Patent Description:
A laundry treating apparatus may be classified into a front-loading type laundry treating apparatus and a top-loading type laundry treating apparatus according to a manner in which laundry is input. Depending on a manner in which the laundry is treated, the laundry treating apparatus may be classified into a washing apparatus for washing the laundry and a drying apparatus for drying the laundry.

In recent years, the front loading type washing apparatus may have a reduced overall height and increased washing capacity, compared to the top loading type washing apparatus in which an inner tub as a washing tub rotates while standing upright. In the front loading type washing apparatus, twisting of the laundry hardly occur. Thus, demand of the front loading type washing apparatus is increasing.

The front-loading type washing apparatus includes a tub disposed inside a cabinet defining an appearance thereof, a drum rotatable inside the tub, and a driver that rotates the drum. The rotation of the drum may cause friction between the drum, a washing-water, and an object to be washed (laundry), thereby removing contaminations from the laundry.

Further, in recent years, a drying apparatus having an appearance similar to that of the front loading type washing apparatus is being manufactured. The drying apparatus includes a drying drum rotatable inside a cabinet, a driver that rotates the drying drum, and a hot air supply that supplies hot and dry air into the drum, thereby drying the laundry in a wet state after washing thereof is completed.

When the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus according to the prior art as described above are installed at the same time, the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus are installed side by side in a horizontal direction on an installation face.

However, when an installation space is narrow, the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus are separately installed in separate spaces, and the laundry that has been# washed in the washing apparatus is moved/injected to the drying apparatus to dry the laundry.

Recently, a washing apparatus having a mount face or a mounting part for installing a drying apparatus thereon so that the drying apparatus may be stacked on a top of the washing apparatus has been commercially available.

However, as described above, when the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus that may be stacked vertically according to the prior art, and when the washing apparatus has the mount face for mounting the drying apparatus thereon, it is very difficult to fix the drying apparatus at a correct position on the mount face. Thus, when a separate fixing device is not used, the drying apparatus may be separated from the correct installation position when the drying apparatus operates.

Further, when the washing apparatus has a separate mounting part for stacking the drying apparatus on the washing apparatus, the separate installation part is fixed to the washing apparatus, and then the drying apparatus is disposed on the washing apparatus, and then the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus must be fixed to each other via the mounting part. This process is cumbersome.

Therefore, a stacking structure of the washing apparatus and the drying apparatus should be improved such that the drying apparatus may be stacked on and fixed to the washing apparatus more conveniently.

<CIT> discloses a stackable structure for stably vertically stacking a drying machine upon a washing machine. <CIT> discloses a washing machine including a plurality of washers.

The present disclosure has been devised to solve the above problem. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a stack-type laundry treating apparatus in which an upper treating apparatus is stacked on a top of a lower treating apparatus.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a stack-type laundry treating apparatus including means which is disposed between the lower treating apparatus and the upper treating apparatus, and limits a position of the upper treating apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stack-type laundry treating apparatus in which a position of the upper treating apparatus may be corrected when the upper treating apparatus is stacked on the lower treating apparatus.

The present invention is defined in independent claim <NUM>. Advantageous aspects are defined in the dependent claims.

According to the stack-type laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure, an effect of improving a support state in which the lower treating apparatus supports the upper treating apparatus thereon may be realized by improving a fastening structure between the lower treating apparatus and the upper treating apparatus.

Further, according to the stack-type laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure, when the upper treating apparatus is stacked on a top of the lower treating apparatus, a stacking position of the upper treating apparatus may be corrected.

In addition to the effects as described above, specific effects of the present disclosure will be described together with the detailed description for carrying out the disclosure.

Hereinafter, a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numbers in different figures denote the same or similar elements, and as such perform similar functionality. Moreover, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted for simplicity of the description. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

In addition, it will also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being present "on" a second element or layer, the first element may be disposed directly on the second element or may be disposed indirectly on the second element with a third element or layer being disposed between the first and second elements or layers. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "connected to", or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "between" two elements or layers, it may be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present.

It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", and "including" when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof.

Expression such as "at least one of" when preceding a list of elements may modify the entire list of elements and may not modify the individual elements of the list.

First, each of components of a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure. <FIG> is a simplified diagram showing an internal structure of the laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure includes a washing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as 'lower treating apparatus <NUM>') that performs washing and rinsing of an object to be washed (laundry), and a drying apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as 'upper treating apparatus <NUM>') that is mounted on a top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> and performs drying of an object to be dried (laundry) that has been washed or needs to be separately dried.

The drying apparatus corresponding to the upper treating apparatus <NUM> may use a gas burner, an electric heater, a heat pump, etc. as a heat source. Hereinafter, in the present disclosure, an example in which the upper treating apparatus <NUM> corresponding to the drying apparatus uses the electric heater as the heat source will be described.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The drying apparatus corresponding to the upper treating apparatus <NUM> may use the gas burner, the heat pump, etc. as a heat source. That is, as long as when the drying apparatus includes main components of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>, the drying apparatus should be regarded as the upper treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure regardless of a type of the heat source of the drying apparatus.

The upper treating apparatus <NUM> includes an upper cabinet <NUM> defining an upper appearance thereof and including an upper front panel <NUM>, an upper top panel <NUM>, an upper side panel <NUM>, an upper rear panel <NUM> and an upper base <NUM>, a drying drum <NUM> rotatably disposed inside the upper cabinet <NUM> and receiving and drying an object to be dried using heated air supplied thereto, an air circulating channel <NUM> for supplying the heated air to the drying drum <NUM> and for discharging air used for drying the object to be dried out of the drying drum <NUM>, a driver <NUM> that rotates the drying drum <NUM> at a predefined rotational speed, a heat-exchanger <NUM> that heats and supplies air of the air circulating channel <NUM> and a water discharger <NUM> that discharges condensate generated from the heat-exchanger <NUM>.

An upper inlet <NUM> through which the object to be dried is inserted into the drying drum <NUM> may be defined in the upper front panel <NUM>. An upper door <NUM> to open and close the upper inlet <NUM> may be disposed at the upper front panel <NUM>. A control panel <NUM> for controlling the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> may be disposed at a lower level of the upper front panel <NUM>.

In this connection, the control panel <NUM> may include a manipulator (not shown) for simultaneous or selective control of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, and a display (not shown) for simultaneous or selective display of operating statuses of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

The upper side panel <NUM> and the upper rear panel <NUM> may have separate plate forms or may be formed in an integral manner to each other by bending one panel. The upper side panel <NUM> and the upper rear panel <NUM> may be integrally formed to improve a strength of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>.

In this connection, a horizontal bent portion 177a that is bent inwardly of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> extends from a bottom of the upper side panel <NUM>. A vertical bent portion 177b that is bent upwardly of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> extends from an end of the horizontal bent portion 177a. A base support portion 177c that is bent inwardly of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and is supported on a support protrusion <NUM> extends from an end of the vertical bent portion 177b.

The upper rear panel <NUM> may have a service panel (not shown) which defines a rear portion of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>, and opens and closes the upper rear panel <NUM> for maintenance of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>. Further, an air discharge duct <NUM> of the air circulating channel <NUM> to be described later may pass through the upper rear panel <NUM>.

Each of the components (e.g., the drying drum <NUM>, the air circulating channel <NUM>, the driver <NUM>, the heat-exchanger <NUM>, etc.) of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is supported and installed on a bottom of the upper cabinet <NUM>. The upper base <NUM> has a support protrusion <NUM>, a front guide protrusion <NUM>, and a rear guide protrusion <NUM> for setting an installation position of the upper washing apparatus <NUM> with respect to the lower washing apparatus <NUM>. The upper base <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to a separate drawing.

The drying drum <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape having open front and rear faces. A front plate <NUM> and a rear plate <NUM> that rotatably support the drying drum <NUM> may be disposed in front and rear of the drying drum <NUM>, respectively.

The front plate <NUM> has an opening <NUM> defined therein that communicates with the upper inlet <NUM> defined in the upper front panel <NUM>. The front plate <NUM> has a front support <NUM> disposed around an outer circumferential face of the opening <NUM> and in front of the drying drum <NUM> and supporting a front inner circumferential face of the drying drum <NUM>.

A front roller <NUM> is disposed below the front support <NUM> to rotatably support a front lower portion of the drying drum <NUM>. A plurality of air intake holes <NUM> through which air from the drying drum <NUM> is sucked into the air circulating channel <NUM> are formed in a lower portion of the front plate <NUM>. The air intake duct <NUM> of the air circulating channel <NUM> is connected to the air intake holes <NUM>.

The rear plate <NUM> has a plurality of air supply holes <NUM> defined therein to which the air supply duct <NUM> of the air circulating channel <NUM> to be described later is connected and through which air is supplied into the drying drum <NUM>. A rear support <NUM> that supports a rear inner circumferential face of the drying drum <NUM> is disposed outside the air supply hole <NUM> and in rear of the drying drum <NUM>. A rear roller <NUM> that rotatably supports a bottom of the drying drum <NUM> is disposed below the rear support <NUM>.

The air circulating channel <NUM> includes the air intake duct <NUM> communicating with the air intake holes <NUM> to intake air in the drying drum <NUM>, an air supply duct <NUM> that supplies air from the air intake duct <NUM> to the drying drum <NUM>, a connection duct <NUM> which connects the air intake duct <NUM> and the air supply duct <NUM> to each other and receives therein a heat-absorber <NUM> and a heat-emitter <NUM> of the heat-exchanger <NUM>, and a fan <NUM> disposed between the air supply duct <NUM> and the air intake duct <NUM> to allow the air inside the drying drum <NUM> to circulate along the air intake duct <NUM>, the connection duct <NUM> and the air supply duct <NUM>.

In one example, a filter <NUM> that filters foreign substances such as lint contained in the air sucked from the drying drum <NUM> may be detachably disposed in the air intake hole <NUM> of the air intake duct <NUM>. The connection duct <NUM> may be coupled to the upper base <NUM> to be described later to define a flow path space in which the heat-absorber <NUM> and the heat-emitter <NUM> are installed. Further, the air supply duct <NUM> guides air respectively dehumidified and heated at the heat-absorber <NUM> and the heat-emitter <NUM> disposed in the connection duct <NUM> to the inside of the drying drum <NUM>.

In this connection, the air inside the drying drum <NUM> is sucked through the air intake duct <NUM> into the channel <NUM> under an operation of the fan <NUM>, thereby reducing a pressure of the drying drum <NUM>. As the pressure of the drying drum <NUM> decreases, air from the outside of the drying drum <NUM> is supplied to the inside of the drying drum <NUM> through the air supply duct <NUM>. In this connection, the air moving through the air supply duct <NUM> is heated by the heat-exchanger <NUM> disposed in the connection duct <NUM> and then supplied to the inside of the drying drum <NUM>.

In this connection, the fan <NUM> may be placed in either the air intake duct <NUM>, the connection duct <NUM> or the air supply duct <NUM>. In the present disclosure, an example in which the fan <NUM> is disposed between the connection duct <NUM> and the air supply duct <NUM>, that is, located behind the heat-emitter <NUM> will be described.

The heat-exchanger <NUM> may be embodied as various devices which may sequentially perform dehumidification and heating of the air introduced into the connection duct <NUM>. In the present disclosure, a case where the heat-exchanger <NUM> is embodied as a heat pump will be described by way of example.

The heat-exchanger <NUM> includes a heat-absorber <NUM> placed inside the connection duct <NUM> to remove moisture from the air flowing into the connection duct <NUM>, a heat-emitter <NUM> placed inside the connection duct <NUM> to heat the air that has passed through the heat-absorber <NUM>, a compressor <NUM> that compresses refrigerant that has passed through the heat-emitter <NUM> and supplies the compressed refrigerant to the heat-absorber <NUM>, and a pressure regulator <NUM> that controls a pressure of the refrigerant that has passed through the heat-emitter <NUM>. The components of the heat-exchanger <NUM> may be connected to each other via a refrigerant pipe <NUM> along which the refrigerant flows.

In this connection, each of the heat-absorber <NUM> and the heat-emitter <NUM> may be embodied as a plurality of metal plates extending in parallel with a flow direction of air along a width direction of the connection duct <NUM> or a height direction of the connection duct <NUM>. The heat-absorber <NUM> and heat-emitter <NUM> are sequentially arranged in a direction from the air intake duct <NUM> to the air supply duct <NUM> and inside the connection duct <NUM>.

The driver <NUM> is configured to rotate the drying drum <NUM> at a predefined rotational speed. The driver <NUM> may have a motor <NUM> that generates power, a pulley <NUM> disposed on a rotation shaft of the motor <NUM>, and a belt <NUM> connecting the pulley <NUM> and an outer circumferential face of the drying drum <NUM>.

In this connection, the pulley <NUM> may be disposed on one end of the rotation shaft of the motor <NUM>, and the fan <NUM> of the air circulating channel <NUM> may be disposed at the other end of the rotation shaft. That is, one motor <NUM> may be used to simultaneously operate the fan <NUM> of the air circulating channel <NUM> and the drying drum <NUM>. In this case, the drying drum <NUM> and the fan <NUM> may be driven by the single motor <NUM>, so that the drying drum <NUM> and the fan <NUM> may rotate at a constant rotation speed ratio and at a constant rotation speed.

In another example, although not shown, separate motors (not shown) may be disposed on the drying drum <NUM> and the fan <NUM>, respectively. When the separate motors are disposed on the drying drum <NUM> and fan <NUM>, respectively, the rotation speeds of the drying drum <NUM> and the fan <NUM> may be individually controlled.

In one example, the water discharger <NUM> is configured to drain condensate generated from the heat-absorber of the heat-exchanger. The water discharger <NUM> may include a water storage body <NUM> that is detachably disposed in the upper cabinet <NUM> to provide a space for storing water therein, a water discharge pump <NUM> placed on the upper base <NUM> to pump the condensate generated from the heat-absorber <NUM>, and a water discharge pipe <NUM> that guides the condensate pumped from the water discharge pump <NUM> to the water storage body <NUM>.

In this connection, the water storage body <NUM> may be embodied as a drawer-type tank which is withdrawn from the upper cabinet <NUM>. A front face of the water storage body <NUM> may define a portion of the upper front panel <NUM>.

In the above-described upper treating apparatus <NUM>, as the object to be dried is injected into the drying drum <NUM> through the upper inlet <NUM>, the drying drum <NUM> is rotated by the driver <NUM>, and thus the object to be dried inside the drying drum <NUM> moves.

Further, as the fan <NUM> is rotated by the driver <NUM>, the air inside the drying drum <NUM> is circulated along the air intake duct <NUM> and the air supply duct <NUM>, and is heated by the heat-exchanger placed in the connection duct and then supplied to the drying drum <NUM>.

The lower treating apparatus <NUM> includes a lower cabinet <NUM> defining a lower appearance thereof, and including a lower front panel <NUM>, a lower side panel <NUM>, a lower rear panel <NUM>, a lower top panel <NUM>, and a lower base panel 219a, a tub <NUM> disposed inside the lower cabinet <NUM> to store washing-water therein, a washing drum <NUM> that is rotatably disposed inside the tub <NUM> to wash the input washing target, a driver <NUM> which is disposed in rear of the tub <NUM> to rotate the washing drum <NUM>, a water supply <NUM> that supplies washing-water to the tub <NUM>, a detergent supply <NUM> that mixes detergent and the washing-water supplied from the water supply with each other to supply the mixture to the washing drum, and a water discharger <NUM> that drains the washing-water inside the tub <NUM>.

The lower front panel <NUM> has a lower inlet <NUM> defined therein through which the object to be washed is input into the washing drum <NUM>. A lower door <NUM> for opening and closing the lower inlet <NUM> is disposed on the lower front panel <NUM>.

A lower horizontal bent portion 214a (see <FIG>) is bent inwardly of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> from a top of the lower side panel <NUM>. The support protrusion <NUM> of the upper base <NUM> and the base support portion 177c of the upper side panel <NUM> are sequentially seated on the lower horizontal bent portion 214a.

Further, a reinforcing frame <NUM> which may increase a strength of a top of the lower side panel <NUM> is seated on the lower horizontal bent portion 214a. The support protrusion <NUM> of the upper base <NUM> is seated on the reinforcing frame <NUM>.

In this connection, reinforcing frame <NUM> may have a horizontal frame <NUM> seated on a top face of the lower side panel <NUM> and a vertical frame <NUM> extending vertically and downwards from an inner end of the horizontal frame <NUM>.

The lower side panel <NUM> and the lower rear panel <NUM> may be provided in separate plate form, or may be formed integrally to each other by bending one panel. The lower side panel <NUM> and the lower rear panel <NUM> may be integrally formed to improve strength of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

The lower front panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> as above-described and the upper front panel <NUM> and the upper side panel <NUM> may constitute the same vertically extending layers, respectively. That is, the lower front panel <NUM>, the upper front panel <NUM> and the control panel <NUM> located at a lower portion of the upper front panel <NUM> may constitute the same vertically extending layer.

Further, the upper side panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> define left and right sides of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, respectively, and may constitute the same vertically extending layers.

In one example, the lower top panel <NUM> is located on a top of the lower front panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> and serves to separate the lower treating apparatus <NUM> and the upper treating apparatus <NUM> from each other, and at the same time, to support and align the upper treating apparatus <NUM> with respect to the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

Further, when a fire accident occurs in the lower treating apparatus <NUM> or the upper treating apparatus <NUM>, the lower top panel <NUM> may serve as a flameproof panel to prevent the fire from one of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> and the upper treating apparatus <NUM> from being transferred to the other thereof.

Further, the lower top panel <NUM> may have a front guide groove <NUM> and a rear guide groove <NUM> defined therein respectively at positions corresponding to positions of the front guide protrusion <NUM> and the rear guide protrusion <NUM> formed on the upper base <NUM> to set the installation position of the upper treating apparatus <NUM>. The lower top panel <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to a separate drawing.

The lower rear panel <NUM> may have a service panel (not shown) which defines a rear portion of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, and which opens and closes the lower rear panel <NUM> for maintenance of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>. Further, a water supply pipe <NUM> of the water supply <NUM> and a water discharge pipe <NUM> of the water discharger <NUM> to be described later may pass through the lower rear panel <NUM>.

In one example, the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is disposed on the top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The top face of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> is covered with the upper treating apparatus <NUM>.

The tub <NUM> is disposed inside the lower cabinet <NUM> and is formed in a cylindrical shape and is mounted via a suspension <NUM> such as a spring and a damper. A tub opening <NUM> that communicates with the lower inlet <NUM> formed in the lower front panel <NUM> is formed in a front face of the tub <NUM>. The lower inlet <NUM> of the lower front panel <NUM> and the tub opening <NUM> may further have a bellows type gasket <NUM> to maintain water-tightness when the tub <NUM> moves.

The driver <NUM> is disposed on a rear face of the tub <NUM> to rotate the washing drum <NUM>, and has an outer rotor type motor <NUM> disposed on the rear face of the tub <NUM> and a rotation shaft <NUM> that passes through the rear face of the tub <NUM> and transmits the rotational force of the motor <NUM>.

The washing drum <NUM> is disposed in inside the tub <NUM> and is formed in a cylindrical shape and is connected to the rotation shaft <NUM> so that the drum <NUM> rotates. The washing drum <NUM> has a drum opening <NUM> defined in a front face thereof communicating with the tub opening <NUM> formed in the tub <NUM>. The object to be washed is injected through the drum opening <NUM> to the drum <NUM>. Further, a plurality of water communication holes <NUM> for flowing the washing-water may be defined in an inner circumferential face of the washing drum <NUM>. A plurality of lifters <NUM> for moving the object to be washed may be disposed in the washing drum <NUM>.

The water supply <NUM> receives washing-water from an external water supply source (not shown) to the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>. The water supply <NUM> includes a water supply pipe <NUM> to which the external water supply source is connected, and a detergent supply <NUM> connected to the water supply pipe <NUM> and mixing the water and detergent and supplying the mixture to the tub <NUM>, and a water supply hose <NUM> connecting the detergent supply <NUM> and the tub <NUM> to each other.

The water discharger <NUM> is disposed under the tub <NUM> to drain the washing-water that has been used in the tub <NUM>. The water discharger <NUM> includes a water discharge hose <NUM> connected to a bottom face of the tub <NUM>, the water discharge pump <NUM> disposed at the water discharge hose <NUM> to pump the washing-water, and a water discharge pipe <NUM> to discharge the washing-water pumped by the water discharge pump <NUM> to the outside.

In the lower treating apparatus <NUM> as described above, as the object to be washed is introduced into the washing drum <NUM> through the lower inlet <NUM>, the detergent and washing-water are supplied to the tub <NUM> from the water supply <NUM>. As the washing drum <NUM> rotates by the driver <NUM>, the object to be washed inside the washing drum <NUM> moves and the washing process proceeds.

Further, as the washing process is completed, the washing-water inside the tub <NUM> is discharged to the outside of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> by the water discharge pump <NUM> of the water discharger <NUM>, thereby completing the washing process.

In one example, the lower treating apparatus <NUM> is installed on an installation place, and then the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, thereby completing the installation of the laundry treating apparatus <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the upper base <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing the upper base of the upper treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a side view showing the upper base of the upper treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown, the upper base <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a compressor receiving portion <NUM> on which the compressor <NUM> of the heat-exchanger <NUM> is installed, a fan receiving portion <NUM> on which the fan <NUM> of the heat-exchanger <NUM> is mounted, and an air supply duct connector <NUM> to which the air supply duct <NUM> is connected, an air intake duct connector <NUM> to which the air intake duct <NUM> is connected, a water collector <NUM> connected to the connection duct <NUM> and the air intake duct connector <NUM> and thus connected to the heat-absorber <NUM> and the heat-emitter <NUM> of the heat-exchanger <NUM>, wherein the condensate generated from the heat-absorber <NUM> is stored in the collector <NUM>, and a water discharge pump receiving portion <NUM> on which a water discharge pump <NUM> to drain the water collected from the water collector <NUM> is installed.

The compressor receiving portion <NUM>, the motor receiving portion <NUM>, the fan receiving portion <NUM>, the water collector <NUM>, the water discharge pump receiving portion <NUM>, etc. of the upper base <NUM> may be variously arranged according to connections of the components and configurations of flow paths therebetween.

In one example, the water collector <NUM> is formed in a shape of a casing whose front and rear ends are opened. Thus, the water collector <NUM> is connected to and communicates with the connection duct <NUM>. The heat-absorber <NUM> and the heat-emitter <NUM> may be located at a position at which the water collector <NUM> and the connection duct <NUM> are connected to each other.

In this connection, the air intake duct connector <NUM> to which the air intake duct <NUM> is connected may be located at the front end of the water collector <NUM>. The air supply duct connector <NUM> may be located at the rear end of the water collector <NUM>. Further, between the water collector <NUM> and the air supply duct <NUM>, a switch channel <NUM> may be further formed to switch a direction of the air passing through the heat-absorber <NUM> and the heat-emitter <NUM> of the water collector toward the air supply duct <NUM>.

In one example, a support protrusion <NUM> to maintain a spacing between the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> may protrude from a lower portion of an outer face of the upper base <NUM>. The support protrusion <NUM> is interposed between the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> to allow an electrical insulation state between the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

In one example, a pair of front guide protrusions <NUM> and a pair of rear guide protrusions <NUM> may be formed on both sides of a bottom face of the upper base <NUM>. The pair of front guide protrusions <NUM> and the pair of rear guide protrusions <NUM> may be seated on the lower top panel <NUM> when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the top face of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

In this connection, the pair of front guide protrusions <NUM> and the pair of rear guide protrusions <NUM> may protrude downward from the bottom face of the support protrusion <NUM> toward the lower washing apparatus <NUM>.

Alternatively, the pair of front guide protrusions <NUM> and the pair of rear guide protrusions <NUM> may not directly protrude from the support protrusion <NUM>. The support protrusion <NUM> may extend from an outer face of the upper base <NUM> and may be disposed above the pair of front guide protrusion <NUM> and the pair of rear guide protrusion <NUM>.

In one example, the front guide protrusions <NUM> may be arranged in a symmetrical manner in the left and right direction of the upper base <NUM> and may be formed on a front portion of a bottom face of the support protrusion <NUM>. Each front guide protrusion <NUM> has a front guide face <NUM> as a bottom face, and an auxiliary guide face <NUM> that is located a higher level than a level of the front guide face <NUM>.

In this connection, a first rear inclined face <NUM> that is inclined upwards toward a rear portion of the upper base <NUM> may be formed on a rear end of the front guide face <NUM>. A first front inclined face <NUM> is formed between the front guide face <NUM> and the auxiliary guide face <NUM>. A further first front inclined face <NUM> is formed at a front end of the auxiliary guide face <NUM>. The first front inclined face <NUM> is inclined upwards toward a front portion of the upper base <NUM>.

In this connection, the front guide face <NUM> and the auxiliary guide face <NUM> are temporarily seated on one face of the front guide groove <NUM> formed in the lower top panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

In particular, the auxiliary guide face <NUM> may be temporarily supported on the lower top panel <NUM> while the front guide face <NUM> is partially inserted into the front guide groove <NUM> before the front guide protrusion <NUM> is completely inserted into the front guide groove <NUM>.

In one example, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus at a correct position thereof, the front guide face <NUM> and the auxiliary guide face <NUM> may be located inside the front guide groove <NUM> formed in the lower top panel <NUM>, and each front guide protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into each front guide groove <NUM>.

In one example, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, and when each front guide protrusion <NUM> is spaced from each front guide groove <NUM> in a rear and front direction, the first front inclined face <NUM> and the first rear inclined face <NUM> may allow each front guide protrusion <NUM> to slide and move into each front guide groove <NUM>.

Further, an outer edge of the front guide face <NUM> of each front guide protrusion <NUM>, that is, a front outer edge of the upper base <NUM> may be formed as a curved face 381a that is curved inwardly of the upper base <NUM> or an inclined face (not shown) which is inclined inwardly of the upper base <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

In this connection, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is misaligned with the lower treating apparatus <NUM> in the left-right direction, the curved face 381a formed on the front guide face <NUM> may slide along the inner face of the front guide groove <NUM>.

In one example, the rear guide protrusions <NUM> may be arranged in a symmetrical manner in the left and right direction of the upper base <NUM> and may be disposed on a rear portion of the bottom face of the support protrusion <NUM>. Each rear guide protrusion <NUM> has a rear guide face <NUM> as a bottom face thereof.

In this connection, a second rear inclined face <NUM> that is inclined upwards toward a rear portion of the upper base <NUM> may be formed on a rear end of the rear guide face <NUM>. A second front inclined face <NUM> that is inclined upwards toward the front portion of the upper base <NUM> may be formed on a front end of the rear guide face <NUM>.

In one example, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus at the correct position thereof, the rear guide face <NUM> may be located inside the rear guide groove <NUM> formed in the lower top panel <NUM>, and each rear guide protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into each rear guide groove <NUM>.

In this connection, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM> and when each rear guide protrusion <NUM> is spaced from each rear guide groove <NUM> in the front and rear direction, the second front inclined face <NUM> and the second rear inclined face <NUM> may allow each rear guide protrusion <NUM> to slide and move into each rear guide groove <NUM>.

Further, an outer edge of the rear guide face <NUM> of each rear guide protrusion <NUM>, that is, a rear outer edge of the upper base <NUM> may be as a curved face 386a that is curved inwardly of the upper base <NUM> or an inclined face (not shown) which is inclined inwardly of the upper base <NUM> (See <FIG>).

In this connection, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is misaligned with the lower treating apparatus <NUM> in the left and right direction, the curved face 386a formed on the rear guide face <NUM> may slide along the inner face of the rear guide groove <NUM>.

In one example, the heat-exchanger <NUM> including the heat-absorber <NUM>, the heat-emitter <NUM>, and the compressor <NUM> installed on the upper base <NUM> is configured to operate at a relatively low temperature. Accordingly, the upper base <NUM> may not have a flame retardant or heat dissipation function.

Therefore, the upper base <NUM> may be manufactured integrally via injection molding which is a relatively easy manufacturing scheme. The upper base <NUM> may be integrally injection-molded and is made of a synthetic resin material, for example, ABS material, PC material, plastic, etc..

That is, the compressor receiving portion <NUM>, the motor receiving portion <NUM>, the fan receiving portion <NUM>, the water collector <NUM>, the water discharge pump receiving portion <NUM> formed on the top face of the upper base <NUM> may be integrally formed with each other via injection molding.

Further, the support protrusion <NUM>, the pair of front guide protrusions <NUM>, and the pair of rear guide protrusions <NUM> as above-described may be made of the same material as that of the upper base <NUM> and may be integrally injection-molded on a side face and a top face of the upper base <NUM> when manufacturing the upper base <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the lower top panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a plan view showing the lower top panel of the lower treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view showing the lower top panel of the lower treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In one example, the lower top panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> has a pair of front guide grooves <NUM> defined in both sides of a front portion thereof at positions corresponding to the positions of the front guide protrusions <NUM> formed on the upper base <NUM>. The lower top panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> has a pair of rear guide grooves <NUM> defined in both sides of a rear portion thereof at positions corresponding to the positions of the rear guide protrusions <NUM> formed on the upper base <NUM>.

Further, a support face <NUM> interposed between the upper side panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> may be formed on an outer edge portion of the lower top panel <NUM>. In this connection, the support face <NUM> may support the support protrusion <NUM> of the upper base <NUM> and may be interposed between the upper side panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> as the support protrusion <NUM> may.

In this connection, the front guide groove <NUM> has a first guide face <NUM> so that the front guide protrusion <NUM> formed on the upper base <NUM> is seated thereon. In front of the first guide face <NUM>, a first front inclined face <NUM> that is inclined downwards from a top face of the lower top panel <NUM> to the first guide face <NUM> is formed. In rear of the first guide face <NUM>, a first rear inclined face <NUM> that is inclined downwards from the top face of the lower top panel <NUM> to the first guide face <NUM> is formed.

In this connection, the first front inclined face <NUM> and the first rear inclined face <NUM> may allow the front guide protrusion <NUM> of the upper base <NUM> to slide such that the front guide protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the front guide groove <NUM>.

In one example, the rear guide groove <NUM> has a second guide face <NUM> so that the rear guide protrusion <NUM> formed on the upper base <NUM> is seated thereon. In front of the second guide face <NUM>, a second front inclined face <NUM> that is inclined downward from the top face of the lower top panel <NUM> to the second guide face <NUM> is formed. In rear of the second guide face <NUM>, a second rear inclined face <NUM> that is inclined downward from the top face of the lower top panel <NUM> to the second guide face <NUM> is formed.

In this connection, the second front inclined face <NUM> and the second rear inclined face <NUM> may allow the front guide protrusion <NUM> of the upper base <NUM> to slide so that the front guide protrusion <NUM> is inserted into the front guide groove <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a process in which the upper treating apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is seated on the lower treating apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view showing a staked state of an upper treating apparatus and a lower treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional view showing the upper base and the lower top panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown, according to the present disclosure, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is stacked on the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, the support protrusion <NUM> formed on the upper base <NUM> is interposed between the lower side panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM> and the upper side panel <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> to support the upper side panel <NUM> with respect to the lower side panel <NUM>.

In this connection, the front guide protrusion <NUM> of the upper base <NUM> is inserted into the front guide groove <NUM> of the lower top panel <NUM>. The rear guide protrusion <NUM> of the upper base <NUM> is inserted into the rear guide groove <NUM> of the lower top panel <NUM>.

In this connection, the first front inclined face <NUM> or the first rear inclined face <NUM> of the front guide protrusion <NUM> may slide on and along the first front inclined face <NUM> or the first rear inclined face <NUM> of the front guide groove <NUM> so that the front guide protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the front guide groove <NUM>.

Further, the second front inclined face <NUM> or the second rear inclined face <NUM> of the rear guide protrusion <NUM> may slide on and along the second front inclined face <NUM> or the second rear inclined face <NUM> of the rear guide groove <NUM> so that the rear guide protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the rear guide groove <NUM>.

In one example, the lower top panel <NUM> as described above may be manufactured by press molding a metal plate of a predetermined thickness. Further, the front guide groove <NUM> and the rear guide groove <NUM> formed in the lower top panel <NUM> may be formed via press-molding when manufacturing the lower top panel <NUM>.

In this connection, as long as the lower top panel <NUM> performs strength-increasing and fire-retardant functions while supporting the upper treating apparatus <NUM>, the lower top panel <NUM> may be made of other materials than the metal plate, and may be manufactured by methods other than the press-molding of the metal plate.

For example, the lower top panel <NUM> may be manufactured by injection molding of a synthetic resin material having a flame retardant function. During the injection molding, the front guide groove <NUM> and the rear guide groove <NUM> may be integrally formed with the lower top panel <NUM>.

In one example, as shown in <FIG>, predefined spacings for insulation between the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM> may be formed between the support protrusion <NUM> of the upper base <NUM>, the lower top panel <NUM>, the upper side panel <NUM>, and the lower side panel <NUM>.

First, the upper horizontal bent portion 177a of the upper side panel <NUM> and the lower horizontal bent portion 214a of the lower side panel <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other by a first spacing D2. Further, when the reinforcing frame <NUM> is disposed on the lower side panel <NUM>, the horizontal frame <NUM> of the reinforcing frame <NUM> and the upper horizontal bent portion 177a of the upper side panel <NUM> may be spaced from each other by a second spacing D2 smaller than the first spacing D1.

In this connection, the first spacing D1 and the second spacing D2 may be a spacing between the upper side panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> and thus act as the insulating spacing between the upper treating apparatus <NUM> and the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

In one example, the base support portion 177c of the upper side panel <NUM> may have a third spacing D3 from the upper horizontal bent portion 177a of the upper side panel <NUM>. The third spacing D3 may be smaller than a sum of a thickness of the support protrusion <NUM> of the upper base <NUM> and a thickness of the support face <NUM> of the lower top panel <NUM>.

Therefore, the horizontal bent portion 177a of the upper side panel <NUM> may be spaced apart from and thus may be insulated from the lower horizontal bent portion 214a of the lower side panel <NUM> when the base support portion 177c is supported on the support protrusion <NUM>.

In this connection, when the reinforcing frame <NUM> is further disposed on the lower side panel <NUM>, the base support portion 177c of the upper side panel <NUM> may have a fourth spacing D4 from the lower horizontal bent portion 214a of the lower side panel <NUM>.

In one example, the fourth spacing D4 may be equal to a sum of a thickness of the support protrusion <NUM> of the upper base <NUM>, a thickness of the support face <NUM> of the lower top panel <NUM>, and a thickness of the horizontal frame <NUM> of the reinforcing frame <NUM>. The horizontal bent portion 177a of the side panel <NUM> may have the first spacing D1 from the lower horizontal bent portion 214a.

In this connection, the first spacing D1 may be the spacing between the lower horizontal bent portion 214a of the lower side panel <NUM> and the upper horizontal bent portion 177a of the upper side panel <NUM> as described above. As shown, the first spacing D1 may be larger than a thickness of the horizontal frame <NUM> of the reinforcing frame <NUM>.

In one example, the support face <NUM> interposed between the upper side panel <NUM> and the lower side panel <NUM> may be spaced apart from the vertical bent portion 177b of the upper side panel <NUM> by a fifth spacing D5. The fifth spacing D5 between the support face <NUM> and the vertical bent portion 177b may act as an insulating space between the lower treating apparatus <NUM> and the upper side panel <NUM>.

As described above, the support protrusion <NUM> may be spaced from the vertical bent portion 177b inward of the horizontal bent portion 177a of the upper side panel <NUM> by a predetermined spacing. The base support portion 177c may be placed on a top of the support protrusion <NUM>.

As a result, the support protrusion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the vertical bent portion 177b of the upper side panel <NUM> by a predetermined spacing and may be positioned inwardly of the upper side panel or inwardly of the horizontal bent portion 177b. Further, the support protrusion <NUM> may be disposed under the base support portion 177c while being spaced apart by a predetermined spacing from the vertical bent portion 177b.

Therefore, in the stack-type laundry treating apparatus <NUM> according to the present disclosure as described above, when the upper treating apparatus <NUM> is stacked on a top of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>, the front guide protrusion <NUM> and the rear guide protrusion <NUM> formed on the upper base <NUM> of the upper treating apparatus <NUM> are respectively inserted into the front guide groove <NUM> and the rear guide groove <NUM> formed in the lower top panel <NUM> of the lower treating apparatus <NUM>. Thus, the upper treating apparatus <NUM> may be stacked on and in an aligned state with respect to the lower treating apparatus <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A stack-type laundry treating apparatus comprising:
an upper treating apparatus (<NUM>) including:
an upper cabinet (<NUM>) defining an upper appearance of the laundry treating apparatus, and including an upper base (<NUM>);
a drying drum (<NUM>) rotatably disposed in the upper cabinet (<NUM>),;
an upper driver (<NUM>) disposed on the upper base (<NUM>) for rotating the drying drum (<NUM>); and
an air flow path (<NUM>) for supplying and discharging air to and from the drying drum (<NUM>), and
a lower treating apparatus (<NUM>) including:
a lower cabinet (<NUM>) defining a lower appearance of the laundry treating apparatus and including a lower top panel (<NUM>) on which the upper base (<NUM>) is mounted;
a tub (<NUM>) disposed in the lower cabinet (<NUM>) for storing washing-water;
a washing drum (<NUM>) disposed inside the tub (<NUM>); and
a lower driver (<NUM>) for rotating the washing drum (<NUM>),
wherein a support protrusion (<NUM>) is formed on a bottom portion of the upper base (<NUM>) to support the upper cabinet (<NUM>) with respect to the lower cabinet (<NUM>),
wherein the upper cabinet (<NUM>) has an upper side panel (<NUM>) defining a side face of the upper treating apparatus (<NUM>), and the lower cabinet (<NUM>) has a lower side panel (<NUM>) defining a side face of the lower treating apparatus (<NUM>),
wherein the support protrusion (<NUM>) is interposed between the upper side panel (<NUM>) and the lower side panel (<NUM>) to support the upper treating apparatus (<NUM>),
characterized in that:
the upper base (<NUM>) is made of a synthetic resin material;
the upper side panel (<NUM>) includes an upper horizontal bent portion (177a) horizontally extending from a bottom of the upper side panel (<NUM>) to an inside of the upper treating apparatus (<NUM>); and
the support protrusion (<NUM>) is disposed inwardly of the upper horizontal bent portion (177a).