Patent Description:
Generally, examples of a laundry treatment apparatus may include a washing machine, a combined drying and washing machine and the like. Among these, the washing machine is a product configured to eliminate various contaminants from clothes or bedclothes using emulsification, rubbing action caused by flow of water generated by rotation of a pulsator or a drum, and impact action applied to the laundry. Full automatic washing machines, which are developed recently, are designed to automatically perform a series of procedures of a washing course, a rinsing course, a dewatering course and the like without intervention of manipulation of a user.

The combined drying and washing machine is a kind of washing machine, which is designed to perform not only the function of the above-mentioned washing machine but also a function of drying laundry after the washing of the laundry. An example of the combined drying and washing machine is a condensation-type washing dryer, which is operated in such a way as to take air out of a tub, remove moisture from the air through condensing water, heat the air, and return the heated air to the tub again.

Accordingly, a conventional condensing-type combined drying and washing machine will be briefly described. The combined drying and washing machine includes a cabinet defining a reception space therein, a tub disposed in the cabinet, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, and an air supply unit configured to dehumidify and heat air containing moisture, taken out of the tub ant to supply the air to the tub again.

The air supply unit of the conventional combined drying and washing machine includes a duct provided at an upper portion of the tub so as to suck air from the tub. The duct includes therein a blowing fan configured to suck air from the inside of the duct, and a heater configured to heat the air blown by the blowing fan. Typically, the duct, which is provided therein with the blowing fan and the heater, is integrally formed.

The tub of the combined drying and washing machine may have a different size depending on the capacity of the combined drying and washing machine, and the duct of the air supply unit, which is provided at the tub, must also have a different size depending on the size of the tub.

Accordingly, the combined drying and washing machine must have ducts of the air supply unit corresponding to various sizes of the tub. Hence, there is a problem in which manufacturing costs increase in order to separately manufacture the ducts corresponding to the various sizes of the tub.

Accordingly, there is a recent need for ducts of an air supply unit capable of corresponding to tubs of combined drying and washing machines having various capacities.

<CIT> relates to a drying duct assembly and a washing machine having the same. <CIT> discloses a dryer for a wall-mounted washing machine. <CIT> provides a drum type washer with dry function.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry treatment apparatus equipped with a duct capable of corresponding to tubs having various sizes by improving the structure of an air supply unit provided at a combined drying and washing machine.

Furthermore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is another object of the present invention to provide a laundry treatment apparatus equipped with a duct capable of corresponding to tubs having various sizes by separately modularizing a heat and a blowing fan of an air supply unit provided at a combined drying and washing machine.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects of the present invention, which are not mentioned above, will be clearly understood to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

The invention is defined in the independent claim. Dependent claims describe preferred embodiments.

In order to accomplish the above objects, an aspect of the present invention provides a laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet defining an appearance thereof, a tub disposed in the cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed in the tub, and an air supply unit configured to heat and circulate air in the tub, the air supply unit including a fan duct coupled to an air collection port provided at the tub so as to collect the air in the tub, a heating duct fixed to an upper portion of the tub and coupled to the fan duct so as to heat air supplied from the fan duct and to guide the air in a forward direction of the tub, and a supply duct coupled to the heating duct so as to supply air in a forward direction of the tub.

The fan duct may include an outflow port configured to guide air toward the heating duct, and the heating duct may include an inflow port coupled to the outflow port of the fan duct.

The outflow port may be provided at an outer side thereof with a first coupler, and the inflow port may be provided at an outer side thereof with a second coupler corresponding to the first coupler, the fan duct and the heating duct defining an air passage therebetween when the first coupler and the second coupler are coupled to each other.

The first coupler includes a first rotatable coupler, which is provided at one side of the outflow port and has a flat surface parallel to a direction in which the fan duct is coupled, and a first fixing coupler, which is provided at a remaining side of the outflow port and has a flat surface parallel to the outflow port.

The second coupler includes a second rotatable coupler, which is provided at one side of the inflow port and has a flat surface parallel to a direction in which the fan duct is coupled and to which the first rotatable coupler is roratably coupled, and a second fixing coupler, which has a flat surface parallel to the inflow port and to which the first fixing coupler is fixed.

The fan duct may include a lower fan duct, which is coupled to the air collection port and is provided with a fan housing in which a blowing fan configured to blow air is mounted, and an upper fan duct coupled to an upper portion of the lower fan duct and provided with a motor configured to transmit rotative force to the blowing fan.

The heating duct may include a box-shaped lower heating duct, which is fixed to an upper surface of the tub and is open at an upper surface thereof, and an upper heating duct mounted on the lower heating duct so as to define an air passage.

The outflow port may include a lower outflow port formed at the lower fan duct and an upper outflow port formed at the upper fan duct, and the inflow port may include a lower inflow port, which is formed at the lower heating duct and is in contact with the lower outflow port, and an upper inflow port, which is formed at the upper heating duct and is in contact with the upper outflow port.

The lower outflow port may be provided in an end thereof with a sealing groove, which extends along the end of the lower outflow port and into which a seal is inserted, and the lower inflow port may be provided in an end thereof with a press step, which is inserted into the sealing groove so as to press the seal.

The upper outflow port may be provided on an upper surface thereof with a sealing step, which is inserted downwards into the upper inflow port and to which a seal is attached, and the upper inflow port may be provided on a lower surface thereof with a press surface configured to press the seal.

The lower heating duct may include a lower wall defining an air passage, the lower wall having a heater coupler to which a heater unit configured to heat air in the heating duct is mounted.

The heater unit may include a heater bracket inserted into the heater coupler and fixed thereto, and a heater coil, which is supported by the heater bracket and extends into the heating duct.

The lower wall may have a sealing groove formed in an upper surface thereof, a seal being inserted into the sealing groove so as to create a sealing state in cooperation with the upper heating duct, and the heater bracket may have an extending groove formed in an upper surface thereof so as to extend from the sealing groove, the seal being inserted into the extending groove.

The lower heating duct may include a lower wall defining an air passage, the lower wall having a sensor coupler to which a sensor unit configured to detect temperature of air in the heating duct is mounted.

The sensor unit may include a sensor bracket inserted into the sensor coupler and fixed thereto, and a sensor, which is supported by the sensor bracket and extends into the heating duct.

The lower wall may have a sealing groove formed in an upper surface thereof, a seal being inserted into the sealing groove so as to create a sealing state in cooperation with the upper heating duct, and the sensor bracket may have an extending groove formed in an upper surface thereof so as to extend from the sealing groove, the seal being inserted into the extending groove.

In order to accomplish the above objects, another aspect of the present invention provides a laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet defining an appearance thereof, a tub disposed in the cabinet, a drum rotatably disposed in the tub, and an air supply unit configured to heat and circulate air in the tub, the air supply unit including a fan duct coupled to an air collection port provided at the tub so as to collect the air in the tub, a heating duct fixed to an upper portion of the tub and coupled to the fan duct so as to heat air supplied from the fan duct and to guide the air in a forward direction of the tub, and a supply duct coupled to the heating duct so as to supply air in a forward direction of the tub, wherein the fan duct includes a lower fan duct, which is coupled to the air collection port and is provided with a fan housing in which a blowing fan configured to blow air is mounted, and an upper fan duct coupled to an upper portion of the lower fan duct and provided with a motor configured to transmit rotative force to the blowing fan, and wherein the heating duct includes a box-shaped lower heating duct, which is fixed to an upper surface of the tub and is open at an upper surface thereof, and an upper heating duct mounted on the lower heating duct so as to define an air passage.

The fan duct may include an outflow port configured to guide air toward the heating duct, and the heating duct may include an inflow port coupled to the outflow port of the fan duct, wherein the outflow port includes a lower outflow port formed at the lower fan duct and an upper outflow port formed at the upper fan duct, and wherein the inflow port includes a lower inflow port, which is formed at the lower heating duct and is in contact with the lower outflow port, and an upper inflow port, which is formed at the upper heating duct and is in contact with the upper outflow port.

The lower outflow port may be provided in an end thereof with a sealing groove, which extends along the end of the lower outflow port and into which a seal is inserted, the lower inflow port may be provided in an end thereof with a press step, which is inserted into the sealing groove so as to press the seal, the upper outflow port may be provided on an upper surface thereof with a sealing step, which is inserted downwards into the upper inflow port and to which a seal is attached, and the upper inflow port may be provided on a lower surface thereof with a press surface configured to press the seal.

The outflow port may be provided at an outer side thereof with a first coupler, and the inflow port may be provided at an outer side thereof with a second coupler corresponding to the first coupler, wherein the first coupler includes a first rotatable coupler, which is provided at one side of the outflow port and has a flat surface parallel to a direction in which the fan duct is coupled, and a first fixing coupler, which is provided at a remaining side of the outflow port and has a flat surface parallel to the outflow port, and wherein the second coupler may include a second rotatable coupler, which is provided at one side of the inflow port and has a flat surface parallel to a direction in which the fan duct is coupled and to which the first rotatable coupler is rotatably coupled, and a second fixing coupler, which has a flat surface parallel to the inflow port and to which the first fixing coupler is fixed.

In the description of the present disclosure, the names of components disclosed in this closure are defined in consideration of functions in the present disclosure. Accordingly, the names of the components should not be construed as being limited to the components. Furthermore, the names defining the components may be referred to as other names in a relevant technical field.

Hereinafter, a laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detain with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the internal construction of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cabinet <NUM> defining the appearance thereof, a tub <NUM> disposed in the cabinet <NUM> so as to store washing water, a drum <NUM> rotatably disposed in the tub <NUM> in the axial direction thereof, a water supply unit <NUM>, which is connected to an external water supply source (not shown) and supplies the washing water or mixture of the washing water and detergent to the tub <NUM>, a water discharge unit <NUM> configured to discharge the washing water, which has been completely used in washing in the tub <NUM>, and an air supply unit <NUM> including a fan duct <NUM> disposed above the tub <NUM> so as to suck the air in the tub <NUM> and a heating duct <NUM> configured to heat the air that is flowed by the fan duct <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> defines the appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment, and is provided therein and thereon with various components, which will be described later. The cabinet <NUM> may be composed of a front cabinet <NUM>, a side cabinet <NUM>, an upper cabinet <NUM>, and a rear cabinet (not shown).

Here, the front cabinet <NUM> is provided at the front side thereof with an entrance (not shown), through which laundry is introduced, and a door <NUM>, which is rotatable so as to open and close the entrance. Furthermore, a manipulator <NUM> configured to control the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> and a display <NUM> may be provided at the upper portion of the front cabinet <NUM> or the front surface of the door <NUM>.

The tub <NUM> is movably supported by a spring (not shown) or a damper <NUM> inside the cabinet <NUM>, and the tub stores therein washing water supplied from the water supply unit <NUM>. The tub <NUM> is configured to have the form of a box, which is provided at the front side thereof with an entrance <NUM> through which laundry is introduced into the drum <NUM> and which opens the door <NUM>.

The entrance <NUM> is provided at the outer circumference thereof with a rim 121a projecting forwards from the tub <NUM>. The rim 121a is connected to a supply duct <NUM> of the air supply unit <NUM>, which will be described later. A drive motor 219a is mounted on the rear surface of the tub <NUM> so as to rotate the drum <NUM>. The rotational speed of the drive motor 219a is controlled by a controller (not shown). Because the structures and the kinds of the drive motor 219a are well known in those skilled in the art and various embodiments thereof are possible, detailed description thereof is omitted.

The tub <NUM> is resiliently supported by the upper spring (not shown) and the lower damper <NUM>. Consequently, when vibrations generated when the drum <NUM> is rotated by the drive motor 219a is transmitted to the cabinet <NUM> via the tub <NUM>, the vibrations are buffered and diminished by means of the spring and the damper <NUM>, thereby diminishing the transmission of the variations caused by the rotation of the drum <NUM> to the cabinet <NUM>.

The drum <NUM> is rotatably provided in the tub <NUM>, and laundry is introduced into the drum <NUM> through the door <NUM>, and is contained therein. The drum <NUM> is provided therethrough with a plurality of through holes (not shown) through which washing water flows. The drum <NUM> is provided therein with a plurality of lifters (not shown), which lifts and drops laundry contained in the drum <NUM> while the drum <NUM> is rotated, whereby the movement of the laundry due to the lifters improves the washing performance.

A balancer (not shown) is provide ahead of or behind the drum <NUM> so as to compensate for disequilibrium caused by laundry during rotation of the drum <NUM>. A rotating shaft (not shown) connected to the drive motor 219a and a spider (not shown) connected to the rotating shaft may be provided behind the drum <NUM>.

The water supply unit <NUM> may include a water supply hose (not shown), which is positioned at an upper level of the inside of the cabinet <NUM> and through which water is supplied into the tub <NUM> from an external water source, a water supply valve (not shown), which is provided at the water supply hose so as to control flow of water, and a detergent supply <NUM>, which contains detergent such that the water supplied through the water supply hose is introduced into the tub <NUM> together with the detergent. Here, the detergent supply <NUM> may be connected to the tub <NUM> via a water supply bellows <NUM>.

The water discharge unit <NUM> includes a water discharge bellows, which is positioned at a lower level of the inside of the cabinet <NUM> and through washing water that is used in washing and rinsing in the tub <NUM> is discharged to the outside, a water discharge pump (not shown) configured to discharge the washing water, discharged from the water discharge bellows, under pressure, and a water discharge hose (not shown) configured to guide the washing water that is discharged by the water discharge pump toward a water discharge port.

The air supply unit <NUM> is provided at the upper portion of the tub <NUM>, and circulates and heats the air in the tub <NUM> during a drying procedure of the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM>. In other words, the air supply unit <NUM> is configured so as to such the air in the tub <NUM>, heat the air, and introduce the air into the tub <NUM>.

The air supply unit <NUM> includes a fan duct <NUM>, which is provided at an air collection port (not shown) formed in an outer circumferential surface of the rear portion of the tub <NUM>, a heating duct <NUM> configured to heat and guide the air that has passed through the fan duct <NUM>, a supply duct <NUM> configured to supply the air that is heated by the heating duct <NUM> in a forward direction of the tub <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the air supply unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the air supply unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the air supply unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in the drawings, the air supply unit <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may be broadly composed of the fan duct <NUM>, the heating duct <NUM>, and the supply duct <NUM>. Here, the ducts <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may be coupled to one another so as to allow air to flow therethrough.

Accordingly, it is possible to embody the air supply unit <NUM> by selectively changing the fan duct <NUM>, the heating duct <NUM>, and the supply duct <NUM> depending on the size of the tub <NUM> coupled to the air supply unit <NUM> or the blowing capacity of the air supply unit <NUM>. For example, it is possible to embody the air supply unit <NUM> by changing the heating duct <NUM> or the supply duct <NUM> in response to change in the size of the tub <NUM> and by changing the fan duct <NUM> in response to change in the capacity (that is, the blowing capacity) of the air supply unit <NUM>.

Specifically, when the size of the tub <NUM> is changed, the length and the diameter of the tub <NUM> may be increased or decreased. When the length of the tub <NUM> is changed, it is possible to embody using the heating duct <NUM> corresponding to the changed length of the tub <NUM>. When the diameter of the tub <NUM> is changed, it is possible to embody the air supply unit <NUM> using the supply duct <NUM> corresponding to the changed diameter of the tub <NUM>.

Furthermore, when the capacity of the air supply unit <NUM> is changed, the blowing capacity of the air supply unit <NUM> may be increased or decreased. In order to increase the blowing capacity of the air supply unit <NUM>, it is possible to embody the air supply unit <NUM> by changing the fan duct <NUM> in which a blowing fan 219b is provided.

In other words, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to embody the air supply unit <NUM> by modularizing the fan duct <NUM>, the heating duct <NUM>, and the supply duct <NUM>, which constitute the air supply unit <NUM>, and selectively combining the fan duct <NUM>, the heating duct <NUM>, and the supply duct <NUM> according to the size of the tub <NUM> or the blowing capacity of air supply unit <NUM>.

In order to prevent the heat generated by the heating duct <NUM> from being directly transmitted to the tub <NUM>, a radiating plate <NUM> may be provided between the heating duct <NUM> and the tub <NUM>. The radiating plate <NUM> may be formed of a metal material having a predetermined thickness, and may be configured to have one of various forms depending on the form of the tub <NUM> and the form of the heating duct <NUM>.

The supply duct <NUM> is configured to guide the air heated in the heating duct <NUM> in a forward direction of the tub <NUM>. The supply duct <NUM> is provided at the upper end thereof with a heating duct coupler <NUM> connected to a supply duct coupler 229a so as to allow an air supply port <NUM> of the heating duct <NUM> to communicate with the supply duct <NUM>, and is provided at the lower end thereof with a tub connector <NUM> connected to the rim 121a of the tub <NUM>. The supply duct <NUM> may be curved at a predetermined angle according to the shape of the front portion of the tub <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the fan duct <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the fan duct <NUM> of the air supply unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in the drawings, the fan duct <NUM> includes a lower fan duct <NUM> seated on and coupled to the air collection port formed in the tub <NUM>, an upper fan duct <NUM> coupled to the lower fan duct <NUM> so as to define a space for rotation of the blowing fan 219b, and a motor housing <NUM>, which is coupled to the upper fan duct <NUM> and on which the drive motor 219a configured to rotate the blowing fan 219b is mounted.

The upper fan duct <NUM> is provided in the center thereof with a motor housing mount recess <NUM> in which the motor housing <NUM> is inserted and coupled, and is provided on the outer circumferential surface thereof with a lower fan duct coupler 213c, which is to be coupled to the lower fan duct <NUM> by means of an additional fastening member (not shown).

The upper fan duct <NUM> is provided at one side thereof with an upper outflow port <NUM>, to which the heading duct <NUM> is connected, so as to allow the air sucked by the blowing fan 219b to flow into the heating duct <NUM>. The upper outflow port <NUM> is provided with a sealing step 213a, which is fitted into a upper heating duct <NUM> of the heating duct <NUM>, which will be described later. A seal 213b is interposed between the sealing step 213a and the upper heating duct <NUM>. The sealing step 213a and the seal 213b will be described in detail with reference to other drawings.

The fan duct <NUM> is seated in and secured to the air collection port formed in the tub <NUM> such that the air in the tub <NUM> is introduced through the air collection port. The lower fan duct <NUM> is provided in the center thereof with a through hole <NUM>, which communicates with the air collection port, and is provided on the outer circumferential surface thereof with a fan housing <NUM> defining therein a space in which the blowing fan 219b is rotatable.

An upper portion of the outer circumferential surface of the fan housing <NUM> is provided with an upper fan duct coupler 215a, which is coupled to the lower fan duct coupler 213c of the upper fan duct <NUM>, and a lower portion of the outer circumferential surface of the fan housing <NUM> is provided with an air collection port coupler 215b, which is coupled to the air collection port.

The lower fan duct <NUM> is provided at a side thereof with a lower outflow port <NUM> connected to the heating duct <NUM>, so as to allow the air sucked by the blowing fan 219b to flow into the heating duct <NUM>. The upper outflow port <NUM> is provided with a sealing groove 217a into which a lower heating duct <NUM> of the heating duct <NUM> is inserted, which will be described later, and a seal 217b is interposed between the sealing groove 217a and the lower hating duct <NUM>. The sealing groove 217a and the seal 217b will be described in detail with reference to other drawings.

The motor housing <NUM>, to which the motor 219a configured to rotate the blowing fan 219b is coupled, is coupled in the motor housing mount recess <NUM> in the upper fan duct <NUM>. The motor housing <NUM> is provided on the lower surface thereof with the motor 219a configured to rotate the blowing fan 219b, and the blowing fan 219b is coupled to the rotating shaft of the motor 219a.

The upper outflow port <NUM> or the lower outflow port <NUM> of the fan duct <NUM> is provided at one side thereof with a first rotatable coupler 210a and at the opposite side thereof with a first fixed coupled 210b. The first rotational coupler 210a and the first fixing coupler 210b are respectively coupled to a second rotatable coupler 220a and a second fixing coupler 220b provided at the heating duct <NUM>, which will be described later, so as to fix the fan duct <NUM> to the heating duct <NUM>.

Here, the first rotatable coupler 210a projects toward the heating duct <NUM> from one side of the combined outflow port <NUM> and <NUM> of the fan duct <NUM>, and is configured to have the form of a rib which is flat parallel to the direction in which the fan duct <NUM> is coupled to the heating duct <NUM>. The first rotatable coupled 210a is coupled to the second rotatable coupler 220a such that the fan duct <NUM> is rotatable relative to the heating duct <NUM> in the state of being supported thereby.

The first fixing coupler 210b is formed from the opposite side of the combined outflow port <NUM> and <NUM> of the fan duct <NUM> in an outward direction of the fan duct <NUM> parallel to the combined outflow port <NUM> and <NUM>. In other words, the first fixing coupler 210b may extend in a radial direction of a circle defined about the first rotatable coupler 210a, and may be configured to have the form of a rib having a flat surface flush with the plane defined by the combined outflow port <NUM> and <NUM>.

The coupling between the fan duct <NUM> and the heating duct <NUM> by means of the first rotatable coupler 210a and the first fixing coupler 210b will be described in detail with reference to other drawings after completion of the description of the heating duct <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the heating duct <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the heating duct <NUM> of the air supply unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in the drawings, the heating duct <NUM> may include an upper heating duct <NUM> defining the upper surface of the heating duct <NUM>, a lower heating duct <NUM> coupled to the upper heating duct <NUM> so as to define a space for flow of air and for heating, a heater unit <NUM> disposed in the heating duct <NUM> so as to heat flowing air, and a sensor unit <NUM> disposed in the heating duct <NUM> so as to detect a temperature of air heated by the heater unit <NUM>.

The lower heating duct <NUM> is configured to have the form of a box, which has a lower wall <NUM> formed along the outer circumference thereof and is open upwards, and the upper heating duct <NUM> is coupled to the upper portion of the lower wall <NUM> of the lower heating duct <NUM> so as to define a passage for flow of air and for heating.

The upper surface of the lower wall <NUM> is provided therealong with a sealing groove 225a into which a seal 225b is fitted. By virtue of the seal 225b fitted into the sealing groove 225a, it is possible to prevent heated air from leaking when the lower heating duct <NUM> is coupled to the upper heating duct <NUM>.

A side of the lower wall <NUM> is provided with a depressed heater coupler <NUM>, in which the heater unit <NUM> is coupled, and a depressed sensor coupler <NUM>, in which the sensor unit is coupled. The heater coupler <NUM> and the sensor coupler <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to other drawings.

The upper portion of the outer circumferential surface of the lower wall <NUM> is provided with an upper heating duct coupler 225d, which projects therefrom and to which the upper heating duct <NUM> is coupled. The lower portion of the lower wall <NUM> is provided with a radiating plate coupler 225c, which projects therefrom and to which the radiating plate <NUM> is coupled.

An air supply port <NUM> is formed in the lower portion of the front portion of the lower heating duct <NUM> so as to guide air to the supply duct <NUM>. The air supply port <NUM> is provided at the outer surface thereof with a supply duct coupler 229a, to which the supply duct <NUM> is coupled.

The rear portion of the lower heating duct <NUM> is provided with a lower inflow port <NUM>, which is configured so as to correspond to the lower outflow port <NUM> of the lower fan duct <NUM> and into which the air in the fan duct <NUM> is introduced. The end of the lower inflow port <NUM> is provided with a press step 228a, which is fitted into the sealing groove 217a in the lower fan duct <NUM> and presses the seal 217b disposed in the sealing groove 217a.

The upper heating duct <NUM> is seated on the lower wall <NUM> of the lower heating duct <NUM> so as to define a passage through which air flows. The upper heating duct <NUM> may be configured to the form of a plate having such a predetermined surface area as to cover the lower heating duct <NUM>.

The outer circumferential surface of the upper heating duct <NUM> is provided with a lower heating duct coupler 222a, which is coupled to the upper heating duct coupler 225d formed at the lower wall <NUM> via an additional fastening member. The outer circumferential surface of the lower portion of the upper heating duct <NUM> is provided with an upper coupling surface 222b, which presses the seal 225b disposed in the sealing groove 225a in the lower wall <NUM>.

The rear portion of the upper heating duct <NUM> may be provided with an upper inflow duct <NUM> corresponding to the upper outflow port <NUM> of the upper fan duct <NUM>. The upper inflow port <NUM> may be formed so as to have a shape correspond to the shape of the sealing step 213a such that the sealing step 213a of the upper fan duct <NUM> is fitted into the upper inflow port <NUM>.

The upper inflow port <NUM> is provided on the lower surface thereof with a press surface 223a configured to press the seal 213b interposed between the upper inflow port <NUM> and the sealing step 213a. Because the press surface 223a presses the seal 213b, the sealing state between the upper inflow port <NUM> and the sealing step 213a may be maintained.

One side of the upper inflow port <NUM> or the lower inflow port <NUM> of the heating duct <NUM> is provided with the second rotatable coupler 220a, which is coupled to the first rotatable coupler 210a, and the other side of the upper inflow port <NUM> or the lower inflow port <NUM> of the heating duct <NUM> is provided with the second fixing coupler 220b, which is coupled to the first fixing coupler 210b.

Here, the second rotatable coupler 220a projects toward the fan duct <NUM> from the one side of the combined inflow port <NUM> and <NUM> of the heating duct <NUM>, and is configured to have the form of a rib having a flat surface parallel to a direction in which the fan duct <NUM> is coupled to the heating duct <NUM>. Because the second rotatable coupler 220a is coupled to the first rotatable coupler 210a, it is possible to support the fan duct <NUM> in the state of being rotatable relative to the heating duct <NUM>.

The second fixing coupler 220b is formed so as to extend from the other side of the combined inflow port <NUM> and <NUM> of the heating duct <NUM> in an outward direction of the heating duct <NUM> parallel to the combined inflow port <NUM> and <NUM>. In other words, the second fixing coupler 220b may be formed so as to extend in a radial direction of a circle defined about the second rotatable coupler 220a, and may be configured to have the form of a rib having a flat surface flush with the plane defined by the combined outflow port <NUM> and <NUM>.

The coupling between the fan duct <NUM> and the heating duct <NUM> by means of the second rotatable coupler 220a and the second fixing coupler 220b will be described in detail with reference to other drawings after completion of the description of the heating duct <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the mounting of the heater unit <NUM> and the sensor unit <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a side view illustrating the mounted state of the heater unit <NUM> and the sensor unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The heater unit <NUM> includes a heater coil <NUM>, which is bent in a zigzag fashion in the heating duct <NUM> and heat the air flowing in the heating duct <NUM>, and a heater bracket <NUM>, to which the heater coil <NUM> is fixed and which is inserted into the heater coupler <NUM> so as to support and hold the heater coil <NUM> with respect to the heat duct <NUM>.

The heater coil <NUM> may be configured so as to have any of various forms. Typically, the heater coil <NUM> may extend in a zigzag fashion in a direction intersecting the direction of the air flowing in the heating duct <NUM>.

The heater bracket <NUM> is inserted and coupled in the heater coupler <NUM> formed in the lower wall <NUM> so as to support the heater coil <NUM> in the space in the heating duct <NUM> through which air flows. The heater bracket <NUM> may be configured to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the heater coupler <NUM>, and the upper surface of the heater bracket <NUM> may be provided therein with an extending groove <NUM>, which extends in a line with respect to the sealing groove <NUM> formed in the lower wall <NUM>.

The extending groove <NUM> may be formed so as to be connected to the sealing groove 225a in the lower wall <NUM> and to extend therefrom. The seal 225b interposed between the upper heating duct <NUM> and the lower heating duct <NUM> may be continuously inserted into the sealing groove 225a and the extending groove <NUM> so as to maintain the sealing state. In other words, the continuous groove may be formed in the sealing groove 225a and the extending groove <NUM>, and the seal 225b interposed between the upper heating duct <NUM> and the lower heating duct <NUM> is capable of improving the sealing ability.

The sensor unit <NUM> includes a sensor extending into the heating duct <NUM> and detecting the temperature of the air in the heating duct <NUM>, and a sensor bracket <NUM>, to which the sensor <NUM> is fixed and which is inserted into the sensor coupler <NUM> so as to support and hold the sensor <NUM> with respect to the heating duct <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> may be embodied as any of various kinds of temperature sensors. Typically, the sensor <NUM> may be formed so as to extend in a direction intersecting a direction of the air flowing in the heating duct <NUM>.

The sensor bracket <NUM> may be inserted and coupled in the sensor coupler <NUM> formed in the lower wall <NUM> and may be held therein so as to support the sensor <NUM> in the space in which the air in the heating duct <NUM> flows. The sensor bracket <NUM> may be formed so as to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the sensor coupler <NUM>, and the upper surface of the sensor bracket <NUM> may be provided therein with an extending groove <NUM>, which is connected to the sealing groove 225a formed in the lower wall <NUM> and extends therefrom.

The extending groove <NUM> may be formed so as to be connected to the sealing groove 225a in the lower wall <NUM> and to extend therefrom. The seal 225b interposed between the upper heating duct <NUM> and the lower heating duct <NUM> may be continuously inserted into the sealing groove 225a and the extending groove <NUM> so as to establish sealing state therebetween. In other words, the extending groove <NUM> may be connected to the sealing groove 225a so as to form a continuous groove to thus form a sealing state, and the seal 225b interposed between the upper heating duct <NUM> and the lower heating duct <NUM> may be inserted into both the sealing groove 225a and the extending groove <NUM> so as to improve sealing ability.

Hereinafter, the coupling between the fan duct <NUM> and the heating duct <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating the mounted state of the air supply unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a fragmentary enlarged view illustrating the coupled state between the heating duct <NUM> and the fan duct <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in the drawings, the air supply unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may define an air circulation passage by coupling the fan duct <NUM> to the heating duct <NUM>.

The fan duct <NUM> and the heating duct <NUM> may be coupled to each other by coupling the first rotatable coupler 210a formed in the fan duct <NUM> to the second rotatable coupler 220a formed in the heating duct <NUM> and then coupling the first fixing coupler 210b to the second fixing coupler 220b.

Here, each of the first rotatable coupler 210a and the second rotatable coupler 220a may be configured to have the form of a rib having a flat surface parallel to a direction in which the fan duct <NUM> is coupled to the heating duct <NUM> (or in a direction in which air flows). The first rotatable coupler 210a and the second rotatable coupler 220a may be rotatably coupled to each other such that the first rotatable coupler <NUM> and the second rotatable coupler 220a are rotatable relative to each other about a fastening member inserted thereinto.

The first rotatable coupler 210a and the second rotatable coupler 220a may be coupled to each other in the state in which the combined outflow port <NUM> and <NUM> of the fan duct <NUM> and the combined outflow port <NUM> and <NUM> of the heating duct <NUM> are opened about the first rotatable coupler 210a and the second rotatable coupler 220a at a predetermined angle.

After the first rotatable coupler 210a is coupled to the second rotatable coupler 220a, the fan duct <NUM> is rotated relative to the heating duct <NUM> about the first rotatable coupler 210a and the second rotatable coupler 220a such that the combined outflow port <NUM> and <NUM> of the fan duct <NUM> come into contact with the combined inflow port <NUM> and <NUM> of the heating duct <NUM>.

Here, when the fan duct <NUM> is rotated toward the heating duct <NUM>, the first fixing coupler 210b of the fan duct <NUM> comes into contact with the second fixing coupler 220b of the heating duct <NUM>. The first fixing coupler 210b and the second fixing coupler 220b are formed so as to be respectively parallel to the combined outflow port <NUM> and <NUM> and the combined inflow port <NUM> and <NUM>. The first fixing coupler 210b and the second fixing coupler 220b are coupled to each other by means of an additional fastening member (not shown), which is inserted into in a direction parallel to a rotational direction of the fan duct <NUM>.

Upon the coupling between the fan duct <NUM> and the heating duct <NUM>, the seals 213b and 217b are respectively inserted into the sealing step 213a of the upper outflow port <NUM> of the fan duct <NUM> and the sealing groove 217a of the lower outflow port <NUM> of the fan duct <NUM> and are attached thereto, as illustrated in <FIG>.

When the fan duct <NUM> is rotated toward the heating duct <NUM> and the combined outflow port <NUM> and <NUM> of the fan duct <NUM> comes into contact with the combined inflow port <NUM> and <NUM> of the heating duct <NUM>, the seal 213b of the upper outflow port <NUM> is inserted downwards into the upper inflow port <NUM> of the upper heating duct <NUM> and is pressed by the press surface 223a of the upper inflow port <NUM>, thus creating a sealed state therebetween, and the seal 217b inserted into the sealing groove 217a in the lower outflow port <NUM> is pressed by the press step 228a of the lower heating duct <NUM>, thus creating a sealed state therebetween, as illustrated in <FIG>.

As described above, because the structure of the air supply unit <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is composed of the fan duct <NUM>, the heating duct <NUM>, and the supply duct <NUM>, which are modularized, it is possible to embody the air supply unit <NUM> by selectively changing the fan duct <NUM>, the heating duct <NUM>, and the supply duct <NUM> depending on the size of the tub <NUM> or the blowing capacity of the air supply unit <NUM>.

Specifically, when the size of the tub <NUM> is changed, the length and the diameter of the tub <NUM> may be increased or decreased. Here, when the length of the tub <NUM> is changed, it is possible to embody the air supply unit <NUM> using the heating duct <NUM> corresponding to the length of the tub <NUM>. Meanwhile, when the diameter of the tub <NUM> is changed, it is possible to embody the air supply unit <NUM> using the supply duct <NUM> corresponding to the diameter of the tub <NUM>.

Furthermore, when the capacity of the air supply unit <NUM> is changed, the blowing capacity of the air supply unit <NUM> may be increased or decreased. In order to increase the blowing capacity of the air supply unit <NUM>, the fan duct <NUM> equipped with the blowing fan 219b may be changed.

Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs will appreciate that the present disclosure can be implemented in various modifications within the idea and scope of the present disclosure, which is defined by the accompanying claims. Accordingly, the various modifications of the present disclosure falls within the scope of the present disclosure.

According to the laundry treatment apparatus according the present disclosure, there is an effect of providing a laundry treatment apparatus equipped with a duct capable of corresponding to tubs having various sizes by improving the structure of an air supply unit provided at a combined drying and washing machine.

Furthermore, according to the laundry treatment apparatus according the present disclosure, there is an effect of providing a laundry treatment apparatus equipped with a duct capable of corresponding to tubs having various sizes by separately modularizing a heat and a blowing fan of an air supply unit provided at a combined drying and washing machine.

Claim 1:
A laundry treatment apparatus (<NUM>) including a cabinet (<NUM>) defining an appearance thereof, a tub (<NUM>) disposed in the cabinet (<NUM>), a drum (<NUM>) rotatably disposed in the tub (<NUM>), and an air supply unit (<NUM>) configured to heat and circulate air in the tub (<NUM>), the air supply unit (<NUM>) comprising:
a fan duct (<NUM>) coupled to an air collection port provided at the tub (<NUM>) so as to collect the air in the tub (<NUM>) and having outflow ports (<NUM>, <NUM>) through which air is discharged;
a heating duct (<NUM>) fixed to an upper portion of the tub (<NUM>) so as to heat air supplied from the fan duct (<NUM>) and having inflow ports (<NUM>, <NUM>) connected to the outflow ports (<NUM>, <NUM>) and an air supply port (<NUM>) for supplying the heated air;
a supply duct (<NUM>) connected to the air supply port (<NUM>) so as to supply air in a forward direction of the tub (<NUM>);
couplers (210a, 220a, 210b, 220b) located at the heating duct (<NUM>) and the fan duct (<NUM>) to couple the heating duct (<NUM>) and the fan duct (<NUM>) such that the inflow ports (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the outflow ports (<NUM>, <NUM>) communicate with each other; and
a heating duct coupler (<NUM>) provided at the supply duct (<NUM>) and a supply duct coupler (229a) provided at the heating duct (<NUM>) to connect the supply duct (<NUM>) and the air supply port (<NUM>),
characterised in that the couplers (210a, 220a, 210b, 220b) comprise:
a first rotatable coupler (210a), which is provided at one side of the outflow port (<NUM>, <NUM>) and has a flat surface parallel to a direction in which the fan duct (<NUM>) is coupled; and
a second rotatable coupler (220a), which is provided at one side of the inflow port (<NUM>, <NUM>) and has a flat surface parallel to a direction in which the fan duct (<NUM>) is coupled and to which the first rotatable coupler (210a) is rotatably coupled, and
a first fixing coupler (210b), which is provided at a remaining side of the outflow port (<NUM>, <NUM>) and has a flat surface parallel to the outflow port (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a second fixing coupler (220b), which has a flat surface parallel to the inflow port (<NUM>, <NUM>) and to which the first fixing coupler (210b) is fixed such that the fan duct is rotatable relative to the heating duct.