Patent Description:
Clothes treatment apparatuses are apparatuses that treat clothes, e.g. wash and dry clothes and smooth wrinkles in clothes, at home or at laundromats.

Clothes treatment apparatuses may be classified into a washer for washing clothes, a dryer for drying clothes, a washer/dryer having both a washing function and a drying function, a refresher for refreshing clothes, and a steamer for removing unnecessary wrinkles in clothes.

The refresher is an apparatus that keeps clothes comfortable and fresh. The refresher functions to dry clothes, to supply fragrance to clothes, to prevent the occurrence of static electricity in clothes, or to remove wrinkles from clothes.

The steamer is an apparatus that simply supplies steam to clothes in order to remove wrinkles from the clothes. Unlike a general iron, the steamer removes wrinkles from the clothes without directly applying heat to the clothes.

A clothes treatment apparatus having both functions of a refresher and a steamer may remove wrinkles from clothes received in the clothes treatment apparatus, and may additionally deodorize the clothes, using steam and hot air.

An example of such a conventional treatment apparatus is disclosed in <CIT>.

<CIT> relates to a laundry treating apparatus comprising a laundry support unit provided in a laundry receiving space to support the laundry, and a machinery compartment located at a bottom of the receiving space to define a space separated from the receiving space, the machinery compartment provided with at least one selected from between an air supply unit to supply air to the receiving space and a water supply unit to supply water to the receiving space. The machinery compartment has a smaller width than the receiving space to define a space to receive the laundry held by the laundry support unit between an outer circumference of the machinery compartment and an inner circumference of the receiving space.

<CIT> relates to a tumble dryer with compensation device.

<CIT> relates to a clothes treating apparatus. The clothes treating apparatus includes a housing having an accommodating space for holding clothes, an air supplying device for generating dry air and supplying the dry air to the accommodating space, a moisture supplying device for supplying moisture to the accommodating space, and a water supplying part for supplying water to the moisture supplying device, and a water drain part for collecting condensed water from the air supplying device, wherein the water supplying part and the water drain part are provided separate from each other.

<CIT> relates to a laundry dryer appliance comprising a housing, a laundry space arranged in the housing, a drying circuit with a heat exchanger, an extractable container for collecting the condensation and a sensor for detecting a threshold level of condensation inside the collecting container, the sensor comprising a magnetically susceptible switch and a float arranged in fluid communication with the inside of the collecting container and carrying a magnet that actuates the switch upon reaching the condensation threshold level.

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 clothes treatment apparatus that is capable of directly sensing the level of water stored in a tank.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a clothes treatment apparatus that is capable of enabling a user to immediately check for the deficiency of water during the operation of the clothes treatment apparatus.

The objects are solved by the independent claim. The dependent claims relate to further aspects of the invention.

The invention is specified by the independent claim.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a clothes treatment apparatus including a cabinet partitioned into a treatment chamber for allowing clothes to be hung therein, a cycle chamber for allowing machinery to be installed therein, and a tank installation space for allowing a water supply tank and a drainage tank to be disposed therein, a door for opening and closing the cabinet, a steam unit disposed in the cycle chamber for supplying steam into the treatment chamber, a heat pump unit disposed in the cycle chamber for circulating air in the treatment chamber and conditioning the air that is circulated, a control unit controlling at least one of the steam unit or the heat pump unit;and a water supply level sensor configured to sense a level of water stored in the water supply tank;wherein the water supply tank is separably installed in the tank installation space, and is connected to the steam unit, and is configured to supply water to the steam unit, characterized in that the water supply level sensor comprises: a float case fixed in the water supply tank; a float installed in the float case such that the float is movable upward and downward in the float case by buoyancy depending on the level of water stored in the water supply tank; and a sensor installed at the cabinet and configured for sensing a magnetic force of the float, and configured to fail to sense the float when the float moves lower than a minimum level of water stored in the water supply tank, wherein the minimum level is a water level at which it is possible to supply an amount of steam corresponding to one cycle, wherein when the float moves lower than the sensor and the sensor fails to sense the float during a cycle is being performed, the control unit outputs a water deficiency signal and controls the steam unit to complete the cycle. configured to directly sense the level of water stored in the water supply tank, and a drainage level sensor disposed in the drainage tank configured to directly sense the level of water stored in the drainage tank.

The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a partition plate for partitioning the interior of the cabinet into upper and lower interior parts such that the treatment chamber and the cycle chamber are partitioned from each other, and a tank module frame for partitioning the interior of the cabinet below the partition plate into front and rear interior parts such that the cycle chamber and the tank installation space are partitioned from each other.

The tank installation space may be formed so as to face the door.

The water supply tank and the drainage tank may be arranged parallel to each other in rightward and leftward directions.

The clothes treatment apparatus may further include a tank support bar disposed between the tank installation space and the door, wherein at least one selected from between the water supply tank and the drainage tank may be disposed so as to be placed on the tank support bar.

The at least one selected from between the water supply tank and the drainage tank may be provided with a tank support end, the tank support end interfering with the tank support bar, the tank support end being concavely recessed.

The water supply tank or the drainage tank, placed on the tank support bar, may form a continuous surface with the tank support bar.

The upper side of at least one selected from between the water supply tank and the drainage tank may be round such that, when the at least one selected from between the water supply tank and the drainage tank is separated, interference between the at least one selected from between the water supply tank and the drainage tank and the partition plate is minimized.

At least one selected from between the water supply tank and the drainage tank may be provided with a grip, the grip being formed at the at least one selected from between the water supply tank and the drainage tank such that the grip is concave from the front to the rear thereof.

The sensor may be installed in any one selected from between the cycle chamber and the tank installation space.

The float case of the water supply level sensor may be disposed at a position at which water remains in an amount that is sufficient to be supplied to the steam unit during one cycle.

The drainage level sensor may include a float case fixed in the drainage tank, a float installed in the float case such that the float is movable upward and downward in the float case by buoyancy, and a sensor installed at the cabinet configured to sense a magnetic force of the float.

The float case of the drainage level sensor may be disposed at a position at which capacity remains to store an amount of condensed water generated during the cycle in the at least one selected from between the treatment chamber and the heat pump unit.

The water supply tank or the drainage tank may include a tank body that is open at the front thereof, the upper side of the surface of the tank body that is inserted into the tank installation space being round, a tank cover coupled to the front of the tank body, the tank cover being provided with a grip, the grip being concavely formed inward, and a check valve installed in the tank body for opening and closing a flow channel extending from the tank body to the outside.

The clothes treatment apparatus may further include a tank support bar disposed between the tank installation space and the door, wherein at least one selected from between the water supply tank and the drainage tank may be disposed so as to be placed on the tank support bar, and the at least one selected from between the water supply tank and the drainage tank may be provided with a tank support end, the tank support end being placed on the upper side of the tank support bar such that the tank support end interferes with the tank support bar, the tank support end being recessed rearward.

The check valve installed in the water supply tank may be disposed at the lower side of the tank body, and may be connected to the steam unit to supply water to the steam unit.

The clothes treatment apparatus may further include a water hole formed at the upper side of the tank body and a water hole cover for opening and closing the water hole. The water supply tank or the drainage tank may further include a float installation part formed in the tank body, the tank body and the tank cover may be manufactured by insert injection molding using die slide injection (DSI), and the water supply level sensor or the drainage level sensor may be installed in the float installation part by insert injection molding using DSI.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions or configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. The same terms may be denoted by different reference numerals if the terms indicate different parts.

The terms used in the following description are terms defined taking into consideration the functions obtained in accordance with the present invention. The definitions of these terms should be determined based on the whole content of this specification because they may be changed in accordance with the intentions of users, such as experimenters and measurers, or usual practices.

In this specification, the terms "first," "second," etc. are used to describe various elements. However, the elements are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element may be named a second element, and a second element may be named a first element, without departing from the scope of right of the present invention. It will be understood that the term "and/or" refers to one or more possible combinations of specified relevant items and includes such combinations.

The terms used in this specification are provided only to explain specific embodiments, but are not intended to restrict the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms, including technical and scientific terms, used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

In addition, the terms "comprises" and "includes" described herein should be interpreted not to exclude other elements but to further include such other elements since the corresponding elements may be inherent unless mentioned otherwise.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a clothes treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a cycle assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a perspective view of the cycle assembly according to the first embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a water supply tank shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a partially exploded perspective view of the water supply tank shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a sectional perspective view of a check assembly shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a side sectional view of the water supply tank shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view of a drainage tank shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a partially exploded perspective view of the drainage tank shown in <FIG>, <FIG> is a side sectional view of the drainage tank shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a block diagram of the clothes treatment apparatus shown in <FIG>.

The clothes treatment apparatus according to this embodiment includes a cabinet <NUM> and a door <NUM> configured to open and close the front of the cabinet <NUM>.

The interior of the cabinet <NUM> is partitioned into upper and lower interior parts by a partition plate <NUM>. A treatment chamber <NUM>, in which clothes are hung, is defined in the interior of the cabinet <NUM> above the partition plate <NUM>. A cycle chamber <NUM>, in which machinery is installed, is defined in the interior of the cabinet <NUM> below the partition plate <NUM>.

Clothes are hung in the treatment chamber <NUM>. In the treatment chamber <NUM>, wrinkles in the clothes are smoothed,
or the clothes are deodorized, by the circulation of steam or air.

A blowing unit <NUM> for circulating air in the treatment chamber <NUM>, a steam unit <NUM> for supplying steam into the treatment chamber <NUM>, a heat pump unit <NUM> for conditioning air in the treatment chamber <NUM>, and a control unit <NUM> for controlling the respective units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are installed in the cycle chamber <NUM>.

In this embodiment, an assembly of machinery, including the blowing unit <NUM>, the steam unit <NUM>, the heat pump unit <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM>, which are required to perform respective cycles of the clothes treatment apparatus, is defined as a cycle assembly.

The blowing unit <NUM> includes a blowing fan <NUM> and an inlet duct <NUM>.

The inlet duct <NUM> is installed at the suction side of the blowing fan <NUM> to guide air in the treatment chamber <NUM> to the blowing fan <NUM>.

The blowing fan <NUM> is rotated to blow air. The blowing fan <NUM> suctions air from the treatment chamber <NUM>, and discharges the suctioned air to the heat pump unit <NUM>.

When the steam unit <NUM> is powered on, heat is generated from the steam unit <NUM>. The steam unit <NUM> converts water supplied from a water supply tank <NUM>, which will be described hereinafter, into steam. The generated steam is discharged into the treatment chamber <NUM>.

In this embodiment, a flow channel is defined such that the steam flows into the treatment chamber <NUM> via the heat pump unit <NUM>.

The heat pump unit <NUM> constitutes a heat pump cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and an expansion valve. Based on the operation mode of the heat pump unit <NUM>, cooled air or heated air may be discharged into the treatment chamber <NUM>.

In particular, the heat pump unit <NUM> may dehumidify air supplied from the blowing unit <NUM>.

A tank module <NUM> for storing water is installed in front of the cycle chamber <NUM>. The tank module <NUM> includes a water supply tank <NUM> for supplying water to the steam unit <NUM> and a drainage tank <NUM> for gathering and storing condensed water that is generated in the treatment chamber <NUM>.

Water from the water supply tank <NUM> flows to the steam unit <NUM> via a water supply pump <NUM>.

Water that is condensed in the treatment chamber <NUM>, flows to the lower side of the treatment chamber <NUM> due to gravity, and is then pumped to the drainage tank <NUM> by a drainage pump <NUM>. Water that is condensed in the heat pump unit <NUM> also flows to the drainage tank <NUM> via the drainage pump <NUM>.

The water supply pump <NUM> or the drainage pump <NUM> is controlled by the control unit <NUM>.

In this embodiment, a tank module frame <NUM> is installed in front of the inlet duct <NUM>.

A tank installation space <NUM> is defined between the tank module frame <NUM> and the door <NUM>. The tank module frame <NUM> is coupled to the partition plate <NUM> to isolate the cycle chamber <NUM> from the outside.

A tank support bar <NUM>, which interferes with at least one selected from between the water supply tank <NUM> and the drainage tank <NUM>, is installed in front of the tank installation space <NUM>.

The tank support bar <NUM> prevents the water supply tank <NUM> or the drainage tank <NUM> from being unintentionally separated from the tank installation space <NUM>. The tank support bar <NUM> supports the front of the water supply tank <NUM> and the front of the drainage tank <NUM>.

When the door <NUM> is opened and closed, therefore, the water supply tank <NUM> and the drainage tank <NUM> are prevented from being separated from the tank installation space <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the lower end of the water supply tank <NUM> is placed on the upper end of the tank support bar <NUM>, and the lower end of the drainage tank <NUM> is placed on the upper end of the tank support bar <NUM>.

A tank support end <NUM>, which interferes with the tank support bar <NUM>, is formed on at least one selected from between the water supply tank <NUM> and the drainage tank <NUM>.

The tank support end <NUM> is concavely recessed.

The front of the tank support bar <NUM> and the front of the water supply tank <NUM> may form a continuous surface due to the tank support end <NUM>. In addition, the front of the tank support bar <NUM> and the front of the drainage tank <NUM> may form a continuous surface due to the tank support end <NUM>.

The water supply tank <NUM> and the drainage tank <NUM> are disposed in the tank installation space <NUM> such that the water supply tank <NUM> and the drainage tank <NUM> are arranged parallel to each other in rightward and leftward directions.

When the door <NUM> is opened, the water supply tank <NUM> and the drainage tank <NUM> are exposed to a user.

The water supply tank <NUM> and the drainage tank <NUM> may be withdrawn by the user.

The water supply tank <NUM> and the drainage tank <NUM> may be separated from the tank module frame <NUM>. The water supply tank <NUM> and the drainage tank <NUM> may be separably mounted in the tank installation space <NUM>.

The water supply tank <NUM> is connected to the steam unit <NUM> to supply water to the steam unit <NUM>. The drainage tank <NUM> is connected to the treatment chamber <NUM> to store water discharged from the treatment chamber <NUM> or the heat pump unit <NUM>.

The water supply tank <NUM> includes a tank body <NUM>, which is open at the front thereof, a tank cover <NUM> coupled to the front of the tank body <NUM>, a decorative cover <NUM> coupled to the tank cover <NUM>, a water supply check valve <NUM> installed in the tank body <NUM> for opening and closing a flow channel connected with the steam unit <NUM>, and a water supply level sensor <NUM> for sensing the level of water stored in the tank body <NUM>.

The front of the tank body <NUM> is open. The water supply level sensor <NUM> is disposed in the tank body <NUM>.

The upper end of the tank body <NUM> is round at the rear side thereof.

When the tank body <NUM> is separated, interference between the tank body <NUM> and the partition plate <NUM> is minimized.

The user may easily pull and withdraw the water tank <NUM>, which is disposed at the lower side of the clothes treatment apparatus, due to the round shape of the tank body <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the water supply level sensor <NUM> includes a float <NUM> installed in the tank body <NUM> such that the float <NUM> can move upward and downward based on the level of water stored in the tank body <NUM>, a float cabinet <NUM> installed in the tank body <NUM> in a state in which the float <NUM> is disposed in the float cabinet <NUM>, and a sensor <NUM> installed at the tank module frame <NUM> to sense the float <NUM>.

The float <NUM> has a magnet. The sensor <NUM> senses the magnetic force of the magnet.

The sensor <NUM> may be installed at the front or rear of the tank module frame <NUM>.

The sensor <NUM> may be installed through the tank module frame <NUM>.

Consequently, the sensor <NUM> may be located in any one selected from among the cycle chamber <NUM>, the tank installation space <NUM>, and the tank module frame <NUM>.

The float <NUM>, which is installed in the water supply tank <NUM>, is flush with the sensor <NUM>. When the level of water stored in the water supply tank <NUM> is lowered, the float <NUM> moves lower than the sensor <NUM>. When the sensor <NUM> fails to sense the float <NUM>, therefore, the control unit <NUM> outputs a water deficiency signal. Even when the water deficiency signal is output, it is possible to supply a sufficient amount of steam during a cycle that is currently being performed.

Since the sensor <NUM> constantly senses the float <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> may determine whether the water supply tank <NUM> is mounted.

For example, when the water supply tank <NUM> is not mounted, or when water is deficient, the control unit <NUM> outputs a water deficiency signal.

When the user manipulates the clothes treatment apparatus in a state in which the water deficiency signal is output, therefore, the control unit <NUM> performs control such that the clothes treatment apparatus is not operated and outputs a water deficiency signal. At this time, the user may check the water supply tank <NUM>.

A float installation part <NUM>, at which the float <NUM> is installed, is formed at the inside of the tank body <NUM>. The float cabinet <NUM> is installed at the float installation part <NUM>. The float <NUM> may move upward and downward along the float cabinet <NUM> by buoyancy.

In this embodiment, the float <NUM> is installed at the minimum level of water stored in the water supply tank <NUM>, at which it is possible to supply an amount of steam corresponding to one cycle. Even when the sensor <NUM> fails to sense the float <NUM>, and therefore the control unit <NUM> outputs a water deficiency signal, it is possible to supply an amount of steam corresponding to at least one cycle.

That is, even when a water deficiency signal is sensed during the supply of steam, it is possible to supply a sufficient amount of steam until a cycle that is currently being performed is completed.

The float cabinet <NUM>, in which the float <NUM> is mounted, is manufactured by insert injection molding at the time of die slide injection (DSI) of the tank cover <NUM> and the tank body <NUM>.

Die slide injection (DSI) is a molding technology that has been developed for blow molding or molding of thin products. DSI conveys various advantages in that no post-processing, such as adhesion or assembly, is necessary after injection molding, it is possible to adjust the thickness of a wall more easily than when blow molding or gas molding, it is possible to provide an excellent surface shape or high dimensional accuracy, and it is possible to perform DSI more easily than double injection or blow molding. The manufacturing of products using DSI is ordinarily known in the art to which the present invention pertains, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The tank body <NUM> and the tank cover <NUM> are manufactured by insert injection molding using DSI. During the manufacturing of the tank body <NUM> and the tank cover <NUM>, the float cabinet <NUM> is installed in the tank body <NUM> and the tank cover <NUM> by insert injection molding. During the manufacturing of the tank body <NUM> and the tank cover <NUM>, the edge of the tank cover <NUM> is integrally coupled to the edge of the tank body <NUM>.

The tank cover <NUM> has a window <NUM>, through which the user may check the level of water in the tank body <NUM>. In addition, a grip <NUM>, into which the user may insert his/her hand in order to hold the tank cover <NUM>, is concavely formed at the tank cover <NUM>.

The grip <NUM> is formed at the tank cover <NUM> such that the grip <NUM> is concave from the front to the rear thereof.

A sensor fixing part <NUM> is formed at the inside of the tank cover <NUM>. The sensor fixing part <NUM> protrudes from the inside of the tank cover <NUM>. When the tank cover <NUM> and the tank body <NUM> are coupled to each other, the sensor fixing part <NUM> comes into tight contact with the float cabinet <NUM>.

Since the sensor fixing part <NUM> tightly contacts the float cabinet <NUM>, the float cabinet <NUM> is prevented from being separated from the float installation part <NUM>.

The sensor fixing part <NUM> may be integrally formed with the tank cover <NUM>.

The decorative cover <NUM> is formed to have a shape that is capable of covering the front of the tank cover <NUM>. In addition, the decorative cover <NUM> is formed to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the tank cover <NUM>.

A water hole <NUM> is formed at the upper side of the tank body <NUM>. In addition, a water hole cover <NUM> for opening and closing the water hole <NUM> is disposed at the upper side of the tank body <NUM>.

The water hole cover <NUM> is made of a flexible material exhibiting high elasticity. One end of the water hole cover <NUM> is fixed to the tank body <NUM>, and the other end of the water hole cover <NUM> may be bent in order to open and close the water hole <NUM>.

The water supply check valve <NUM> includes a check valve hole <NUM> formed at the lower side of the tank body <NUM> and a check assembly <NUM> coupled to the check valve hole <NUM> for regulating the water in the tank body <NUM>.

The check assembly <NUM> includes a check housing <NUM> coupled into the check valve hole <NUM>, the check housing <NUM> having a check flow channel <NUM>, through which water flows into the check housing <NUM>, a valve <NUM> disposed in the check housing <NUM> for opening and closing the check flow channel <NUM>, and a check elastic member <NUM> disposed between the valve <NUM> and the tank body <NUM> for applying elastic force to the valve <NUM>.

The small-diameter side of the valve <NUM> protrudes downward. When the valve <NUM> is placed on the tank module frame <NUM>, the valve <NUM> may be pushed by the tank module frame <NUM>, and may thus move upward. At this time, the check flow channel <NUM> is opened as the result of the movement of the valve <NUM>. When the water supply tank <NUM> is separated from the tank module frame <NUM>, the check flow channel <NUM> is closed by the elastic force of the check elastic member <NUM>.

The drainage tank <NUM> is identical in function to the water supply tank <NUM>. The drainage tank <NUM> is disposed alongside the water supply tank <NUM>.

In the drainage tank <NUM>, a drainage check valve <NUM> is installed at the rear side thereof, not at the lower side thereof, unlike the water supply tank <NUM>.

The water supply tank <NUM> receives water through the water hole <NUM>, and discharges water through the water supply check valve <NUM>. The drainage tank <NUM> may receive condensed water through the drainage check valve <NUM>, and may discharge condensed water through the water hole <NUM>.

That is, the drainage check valve <NUM> of the drainage tank <NUM> may be disposed in a channel for receiving condensed water, not for discharging condensed water.

Unlike this embodiment, condensed water may fall into the drainage tank <NUM> through the water hole <NUM>. In addition, condensed water may be automatically discharged through the drainage check valve <NUM>.

Water that is condensed in the treatment chamber <NUM> and water that is condensed in the heat pump unit <NUM> are stored in the drainage tank <NUM>.

A float installation part <NUM>, at which the float cabinet <NUM> is installed, is formed in the drainage tank <NUM>.

The float installation part <NUM> may be located at a height in the drainage tank <NUM> at which overflow does not occur even when an amount of condensed water that is generated during one cycle is stored therein.

That is, the float installation part <NUM> is located at a height in the drainage tank <NUM> at which overflow does not occur even when an amount of condensed water that is generated during one cycle is stored in the drainage tank <NUM>.

When a drainage level sensor <NUM> of the drainage tank <NUM> senses a signal during the operation of the clothes treatment apparatus, therefore, the water in the drainage tank <NUM> does not overflow due to the condensed water that is additionally stored in the drainage tank <NUM>.

The drainage level sensor <NUM> of the drainage tank <NUM> is located higher than the water supply level sensor <NUM> in the water supply tank <NUM>.

The drainage level sensor <NUM> of the drainage tank <NUM> is identical in construction to the water supply level sensor <NUM> of the water supply tank <NUM>. However, the drainage level sensor <NUM> of the drainage tank <NUM> is operated differently from the water supply level sensor <NUM> of the water supply tank <NUM>.

For example, the sensor <NUM> of the drainage tank <NUM> does not sense the float <NUM> in a normal state. When the level of condensed water rises, the sensor <NUM> of the drainage tank <NUM> senses the float <NUM>, which has been raised by buoyancy.

When the sensor <NUM> of the drainage tank <NUM> senses the float <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> outputs a water drainage signal. When the water drainage signal is output, however, the overflow of condensed water does not occur during a cycle that is currently being performed.

As is apparent from the above description, the clothes treatment apparatus according to the present invention has the following effects.

It is possible to directly sense the amount of water stored in the water supply tank instead of estimating the amount of water stored in the water supply tank.

It is possible to sense the level of water stored in the water supply tank without delay.

It is possible to directly sense the level of water stored in the drainage tank without delay, thereby preventing water from overflowing the drainage tank.

In the clothes treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the water supply level sensor is installed at the level of water that is required to generate enough steam for at least one cycle. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the supply of water from being interrupted while steam is being generated.

In the clothes treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the drainage level sensor is installed at the level of water at which it is possible to store all of the water that is condensed during at least one cycle. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the condensed water from overflowing the drainage tank, or it is not necessary to drain the condensed water from the drainage tank, during the operation of the clothes treatment apparatus.

Claim 1:
A clothes treatment apparatus comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) partitioned into a treatment chamber (<NUM>) for allowing clothes to be hung therein, a cycle chamber (<NUM>) for allowing machinery to be installed therein, and a tank installation space (<NUM>) configured to allow a water supply tank (<NUM>) and a drainage tank (<NUM>) to be disposed therein;
a door (<NUM>) for opening and closing the cabinet (<NUM>);
a steam unit (<NUM>) disposed in the cycle chamber (<NUM>) for supplying steam into the treatment chamber (<NUM>);
a heat pump unit (<NUM>) disposed in the cycle chamber (<NUM>) for circulating air in the treatment chamber (<NUM>) and conditioning the air that is circulated;
a control unit (<NUM>) controlling at least one of the steam unit (<NUM>) or the heat pump unit (<NUM>);
a water supply level sensor (<NUM>) configured to sense a level of water stored in the water supply tank (<NUM>); and
a drainage level sensor (<NUM>) configured to sense a level of water stored in the drainage tank (<NUM>),
wherein the water supply tank (<NUM>) is separably installed in the tank installation space (<NUM>), and is connected to the steam unit (<NUM>), and is configured to supply water to the steam unit (<NUM>), and
wherein the drainage tank (<NUM>) is separably installed in the tank installation space (<NUM>), configured to store condensed water generated in at least one selected from between the treatment chamber (<NUM>) and the heat pump unit (<NUM>),
characterized in that
wherein the water supply level sensor (<NUM>) comprises:
a float case (<NUM>) fixed in the water supply tank (<NUM>);
a float (<NUM>) installed in the float case (<NUM>) such that the float (<NUM>) is movable upward and downward in the float case (<NUM>) by buoyancy depending on the level of water stored in the water supply tank (<NUM>); and
a sensor (<NUM>) installed at the cabinet (<NUM>) and configured for sensing a magnetic force of the float (<NUM>), and configured to fail to sense the float (<NUM>) when the float (<NUM>) moves lower than a minimum level of water stored in the water supply tank,
wherein the minimum level is a water level at which it is possible to supply an amount of steam corresponding to one cycle,
wherein when the float (<NUM>) moves lower than the sensor (<NUM>) and the sensor (<NUM>) fails to sense the float (<NUM>) during a cycle being performed, the control unit (<NUM>) outputs a water deficiency signal and controls the steam unit (<NUM>) to complete the cycle.