Patent Description:
Generally, a laundry treatment apparatus is understood to include an apparatus adapted to wash laundry, an apparatus adapted to dry laundry, and an apparatus adapted to perform both washing and drying of laundry.

A front-loading laundry treatment apparatus (also called a drum washing machine) is constructed to allow laundry to be put into the apparatus from the front of the apparatus and has an introduction port through which laundry can be put into the apparatus. Since the front-loading laundry treatment apparatus has an introduction port positioned at a level lower than a user's waist, use of the apparatus is inconvenient in that a user has to stoop when the user puts laundry into the apparatus or takes laundry out of the apparatus.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, among conventional laundry treatment apparatuses, a laundry treatment apparatus in which a support platform is additionally provided at a front-loading laundry treatment apparatus has been proposed.

However, the support platform provided at the conventional laundry treatment apparatus is merely intended to raise the height of an introduction port and cannot perform a function of laundry treatment such as washing or drying of laundry.

The documents of the prior art <CIT> and <CIT> disclose each a laundry treatment apparatus with an accommodation unit disposed in a drawer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which is detachably coupled to another laundry treatment apparatus to perform functions of washing or/and drying of laundry.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which is constructed to enable washing water to be easily supplied to or discharged from an accommodation unit retractably provided at a cabinet to accommodate laundry.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of condensing moisture discharged from the accommodation unit and returning the condensed water to the accommodation unit.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus capable of preventing washing water from remaining in a discharge unit serving to discharge washing water contained in an accommodation unit.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a laundry treatment apparatus is provided as specified by the independent claim.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the subject matter as claimed.

Hereinafter, a laundry treatment apparatus is described that includes both a first treatment apparatus T and a second treatment apparatus L.

<FIG> illustrates an example laundry treatment apparatus <NUM>. The first treatment apparatus T may include a first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM> defining an exterior appearance, a first treatment apparatus tub (not shown) disposed in the first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM> to contain washing water therein, a first treatment apparatus drum (not shown) rotatably disposed in the first treatment apparatus tub to contain laundry, a first treatment apparatus water supply unit (not shown) for supplying washing water to the first treatment apparatus tub, and a first treatment apparatus water discharge unit (not shown) for discharging washing water contained in the first treatment apparatus tub to the outside of the first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM>.

The first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM> includes a first treatment apparatus introduction port (not shown) through which laundry is put into the cabinet <NUM> or taken out of the cabinet <NUM>. The first treatment apparatus introduction port is opened and closed by a first treatment apparatus door <NUM> hinged to the first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM>.

The first treatment apparatus tub includes a first treatment apparatus tub introduction port communicating with the first treatment apparatus introduction port, and thus a user can put laundry into the first treatment apparatus drum upon opening of the first treatment apparatus door <NUM>.

When the first treatment apparatus T is designed to also perform a function of drying of laundry, the first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM> has to be provided therein with a hot air supply unit (not shown) for supplying hot air to the first treatment apparatus tub.

The hot air supply unit (not shown) may include a circulation duct for circulating air in the first treatment apparatus tub, and a heat exchange unit disposed at the circulation duct to dehumidify and heat the air discharged from the first treatment apparatus tub.

Alternatively, the hot air supply unit (not shown) may also include a discharge duct for discharging air in the first treatment apparatus tub to the outside of the first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM>, a supply duct for supplying air outside the first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM> to the first treatment apparatus tub, and a heat exchange unit disposed at the supply duct.

Unlike the above construction, if the first treatment apparatus T is designed to perform a function of drying of laundry, the first treatment apparatus may not need the first treatment apparatus tub. In this case, the hot air supply unit has to supply hot air to the first treatment apparatus drum provided in the first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM>.

The second treatment apparatus L incorporated in the laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet <NUM> detachably provided at the first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM>, a drawer <NUM> disposed in the cabinet <NUM> to be retractable therefrom, and an accommodation unit <NUM>-<NUM> disposed in the drawer <NUM> and serving as a treatment space of laundry. In some examples, the accommodation unit <NUM>-<NUM> may include a tub <NUM> and a drum <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM>, which defines an exterior appearance of the second treatment apparatus L, may support the first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM>. Unlike the cabinet shown in <FIG>, the cabinet <NUM> provided at the second treatment apparatus may be detachably provided at an upper surface or a side surface of the first treatment apparatus cabinet <NUM>.

However, since a height of the first treatment apparatus door <NUM> is increased when the second treatment apparatus L is positioned under the first treatment apparatus T, it is convenient for a user to put laundry into the treatment apparatus or to take laundry out of the treatment apparatus.

The cabinet <NUM> includes an open surface <NUM> such that the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM> through the open surface <NUM> or is accommodated in the cabinet <NUM>. When the second treatment apparatus L is provided at a bottom surface of the first treatment apparatus T, the first treatment apparatus T is supported by an upper panel <NUM> (see <FIG>) and the open surface <NUM> may be disposed at a side (a front side of the first treatment apparatus T) at which the first treatment apparatus door <NUM> is positioned.

As shown in <FIG>, the drawer <NUM> includes a drawer body <NUM> having an open upper surface, and a drawer cover <NUM> disposed at the open upper surface of the drawer body <NUM>.

The drawer body <NUM> may be configured to have a hexahedral shape having a hollow cavity defined therein. The drawer cover <NUM> is fixed to the drawer body <NUM> to define the upper surface of the drawer body <NUM>.

The drawer body <NUM> is provided at a front surface thereof with a drawer panel <NUM>. The drawer panel <NUM> may include a handle (not shown). In this case, a user can draw the drawer body <NUM> disposed in the cabinet <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM> using the handle.

The drawer panel <NUM> may include a control panel <NUM> for controlling operation of the second treatment apparatus L. The control panel <NUM> serves to allow a user to input control commands for control of units for supplying washing water to the accommodation unit <NUM>-<NUM> and discharging the washing water from the accommodation unit <NUM>-<NUM>, a unit for rotating laundry, units for supplying steam or hot air to laundry and the like.

The control panel <NUM> may also serve to allow a user to check control commands input by a user and to display an execution state of the control commands input by the user.

The drawer cover <NUM> may be provided with an introduction opening <NUM> formed through the drawer cover <NUM> to communicate the inside of the drawer body <NUM> with the outside of the drawer body <NUM>, and a water supply opening <NUM> formed through the drawer cover <NUM> to guide washing water to the accommodation unit <NUM>-<NUM>.

The accommodation unit <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the drawer <NUM> may include a tub <NUM> provided in the drawer body <NUM> to provide a space for containing washing water, and a drum <NUM> rotatably provided in the tub <NUM> to contain laundry.

The tub <NUM> may include a tub body <NUM> having a space for containing washing water and having an open upper surface, and a tub cover <NUM> fixed to the upper surface of the tub body <NUM>. The drum <NUM> may be configured to have a cylindrical shape having an open upper surface.

As shown in <FIG>, the drum <NUM> may be rotatable in the tub body <NUM> by means of a driving unit provided outside the tub body <NUM>. The driving unit may include a stator M1 fixed to the tub body <NUM> to generate a rotating magnetic field, a rotor M2 which is rotated by the rotating magnetic field, and a driving shaft M3 extending through the tub body <NUM> and connecting the drum <NUM> to the rotor M2.

The drum <NUM> includes drum through holes <NUM> formed at an outer circumferential surface thereof to communicate the inside of the drum <NUM> with the inside of the tub body <NUM>.

The tub body <NUM> is held in the drawer body <NUM> by means of tub supports D.

Each of the tub supports D may include a drawer connecting portion D1, a tub connecting portion D3, and a rod D5 connecting the tub connecting portion D3 to the drawer connecting portion D1.

Here, the drawer body <NUM> may be provided with a first bracket <NUM> for supporting the drawer connecting portion D1, and the tub body <NUM> may be provided at an outer circumferential surface thereof with a second bracket <NUM> supported by the tub connecting portion D3.

The first bracket <NUM> may protrude toward the center of the drawer body <NUM> from an inner surface of the drawer body <NUM>, and the second bracket <NUM> may protrude toward the inner surface of the drawer body <NUM> from the outer circumferential surface of the tub body <NUM>.

The tub cover <NUM> includes a cover body <NUM> defining an upper surface of the tub body <NUM>, and a tub introduction port <NUM> formed through the cover body <NUM> to communicate the introduction opening <NUM> with the drum <NUM>.

The tub introduction port <NUM> is provided with a door <NUM> hinged to the cover body <NUM>.

The door <NUM> is coupled to the cover body <NUM> of the tub cover <NUM> by means of a hinge (not shown). The introduction opening <NUM> is positioned over the tub introduction port <NUM>. The door <NUM> or the tub introduction port <NUM> has a smaller size than that of the introduction opening <NUM>. Accordingly, even though the tub introduction port <NUM> is positioned below the drawer cover <NUM>, the tub introduction port <NUM> may be opened and closed by the door <NUM>.

Particularly, the outer circumferential surface of the door may be spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the introduction opening <NUM> by predetermined distances X1 and X2 in order to avoid a problem that the door <NUM> cannot be opened because of interference between the door <NUM> and the introduction opening <NUM> caused by geometric tolerance or positional tolerance.

The door <NUM> may be provided with a door handle <NUM> which detachably secures the door <NUM> to the drawer cover <NUM> or the cover body <NUM> of the tub cover <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may be provided with a sealing unit <NUM> for mitigating or preventing washing water from leaking through the tub introduction port <NUM>.

The sealing unit <NUM> may include a sealing body <NUM> fixed to a lower surface of the door <NUM>, which is fitted in the tub introduction port <NUM> upon closing the tub introduction port <NUM>, and first and second protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> protruding from the sealing body <NUM>.

The first protrusion <NUM> protrudes toward the inner circumferential surface of the tub introduction port <NUM> from the outer circumferential surface of the sealing body <NUM>. The first protrusion <NUM> may have a length sufficient to contact the inner circumferential surface of the tub introduction port <NUM> when the tub introduction port <NUM> is closed by the door <NUM>.

The first protrusion <NUM> may include two or more protrusions provided at the sealing body <NUM>. The two or more first protrusions <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval.

The second protrusion <NUM> may protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the sealing body <NUM> so as to close the tub introduction port <NUM> when the tub introduction port <NUM> is closed by the door <NUM>. In other words, the second protrusion <NUM> must have a length sufficient to contact the upper surface of the cover body <NUM> when the tub introduction port <NUM> is closed by the door <NUM>.

Although the sealing unit <NUM> may be made of any materials so long as it can seal the tub introduction port <NUM> when the tub introduction port <NUM> is closed by the door <NUM>, as an example, the sealing unit <NUM> may made of an elastic material such as rubber.

As shown in <FIG>, the cover body <NUM>, which defines the upper surface of the tub body <NUM>, includes a fitting rib <NUM> fitted in the inner circumferential surface of the tub body <NUM>. The fitting rib <NUM> may be provided with an inclined portion <NUM> for guiding washing water in the tub body <NUM> into the drum <NUM>.

The drum <NUM> disposed in the tub body <NUM> is configured to have a cylindrical shape having an open upper surface. The drum <NUM> includes drum through holes <NUM> which are formed at an outer circumferential surface thereof to communicate the inside of the drum <NUM> with the inside of the tub body <NUM>.

In this example, when the drum <NUM> rotates, washing water contained in the tub body <NUM> may rise to the tub cover <NUM> from the bottom surface of the tub body <NUM> while rotating along the inner circumferential surface of the tub body <NUM>. At this time, the inclined portion <NUM> serves to guide washing water having moved to the tub cover <NUM> from the bottom surface of the tub body <NUM>, toward the upper surface of the drum <NUM>.

When the washing water is again supplied to the drum <NUM> through the upper surface of the drum <NUM>, washing water can strike laundry contained in the drum <NUM>. Consequently, the laundry treatment apparatus can improve washing performance by virtue of the inclined portion <NUM>.

The cover body <NUM> of the tub cover <NUM> includes a through hole <NUM> which is disposed under the water supply opening <NUM> formed through the drawer cover <NUM> to guide washing water introduced to the water supply opening <NUM> to the drum <NUM>.

Since the tub <NUM> is fixedly disposed in the drawer <NUM>, a position of the through hole <NUM> that passes through the tub cover <NUM> is theoretically considered to be fixed under the water supply opening <NUM> that passes through drawer cover <NUM> (it is considered that significant relative movement between the through hole and the water supply hole does not occur). Accordingly, it is also possible to supply washing water to the tub <NUM> through the water supply opening <NUM> and through a connection to the through hole <NUM>. The connection between the through hole <NUM> and the water supply opening <NUM>, may have a flexible hose or a bellows hose or may be made of an elastic material.

In some cases, the connection between the through hole <NUM> and the water supply opening <NUM> may be a separate intermediate connecting member, such as a pipe. In such cases, the water supply opening <NUM> may be configured to connect with a water supply pipe <NUM> that provides water to the tub <NUM>. As such, water may be supplied from the water supply pipe <NUM> through the water supply opening <NUM> in the drawer cover <NUM>, through the intermediate connecting member, and through the tub cover <NUM> via the through hole <NUM>.

In some cases, there may be no separate intermediate connecting member, and instead the connection between the through hole <NUM> and the water supply opening <NUM> may be part of the water supply pipe <NUM> itself. For example, the water supply pipe <NUM> may be configured with an end portion that extends into the inside of the drawer through the water supply opening <NUM> and is directly connected to the through hole <NUM> of the tub cover <NUM>.

In this case, the water supply pipe <NUM> may have an end portion that is an elastic or flexible structure in at least a portion thereof. The end portion of the water supply pipe <NUM>, which has the flexible or elastic structure, may be positioned between the through hole <NUM> and the drawer cover <NUM> (the upper surface of the drawer).

In some scenarios, the connection between the through hole <NUM> and the water supply opening <NUM> may vibrate significantly when vibration generated during rotation of the drum <NUM> is transmitted to the tub body <NUM>. In this case, problems may arise with the durability of the connection becoming deteriorated such that the laundry treatment apparatus may be configured with a structure for attenuating vibration of the connection. Alternatively, in some examples, washing water may be supplied to the tub <NUM> by positioning the through hole <NUM> under the water supply opening <NUM> without using a connection between the through hole <NUM> and the water supply opening <NUM>.

In such cases in which there is no physical connection between the through hole <NUM> and the water supply opening <NUM>, when hot water is supplied to the tub body <NUM> or steam is supplied to the tub body <NUM> from a steam generation device (not shown), there may arise a problem that moisture (water, mist, steam, etc.) in the tub body <NUM> is discharged into the cabinet <NUM> through an open gap formed between the through hole <NUM> and the water supply opening <NUM>.

Specifically, when moisture or heat in the tub body <NUM> is discharged in to the cabinet <NUM> through the through hole <NUM>, washing performance may be deteriorated and devices (electronic devices) disposed in the cabinet <NUM> may fail or corrode. Accordingly, in cases where there is no physical connection between the through hole <NUM> and the water supply opening <NUM>, the laundry treatment apparatus may further include a recovery unit for minimizing moisture that is discharged from the tub body <NUM> into the cabinet <NUM> through the through hole <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the recovery unit <NUM> incorporated in the laundry treatment apparatus may include a first recovery part <NUM> provided at the drawer cover <NUM> and contacting moisture discharged from the through hole <NUM>, and a second recovery part <NUM> for guiding moisture supplied from the first recovery part <NUM> to the through hole <NUM>.

The second recovery part <NUM> may include a recovery body <NUM> protruding toward the first recovery part <NUM> from the upper surface of the tub cover <NUM>, and a body through hole <NUM> formed through the recovery body <NUM> and communicating with the through hole <NUM>.

The first recovery part <NUM> may be configured to have any shape so long as it can guide moisture discharged from the through hole <NUM> to the second recovery part <NUM>.

Specifically, the first recovery part <NUM> may be configured into a flat or curved board shape protruding toward the second recovery part <NUM> from the drawer cover <NUM>, and may also be configured into a hollow bar shape having an open surface facing the second recovery part <NUM>. Or the first recovery part can be configured to have a plurality of concentric protrusions from the first recovery part that are spaced apart in a radial direction and that define a plurality of walls of the first recovery part.

When the first recovery part <NUM> is configured into the hollow bar shape, the hollow bar may be variously configured. <FIG> illustrates an example in which the hollow bar is configured into a cylindrical shape.

When the first recovery part <NUM> is configured into the flat board, the first recovery part <NUM> may be positioned in the body through hole <NUM>.

In other words, when the first recovery part <NUM> includes a plurality of boards, the plurality of boards may be positioned in a space which is defined by projection of the through hole <NUM> to the drawer cover <NUM> (through hole projection space) in order to supply moisture (water or condensed water) falls toward the second recovery part <NUM> from the plurality of boards to the through hole <NUM> through the body through hole <NUM>.

Meanwhile, when the first recovery part <NUM> includes a plurality of hollow bars, the hollow bars may be positioned in the through hole projection space.

Specifically, when the plurality of hollow bars are arranged to have the same center, the hollow bar having the largest surface area has to be positioned in the through hole projection space. However, the plurality of hollow bars are not arranged to have the same center, the space defined by the plurality of hollow bars has to be positioned in the through hole projection space.

The first recovery part <NUM> may be configured so as to not interfere with the water supply opening <NUM> regardless of the shaped of the first recovery part <NUM>. Furthermore, the free ends of the first recovery part <NUM> may be configured so as to not interfere with the free end of the recovery body <NUM>.

This prevents a problem that the first recovery part <NUM> collides with the recovery body <NUM> owing to vibration transmitted to the tub body <NUM> during rotation of the drum <NUM> and thus the first recovery part <NUM> or the second recovery part <NUM> is broken.

The first recovery part <NUM> may be made of any materials so long as the first recovery part <NUM> is constituted by means for mitigating or preventing water discharged from the tub <NUM> from spreading in the drawer <NUM> (for guiding water discharged from the tub <NUM> to the second recovery part).

When the first recovery part <NUM> is constituted by means for condensing moisture discharged from the tub <NUM> (exchanging heat with moisture discharged from the tub <NUM>) and guiding the condensed water to the second recovery part, the first recovery part <NUM> may be made of a metal material. In this case, the second recovery part <NUM> may be made of an elastic material.

The recovery unit <NUM> may further include the following components in order to increase recovered amount and condensed amount of moisture.

Specifically, the tub cover <NUM> may further include a reception recess <NUM> formed at the cover body <NUM> to be concave and at which the through hole <NUM> is positioned. The second recovery part <NUM> may further include a body flange <NUM> protruding from an outer surface of the recovery body <NUM> and positioned over the reception recess <NUM>, and a flange through hole <NUM> formed through the body flange <NUM>.

Here, the first recovery part <NUM> may be positioned in a space which is defined by projection of the body flange <NUM> to the drawer cover <NUM> (flange projection space).

In other words, when the first recovery part <NUM> is constituted by a board, the first recovery part <NUM> may protrude toward the recovery body <NUM> from the drawer cover <NUM> such that the first recovery part <NUM> is positioned in the flange projection space.

Meanwhile, when the first recovery part <NUM> is constituted by a plurality of hollow bars, the plurality of hollow bars may be positioned in the flange projection space.

If the plurality of hollow bars are arranged so as not to have the same center, it is no problem that a range defined by connection of hollow bars positioned at the periphery is positioned in the flange projection space.

However, when the plurality of hollow bars are constituted by cylinders having the same center, the hollow bar having the greatest diameter may be positioned in the flange projection space positioned outside the through hole projection space and the hollow bar having the smallest diameter may be positioned in the through hole projection space.

If the plurality of hollow bars have the same center but do not have the cylindrical shape, the hollow bar having the greatest surface area may be positioned in the flange projection space and the hollow bar having the smallest surface area may be positioned in the through hole projection space.

When the first recovery part <NUM> is constituted by a plurality of hollow bars having the same center, the centers of the respective hollow bars may be positioned at the water supply opening <NUM>. In this case, distances between the respective hollow bars may be regular or irregular.

Since the first recovery part <NUM> is held by the drawer cover <NUM> and the drawer cover <NUM> may exchange heat with outside air (e.g., in a continuous manner), the surface temperature of the first recovery part <NUM> can be maintained to be lower than the temperature of air discharged from the through hole <NUM>.

Furthermore, when the first recovery part <NUM> is provided near the water supply opening <NUM>, the first recovery part <NUM> may further decrease in surface temperature by directly exchanging heat with cool water supplied through the water supply opening <NUM> or outside air introduced through an area around the water supply opening <NUM>, thus improving cooling performance of the first recovery part <NUM>.

The recovery unit <NUM> has to further include a recovery hole <NUM> for guiding moisture introduced into the reception recess <NUM> through the flange through hole <NUM> to the through hole <NUM>.

When the reception recess <NUM> is provided with a support pipe <NUM> that protrudes toward the first recovery part <NUM> to support a lower surface of the recovery body <NUM>, the recovery hole <NUM> may be formed through the support pipe <NUM>. However, when the recovery body <NUM> is directly fixed to a circumferential surface of the through hole <NUM>, the recovery hole <NUM> has to be formed through the recovery body <NUM>.

In any case, the inner surface of the reception recess <NUM> may be inclined such that condensed water in the reception recess <NUM> flows toward the recovery hole <NUM>.

Although the laundry treatment apparatus has been described in connection with examples in which the recovery unit <NUM> includes both the first recovery part <NUM> and the second recovery part <NUM>, the recovery unit <NUM> may include only the first recovery part <NUM> positioned over the through hole <NUM>.

The reason is because steam discharged from the through hole <NUM> will be condensed on a surface of the first recovery part <NUM> and then introduced into the through hole <NUM> by gravity, and water discharged from the through hole <NUM> will come into contact with the surface of the first recovery part <NUM> and then will be introduced into the through hole <NUM> by gravity.

For coupling of the tub cover <NUM> to the tub body <NUM>, the tub cover <NUM> may further include a first fitting groove <NUM> having a larger diameter than that of the fitting rib <NUM>, and a second fitting groove <NUM> positioned between the first fitting groove <NUM> and the fitting rib <NUM>.

In this case, the upper end of the tub body <NUM> may be fitted in the second fitting groove <NUM> and a fitting member <NUM>-<NUM> provided at an outer circumferential surface of the tub body <NUM> may be fitted in the first fitting groove <NUM>.

The fitting member may include a first fitting member body <NUM> protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the tub body <NUM> outward, and a second fitting member body <NUM> protruding toward the tub cover <NUM> from the first body <NUM> and fitted in the second fitting groove <NUM>.

In addition, the tub cover <NUM> may further include a fitting groove partition <NUM> for discriminating the first fitting groove <NUM> from the second fitting groove <NUM>. The fitting groove partition <NUM> is fitted in a groove formed between the second fitting member body <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the tub body <NUM>.

In some examples, as a consequence of the above coupling structure between the tub body <NUM> and the tub cover <NUM>, the laundry treatment apparatus can reduce or minimize washing water or steam outwardly leaking through between the tub body <NUM> and the tub cover <NUM> from the tub body <NUM>.

Unlike the above structure, the fitting member <NUM>-<NUM> may be positioned in the tub body <NUM>. In other words, the second fitting member body <NUM> may have a smaller diameter than that of the tub body <NUM>.

In this case, the second fitting member body <NUM> may be fitted in the second fitting groove <NUM> and the upper end of the tub body <NUM> may be fitted in the first fitting groove <NUM>.

The laundry treatment apparatus, which is constructed as described above, supplies washing water into the tub body <NUM> through a water supply channel, and discharges the washing water in the tub body <NUM> to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> through a water discharge channel.

As shown in <FIG>, the water discharge channel has to be constructed to connect a discharge unit F fixed to the drawer <NUM> to a rear panel <NUM>, and the water supply channel has to be constructed to connect the water supply opening <NUM> provided at the drawer <NUM> to a water supply source positioned outside the cabinet <NUM> through a supply unit V.

Accordingly, if the water supply channel and the water discharge channel are merely constituted by a water supply pipe <NUM> (capable of being fixed to the water supply opening <NUM> by a holder <NUM>) connecting the supply unit V to the water supply opening <NUM> and a water discharge pipe <NUM> connecting the water discharge unit F to the rear panel <NUM>, respectively, and means for guiding movement of the water supply pipe <NUM> and the water discharge pipe <NUM> is not provided in the cabinet <NUM>, there is a risk of the water supply pipe <NUM> or the water discharge pipe <NUM> becoming entangled or broken when the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM> or is pushed into the cabinet <NUM>.

In order to avoid such risk, the laundry treatment apparatus <NUM> further include a guider provided in the cabinet <NUM> to guide movement of the water supply channel.

The discharge unit F may be constituted by a pump fixed to the drawer body <NUM>. The pump may include a housing F1 fixed to the drawer body <NUM> to contain washing water, and a motor F2 for rotating an impeller disposed in the housing F1.

The housing F1 is connected to the tub body via a housing introduction part F3 and connected to the water discharge pipe <NUM> via a first housing water discharge part F4. Accordingly, when the impeller is rotated by the motor F2, washing water contained in the tub body <NUM> is introduced into the housing F1 through the housing introduction part F3 and then introduced into the water discharge pipe <NUM> through the first discharge part F4.

The supply unit V may be constituted by a valve connected to the water supply source. However, if there are first and second water supply sources provided outside of the cabinet <NUM> to supply washing water of different temperatures, the supply unit V according to present invention will be constituted by first and second valves connected to the respective water supply sources.

The guider <NUM> constituting the laundry treatment apparatus includes a body <NUM> rotatably provided in the cabinet to support the water supply pipe <NUM>, and a body guider <NUM> secured in the cabinet <NUM> to guide movement of the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> is constructed to be rotatably supported by a support <NUM> fixed to the cabinet <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

Although the support <NUM> may be fixed at any position on the inner surface of the cabinet <NUM>, the support <NUM> should be constructed so as not to interfere with the drawer <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> is pushed into the cabinet <NUM>.

The body <NUM> includes a bar-shaped base <NUM>, a base rotating shaft <NUM> for rotatably connecting the base <NUM> to the support <NUM>. The body <NUM> may include an accommodation space <NUM> provided at the base <NUM> to accommodate the water supply pipe <NUM>.

The accommodation space <NUM> is defined by a first flange <NUM> and a second flange <NUM> which are longitudinally formed at both sides of the base <NUM> and protrude therefrom to face each other.

The water supply pipe <NUM> disposed in the accommodation space <NUM> cannot be separated from the accommodation space <NUM> by means of a cover <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example in which the cover <NUM> is constructed to connect the free end of the first flange <NUM> to the free end of the second flange <NUM>.

The body guider <NUM> may be constructed into any shape so long as it can support the base <NUM> when the body <NUM> rotates about the base rotating shaft <NUM>. However, when the base <NUM> is constructed into a bar shape, the free end of the base <NUM> moves along an arcuate orbit and thus the body guider <NUM> is constructed into an arcuate shape.

The body guider <NUM> may be positioned under the body <NUM> to support the base <NUM>, and may also be positioned over the body <NUM> or at the same level as that of the body <NUM>.

If the guider <NUM> is positioned to support the lower surface of the base <NUM>, there is no need for a guider holder unit <NUM>-<NUM>. Meanwhile, if the body guider <NUM> is positioned over the body <NUM> or at the same level as that of the body <NUM>, the guider <NUM> may be provided with the guider holder unit <NUM>-<NUM>.

When the body guider <NUM> is constructed to support the lower surface of the base <NUM>, the body guider <NUM> should not interfere with the drawer <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> is pushed into the cabinet <NUM>. To this end, the body guider <NUM> may be constructed to extend toward the lower surface of the base <NUM> from the support <NUM> and to have an arcuate shape.

When the body guider is positioned over the body <NUM> or at the same level as that of the body <NUM>, the body guider <NUM> may be fixed to any position on the inner surface of the cabinet <NUM> so long as it does not interfere with movement of the drawer <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which the body guider <NUM> is fixed to an upper panel <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. In this case, the body guider <NUM> may be further provided with an attaching flange <NUM> which is attached to the upper panel <NUM> by means of fastening elements (such as screws) for fastening the body guider <NUM> to the upper panel <NUM>.

The guider holder unit, which enables the body <NUM> to be rotated by guide of the body guider <NUM>, may include a first guider holder <NUM> provided at the body <NUM>, and a second guider holder <NUM> provided at the body guider <NUM> in a longitudinal direction and to which the first guider holder <NUM> is movably coupled.

When the body guider <NUM> is constructed to support the free end of the body <NUM>, the first guider holder <NUM> may be embodied as a hook protruding from the cover <NUM>.

In this case, the second guider holder <NUM> may be constituted by a protruding rail that is formed at the body guider <NUM> in a longitudinal direction, and may also be constituted by a groove that is formed at the body guider <NUM> in a longitudinal direction by bending the body guider <NUM>.

The body guider <NUM> may be constructed to support a portion other than the free end of the body <NUM>. In this case, the first guider holder <NUM> may be provided at at least one of the first flange <NUM> and the second flange <NUM>, and the second guider holder <NUM> may be longitudinally formed along the body guider <NUM> disposed over the body <NUM> to support the first guider holder <NUM>.

Since the body <NUM> constituting the guider <NUM> is rotatably provided over the drawer cover <NUM> and the body guider <NUM> is positioned over the body <NUM> or at the same level as that of the body <NUM>, the drawer <NUM> does not interfere with the guider <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from or pushed into the cabinet <NUM>. As a result, the laundry treatment apparatus can mitigate or prevent the water supply pipe <NUM> from being entangled with the drawer <NUM> or from being broken by the drawer <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from or pushed into the cabinet <NUM>.

The water discharge pipe <NUM> incorporated in the laundry treatment apparatus is supported by a water discharge pipe guider <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the water discharge pipe guider <NUM> may include a first frame <NUM> rotatably provided at the drawer <NUM> to support a portion of the water discharge pipe <NUM>, a second frame <NUM> rotatably provided at the cabinet <NUM> to support a portion of the water discharge pipe <NUM>, and a frame rotating shaft <NUM> rotatably connecting the first frame <NUM> to the second frame <NUM>.

The first frame <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the drawer <NUM> by a first shaft <NUM> coupled to a first frame support <NUM> fixed to the rear surface of the drawer body <NUM>, and the second frame <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the cabinet <NUM> by a second shaft <NUM> coupled to a second frame support <NUM> fixed to the rear panel <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>.

The free end of the first frame <NUM> and the free end of the second frame <NUM> are connected to each other through the frame rotating shaft <NUM>.

The second frame support <NUM> is provided with a discharge pipe <NUM> extending through the rear panel <NUM>. The discharge pipe <NUM> may be connected to a sewage outlet through a drainpipe F7. In this case, the discharge pipe <NUM> is intended to connect a first housing discharge part F4 to the discharge pipe <NUM> and is supported by the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>, the second frame <NUM> is rotated clockwise about the second shaft <NUM> and the first frame <NUM> is rotated counterclockwise about the first shaft <NUM> while maintaining the state of being connected to the second frame <NUM> through the frame rotating shaft <NUM>. As a result, the laundry treatment apparatus can mitigate or prevent from the water discharge pipe <NUM> from being entangled with the drawer <NUM> or the water supply pipe <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from or pushed into the cabinet <NUM>.

In the laundry treatment apparatus having only the above structure, washing water in the tub body <NUM> may be discharged by the siphon effect upon activation of the motor F2.

When the siphon effect occurs, it may be advantageous if washing water does not remain in the tub body <NUM> or the water discharge pipe <NUM>. However, foul odors generated from the sewage outlet may be introduced into the tub body <NUM> through the drainpipe F7. Furthermore, when washing water is supplied to the tub body <NUM> before completion of discharge of washing water, there is a risk of even washing water introduced to the tub body <NUM> becoming discharged.

Accordingly, the laundry treatment apparatus may further include a communication pipe <NUM> for mitigating or preventing the siphon effect by the water discharge pipe <NUM>. The communication pipe <NUM> may be constructed to connect the water supply pipe <NUM> to the water supply pipe <NUM>.

In order to ensure that washing water supplied to the tub body <NUM> is not discharged to the outside of the tub body <NUM> through the water discharge pipe <NUM> even though the motor F2 provided at the discharge unit F is not operated, the discharge pipe <NUM> has to be positioned at a higher level than the maximum level of washing water contained in the tub body <NUM>.

Here, the water discharge pipe <NUM> extends to the discharge pipe <NUM> from the housing F1 of the pump positioned at a level lower than the discharge pipe <NUM>. When operation of the impeller is halted by deactivation of the motor F2, air in the drawer <NUM> is introduced into the water discharge pipe <NUM> through the communication pipe <NUM>, thus blocking the siphon effect. Consequently, the washing water will remain in the water discharge pipe <NUM>.

When washing water remains in the water discharge pipe <NUM>, it is possible to mitigate or prevent introduction of foul odor generated from a sewage outlet into the tub body <NUM> through the water discharge pipe <NUM> but there is a risk of the water discharge pipe <NUM> rupturing upon freezing in winter. Accordingly, there is a need to discharge even washing water in the water discharge pipe <NUM>. To this end, the laundry treatment apparatus may include a residual water discharge unit <NUM> if desired.

The residual water discharge unit <NUM> may include a residual water discharge tube <NUM> which communicates with the housing F1 of the discharge unit F and is exposed to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>.

A fixed end of the residual water discharge tube <NUM> may communicate with the housing F1 through the second discharge part F5, and a free end of the residual water pipe <NUM> may be detachably held by the drawer body <NUM>. The free end of the residual water discharge tube <NUM> is provided with a water discharge pipe opening and closing device <NUM> for opening and closing the residual water discharge tube <NUM>.

In order to hold the free end of the residual water discharge tube <NUM> on the drawer body <NUM>, the residual water discharge unit <NUM> may further include a water discharge pipe attachment <NUM> provided at the drawer body <NUM>.

The water discharge pipe attachment <NUM> is provided at the drawer body <NUM> such that it is positioned in the rear of the drawer panel <NUM> (near the open surface <NUM>).

Specifically, the water discharge pipe attachment <NUM> may include a fixed body <NUM> fixed to the drawer body <NUM> to be positioned between the rear surface of the drawer panel <NUM> and the introduction opening <NUM>, a fixed body through hole <NUM> formed through the fixed body <NUM>, and an entrance <NUM> formed at the fixed body <NUM> such that the fixed body through hole <NUM> communicates with the outside of the fixed body <NUM>.

The fixed body through hole <NUM> has a diameter equal to or larger than that of the residual water discharge tube <NUM>, and the entrance <NUM> has a width smaller than the diameter of the residual water discharge tube <NUM>.

As a result, a user can fit the residual water discharge tube <NUM> into the fixed body through hole <NUM> through the entrance <NUM>, or can take the residual water discharge tube <NUM> out of the fixed body <NUM>.

In order to mitigate or prevent the residual water discharge tube <NUM> from becoming entangled in the cabinet or interfering with components provided in the cabinet <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>, the drawer body <NUM> may further include a water discharge tube support <NUM> for mitigating or preventing the residual water discharge tube <NUM> from contacting the inner surface of the cabinet <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example in which the water discharge tube support <NUM> is provided at a lower position of the drawer body <NUM>.

Although not shown in the drawings, the laundry treatment apparatus may further include a hot air supply device (not shown) for supplying hot air to the tub <NUM> to dry laundry contained in the drum <NUM>. The hot air supply device may be provided at any of the first treatment apparatus T and the second treatment apparatus L.

Hereinafter, operation of the laundry treatment apparatus will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In order to put laundry into the accommodation unit <NUM>-<NUM> provided in the drawer <NUM>, a user has to withdraw the drawer body <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM> using the drawer panel <NUM>.

When the drawer body <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>, the body <NUM> is supported by the body guider <NUM> and is rotated in a drawing direction of the drawer body <NUM> about the base shaft <NUM>. Accordingly, the laundry treatment apparatus can mitigate or prevent the water supply pipe <NUM> from breaking when the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>.

When the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>, the second frame <NUM> is rotated clockwise about the second shaft <NUM> and the first frame <NUM> is rotated counterclockwise about the first shaft <NUM> while maintaining the state of being connected to the second frame <NUM> through the frame rotating shaft <NUM>. As a result, the laundry treatment apparatus can also mitigate or prevent breakage of the water discharge pipe <NUM> when the drawer <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>.

When the drawer body <NUM> is withdrawn from the cabinet <NUM>, the introduction opening <NUM> formed at the drawer cover <NUM> is exposed to the outside. As a result, a user can put laundry into the drum <NUM> positioned below the tub introduction port <NUM> by rotating the door <NUM> disposed in the introduction opening <NUM> to open the tub introduction port <NUM>.

When laundry is put into the drum <NUM>, a user closes the tub introduction port <NUM> by the door <NUM> and pushes the drawer <NUM> into the cabinet. At this time, the guider <NUM> and the water discharge pipe guider <NUM> mitigate or prevent the water discharge pipe <NUM> and the water discharge pipe from interfering with the components provided in the cabinet <NUM>, the drawer <NUM> and the like.

When a user inputs a control command for washing through the control panel <NUM> in the state in which the drawer <NUM> is disposed in the cabinet <NUM>, the valve provided at the supply unit V opens the water supply pipe <NUM>.

When washing water supplied from the water supply source is introduced into the water supply pipe <NUM>, the washing water is supplied to the drum <NUM> through the water supply opening <NUM> provided at the drawer cover <NUM> and the through hole <NUM> formed at the tub cover <NUM>.

Upon completion of supply of the washing water, the driving unit rotates the drum <NUM>. When the drum <NUM> rotates, washing water in the tub body <NUM> can rotate in the tub body <NUM>, together with the drum.

When washing water is rotated in the tub body <NUM> by the drum <NUM>, the washing water in the tub body <NUM> can move toward the tub cover <NUM> from the bottom surface of the tub body <NUM>. However, since the tub cover <NUM> is provided with the inclined portion <NUM>, the laundry treatment apparatus can again introduce washing water into the drum <NUM> through the open upper surface of the drum <NUM>.

Upon completion of washing, the control unit discharges washing water contained in the tub body <NUM>.

More specifically, the control unit supplies power to the motor F2 provided at the discharge unit F to transfer washing water in the tub body <NUM> to the water discharge pipe <NUM>. The washing water introduced into water discharge pipe <NUM> flows to a sewage outlet through the discharge pipe <NUM> and the drainpipe F7.

Since the water discharge pipe <NUM> is connected to the water supply pipe <NUM> through the communication pipe <NUM> and the water supply pipe <NUM> communicates with the drawer body <NUM> through the water supply opening <NUM>, when the control unit stops supply of power to the motor F2, air is supplied to the water discharge pipe <NUM>, thus eliminating the siphon effect.

Furthermore, since the water discharge pipe <NUM> is inclined to enable residual water in the water discharge pipe <NUM> to be moved to the housing F1, almost all of the residual water in the water discharge pipe <NUM> will be contained in the housing F1 of the discharge unit F.

If washing water is contained in the housing F1, it is possible to mitigate or prevent introduction of foul orders generated from a sewage outlet from being introduced into the tub body <NUM> through the water discharge channel and to mitigate or prevent breakage of the first water discharge pipe <NUM> in the case of decrease in outside temperature of the laundry treatment apparatus.

Furthermore, since the residual water discharge tube <NUM> is connected to the housing F1, even residual water in the housing F1 can be discharged if desired. However, in order to discharge residual water in the housing F1, a user has to withdraw the drawer <NUM> from the cabinet <NUM>.

Furthermore, when washing water supplied for laundry washing is hot water or steam is supplied to laundry after washing of laundry, moisture (water vapor or steam) supplied into the tub body <NUM> can be discharged to the outside of the tub body <NUM> through the through hole <NUM>.

The moisture, which has been discharged to the outside of the tub body <NUM> through the through hole <NUM>, is condensed on a surface of the first recovery part <NUM> provided over the through hole <NUM> and then falls to the secondary recovery part <NUM>. Therefore, the laundry treatment apparatus can minimize leakage of moisture in the tub body <NUM> into the drawer <NUM> or the cabinet <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example of the guider <NUM>. The guider <NUM> according to this example is discriminated from the guider <NUM> shown in <FIG> in that the water supply channel and the water discharge channel are supported by a single guider <NUM>.

The guider <NUM> according to this example also includes a body <NUM> which is also rotatably supported by the support <NUM>, and a body guider <NUM> for guiding movement of the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may include a base rotatably coupled to the support <NUM> through the base rotating shaft <NUM>, a partition <NUM> dividing the internal space of the base <NUM> into a first supply channel <NUM> and a first discharge channel <NUM>, and a cover <NUM> coupled to the base <NUM> to close the first supply channel <NUM> and the first discharge channel <NUM>.

The body <NUM> is supported by the body guider <NUM> through the guider holders <NUM> and <NUM>. Since the positional relationship between the body <NUM> and the body guider <NUM> and position and structure of the guider holders <NUM> and <NUM> are the same as described above, detailed description thereof is omitted.

In this example, the water supply channel constituting the laundry treatment apparatus may include a first supply channel <NUM> provided at the body <NUM>, a connecting pipe <NUM> connected between the first supply channel <NUM> and the supply unit V, and a water supply pipe <NUM> connected between the first supply channel <NUM> and the water supply opening <NUM> provided at the drawer. The water supply pipe <NUM> may be held at the water supply opening <NUM> by the holder <NUM> fixed to the drawer <NUM>.

The water discharge channel according to this example may include a first discharge channel <NUM> provided at the body <NUM>, a first water discharge pipe <NUM> connected between the first discharge channel <NUM> and the housing F1 of the discharge unit, and a second drainpipe <NUM> connected between the first discharge channel <NUM> and the drainpipe F7.

The second water discharge pipe <NUM> may be connected to the housing F1 through the first discharge unit F4 provided at the housing F1. The first water discharge pipe <NUM> and the second water discharge pipe <NUM> may be made of an elastic material (such as rubber), or may be constructed into a bellows capable of extending and contracting longitudinally.

The body <NUM> according to the example may be configured to have a cross-sectional shape as shown in <FIG> illustrates an example in which the body <NUM> positioned at an upper portion of the rear surface of the drawer <NUM> has a cross-sectional shape capable of accommodating an upper edge of the rear surface of the drawer <NUM>. Thanks to such configuration, the laundry treatment apparatus can maximize a volume of the drawer <NUM> while minimizing a volume of the cabinet <NUM>.

Specifically, the first supply channel <NUM> may be positioned at an upper portion of the drawer <NUM> to be parallel to the upper surface of the drawer <NUM> (the drawer cover <NUM>), and the first discharge channel <NUM> may be positioned at a rear portion of the drawer <NUM> to be parallel to the rear surface of the drawer <NUM>.

When the body <NUM> sags due to gravity or external force (vibration of the drawer), since the area of the body <NUM> at which the first supply channel <NUM> is provided may be supported by the upper surface <NUM> of the drawer, the cross-sectional shape of the body <NUM> functions to mitigate or prevent deformation or breakage of the guider <NUM>.

When the drawer <NUM> is fitted in the cabinet <NUM>, the area of the body 74at which the first discharge channel <NUM> is provided functions to mitigate or prevent the body 74from being rotated toward the drawer <NUM>. Accordingly, the above-described cross-sectional shape of the body <NUM> functions to mitigate or prevent the body <NUM> from escaping from the set position due to application of external force (vibration of the drawer).

As described above, the laundry treatment apparatus may be detachably coupled to another laundry treatment apparatus to perform both functions of washing and drying of laundry.

Furthermore, the laundry treatment apparatus may be constructed to enable washing water to be easily supplied to or discharged from an accommodation unit retractably provided at a cabinet to accommodate laundry.

In addition, the laundry treatment apparatus may be configured to condense moisture discharged from the accommodation unit and returning the condensed water to the accommodation unit.

Furthermore, the laundry treatment apparatus may be configured to mitigate or prevent washing water from remaining in a discharge unit serving to discharge washing water contained in an accommodation unit.

Claim 1:
A laundry treatment apparatus comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>);
a drawer (<NUM>) retractably provided in the cabinet;
an accommodation unit (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed in the drawer and defining a space configured to receive water;
a water supply channel connected to a water supply source and configured to supply washing water to the accommodation unit (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a body (<NUM>) along which the water supply channel is provided, the body being rotatably supported by a support (<NUM>) fixed to the cabinet (<NUM>), and
a water discharge channel provided along the body and configured to discharge washing water from the accommodation unit to the outside of the cabinet,
wherein the water discharge channel is configured to be an external water pipe supported by the body or to have an internal channel located inside the body,
characterised in that the body (<NUM>) includes a bar-shaped base (<NUM>) and a base rotating shaft (<NUM>) for rotatably connecting the base (<NUM>) to the support (<NUM>); wherein the free end of the base (<NUM>) is movable along an arcuate orbit; a body guider (<NUM>) provided in the cabinet (<NUM>) and having an arcuate shape, the body guider (<NUM>) being configured to guide a rotational movement of the body (<NUM>).