Patent Description:
In general, a shoe care apparatus is an apparatus that cares for shoes, such as by drying or cleaning shoes, and removing odors from shoes. For example, <CIT> discloses a shoe dryer comprising: a main body; a shoe accommodating part provided inside the main body to accommodate shoes; a blowing unit that blows air toward shoes accommodated in the shoe accommodating part; a camera that acquires an image of shoes by photographing shoes accommodated in the shoe accommodating part; and a control apparatus for recognizing shoe information from the shoe image acquired by the camera and controlling the direction of air blown by the blowing unit based on the shoe information. <CIT>describes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit including an air inlet, a plurality of air outlets, a heater, and a plurality of blowers. The plurality of blowers are down-stream of the heater with respect to a direction of airflow through the HVAC unit from the air inlet to the plurality of air outlets. The plurality of blowers are configured to control air distribution through the plurality of air outlets. <CIT> refers to a dryer, which comprises: a drying room for receiving and drying objects to be dried; a circulation pipe for forming a circulation flow path to resupply operating air withdrawn from the drying room, back to the drying room; a circulation pump installed inside the circulation pipe to circulate the operating air; a cooling system having a cooling and dehumidifying heat exchanger provided on the circulation pipe to cool and dehumidify the operating air, a heating heat exchanger for heating the operating air passing through the cooling and dehumidifying heat exchanger, and a compressor for compressing a refrigerant circulating through the cooling and dehumidifying heat exchanger and the heating heat exchanger; a dehumidification bypass pipe for forming a bypass path which is branched from and joined to the circulation pipe, so that the operating air bypasses the cooling and dehumidifying heat exchanger; and a dehumidification selection valve installed at a branch point of the dehumidification bypass pipe to select dehumidification bypass of the operating air.

The shoe care apparatus may be provided with devices forming a heat pump cycle, such as an evaporator, a condenser, and a compressor therein. In the drying and/or cooling stroke, air in the care room may flow out of the care room, and may be cooled and dehumidified through the evaporator and the condenser, and then the cooled and dehumidified air may return to the care room. In other words, air circulates in a passage passing through a care room and a machine room.

In a circulation method, since air is heated while continuously circulating inside the shoe care apparatus, continuous heat accumulation occurs and it may be difficult to cool and dehumidify the air supplied to the care room. Accordingly, in recent years, there is a demand to improve the performance of a heat pump cycle in which the air flowing into the care room is cooled and dehumidified by preventing continuous heat accumulation.

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a shoe care apparatus with an increased efficiency of a heat pump cycle and a method of controlling the same.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a shoe care apparatus capable of smoothly cooling and dehumidifying air supplied to a care room, and a method of controlling the same.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a shoe care apparatus capable of improving the dehumidification performance, and a method of controlling the same.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a shoe care apparatus capable of providing a variety of courses to meet the needs of users, and a method of controlling the same.

According to an first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shoe care apparatus including: a main body; a first compartment in the main body and configured to accommodate shoes; a second compartment in the main body and configured to accommodate a heat pump including an evaporator and a condenser; a fan configured to circulate air through the first compartment and the second compartment; a first circulation passage configured to guide air discharged from the first compartment back to the first compartment by guiding the discharged air to the evaporator and the condenser; a second circulation passage to guide the discharged air from the first compartment back to the first compartment by guiding the discharged air to the evaporator and bypassing the condenser; a third circulation passage to guide air inside the second compartment to flow to the condenser; and a first valve configured to open and close the second circulation passage.

The shoe care apparatus may further include: a communication hole formed in a wall of the main body to communicate an outside of the main body with the second compartment; an inlet through which air introduced into the second compartment through the communication hole flows to the condenser; and an outlet formed through which the air introduced through the inlet passes through the condenser and then flows to the second compartment and in which air discharged through the outlet is discharged to the outside of the main body through the communication hole.

The shoe care apparatus may further include at least one of a second valve configured to open and close the inlet or a third valve configured to open and close the outlet.

The shoe care apparatus may further include a fourth valve arranged between the evaporator and the condenser on the first circulation passage.

The shoe care apparatus may further include a controller configured to control an operation of the first valve and an operation of the fourth valve.

The controller may be configured to: control the operation of the first valve and the operation of the fourth valve such that the second circulation passage is closed when the first circulation passage is opened; and control the operation of the first valve and the operation of the fourth valve such that the second circulation passage is opened when the first circulation passage is closed.

The controller may be configured to control the operation of the first valve and the operation of the fourth valve based on at least one of an operating frequency of a compressor of the heat pump or a temperature of air supplied to the first compartment.

The controller may be configured to control the operation of the second valve and the operation of the third valve based on the temperature of the air supplied to the first compartment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a shoe care apparatus according to the first aspect that operates in a first mode in which air having passed through a condenser of a heat pump is supplied to a first compartment and a second mode in which air having bypassed the condenser is supplied to the compartment, the method including: in response to the shoe care apparatus operating in the first mode, opening a first circulation passage to guide air discharged from the compartment back to the compartment by guiding the discharged air to an evaporator of the heat pump and the condenser; and in response to the shoe care apparatus operating in the second mode, opening a second circulation passage to guide air discharged from the compartment back to the compartment by guiding the discharged air to the evaporator and bypassing the condenser.

The method may further include determining an operation mode of the shoe care apparatus based on at least one of an operating frequency of a compressor and a temperature of air supplied to the compartment.

The determining of an operation mode of the shoe care apparatus based on at least one of an operating frequency of the compressor and a temperature of air supplied to the compartment includes, based on the operating frequency of the compressor being less than or equal to a preset frequency and the temperature of air supplied to the compartment being higher than or equal to a set temperature, while the shoe care apparatus is operating in the first mode, changing the operation mode of the shoe care apparatus into the second mode.

The method may further include operating the shoe care apparatus in one of the first mode or the second mode based on a user input.

The operating of the shoe care apparatus in one of the first mode and the second mode based on the user input may include, based on a first user input being received, controlling the shoe care apparatus to operate in the first mode for a first preset time and then operate in the second mode for a second preset time.

The operating of the shoe care apparatus in one of the first mode and the second mode based on the user input may include, based on a first user input being received, controlling the shoe care apparatus to alternately operate in the first mode and in the second mode.

The operating of the shoe care apparatus in one of the first mode and the second mode based on the user input may include, based on a first user input being received, controlling the shoe care apparatus to operate only in the second mode for a preset time.

As is apparent from the above, according to an aspect of the present invention, the shoe care apparatus and the method of controlling the same can smoothly cool and dehumidifying air by enhancing the efficiency of a heat pump cycle through a bypass passage.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the shoe care apparatus and the method of controlling the same can maintain the dehumidifying performance even when the outdoor temperature of the shoe care apparatus is high and also can prevent the failure of the heat pump device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the shoe care apparatus and the method of controlling the same can provide various courses according to the user's request.

The embodiments set forth herein and illustrated in the configuration of the present invention are only preferred embodiments, so it should be understood that they may be replaced with various equivalents and modifications at the time of the disclosure.

The terms including ordinal numbers like "first" and "second" may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Descriptions shall be understood as to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items when the items are described by using the conjunctive term "~ and/or ~," or the like.

The terms "front", "rear", "left", and "right" as herein used are defined with respect to the drawings, but the terms may not restrict the shape and position of the respective components.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the direction in which a door <NUM> of a shoe care apparatus <NUM> is installed is defined as a forward direction, based on which rear, left and right sides and upper and lower sides may be defined.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a shoe care apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a door is opened in the shoe care apparatus shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the shoe care apparatus shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the shoe care apparatus <NUM> may include a main body <NUM> forming the external appearance and a door <NUM> rotatably coupled to the main body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may be provided in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open front side. An opening 10a may be formed in the open front side of the main body <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the main body <NUM> to open and close the open front side of the main body <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be coupled to the main body <NUM> by a hinge <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may be formed such that a front surface extending in a first direction X has a length different from that of a side surface extending in a second direction Y. That is, the front surface of the main body <NUM> may have a length L1 longer than a length L2 of the side surface of the main body <NUM>. Such a configuration enables the shoe care apparatus <NUM> to be easily installed even in a narrow entrance hall. The length of the front surface of the main body <NUM> may be defined as a first length L1 and the length of the side surface of the main body <NUM> may be defined as a second length L2.

The door <NUM> may include a control panel <NUM> provided on a front and/or upper surface of the door <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> may receive various commands from the user. In addition, the control panel <NUM> may display various pieces of information regarding the operation of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>. For example, the user may use the control panel <NUM> to select the type of shoes to be cared for, and set an appropriate care course for the shoes.

The control panel <NUM> may include a display for displaying information regarding the operation of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>. In addition, the control panel <NUM> may include at least one of a button or a touch screen.

The door <NUM> may include a hanging member <NUM>. The hanging member <NUM> may be provided on one side of the door <NUM> facing the inside of a care room <NUM>, and may be provided in at least one unit thereof. The care room <NUM> may also be referred to as a compartment <NUM>, care area <NUM>, a treatment area <NUM>, or care space <NUM>. The hanging member <NUM> may be used for hanging a handle <NUM> of a cradle <NUM>. The hanging member <NUM> may facilitate storage of the cradle <NUM>. The hanging member <NUM> may be used for other uses.

The main body <NUM> may include an outer case <NUM> and an inner case <NUM> arranged inside the outer case <NUM>. The care room <NUM> may be formed inside the main body <NUM>. For example, the inner case <NUM> may form the care room <NUM>. The care room <NUM> may be provided therein with the cradle <NUM> on which shoes may be held. The inner case <NUM> may be referred to as a case.

The care room <NUM> may form a space in which shoes are accommodated. The care room <NUM> may be formed by an upper surface 12a, a lower surface 12b, a left surface 12c, a right surface 12d, and a rear surface 12e of the inner case <NUM>. Shoes may be accommodated in the care room <NUM> and cared. The upper surface 12a, the lower surface 12b, the left surface 12c, the right surface 12d, and the rear surface 12e of the inner case <NUM> may form an upper wall 12a, a lower wall 12b, a left wall 12c, a right wall 12d, and a rear wall 12e of the inner case <NUM>.

The cradle <NUM> and a mounting rail <NUM> may be provided in the care room <NUM>. The cradle <NUM> and the mounting rail <NUM> may be installed on the left surface 12c or the right surface 12d of the inner case <NUM>. That is, the cradle <NUM> may be installed such that the side of the shoe is visible when viewed from the front of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>. To this end, the length of the side surface of the main body <NUM> may be formed shorter than the length of the front surface of the main body <NUM>. However, the positions of the cradle <NUM> and the mounting rail <NUM> are not limited to those illustrated above.

The cradle <NUM> may be provided in at least one unit thereof. The cradle <NUM> may be provided in a shape to be inserted into the shoe. In addition, the cradle <NUM> is detachable from the care room <NUM>. That is, the cradle <NUM> may be coupled to the mounting rail <NUM> provided on the side surface of the care room <NUM>, and may be separated from the mounting rail <NUM>. For example, the cradle <NUM> may be inserted into the mounting rail <NUM> along the second direction Y. Because the cradle <NUM> is detachably provided, the space in the care room <NUM> may be efficiently used according to the size of the shoe.

The shoe care apparatus <NUM> may include an air outlet <NUM> and an air inlet <NUM>. The air outlet <NUM> may be formed in the sidewall of the inner case <NUM>. For example, the air outlet <NUM> may be formed on the left surface 12c of the care room <NUM>. The air outlet <NUM> may be provided in plural. The air outlet <NUM> may allow air that has passed through a duct <NUM> to flow into the care room <NUM>. In other words, inside the duct <NUM>, air cooled and dehumidified by an evaporator <NUM> may flow to a condenser <NUM>, and the air may be heated by the condenser <NUM> and flow into the care room <NUM> through the air outlet <NUM>.

The air inlet <NUM> may be formed on one side surface of the inner case <NUM>. For example, the air inlet <NUM> may be formed on the lower surface 12b of the inner case <NUM>. Specifically, the air inlet <NUM> may be arranged on a front portion of the lower surface 12b. Air in the care room <NUM> may be introduced into the duct <NUM> through the air inlet <NUM>. The air inlet <NUM> may include a central hole 60a and a grille 60b including a plurality of side holes.

The shoe care apparatus <NUM> may include a machine room <NUM>, a condenser <NUM>, a compressor <NUM>, an evaporator <NUM>, and a communication hole <NUM>.

The machine room <NUM> may be provided at one side of the care room <NUM>. The machine room <NUM> may be referred to as compartment <NUM>, machine area <NUM>, and machine space <NUM>. For example, the machine room <NUM> may be provided below the care room <NUM>. At least a portion of the duct <NUM> may be accommodated in the machine room <NUM>. A heat pump device <NUM> including the compressor <NUM>, the expander <NUM>, the evaporator <NUM>, and the condenser <NUM> may be arranged in the machine room <NUM>. The machine room <NUM> may accommodate the compressor <NUM>, the expander <NUM>, the evaporator <NUM>, and the condenser <NUM>. In addition, a sterilizing device <NUM> may be provided in the care room <NUM> or in the machine room <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the sterilization device <NUM> is illustrated as being provided inside the care room <NUM>.

Air inside the machine room <NUM> may communicate with the air outside of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> through the communication hole <NUM>. The communication hole <NUM> may be provided in a rear portion of the machine room <NUM>. The communication hole <NUM> may be provided in a rear wall of the main body <NUM>. For example, the communication hole <NUM> may be provided in a rear wall 11e of the outer cabinet <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the communication hole <NUM> may be provided at various positions as long as it can communicate the machine room <NUM> with the outside of the main body <NUM>. For example, the communication holes may be formed on sidewalls 11c and 11d of the outer cabinet <NUM>.

The duct <NUM> may be provided at one side of the care room <NUM>. For example, the duct <NUM> may be arranged on the left wall 12c and/or the right wall 12d below the care room <NUM>. In addition, the duct <NUM> may be provided at one side of the machine room <NUM>. For example, the duct <NUM> may be arranged on an upper side of the machine room <NUM>. In the duct <NUM>, the evaporator <NUM>, the condenser <NUM>, the deodorizing device <NUM>, the duct <NUM>, a blower fan <NUM>, a first temperature sensor <NUM> and a second temperature sensor <NUM> may be provided.

The compressor <NUM>, the evaporator <NUM>, the condenser <NUM>, and the expander <NUM> (to be described below) may be defined as the heat pump device <NUM>. A refrigerant may flow through the compressor <NUM>, the evaporator <NUM>, the condenser <NUM>, and the expander <NUM> through a refrigerant pipe 40a (to be described below) of the heat pump device <NUM>.

The heat pump device <NUM> may allow air circulating in the care room <NUM> to be cooled, dehumidified, and heated. The heat pump device <NUM> may allow air flowing out of the care room <NUM> to be dehumidified, and allow the air heated through the condenser <NUM> to be introduced into the care room <NUM>.

The duct <NUM> may include a first duct <NUM> positioned below the care room <NUM>. The first duct <NUM> may be referred to as a lower duct <NUM>. The duct <NUM> may form a passage that is connected to the air inlet <NUM> of the care room <NUM> and guides the air passing through the air inlet <NUM> to the blower fan <NUM>. The duct <NUM> may include a second duct <NUM> provided on the left wall 12c and/or the right wall 12d forming the care room <NUM>. The first duct <NUM> may be connected to the second duct <NUM> provided on the sidewall of the main body <NUM>. The second duct <NUM> may be referred to as a side duct <NUM>.

The second duct <NUM> may be provided on the outside of the sidewall of the inner case <NUM> in the second direction Y of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>. One end of the second duct <NUM> may be connected to the at least one air outlet <NUM>, and the other end of the second duct <NUM> may be connected to the first duct <NUM>. The second duct <NUM> may form an exhaust passage <NUM> for guiding air to the air outlet <NUM>.

In the first duct <NUM>, the evaporator <NUM> and the condenser <NUM> may be arranged. The evaporator <NUM>, the condenser <NUM>, and the blower fan <NUM> may be arranged in the first direction X. The evaporator <NUM> may be located upstream of the condenser <NUM> based on the flow of air.

The blower fan <NUM> may be provided between the heat pump device <NUM> and the care room <NUM> to circulate air. The blower fan <NUM> may rotate based on a predetermined rotation per minute (RPM). Specifically, the blower fan <NUM> may suction air flowing into the first duct <NUM> and discharge the air toward the second duct <NUM>. The air introduced into the first duct <NUM> through the air inlet <NUM> may be dried while passing through the evaporator <NUM> of the heat pump device <NUM>, heated while passing through the condenser <NUM>, and then discharged back to the care room <NUM> through the second duct <NUM> and the air outlet <NUM>.

In addition, the deodorizing device <NUM> may be arranged in the first duct <NUM>. The deodorizing device <NUM> may include a deodorizing filter 45a and an ultraviolet (UV) LED 45b. The deodorizing filter 45a and the UV LED 45b may be arranged at a position close to the air inlet <NUM> of the care room <NUM>. The UV LED 45b may remove the smell of air by irradiating the deodorizing filter 45a with light. For example, the deodorizing filter 45a may include at least one of a ceramic filter, a photocatalytic filter, or an activated carbon filter.

The sterilizing device <NUM> may be further arranged in the care room <NUM> or in the first duct <NUM>. The sterilizing device <NUM> may remove bacteria contained in the air. The sterilizing device <NUM> may include at least one of an ultraviolet lamp, an ultraviolet LED, a xenon lamp, an ozone generator, or a sterilizing agent spray.

A drain container <NUM> may be arranged on the lower side of the main body <NUM>, that is, on the lower side of the machine room <NUM>. The drain container <NUM> may store condensate water generated by the evaporator <NUM>. That is, air discharged from the care room <NUM> may be cooled and dehumidified by the evaporator <NUM> provided in the duct <NUM>, and condensate water generated during cooling and dehumidification may be collected in the drain container <NUM>. The drain container <NUM> may be detachable from the main body <NUM>. The drain container <NUM> may be referred to as a water collecting container <NUM>.

At least one shelf <NUM> may be provided in the care room <NUM>. Shoes may be placed on the shelf <NUM>. In addition, the shelf <NUM> may include a duct shelf <NUM>. The duct shelf <NUM> may form a duct passage 91b therein, and may be formed with a lower surface hole 91a at a lower surface thereof. Air blown from the blower fan <NUM> through the second duct <NUM> may be discharged into the care room <NUM> through the lower surface hole 91a of the duct shelf <NUM>. In addition, the duct shelf <NUM> may be formed with an upper surface hole <NUM> at an upper surface thereof.

A side surface of the duct shelf <NUM> may be connected to a circular duct <NUM> arranged in the second duct <NUM>. Air may be discharged into the care room <NUM> through a nozzle 92a of the circular duct <NUM>. Air may be supplied to the duct shelf <NUM> after passing through the circular duct <NUM>. The circular duct <NUM> may have various shapes.

The first temperature sensor <NUM> may measure a first temperature of air heated by the condenser <NUM>. For example, the first temperature sensor <NUM> may be arranged downstream of the condenser <NUM> to detect the temperature of the air flowing out of the condenser <NUM>. Hereinafter, the temperature of the air measured by the first temperature sensor <NUM> is defined as the first temperature. The first temperature sensor <NUM> may be provided in a passage between the condenser <NUM> and the blower fan <NUM>. However, the position of the first temperature sensor <NUM> is not limited to the above example. The controller <NUM> of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> may adjust the operating frequency of the compressor <NUM> based on the first temperature measured by the first temperature sensor <NUM>.

The second temperature sensor <NUM> may measure the temperature of air at the air inlet <NUM> of the care room <NUM> and/or the temperature of air before flowing into the evaporator <NUM>. For example, the second temperature sensor <NUM> may be arranged upstream of the evaporator <NUM> to detect the temperature of the air before flowing into the evaporator <NUM>. The second temperature sensor <NUM> may be provided in a passage between the air inlet <NUM> and the deodorization filter 45a or between the deodorization filter 45a and the evaporator <NUM>. Hereinafter, the temperature of air measured by the second temperature sensor <NUM> is defined as the second temperature. The controller <NUM> of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> may determine external air temperature based on the second temperature measured by the second temperature sensor <NUM> when the shoe care apparatus <NUM> starts to operate.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating the shoe care apparatus shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, a circulation passage circulating through the care room <NUM> and the machine room <NUM> in the shoe care apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG> and the flow of air flowing through an internal passage 100a of the duct <NUM> will be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG>, the shoe care apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a circulation passage through which air circulates between the care room <NUM> and the machine room <NUM>, and the blower fan <NUM> for blowing air in the circulation passage. The circulation passage may be a circulation path.

The circulation passage may include a first circulation passage and a second circulation passage. The first circulation passage may include an air supply passage <NUM>, an air exhaust passage <NUM>, and a first passage <NUM>. The second circulation passage may include an air supply passage <NUM>, an air exhaust passage <NUM>, and a second passage <NUM>.

In addition, the shoe care apparatus may include the duct <NUM> and the internal passage 100a provided at one side of the care room <NUM>.

The duct <NUM> may include the first duct <NUM> and the second duct <NUM>. The first duct <NUM> may be provided below the care room <NUM>. The second duct <NUM> may be formed on the sidewalls 12c and 12d forming the care room <NUM>. The first duct <NUM> and the second duct <NUM> may be connected to each other such that air communicates between each other. The first duct <NUM> and the second duct <NUM> may be integrally formed with each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first duct <NUM> and the second duct <NUM> may be separately formed and coupled to each other.

The duct <NUM> may include the passage 100a formed therein. The evaporator <NUM>, the condenser <NUM>, and the blower fan <NUM> may be arranged in the passage 100a. The passage 100a may be provided in plural. For example, the passage 100a may include the air supply passage <NUM>, the air exhaust passage <NUM>, the first passage <NUM>, the second passage <NUM>, and a third passage <NUM>.

The air supply passage <NUM> may be provided such that air in the care room <NUM> flows into the duct <NUM>. The air supply passage <NUM> may receive air from the air inlet <NUM> and allow the air to flow to the evaporator <NUM>. The air inlet <NUM> may be formed on the lower surface 12b of the inner case forming the care room <NUM>. The air supply passage <NUM> may be formed from the air inlet <NUM> to the evaporator <NUM>. For example, the first passage <NUM> may be formed from the air inlet <NUM> to the upstream side of the evaporator <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the evaporator <NUM> may be a component arranged inside the air supply passage <NUM>.

The first passage <NUM> may be formed in the first duct <NUM>. The first passage <NUM> may be provided such that air having passed through the evaporator <NUM> flows to the condenser <NUM>. The first passage <NUM> may be formed from the evaporator <NUM> to the blower fan <NUM>. For example, the first passage <NUM> may be formed from the downstream side of the evaporator <NUM> to the upstream side of the blower fan <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the evaporator <NUM> and the blower fan <NUM> may be arranged in the first passage <NUM>. The condenser <NUM> may be arranged inside the first passage <NUM>. The first passage <NUM> may serve as a condenser passage <NUM> or a main passage <NUM>. Therefore, low-temperature and low-humidity air that has passed through the evaporator <NUM> may pass through the condenser <NUM> and become high-temperature and low-humidity air. In addition, the first temperature sensor <NUM> may be arranged in the first passage <NUM>. However, the position of the first temperature sensor <NUM> is not limited thereto.

The second passage <NUM> may be formed in the first duct <NUM>. The second passage <NUM> may be separated from the first passage <NUM> by a partition wall <NUM>. However, at least a portion of the second passage <NUM> may overlap the first passage <NUM>. The second passage <NUM> is provided such that the air having passed through the evaporator <NUM> bypasses the condenser <NUM>. The second passage <NUM> may prevent the air having passed through the evaporator <NUM> from passing through the condenser <NUM> in a second mode to be described below. The second passage <NUM> may serve as a bypass passage <NUM>. Due to the bypass passage <NUM>, the air passing through the evaporator <NUM> in the duct <NUM> may not pass through the condenser <NUM>, and the temperature of the care room <NUM> in which heat accumulation has occurred and surrounding components may be lowered. Accordingly, the dehumidification efficiency of the evaporator <NUM> may be increased.

The third passage <NUM> may be formed by the first duct <NUM>. For example, the third passage <NUM> may be formed by a third passage forming portion <NUM> protruding toward the machine room <NUM>. The third passage <NUM> allows air inside the machine room <NUM> to flow to the condenser <NUM>. The third passage <NUM> may allow air in the machine room <NUM> to pass through the condenser <NUM> in the second mode to be described below. At least a portion of the third passage <NUM> may overlap the first passage <NUM>. Due to the third passage <NUM>, air in the machine room <NUM> may heat-exchange with the condenser <NUM>, and the heated air in the machine room <NUM> may pass through the communication hole <NUM> provided in the rear wall of the main body <NUM> to communicate or heat-exchange with the outside air of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>. Accordingly, the heat in the shoe care apparatus <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>.

The air exhaust passage <NUM> may be formed in the duct <NUM>. A portion of the exhaust passage <NUM> may be formed in the second duct <NUM>. The air exhaust passage <NUM> may be provided such that air in the duct <NUM> flows to the care room <NUM> in which shoes <NUM> are accommodated. The air exhaust passage <NUM> may be connected to the air outlet <NUM> such that the air having passed through the blower fan <NUM> flows to the care room <NUM>. The air outlets <NUM> may be formed in the sidewalls 12c and 12d of the inner case forming the care room <NUM>. The air exhaust passage <NUM> may be formed from the blower fan <NUM> to the air outlet <NUM>. For example, the first passage <NUM> may be formed from the downstream side of the blower fan <NUM> to the air outlet <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the blower fan <NUM> may be a component arranged inside the exhaust passage <NUM>.

The shoe care apparatus may include dampers 105a, 105b, 106a, 109c, and 109d to open and close the passage 100a. The dampers may be referred to as valves 105a, 105b, 106a, 109c, and 109d. A plurality of dampers 105a, 105b, 106a, 109c, and 109d may be provided. For example, the plurality of dampers 105a, 105b, 106a, 109c, and 109d include the first damper 106a, the second damper 109c, the third damper 109d, the fourth damper 105a, and the fifth damper 105b.

The first damper 106a may be arranged in the bypass passage <NUM> to adjust the flow rate of air flowing through the bypass passage <NUM>. The first damper 106a may open and close the bypass passage <NUM>. However, the position of the first damper 106a is not limited to the above example, and the first damper 106a may be arranged outside the bypass passage <NUM> as long as it can open and close the bypass passage <NUM>.

The second damper 109c and the third damper 109d may open and close the third passage <NUM> to adjust the flow rate of air flowing through the third passage <NUM>. For example, the second damper 109c may open and close an inlet 109a of the third passage <NUM>, and the third damper 109d may open and close an outlet 109b of the third passage <NUM>. The second damper 109c and/or the third damper 109d may close the third passage <NUM> such that air in the machine room <NUM> does not pass through the condenser <NUM> in the first mode and/or the normal mode, and may open the third passage <NUM> such that air in the machine room <NUM> passes through the condenser <NUM> in the second mode. Due to the third passage <NUM>, the air in the machine room <NUM> may heat-exchange with the condenser <NUM>, and the heated air in the machine room <NUM> may pass through the communication hole <NUM> provided in the rear wall of the main body <NUM> to communicate or heat-exchange with the outside air of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>. Accordingly, the heat in the shoe care apparatus <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>.

The fourth damper 105a and the fifth damper 105b may open and close the first passage <NUM> to adjust the flow rate of air flowing through the first passage <NUM>. The fourth damper 105a may be arranged upstream of the condenser <NUM> in the first passage <NUM>. For example, the fourth damper 105a may be arranged downstream of the evaporator <NUM> and upstream of the condenser <NUM> to adjust the flow rate of air in the first passage <NUM> that flows through the evaporator <NUM> to the condenser <NUM>. The fifth damper 105b may be arranged downstream of the condenser <NUM> in the first passage <NUM>. For example, the fifth damper 105b may be arranged downstream of the condenser <NUM> and upstream of the blower fan <NUM> to adjust the flow rate of air in the first passage <NUM> that flows through the condenser <NUM> to the blower fan <NUM>.

The fourth damper 105a and/or the fifth damper 105b, in the first mode and/or in the normal mode, may open the first passage <NUM> such that air introduced from the care room <NUM> into the air supply passage <NUM> through the air inlet <NUM> flows to the condenser <NUM>. In, addition, the fourth damper 105a and/or the fifth damper 105b, in the second mode, may close the first passage <NUM> such that air introduced from the care room <NUM> into the air supply passage <NUM> through the air inlet <NUM> does not flow into the condenser <NUM>, and may allow the air in the machine room <NUM> to flow from the inlet 109a of the third passage <NUM> to the condenser <NUM> and then to the outlet 109b of the third passage <NUM>.

Due to the third passage <NUM>, the air in the machine room <NUM> may heat-exchange with the condenser <NUM>, and the heated air in the machine room <NUM> may pass through the communication hole <NUM> provided in the rear wall of the main body <NUM> to communicate or heat-exchange with the outside air of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>. Accordingly, the heat in the shoe care apparatus <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>.

The machine room <NUM> may be provided below the care room <NUM>. The refrigerant pipe 40a, the compressor <NUM>, and the expander <NUM> constituting the heat pump device <NUM> may be arranged in the machine room <NUM>. In addition, the shoe care apparatus <NUM> may include a third temperature sensor <NUM> and a fourth temperature sensor <NUM>. The third temperature sensor <NUM> and the fourth temperature sensor <NUM> may be arranged adjacent to the refrigerant pipe 40a to detect the temperature of the refrigerant. For example, the third temperature sensor <NUM> may detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the evaporator <NUM> by passing through the expander <NUM>. The fourth temperature sensor <NUM> may detect the temperature of the refrigerant flowing into the condenser <NUM> by passing through the compressor <NUM>.

The shoe care apparatus <NUM> may include the communication hole <NUM> for communicating the outside of the main body <NUM> with the inside of the main body <NUM>. The communication hole <NUM> may be formed in one wall of the main body <NUM> such that air from the outside of the main body <NUM> flows into or out of the machine room <NUM>. For example, referring to <FIG>, the communication hole <NUM> may be formed in the right wall 11d and/or the rear wall 11e of the outer cabinet <NUM>. In the drawings, the communication hole <NUM> is illustrated as being formed in the right wall 11d for the sake of convenience of description, but the position of the communication hole <NUM> is not limited to that shown in the drawings.

The shoe care apparatus <NUM> may further include a condenser cooling fan <NUM>. The condenser cooling fan <NUM> may blow air in the third passage <NUM>. For example, the condenser cooling fan <NUM> may allow the air in the machine room <NUM> to flow to the condenser <NUM> and then to the machine room <NUM> again. The condenser cooling fan <NUM> may be arranged in the machine room <NUM>. For example, the condenser cooling fan <NUM> may be arranged downstream of the outlet 109b of the third flow passage <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the condenser cooling fan <NUM> may be arranged at various positions, such as at the inlet 109a of the third flow passage <NUM>.

<FIG> is a control block diagram illustrating a shoe care apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a control panel <NUM>, a heat pump device <NUM>, a sensor unit <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a damper unit <NUM>. As described above, the control panel <NUM> may include at least one of a button or a touch screen, and may receive various commands from a user.

The control panel <NUM> may transmit a command (hereinafter, 'a user input') received from the user to the controller <NUM>.

The heat pump device <NUM> may include a compressor <NUM>, an evaporator <NUM>, a condenser <NUM>, and an expander <NUM>. The heat pump device <NUM> may transmit operation information (e.g., an operating frequency of the compressor <NUM>) to the controller <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may control the heat pump device <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may control the operating frequency of the compressor <NUM>.

The sensor unit <NUM> may detect a temperature at each location (e.g., inside the duct <NUM>) of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>.

For example, the sensor unit <NUM> according to an embodiment may include at least one of a first temperature sensor <NUM>, a second temperature sensor <NUM>, a third temperature sensor <NUM>, or a fourth temperature sensor <NUM>.

The sensor unit <NUM> may detect the temperature at each location of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> and transmit a signal to the controller <NUM>.

The damper unit <NUM> may include a plurality of dampers (e.g., a first damper 106a, a second damper 109c, a third damper 109d, a fourth damper 105a, and a fifth damper 105b) to adjust the flow rate of air flowing through a plurality of passages (e.g., a first passage <NUM>, a second passage <NUM>, and a third passage <NUM>) provided in the duct <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may control opening/closing of at least one damper (e.g., the first damper 106a) among the plurality of dampers included in the damper unit <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may include at least one processor <NUM> and at least one memory <NUM>, and may control at least one other component of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may execute software (e.g., a program) to control at least one other component (e.g., the heat pump device <NUM>, the damper unit <NUM>, the blower fan <NUM>, the deodorizing device <NUM>, the condenser cooling fan <NUM>) of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> connected to the processor <NUM>, and perform various data processing or calculations. As a part of the data processing or calculations, the processor <NUM> may store instructions or data received from other components (e.g., the sensor unit <NUM> and the control panel <NUM>) in a volatile memory, process the instructions or data stored in the volatile memory, and store the result data in a non-volatile memory. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may include a main processor (e.g., a central processing unit) or an auxiliary processor (e.g., a processor for controlling a heat pump device and a processor for controlling a damper unit) that may be operated independent of or together with the main processor. For example, when the processor <NUM> includes a main processor and an auxiliary processor, the auxiliary processor may be set to use less power than the main processor or specialize in a specified function. The auxiliary processor may be implemented separately from or as a part of the main processor.

The memory <NUM> may store various pieces of data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor <NUM> or the sensor unit <NUM>) of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>. The data may include, for example, software, and input data or output data regarding instructions related to the software. The memory <NUM> may include a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory.

According to various embodiments, the memory <NUM> may store software (e.g., a program) that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, performs an operation to be described below.

In the above, the configuration and structure of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to various embodiments has been described, and hereinafter, a method of controlling the shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to various embodiments will be described in detail.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a method of controlling a damper for each operation mode of a shoe care apparatus according to an embodiment, <FIG> illustrates a flow of air when a shoe care apparatus according to an embodiment operates in the first operation mode, and <FIG> illustrates a flow of air when a shoe care apparatus according to an embodiment operates in the second operation mode.

Referring to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> may control various components (e.g., the damper unit <NUM> and the heat pump device <NUM>) of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> based on an operation mode of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> (<NUM>).

According to various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may control opening and closing of the damper unit <NUM> (e.g., the first damper 106a, the second damper 109c, and the third damper 109d, the fourth damper 105a, and the fifth damper 105b) based on the operation mode of the shoe care apparatus <NUM>.

The operation mode of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> may include a first operation mode and a second operation mode.

The first operation mode may refer to an operation mode for drying the shoes <NUM> accommodated in the care room <NUM> with high-temperature air that has passed through the condenser <NUM>.

The second operation mode may refer to an operation mode for cooling the shoes <NUM> accommodated in the care room <NUM> with relatively low temperature air that has not passed through the condenser <NUM>, and cooling the heat pump device <NUM> (e.g., the condenser <NUM>).

Referring to <FIG>, in an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may close the first damper 106a, the second damper 109c, and the third damper 109d in the first mode (<NUM>).

In the embodiment, the controller <NUM> may open the fourth damper 105a and the fifth damper 105b in the first mode (<NUM>).

According to various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may operate the blower fan <NUM> and stop the operation of the condenser cooling fan <NUM> in the first mode.

Referring to the flow of air F1 shown in <FIG>, when the first damper 106a, the second damper 109c, and the third damper 109d are closed, and the fourth damper 105a and the fifth damper 105b are opened, the air introduced from the care room <NUM> and passed through the evaporator <NUM> may pass through the condenser <NUM> and then flow back into the care room <NUM>.

According to the embodiment, in the first mode, air heated through the condenser <NUM> may be provided to the shoe <NUM> to dry the shoe <NUM> efficiently.

According to various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may close only one (e.g., the first damper 106a) of the first damper 106a, the second damper 109c, and the third damper 109d in the first mode.

Referring to <FIG>, air outside the main body <NUM> and air inside the main body <NUM> may communicate with each other through the communication hole <NUM>. For example, air outside the main body <NUM> may flow into or out of the machine room <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> may open the first damper 106a, the second damper 109c, and the third damper 109d in the second mode (<NUM>).

In the embodiment, the controller <NUM> may close the fourth damper 105a and the fifth damper 105b in the second mode (<NUM>).

According to various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may operate the blower fan <NUM> and the condenser cooling fan <NUM> in the second mode. In addition, the controller <NUM> may operate the compressor <NUM> at the minimum operating frequency in the second mode.

Referring to the first flow of air F2 shown in <FIG>, the first damper 106a, the second damper 109c, and the third damper 109d are opened, and the fourth damper 105a and the fifth damper 105b are closed, the air introduced from the care room <NUM> and passed through the evaporator <NUM> may bypass the condenser <NUM> and flow back into the care room <NUM> through the second passage <NUM>.

Referring to the second flow of air F3 shown in <FIG>, when the first damper 106a, the second damper 109c, and the third damper 109d are opened, and the fourth damper 105a and the fifth damper 105b are opened, air introduced into the machine room <NUM> through the communication hole <NUM> may flow into the third passage <NUM> from the inlet 109a, and the air that has passed through the condenser <NUM> may flow back into the machine room <NUM> through the outlet 109b. The air flowing back into the machine room <NUM> through the outlet 109b may flow out of the main body <NUM> through the communication hole <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, in the second mode, the shoe <NUM> may be cooled by circulating the air that has passed through only the evaporator <NUM> into the care room <NUM>.

In addition, according to the embodiment, in the second mode, when the target temperature is not maintained and rises despite the compressor <NUM> operating at the minimum operating frequency, unheated air in the machine room <NUM> may be used to cool the condenser <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may open the fourth damper 105a and the fifth damper 105b in the second mode, and in this case, the shoe <NUM> and the condenser <NUM> may be cooled with a lower efficiency.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a method of changing an operation mode by a shoe care apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may operate in a first mode (<NUM>).

According to various embodiments, in response to a user starting by selecting a drying course through the control panel <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may control the damper unit <NUM> and the heat pump device <NUM> such that the shoe care apparatus <NUM> operates in the first mode.

In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may adjust the operating frequency of the compressor <NUM> or control on/off operations of the compressor <NUM> to follow a target temperature corresponding to the drying course on the basis of temperature information acquired through the sensor unit <NUM>.

For example, the controller <NUM> may adjust the operating frequency of the compressor <NUM> through a fuzzy control method to follow a target temperature corresponding to a drying course.

Meanwhile, despite the compressor <NUM> being operated at a preset frequency (e.g., the minimum operating frequency), when the temperature of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> (e.g., the temperature inside the duct <NUM> or the temperature inside the care room <NUM>) continuously rises due to a special circumstance (e.g., high-temperature outside air), the dehumidifying performance of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> may be deteriorated due to high temperature and high humidity air, and a failure of the heat pump device <NUM> may be caused.

In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may determine the operation mode of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> based on the operating frequency of the compressor <NUM> and the temperature inside the duct <NUM>.

Specifically, the controller <NUM>, based on the operating frequency of the compressor <NUM> being less than or equal to a preset frequency (YES in operation <NUM>) and the temperature inside the duct <NUM> being higher than or equal to a set temperature (YES in operation <NUM>) while the shoe care apparatus <NUM> operates in the first mode, may change the operation mode of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> to the second mode (<NUM>).

According to an embodiment, despite the compressor <NUM> being operating at a preset frequency (e.g., the minimum operating frequency), when the temperature of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> (e.g., the temperature inside the duct <NUM> or the temperature inside the care room <NUM>) continuously rises due to a special circumstance (e.g., high-temperature outside air), the operation mode of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> may be switched to the second mode to cool the condenser <NUM> and the shoes <NUM>.

In addition, according to the embodiment, by changing the operation mode of the shoe care apparatus <NUM> from the first mode to the second mode, the high-temperature and high-humidity air circulating inside the care room <NUM> may be changed to low-temperature and low-humidity air, and accordingly the dehumidification performance may be improved.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a method of operating a shoe care apparatus based on a user input according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment may include the control panel <NUM> to receive various user inputs from a user.

The shoe care device <NUM> according to an embodiment may provide a user with various shoe care courses, and the user may select a shoe care course using various buttons and a touch pad included in the control panel <NUM>.

In various embodiments, the shoe care apparatus <NUM> may provide general drying courses for drying the shoes <NUM>, and may provide various courses, such as a first course for drying and then cooling the shoes <NUM> , a second course for focusing on dehumidification of the shoes <NUM>, and a third course for cooling the shoe <NUM>.

Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, a user input for selecting the first course is defined as a first user input, a user input for selecting the second course is defined as a second user input, and a user input for selecting the third course is defined as a third user input.

In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may receive a user input through the control panel <NUM> (<NUM>), and operate the shoe care apparatus <NUM> in one of the first mode and the second mode based on the user input.

According to various embodiments, the controller <NUM>, based on the first user input being received, may control the shoe care apparatus <NUM> to operate in the first mode for a first preset time and then operate in the second mode for a second preset time (<NUM>).

In an embodiment, the first preset time may be set as a time for drying the shoe <NUM>, and the second preset time may be set as a time for cooling the shoe <NUM>. In addition, by considering that the time for drying the shoe <NUM> is longer than the time for cooling the shoe <NUM>, the first preset time may be set longer than the second preset time.

The shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment may provide the user with the first course, so that when the user wears the shoes <NUM> immediately after the care has been completed, the user may feel a cooler feeling, thereby increasing the user's satisfaction.

For example, the first course may be mainly used in summer when the user is uncomfortable to wear the shoes <NUM> with high temperature.

According to various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may control the shoe care apparatus <NUM> to alternately operate in the first mode and the second mode for a preset number of times based on reception of the second user input (<NUM>).

In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may repeat a cycle several times in which the shoe care apparatus <NUM> operates in the first mode for a first reference time and operates in the second mode for a second reference time. In this case, the first reference time and the second reference time may be preset to a time for maximizing the dehumidification performance.

When the shoe care apparatus <NUM> operates alternately in the first mode and the second mode, air that has been heated and humidified by passing through the care room <NUM>, the evaporator <NUM>, and the condenser <NUM> in the first mode may be caused to pass through only the evaporator <NUM> in the second mode so that the air may come to have a lowered humidity, and in the next first mode, high temperature and low humidity air may be supplied to the shoes <NUM>, so that the moisture of the shoes <NUM> may be efficiently removed.

The shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment may provide the user with the second course to thereby remove moisture from the shoes <NUM> with an optimal time.

According to various embodiments, the controller <NUM> may control the shoe care apparatus <NUM> to operate only in the second mode based on receiving the third user input (<NUM>).

In an embodiment, the controller <NUM> may control the shoe care apparatus <NUM> to operate in the second mode for a preset time. In this case, the preset time may be set in advance as a time suitable for cooling the shoe <NUM>.

When the shoe care apparatus <NUM> operates only in the second mode, only low-temperature air may be provided to the shoe <NUM>, so that the shoe <NUM> may be efficiently cooled in an optimal time.

The shoe care apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment provides the user with the third course, so that when the user wears the shoes <NUM>, the user feels cool, thereby increasing the user's satisfaction.

For example, the third course may be mainly used in summer when the user is uncomfortable to wear shoes <NUM> with high temperature.

Claim 1:
A shoe care apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a main body (<NUM>);
a first compartment (<NUM>) in the main body (<NUM>) and configured to accommodate shoes;
a second compartment (<NUM>) in the main body (<NUM>) and configured to accommodate a heat pump (<NUM>) including an evaporator (<NUM>) and a condenser (<NUM>);
a fan (<NUM>) configured to circulate air through the first compartment (<NUM>) and the second compartment (<NUM>);
a first circulation passage (<NUM>) configured to guide air discharged from the first compartment (<NUM>) back to the first compartment (<NUM>) by guiding the discharged air to the evaporator (<NUM>) and the condenser (<NUM>);
a second circulation passage (<NUM>) to guide the discharged air from the first compartment (<NUM>) back to the first compartment (<NUM>) by guiding the discharged air to the evaporator (<NUM>) and bypassing the condenser (<NUM>);
a third circulation passage (<NUM>) to guide air inside the second compartment (<NUM>) to flow to the condenser (<NUM>); and
a first valve (106a) configured to open and close the second circulation passage (<NUM>).