U.S. patent application number 15/166543 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-08 for clothes treating apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Taehee LEE, Sungho SONG, Sungmin YE.
Application Number | 20160355965 15/166543 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56092828 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160355965 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YE; Sungmin ; et
al. |
December 8, 2016 |
CLOTHES TREATING APPARATUS
Abstract
A clothes treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a steam
generator configured to generate steam, and a solution storing
container configured to store a solution. The clothes treating
apparatus also includes a steam spraying portion that is coupled to
the steam generator and that is configured to spray steam and a
solution spraying portion that is coupled to the solution storing
container and that is configured to spray the solution. The steam
spraying portion is configured to spray steam to control air
pressure at the outlet of the solution spraying portion.
Inventors: |
YE; Sungmin; (Seoul, KR)
; SONG; Sungho; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; Taehee;
(Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
56092828 |
Appl. No.: |
15/166543 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 17/12 20130101;
D06F 58/203 20130101; D06F 39/04 20130101; D06F 58/10 20130101;
D06F 39/088 20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 17/12 20060101
D06F017/12; D06F 39/08 20060101 D06F039/08; D06F 39/04 20060101
D06F039/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 2, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0078078 |
Claims
1. A clothes treating apparatus, comprising: a cabinet; a steam
generator configured to generate steam; a solution storing
container configured to store a solution; a steam spraying portion
that is coupled to the steam generator and that is configured to
spray steam; and a solution spraying portion that is coupled to the
solution storing container and that is configured to spray the
solution, wherein an outlet of the steam spraying portion is
adjacent to an outlet of the solution spraying portion and the
steam spraying portion is configured to spray steam to control air
pressure at the outlet of the solution spraying portion.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fixed supporting
portion configured to fixedly support the steam spraying portion
and the solution spraying portion.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a movable
supporting portion configured to support the solution spraying
portion to be movable with respect to the steam spraying
portion.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the movable supporting portion
includes a first coupling portion detachably coupled to the steam
spraying portion.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the movable supporting portion
includes a second coupling portion detachably coupled to the
solution spraying portion.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outlet of the steam
spraying portion is oriented toward a first direction, the outlet
of the solution spraying portion is oriented toward a second
direction, and the first direction and the second direction
intersect at a certain angle.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the outlet of
the steam spraying portion is in a range of 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the outlet of
the solution spraying portion is in a range of 1.5 mm to 2.5
mm.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an air supply
device disposed in a first area inside the cabinet, wherein the air
supply device is configured to condition temperature or humidity of
air discharged from a second area inside the cabinet and return the
conditioned air to the second area inside the cabinet.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a steam pipe,
wherein a first end of the steam pipe is connected to the steam
spraying portion and a second end of the steam pipe is connected to
the steam generator that is disposed in the first area inside the
cabinet.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a second steam
spraying portion configured to spray steam; a second solution
spraying portion that is coupled to the solution storing container
and that is configured to spray the solution; and a second steam
pipe, wherein a first end of the second steam pipe is connected to
the steam spraying portion and a second end of the steam pipe is
connected to the steam generator.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the steam spraying portion
and the solution spraying portion are disposed inside the cabinet
and detachable from the cabinet.
13. The apparatus of claim of 1, further comprising: a solution
pipe, wherein a first end of the solution pipe is connected to the
solution storing container and a second end of the solution pipe is
connected to the solution spraying portion; and a switching valve
configured to open and close the solution pipe.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a discharge
portion configured to discharge a solution through the solution
pipe that is connected to the discharge portion, wherein the
discharge portion is located at a lower portion of the solution
storing container.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a mode selecting
unit configured to determine that the solution is supplied to the
second area inside the cabinet; and a controller configured to
control the switching valve based on the determination that the
solution is supplied to the second area inside the cabinet.
16. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the certain angle is in a
range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees.
17. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a tub inside the
cabinet, wherein the tub defines an inner space of the tub as the
first area.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the steam pipe upwardly
extends between the cabinet and the tub, the steam pipe being
inserted into the tub.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a), this application claims
the benefit of an earlier filing date of and the right of priority
to Korean Application No. 10-2015-0078078, filed on Jun. 2, 2015,
the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This specification generally relates to a clothes treating
apparatus.
[0003] A clothes treating apparatus includes a washing machine
washing clothes or laundry, a drying machine drying clothes, a
washing/driving machine having washing and drying functions, and a
refresher or a clothes management device refreshing clothes by
supplying hot air to the clothes.
[0004] The drying machine includes a drum type drying machine that
dries clothes in a spinning manner, and a so-called cabinet type
drying machine that dries clothes while hanging the clothes.
[0005] Some clothes treating apparatuses, such as the drying
machine, the washing/drying machine, the refresher and the clothes
managing device, having the drying function, are provided with a
spraying device or a spray unit that sprays a solution for
restoring functionalities of clothes to be treated, for example, a
wrinkle removal, a deodorization, a clothes shape recovery, a
clothes lifespan expansion, and the like.
[0006] The spraying device of spraying the solution includes a
spray nozzle for spraying the solution, and a pump for pumping the
solution into the spray nozzle.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect, a clothes treating apparatus includes a
cabinet, a steam generator configured to generate steam, and a
solution storing container configured to store a solution. The
clothes treating apparatus also includes a steam spraying portion
that is coupled to the steam generator and that is configured to
spray steam and a solution spraying portion that is coupled to the
solution storing container and that is configured to spray the
solution. An outlet of the steam spraying portion is adjacent to an
outlet of the solution spraying portion and the steam spraying
portion is configured to spray steam to control air pressure at the
outlet of the solution spraying portion.
[0008] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the clothes treating apparatus may include a
fixed supporting portion configured to fixedly support the steam
spraying portion and the solution spraying portion.
[0009] In some implementations, the clothes treating apparatus may
include a movable supporting portion configured to support the
solution spraying portion to be movable with respect to the steam
spraying portion. In these implementations, the movable supporting
portion may include a first coupling portion detachably coupled to
the steam spraying portion. Further, in these implementations, the
movable supporting portion may include a second coupling portion
detachably coupled to the solution spraying portion.
[0010] In addition, the outlet of the steam spraying portion may be
oriented toward a first direction, the outlet of the solution
spraying portion may be oriented toward a second direction, and the
first direction and the second direction may intersect at a certain
angle. The certain angle may be in a range of 45 degrees to 90
degrees. Also, a diameter of the outlet of the steam spraying
portion may be in a range of 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm. A diameter of the
outlet of the solution spraying portion is in a range of 1.5 mm to
2.5 mm.
[0011] In some examples, the clothes treating apparatus may include
an air supply device disposed in a first area inside the cabinet
and the air supply device may be configured to condition
temperature or humidity of air discharged from a second area inside
the cabinet and return the conditioned air to the second area
inside the cabinet. In these examples, the clothes treating
apparatus may include a steam pipe, where a first end of the steam
pipe is connected to the steam spraying portion and a second end of
the steam pipe is connected to the steam generator that is disposed
in the first area inside the cabinet. Further, in these examples,
the clothes treating apparatus may include a second steam spraying
portion configured to spray steam, a second solution spraying
portion that is coupled to the solution storing container and that
is configured to spray the solution, and a second steam pipe, where
a first end of the second steam pipe is connected to the steam
spraying portion and a second end of the steam pipe is connected to
the steam generator.
[0012] In addition, the clothes treating apparatus may include a
tub inside the cabinet, where the tub defines an inner space of the
tub as the first area. In this case, the steam pipe may upwardly
extend between the cabinet and the tub with the steam pipe being
inserted into the tub. The steam spraying portion and the solution
spraying portion may be disposed inside the cabinet and may be
detachable from the cabinet.
[0013] In some implementations, the clothes treating apparatus may
include a solution pipe, where a first end of the solution pipe is
connected to the solution storing container and a second end of the
solution pipe is connected to the solution spraying portion. The
clothes treating apparatus also may include a switching valve
configured to open and close the solution pipe. In these
implementations, the clothes treating apparatus may include a
discharge portion configured to discharge a solution through the
solution pipe that is connected to the discharge portion, where the
discharge portion is located at a lower portion of the solution
storing container. Also, in these implementations, the clothes
treating apparatus may include a mode selecting unit configured to
determine that the solution is supplied to the second area inside
the cabinet, and a controller configured to control the switching
valve based on the determination that the solution is supplied to
the second area inside the cabinet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an inside of an example
clothes treating apparatus.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a bottom inside of an
example clothes treating apparatus.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example spray unit, an
example steam generator, and an example solution storing
container.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example spray unit.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example spray unit.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example clothes
treating apparatus.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example spray
unit.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example movable
supporting portion.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example spray
unit.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example spray
unit.
[0024] Like reference numbers and designations in the various
drawings indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an inside of an example clothes treating
apparatus and FIG. 2 illustrates an example machine room of FIG.
1.
[0026] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clothes treating
apparatus may include a cabinet 110 having an accommodating space
114 in which clothes to be treated is accommodated, a steam
generator 180 for generating steam, a solution storing container
190 for storing a solution therein to recover a function of the
clothes to be treated, and a spray unit 210a for spraying the steam
and the solution into the accommodating space 114. The spray unit
210a may include a steam spraying portion 220 connected to the
steam generator 180 for spraying the steam supplied from the steam
generator 180, and a solution spraying portion 230 connected to the
solution storing container 190 and having an outlet that is
disposed at a negative pressure area 225 formed by the steam
sprayed through the steam spraying portion 220 for spraying the
solution of the solution storing container 190.
[0027] In some implementations, the solution refers to a liquid
material containing an element which allows a recovery of a
functionality of the clothes to be treated, for example, provides
at least one of effects, such as a deodorization, a wrinkle
removal, a clothes shape recovery and a clothes lifespan
expansion.
[0028] The cabinet 110, for example, may have a rectangular
parallelepiped shape in which the accommodating space 114 having a
front opening is formed.
[0029] The cabinet 110 may have a frame 113 disposed to
corresponding to each edge of the rectangular parallelepiped.
[0030] A door 121 for opening and closing the front opening may be
rotatably provided at a front surface of the cabinet 110.
[0031] The accommodating space 114 may be provided at an upper area
within the cabinet 110, and a machine room 130 for accommodating
components therein may be provided at a lower area within the
cabinet 110.
[0032] A supporting rod 115 on which the clothes to be treated is
hung and supported may be provided within the accommodating space
114. The supporting rod 115 may be fixed in the accommodating space
114.
[0033] The supporting rod 115 may also be provided with a movable
supporting rod, which is movable to apply a predetermined motion to
the clothes to be treated.
[0034] An air outlet 116 and an air inlet 118 through which
internal air is discharged or external air is introduced may be
provided at the accommodating space 114.
[0035] In the machine room 130, an air supply device 150 is
provided for supplying processed (e.g., dehumidified and/or heated)
air into the accommodating space 114.
[0036] The air supply device 150, for example, may include a heat
pump 151, which includes a compressor 153 compressing a
refrigerant, a condenser 155 condensing the refrigerant in a
radiating manner, an expansion device expanding the refrigerant,
and an evaporator 157 by which the refrigerant is evaporated by
absorbing latent heat.
[0037] The air supply device 150 may include a circulation passage
161 through which air within the accommodating space 114 circulates
via an outside of the accommodating space 114, and a fan 171 for
facilitating a flow of air.
[0038] The circulation passage 161, for example, may include a
discharge duct 162 connected to the air outlet 116, and an
introduction duct 164 connected to the air inlet 118.
[0039] In the circulation passage 161 may be provided the
evaporator 157 that heat-exchanged with air discharged from the
accommodating space 114.
[0040] With the configuration, the air discharged out of the
accommodating space 114 may be cooled by the heat-exchange with the
evaporator 157 and moisture contained in the air may be condensed
and removed accordingly, thereby becoming dry air with low
temperature.
[0041] The condenser 155 may be provided in the circulation passage
161.
[0042] The condenser 155 may be provided at a downstream side of
the evaporator 157 along a flowing direction of the air.
[0043] With the configuration, the dry air with the low
temperature, from which the moisture has been removed due to
cooling by the evaporator 157, may be heated to increase
temperature, and accordingly dry air with high temperature can be
supplied back into the accommodating space 114.
[0044] In this exemplary implementation, the fan 171 is provided at
a downstream side of the condenser 155, but the position of the fan
171 may appropriately be adjustable.
[0045] The steam generator 180 for generating steam may be provided
at one side of the machine room 130, for example.
[0046] A door module 135 may be detachably provided on a front area
of the machine room 130. The door module 135, for example, may be
provided with a moisture supply portion for supplying moisture (or
water) into the steam generator 180.
[0047] The steam generator 180, for example, may include a
container 181 having a storage space in which water and steam are
contained, and an electric heater 184 for heating the water within
the container 181.
[0048] A steam pipe 182 through which steam within the container
181 is externally discharged may be connected to one side area of
the container 181 of the steam generator 180.
[0049] The container 181 of the steam generator 180, for example,
may be connected with a plurality steam pipes 182.
[0050] In some implementations, two steam pipes 182 are connected
to the container 181 of the steam generator 180, but this is merely
illustrative. The number of steam pipes connected may appropriately
be adjustable.
[0051] In some implementations, an inner case or tub 111
(hereinafter, referred to as `tub 111`) which forms the
accommodating space 114 may be provided within the cabinet 110.
[0052] The tub 111, for example, may have a rectangular
parallelepiped shape with a front opening, and be provided with a
rear surface portion 112a, both side surface portions 112b, an
upper surface portion and a lower surface portion.
[0053] The spray unit 210a for spraying steam and the solution into
the accommodating space 114 may be provided within the
accommodating space 114.
[0054] The spray unit 210a may detachably be coupled to the tub
111.
[0055] The spray unit 210a may be fixed by a bracket 227 (see FIG.
3) which is detachably coupled to the tub 111.
[0056] The spray unit 210a, for example, may be provided in
plurality.
[0057] The spray unit 210a may be provided by two in number to be
coupled to the rear surface portion 112a or both side surface
portions 112b of the tub 111.
[0058] The solution storing container 190 may be provided at one
side of each spray unit 210a to supply the solution to the
corresponding spray unit 210a.
[0059] Each solution storing container 190, for example, may have a
cylindrical shape for accommodating the solution therein, and be
provided with a discharge portion 192 (see FIG. 4) at a bottom
surface thereof such that the solution can be discharged
therethrough.
[0060] Each discharge portion 192 may be connected with a solution
pipe 195 which forms a path of the solution such that the solution
within the solution storing container 190 can flow toward the spray
unit 210a through the discharge portion 192.
[0061] Each solution pipe 195, for example, may be provided with a
switching valve 197 (see FIG. 3) for opening/closing the solution
pipe 195.
[0062] This may allow for a selective supply of the solution into
the accommodating space 114, and accordingly a supply of only steam
into the accommodating space 114 may also be enabled.
[0063] The spray units 210a may be connected respectively to the
steam pipes 182 which upwardly extend from the steam generator
180.
[0064] Each steam pipe 182, for example, may upwardly extend
between a side wall of the tub 111 and a side wall of the cabinet
110 and be inserted into the tub 111 through the both side surface
portions 112b of the tub 111, thereby being connected to each spray
unit 210a.
[0065] In some implementations, FIG. 3 illustrates an example spray
unit, an example steam generator, and an example solution storing
container. FIG. 4 illustrates an example spray unit. FIG. 5
illustrates an example spray unit.
[0066] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the spray unit 210a may
include a steam spraying portion 220 connected to the steam
generator 180 to spray the steam supplied from the steam generator
180 therethrough, and a solution spraying portion 230 connected to
the solution storing container 190 and having an outlet at a
negative pressure area 225, which is formed by the steam sprayed
through the steam spraying portion 220, to spray the solution
within the solution storing container 190 therethrough.
[0067] The steam spraying portion 220 may be provided with a body
221 in a shape of a pipe in which a flow area (diameter) of steam
is reduced.
[0068] The body 221 of the steam spraying portion 220, for example,
as illustrated in FIG. 4, may include a large diameter part 222a, a
small diameter part 222b having a diameter more reduced than that
of the large diameter part 222a, and a variable diameter part 222c
having one side connected to the large diameter part 222a and
another side connected to the small diameter part 222b such that
its inner diameter is gradually reduced.
[0069] Accordingly, steam introduced into the large diameter part
222a may flow fast due to the change in the flow cross-section.
This may allow the steam to be externally sprayed through the small
diameter part 222b at a preset speed.
[0070] A guide portion 226 which has a gradually-reduced outer
width (or diameter) may be provided at an end portion of the large
diameter part 222a.
[0071] The guide portion 226 may facilitate the large diameter part
222a to be inserted into another end portion of the steam pipe 182
whose one end portion is connected to the steam generator 180,
which may allow the large diameter part 222a to be easily coupled
to the steam pipe 182.
[0072] In some implementations, the small diameter part 222b may be
provided with a negative pressure area 225 that is formed at an
outlet side thereof during spraying of the steam. The negative
pressure area 225 may have negative (-) pressure lower than
atmospheric pressure.
[0073] The small diameter part 222b may have an inner diameter in
the range of 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm, for example.
[0074] In some implementations, when the inner diameter of the
small diameter part 222b exceeds 2.0 mm, it may make it difficult
to form the negative pressure area at the outlet side of the steam
spraying portion 220.
[0075] When the inner diameter of the small diameter part 222b is
shorter than 1.0 mm, pressure applied to the small diameter part
222b may accumulatively increase, thereby causing damage on the
small diameter part 222b.
[0076] A curved end portion 224, for example, may be formed at an
end portion of the small diameter part 222b.
[0077] Accordingly, the spraying direction of the steam can be
adjusted into a preset direction.
[0078] The curved end portion 224 of the small diameter part 222b,
for example, may be configured in a manner that an outer width (or
diameter) thereof is gradually reduced toward an end.
[0079] The solution spraying portion 230, for example, may be
disposed in a manner that a spraying direction of the solution
intersects with the spraying direction of the steam.
[0080] Accordingly, the solution sprayed through the solution
spraying portion 230 may collide with the steam, which is sprayed
at the preset speed, at a relatively fast speed, thereby being
atomized.
[0081] The solution spraying portion 230, for example, may have a
body 231 in a shape of a pipe, in which a passage with
substantially the same diameter is formed.
[0082] The solution spraying portion 230 may have an inner diameter
in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.
[0083] This may prevent the solution spraying portion 230 from
being blocked.
[0084] A guide portion 236 with a gradually-reduced outer width may
be provided at one end portion of the solution spraying portion
230.
[0085] The guide portion 236 may facilitate an end portion of the
solution spraying portion 230 to be inserted into the solution pipe
195, thereby allowing the solution spraying portion 230 and the
solution pipe 195 to be easily coupled to each other.
[0086] The solution spraying portion 230 may be disposed in a
manner that an outlet thereof is located within the negative
pressure area 225 which is formed during spraying of the steam
through the steam spraying portion 220.
[0087] Accordingly, the solution stored in the solution storing
container 190 can flow to the solution spraying portion 230 along
the solution pipe 195 by a pressure difference between internal
pressure of the solution storing container 190 and pressure of the
negative pressure area 225 and be sprayed through the solution
spraying portion 230. For reference, in an open state of the
passage of the solution pipe 195, when the steam is sprayed through
the steam spraying portion 220, the negative pressure area may be
formed at the outlet side of the steam spraying portion 220, and
accordingly the outlet side of the solution spraying portion 230
may have lower pressure than the internal pressure of the solution
storing container 190, regardless of an installed position of the
solution storing container 190. Therefore, the solution within the
solution storing container 190 can be sprayed through the outlet of
the solution spraying portion 230.
[0088] The steam spraying portion 220 may have a spraying speed at
which the steam sprayed through the small diameter part 222b can
atomize the solution sprayed through the solution spraying
portion.
[0089] For example, when the inner diameter of the small diameter
part 222b is 2.0 mm and the spraying speed of the steam through the
small diameter part 222b is 301.7 m/s, negative pressure (e.g.,
-0.12 bar) may be generated at an outlet area of the small diameter
part 222b and additionally the solution sprayed through the
solution spraying portion 230 can be atomized by colliding with the
steam sprayed at the speed, and sprayed by being mixed with the
steam.
[0090] With the configuration, the solution can first be atomized
by the steam and sprayed by being mixed with the steam, which
spreads to a relatively wide range. This may allow the solution to
be brought into contact with the clothes to be treated at a
relatively wide area.
[0091] The body 231 of the solution spraying portion 230, for
example, may be provided with a curved end portion 234 which is
curved approximately perpendicularly to a lengthwise direction.
[0092] Accordingly, an arrangement direction of the body 231 of the
solution spraying portion 230 and the spraying direction of the
solution can be adjusted into preset directions.
[0093] The curved end portion 234 of the solution spraying portion
230, for example, may be disposed perpendicular to the curved end
portion 224 of the steam spraying portion 220.
[0094] The solution spraying portion 230 (body 231), for example,
as illustrated in FIG. 5, may be arranged in parallel to the steam
spraying direction Ds of the steam spraying portion 220.
[0095] In some implementations, the steam spraying portion 220 and
the solution spraying portion 230 may integrally be fixed.
[0096] The spray unit 210a, for example, may include a fixed
supporting portion 240 that supports the steam spraying portion 220
and the solution spraying portion 230 to be fixed to preset
positions.
[0097] The fixed supporting portion 240, for example, may have one
side connected to the steam spraying portion 220 and another side
connected to the solution spraying portion 230.
[0098] In more detail, the fixed supporting portion 240 may fixedly
support the steam spraying portion 220 and the solution spraying
portion 230, in a state that the outlet of the solution spraying
portion 230 is located in the negative pressure area 225 formed
during spraying of the steam through the steam spraying portion
220.
[0099] Accordingly, the solution spraying portion 230 can spray the
solution stored in the solution storing container 190, without a
use of a separate component, such as a pump, by virtue of the
pressure difference between the pressure of the negative pressure
area formed at the outlet area of the steam spraying portion 220
during spraying of the steam through the steam spraying portion 220
and the internal pressure of the solution storing container
190.
[0100] The fixed supporting portion 240, for example, may be
provided with a plurality of supporting plates 242 which connect
the steam spraying portion 220 and the solution spraying portion
230 in an integral manner.
[0101] The fixed supporting portion 240, for example, as
illustrated in FIG. 5, may include a first plate 243a having one
end portion connected to the small diameter part 222b of the steam
spraying portion 220 and another end portion connected to the body
231 of the solution spraying portion 230, and a second plate 243b
having one end portion connected to the curved end portion 224 of
the steam spraying portion 220 and another end portion connected to
the curved end portion 234 of the solution spraying portion
230.
[0102] In some implementations, FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram
of an example clothes treating apparatus.
[0103] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the clothes treating apparatus may
include a controller 250 for controlling the solution to be
supplied in a manner of spraying steam.
[0104] The controller 250, for example, may be implemented as a
microprocessor having a control program.
[0105] The controller 250 may be connected with a mode selecting
unit 255 performing communication with the controller 250 and
allowing for selecting a solution supply mode in which the solution
is supplied.
[0106] The mode selecting unit 255, for example, may be configured
to select a steam supply mode in which only steam is supplied into
the accommodating space 114, without the solution supplied.
[0107] The controller 250 may be connected with the steam generator
180 and thus control the steam generator 180 to generate steam upon
the selection of the solution supply mode through the mode
selecting unit 255.
[0108] The controller 250 may be connected with the switching valve
197 and thus control the switching valve 197 to open or close the
solution pipe 195.
[0109] With the configuration, when the clothes to be treated is
accommodated in the accommodating space 114 and the solution supply
mode is selected through the mode selecting unit 225, the
controller 250 may control the steam generator 180 to generate
steam.
[0110] The controller 250 may control the switching valve 197 to
open the solution pipe 195.
[0111] The steam generated in the steam generator 180 may flow
along the steam pipe 195 and be sprayed through the steam spraying
portion 220.
[0112] When the steam is sprayed through the small diameter part
222b of the steam spraying portion 220, the negative pressure area
225 in which pressure is lower than atmospheric pressure may be
formed at the outlet side of the small diameter part 222b.
[0113] When the negative pressure area 225 is formed due to the
steam sprayed through the small diameter part 222b, the solution
within the solution storing container 190 may flow along the
solution pipe 195 and then be sprayed through the solution spraying
portion 230.
[0114] The solution sprayed through the solution spraying portion
230 may be brought into contact in a colliding manner with the
steam, which has been sprayed through the small diameter part 222b
at the preset speed, thereby being atomized.
[0115] In addition to the atomization, the solution sprayed through
the solution spraying portion 230 can also be mixed with the steam
sprayed through the steam spraying portion 220. The atomized
solution mixed with the steam may thusly be spread and sprayed to a
relatively wide spraying range to be brought into contact with the
clothes to be treated.
[0116] Accordingly, in the clothes treating apparatus disclosed
herein, the solution can uniformly be sprayed to the relatively
wide area of the clothes to be treated, thereby reducing the number
of nozzles to be installed for spraying the solution.
[0117] Also, with the atomization of the solution, a requirement of
many nozzles for spraying the solution, which is caused due to a
narrow spraying range of the related art solution nozzle, can be
obviated.
[0118] In addition, the related art problem of generating a portion
where a solution and clothes are not in contact with each other,
which is caused due to the solution being sprayed in a liquid state
to a local range through a nozzle with a minute (or fine, small)
diameter, can be prevented.
[0119] Also, the diameter of the spraying portion for spraying the
solution can increase, thereby solving the problem of blocking a
nozzle for spraying the solution.
[0120] FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate other example spray units for a
clothes treating apparatus.
[0121] FIG. 7 illustrates another example spray unit. FIG. 8
illustrates an example movable supporting portion. FIG. 9
illustrates another example spray unit. FIG. 10 illustrates another
example spray unit.
[0122] The clothes treating apparatus may include a cabinet 110
having an accommodating space 114 for accommodating clothes to be
treated therein, a steam generator 180 for generating steam, a
solution storing container 190 for storing therein a solution for
recovering a function of the clothes to be treated, and a spray
unit 210b for spraying the steam and the solution into the
accommodating space 114. The spray unit 210b may include a steam
spraying portion 220 connected to the steam generator 180 to spray
the steam generated in the steam generator 180, and a solution
spraying portion 230 connected to the solution storing container
190 and having an outlet disposed at a negative pressure area 225
formed by the steam sprayed through the steam spraying portion 220
so as to spray the solution of the solution storing container
190.
[0123] The spray unit 210b, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 7,
may include a steam spraying portion 220 in a linear shape, and a
solution spraying portion 230 disposed perpendicular to the steam
spraying portion 220.
[0124] The spray unit 210b, for example, may be provided with a
movable supporting portion 260a which supports the solution
spraying portion 230 to be relatively movable with respect to the
steam spraying portion 220 in a state that the outlet of the
solution spraying portion 230 is disposed in the negative pressure
area 225 of the steam spraying portion 220.
[0125] The movable supporting portion 260a, for example, may be
detachably coupled to the steam spraying portion 220.
[0126] The movable supporting portion 260a, for example, may be
detachably coupled to the solution spraying portion 230.
[0127] In more detail, the movable supporting portion 260a, as
illustrated in FIG. 8, may be provided with a steam spraying
portion coupling portion 261 detachably coupled to the steam
spraying portion 220.
[0128] The movable supporting portion 260a may be provided with a
solution spraying portion coupling portion 271 detachably coupled
to the solution spraying portion 230.
[0129] The steam spraying portion coupling portion 261, for
example, may be coupled to an outer surface of the small diameter
part 222b.
[0130] The steam spraying portion coupling portion 261, for
example, may have both side walls 262 which are arranged into an
arcuate shape having an opening 263 at one side such that the small
diameter part 222b is accommodated therein.
[0131] The steam spraying portion coupling portion 261 may be
configured to perform a relative motion (rotation) with respect to
the steam spraying portion 220 after being coupled to the steam
spraying portion 220.
[0132] This may allow for adjusting a relative position of the
solution spraying portion 230 with respect to the steam spraying
portion 220, which may prevent an occurrence of interference
between the solution spraying portion 230 and/or the solution pipe
195 and adjacent components.
[0133] Upon coupled to the small diameter part 222b, the opening
263 between the both side walls 262 of the steam spraying portion
coupling portion 261 may be externally widened by elastic force of
the side walls 262 to have an increased width. After being coupled,
the opening 263 between the both side walls 262 of the steam
spraying portion coupling portion 261 may be recovered to its
original position (or original state) by the elastic force.
[0134] The solution spraying portion coupling portion 271, for
example, may be coupled to an outer surface of the body 231 of the
solution spraying portion 230.
[0135] The solution spraying portion coupling portion 271, for
example, may have both side walls 272 which are arranged into an
arcuate shape having an opening 273 at one side such that the body
231 of the solution spraying portion 230 is accommodated
therein.
[0136] Upon being coupled to the solution spraying portion 230, the
opening 273 between the both side walls 272 may be externally
widened. After being coupled, the opening 273 of the both side
walls 272 may be recovered by elastic force of the side walls 272
to its original position (or original state) at which the opening
273 has its initial width between the both sides walls.
[0137] The movable supporting portion 260a may have a connector 281
through which the steam spraying portion coupling portion 261 and
the solution spraying portion coupling portion 271 are integrally
connected to each other.
[0138] The connector 281, for example, may allow the steam spraying
portion coupling portion 261 and the solution spraying portion
coupling portion 271 to be perpendicular to each other.
[0139] As illustrated in FIG. 10, a movable supporting portion 260b
may include a connector 282 by which the steam spraying portion
coupling portion 261 and the solution spraying portion coupling
portion 271 are arranged to form an inner angle corresponding to a
preset tilt angle .theta. (e.g., 45.degree.).
[0140] This example illustrates that the movable supporting portion
260b is formed in the manner that the inner angle between the steam
spraying portion coupling portion 261 and the solution spraying
portion coupling portion 271 is 45.degree., but the inner angle
between the steam spraying portion coupling portion 261 and the
solution spraying portion coupling portion 271 may appropriately be
adjustable.
[0141] In some implementations, the steam spraying portion 220 may
be provided with a stopper 228 which enables the rotation of the
steam spraying portion coupling portion 261 and simultaneously
prevents the steam spraying portion coupling portion 261 from being
loosened in a lengthwise direction (axial direction).
[0142] The stopper 228, for example, may be formed in a shape of a
groove (or recess) recessed into the outer surface of the small
diameter part 222b in a radial direction.
[0143] The solution spraying portion 230, for example, may be
provided with a stopper 238 which prevents the solution spraying
portion coupling portion 271 from being loosened in a lengthwise
direction (axial direction) of the solution spraying portion 230
after the solution spraying portion coupling portion 271 is
coupled.
[0144] The stopper 238 of the solution spraying portion 230, for
example, may be formed in a shape of outwardly protruding from the
outer surface of the body 231 of the solution spraying portion 230
in a radial direction.
[0145] This example illustrates that the steam spraying portion 220
is provided with the stopper 228 in the shape of the recessed
groove, and the solution spraying portion 230 is provided with the
stopper 238 in a protruded shape. However, the present invention
may not be limited to this. A stopper protruding in a radial
direction may be formed on the steam spraying portion 220 and a
stopper in a shape of a groove recessed in a radial direction may
be formed on the outer surface of the solution spraying portion
230.
[0146] As described above, the solution can be sprayed without
using a pump. Thus, the spray unit can reduce noise caused by a
pump.
[0147] Also, since a pump is not used in the spray unit, it reduces
the manufacturing cost for the spray unit.
[0148] The solution can be sprayed by being atomized and a sprayed
range of the solution can be widened, which may allow a reduction
of number of spray nozzles. This may also result in the reduction
of the component costs.
[0149] The solution can be uniformly sprayed to clothes to be
treated after being atomized and mixed with steam, which may
facilitate a realization of the original purpose of the
solution.
[0150] An inner diameter of a spray nozzle of the solution can
increase, which may result in facilitating a fabrication of the
spray nozzle and preventing the spray nozzle of the solution from
being blocked.
[0151] Also, a movable supporting portion may be provided to
support the solution spraying portion to be relatively movable with
respect to the steam spraying portion in a state that an outlet of
the solution spraying portion is disposed in a negative pressure
area of the steam spraying portion. This may allow for adjusting
relative positions of the steam spraying portion and the solution
spraying portion, resulting in preventing interference with
adjacent components.
* * * * *