Patent Description:
A laundry treating apparatus is a concept including a washing machine that removes foreign substances from laundry using water and detergent, a dryer for drying wet laundry, and an apparatus for removing odors from the laundry or removing wrinkles from the laundry. Among the conventional laundry treating apparatuses, as the apparatus for removing the wrinkles or the odors from the laundry, an apparatus for supplying steam to the laundry hung in an unfolded state in a chamber, and an iron for supplying heat and steam while a user presses the laundry seated on a support surface (an ironing board and the like) were common.

In a case of the laundry treating apparatus such as the iron, because the ironing board on which the laundry is supported is disposed separately from the iron, whenever ironing is required, there was an inconvenience in that the user has to prepare the ironing board and the iron independently.

In addition, in the conventional laundry treating apparatus, a sleeve ironing board necessary for ironing sleeves, shoulders, and the like is not disposed in the ironing board or the laundry treating apparatus, so that the user has to prepare the sleeve ironing board separately.

In addition, the conventional laundry treating apparatus does not have an apparatus for maintaining the unfolded state of the ironing-completed laundry, so that there was an inconvenience that the laundry from which the wrinkles are removed via the ironing wrinkles again.

In addition, the conventional iron was formed to include a heating plate for supplying heat to the laundry. The heating plate disposed in the conventional iron was designed to cut off power supply when a preset temperature is reached so as to prevent the heating plate from being heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a specified temperature. However, even when the temperature of the heating plate is controlled in a temperature range equal to or lower than the certain temperature, damage to the laundry was not able to be avoided when the laundry is remained in contact with the heating plate for a long time.

<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> are related prior art documents.

The present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus equipped with treating means for supplying at least one of heat and steam to laundry, and a support for providing a space in which the laundry is supported.

In addition, the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus equipped with both an ironing board and a sleeve ironing board so as to provide a laundry treating apparatus that facilitates storage and use of the ironing board and the sleeve ironing board.

In addition, the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus capable of hanging laundry whose treatment process such as ironing has been completed in an unfolded state.

In addition, the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treating apparatus equipped with treating means capable of minimizing a risk of damage to laundry caused by a heating plate.

The invention is specified by the independent claim <NUM>. In the following description, although numerous features may be designated as optional, it is nevertheless acknowledged that all features comprised in the independent claim are not to be read as optional. The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet having a first housing and a second housing respectively providing accommodating spaces therein, an outlet extending through a top surface of the cabinet so as to be in communication with the second housing, a first support disposed to be pivotable from one surface of the cabinet toward the top surface of the cabinet so as to provide a space for supporting laundry, treating means withdrawable from the first housing and supplying at least one of heat and moisture to the laundry, and a second support withdrawable from the second housing via the outlet and providing a space for supporting the laundry, and having an area smaller than an area of the support.

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet having a first housing and a second housing respectively providing accommodating spaces therein, an outlet extending through a top surface of the cabinet so as to be in communication with the second housing, a first support disposed to be pivotable from one surface of the cabinet toward the top surface of the cabinet so as to provide a space for supporting laundry, treating means withdrawable from the first housing and supplying at least one of heat and moisture to the laundry, a body withdrawn from the second housing via the outlet, and a second support disposed in the body and located above the first support, wherein the second support provides a space for supporting the laundry and has an area smaller than an area of the support.

The second support may include a first board fixed to the body so as to be pivotable from the body toward a top surface of the first support, and a second board pivotably fixed to the first board so as to be pivotable in a plane parallel to the top surface of the first support, and providing the space for supporting the laundry.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a body withdrawing portion for providing power for the body to be withdrawn from the second housing.

The body withdrawing portion may include a rack disposed in the second housing along a longitudinal direction of the second housing, a pinion rotatably disposed in the body and coupled to the rack, and a pinion motor for rotating the pinion.

The second support may be withdrawable from the body.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a board accommodating portion defined as a groove having a concavely bent surface directed toward the first support of a space provided by the body so as to provide a space for the second support to be accommodated.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a clothes hanger support withdrawable from the body and providing a space for a hook of a clothes hanger to be supported.

The clothes hanger support may include a support bar withdrawable from the body, and a hook accommodating portion defined as a groove defined as a surface of the support bar is concavely bent or formed as a protrusion protruding from the surface of the support bar so as to provide a space for the hook of the clothes hanger to be accommodated.

The second support may be defined in a front surface directed in a direction in which the first support is located of the space provided by the body, and the clothes hanger support may be disposed on at least one of a rear surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, and a top surface of the body.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a steam generator including a storage for providing a space for storing water therein, and a heater for heating water inside the storage, wherein the steam generator is disposed in the first housing, a flow path fastening portion disposed in the body, a connecting tube for connecting the flow path fastening portion and the storage to each other, and a connector having one end connected to the treating means and the other end detachably fixed to the flow path fastening portion so as to supply steam to the treating means.

The treating means may include a heat supply body having a heating plate for dissipating heat when power is supplied disposed on a bottom surface thereof, a handle fixed to the heat supply body, a connecting portion for detachably fixing the handle to the heat supply body, a first flow path defined in the handle and providing a flow path for steam supplied via the connector to move, and a second flow path defined to connect a communication hole defined to extend through the connecting portion and a steam discharge hole defined to extend through the heating plate to each other, wherein the second flow path is connected to the first flow path via the communication hole.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a cabinet power line disposed in the cabinet and connected to a power supply, a power line fastening portion disposed in the body and connected to the power supply, a power line connecting portion disposed in the connector and detachably coupled to the power line fastening portion, a first power line for supplying power supplied to the power line connecting portion to a first terminal and a second terminal disposed at one end of the handle, a first connecting terminal and a second connecting terminal defined in the connecting portion, and in contact with the first terminal and the second terminal, respectively, when the handle is fixed to the heat supply body, and a second power line for supplying power supplied to the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal to the heating plate.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a connector fixing portion defined in the body to provide therein a space for one end of the connector to be detachably fixed, and the power line fastening portion and the flow path fastening portion may be disposed in the connector fixing portion.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a power controller disposed on the body and control opening and closing of a circuit for connecting the heater and the cabinet power line to each other.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include water level detecting means for detecting a water level inside the storage, and a display disposed on the body so as to display information transmitted from the water level detecting means.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a lamp disposed on the body so as to emit light to the first support, and a lamp controller disposed on the body and configured to control operation of the lamp.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a flow path valve disposed to open and close the first flow path, and a valve controller disposed on the handle and configured to operate the flow path valve.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a heating plate power controller disposed on the handle and configured to control opening and closing of the first power line.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include water level detecting means for detecting a water level inside the storage, and a handle display disposed on the handle so as to display information detected by the water level detecting means.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a first through-hole defined in a surface for supporting the laundry of the space provided by the first support, a second through-hole defined in the first support, a fan for moving air from the first through-hole to the second through-hole, and a fan controller disposed on the handle and configured to control at least one of operation of the fan and the number of rotations of the fan.

The present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus including a wheel rotatably fixed to a bottom surface of a housing, a support body disposed in the housing to provide a space for laundry to be supported, treating means withdrawable from the housing and supplying at least one of heat and moisture to the laundry, a first frame constructed to accommodate therein one of a front surface and a rear surface of the housing, a left side surface of the housing, and a right side surface of the housing, a first connecting bar formed as a bar having one end fixed to the first frame and the other end located at a point higher than an upper end of the housing, and detachably fixed to one of the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing, a second connecting bar formed as a bar having one end fixed to the first frame and the other end located at a point higher than the upper end of the housing, and detachably fixed to the other of the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing bar, and a support bar constructed to connect the other end of the first connecting bar and the other end of the second connecting bar to each other, and providing a space that a user may grip by hand and a space for a hook of a clothes hanger to be supported.

The present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus including a housing having a chamber and a door for opening and closing the chamber, a wheel rotatably fixed to a bottom surface of a housing, a support body disposed in the housing to provide a space for laundry to be supported, treating means withdrawable from the chamber and supplying at least one of heat and moisture to the laundry, a first frame constructed to accommodate therein one of a front surface and a rear surface of the housing, a left side surface of the housing, and a right side surface of the housing, a first connecting bar formed as a bar having one end fixed to the first frame and the other end located at a point higher than an upper end of the housing, and detachably fixed to one of the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing, a second connecting bar formed as a bar having one end fixed to the first frame and the other end located at a point higher than the upper end of the housing, and detachably fixed to the other of the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing bar, and a support bar constructed to connect the other end of the first connecting bar and the other end of the second connecting bar to each other, and providing a space that a user may grip by hand and a space for a hook of a clothes hanger to be supported.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a hook accommodating portion defined as a groove in which a surface of the support bar is concavely bent to provide a space in which the hook of the clothes hanger is accommodated.

The laundry treating apparatus may include a hook accommodating portion formed as at least two protrusions protruding from the support bar to define a space in which the hook of the clothes hanger is accommodated.

The first frame may include a frame body in contact with one of the front and rear surfaces of the housing, a first bent portion disposed at one end of the frame body and in contact with one of the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing, and a second bent portion disposed at the other end of the frame body and in contact with the other of the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing.

The laundry treating apparatus may include a first mounting groove defined in one of the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing, a first fastening groove defined in the first mounting groove, a first detachable body disposed inside the first connection bar, a first fastening protrusion disposed to extend through the first connection bar, fixed to the first detachable body, and coupled to the first fastening groove, a first transfer protrusion disposed to extend through the first connection bar and fixed to the first detachable body, and when an external force is input, moves the first detachable body in a direction in which the first fastening protrusion is separated from the first fastening groove, and a first pressing portion for pressing the first detachable body in a direction in which the first fastening protrusion is coupled to the first fastening groove.

The laundry treating apparatus may include a second mounting groove defined in the other of the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing, a second fastening groove defined in the second mounting groove, a second detachable body disposed inside the second connection bar, a second fastening protrusion disposed to extend through the second connecting bar, fixed to the second detachable body, and coupled to the second fastening groove, a second transfer protrusion disposed to extend through the second connection bar and fixed to the second detachable body, and when an external force is input, moves the second detachable body in a direction in which the second fastening protrusion is separated from the second fastening groove, and a second pressing portion for pressing the second detachable body in a direction in which the second fastening protrusion is coupled to the second fastening groove.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a fixing portion for restricting the rotation of the wheel or separating the wheel from the ground to fix the position of the housing.

The fixing portion may include a fixing body positioned between the bottom surface of the housing and the ground, a body pivoting shaft having one end fixed to the fixing body and the other end pivotably fixed to the bottom surface of the housing so as to adjust a gap between the fixing body and the bottom surface of the housing, and a fixing body driver for pivoting the body pivoting shaft.

The fixing body driver may provide power causing the fixing body to reciprocate between the bottom surface of the housing and a point for separating the wheel from the ground to the body pivoting shaft.

The fixing body driver may provide power causing the fixing body to reciprocate between the bottom surface of the housing and a point in contact with the ground to the body pivoting shaft.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include an insertion hole defined in the bottom surface of the housing, a base inserted into the housing through the insertion hole and to which the wheel is fixed, a vertical level adjusting assembly for adjusting a vertical level of the housing, and a fixing portion for restricting the rotation of the wheel or separating the wheel from the ground to fix the position of the base.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a support accommodating groove defined as a groove in which one of the front surface and the rear surface of the housing is bent concavely, and providing a space in which the support is accommodated, a first pivoting shaft for causing the support to pivot in a plane parallel to the top surface of the housing, a shaft support to which the first pivoting shaft is pivotably fixed, and a second pivoting shaft for pivotably fixing the shaft support to the housing such that the support may pivot from the support accommodating groove to the plane parallel to the top surface of the housing.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a seating portion disposed on the top surface of the housing to maintain a gap between the support and the top surface of the housing.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a first shaft driver for pivoting the first pivoting shaft, a second shaft driver for pivoting the second pivoting shaft, driver first operating means disposed on the top surface of the housing to sequentially operate the second shaft driver and the first shaft driver, and driver second operating means disposed on the support to sequentially operate the first shaft driver and the second shaft driver.

The driver second operating means may be disposed on a surface directed in a direction in which the driver first operating means is located of the space provided by the support.

The treating means may include a heat supply body having a heating plate that dissipates heat when power is supplied disposed on a bottom surface thereof, a handle fixed to the heat supply body, heating plate through-holes defined to extend through the heating plate, withdrawable bodies respectively withdrawable from the heating plate through-holes, and actuators for generating power for free ends of the withdrawable bodies to move between first points located inside the heating plate through-holes and second points located outside the heating plate through-holes.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include contact sensing means for sensing whether a user's body and the handle are in contact with each other, and the actuators may move the free ends of the withdrawable bodies to the second points when a duration the user's body is separated from the handle is longer than a preset first reference duration and move the free ends of the withdrawable bodies to the first points when the user's body is in contact with the handle.

The laundry treating apparatus may include a steam generator including a storage for providing a space for storing water therein, and a heater for heating water inside the storage, wherein the steam generator is disposed in the chamber, a connecting portion for detachably fixing the handle to the heat supply body, a first flow path defined in the handle to provide a flow path through which steam moves, a second flow path defined to connect a communication hole defined to extend through the connecting portion and a steam discharge hole defined to extend through the heating plate to each other, and connected to the first flow path via the communication hole, and a connector having a flow path connecting portion for guiding steam discharged from the steam generator to the first flow path.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a body power line disposed in the housing to supply power to the heater, a first power line disposed to supply power to a first terminal and a second terminal disposed at one end of the handle, a first connecting terminal and a second connecting terminal disposed in the connecting portion and respectively in contact with the first terminal and the second terminal when the handle is fixed to the heat supply body, a second power line for supplying power supplied to the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal to the heating plate, and a power line connecting portion disposed in the connector to connect the body power line and the first power line to each other.

The laundry treating apparatus may include a connector first fixing portion defined in the housing and to which one end of the connector is fixed, a connector second fixing portion defined in the handle and to which the other end of the connector is fixed, a discharge port constructed to discharge steam inside the storage, located in the connector first fixing portion, and detachably coupled to the flow path connecting portion, and a power terminal connected to the body power line, located in the connector first fixing portion, and detachably coupled to the power line connecting portion.

The present disclosure may provide a laundry treating apparatus including a heat supply body having a heating plate that dissipates heat when power is supplied disposed on a bottom surface thereof, a handle fixed to the heat supply body, heating plate through-holes defined to extend through the heating plate, withdrawable bodies respectively withdrawable from the heating plate through-holes, and actuators for generating power for free ends of the withdrawable bodies to move between first points located inside the heating plate through-holes and second points located outside the heating plate through-holes.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include contact sensing means for sensing whether a user's body and the handle are in contact with each other, and the actuators may move the free ends of the withdrawable bodies to the second points when a duration the user's body is separated from the handle is longer than a preset first reference duration.

The actuators may move the free ends of the withdrawable bodies to the first points when the user's body is in contact with the handle.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include position detecting means for detecting a movement of the heat supply body, and the actuators may move the free ends of the withdrawable bodies to the second points when a change in the position of the heat supply body is not detected for a preset second reference duration.

The first reference duration and the second reference duration may be set as the same duration.

The heating plate through-holes may include a first through-hole and a second through-hole respectively defined at front and rear sides of the heating plate or at left and right sides of the heating plate, and the withdrawable bodies may include a first withdrawable body withdrawable from the first through-hole and a second withdrawable body withdrawable from the second through-hole.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a housing having a chamber for providing a space in which the heat supply body and the handle are accommodated, and a door for opening and closing the chamber, a steam generator including a storage for providing a space for storing water therein, and a heater for heating water inside the storage, wherein the steam generator is disposed in the chamber, a support body disposed in the housing to provide a space in which laundry is supported, a connecting portion for detachably fixing the handle to the heat supply body, a first flow path defined in the handle to provide a flow path through which steam moves, a second flow path defined to connect a communication hole defined to extend through the connecting portion and a steam discharge hole defined to extend through the heating plate to each other, and connected to the first flow path via the communication hole, and a connector having a flow path connecting portion for guiding steam discharged from the steam generator to the first flow path.

The connecting portion may include a first connecting body fixed to the heat supply body to be pivotable via a connecting body first shaft, a connecting body first through-hole defined to extend through the first connecting body, and a second connecting body located inside the connecting body first through-hole, fixed to the first connecting body to be pivotable via a connecting body second shaft, and having the communication hole defined therein.

The connecting body first shaft and the connecting body second shaft may be orthogonal to each other.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a body power line disposed in the housing to supply power to the heater, a first power line disposed in the handle and supplying power to a first terminal and a second terminal disposed at one end of the handle, a first connecting terminal and a second connecting terminal disposed in the second connecting portion and respectively in contact with the first terminal and the second terminal when the handle is fixed to the heat supply body, a second power line for supplying power supplied to the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal to the heating plate, and a power line connecting portion disposed in the connector to connect the body power line and the first power line to each other.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a body power line disposed in the housing to supply power to the heater, a first power line supplying power to a first terminal and a second terminal disposed at one end of the handle, a first connecting terminal and a second connecting terminal disposed in the connecting portion and respectively in contact with the first terminal and the second terminal when the handle is fixed to the heat supply body, a second power line for supplying power supplied to the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal to the heating plate, and a power line connecting portion disposed in the connector to connect the body power line and the first power line to each other.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a power controller disposed on the handle and control opening and closing of the first power line.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a switch for supplying power to the first terminal and the second terminal when the first power line is closed, and cutting off power supply to the first terminal and the second terminal when the first power line is opened, and a power controller disposed on the handle to operate the switch.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include water level detecting means for detecting a water level inside the storage, and a display disposed on the handle so as to display information detected by the water level detecting means.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a first through-hole defined in a surface for supporting the laundry of the space provided by the support body, a second through-hole defined in the support body, a fan for moving air from the first through-hole to the second through-hole, and a fan controller disposed on the handle and configured to control at least one of operation of the fan and the number of rotations of the fan.

The laundry treating apparatus may further include a brushing unit mounting portion disposed at one end of the handle, a flow path connecting hole defined to extend through the brushing unit mounting portion and connecting the first flow path and the second flow path to each other, a brushing unit having a unit body, a unit body through-hole defined to extend through the unit body and into which the brushing unit mounting portion is inserted, and a brush protruding from the unit body, and a brushing unit accommodating groove defined as a groove in which one surface of the handle is concavely bent to provide a space for accommodating the unit body and the brush, and having a ring shape surrounding the brushing unit mounting portion.

The present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus equipped with the treating means for supplying at least one of heat and steam to the laundry, and the support for providing the space in which the laundry is supported.

In addition, the present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus equipped with both the ironing board and the sleeve ironing board so as to provide the laundry treating apparatus that facilitates the storage and the use of the ironing board and the sleeve ironing board.

In addition, the present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus capable of hanging the laundry whose treatment process such as the ironing has been completed in the unfolded state.

In addition, the present disclosure provides the laundry treating apparatus equipped with the treating means capable of minimizing the risk of the damage to the laundry caused by the heating plate.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a laundry treating apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. A configuration or a control method of the apparatus to be described below is only for illustrating an embodiment of the laundry treating apparatus, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. The same reference numerals used throughout the specification indicate the same components.

As shown in <FIG>, a laundry treating apparatus <NUM> includes a cabinet <NUM> that forms an outer appearance of the apparatus, a first support <NUM> formed to be pivotable from one surface of the cabinet <NUM> toward a top surface of the cabinet <NUM> so as to provide a space in which laundry is supported, treating means <NUM> that is formed to be extended from the cabinet <NUM> so as to supply at least one of heat and moisture to the laundry, and a utility unit <NUM> that is formed to be extended from the cabinet <NUM> and has an apparatus for providing convenience such as a space in which a clothes hanger is supported.

As shown in <FIG>, a housing for providing an accommodating space is disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>. The housing may have a first housing <NUM> and a second housing <NUM> separated from each other via a partition wall dividing the housing into two spaces.

The first housing <NUM> may have a first chamber C11 for providing a space in which the treating means <NUM> is accommodated, a second chamber C12 in which a steam generator <NUM> for supplying steam to the treating means <NUM> is accommodated, and a third chamber C13 in which a water supply tank <NUM> for supplying water to the steam generator <NUM> is accommodated. The second housing <NUM> is disposed to provide a space in which the utility unit <NUM> is accommodated.

One surface of the cabinet <NUM> has an inlet <NUM> in communication with the first housing <NUM>, and the other surface of the cabinet <NUM> has an outlet <NUM> in communication with the second housing <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the inlet <NUM> is defined in a front or rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> is defined in the top surface of the cabinet <NUM> as an example.

The inlet <NUM> is opened or closed by a door <NUM> pivotably disposed on the cabinet <NUM>. Accordingly, a user may open the inlet <NUM> and then withdraw the apparatuses accommodated in the chambers C11, C12, and C13 to the outside of the cabinet <NUM>. The utility unit <NUM> is withdrawn out of the cabinet <NUM> from the second housing <NUM> through the outlet <NUM>.

The steam generator <NUM> disposed in the second chamber C12 is constructed to include a storage <NUM> that provides a space in which water is stored, and a heater <NUM> that is disposed inside the storage and heats water when power is supplied.

The storage <NUM> is supplied with water through an inlet hole <NUM> connected to the water supply tank <NUM>, and steam inside the storage is discharged to the outside of the storage <NUM> through a discharge port <NUM>. When a valve <NUM> is disposed in the discharge port <NUM>, steam will be discharged to the outside of the storage <NUM> when the valve <NUM> opens the discharge port <NUM>. The storage <NUM> may further include water level detecting means <NUM> for detecting a water level. The heater <NUM> may receive power through a cabinet power line <NUM> connected to a power supply.

The water supply tank <NUM> may be constructed to include a tank body <NUM> that provides therein a space for storing water and is detachably fixed in the third chamber C13, a water discharge valve <NUM> disposed on a bottom surface of the tank body <NUM>, a valve actuator <NUM> fixed to a bottom surface of the third chamber C13 so as to open the water discharge valve <NUM>, and a water supply pipe <NUM> having one end connected to the valve actuator <NUM> and the other end connected to the inlet hole <NUM> of the steam generator.

A water supply port 1181a is disposed on a top surface of the tank body <NUM>. The water supply port 1181a is closed by a lid 1181b detachably coupled to the tank body <NUM>. A drain hole 1181c that is opened or closed by the water discharge valve <NUM> is disposed on the bottom surface of the tank body <NUM>.

A fastening portion 1181d into which the valve actuator <NUM> is inserted may be disposed on the bottom surface of the tank body <NUM>. In this case, the drain hole 1181c may be constructed to discharge water inside the tank body <NUM> to the fastening portion 1181d.

The water discharge valve <NUM> may include a first valve body <NUM> disposed in the tank body <NUM> to close the drain hole 1181c, a second valve body <NUM> located in the fastening portion 1181d, a connecting bar <NUM> inserted into the drain hole 1181c to connect the first valve body and the second valve body to each other, and a valve body through-hole 1184a defined in the second valve body. The fastening portion 1181d has a spring <NUM> for maintaining the state in which the first valve body <NUM> closes the drain hole 1181c.

The valve actuator <NUM> may include an actuator body 1187a fixed to the bottom surface of the third chamber C13, and a body through-hole 1187b defined to pass through the actuator body. When the user inserts the tank body <NUM> into the third chamber C13, the actuator body 1187a is inserted into the fastening portion 1181d. When the actuator body 1187a is inserted into the fastening portion 1181d, the water discharge valve <NUM> will open the drain hole 1181c, and when the drain hole 1181c is opened, water of the tank body will be supplied to the steam generator <NUM> through the water supply pipe <NUM>.

On the bottom surface of the cabinet <NUM>, a wheel <NUM> that facilitates a movement of the cabinet <NUM>, and a fixing portion <NUM> for fixing the cabinet <NUM> to a floor surface (a ground) G of an indoor space may be disposed.

The fixing portion <NUM> may be formed in any shape as long as it is able to fix the cabinet <NUM> to the ground. The fixing portion <NUM> may be composed of two fixing bodies <NUM> and <NUM> respectively disposed on opposite sides of the bottom surface of the cabinet <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, and may be composed of four fixing bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, two of which are disposed on one side of the bottom surface of the cabinet as shown in <FIG>.

The fixing bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be pivotably coupled to the bottom surface of the cabinet so as to be unfolded in a direction away from the cabinet as necessary.

Furthermore, the fixing bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be automatically unfolded via a fixing body driver. As shown in <FIG>, the fixing body driver may include a shaft support 1142b fixed to the bottom surface of the cabinet, a shaft 1142a having one end rotatably coupled to the shaft support 1142b and the other end fixed to the fixing body, a motor 1142e disposed inside the cabinet <NUM>, a main gear 1142c rotated by the motor, and a driven gear 1142d disposed on the shaft 1142a and fastened to the main driven gear 1142d.

Because the shaft 1142a is helically coupled to the shaft support 1142b, when the shafts 1142a are rotated by the motor 1142e, the fixing bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> will move from the bottom surface of the cabinet <NUM> toward the ground G. A distance at which the fixing bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> move toward the ground G is preferably set to a distance that separates the wheel <NUM> from the ground G.

As shown in <FIG>, the cabinet <NUM> may have fixing portion accommodating grooves <NUM> that provides therein a space in which the fixing bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are accommodated. A depth of the fixing portion accommodating groove <NUM> may be set to a depth at which surfaces exposed when the fixing bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are inserted into the fixing portion accommodating grooves <NUM> does not protrude to the outside of the fixing portion accommodating grooves <NUM>.

The motor 1142e may operate by a fixing body controller <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the fixing body controller <NUM> is formed in a shape of a push button on a left side surface of the cabinet. When an external force is input to the fixing body controller <NUM>, the motor 1142e will rotate the shafts 1142a in a direction in which the fixing bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are withdrawn from the fixing portion accommodating grooves <NUM>, and when the external force is input to the fixing body controller <NUM> once more, the motor 1142e may rotate the shafts 1142a such that the fixing bodies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> move toward the fixing portion accommodating grooves <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first support <NUM> may include a support body <NUM> that provides therein a space in which the laundry is supported, and angle adjusting means <NUM> pivotably coupling the support body to the cabinet <NUM>.

The support body <NUM> is seated on one of the front surface and the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>. When the door <NUM> is disposed on the front surface of the cabinet, the support body <NUM> may be disposed to be seated on the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>. A support accommodating groove <NUM> providing therein a space in which at least a portion of a bottom surface of the support body <NUM> is accommodated may be defined in the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM>. The support accommodating groove <NUM> may be defined as a groove obtained as the rear surface of the cabinet <NUM> is concavely bent inwardly of the cabinet <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> has a slot <NUM> providing a movement path of the angle adjusting means <NUM>. That is, one end of the angle adjusting means <NUM> may be pivotably fixed to the cabinet <NUM>, and the other end of the angle adjusting means <NUM> may be inserted into the slot <NUM> and fixed to the support body <NUM>.

The angle adjusting means <NUM> may include an adjusting means body <NUM> having one end fixed to the support body <NUM> and the other end inserted into the slot <NUM>, and a pivoting shaft <NUM> for pivotably connecting the adjusting means body <NUM> to the cabinet <NUM>.

The first support <NUM> may further include a position fixing portion <NUM> for maintaining the support body <NUM> positioned on the top surface of the cabinet <NUM>. The position fixing portion <NUM> may include a bar <NUM> having one end fixed to the cabinet <NUM> so as to be pivotable via a bar pivoting shaft <NUM>, and the other end detachably fixed to the support body <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a case in which a free end of the bar <NUM> is inserted into a stopper <NUM> defined in a bottom surface of the support body <NUM> so as to fix the position of the support body <NUM> as an example. The stopper <NUM> may be defined as a groove obtained as the bottom surface of the support body <NUM> is concavely bent.

As shown in <FIG>, the bar <NUM> may be withdrawn from the bar accommodating groove <NUM> defined in the cabinet <NUM>. In this case, the bar accommodating groove <NUM> may be defined as a groove in which the bottom surface of the support accommodating groove <NUM> is concavely bent toward a center of the cabinet, and the bar pivoting shaft <NUM> may connect one end of the bar <NUM> to the bar accommodating groove <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a seating portion <NUM> may be further disposed on the top surface of the cabinet <NUM> or the bottom surface of the support body <NUM> so as to maintain a gap between the support body <NUM> and the top surface of the cabinet <NUM> when the support body <NUM> is pivoted to be positioned on the top surface of the cabinet <NUM>.

The support body <NUM> may have an accommodating portion <NUM> defining a space in which a fan <NUM> is mounted and a flow path of air. A first through-hole <NUM> passing through the support body to be in communication with the accommodating portion <NUM> may be defined in the top surface of the support body <NUM>, and a second through-hole <NUM> passing through the support body to be in communication with the accommodating portion <NUM> may be defined in the bottom surface of the support body.

When the fan <NUM> operates in a state in which the laundry is seated on the top surface of the support body <NUM>, air will be introduced into the accommodating portion <NUM> through the first through-hole <NUM> and air inside the accommodating portion <NUM> will be discharged through the second through-hole <NUM>. Because the support <NUM> having the above structure may fix the laundry to the top surface of the support body <NUM>, shaking of the laundry may be minimized when the treating means <NUM> is ironed.

As shown in <FIG>, the utility unit <NUM> includes a body <NUM> that is able to be withdrawn from the second housing <NUM> through the outlet <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may receive power so as to be withdrawn from the second housing <NUM> via a body withdrawing portion <NUM>. The body withdrawing portion <NUM> may include a rack <NUM> fixed to the second housing along a longitudinal direction of the second housing <NUM>, a pinion <NUM> rotatably disposed on the body <NUM> and coupled to the rack, and a pinion motor (not shown) that rotates the pinion.

A connector fixing portion (a connector first fixing portion) <NUM> is disposed in a space in a space provided by the body <NUM> exposed to the outside of the second housing <NUM> when withdrawn from the second housing <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the connector first fixing portion <NUM> is defined as a groove defined in the top surface of the body <NUM> as an example.

A power line fastening portion <NUM> and a flow path fastening portion <NUM> may be disposed in the connector first fixing portion <NUM>. The power line fastening portion <NUM> may be connected to the cabinet power line <NUM> via an electric wire, and the flow path fastening portion <NUM> may be connected to the discharge port <NUM> of the steam generator via a connecting tube <NUM>. Because the body <NUM> is withdrawable from the second housing <NUM>, the electric wire and the connecting tube may be formed in a structure that is stretchable along a movement direction of the body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the treating means <NUM> may include a steam supply <NUM> connected to the steam generator <NUM> and the power supply via a connector <NUM>, and a heat supply <NUM> detachably fixed to the steam supply. The heat supply <NUM> may not only be able to supply steam supplied via the steam generator <NUM> to the laundry, but also may supply heat to the laundry via a heating plate <NUM> that radiates heat when power is supplied thereto.

The connector <NUM> may include a connector body <NUM>, a flow path connecting portion <NUM> disposed inside the connector body <NUM> to supply steam discharged from the flow path fastening portion <NUM> to the treating means <NUM>, and a power line connecting portion <NUM> disposed inside the connector body <NUM> to supply power supplied from the power line fastening portion <NUM> to the treating means <NUM>.

One end of the connector body <NUM> may include a first fastening end 1771a detachably connected to the connector first fixing portion <NUM> of the utility unit, and the other end of the connector body <NUM> may include a second fastening end 1771b detachably connected to the treating means <NUM>.

The steam supply <NUM> may include a steam supply body <NUM> having a bar-shaped handle <NUM>. A connector fixing portion (a connector second fixing portion) 1712a to which the second fastening end 1771b of the connector is detachably fixed may be defined at one end of the steam supply body <NUM>.

A first flow path <NUM> providing a flow path through which steam moves is defined inside the steam supply body <NUM>. One end of the first flow path <NUM> may be defined at the connector second fixing portion 1712a, and the other end thereof may be defined to extend through a contact surface (a surface in contact with the heat supply) 1712b disposed in the steam supply body <NUM>. Therefore, when the second fastening end 1771b of the connector is inserted into the connector second fixing portion 1712a, the first flow path <NUM> will be connected to the steam generator <NUM> via a flow path connecting portion <NUM> disposed in the connector and a connecting tube <NUM> disposed in the utility body.

A flow path valve <NUM> may be disposed in the first flow path <NUM>, and the flow path valve <NUM> may open or close the first flow path by a valve controller <NUM> disposed on the steam supply body <NUM>. As shown in the drawing, the valve controller <NUM> may be disposed on a handle <NUM>.

A first power line <NUM> is disposed inside the steam supply body <NUM>. A first terminal 1715a and a second terminal 1715b for supplying power to the heat supply <NUM> are disposed on the contact surface 1712b of the steam supply body. The first power line <NUM> is means for connecting the terminals 1715a and 1715b to the power line connecting portion <NUM> disposed in the connector.

That is, the first power line may include an electric wire having one end connected to the first terminal 1715a and the other end fixed to the connector second fixing portion 1712a, and an electric wire having one end connected to the second terminal 1715b and the other end fixed to the connector second fixing portion 1712a. Therefore, when the second fastening end 1771b of the connector is inserted into the connector second fixing portion 1712a, the terminals 1715a and 1715b may be connected to the cabinet power line <NUM> via the first power line <NUM>, a power line connecting portion <NUM>, and the power line fastening portion <NUM>.

The first power line <NUM> may be constructed to be opened (to cut off power supply to the terminals) or to be closed (to supply power to the terminals) by a heating plate power controller <NUM> disposed on the steam supply body <NUM>. That is, the steam supply <NUM> may have a switch for opening or closing the first power line <NUM>, and the heating plate power controller <NUM> may control a position of the switch. The drawing shows a case in which the heating plate power controller <NUM> is disposed on the handle <NUM> as an example.

The steam supply body <NUM> may include a fan controller <NUM> for controlling a fan <NUM> disposed in the support body <NUM>. The fan controller <NUM> may control whether to operate the fan <NUM>, the number of rotations of the fan, and the like, and is preferably disposed on the handle <NUM> in consideration of ease of use.

Furthermore, the steam supply body <NUM> may have a display (a handle display) <NUM> for displaying an amount of water stored in the storage <NUM> of the steam generator. The display <NUM> may notify the user of the water level of the storage <NUM> detected by the water level detecting means <NUM>, and may be constructed as a lamp that is turned on only when the water level inside the storage is equal to or lower than a preset reference water level. In consideration of the convenience of use, it is preferable that the display <NUM> is disposed on the top surface of the handle <NUM>.

The heat supply <NUM> may include a heat supply body <NUM> to which the steam supply body <NUM> is fixed, the heating plate <NUM> disposed on a bottom surface of the heat supply body <NUM> to radiate heat when power is supplied thereto, and connecting portions <NUM> and <NUM> for detachably connecting the steam supply body <NUM> to the heat supply body <NUM>.

The heat supply body <NUM> may have any shape as long as it is able to provide a space in which the heating plate <NUM> is fixed and a space in which the contact surface 1712b of the steam supply body <NUM> is fixed.

The connecting portion may include a connecting body <NUM> fixed to a top surface of the heat supply body <NUM>, and a fastening body <NUM> for fastening the steam supply body <NUM> to the connecting body <NUM>.

The connecting body <NUM> has a first connecting terminal 1755a and a second connecting terminal 1755b. When the steam supply body <NUM> is fixed to the heat supply body <NUM>, the first connecting terminal 1755a should be in contact with the first terminal 1715a disposed on the steam supply and the second connecting terminal 1755b should be in contact with the second terminal 1715b disposed on the steam supply.

In addition, the connecting body <NUM> has a communication hole 1755c for communicating an interior of the heat supply body <NUM> with the outside. When the steam supply body <NUM> is fixed to the heat supply body <NUM>, the communication hole 1755c should be connected to the first flow path <NUM> of the steam supply.

The fastening body <NUM> may include an accommodating groove 1757b defined in the steam supply body <NUM>, a fixing protrusion 1757a disposed on the connecting body <NUM> and detachably coupled to the accommodating groove 1757b, and a fixing portion lock 1757c for controlling a position of the fixing protrusion 1757a.

The fixing portion lock 1757c may be constructed as a slide button disposed on a side surface of the heat supply body <NUM>. When an external force is input to the slide button (when the slide button is pushed to one side), the fixing protrusion 1757a may be withdrawn from the accommodating groove 1757b. In addition, when no external force is input to the slide button, the fixing protrusion 1757a may maintain the state inserted into the accommodating groove 1757b.

The heating plate <NUM> may include a heating plate body formed as a conductor and fixed to the bottom surface of the heat supply body <NUM>, and a heating plate heater 1752a disposed inside the heating plate body. An insulating portion 1752b for insulating the heating plate body <NUM> may be disposed on the bottom surface of the heat supply body <NUM>.

The heating plate heater 1752a receives power via a second power line <NUM>. That is, the second power line <NUM> includes an electric wire for connecting the first connecting terminal 1755a with one end of the heating plate heater 1752a, and an electric wire for connecting the second connecting terminal 17554b with the other end of the heating plate heater 1752a. Accordingly, in a state in which the terminals 1715a and 1715b are respectively connected to the connecting terminals 1755a and 1755b (in a state in which the steam supply body is coupled to the heat supply body), when the heating plate power controller <NUM> closes a power circuit, the heating plate heater 1752a will generate heat.

The heating plate <NUM> has a steam discharge hole 1752c defined to extend through the heating plate body. The steam discharge hole 1752c may be connected to the communication hole 1755c via the second flow path <NUM>. Therefore, when the steam supply body <NUM> is connected to the heat supply body <NUM>, steam discharged from the first flow path <NUM> may move to the steam discharge hole 1752c via the communication hole 1755c and the second flow path <NUM>.

In one example, when the steam discharge hole 1752c includes a plurality of holes, the heat supply body <NUM> may further include a nozzle <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> is preferably disposed to supply the steam supplied from the second flow path <NUM> to each steam discharge hole 1752c.

In order for the utility unit <NUM> to perform a function of a main controller, the body <NUM> may have input means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and a display <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the input means may include a power controller <NUM> for controlling opening and closing of a circuit that connects the heater <NUM> of the steam generator with the cabinet power line <NUM>, and a withdrawal controller <NUM> for controlling the pinion motor of the body withdrawing portion <NUM>.

The power controller <NUM> may be disposed on a surface directed in a direction in which the support body <NUM> is located of the space provided by the body <NUM>, and the withdrawal controller <NUM> may be disposed on a top surface (a surface that forms the top surface of the cabinet when inserted into the second housing) of the body <NUM>.

In one example, a lamp <NUM> disposed on the body <NUM> so as to emit light onto the top surface of the support body <NUM> may be further disposed. In this case, the input means may include a lamp controller <NUM> that controls an operation of the lamp <NUM>. The lamp controller <NUM> may be disposed on the surface directed in the direction in which the support body <NUM> is located of the space provided by the body <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may display information transmitted from the water level detecting means <NUM>. That is, the display <NUM> may notify the user of data detected by the water level detecting means <NUM> (data enabling the user to recognize the water level), and may be formed as a lamp that is turned on only when the water level inside the storage is equal to or lower than the preset reference water level.

In one example, the body <NUM> may have a second support <NUM> serving as a support plate when ironing sleeves or shoulders of a shirt. The second support <NUM> may be disposed in the body <NUM> and located above the support body <NUM>, and provide a space in which the laundry is supported, but has an area smaller than an area of the support body <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a case in which the second support <NUM> includes a first board <NUM> fixed to the body <NUM> so as to be pivotable toward the top surface of the support body <NUM>, and a second board <NUM> pivotably fixed to the first board <NUM> so as to be pivotable in a plane parallel to the top surface of the support body <NUM> to provide a space in which the laundry is supported as an example.

The first board <NUM> may be pivotably fixed to the body <NUM> via a first shaft <NUM>, and the second board <NUM> may be pivotably fixed to the first board <NUM> via a second shaft <NUM>. The first shaft <NUM> may be disposed parallel to the top surface of the support body <NUM>, and the second axis <NUM> may be disposed perpendicular to the top surface of the support body <NUM>. Accordingly, the second board <NUM> may be pivotable in a plane parallel to the top surface of the support body <NUM> and located at a point higher than the top surface of the support body.

As shown in the drawing, the second support <NUM> may be withdrawn from the body <NUM>. In this case, the body <NUM> may have a board accommodating portion <NUM> that provides therein a space in which the second support <NUM> is accommodated. The board accommodating portion <NUM> may be defined as a groove in which a surface facing toward the support body <NUM> of the space provided by the body <NUM> is concavely bent.

The utility unit <NUM> may further include a clothes hanger support <NUM> that provides a space in which a hook of the clothes hanger is supported such that the laundry whose treatment process such as the ironing has been completed may be hung in the unfolded state.

When the second support <NUM> is disposed on the surface (the front surface of the body) facing toward the first support of the space provided by the body <NUM>, the clothes hanger support <NUM> may be disposed on at least one of a rear surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, and a top surface of the body <NUM>. The drawing illustrates a case in which the clothes hanger support <NUM> is disposed on the rear surface of the body <NUM> as an example.

The rear surface of the body <NUM> may have a support bar accommodating groove <NUM> that provides therein a space in which the clothes hanger support <NUM> is accommodated. The support bar accommodating groove <NUM> may be defined as a groove in which the rear surface of the body <NUM> is concavely bent.

The clothes hanger support <NUM> may include a support bar <NUM> located in the support bar accommodating groove <NUM>, a support bar pivoting shaft (not shown) for pivotably fixing a lower end of the support bar to the body <NUM>, and a hook accommodating portion <NUM> defined as a groove in which a surface of the support bar <NUM> is concavely bent or formed as a protrusion protruding from the surface of the support bar <NUM> to provide a space in which the hook of the clothes hanger is accommodated. Accordingly, the user may, when necessary, withdraw a free end of the support bar <NUM> from the support bar accommodating groove <NUM> and then mount the clothes hanger on the support bar <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another example of a laundry treating apparatus. As shown in <FIG>, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> includes a body <NUM> that forms an outer appearance of the apparatus and has a chamber for storage therein, a support <NUM> that is pivotably fixed to the body <NUM> and defines a space in which the laundry is supported depending on a pivoting angle, treating means (laundry treating means) <NUM> that is formed to be withdrawn from an interior of the body <NUM> so as to supply at least one of heat and steam to the laundry hung on the support <NUM>.

The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may include a detachable body <NUM> that is detachably fixed to the body <NUM>. The detachable body <NUM> may function as a handle required to move the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>, or may function as a stand providing a space in which the laundry is hung. That is, the detachable body <NUM> becomes the handle when being fixed to the body <NUM>, but as shown in <FIG>, the detachable body <NUM> separated from the body <NUM> becomes the stand for the laundry or the clothes hanger.

As shown in <FIG>, the body <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and a base <NUM> for supporting the housing on the floor surface (the ground) of the indoor space. The housing <NUM> has chambers C1, C2, C3, and C4 therein, the chamber is exposed to the outside of the housing via an inlet <NUM>. A door <NUM> for opening and closing the inlet <NUM> is disposed on one surface of the housing <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the door <NUM> is pivotably fixed to the housing <NUM> to form a front surface of the body <NUM> as an example.

The base <NUM> may have a wheel <NUM> that facilitates a movement of the body <NUM>, and a fixing portion <NUM> for fixing a position of the housing <NUM> by restricting a rotation of the wheel <NUM> or separating the wheel <NUM> from the ground. The wheel <NUM> may be formed as a disk rotatably fixed to the base <NUM>.

The fixing portion <NUM> may include a fixing body <NUM> located between the bottom surface of the base <NUM> (the bottom surface of the housing) and the ground G, a body pivoting shaft <NUM> having one end fixed to the fixing body <NUM> and the other end pivotably fixed to the bottom surface of the base (the bottom surface of the housing), and fixing body drivers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> for pivoting the body rotating shaft <NUM>.

The body pivoting shaft <NUM> may be constructed to adjust a gap between the fixing body <NUM> and the bottom surface of the base <NUM>. In this case, a first screw thread may be disposed on a circumferential surface of the body pivoting shaft <NUM>, and a shaft fastening portion <NUM> having a second screw thread coupled to the first screw thread may be disposed on the bottom surface of the base <NUM>. Therefore, when the body pivoting shaft <NUM> pivots clockwise by the fixing body driver, the fixing body <NUM> may move in a direction away from the bottom surface of the base <NUM> (move toward the ground), and when the body pivoting shaft <NUM> pivots counterclockwise, the fixing body <NUM> may move toward the bottom surface of the base <NUM> (move in a direction away from the ground).

The fixing body drivers may include a motor <NUM> fixed to the base <NUM>, a main gear <NUM> rotated by a rotation shaft of the motor, and a driven gear <NUM> fixed to the body pivoting shaft <NUM> and connected to the main gear <NUM>.

The fixing body driver may provide power causing the fixing body <NUM> to reciprocate between the bottom surface of the base <NUM> and a point for separating the wheel <NUM> from the ground G to the body pivoting shaft <NUM>.

In contrast, the fixing body driver may provide power causing the fixing body <NUM> to reciprocate between the bottom surface of the base <NUM> and a point in contact with the ground G to the body pivoting shaft <NUM>.

The fixing body driver may operate by the fixing body controller <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the fixing body controller <NUM> controls the operation of the motor <NUM> as an example. In this case, the motor <NUM> may rotate the main gear <NUM> clockwise or counterclockwise while the user steps on the fixing body controller <NUM>. Furthermore, the motor <NUM> may change a rotation direction of the main gear <NUM> whenever the user steps on the fixing body controller <NUM>.

That is, the motor <NUM> may rotate the main gear <NUM> clockwise when the user steps on the fixing body controller <NUM>, then stop the rotation of the main gear when the user takes a foot thereof off the fixing body controller <NUM>, and then rotate the main gear <NUM> counterclockwise when the user steps on the fixing body controller <NUM> again.

The above-described base <NUM> may be fixed to the housing <NUM> to form the bottom surface of the housing, or may be withdrawable from the housing <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates as an example a case in which the base <NUM> is withdrawable from the housing (illustrates as an example a case in which the housing is constructed so as to be able to ascend and descend along a longitudinal direction of the base). That is, an insertion hole <NUM> may be defined in the bottom surface of the housing <NUM>, and the base <NUM> may be inserted into the housing <NUM> via the insertion hole <NUM>. In this case, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may further include a vertical level adjusting assembly <NUM> for adjusting a vertical level of the housing <NUM>.

The vertical level adjusting assembly <NUM> may include a rack 116a disposed along a longitudinal direction of the housing <NUM>, a pinion 116b rotatably fixed to the base <NUM> and coupled to the rack, and a pinion motor (not shown) that rotates the pinion. The pinion motor is controlled by a pinion motor controller 116c. The pinion motor controller 116c may be formed as a push button disposed on the housing <NUM>.

Considering that the support <NUM> must be pivoted to be positioned on the top surface of the housing <NUM> during the laundry treatment such as the ironing, the pinion motor controller 116c is preferably disposed on one of a left side surface, a right side surface, a front surface, and a rear surface of the housing <NUM>. The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> having the vertical level adjusting assembly <NUM> described above may adjust a vertical level of the support <NUM> based on selection of the user, thereby increasing a convenience of use of a tall user.

The chambers disposed in the housing <NUM> may include a first chamber C1 that provides a space in which the treating means <NUM> is accommodated, a second chamber C2 in which a steam generator <NUM> is accommodated, a third chamber C3 in which a water supply tank <NUM> for supplying water to the steam generator is accommodated, and a fourth chamber C4 in which other objects necessary for the operation of the laundry treating apparatus are accommodated.

The steam generator <NUM> may include a storage <NUM> that is disposed in the second chamber C2 and provides a space for storing water therein, and a heater <NUM> that is disposed in the storage and heats water when power is supplied thereto.

The storage <NUM> is supplied with water via an inlet hole <NUM> connected to the water supply tank <NUM>, and steam inside the storage is discharged to the outside of the storage <NUM> via the discharge port <NUM>. When a valve <NUM> is disposed in the discharge port <NUM>, steam will be discharged to the outside of the storage <NUM> when the valve <NUM> opens the discharge port <NUM>. Water level detecting means <NUM> for detecting a water level may be further disposed in the storage <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> may receive power through a body power line <NUM>. The body power line <NUM> may be withdrawn from a winding assembly <NUM> disposed in the body <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the winding assembly <NUM> is disposed in the base <NUM> as an example.

The water supply tank <NUM> may include a tank body <NUM> that provides a space for storing water and is detachably fixed to the third chamber C3, a water discharge valve <NUM> disposed on the bottom surface of the tank body <NUM>, a valve actuator <NUM> fixed to the bottom surface of the third chamber C3 to open the water discharge valve <NUM>, and a water supply pipe <NUM> having one end connected to the valve actuator <NUM> and the other end connected to the inlet hole <NUM> of the steam generator.

A water supply port 181a is disposed on the top surface of the tank body <NUM>. The water supply port 181a is closed by a lid 181b detachably coupled to the tank body <NUM>. A drain hole 181c that is opened or closed by the water discharge valve <NUM> is disposed on the bottom surface of the tank body <NUM>.

A fastening portion 181d into which the valve actuator <NUM> is inserted may be disposed on the bottom surface of the tank body <NUM>. In this case, the drain hole 181c may be defined to discharge water inside the tank body <NUM> to the fastening portion 181d.

The water discharge valve <NUM> may include a first valve body <NUM> disposed in the tank body <NUM> to close the drain hole 181c, a second valve body <NUM> located in the fastening portion 181d, a connecting bar <NUM> inserted into the drain hole 181c to connect the first valve body and the second valve body to each other, and a valve body through-hole 184a defined in the second valve body. The fastening portion 181d has a spring <NUM> for maintaining the first valve body <NUM> in the state of closing the drain hole 181c.

The valve actuator <NUM> may include an actuator body 187a fixed to the bottom surface of the third chamber C3, and a body through-hole 187b defined to extend through the actuator body. When the user inserts the tank body <NUM> into the third chamber C3, the actuator body 187a is inserted into the fastening portion 181d. When the actuator body 187a is inserted into the fastening portion 181d, the water discharge valve <NUM> opens the drain hole 181c, and when the drain hole 181c is opened, water in the tank body will be supplied to the steam generator <NUM> through the water supply pipe <NUM>.

Steam discharged from the discharge port <NUM> of the steam generator <NUM> may be supplied to the treating means <NUM> via a connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may include a connector body <NUM>, a flow path connecting portion <NUM> disposed inside the connector body <NUM> to connect the discharge port <NUM> and the treating means <NUM> to each other, and a power line connecting portion <NUM> disposed inside the connector body <NUM> to supply power supplied from the body power line <NUM> to the treating means <NUM>.

One end of the connector body <NUM> may have a first fastening end 79a detachably connected to the treating means <NUM>, and the other end of the connector body <NUM> may have a second fastening end 79b detachably connected to the discharge port <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may have a connector fixing portion (a connector first fixing portion) <NUM> to which the second fastening end 79b is detachably fixed. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the connector first fixing portion <NUM> is disposed on the right side surface of the housing <NUM> as an example.

In this case, it is preferable that a power terminal <NUM> connected to the body power line <NUM>, and the discharge port <NUM> of the steam generator are exposed to the outside of the housing <NUM> via the connector first fixing portion <NUM>. It is to cause the flow path connecting portion <NUM> to be connected to the discharge port <NUM> and cause the power line connecting portion <NUM> to be connected to the power terminal <NUM> when the user only inserts the second fastening end 79b into the connector first fixing portion <NUM>.

The treating means <NUM> may include a steam supply <NUM> connected to the steam generator <NUM>, and a heat supply <NUM> that is detachably fixed to the steam supply. In this case, the first fastening end 79a may be detachably connected to a connector fixing portion (a connector second fixing portion) disposed in one of the steam supply and the heat supply. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the connector second fixing portion 712a is disposed in the steam supply <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the support <NUM> may include a support body <NUM> providing a space in which the laundry is supported, and angle adjusting means <NUM> for pivotably connecting the support body to the housing <NUM>.

The support body <NUM> is seated on one of the front surface and the rear surface of the housing <NUM>. When the door <NUM> is disposed on the front surface of the housing <NUM>, the support body <NUM> may be supported on the rear surface of the housing <NUM>. That is, as shown in <FIG>, a support accommodating groove <NUM> that provides a space in which at least a portion of a bottom surface of the support body <NUM> is accommodated may be defined in the rear surface of the housing <NUM>. The support accommodating groove <NUM> may be defined as a groove in which the rear surface of the housing <NUM> is concavely bent inwardly of the housing <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> has a slot <NUM> that provides a movement path of the angle adjusting means <NUM>. That is, one end of the angle adjusting means <NUM> may be pivotably fixed to the housing <NUM>, and the other end of the angle adjusting means <NUM> may be inserted into the slot <NUM> and fixed to the support body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the angle adjusting means <NUM> may include a shaft support <NUM> inserted into the slot <NUM>, a first pivoting shaft <NUM> having one end pivotably fixed to the shaft support <NUM> and the other end fixed to the support body <NUM>, and a second pivoting shaft <NUM> for pivotably fixing the shaft support <NUM> to the housing <NUM>.

The shaft support <NUM> may have a shaft accommodating portion <NUM>. In this case, the first pivoting shaft <NUM> may be pivotably fixed to the accommodating portion <NUM> via a bearing. The second pivoting shaft <NUM> is means for causing the shaft support <NUM> to pivot along a path provided by the slot <NUM>.

As shown in (a) in <FIG>, the support body <NUM> is pivotable from the support accommodating groove <NUM> to the top surface of the housing <NUM> by the second pivoting shaft <NUM>. In addition, as shown in (b) in <FIG>, the support body <NUM> may pivot in a plane parallel to the top surface of the housing <NUM> by the first pivoting shaft <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the support <NUM> may further include a second shaft driver <NUM> for pivoting the second pivoting shaft <NUM>, and a first shaft driver <NUM> for pivoting the first pivoting shaft <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first shaft driver <NUM> may include a first shaft motor 337a disposed in the housing <NUM>, a first shaft main gear 337b rotated by the first shaft motor, and a first shaft driven gear 337c fixed to the first pivoting shaft <NUM> and connected to the first shaft main gear.

The second shaft driver <NUM> may include a second shaft motor 336a disposed in the housing <NUM>, a second shaft main gear 336b rotated by the second shaft motor, and a second shaft driven gear 336c fixed to the second pivoting shaft <NUM> and connected to the second shaft main gear.

The laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may further include driver first operating means <NUM> for sequentially operating the second shaft driver <NUM> and the first shaft driver <NUM>, and driver second operating means <NUM> for sequentially operating the first shaft driver <NUM> and the second shaft driver <NUM>.

In a state in which the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> is not operating (the state in which the support body is seated in the support accommodating groove, the state of <FIG>), a portion of the top surface of the housing <NUM> and a portion of the bottom surface of the support body <NUM> remain exposed to the outside of the body <NUM>. Accordingly, the driver first operating means <NUM> may be disposed at any position on the top surface of the housing <NUM> or on the bottom surface of the support body <NUM>.

However, when the support body <NUM> is located on the housing <NUM> by the driver first operating means <NUM>, it is difficult for the user to access the top surface of the housing <NUM>, so that the driver second operating means <NUM> is preferably disposed on the support body <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the driver second operating means <NUM> is disposed on the bottom surface <NUM> (a surface directed in a direction in which the driver first operating means is located of the space provided by the support body) of the support body <NUM> as an example.

The support body <NUM> may have therein an accommodating portion <NUM> for defining a space in which a fan <NUM> is mounted and defining a flow path of air. A first through-hole <NUM> extending through the support body and in communication with the accommodating portion <NUM>, and a second through-hole <NUM> extending through the bottom surface of the support body and in communication with the accommodating portion <NUM> may be defined in the top surface of the support body <NUM>.

When the fan <NUM> operates in a state in which the laundry is seated on the top surface of the support body <NUM>, air will be introduced into the accommodating portion <NUM> via the first through-hole <NUM> and air inside the accommodating portion <NUM> will be discharged via the second through-hole <NUM>. Because the support <NUM> having the above structure is able to fix the laundry to the top surface of the support body <NUM>, shaking of the laundry may be minimized when ironing with the treating means <NUM>.

A seating portion <NUM> may be formed on the top surface of the housing <NUM> such that shaking of the support body <NUM> may be minimized by maintaining a gap between the support body <NUM> and the top surface of the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the seating portion <NUM> may be formed as a protrusion protruding from the top surface of the housing <NUM> to maintain a gap between the bottom surface of the support body <NUM> and the top surface of the housing <NUM>.

Considering that the support body <NUM> is pivotable about the first pivoting shaft <NUM>, it is preferable that the top surface of the seating portion <NUM> is inclined upward along a pivoting direction of the support body <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the detachable body <NUM> may include a first frame <NUM> formed in a shape that may accommodate the front surface of the housing <NUM>, the left side surface of the housing, and the right side surface of the housing, a second frame <NUM> fixed to the first frame <NUM> and in contact with both side surfaces of the housing <NUM>, and detachable portions <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on the second frame <NUM> to detachably fix the second frame <NUM> to the housing <NUM>.

The first frame <NUM> may include a bar-shaped frame body <NUM> in contact with the front surface of the housing <NUM>, a bar-shaped first bent portion <NUM> disposed at one end of the frame body <NUM> and in contact with the left side surface of the housing <NUM>, and a bar-shaped second bent portion <NUM> disposed at the other end of the frame body <NUM> and in contact with the right side surface of the housing <NUM>.

Unlike the drawing, the first frame <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to a shape formed by the rear surface, the left side surface, and the right side surface of the housing <NUM>. In this case, the frame body <NUM> should be in contact with the rear surface of the housing <NUM>.

The second frame <NUM> may include a first connecting bar <NUM> formed as a bar having one end fixed to the first bent part <NUM> and the other end located at a point higher than an upper end of the housing <NUM>, a second connecting bar <NUM> formed as a bar having one end fixed to the second bent part <NUM> and the other end located at a point higher than the upper end of the housing <NUM>, and a support bar <NUM> disposed to connect a free end of the first connecting bar and a free end of the second connecting bar to each other. The support bar <NUM> provides a space that the user may grip by hand and a space in which the hook of the clothes hanger is supported.

The support bar <NUM> may further include a hook accommodating portion <NUM>. The hook accommodating portion <NUM> may be formed as at least two protrusions protruding from the top surface of the support bar <NUM>. It is preferable that one protrusion is disposed to be spaced apart from the other protrusion to define a space in which the hook of the clothes hanger is accommodated.

Unlike the drawing, the hook accommodating portion <NUM> may be defined as a plurality of grooves (a space in which the hook of the clothes hanger is accommodated) in which the top surface of the support bar <NUM> is concavely bent.

The detachable portions may include a first detachable portion <NUM> for detachably fixing the first connecting bar <NUM> to the left side surface of the housing <NUM>, and a second detachable portion <NUM> for detachably fixing the second connecting bar <NUM> to the right side surface of the housing <NUM>.

The first detachable portion <NUM> may include a first mounting groove <NUM> defined in the left side surface of the housing <NUM>, a first fastening groove <NUM> defined in the first mounting groove, a first detachable body <NUM> disposed inside the first connecting bar <NUM>, a first fastening protrusion <NUM> and a first transfer protrusion <NUM> fixed to the first detachable body <NUM> through the first connecting bar <NUM>, and a first pressing portion <NUM> for pressing the first detachable body <NUM>.

The first mounting groove <NUM> may be defined along the longitudinal direction of the housing <NUM> to define a space in which the first connecting bar <NUM> is accommodated.

The first fastening protrusion <NUM> is formed to be inserted into the first fastening groove <NUM>. The first transfer protrusion <NUM> may move the first detachable body <NUM> in a direction in which the first fastening protrusion <NUM> is separated from the first fastening groove <NUM> when an external force is input, and the first pressing portion <NUM> may be formed as a spring that presses the first detachable body <NUM> in a direction in which the first fastening protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the first fastening groove <NUM> when the external force input to the first transfer protrusion <NUM> disappears.

The second detachable portion <NUM> may be formed in the same structure as the first detachable portion <NUM>. That is, the second detachable portion <NUM> may include a second mounting groove defined in the right side surface of the housing <NUM>, a second fastening groove defined in the second mounting groove, a second detachable body disposed inside the second connecting bar, a second fastening protrusion <NUM> that extends through the second connecting bar and is fixed to the second detachable body and is coupled to the second fastening groove, a second transfer protrusion <NUM> that extends through the second connecting bar and is fixed to the second detachable body and moves the second detachable body in a direction in which the second fastening protrusion is separated from the second fastening groove when an external force is input, and a second pressing portion for pressing the second detachable body in a direction in which the second fastening protrusion is coupled to the second fastening groove.

As shown in <FIG>, a vertical dimension of the support bar <NUM> is preferably set to a vertical dimension that allows the laundry hung on a clothes hanger H to maintain the unfolded state. That is, the vertical dimension of the support bar <NUM> (a length from the ground to an upper end of the support bar, L1) is preferably set greater than a length L2 from the upper end of the support bar to a lower end of the laundry (the shirt, pants, and the like) hung on a clothes hanger body H1.

The detachable body <NUM> fixed to the body <NUM> functions as a handle for the user to control a moving direction of the body <NUM>, but the detachable body <NUM> separated from the body <NUM> functions as a stand for the laundry. Accordingly, the laundry treating apparatus <NUM> may mount the laundry whose treatment process such as the ironing has been completed in the unfolded state.

As shown in <FIG>, the treating means <NUM> may include a steam supply <NUM> connected to the steam generator <NUM> via the connector <NUM>, and a heat supply <NUM> that is detachably fixed to the steam supply. The heat supply <NUM> may not only be able to supply steam supplied via the steam generator <NUM> to the laundry, but also may supply heat to the laundry via a heating plate <NUM> that dissipates heat when power is supplied thereto.

As shown in <FIG>, the steam supply <NUM> may include a steam supply body <NUM> having a bar-shaped handle <NUM>. One end of the steam supply body <NUM> may be detachably fixed to the heat supply <NUM> via connecting portions <NUM> and <NUM> to be described later. The connector second fixing portion 712a may be disposed at a free end of the steam supply body <NUM>.

A first flow path <NUM> that provides a flow path through which steam moves is defined inside the steam supply body <NUM>. One end of the first flow path <NUM> may be exposed to the connector second fixing portion 712a, and the other end of the first flow path <NUM> may extend through a contact surface (a surface in contact with the heat supply) 712b disposed on the steam supply body <NUM>. Therefore, when the connector first fastening end 79a is inserted into the connector second fixing portion 712a, the first flow path <NUM> will be connected to the steam generator <NUM> via a flow path connecting portion <NUM> disposed in the connector.

The first flow path <NUM> may have a flow path valve <NUM>. The flow path valve <NUM> may open or close the first flow path by a valve controller <NUM> disposed in the steam supply body <NUM>. As shown in the drawing, the valve controller <NUM> may be disposed on the handle <NUM>.

A first power line <NUM> is disposed inside the steam supply body <NUM>. A first terminal 715a and a second terminal 715b for supplying power to the heat supply <NUM> are disposed on the contact surface 712b of the steam supply body, and the first power line <NUM> is means for connecting the terminals 715a and 715b to the power line connecting portion <NUM> disposed in the connector.

That is, the first power line may include an electric wire having one end connected to the first terminal 715a and the other end fixed to the connector second fixing portion 712a, and an electric wire having one end connected to the second terminal 715b and the other end fixed to the connector second fixing portion 712a. Therefore, when the connector first fastening end 79a is inserted into the connector second fixing portion 712a, the terminals 715a and 715b will be connected to the body power line <NUM> via the first power line <NUM>, a power line connecting portion <NUM>, and a power terminal <NUM>.

The first power line <NUM> may be constructed to be opened (to cut off power supply to the terminals) or to be closed (to supply power to the terminals) by a power controller <NUM> disposed on the steam supply body <NUM>. That is, the steam supply <NUM> may have a switch for opening or closing the first power line <NUM>, and the power controller <NUM> may control a position of the switch. The drawing shows a case in which the power controller <NUM> is disposed on the handle <NUM> as an example.

Furthermore, the steam supply body <NUM> may have a display <NUM> for displaying an amount of water stored in the storage <NUM> of the steam generator. The display <NUM> may notify the user of the water level of the storage <NUM> (data measured by the water level detecting means) detected by the water level detecting means <NUM>, and may be constructed as a lamp that is turned on only when the water level inside the storage is equal to or lower than a preset reference water level. In consideration of the convenience of use, it is preferable that the display <NUM> is disposed on the top surface of the handle <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the heat supply <NUM> may include a heat supply body <NUM> to which the steam supply body <NUM> is fixed, the heating plate <NUM> disposed on a bottom surface of the heat supply body <NUM> to radiate heat when power is supplied thereto, and connecting portions <NUM> and <NUM> for detachably connecting the steam supply body <NUM> to the heat supply body <NUM>.

The heat supply body <NUM> may have any shape as long as it is able to provide a space in which the heating plate <NUM> is fixed and a space in which the contact surface 712b of the steam supply body <NUM> is fixed.

As shown in <FIG>, the connecting portion may include a connecting body <NUM> fixed to a top surface of the heat supply body <NUM>, and a fastening body <NUM> for fastening the steam supply body <NUM> to the connecting body <NUM>.

The connecting body <NUM> has a first connecting terminal 754a and a second connecting terminal 754b. When the steam supply body <NUM> is fixed to the heat supply body <NUM>, the first connecting terminal 754a should be in contact with the first terminal 715a disposed on the steam supply and the second connecting terminal 754b should be in contact with the second terminal 715b disposed on the steam supply.

In addition, the connecting body <NUM> has a communication hole 754c for communicating an interior of the heat supply body <NUM> with the outside. When the steam supply body <NUM> is fixed to the heat supply body <NUM>, the communication hole 754c should be connected to the first flow path <NUM> of the steam supply.

The fastening body <NUM> may include an accommodating groove 757b (see <FIG>) defined in the steam supply body <NUM>, a fixing protrusion 757a disposed on the connecting body <NUM> and detachably coupled to the accommodating groove 757b, and a fixing portion lock 757c for controlling a position of the fixing protrusion 757a.

The fixing portion lock 757c may be constructed as a slide button disposed on a side surface of the heat supply body <NUM>. When an external force is input to the slide button (when the slide button is pushed to one side), the fixing protrusion 757a may be withdrawn from the accommodating groove 757b. In addition, when no external force is input to the slide button, the fixing protrusion 757a may maintain the state inserted into the accommodating groove 757b.

As shown in <FIG>, the heating plate <NUM> may include a heating plate body formed as a conductor and fixed to the bottom surface of the heat supply body <NUM>, and a heating plate heater 752a disposed inside the heating plate body. An insulating portion 752b for insulating the heating plate body <NUM> may be disposed on the bottom surface of the heat supply body <NUM>.

The heating plate heater 752a receives power via a second power line <NUM>. That is, the second power line <NUM> includes an electric wire for connecting the first connecting terminal 754a with one end of the heating plate heater 752a, and an electric wire for connecting the second connecting terminal 754b with the other end of the heating plate heater 752a. Accordingly, in a state in which the terminals 715a and 715b are respectively connected to the connecting terminals 754a and 754b (in a state in which the steam supply body is coupled to the heat supply body), when the heating plate power controller <NUM> closes a power circuit, the heating plate heater 752a will generate heat.

The heating plate <NUM> has a steam discharge hole 752c defined to extend through the heating plate body. The steam discharge hole 752c may be connected to the communication hole 754c via the second flow path <NUM>. Therefore, when the steam supply body <NUM> is connected to the heat supply body <NUM>, steam discharged from the first flow path <NUM> may move to the steam discharge hole 752c via the communication hole 754c and the second flow path <NUM>.

In one example, when the steam discharge hole 752c includes a plurality of holes, the heat supply body <NUM> may further include a nozzle <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> is preferably disposed to supply the steam supplied from the second flow path <NUM> to each steam discharge hole 752c.

As shown in <FIG>, in order to minimize a risk of damage to the laundry by the heating plate <NUM>, the heat supply <NUM> may further include a heating plate separating portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the heating plate separating portion <NUM> may include withdrawable bodies <NUM> and <NUM> that may be respectively withdrawn through heating plate through-holes 752d and 752e defined in the heating plate, and actuators <NUM> and <NUM> for respectively adjusting positions of the withdrawable bodies. The actuators <NUM> and <NUM> are means for generating power for causing free ends of the withdrawing bodies <NUM> and <NUM> to reciprocate between first points located inside the heating plate through-holes 752d and 752e and second points located outside the heating plate through-holes 752d and 752e.

The heating plate through-holes 752d and 752e may be defined as a first through-hole 752d and a second through-hole 752e defined to extend through the heating plate body. The first through-hole 752d and the second through-hole 752e may be defined at front and rear portions of the heating plate <NUM>, respectively, or at left and right sides of the heating plate <NUM>, respectively. The drawing illustrates a case in which the first through-hole 752d and the second through-hole 752e are defined at the front and rear portions of the heating plate <NUM>, respectively.

The withdrawable bodies may include a first withdrawable body <NUM> positioned in the first through-hole 752d, and a second withdrawable body <NUM> positioned in the second through-hole 752e. In this case, the actuator should be constructed to include a first actuator <NUM> for causing the first withdrawable body <NUM> to reciprocate between the first point and the second point, and a second actuator <NUM> for causing the second withdrawable body <NUM> to reciprocate between the first point and the second point.

<FIG> shows a case in which a free end of the first withdrawable body <NUM> and a free end of the second withdrawable body <NUM> are located at the first points, and <FIG> shows a case in which the free end of the first withdrawable body <NUM> and the free end of the second withdrawable body <NUM> are positioned at the second points.

The actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may operate by a withdrawable body controller (not shown) disposed in the steam supply body <NUM>. That is, when the user inputs a control command to the withdrawable body controller, the actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may adjust the positions of the withdrawable bodies <NUM> and <NUM> in response to the input control command.

Further, the actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may move the free ends of the withdrawable bodies <NUM> and <NUM> to the second points when the user does not grip the handle <NUM> for a reference duration (a first reference duration) or more.

That is, the steam supply body <NUM> may further include contact sensing means (not shown) for detecting whether a user's body and the handle <NUM> are in contact with each other. The actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may move the free ends of the withdrawable bodies <NUM> and <NUM> to the second points when a duration the user's body is separated from the handle <NUM> is equal to or longer than the first reference duration. When the contact sensing means detects that the user's body is in contact with the handle <NUM> or the control command is input to the withdrawable body controller, the actuators will move the free ends of the withdrawable bodies from the second points to the first points.

Contrary to the above, the actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may move the free ends of the withdrawable bodies <NUM> and <NUM> to the second points when a duration in which the treating means <NUM> is stationary and stopped becomes longer than a reference duration (a second reference duration).

That is, the steam supply body <NUM> may further include position detecting means (not shown) for detecting a movement of the heat supply body <NUM>, and the actuators <NUM> and <NUM> may move the free ends of the withdrawable bodies <NUM> and <NUM> to the second points when a change in the position of the heat supply body <NUM> is not detected during the second reference duration. When the movement of the heat supply body <NUM> occurs, when the contact sensing means detects that the user's body is in contact with the handle <NUM>, or when the control command is input to the withdrawable body controller, the actuators will move the free ends of the withdrawable bodies from the second points to the first points. The first reference duration and the second reference duration may be set as the same duration.

In the treating means <NUM> having the above structure, the steam supply body <NUM> having the handle <NUM> is fixed to the heat supply body <NUM> so as not to be pivotable. Therefore, the user must use a wrist a lot when ironing the laundry seated on the support body <NUM>.

In order to solve the above-mentioned shortcoming, as shown in <FIG>, the connecting body <NUM> may include a first connecting body <NUM> fixed to the heat supply body <NUM> so as to be pivotable via a connecting body first shaft 755a, a connecting body first through-hole 755b defined to extend through the first connecting body <NUM>, and a second connecting body <NUM> fixed to the first connecting body <NUM> so as to be pivotable via a connecting body second shaft 756a and located inside the connecting body first through-hole 755b.

In this case, the communication hole 754c to which one end of the second flow path <NUM> is fixed must extend through the second connecting body <NUM>. In addition, the first connecting terminal 754a, the second connecting terminal 754b, and the fixing protrusion 757a of the fastening body should also be disposed in the second connecting body <NUM>.

An angle between the connecting body first shaft 755a and the connecting body second shaft 756b may be in a range from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the connecting body first shaft 755a and the connecting body second shaft 756b are orthogonal to each other as an example.

When an intersection angle of the connecting body first shaft 755a and the connecting body second shaft 756b is set to <NUM> degrees, the handle <NUM> may not only be pivotable in a left and right direction of the heat supply body <NUM> via the connecting body first shaft 755a, but also be pivotable along a front and rear direction of the heat supply body <NUM> via the connecting body second shaft 756a. Therefore, the treating means <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be able to minimize a burden on the user's wrist.

As shown in <FIG>, the treating means <NUM> may further include a brushing unit <NUM> for separating foreign substances remaining on the laundry from the laundry.

The brushing unit <NUM> may be detachably fixed to the contact surface 712b of the steam supply body <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the brushing unit <NUM> is fixed to a brushing unit mounting portion 711a disposed on the contact surface 712b as an example. In this case, the brushing unit mounting portion 711a should have a flow path connecting hole 711c connecting the first flow path <NUM> and the communication hole 754c to each other.

The brushing unit <NUM> may include a unit body <NUM>, a unit body through-hole <NUM> defined to extend through the unit body <NUM> and into which the brushing unit mounting portion 711a is inserted, and a brush <NUM> protruding from the unit body <NUM>. Accordingly, the user may fix or detach the brushing unit <NUM> to or from the brushing unit mounting portion 711a as needed.

An embodiment shown in <FIG> is characterized in that the steam supply body <NUM> has a space in which the brushing unit <NUM> is accommodated. That is, the steam supply body <NUM> according to the present embodiment has a brushing unit accommodating groove 711b defined as a groove in which the contact surface 712b is concavely bent so as to provide a space in which the unit body <NUM> and the brush <NUM> are accommodated.

The brushing unit accommodating groove 711b may be defined in the same shape as that of the unit body <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a case in which the brushing unit accommodating groove 711b is defined in a ring shape surrounding the brushing unit mounting portion 711a.

<FIG> and <FIG> show another embodiment of the treating means <NUM>. The treating means <NUM> according to the present embodiment may have the same structure as the treating means <NUM> shown in <FIG> except for a structure of the fastening body <NUM> connecting the steam supply body <NUM> and the heat supply body <NUM> to each other.

As shown in <FIG>, the treating means <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a steam supply <NUM> and a heat supply <NUM>.

The steam supply <NUM> includes a steam supply body <NUM> having a handle <NUM>. One end of the steam supply body <NUM> may have a connector second fixing portion 712a to which a first fastening end 79a of a connector is fixed, and the other end (a surface having a contact surface) of the steam supply body <NUM> may have a discharge port (a first flow path discharge port) of the first flow path <NUM>. One end of the first flow path <NUM> is exposed to the connector second fixing portion 712a, and the other end thereof is connected to the first flow path discharge port.

The steam supply body <NUM> may include a valve controller <NUM> for controlling the flow path valve <NUM>, a power controller <NUM> for controlling opening and closing of a first power line <NUM>, a fan controller <NUM> for controlling the fan <NUM> of the support, and a display <NUM>. Functions and structures of the valve controller, the power controller, the fan controller, and the display are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, so that detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The heat supply <NUM> may include a heat supply body <NUM> having a bottom surface to which a heating plate <NUM> is fixed, and connecting portions <NUM> and <NUM> formed on a top surface of the heat supply body. A structure of the heating plate may be the same as that in the above-described embodiment.

The connecting portion may include a connecting body <NUM> fixed to the heat supply body <NUM>, and a fastening body <NUM> for coupling the connecting body and the steam supply body <NUM> to each other.

A second power line <NUM> for supplying power to the heating plate heater 752a, and a second flow path <NUM> for supplying steam to the steam discharge hole 752c are disposed inside the heat supply body <NUM>. The second flow path <NUM> is connected to the first flow path <NUM> via a communication hole 754c defined in the connecting body <NUM>.

The fastening body <NUM> in the present embodiment may include a first lock body <NUM> disposed on the connecting body <NUM>, a second lock body <NUM> that may be withdrawn from an interior of the heat supply body <NUM> to the connecting body <NUM>, a lock handle <NUM> exposed on one surface of the heat supply body <NUM>, a first groove <NUM> defined in the steam supply body <NUM> and into which the first lock body is inserted, and a second groove <NUM> defined in the steam supply body <NUM> and into which the second lock body is inserted.

The heat supply body <NUM> should provide a space in which the second lock body <NUM> is accommodated and should have a guide (not shown) providing a movement path of the second lock body. The heat supply body <NUM> or the connecting body <NUM> may have a lock body outlet 751a in communication with the guide, and the top surface of the heat supply body <NUM> may have a supply body through-hole 751b in communication with the guide.

In this case, one end of the second lock body <NUM> may be located inside the guide, and a free end of the second lock body <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the guide via the lock body outlet 751a.

The lock handle <NUM> is means fixed to the second lock body <NUM> to allow the user to move the second lock body <NUM>. The lock handle <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the heat supply body <NUM> via the supply body through-hole 751b, and the supply body through-hole 751b may be defined as a slit providing a movement path of the lock handle <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A laundry treating apparatus comprising:
a cabinet (<NUM>) having a first housing (<NUM>) and a second housing (<NUM>) respectively providing accommodating spaces therein;
an outlet (<NUM>) extending through a top surface of the cabinet (<NUM>) configured to be in communication with the second housing;
a first support (<NUM>) disposed to be pivotable from one surface of the cabinet (<NUM>) toward the top surface of the cabinet (<NUM>) configured to provide a space for supporting laundry;
treating means (<NUM>) configured to be withdrawable from the first housing (<NUM>) and to supply steam to the laundry;
a body (<NUM>) configured to be withdrawable from the second housing (<NUM>) via the outlet (<NUM>);
a second support (<NUM>) disposed in the body (<NUM>) and located above the first support (<NUM>), wherein the second support (<NUM>) is configured to provide a space for supporting the laundry and has an area smaller than an area of the support; and
a steam generator (<NUM>) including a storage (<NUM>) configured to provide a space for storing water therein, and a heater (<NUM>) configured to heat water inside the storage (<NUM>), wherein the steam generator (<NUM>) is disposed in the first housing (<NUM>);
a flow path fastening portion (<NUM>) disposed in the body (<NUM>);
a connecting tube (<NUM>) configured to connect the flow path fastening portion (<NUM>) and the storage (<NUM>) to each other; and
a connector (<NUM>) having one end connected to the treating means (<NUM>) and the other end detachably fixed to the flow path fastening portion (<NUM>) configured to supply steam to the treating means (<NUM>),
wherein the second support (<NUM>) includes:
a first board (<NUM>) rotatably fixed to the body (<NUM>) configured to be pivotable from the body (<NUM>) toward a top surface of the first support (<NUM>) via a first shaft (<NUM>) parallel to an upper surface of the first support (<NUM>); and
a second board (<NUM>) pivotably fixed to the first board (<NUM>) configured to be pivotable in a plane parallel to the top surface of the first support (<NUM>) via a second shaft (<NUM>) perpendicular to the upper surface of the first support (<NUM>), and to provide the space for supporting the laundry.