Patent Description:
In general, washing machines have been widely used as apparatuses for cleaning materials made of fabrics such clothing, bedding, etc. Processes of dehydration and drying are added to the washing machine separately since laundry is cleaned through friction between washing water accommodated in a water tank and the laundry.

Recently, as devices for managing clothes more convenient than before are developed, clothing treatment apparatuses capable of removing wrinkles, dust or smell of clothing without an additional washing process using cleaning water have been used.

The clothing treatment apparatuses spray steam or air on clothing to stretch out wrinkles of the clothing or deodorize the clothing. Also, in order to prevent steam or air from leaking out, the space in which the clothes are place is gas tight with the outside.

In order to prevent the child from entering the clothes treatment apparatus and being suffocated when the inside of the clothes treatment apparatus is airtight, the clothes treatment apparatus has a choking prevention structure that is ventilated with the inside and outside of the clothes treatment apparatus.

However, such a choking prevention structure has a problem that the efficiency of the clothing treatment is reduced because the apparatus is not ventilated with the outside and airtightness with the outside is not ensured even when the clothing treatment apparatus is operated.

Clothes treatment apparatuses having ventilation structures to guide outside air into the apparatus are described in <CIT> and <CIT>. <CIT> relates to a dryer drawer system including an air inlet, an air outlet, and first and second dampers for selectively opening and closing the air inlet and air outlet, respectively.

The invention relates to providing a clothing treatment apparatus with improved selective airtightness and a controlling method of a clothing treatment apparatus.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clothing treatment apparatus according to claim <NUM>. Preferred features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

The shutter may include a driving motor connected to one side of the rotational shaft and configured to rotate the rotational shaft, and a closing member connected to the rotational shaft and configured to close the second inlet as the rotational shaft rotates.

A shape of the closing member may correspond to a shape of the second inlet, wherein an air tightness member contacting the second inlet is disposed on a surface of the closing member.

The first inlet and the second inlet may form a main air flow path that connects the outside to the space by the shortest distance, wherein the processor is further configured to control the driving motor to move the shutter to be spaced apart from the main air flow path in the open state.

The processor may be further configured to control the driving motor to maintain the second inlet in the closed state.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a clothing treatment apparatus according to claim <NUM>.

The method may further include stopping the clothing treatment apparatus from being operated while the door is open, and opening the inlet as the shutter rotates in the second direction after the door is closed.

The method may further include re-operating the clothing treatment apparatus, and closing the second inlet as the shutter rotates in the first direction.

According to the invention, when a person enters the clothing treatment apparatus, the person in the clothing treatment apparatus may be prevented from being suffocated through the structure in which the accommodation space is ventilated from the outside.

According to another aspect of the invention, air circulating inside the clothing treatment apparatus may not be leaked to the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus, and thus the circulation efficiency and the processing efficiency of the clothing treatment apparatus may be improved.

In order to fully understand the structure and effects of the disclosure, preferable embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the constituent elements are enlarged in size for convenience of explanation and the proportions of the constituent elements can be exaggerated or reduced.

When an element (e.g., a first constituent element) is referred to as being "operatively or communicatively coupled to" or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second constituent element), it should be understood that each constituent element is directly connected or indirectly connected via another constituent element (e.g., a third constituent element). However, when an element (e.g., a first constituent element) is referred to as being "directly coupled to" or "directly connected to" another element (e.g., a second constituent element), it should be understood that there is no other constituent element (e.g., a third constituent element) interposed therebetween.

The terms such as "first," "second," and so on may be used to describe a variety of elements, but the elements should not be limited by these terms. The terms are used simply to distinguish one element from other elements. For example, the first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, the second element may also be referred to as a first element.

The singular expression also includes the plural meaning as long as it does not differently mean in the context. In this specification, terms such as 'include' and 'have/has' should be construed as designating that there are such characteristics, numbers, operations, elements, components or a combination thereof in the specification, not to exclude the existence or possibility of adding one or more of other characteristics, numbers, operations, elements, components or a combination thereof.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> when a door <NUM> is opened, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> includes a door <NUM> pivotally combined with a main body <NUM> equipped with an accommodation space S inside.

The main body <NUM> forms the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>, and includes the accommodation space S for accommodating items such as clothing C inside, a spray unit (sprayer) <NUM> disposed under the accommodation space S, a plurality of spray holes O disposed toward the accommodation space S so that air or steam discharged from the spray unit <NUM> may be sprayed, and a circulation fan <NUM> that circulates air or steam discharged from the spray unit <NUM> into the accommodation space S.

The accommodation space S is formed to be large enough to accommodate the clothing C in the main body <NUM>, and the shape thereof may vary to the extent necessary.

The accommodation space S may be sealed to the outside apart from the plurality of spray holes O when the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> operates. Accordingly, wrinkles of the clothing C placed in the accommodation space S may be stretched out by the air or steam sprayed from the plurality of spay holes O in the sealed space, and the smell of the clothing C may be deodorized.

Referring to <FIG>, the spray unit <NUM> is disposed inside the main body <NUM>, and configured to spray at least one of steam or air toward the clothing C.

The spray unit <NUM> may inhale air flowing into from the outside or air in the accommodation space S, dehydrate or heat the inhaled air selectively and spray the air to the inside of the accommodation space S in which the clothing C is placed.

In addition, the spray unit <NUM> may not only hydrate or heat the inhaled air but also mix the inhaled air with hot vapor to spray air in the form of steam to the accommodation space S in which the clothing C is placed.

Accordingly, the spray unit <NUM> may implement air in various states to be sprayed into the accommodation space S according to a user's selection of processing the clothing C.

The plurality of spray holes O may be disposed in each of the upper, lower, left and right of the accommodation space (S), and may spray air formed in the spray unit <NUM> toward the clothing C disposed in the accommodation space S.

The plurality of spray holes O may be disposed in various positions in the accommodation space S according to selection.

The circulation fan <NUM> is disposed on a path on which air flows from the spray unit <NUM> to the accommodation space S, and moves the air discharged from the spray unit <NUM> to the plurality of spray holes O disposed in the accommodation space S.

The circulation fan <NUM> is configured to inhale external air into the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> or discharge the air, and circulate air of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> overall.

<FIG> illustrates that the circulation fan <NUM> is an axial flow fan, but the present invention is not limited to a particular type of fan and any type of fan may be used depending on needs.

Referring to <FIG>, a door <NUM> is provided in the main body <NUM> to close and open the accommodation space S.

The door <NUM> may form one surface of the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> and partition the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> and the accommodation space S.

The door <NUM> may include a front plate <NUM> and a rear plate <NUM> disposed on the rear surface of the front plate <NUM>.

A display (not shown) for a user to control the operation of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> and the state of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> may be disposed on the front plate <NUM>.

The rear plate <NUM> may cover one side surface of the main body <NUM>, and may have a larger cross-section than the front plate <NUM>.

In addition, the rear plate <NUM> may be formed to be spaced apart from the front plate <NUM> at predetermined intervals to allow external air to flow in along the edge of the front plate <NUM>.

A main air flow path MF through which external air flows and a first inlet P1 corresponding to the inlet of the main air flow path MF may be formed between the rear plate <NUM> and the front plate <NUM>.

A gasket <NUM> contacting the edge of the main body <NUM> may be disposed on the edge of the rear surface of the rear plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the rear plate <NUM> may be disposed on one side surface of the main body <NUM> to close the inside of the main body <NUM>.

In addition, a cover <NUM> combined with one surface of the rear surface <NUM> may be included to form the main air flow path MF and an arrangement space Q in which the shutter <NUM> is disposed (see <FIG>).

The cover <NUM> may protrude toward the accommodation space S, and accordingly, the shutter <NUM> for selectively opening and closing the second inlet P2 may be disposed inside the cover <NUM>.

The door <NUM> includes the first inlet P1 connected to the outside, the second inlet P2 connecting the first inlet P1 to the accommodation space S, and the shutter <NUM> for selectively opening and closing the second inlet P2.

The first inlet P1 may be formed between the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> along the edge of the door <NUM>, and may form the inlet of the main air flow path MF through which external air of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> flows.

It has been illustrated that the first inlet P1 is formed under the door <NUM>, but it is not limited thereto. The first inlet P1 may be formed in various shapes in various positions.

The second inlet P2 may form the outlet of the main air flow path MF, and connect the main air flow path MF to the accommodation space S. Accordingly, when the external air flows into the inside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>, the air may flow into the accommodation space S through the first inlet P1, the main air flow path MF and the second inlet P2.

In other words, the first inlet P1 and the second inlet P2 may form the main air flow path MF for connecting the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> and the accommodation space S by the shortest distance.

Therefore, even if a person enters the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> when the clothing treatment apparatus is not operated, the person in the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> can be prevented from being suffocated through the structure in which the accommodation space S is ventilated from the outside.

Hereinafter, referring to <FIG>, the flow path formed in the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line B-B of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> including an area C of the clothing treatment apparatus, the main air flow path MF for connecting the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> to the accommodation space S of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> may be formed through an arrangement space Q formed between the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> of the door <NUM>.

To be specific, the main air flow path MF may be formed through a first space G1 formed between the rear plate <NUM> and the front plate <NUM> and a second space G2 formed between the rear plate <NUM> and the cover <NUM>.

The arrangement space Q may be the same as the second space G2.

Air flowing from the outside or air inhaled in the accommodation space S may be converted into air necessary for a user through the spray unit <NUM>.

The air may be sprayed into the accommodation space S along the first and second circulation flow paths F1 and F2 by the circulation fan <NUM> disposed on the circulation flow paths F1 and F2.

The first and second circulation flow paths F1 and F2 may correspond to the path that air moves when the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is operated, and the main air flow path MF may be a path in which external air moves into the accommodation space S when the apparatus treatment apparatus <NUM> is not operated.

To be specific, the first circulation flow path F1 may be a path through which hot steam that changes its state in the spray unit <NUM> is discharged, and the second circulation flow path F2 may be a path to spray the air inhaled in the accommodation space S toward the clothing C, and remove dust of the clothing C.

However, the first and second circulation flow paths F1 and F2 may be embodied as various paths to the extent necessary. The state of air flowing through the first and second circulation flow paths F1 and F2 may vary.

In addition, the main air flow path MF can be closed by the shutter <NUM> to prevent the air sprayed into the accommodation space S of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> from being discharged to the outside when the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is operated.

Hereinafter, referring to <FIG>, the detailed structure of the shutter <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is an enlarged perspective view illustrating part C of <FIG>, <FIG> is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a shutter <NUM> of <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a shutter <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the shutter <NUM> may be disposed in an arrangement space Q formed between the rear plate <NUM> and the cover <NUM> to selectively open and close the second inlet P2.

The rotational shaft <NUM> and the driving motor <NUM> of the shutter <NUM> may be fixed to one surface of the rear plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the shutter <NUM> may rotate based on the rotational shaft <NUM> while being fixed to one surface of the rear plate <NUM> to selectively open and close the second inlet P2.

Referring to <FIG>, the shutter <NUM> may include a rotational shaft <NUM> connected to the inside of the door, a driving motor <NUM> connected to one side of the rotational shaft <NUM> to rotate the rotational shaft <NUM>, and a closing unit (member) <NUM> connected to the rotational shaft <NUM> to close the second inlet P2 as the rotational shaft <NUM> rotates.

A one end 51a of the rotational shaft <NUM> may be rotatably fixed to one surface of the rear plate <NUM>, and the other end opposite to the one end 51a may be fixed to one surface of the rear plate <NUM> through the driving motor <NUM> connected to the other end of the rotational shaft <NUM>.

Accordingly, the rotational shaft <NUM> may be disposed in parallel with one surface of the rear plate <NUM>, and may rotate in connection with the driving motor <NUM>.

The driving motor <NUM> may rotate the rotational shaft <NUM>, and is configured to provide a driving force to the shutter <NUM>. The driving motor <NUM> is illustrated as being disposed on one side of the rotational shaft <NUM>, but disposed on one side of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> to the extent necessary to transmit a driving force to the rotational shaft <NUM> through various constituent elements.

The closing unit <NUM> may open and close the second inlet P2 in connection with the rotational shaft <NUM>. The closing unit <NUM> may be connected to the rotational shaft <NUM> through a connection unit <NUM> extended at a predetermined interval in one direction from the rotational shaft <NUM>.

The shape of the closing unit <NUM> may correspond to the shape of the second inlet P2. Accordingly, when the closing unit <NUM> closes the second inlet P2, the second inlet P2 may be completely closed, and the accommodation space S may be completely sealed to the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>.

In addition, an air tightness member <NUM> contacting the second inlet P2 may be disposed on the surface of the closing unit <NUM>.

The air tightness member <NUM> may be configured to prevent the closing unit <NUM> from not completely closing the second inlet <NUM>, and may be formed of an elastic material such as a gasket.

Accordingly, even if there is a small space between the second inlet P2 and the closing unit <NUM>, the air tightness member <NUM> may fill the small space to block the accommodation space S from the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>.

In addition, a cover surface <NUM> may be disposed between the connection units <NUM> formed at predetermined intervals.

The cover surface <NUM> may cover the space between the respective connection units and the space between the rotational shaft <NUM> and the closing unit <NUM>.

Accordingly, the cover surface <NUM> may integrally connect the connection unit <NUM>, the rotational shaft <NUM>, and the closing unit <NUM>. The closing unit <NUM> may integrally move in parallel with the rotational shaft <NUM> according to the rotation of the rotational shaft <NUM>.

The shutter <NUM> except the driving motor <NUM> may be integrally formed by injection molding. Accordingly, the manufacturing process of the shutter <NUM> may be simple to reduce the manufacturing costs.

Hereinafter, referring to <FIG>, the operation of the shutter <NUM> will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a processor and a shutter <NUM>, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an open state of a shutter <NUM>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a close state of a shutter <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> for controlling the operation of the shutter <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may include at least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a controller, an application processor (AP), or a communication processor (CP), and an ARM processor.

The processor <NUM> is configured to control the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>. The processor <NUM>, when a clothing process control command is input, may control each constituent element in the clothing process apparatus so that the operation according to the input clothing process control command may be performed.

In addition, the processor <NUM> controls the driving motor <NUM> to be in an opened state to close the second inlet P2 (see <FIG>) or a close state to close the second inlet P2 (see <FIG>).

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> controls the driving motor <NUM> so that the shutter <NUM> in an opened state is spaced apart from the main air flow path MF.

The processor <NUM> can rotate the shutter <NUM> to be distant from the second inlet P2 so that the shutter <NUM> is not be disposed on the main air flow path MF in an open state in which the shutter <NUM> opens the second inlet P2.

Accordingly the shutter <NUM> does not block the main air flow path MF in an open state to maintain the main air flow path MF which is the shortest distance between the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> and the accommodation space S, thereby improving the breathability of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> controls the driving motor <NUM> to maintain the closing of the second inlet P2 in the closed state.

The closing unit <NUM> of the shutter <NUM> may increase the contact surface with the second inlet P2 to implement the complete closing through the complete contact with the second inlet P2, thereby increasing the friction force with the second inlet P2.

Therefore, if a continuous force is not applied to the closing unit <NUM> in a closed state blocking the second inlet P2, the closing unit <NUM> may be spaced apart from the second inlet P2, so that the close state blocking the second inlet P2 cannot be maintained.

Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may consistently operate the driving motor <NUM> so that the closing unit <NUM> may consistently close the second inlet P2.

As described above, the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> equipped with the shutter <NUM> for selectively closing and opening the second inlet P2 vents the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> and the accommodation space S by opening the second inlet P2 when the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is not operated.

Therefore, the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> can prevent a person entering the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> from being suffocated.

When the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is operated, the shutter <NUM> closes the second inlet P2 to separate the accommodation space S from the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>.

Accordingly, air circulating inside the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is not leaked to the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>, and thus the circulation efficiency and the processing efficiency of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is improved.

Hereinafter, referring to <FIG>, the detailed operation of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a flowchart to explain a controlling method of a clothing treatment apparatus.

Before the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is operated in operation <NUM>, the second inlet P2 is in an open state. Therefore, the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> can vent the accommodation space S and the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>.

The clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> including the accommodation space S in which the clothing C is placed may operate in operation S10.

Through the operation signal input of a user, wrinkles may be stretched out by softening the fabrics of the clothing C by spraying hot steam discharged from the spray unit <NUM> to the clothing C. The clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> may spray the dehydrated air discharged from the spray unit <NUM> to the clothing C, and remove the wrinkles of the clothing C by drying the clothing C again.

In addition, the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> may remove wrinkles by pressing the clothing C through a separate pressing means having a flat shape.

The clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> may remove the wrinkles of the clothing C effectively by compressing the clothing C by spraying steam to the front surface and the rear surface of the clothing C at the same time and then spraying compressed air onto the front surface and the rear surface in the same position of the clothing C.

The clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> may deodorize the smell of the clothing C by filtering hot steam or air passing through the clothing C and spraying the hot steam or air toward the clothing C.

When the clothing apparatus treatment apparatus <NUM> is operated in operation S10, the shutter <NUM> rotates in a predetermined first direction X (see <FIG>) to close the second inlet P2 so that the outside and the accommodation space S are separated.

When a user continuously operates the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> without opening the door <NUM> (H1), the operation and process of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> may be ended in a state in which the second inlet P2 is closed in operation S30.

When the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is operated, the operation of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> may be stopped according to user selection (H2). Since the shutter <NUM> may maintain the state in which the second inlet P2 is closed, air cannot still flow between the accommodation space S and the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> in operation S20-<NUM>.

When a user operates the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> again without opening the door <NUM> after the operation of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is stopped (H21), the operation and process of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> may be performed without the change of the state in which the second inlet P2 is closed in operation S20-<NUM>.

When the user opens the door <NUM> after the operation of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is stopped (H22), the second inlet P2 may maintain a closed state in operation S20-<NUM>.

When the opened door <NUM> is closed again in operation S20-<NUM>, the shutter <NUM> rotates in the second direction Y opposite to the first direction X, so that the second inlet P2 is opened.

Therefore, even if there is a person in the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>, in order to prevent the person from being suffocated, the second inlet P2 is opened and the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> can vent the accommodation space S and the outside of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>.

When the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is operated again according to user selection in operation S20-<NUM>, the shutter <NUM> may close the second inlet P2 again by rotating in the first direction X.

In addition, after the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is operated, when the door <NUM> is opened (H3), the second inlet P2 may still maintain a closed state. In other words, when then door <NUM> is opened such as when the user adds the clothing C to the clothing treatment apparatus in the operation, the second inlet P2 may maintain a closed state.

When the door <NUM> is closed in operation S20-<NUM>, the shutter <NUM> may rotate in the second direction Y to open the second inlet P2. In other words, the second inlet P2 can be opened to prevent a person from being suffocated considering the case that a person is in the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>.

However, when the user operates the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> again in operation S20-<NUM>, the shutter <NUM> may close the second inlet P2 by rotating in the first direction (X).

When the operation and process of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> is completed in operation S30, the shutter <NUM> may rotate in the second direction (Y) again and open the second inlet P2. Therefore, the air used in the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> may be discharged to the outside.

However, the controlling method of the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> described above may determine whether to open and close the second inlet P2 based on whether the door <NUM> is opened, but it is not limited thereto. The second inlet P2 may be opened by rotating the shutter <NUM> when it is detected that the person is in the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM> through a detection sensor (not shown) provided in the clothing treatment apparatus <NUM>.

In other words, the opening of the second inlet P2 may be determined by the operation of the detection sensor (not shown) as well as whether the door <NUM> is opened.

In the above description, the various embodiments of the disclosure have been described separately, but each embodiment is not necessarily to be implemented alone, the configuration and operation of each embodiment is implemented in combination with at least one other embodiment.

Claim 1:
A clothing treatment apparatus, comprising:
a main body (<NUM>) formed with a space (S) to accommodate clothing;
a sprayer (<NUM>) disposed inside the main body and configured to spray at least one of steam or air toward the clothing while the clothing is accommodated in the space;
a door (<NUM>) connectable to the main body to open and close the space; and
a processor (<NUM>),
wherein the door (<NUM>) includes:
a first inlet (P1) through which air from outside the main body flows toward the space,
a second inlet (P2) connectable to the first inlet and through which the air from the first inlet flows to the space while the second inlet is connected to the first inlet, and
a shutter (<NUM>) configured to selectively move toward the second inlet to close the second inlet and move away from the second inlet to open the second inlet,
wherein the shutter (<NUM>) includes:
a rotational shaft (<NUM>) connected to the inside of the door, and
a driving motor (<NUM>) configured to provide a driving force to the shutter, and
wherein the processor (<NUM>) is configured to control the driving motor to move the shutter to:
close the second inlet when the clothing treatment apparatus is operated, and
open the second inlet to allow external air to flow from the first inlet to the space when the clothing treatment apparatus is not operated.