumidification operation in the dehumidifying mode cannot be performed.

For example, in response to receiving information (e.g., a signal) via the manipulator <NUM> to perform a dehumidifying operation in the dehumidifying mode when the dehumidifying operation cannot be performed (e.g., due to the filter unit <NUM> being installed, the dehumidification unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> not being installed, or the guide <NUM> being at a position other than the first position P1), the instructions may further include controlling the manipulator <NUM> to output a message (textually or graphically) and/or a sound (e.g., an alarm). For example, the message and/or sound may instruct a user to install the dehumidification unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or to switch the position of the guide <NUM> so that the dehumidification operation in the dehumidifying mode may be performed.

In accordance with the above-described example embodiments, various operations of the example dryers described herein may be recorded in non-transitory computer-readable media, including program instructions to implement the various operations of the example dryers described herein. Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as that produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by a computer using an interpreter. The program instructions may be executed by a processor (for example processor <NUM> of the controller <NUM>). The described hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations of the above-described embodiments, or vice versa. In addition, the non-transitory computer-readable storage media may also be embodied as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

Claim 1:
A dryer, comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>);
a drum (<NUM>) disposed inside the cabinet;
a first opening (<NUM>) disposed on a front side of the cabinet through which an object to be dried is to be placed in the drum;
a second opening (<NUM>) disposed on the front side of the cabinet;
a heat exchanger (<NUM>) disposed inside the cabinet to exchange heat with air and accessible through the second opening;
a dehumidification unit (<NUM>, <NUM>), accessible through the second opening and attachable to and detachable from the inside of the cabinet through the second opening; and
a filter unit (<NUM>);
wherein the dehumidification unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes:
an inlet port (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on a front side of the dehumidification unit to allow air to be introduced through the second opening into the inlet port,
a discharge port (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on a rear side of the dehumidification unit to guide the air, which is introduced through the inlet port into the discharge port, to the heat exchanger,
an intake port (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on a lateral side of the dehumidification unit to allow the air, which is discharged from the drum, to be introduced into the intake port,
an outlet port (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the front side of the dehumidification unit to allow the air, which is introduced through the intake port into the outlet port, to be discharged through the second opening, and
a guide (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed to partition a first flow path (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending from the inlet port to the discharge port and a second flow path (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending from the intake port to the outlet port, and characterized in that the filter unit (<NUM>) is accessible through the second opening, attachable to and detachable from the inside of the cabinet through the second opening, and interchangeable with the dehumidification unit,
wherein the filter unit is configured to provide a third flow path (50a) for supplying air which is discharged from the drum during a drying operation to the heat exchanger.