U.S. patent application number 17/232867 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-21 for laundry treating apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Hoon CHANG, Kyoungmin CHOI, Soowon PARK.
Application Number | 20210324568 17/232867 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005538058 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210324568 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHOI; Kyoungmin ; et
al. |
October 21, 2021 |
LAUNDRY TREATING APPARATUS
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a laundry dryer. The laundry
treating apparatus includes a water supply connector for connecting
an internal water supply pipe, a direct water pipe, and a water
supply inlet pipe with each other. The water supply connector may
include a connector main body and a connector backflow-preventing
valve that is coupled into the connector main body to prevent water
from flowing back toward an supply assembly, thereby preventing the
water from flowing back to a water source and improving
assembleability by mounting a check valve by only assembling a
connector with a pipe.
Inventors: |
CHOI; Kyoungmin; (Seoul,
KR) ; PARK; Soowon; (Seoul, KR) ; CHANG;
Hoon; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Electronics Inc. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005538058 |
Appl. No.: |
17/232867 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 58/263 20130101;
D06F 58/203 20130101; D06F 2105/02 20200201; D06F 58/206
20130101 |
International
Class: |
D06F 58/20 20060101
D06F058/20; D06F 58/26 20060101 D06F058/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 16, 2020 |
KR |
10-2020-0046241 |
Claims
1. A laundry treating apparatus comprising: a cabinet that defines
an external appearance of the laundry treating apparatus; a drum
rotatably disposed inside the cabinet and configured to receive
laundry; a duct assembly configured to supply air to the duct and
to guide air discharged from the drum; a circulating fan configured
to cause air to flow in the duct assembly; a heat exchanger
assembly disposed in the duct assembly and configured to exchange
heat with the air in the duct assembly; a steam generating assembly
comprising a steam generator configured to generate steam, the
steam generating assembly being configured to supply the steam into
the drum; and a supply assembly configured to supply water for
generating the steam by the steam generator, the supply assembly
comprising: a first supply assembly comprising a storage tank
configured to store water therein, and an internal water supply
pipe configured to supply the water stored in the storage tank to
the steam generator, a second supply assembly comprising a direct
water pipe configured to receive water from an external water
source and to supply the water to the steam generator, a water
supply inlet pipe configured to receive the water from the first
supply assembly or the water from the second supply assembly and to
supply the water to the steam generator, and a water supply
connector that connects each of the internal water supply pipe and
the direct water pipe to the water supply inlet pipe, wherein the
water supply connector comprises: a connector main body that
defines a flow channel in communication with the internal water
supply pipe, the direct water pipe, and the water supply inlet
pipe, and a connector backflow-preventing valve coupled to the
connector main body and configured to block backflow of water in
the flow channel.
2. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector
main body comprises: an outlet coupled to the water supply inlet
pipe and configured to discharge the water to the water supply
inlet pipe; an internal water supply inlet that is coupled to the
internal water supply pipe and in communication with the outlet,
the internal water supply inlet being configured to receive the
water through the internal water supply pipe; and a direct water
inlet that is coupled to the direct water pipe and in communication
with the outlet, the direct water inlet being configured to receive
the water through the direct water pipe, and wherein the connector
backflow-preventing valve is inserted into and coupled to the
direct water inlet.
3. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein an inner
diameter of the direct water inlet is greater than an inner
diameter of the outlet.
4. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein an outer
diameter of the direct water inlet is greater than an outer
diameter of the outlet.
5. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the connector
main body further comprises a guide protrusion that protrudes from
an outer circumferential surface of the direct water inlet, the
guide protrusion being disposed at an insertion position of the
connector backflow-preventing valve.
6. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the connector
main body further comprises a direction indicating protrusion that
protrudes from the guide protrusion and has a triangular column
shape.
7. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the connector
backflow-preventing valve comprises: a valve body inserted into and
coupled to the direct water inlet; and a valve outlet that extends
from a first end of the valve body inside the connector main body
and is configured to discharge the water introduced from the direct
water pipe to the flow channel, and wherein the valve outlet is
configured to block the backflow, into the valve body, of the water
introduced through the internal water supply pipe or the water
discharged to the water supply inlet pipe.
8. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 7, wherein a diameter of
the valve outlet is less than a diameter of the valve body.
9. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the connector
backflow-preventing valve further comprises a coupling support hook
that extends radially outward from a second end of the valve body
and is supported on the connector main body.
10. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
connector backflow-preventing valve further comprises a coupling
protrusion that protrudes from and extends along an outer
circumferential surface of the valve body, and wherein the coupling
support hook is disposed outside the connector main body, and the
coupling protrusion is disposed inside the connector main body and
in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the connector
main body.
11. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the
connector backflow-preventing valve further comprises a coupling
protrusion that protrudes from and extends along an outer
circumferential surface of the valve body, the coupling protrusion
being in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the
connector main body.
12. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supply
assembly further comprises a direct water check valve disposed at
the direct water pipe and configured to block the backflow of the
water discharged from the direct water pipe.
13. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supply
assembly further comprises an internal water supply check valve
disposed at the internal water supply pipe configured to block the
backflow of the water discharged from the internal water supply
pipe.
14. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 7, wherein an inner
diameter of the valve body is equal to an inner diameter of the
outlet.
15. A laundry treating apparatus comprising: a cabinet that defines
an external appearance of the laundry treating apparatus; a drum
rotatably disposed inside the cabinet and configured to receive
laundry; a duct assembly configured to supply air to the drum and
to guide air discharged from the drum; a circulating fan configured
to cause air to flow in the duct assembly; a heat exchanger
assembly disposed in the duct assembly and configured to exchange
heat with the air in the duct assembly; a steam generating assembly
comprising a steam generator configured to generate steam, the
steam generating assembly being configured to supply the steam into
the drum; a supply assembly configured to supply water for
generating the steam by the steam generator, the supply assembly
comprising: a first supply assembly comprising a storage tank
configured to store water, and an internal water supply pipe
configured to supply the water stored in the storage tank to the
steam generator, a second supply assembly comprising a direct water
pipe configured to receive water from an external water source and
to supply the water to the steam generator, a water supply inlet
pipe configured to receive the water from the first supply assembly
or the water from the second supply assembly and to supply the
water to the steam generator, and a water supply connector that
connects each of the internal water supply pipe and the direct
water pipe to the water supply inlet pipe; and a check valve
assembly comprising at least one check valve disposed at the direct
water pipe or the internal water supply pipe, the at least one
check valve being configured to block backflow of the water
supplied to the water supply inlet pipe.
16. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 15, wherein the check
valve assembly comprises: a connecting holder that connects at
least two pipes among the internal water supply pipe, the direct
water pipe, and the water supply inlet pipe to each other; and a
backflow-preventing valve inserted into and coupled to the
connecting holder.
17. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 16, wherein the
connecting holder comprises: a holder main body that has a
cylindrical shape, the holder main body having an axial end
inserted into at least one of the internal water supply pipe, the
direct water pipe, or the water supply inlet pipe; and a guide
protrusion that protrudes from an outer circumferential surface of
the holder main body, the guide protrusion indicating an assembly
direction and an assembly position of the connecting holder.
18. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 16, wherein the
connecting holder comprises a holder main body that has a
cylindrical shape, the holder main body having: a first axial end
that is inserted into one of the internal water supply pipe, the
direct water pipe, or the water supply inlet pipe, and a second
axial end that is inserted into another of the internal water
supply pipe, the direct water pipe, or the water supply inlet
pipe.
19. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 18, wherein the
connecting holder further comprises a guide protrusion that
protrudes from an outer circumferential surface of the holder main
body, the guide protrusion indicating an assembly direction and an
assembly position of the connecting holder, and wherein the guide
protrusion is disposed outside the internal water supply pipe, the
direct water pipe, and the water supply inlet pipe.
20. The laundry treating apparatus of claim 15, wherein the check
valve assembly comprises: a first direct water check valve disposed
at the direct water pipe and configured to block the backflow of
the water discharged from the direct water pipe; and a second
direct water check valve disposed between the first direct water
check valve and the water supply connector.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2020-0046241, filed on Apr. 16, 2020, which is
hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a laundry dryer, and more
particularly, to a laundry treating apparatus that sprays
high-temperature steam into a drum using a steam generating
assembly.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In recent years, laundry treating apparatuses that perform a
drying process capable of removing moisture from laundry have
appeared. A conventional laundry treating apparatus may not only
drastically shorten a drying time of the laundry by supplying hot
air to a drum that accommodates the laundry therein to dry the
laundry, but also sterilize and disinfect the laundry.
[0004] In one example, the laundry treating apparatuses that
perform the drying process also include a conventional laundry
treating apparatus that supplies steam to the laundry to remove
wrinkles from the laundry, improve a drying efficiency, perform the
sterilization, and the like.
[0005] Korean Patent No. 10-1435823 discloses a laundry treating
apparatus that supplies the steam to the laundry and then dries the
laundry.
[0006] A water supply connector that connects an external water
source, a water supply container, and a steam generator is
disclosed in the conventional laundry treating apparatus.
[0007] However, when a negative pressure is simply generated in the
external water source including waterworks and the like or a
reverse osmosis pressure by direct water is generated, there is a
limit that water in the water supply container or water in the
steam generator may flow backward and contaminate water.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present disclosure is to ameliorate the problems of the
conventional laundry treating apparatus as described above, and a
purpose thereof is to provide a laundry treating apparatus that
prevents backflow of water so as not to contaminate an external
water source.
[0009] In order to achieve the purpose as described above, a
laundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may
include a drum rotatably installed inside a cabinet forming an
appearance of the laundry treating apparatus to accommodate an
object to be dried therein, a duct assembly constructed to
re-supply air discharged from the drum to the drum, a circulating
fan for providing a flow force to the air flowing along the duct
assembly, a heat exchanger assembly disposed on the duct assembly
to exchange heat with the air circulating along the duct assembly,
a steam generating assembly including a steam generator for
generating steam, wherein the steam generating assembly supplies
the steam into the drum, and a water supply assembly including an
internal water supply assembly and an external water supply
assembly, wherein the water supply assembly supplies water for
generating the steam to the steam generating assembly.
[0010] The water supply assembly may include an internal water
supply pipe connected to the internal water supply assembly to
supply water in the internal water supply assembly to the steam
generator, a direct water pipe connected to the external water
supply assembly to supply water in the external water supply
assembly to the steam generator, a water supply inlet pipe
connected to the steam generator, wherein the water in the internal
water supply assembly or the water in the external water supply
assembly flows into the water supply inlet pipe, a water supply
connector for connecting the internal water supply pipe, the direct
water pipe, and the water supply inlet pipe with each other, and a
check valve assembly including at least one check valve installed
on the direct water pipe or the internal water supply pipe to
prevent water in the steam generator from flowing back.
[0011] The check valve assembly may include a connecting holder for
connecting two pipes with each other, and a check valve inserted
into and coupled to the connecting holder.
[0012] The connecting holder may include a holder main body formed
in a cylindrical shape such that both ends in an axial direction
thereof are respectively inserted into pipes, and a guide
protrusion protruding from an outer circumferential face of the
holder main body to guide assembly direction and position.
[0013] The check valve assembly may include a first direct water
check valve installed on the direct water pipe to prevent the water
from flowing back toward the external water supply assembly, and a
second direct water check valve disposed between the first direct
water check valve and the water supply connector.
[0014] In order to achieve the purpose as described above, a
laundry treating apparatus according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure may include a drum rotatably installed inside a
cabinet forming an appearance of the laundry treating apparatus to
accommodate an object to be dried therein, a duct assembly
constructed to re-supply air discharged from the drum to the drum,
a circulating fan for providing a flow force to the air flowing
along the duct assembly, a heat exchanger assembly disposed on the
duct assembly to exchange heat with the air circulating along the
duct assembly, a steam generating assembly including a steam
generator for generating steam, wherein the steam generating
assembly supplies the steam into the drum, and a water supply
assembly including an internal water supply assembly and an
external water supply assembly, wherein the water supply assembly
supplies water to the steam generating assembly. The water supply
assembly may include an internal water supply pipe connected to the
internal water supply assembly to supply water in the internal
water supply assembly to the steam generator, a direct water pipe
connected to the external water supply assembly to supply water in
the external water supply assembly to the steam generator, a water
supply inlet pipe connected to the steam generator, wherein the
water in the internal water supply assembly or the water in the
external water supply assembly flows into the water supply inlet
pipe, and a water supply connector for connecting the internal
water supply pipe, the direct water pipe, and the water supply
inlet pipe with each other. The water supply connector may include
a connector main body having a flow channel defined therein for
communicating the internal water supply pipe, the direct water
pipe, and the water supply inlet pipe with each other, and a
connector backflow-preventing valve coupled into the connector main
body to prevent backflow of water toward the external water supply
assembly.
[0015] The connector main body may include an outlet coupled to the
water supply inlet pipe, wherein the outlet discharges the water
introduced from the internal water supply assembly or the external
water supply assembly to the water supply inlet pipe, an internal
water supply inlet connected to the outlet and coupled to the
internal water supply pipe, wherein the water in the internal water
supply assembly is introduced into the internal water supply, and a
direct water inlet connected to the outlet and coupled to the
direct water pipe, wherein the water in the direct water pipe is
introduced into the direct water inlet.
[0016] The connector backflow-preventing valve may be inserted into
and coupled to the direct water inlet.
[0017] The direct water inlet may be formed to have an inner
diameter larger than an inner diameter of the outlet.
[0018] The direct water inlet may be formed to have an outer
diameter larger than an outer diameter of the outlet.
[0019] The direct water inlet may include a guide protrusion
protruding from an outer circumferential face of the direct water
inlet to guide an insertion position of the connector
backflow-preventing valve.
[0020] The direct water inlet may further include a direction
indicating protrusion connected to a face in an axial direction of
the guide protrusion and protruding in a triangular column shape to
indicate an assembly direction.
[0021] The connector backflow-preventing valve may include a valve
body formed in a cylindrical shape to be inserted into and coupled
to the direct water inlet, and a valve outlet extending at one end
in the axial direction of the valve body such that a diameter
thereof is reduced, wherein the valve outlet is disposed inside the
connector main body to discharge the water introduced from the
direct water pipe, wherein the valve outlet blocks flow of the
water introduced from the internal water supply pipe or the water
supply inlet pipe.
[0022] The connector backflow-preventing valve may further include
a coupling support hook extending radially outward from the other
end in the axial direction of the valve body and supported on the
connector main body.
[0023] The connector backflow-preventing valve may further include
a coupling protrusion protruding along a circumferential direction
on an outer circumferential face of the valve body and in contact
with an inner circumferential face of the connector main body.
[0024] The water supply assembly may further include a direct water
check valve installed on the direct water pipe to prevent the water
from flowing back toward the external water supply assembly.
[0025] The water supply assembly may further include an internal
water supply check valve installed in the internal water supply
pipe to prevent water from flowing back toward the internal water
supply assembly.
[0026] A size of an inner diameter of the valve body may correspond
to a size of an inner diameter of the outlet.
[0027] As described above, according to the laundry treating
apparatus according to the present disclosure, there is an effect
of preventing the water from flowing backward toward the water
source by having the check valve inside the connector.
[0028] In addition, because the check valve may be mounted only by
inserting and coupling the check valve into the connector and
assembling the connector with the pipe, there is an effect of
improving the assemblability.
[0029] In addition, there is an effect of mounting the check valve
by only replacing the connector on the existing pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 is a view for illustrating an appearance of a laundry
treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal
structure of a laundry treating apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a view for illustrating pipe structures of a water
supply assembly and a steam generating assembly in a laundry
treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a view for illustrating a check valve in a laundry
treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a view for illustrating pipe structures of a water
supply assembly and a steam generating assembly in a laundry
treating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a water supply connector in a
laundry treating apparatus according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a
connector backflow-preventing valve in a laundry treating apparatus
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0040] Various modifications and various embodiments may be made to
the present disclosure. Thus, specific embodiments will be
illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed
description. This is not intended to limit the present disclosure
to a specific embodiment, and should be construed as including all
changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and
scope of the present disclosure.
[0041] In describing the present disclosure, terms such as "first",
"second", and the like may be used to describe various components,
but the components may not be limited by the terms. These terms are
only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another
component. For example, without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure rights, a first component may be referred to as
a second component, and similarly, a second component may be
referred to as a first component.
[0042] The term `and/or` includes a combination of a plurality of
listed items or any of the plurality of listed items.
[0043] It will be understood that when a component is referred to
as being "connected with" another component, the component can be
directly connected with the other component or intervening
components may also be present. In contrast, when a component is
referred to as being "directly connected with" another component,
there are no intervening components present.
[0044] The terminology used in the present disclosure is used only
to describe specific embodiments, not intended to limit the present
disclosure. A singular representation may include a plural
representation unless it represents a definitely different meaning
from the context.
[0045] It should be understood that the terms `comprises`,
`comprising`, `includes`, and `including` when used herein, specify
the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations,
components, parts, or combinations thereof described herein, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, numbers, steps, operations, components, or combinations
thereof.
[0046] Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and
scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0047] In addition, the following embodiment is provided for a more
complete description to those with average knowledge in the art,
and the shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be
exaggerated for clearer description.
[0048] FIG. 1 is a view for illustrating an appearance of a laundry
treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an
internal structure of a laundry treating apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cabinet 10 that forms an
appearance of a laundry treating apparatus 1 includes a front panel
11 constituting a front face, a rear panel 12 constituting a rear
face, a pair of side panels 14 respectively constituting side
faces, and a top panel 13 constituting a top face of the laundry
treating apparatus 1.
[0050] The front panel 11 may include a laundry inlet 111 defined
therein to communicate with a drum 20 to be described later, and a
door 112 pivotably coupled to the cabinet 10 to open and close the
laundry inlet 111.
[0051] A control panel 117 is disposed on the front panel 11.
[0052] An input unit 118 that receives a control command from a
user, a display 119 that outputs information such as a control
command or the like selectable by the user, and a main controller
(not shown) that controls a command for performing a process of the
laundry treating apparatus 1 may be installed on the control panel
117.
[0053] In one example, the input unit 118 may include a power
supply request unit that requests power supply to the laundry
dryer, a course input unit that enables the user to select a
desired course among a number of courses, an execution request unit
that requests start of the course selected by the user, and the
like.
[0054] The display 119 may include at least one of a display panel
capable of outputting characters and/or figures, and a speaker
capable of outputting audio signals and sounds. The user may easily
identify a status of a currently performed process, a remaining
time, and the like through the information output through the
display 119.
[0055] The drum 20 that is rotatably disposed and provides a space
therein in which laundry (an object to be dried) is accommodated, a
duct assembly 30 that defines a flow channel for re-supplying air
discharged from the drum 20 to the drum 20, and a heat exchanger
assembly 40 that dehumidifies and heats the air introduced into the
duct assembly 30 and then re-supplies the dehumidified air to the
drum 20 may be arranged inside the cabinet 10.
[0056] The drum 20 includes a cylindrical drum body 21 with an open
front face. A first support 22 that rotatably supports a front face
of the drum body 21 and a second support 23 that rotatably supports
a rear face of the drum body 21 may be arranged inside the cabinet
10.
[0057] The first support 22 may include a first fixed body 22a
fixed inside the cabinet 10, a drum laundry inlet 22b that is
disposed to penetrate the first fixed body 22a to communicate the
laundry inlet 111 with an interior of the drum body 21, and a first
support body 22c disposed on the first fixed body 22a and inserted
into the front face of the drum body 21.
[0058] The first support 22 may further include a connecting body
22d that connects the laundry inlet 111 with the drum laundry inlet
22b. As shown, the connecting body 22d may be formed in a pipe
shape extending from the drum laundry inlet 22b toward the laundry
inlet 111. In addition, an air outlet 22e that communicates with
the duct assembly 30 may be formed in the connecting body 22d.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 2, the air outlet 22e, which is a passage
that allows the air inside the drum body 21 to flow to the duct
assembly 30, may be defined as a through-hole penetrating the
connecting body 22d.
[0060] The second support 23 includes a second fixed body 23a fixed
inside the cabinet 10 and a second support body 23b disposed on the
second fixed body 23a and inserted into the rear face of the drum
body 21.
[0061] The second support 23 further includes an air inlet 23c
defined to penetrate the second fixed body 23a and communicating
the interior of the drum body 21 with an interior of the cabinet
10.
[0062] In this case, the duct assembly 30 is constructed to connect
the air outlet 22e with the air inlet 23c.
[0063] The cylindrical drum body 21 may be rotated through a driver
50 of various shapes.
[0064] For example, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the
driver 50 includes a drum motor 51 fixed inside the cabinet 10, a
pulley 52 rotated by the drum motor 51, and a belt 53 that connects
a circumferential face of the pulley 52 with a circumferential face
of the drum body 21.
[0065] In this case, the first support 22 may further include a
first roller R1 that rotatably supports the circumferential face of
the drum body 21, and the second support 23 may further include a
second roller R2 that rotatably supports the circumferential face
of the drum body 21.
[0066] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A
direct drive type driver in which the drum motor 51 is directly
connected to the drum to rotate the drum without using the pulley
and the belt may also be applied to the present disclosure, which
is obviously within the scope of the present disclosure. For
convenience, the following description will be made based on the
illustrated embodiment of the driver 50.
[0067] The duct assembly 30 includes an exhaust duct 31 connected
to the air outlet 22e, a supply duct 32 connected to the air inlet
23c, and a connecting duct 33 that connects the exhaust duct 31
with the supply duct 32 and includes the heat exchanger assembly 40
installed therein.
[0068] The exhaust duct 31 may communicate with the front face of
the drum 20, and the supply duct 32 may communicate with a rear
face of the drum 20.
[0069] The heat exchanger assembly 40 may be implemented as various
apparatuses capable of sequentially performing dehumidification and
heating of the air introduced into the duct assembly 30. For
example, the heat exchanger assembly 40 may be implemented as a
heat pump system.
[0070] As a heat pump system scheme, the heat exchanger assembly 40
may include a circulating fan 43 that flows the air along the duct
assembly 30, a first heat exchanger (a heat absorber) 41 that
performs a dehumidification function by lowering humidity of the
air introduced into the duct assembly 30, and a second heat
exchanger (a heater) 42 disposed inside the duct assembly 30 to
heat the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger
41.
[0071] The circulating fan 43 is constructed to include an impeller
43a disposed in the duct assembly 30 and an impeller motor 43b that
rotates the impeller 43a, and provides a flow force to the air
flowing along the duct assembly 30.
[0072] The impeller 43a may be installed at any position in the
exhaust duct 31, the connecting duct 33, and the supply duct 32.
FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the impeller 43a is
disposed in the connecting duct 33. The present disclosure is not
limited thereto, but for convenience, the description will be made
with the embodiment in which the impeller 43a is disposed in the
connecting duct 33.
[0073] The heat exchanger assembly 40 may perform heat exchange
with the air circulating along the duct assembly 30.
[0074] The heat absorber 41 and the heater 42 are sequentially
arranged inside the connecting duct 33 along a direction from the
exhaust duct 31 to the supply duct 32, and are connected to each
other through a refrigerant pipe 44 that defines therein a
circulation flow path of a refrigerant.
[0075] The heat absorber 41 is means for cooling the air and
evaporating the refrigerant by transferring heat of the air
introduced into the exhaust duct 31 to the refrigerant.
[0076] The heater 42 is means for heating the air and condensing
the refrigerant by transferring heat of the refrigerant that has
passed through the compressor 45 to the air.
[0077] The compressor 45 compresses the refrigerant that is
heat-exchanged with the air circulating along the duct assembly 30
by receiving a rotational force by the compressor motor 45a.
[0078] In this case, when passing through the heat absorber 41,
moisture contained in the air flows along a surface of the heat
absorber 41 and be collected on a bottom face of the connecting
duct 33.
[0079] As described above, a configuration already known in the art
may be applied to the configuration of the heat exchanger assembly
40 of the heat pump system scheme including the heat absorber 41
and the heater 42, and a detailed description of such configuration
will be omitted.
[0080] In one example, in order to collect condensate water that
has been condensed from the air passing through the heat absorber
41 and collected on a bottom face of the connecting duct 33, the
laundry treating apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure
further includes a water collector 60.
[0081] The condensate water condensed in the heat absorber 41 may
be firstly collected in the water collector 60 and then secondarily
collected in a water storage 70. The water collector 60 may be
located inside the connecting duct 33 as shown or may be separately
disposed in a space spaced apart from the connecting duct 33.
[0082] The condensate water firstly collected through the water
collector 60 is supplied to the water storage 70 through a
condensate water supply pipe 61. In this connection, a condensate
water pump 62 is disposed in the condensate water supply pipe 61
for smooth discharge of the condensate water.
[0083] The water storage 70 includes a water storage tank 72
constructed to be extended from one side of the front panel 11 to
the outside. The water storage tank 72 is constructed to collect
the condensate water delivered from the water collector 60 to be
described later.
[0084] The user may remove the condensate water by extending the
water storage tank 72 from the cabinet 10 and then mount the water
storage tank 72 into the cabinet 10 again. Thus, the laundry
treating apparatus according to the present disclosure may be
placed in any place even in a place where a drainage hole or the
like is not installed.
[0085] More specifically, the water storage 70 may be constructed
to include the water storage tank 72 that is detachably disposed in
the cabinet 10 to provide a space for storing the water therein and
an inlet 72a defined to penetrate the water storage tank 72 to
inflow the water discharged from the condensate water supply pipe
61 into the water storage tank 72.
[0086] The water storage tank 72 may be formed as a drawer-type
tank extended from the cabinet 10. In this case, a water storage
mounting hole into which the water storage tank 72 is retracted is
defined in the front panel 11 of the cabinet.
[0087] A panel 71 is fixed on a front face of the water storage
tank 72. The panel 71 may be constructed to form a portion of the
front panel 11 by detachably coupled to the water storage mounting
hole.
[0088] The panel 71 may further include a groove 71a into which a
user's hand is inserted to grip the panel 71. In this case, the
panel 71 also functions as a handle for extending or retracting the
water storage tank 72 from or into the cabinet.
[0089] The inlet 72a is defined to receive the condensate water
discharged from a condensate water nozzle 63 fixed to the cabinet
10. The condensate water nozzle 63 may be fixed to the top panel 13
of the cabinet 10 such that the condensate water nozzle 63 is
positioned above the inlet 72a when the water storage tank 72 is
retracted into the cabinet 10.
[0090] The user may dispose of the water inside the water storage
tank 72 by extending the water storage tank 72 from the cabinet 10
and then turning the water storage tank 72 over or tilting the
water storage tank 72 in a direction in which the inlet 72a is
located. The water storage tank 72 may further include a
communication hole 72b defined to penetrate a top face thereof such
that the water inside the water storage tank 72 is easily
discharged through the inlet 72a.
[0091] In addition, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according to
the present disclosure includes a first filter F1 and a second
filter F2 as means for removing foreign substances such as lint,
dust, and the like generated in a drying process of laundry such as
clothing and the like.
[0092] The first filter F1 is disposed in the exhaust duct 31 to
firstly filter foreign substances contained in the air discharged
from the drum 20.
[0093] The second filter F2 is disposed downstream of the first
filter F1 in a flow direction of the air such that the foreign
substances contained in the air that has passed through the first
filter F1 may be secondarily filtered. More specifically, as shown,
the second filter F2 is preferably disposed upstream of the first
heat exchanger 41 in the connecting duct 33. This is to prevent the
foreign substances contained in the air from accumulating in the
first heat exchanger 41 acting as the heat absorber and
contaminating the first heat exchanger 41 or causing performance
degradation of the first heat exchanger 41.
[0094] Any means known in the art is applicable to detailed
configurations of the first filter F1 and the second filter F2, so
that a description of the detailed configuration will be
omitted.
[0095] In one example, the laundry treating apparatus 1 according
to the present disclosure further includes a supply assembly 80
that includes a first supply assembly 81 and second supply assembly
82 and a steam generating assembly 90 that generates steam by
receiving water from the supply assembly 80. The first supply
assembly 81 and the second supply assembly 82 may be provided to
supply water to the steam generating assembly 90 from different
water sources.
[0096] The steam generating assembly 90 may be constructed to
generate the steam by receiving fresh water instead of the
condensate water. The steam generating assembly 90 may include a
steam generator 91, a steam pipe 92, a steam nozzle 93, and an
accumulator 94 (see FIG. 3).
[0097] The steam generator 91 may receive the water from the supply
assembly 80 and heat the supplied water to generate the steam. A
pipe structure through which the water flows into the steam
generator 91 and the steam is discharged will be described
later.
[0098] In one example, in the present embodiment, the steam
generator 91 has been described to use a scheme (hereinafter,
referred to as an `induction heating scheme` for convenience) of
generating the steam by heating a certain amount of water
accommodated therein with a heater (not shown in the drawing), but
is not limited thereto.
[0099] The steam generated from the steam generator 91 may flow
into the steam nozzle 93 and the steam nozzle 93 may inject the
steam into the drum 20.
[0100] The steam pipe 92 connects the steam generator 91 with the
steam nozzle 93, and a flow channel along which the steam may flow
is defined in the steam pipe 92. Accordingly, the steam generated
from the steam generator 91 may flow along the steam pipe 92 and be
discharged into the drum 20 through the steam nozzle 93.
[0101] The accumulator 94 may be installed on the steam pipe 92 and
serve to separate the condensate water from the steam when the
steam generated from the steam generator 91 is condensed in the
steam pipe 92 to become the condensate water. In this connection,
the condensed condensate water may flow back into the steam
generator 91 or flow into the water collector 60.
[0102] For example, the first supply assembly 81 may correspond to
an internal water supply assembly 81, and the second supply
assembly 82 may correspond to the external water supply assembly
82.
[0103] The steam generating assembly 90 may be controlled to supply
the steam into the drum body 21 by receiving the water through the
external water supply assembly 82 as well as the internal water
supply assembly 81 as needed.
[0104] The external water supply assembly 82 may include a direct
water valve 82a adjacent to the rear panel 13 or fixed to the rear
panel 13, and a direct water pipe 84 that supplies the water
delivered from the direct water valve 82a to the steam generating
assembly 90.
[0105] The direct water valve 82a may be constructed to be coupled
with an external water source. For example, the direct water valve
82a may be coupled to a water supply pipe (not shown) extending to
the rear face of the cabinet. Accordingly, the steam generating
assembly 90 may be constructed to receive the water directly
through the direct water valve 82a.
[0106] Therefore, even when the internal water supply assembly 81
is omitted or no water is stored in the internal water supply
assembly 81, the steam generating assembly 90 may receive the water
for generating the steam through the direct water valve 82a as
needed.
[0107] The direct water valve 82a may be directly controlled by a
controller 100.
[0108] The controller 100 may be installed on the control panel
117, but as shown in FIG. 1, the controller 100 may be constructed
as a separate control panel to prevent overload of the control
panel 117 and not increase a manufacturing cost.
[0109] In this connection, the controller 100 may be disposed
adjacent to the steam generating assembly 90. The controller 100
may be disposed on the side panel 14 on which the steam generating
assembly 90 is installed to reduce a length of a control line or
the like connected to the steam generating assembly 90.
[0110] In one example, the steam generating assembly 90 is
preferably installed adjacent to the direct water valve 82a.
Accordingly, residual water may be prevented from remaining
unnecessarily in the direct water pipe 84, and the water may be
immediately supplied when necessary.
[0111] In one example, the internal water supply assembly 81
includes a storage tank 810 that stores the water therein, a supply
pump 820 that receives the water from the storage tank 810 and
delivers the water to the steam generating assembly 90, a tank
housing 830 that provides a space for accommodating the storage
tank 810 and the supply pump 820 therein, and an internal water
supply pipe 83 that connects the supply pump 820 with the steam
generating assembly 90 and has a flow channel defined therein
through which the water may flow.
[0112] Therefore, the internal water supply assembly 81 is
constructed to supply the stored water to the steam generating
assembly. That is, the water stored in the storage tank 810 may be
supplied to the steam generating assembly 90 along the internal
water supply pipe 83 by an operation of the supply pump 820.
[0113] In one example, FIG. 3 is a view for illustrating pipe
structures of a water supply assembly and a steam generating
assembly in a laundry treating apparatus according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure, FIG. 4 is a view for illustrating a
check valve in a laundry treating apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 5 is a
cross-sectional view of FIG. 4.
[0114] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, pipe structures of the water
supply assembly and the steam generating assembly of the laundry
treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described as follows.
[0115] The supply assembly 80 of the present disclosure may include
the internal water supply assembly 81 that supplies the water from
the storage tank 810 to the steam generating assembly 90, the
external water supply assembly 82 that supplies the water from the
external water source to the steam generating assembly 90, a water
supply connector 86 that is able to receive the water from at least
one of the internal water supply assembly 81 and the external water
supply assembly 82, and a water supply inlet pipe 85 that connects
the water supply connector 86 with the steam generating assembly
90.
[0116] In addition, the supply assembly 80 may further include a
check valve assembly 87 that prevents backflow of the water or the
steam in at least one of the internal water supply assembly 81, the
external water supply assembly 82, and the steam generating
assembly 90.
[0117] Specifically, the internal water supply assembly 81 may
include the internal water supply pipe 83 that supplies the water
in the storage tank 810 to the steam generator 91.
[0118] The external water supply assembly 82 may include the direct
water pipe 84 that is in communication with the external water
source to receive the water and supply the water to the steam
generator 91.
[0119] The internal water supply pipe 83 and the direct water pipe
84 may be connected to the water supply connector 86. As a result,
the water in the internal water supply assembly 81 or the water in
the external water supply assembly 82 may flow into the water
supply connector 86. In addition, the water supply connector 86 and
the steam generator 91 are connected to each other by the water
supply inlet pipe 85, so that the water in the internal water
supply assembly 81 or the water in the external water supply
assembly 82 may be supplied to the steam generator 91.
[0120] The internal water supply pipe 83 may mean a pipe in which a
flow channel along which the water may flow is defined.
[0121] One end of the internal water supply pipe 83 may be in
communication with the storage tank 810 or the supply pump 820, and
the other end thereof may be connected to the water supply
connector 86.
[0122] For example, the internal water supply pipe 83 includes a
first internal water supply pipe 83a and a second internal water
supply pipe 83b.
[0123] The check valve assembly 87 may further include an internal
water supply check valve 87c that prevents backflow of water
flowing along the first internal water supply pipe 83a and the
second internal water supply pipe 83b. One end of the first
internal water supply pipe 83a may be in communication with the
storage tank 810 or the supply pump 820 and the other end thereof
may be connected to the internal water supply check valve 87c.
[0124] In addition, one end of the second internal water supply
pipe 83b may be connected to the internal water supply check valve
87c, and the other end thereof may be connected to the water supply
connector 86.
[0125] The direct water pipe 84 may mean a pipe in which a flow
channel along which the water may flow is defined. One end of the
direct water pipe 84 may be connected to the external water supply
assembly 82, and the other end thereof may be connected to the
water supply connector 86.
[0126] The check valve assembly 87 may include direct water check
valves 87a and 87b that prevent the backflow of the water flowing
along the direct water pipe 84.
[0127] A plurality of direct water check valves may be
arranged.
[0128] For example, the direct water pipe 84 may include a first
direct water pipe 84a, a second direct water pipe 84b, and a third
direct water pipe 84c. One end of the first direct water pipe 84a
may be connected to the direct water valve 82a, and the other end
thereof may be connected to a first direct water check valve
87a.
[0129] In addition, both ends of the second direct water pipe 84b
may be connected to the first direct water check valve 87a and a
second direct water check valve 87b, respectively. In addition, one
end of the third direct water pipe 84c may be connected to the
second direct water check valve 87b, and the other end thereof may
be connected to the water supply connector 86. Accordingly, two
check valves of the check valve assembly 87 may be respectively
disposed between the first direct water pipe 84a and the second
direct water pipe 84b and between the second direct water pipe 84b
and the third direct water pipe 84c.
[0130] The supply assembly 80 may include the water supply inlet
pipe 85 connected to the steam generator 91 and supplying the water
from the internal water supply assembly 81 or the water supplied
from the external water supply assembly 82 to the steam generator
91.
[0131] The water supply inlet pipe 85 may mean a pipe in which a
flow channel along which the water may flow is defined. One end of
the water supply inlet pipe 85 may be connected to the water supply
connector 86, and the other end thereof may be connected to the
steam generator 91.
[0132] The water supply connector 86 may connect the internal water
supply pipe 83, the direct water pipe 84, and the water supply
inlet pipe 85 with each other. Specifically, the water supply
connector 86 may be in a form of a pipe open in three directions.
For example, the water supply connector 86 may be a T-shaped
connector.
[0133] The check valve assembly 87 may mean a structure that plays
a role of preventing backflow of fluid. Specifically, the check
valve assembly 87 may be a component that is disposed on the flow
channel, and does not block flow of the fluid when the fluid flows
in a direction intended at a time of design (hereinafter, able to
be referred to as a `forward direction`), but blocks the flow of
the fluid when the fluid flows backward in a direction opposite to
the intended direction (hereinafter, able to be referred to as a
`reverse direction`).
[0134] Both the internal check valve and the direct water check
valve may have the same structure.
[0135] A laundry treating apparatus of a type of spraying
high-temperature steam into the drum is constructed to supply the
water into the steam generator using the internal water supply
assembly or the external water supply assembly.
[0136] In one example, in a case of the external water supply
assembly that is connected to waterworks or the like to supply
clean water, there is a possibility that a negative pressure may
occur depending on a condition. Even in a case of the internal
water supply assembly in which the water is supplied by an
operation of the supply pump 820, there is a possibility that the
negative pressure may occur depending on an operating condition of
the pump.
[0137] In addition, in this case, a reverse osmosis pressure for
the direct water or a reverse osmosis pressure for the stored water
may occur.
[0138] In one example, when the water stored in the internal water
supply assembly 81 or the steam generator 91 stagnates for a long
time, contamination such as bacterial growth in the water may
occur. When the contaminated water flows back by the reverse
osmosis or a pressure difference, the contaminated water may
contaminate the waterworks or the storage tank 810 in which the
clean water is stored.
[0139] Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the contaminated water
from flowing back from the internal water supply assembly 81 or the
steam generator 91 to flow into the external water supply assembly
82.
[0140] To solve such problem, in the laundry treating apparatus 1
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the check
valve assembly 87 may be installed on the direct water pipe 84 or
the internal water supply pipe 83 to prevent the water in the steam
generator 91 or the internal water supply assembly 81 from flowing
back.
[0141] Hereinafter, a description will be made focusing on the
check valve assembly 87.
[0142] As described above, the check valve assembly 87 may include
the first direct water check valve 87a installed on the direct
water pipe 84 to prevent the water from flowing back toward the
external water supply assembly 82, and the second direct water
check valve 87b placed between the first direct water check valve
87a and the water supply connector 86.
[0143] In addition, the check valve assembly 87 may be installed on
the internal water supply pipe 83 to prevent the water from flowing
back toward the internal water supply assembly 82.
[0144] Specifically, the first direct water check valve 87a may be
disposed between the first direct water pipe 84a and the second
direct water pipe 84b, and the second direct water check valve 87b
may be disposed between the second direct water pipe 84b and the
third direct water pipe 84c.
[0145] In addition, the internal water supply check valve 87c may
be disposed between the first internal water supply pipe 83a and
the second internal water supply pipe 83b.
[0146] With such configuration, the water flowed back may be
prevented from flowing into the internal water supply assembly 81
and the external water supply assembly 82.
[0147] In particular, in a case of the direct water pipe 84, which
needs to block the backflow in order to prevent water pollution,
the two check valves of the check valve assembly 87 are arranged to
prevent the backflow even when damage occurs in one of the two
check valves of the check valve assembly 87.
[0148] This has an effect of stably protecting the external water
supply assembly 82 from the backflow compared to a case of
installing the check valve assembly 87 on the water supply inlet
pipe 85.
[0149] For example, it may be assumed that each of the internal
water supply pipe 83, the direct water pipe 84, and the water
supply inlet pipe 85 has one check valve of the check valve
assembly 87. In this case, the water flowing back from the steam
generator 91 is blocked by the two check valve of the check valve
assembly 87 while flowing to the external water supply assembly
82.
[0150] However, backflow of the water flowing back from the
internal water supply assembly 81 through the internal water supply
pipe 83 and the water supply connector 86 to the external water
supply assembly 82 is blocked by only one check valve of the check
valve assembly 87 disposed on the direct water pipe 84. That is,
when the water flows back from the internal water supply assembly
81 to the external water supply assembly 82, because the check
valve assembly 87 disposed on the internal water supply pipe 83 is
installed in the forward direction, the check valve assembly 87 is
not able to block the backflow, and only the check valve assembly
87 disposed on the direct water pipe 84 is able to prevent the
backflow.
[0151] To solve this, in the present disclosure, two check valve of
the check valve assembly 87 are installed on the direct water pipe
84, so that there is an effect of double-blocking the backflow that
may occur in the internal water supply assembly 81 or the steam
generator 91. FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment of the check valve
assembly 87.
[0152] The check valve assembly 87 of the present disclosure may
include a connecting holder 871 and a backflow-preventing valve
872.
[0153] Specifically, the check valve assembly 87 may include the
connecting holder 871 that connects two pipes with each other and
the backflow-preventing valve 872 inserted into and coupled to the
connecting holder 871 to block the backflow of the fluid.
[0154] The connecting holder 871 may include a holder main body
871a and a guide protrusion 871b. Specifically, the connecting
holder 871 may include a holder main body 871a and a guide
protrusion 871b that protrudes along a circumferential direction
from an outer circumferential face of the holder main body
871a.
[0155] For example, the holder main body 871a may be formed in a
cylindrical shape to allow the fluid to flow therein, and both ends
thereof may be formed to be inserted into the internal water supply
assembly 81 and the external water supply assembly 82,
respectively. For example, the holder main body 871a may be formed
to be inserted into at least one of the internal water supply pipe
83, the direct water pipe 84, and the water supply inlet pipe
85.
[0156] In one example, an outlet 871d is formed at an end in a
direction in which the fluid is discharged (in the forward
direction) of the holder main body 871a.
[0157] An inner diameter of the holder main body 871a may become
smaller in a direction from a vicinity of the outlet 871d to the
outlet 871d.
[0158] In other words, the outlet 871d may be formed as the inner
diameter of the holder main body 871a gradually decreases.
[0159] The guide protrusion 871b is formed to protrude from the
outer circumferential face of the holder main body 871a to guide
assembly direction and position.
[0160] For example, the guide protrusion 871b may be formed to
protrude in a ring shape along the outer circumferential face of
the holder main body 871a.
[0161] In addition, the connecting holder 871 may further include a
direction indicating protrusion 871c connected to a face in an
axial direction of the guide protrusion 871b and formed to protrude
from the outer circumferential face of the holder main body 871a in
a form of a triangular column to indicate the assembly
direction.
[0162] The direction indicating protrusion 871c may extend from one
face of the guide protrusion 871b in a longitudinal direction of
the holder main body 871a. For example, the direction indicating
protrusion 871c may extend from the guide protrusion 871b toward
the outlet 871d.
[0163] Therefore, when assembling the connecting holder 871 to a
pipe, an operator may recognize a direction of a triangle (or an
arrow) indicated on the direction indicating protrusion 871c, and
may assemble the connecting holder 871 to the pipe after inserting
the backflow-preventing valve 872 into the connecting holder 871 in
consideration of the flow of the fluid intended at a time of
designing. That is, incorrect assembly may be prevented through the
guide protrusion 871b and the direction indicating protrusion 871c
of the present disclosure.
[0164] The backflow-preventing valve 872 may include a valve body
872a, a valve outlet 872b, a coupling support hook 872c, and a
coupling protrusion 872d.
[0165] Specifically, the backflow-preventing valve 872 includes the
valve body 872a inserted into the connecting holder 871. The valve
outlet 872b that discharges the fluid introduced in the forward
direction is formed at one end of the valve body 872a. The coupling
support hook 872c hooked and supported on an end of the connecting
holder 871 is formed at the other end of the valve body 872a. In
addition, the coupling protrusion 872d supported in contact with an
inner circumferential face of the connecting holder 871 protrudes
from an outer circumferential face of the valve body 872a.
[0166] For example, the valve body 872a may be formed in a
cylindrical shape to be inserted into and coupled to the holder
main body 871a.
[0167] In one example, an inner diameter of the valve body 872a may
correspond to a size of an inner diameter of the outlet 871d of the
connecting holder 871. For example, a size of the inner diameter of
the valve body 872a may be equal to the size of the inner diameter
of the outlet 871d of the connecting holder 871.
[0168] With such structure, in the present disclosure, an amount of
fluid flowing into the valve body 872a and an amount of fluid
discharged through the outlet 871d may be uniformly maintained, and
an occurrence of pulsation or the like resulted from the inflow of
the fluid may be prevented.
[0169] The valve outlet 872b may be formed to extend while
narrowing in a diameter at one end in the axial direction of the
valve body 872a. In this connection, valve outlet 872b may have
various forms in which an area of a flow channel along which the
fluid is discharged decreases.
[0170] For example, the valve outlet 872b may be formed to extend
while gradually narrowing one end in the axial direction of the
cylindrical valve body 872a in a conical shape.
[0171] In addition, as another example, the valve outlet 872b may
be formed to be opened in a rectangular shape as one end of the
valve body 872a narrows in an axisymmetric manner. That is, one end
in the axial direction of the valve body 872a may be extended while
forming inclined faces to be closer to each other, and the extended
inclined faces may be gathered to define the rectangular hole.
[0172] With such configuration, the valve outlet 872b of the
present disclosure may be formed inside the holder main body 871a
to discharge the water introduced in the forward direction, and may
interfere or block flow of the water flowing backward in the
reverse direction.
[0173] The coupling support hook 872c may be formed to extend
radially outward from the other end of the valve body 872a and may
be supported in contact with the holder main body 871. For example,
the coupling support hook 872c may be formed to protrude radially
outward from the other end of the valve body 872a, and may protrude
in a shape of a hook along the circumferential direction.
[0174] With such configuration, the coupling support hook 872c of
the present disclosure may be hooked and supported on an end in the
direction in which the fluid is introduced (an end opposite to the
outlet 871d) of the holder main body 871a. Accordingly, the
backflow-preventing valve 872 may be supported even when an inflow
pressure of the fluid is large.
[0175] The coupling protrusion 872d may protrude from the outer
circumferential face of the valve body 872a along the
circumferential direction, and may be in contact with the inner
circumferential face of the holder main body 871a.
[0176] For example, the coupling protrusion 872d may include two
protrusions protruding from the outer circumferential face of the
valve body 872a along the circumferential direction in a rib
shape.
[0177] With such configuration, the coupling protrusion 872d of the
present disclosure may be supported in contact with the inner
circumferential face of the holder main body 871a, and deviation of
the backflow-preventing valve 872 from the connecting holder 871 by
the pressure of the fluid may be prevented.
[0178] In one example, the backflow-preventing valve 872 of the
present embodiment has the same structure as a connector
backflow-preventing valve 862 to be described later, so that a
structure of the connector backflow-preventing valve 862 disclosed
in FIG. 9 may be understood using the structure of the
backflow-preventing valve 872.
[0179] In one example, FIG. 6 is a view for illustrating pipe
structures of a water supply assembly and a steam generating
assembly in a laundry treating apparatus according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 7 is a view illustrating
a water supply connector in a laundry treating apparatus according
to another embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 8 is a
cross-sectional view of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view
illustrating a structure of a connector backflow-preventing
valve.
[0180] In order to avoid redundant expression, in the present
embodiment, the same contents as those of an embodiment of the
present disclosure described above will be omitted, and different
components will be mainly described in detail.
[0181] First, in the pipe structures of the water supply assembly
and the steam generating assembly according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure, the two check valve of the check valve assembly
87 are installed on the direct water pipe 84 to prevent the water
in the internal water supply assembly 81 or the steam generator 91
from flowing back to the external water supply assembly 82.
[0182] In one example, as shown in FIG. 3, in order to prevent the
condensate water from stagnating in the drum when the steam is
generated, the accumulator 94 may be installed. In this case, the
accumulator 94 is coupled to a top face frame 24 disposed above the
drum 20 and is disposed such that a portion of the accumulator 94
supports the direct water pipe 84 by holding an outer
circumferential face of the direct water pipe 84.
[0183] In this connection, in order to place the two check valves
of the check valve assembly 87 on the direct water pipe 84, the
direct water pipe 84 should be divided into a first direct water
pipe 84a, a second direct water pipe 84b, and a third direct water
pipe 84c, the first direct water check valve 87a should be
assembled between the first direct water pipe 84a and the second
direct water pipe 84b, and the second direct water check valve 87b
should be assembled between the second direct water pipe 84b and
the third direct water pipe 84c.
[0184] In the case of assembling and connecting a number of parts
in such a narrow space, there is a possibility of water leakage
because of incomplete assembly of the direct water pipe 84 and the
check valve assembly 87, and the condensate water may flow into the
drum 20 because of incomplete mounting of the accumulator 94.
[0185] In order to solve such problem, another embodiment of the
present disclosure proposes a structure that prevents the water
from flowing back to the external water supply assembly 82 while
improving assemblability and space efficiency.
[0186] A water supply connector 86' according to another embodiment
of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.
2 and 6 to 8 as follows.
[0187] In the present embodiment, the water supply connector 86'
may be constructed to connect the internal water supply pipe 83,
the direct water pipe 84, and the water supply inlet pipe 85 with
each other, and prevent the water from flowing back toward the
external water supply assembly 81.
[0188] The water supply connector 86' includes a connector main
body 861 and a connector backflow-preventing valve 862.
[0189] The connector main body 861 has a structure in which a flow
channel for communicating the internal water supply pipe 83, the
direct water pipe 84, and the water supply inlet pipe 85 with each
other is defined therein.
[0190] Specifically, the connector main body 861 may be in a form
of a pipe open in three directions including an outlet 861a, an
internal water supply inlet 861b, and a direct water inlet 861c
defined therein.
[0191] For example, the connector main body 861 may be a T-shaped
connector in which the outlet 861a and the direct water inlet 861c
are connected to each other in a straight line on the same axis,
and the internal water supply inlet 861b is connected
perpendicularly to the outlet 861a.
[0192] More specifically, the outlet 861a may be coupled to the
water supply inlet pipe 85, and may discharge the water introduced
from the internal water supply assembly 81 or the external water
supply assembly 82 to the water supply inlet pipe 85.
[0193] For example, the outlet 861a may be formed in a cylindrical
shape to define therein a flow channel along which the water for
generating the steam is introduced, and a discharge protrusion
861aa that guides coupling with the water supply inlet pipe 85 may
be formed to protrude along the circumferential direction on an
outer circumferential face of the outlet 861a.
[0194] The internal water supply inlet 861b may communicate with
the outlet 861a, and may be coupled to the internal water supply
pipe 83 to define therein a flow channel along which the water
discharged from the internal water supply assembly 81 is
introduced.
[0195] For example, the internal water supply inlet 861b may be
formed in a cylindrical shape to define therein a flow channel
along which the water discharged from the internal water supply
assembly 81 is introduced, and a water supply protrusion 861ba that
guides coupling with the internal water supply pipe 83 may be
formed to protrude along the circumferential direction on an outer
circumferential face of the internal water supply inlet 861b. In
addition, a steam pipe seating face 861bb that guides a position
where the steam pipe 92 is disposed may be formed on the outer
circumferential face of the internal water supply inlet 861b.
[0196] In addition, a size of an inner diameter .PHI.2 of the
internal water supply inlet 861b may be the same as a size of an
inner diameter .PHI.1 of the outlet 861a. With such configuration,
the water introduced into the internal water supply inlet 861b may
be stably discharged to the water supply inlet pipe 85 without
changes in a water pressure and a flow rate.
[0197] The direct water inlet 861c may be connected to the outlet
861a, and may be coupled to the direct water pipe 84 to define
therein a flow channel along which the water from the direct water
pipe 82b is introduced.
[0198] For example, the direct water inlet 861c may be formed in a
cylindrical shape to define therein a flow channel along which the
water discharged from the external water supply assembly 82 is
introduced, and a direct water protrusion 861ca that guides
coupling with the direct water pipe 84 may be formed to protrude
along the circumferential direction on an outer circumferential
face of the direct water inlet 861c.
[0199] In addition, the direct water inlet 861c may further include
a direction indicating protrusion 861cb extending from the guide
protrusion 861ca to indicate the assembly direction.
[0200] The direction indicating protrusion 861cb may be formed to
protrude from the guide protrusion 861ca in the form of the
triangular pillar or the arrow.
[0201] With such configuration, when assembling the water supply
connector 86', the operator may recognize a direction of a triangle
(or an arrow) indicated on the direction indicating protrusion
861cb, and may assemble the water supply connector 86' to the pipe
after inserting the connector backflow-preventing valve 862 to be
described later into the connector main body 861 in consideration
of the flow of the fluid intended at a time of designing.
Therefore, in the present disclosure, there is an effect of
preventing incorrect assembly by the direction indicating
protrusion 861cb.
[0202] In one example, an inner diameter 13 of the direct water
inlet 861c may be larger than the inner diameter .PHI.1 of the
outlet 861a (.PHI.3>.PHI.1). In addition, an outer diameter of
the direct water inlet 861c may be larger than an outer diameter of
the outlet 861a. Therefore, according to the present disclosure,
the connector backflow-preventing valve 862 may be easily inserted
into the direct water inlet 861c.
[0203] The connector backflow-preventing valve 862 may be coupled
into the connector main body 861 to prevent the backflow of the
water towards the external water supply assembly. Specifically, the
connector backflow-preventing valve 862 may be inserted into and
coupled to the direct water inlet 861c.
[0204] The connector backflow-preventing valve 862 may include a
valve body 862a, a valve outlet 862b, a coupling support hook 862c,
and a coupling protrusion 862d.
[0205] Specifically, the connector backflow-preventing valve 862
includes the valve body 862a inserted into the connector main body
861. The valve outlet 862b that discharges the fluid introduced in
the forward direction is formed at one end of the valve body 862a.
The coupling support hook 862c hooked and supported on an end of
the connector main body 861 is formed at the other end of the valve
body 862a. In addition, the coupling protrusion 862d supported in
contact with an inner circumferential face of the connector main
body 861 protrudes from an outer circumferential face of the valve
body 862a.
[0206] For example, the valve body 862a may be formed in a
cylindrical shape to be inserted into and coupled to the direct
water inlet 861c.
[0207] In one example, an inner diameter 14 of the valve body 862a
may correspond to the size of the inner diameter .PHI.1 of the
outlet 861a. For example, a size of the inner diameter 14 of the
valve body 862a may be equal to the size of the inner diameter
.PHI.1 of the outlet 861a.
[0208] With such structure, in the present disclosure, an amount of
fluid flowing into the valve body 862a and an amount of fluid
discharged through the outlet 861a may be uniformly maintained, and
an occurrence of pulsation or the like resulted from the inflow of
the fluid may be prevented.
[0209] The valve outlet 862b may be formed to extend while
narrowing in a diameter at one end in the axial direction of the
valve body 862a. In this connection, valve outlet 862b may have
various forms in which an area of a flow channel decreases.
[0210] For example, the valve outlet 862b may be formed to extend
while gradually narrowing one end in the axial direction of the
cylindrical valve body 862a in a conical shape.
[0211] In addition, as another example, the valve outlet 862b may
be formed to be opened in a rectangular shape as one end of the
valve body 862a narrows in an axisymmetric manner. That is, one end
in the axial direction of the valve body 862a may be extended while
forming inclined faces to be closer to each other, and the extended
inclined faces may be gathered to define the rectangular hole.
[0212] With such configuration, the valve outlet 862b of the
present disclosure may be formed inside the direct water inlet 861c
to discharge the water introduced in the forward direction, and may
block flow of the water flowing backward in the reverse
direction.
[0213] The coupling support hook 862c may be formed to extend
radially outward from the other end of the valve body 862a and may
be supported in contact with the connector main body 861. For
example, the coupling support hook 862c may be formed to protrude
radially outward from the other end of the valve body 862a, and may
protrude in a shape of a hook along the circumferential
direction.
[0214] With such configuration, the coupling support hook 862c of
the present disclosure may be hooked and supported on an end in the
direction in which the fluid is introduced (an end opposite to the
outlet 861a) of the direct water inlet 861c. Accordingly, the
connector backflow-preventing valve 862 may be supported even when
an inflow pressure of the fluid is large.
[0215] The coupling protrusion 862d may protrude from the outer
circumferential face of the valve body 862a along the
circumferential direction, and may be in contact with the inner
circumferential face of the direct water inlet 861c.
[0216] For example, the coupling protrusion 862d may include two
protrusions protruding from the outer circumferential face of the
valve body 862a along the circumferential direction in a rib
shape.
[0217] With such configuration, the coupling protrusion 862d of the
present disclosure may be supported in contact with the inner
circumferential face of the direct water inlet 861c, and deviation
of the connector backflow-preventing valve 862 from the connector
main body 861 by the pressure of the fluid may be prevented.
[0218] Therefore, according to the water supply connector 86' of
the present embodiment, a sufficient backflow prevention effect may
be maintained by simply disposing only one check valve of the check
valve assembly 87 on the direct water pipe 84. For example, in the
present embodiment, the direct water pipe 84 may be composed of the
first direct water pipe 84a and the second direct water pipe 84b,
and only one direct water check valve 87a may be placed between the
first direct water pipe 84a and the second direct water pipe
84b.
[0219] With such configuration, the number of parts that need to be
assembled and connected in the narrow space above the drum 20 may
be reduced, and the water leakage or the flow of the condensate
water into the drum resulted from the incomplete assembly may be
prevented.
[0220] In addition, the assemblability and the space efficiency may
be improved to improve production and repair efficiencies.
[0221] In addition, the check valve may be installed by only
replacing a connector on an existing pipe.
[0222] Hereinabove, although the present disclosure has been
described with reference to specific embodiments, the present
disclosure is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified
and altered by those skilled in the art to which the present
disclosure pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present disclosure.
[0223] All simple variations or modifications of the present
disclosure belong to the scope of the present disclosure, and the
scope of the present disclosure will be clarified by the appended
claims.
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