CLOTHES CARE APPARATUS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of International Application No. PCT/KR2025/008167, filed Jun. 13, 2025, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0093074, filed Jul. 15, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a clothes care apparatus including an improved structure.

BACKGROUND ART

A clothes care apparatus is a device that performs clothes care, such as drying wet clothes, removing dust or odors attached to clothes, and reducing wrinkles in clothes.

In general, a clothes care apparatus may include a clothes care chamber, which is a storage space in which clothes are stored, and a machine room equipped with a heat exchanger or a steam generator may be located below the clothes care chamber to perform refreshing functions such as removing wrinkles, deodorizing, and removing static electricity from the clothes. The clothes care chamber and the machine room may be separated by a partition.

The clothes care apparatus may include a blower device configured to circulate air to remove dust or foreign substances attached to the clothes. The blower device may induce air circulation between a space in which clothes are accommodated and a flow path formed within the blower device. The blower device may be located above the clothes care chamber.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes care apparatus including a clothes care device and a clothes storage device detachably coupleable to the clothes care device.

Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes care apparatus including a connecting duct detachably mountable to a clothes care device and a clothes storage device to form a connecting flow path between a circulation duct of the clothes care device and a clothes storage chamber of the clothes storage device.

Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes care apparatus including a controller capable of opening or closing a flow path when a connecting duct is mounted to a clothes care device.

Technical Solution

In accordance with the present disclosure a clothes care apparatus may include: a clothes care device including: a first housing in which a care chamber configured to care for clothes is formed, a circulation duct configured to receive air from inside the care chamber and discharge the received air to the care chamber to thereby circulate the air, and a controller; a clothes storage device couplable to the clothes care device, the clothes storage device including a second housing in which a storage chamber configured to store clothes is formed; a connecting duct detachably mountable to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device; and a damper, wherein the connecting duct, the damper, and the controller are configured so that: with the connecting duct detachably mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device, a connecting flow path through the connecting duct and between the circulation duct and the storage chamber is formed, the damper is configured to open and close to respectively open and close the connecting flow path, and the controller is configured to control the damper to open or close so as to respectively open or close the connecting flow path.

The circulation duct may include a duct outlet configured to discharge the received air to the care chamber, and the connecting duct may be configured so that, with the connecting duct detachably mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device, the duct outlet communicates with the connecting duct.

The clothes storage device may further include a suction fan in the connecting flow path and configured to generate a suction force.

The connecting duct may include: a damper case in which the damper may be accommodated; and an extension duct slidably coupleable to the damper case so that, with the extension duct slidably coupled to the damper case, the extension duct may be in communication with the damper case.

The damper case may include an insertion groove into which one end of the extension duct may be insertable so as to couple the damper case and the extension duct, and the connecting duct may further include a sealing member inside the insertion groove, the sealing member configured so that, with the one end of the extension duct inserted into the insertion groove, the sealing member seals between the extension duct and the damper case.

The connecting duct may be a first connecting duct, the connecting flow path may be a first connecting flow path extending from the circulation duct to the storage chamber, and the clothes care apparatus may further include: a second connecting duct detachably mountable to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device, and the second connecting duct may be configured so that, with the second connecting duct detachably mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device, a second connecting flow path through the second connecting duct and from the storage chamber to the circulation duct may be formed.

The circulation duct may include a duct inlet configured to receive the air from inside the care chamber, the clothes care device may further include a fixed duct with one end thereof fixed to the duct inlet, and the fixed duct may be configured so that, with the second connecting duct detachably mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device, the fixed duct may connect the duct inlet and the second connecting duct.

The damper may be a first damper, the second connecting duct may include a second damper, and the controller may be further configured so that: with the second connecting duct detachably mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device, the controller may be further configured to control the second damper to open or close so as to respectively open or close the second connecting flow path.

The clothes care device may further include: a connection opening into which at least a portion of the connecting duct may be insertable, and configured so that, with the connecting duct detachably mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device, the at least the portion of the connecting duct may be inserted into the connection opening, and a cap detachably mountable to the connection opening and configured so that, with the connecting duct detached from the clothes care device and the cap mounted to the connection opening, the connection opening may be closed.

The clothes care apparatus may further include: a coupling bracket coupleable to each of the first housing and the second housing and configured so that, with the coupling bracket coupled to each of the first housing and the second housing, the clothes storage device may be coupled to the clothes care device.

The controller may be further configured to control the damper to close to thereby close the connecting flow path while performing a steam spray operation that sprays steam into the care chamber.

The controller may be further configured to: perform a dry air discharge operation that discharges dry air to the care chamber after the steam spray operation is terminated, and while the dry air discharge operation may be performed, control the damper to open to thereby open the connecting flow path to allow a portion of the dry air, which flows to the care chamber, to be introduced into the storage chamber through the connecting flow path, or control the damper to close to thereby close the connecting flow path to prevent the dry air, which flows to the care chamber, from being introduced into the storage chamber through the connecting flow path.

The clothes storage device may further include a humidity sensor configured to detect a humidity within the storage chamber, and the controller may be further configured to: while the dry air discharge operation may be performed, based on the detected humidity, control the damper to open or close to respectively open or close the connecting flow path.

The controller may be further configured to: in response to the detected humidity being greater than a predetermined humidity, control the damper to open to thereby open the connecting flow path to allow the dry air to be introduced into the storage chamber, and in response to the detected humidity being less than or equal to the predetermined humidity, control the damper to close to thereby close the connecting flow path.

The clothes storage device may further include a suction fan in the connecting flow path and configured to generate a suction force, and the controller may be further configured to: in response to the detected humidity being greater than a predetermined humidity, determine a rotation speed of the suction fan based on a difference between the detected humidity and the predetermined humidity.

In accordance with the present disclosure a clothes care apparatus may include: a clothes care device including a housing, in which a care chamber for taking care clothes is formed, a circulation duct provided to allow air inside the care chamber to be introduced or air to be discharged to the care chamber, and a duct opening formed on one side wall of the circulation duct; a cap detachably mountable to the duct opening to close the duct opening; and a connecting duct detachably coupleable to the duct opening to allow the circulation duct to communicate with an outside of the clothes care device in response to the cap being separated from the duct opening.

In accordance with the present disclosure a clothes care apparatus may include: a clothes care device including a first housing, in which a care chamber for taking care clothes is formed, and a circulation duct provided to allow air inside the care chamber to be introduced or air to be discharged to the care chamber; a clothes storage device including a second housing in which a storage chamber for storing clothes is formed, the clothes storage device detachably coupleable to the clothes care device; a first connecting duct detachably mountable to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device to form a first connecting flow path from the circulation duct to the storage chamber in response to the clothes storage device being coupled to the clothes care device; and a second connecting duct detachably mountable to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device to form a second connecting flow path from the storage chamber to the circulation duct in response to the clothes storage device being coupled to the clothes care device.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a clothes care apparatus according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a clothes care device of the clothes care apparatus according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state in which a door of the clothes care device illustrated in FIG. 2 is open.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the clothes care device illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a first cap and a duct cap are mounted to the clothes care device illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a clothes storage device of the clothes care apparatus according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a door of the clothes storage device illustrated in FIG. 5 is open.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which a first connecting duct and a first damper device are mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the first connecting duct and the first damper device are mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the first connecting duct and the first damper device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the first connecting duct and the first damper device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a state in which a second connecting duct and a second damper device are mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the second connecting duct and the second damper device are mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the second connecting duct and the second damper device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the clothes care apparatus according to one embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a clothes care course according to one embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a clothes storage course according to one embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the clothes storage course according to one embodiment.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described in the disclosure and configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the disclosure, and may be modified in various different ways at the time of filing of the present application to replace the embodiments and drawings of the disclosure.

In addition, the same reference numerals or signs shown in the drawings of the disclosure indicate elements or components performing substantially the same function.

Also, the terms used herein are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit and/or restrict the disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this disclosure, the terms “including”, “having”, and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

The expressions “A or B,” “at least one of A or/and B,” or “one or more of A or/and B,” A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B or/and C,” or “one or more of A, B or/and C,” and the like used herein may include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The term of “and/or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, but elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, a first element may be termed as a second element, and a second element may be termed as a first element. The term of “and/or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.

In this disclosure, the meaning of “identical” may include things being similar in properties to each other or are similar within a certain range. In addition, the meaning “identical” refers to “substantially identical”. It should be understood that the meaning of “substantially identical” refers to a value that falls within an error range in manufacturing or a value having a difference within a range that does not have significance with respect to a reference value.

In the following description, terms such as “unit”, “part”, “block”, “member”, and “module” indicate a unit for processing at least one function or operation. For example, those terms may refer to at least one process processed by at least one hardware such as Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), at least one software stored in a memory or a processor.

In the following detailed description, the terms of “front side”, “rear side”, “left side”, “right side”, and the like may be defined by the drawings, but the shape and the location of the component is not limited by the term.

In the following, for the convenience of description, a clothes care apparatus is used as an example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the present disclosure may also be applied to a shoe care apparatus for taking care shoes.

The disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a clothes care apparatus according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a clothes care device of the clothes care apparatus according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a state in which a door of the clothes care device illustrated in FIG. 2 is open. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the clothes care device illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a first cap and a duct cap are mounted to the clothes care device illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a clothes storage device of the clothes care apparatus according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a door of the clothes storage device illustrated in FIG. 5 is open.

Referring to FIG. 1, the clothes care apparatus 1 may include a clothes care device 100 and a clothes storage device 200. The clothes care device 100 may be configured to take care clothes through steam, hot air, dry air, etc. The clothes storage device 200 may be provided to store clothes that are taken care through the clothes care device 100.

The clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 may be detachably coupleable to each other. The clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 may be arranged side by side by being coupled to each other. A coupling method of the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 will be described in detail later, and hereinafter a configuration and features of each of the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 will first be described.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the clothes care device 100 may include a first housing 110. A clothes care chamber 111 in which clothes are accommodated and taken care may be disposed inside the first housing 110.

The first housing 110 may have a substantially hexahedral shape with one surface open. A first opening 110a may be formed on a front surface of the first housing 110. The first opening 110a may be covered by a first door 121 rotatably coupled to the first housing 110. The clothes care chamber 111 may be opened and closed by rotation of the first door 121 covering the first opening 110a. The first door 121 may be rotatably coupled to the first housing 110 through a first hinge 122.

The clothes care chamber 111 may form a space in which clothes are accommodated. The clothes care chamber 111 may include an upper surface 112, a lower surface 113, a left surface (not shown), a right surface 115, and a rear surface 116 provided inside the first housing 110. A front surface of the clothes care chamber 111 may be formed to be open. Accordingly, the clothes care chamber 111 may also be opened and closed by the first door 121 configured to open and close the first opening 110a of the first housing 110.

The clothes care chamber 111 may include an air outlet 111a, a first air inlet 111b, and a second air inlet 111c.

The air outlet 111a may be provided to discharge air from a circulation duct 160 described later toward the clothes care chamber 111. For example, the air outlet 111a may discharge hot air or dry air toward the clothes care chamber 111. The air outlet 111a may be formed on the upper surface 112 of the clothes care chamber 111.

Air discharged through the air outlet 111a may be delivered to the clothes care chamber 111. In addition, the air discharged through the air outlet 111a may be delivered to clothes through a hanger 130 of the clothes care chamber 111. Particularly, the hanger 130 may be provided to allow air to flow inside and thus the air discharged through the air outlet 111a may be delivered to the clothes hung on the hanger 130 through the hanger 130.

The first air inlet 111b may be provided to allow air inside the clothes care chamber 111 to be introduced into the circulation duct 160 to be described later. Particularly, P air inside the clothes care chamber 111 may be introduced into a first duct inlet 161 of the circulation duct 160. The first air inlet 111b may be formed in a front portion of the lower surface 113 of the clothes care chamber 111.

The second air inlet 111c may be provided to allow air inside the clothes care chamber 111 to be introduced into the circulation duct 160 to be described later. Particularly, air inside the clothes care chamber 111 may be introduced into a second duct inlet 162 of the circulation duct 160. The second air inlet 111c may be formed at a lower portion of the rear surface 116 of the clothes care chamber 111.

In the drawings, it is illustrated that one air outlet 111a and two air inlets 111b and 111c are provided, but there is no particular limitation on the number of air outlets 111a and air inlets 111b and 111c. For example, the air outlets 111a may be provided in plurality, and a single air inlet 111b or 111c may be provided or three or more air inlets 111b and 111c may be provided.

The clothes care device 100 may include a machine room 117 equipped with a heat exchanger 140 configured to dehumidify or heat air inside the clothes care chamber 111 and a steam generator 153 configured to generate steam. The machine room 117 may be provided at a lower side of the first housing 110. The machine room 117 may be provided at a lower portion of the clothes care chamber 111.

The heat exchanger 140 may be configured to dehumidify and heat the air inside the clothes care chamber 111 as needed. The heat exchanger 140 may be installed to supply dry air or hot air into the inside of the clothes care chamber 111. The heat exchanger 140 may be equipped with an evaporator 141, a condenser 142, and a compressor 143 through which a refrigerant circulates, and with the configuration, the air inside the clothes care chamber 111 may be dehumidified and heated.

In the evaporator 141 of the heat exchanger 140, a refrigerant may evaporate and absorb latent heat of the surrounding air to condense and remove moisture in the air. When the refrigerant is condensed in the condenser 142 by passing through the compressor 143, the surrounding air may be heated by discharging latent heat toward the surrounding air. That is, because the evaporator 141 and the condenser 142 perform a heat exchange function, the air flowing into the machine room 117 may be dehumidified and heated by sequentially passing through the evaporator 141 and the condenser 142.

The clothes care device 100 may include the steam generator 153. The steam generator 153 may generate steam to take care clothes accommodated in the clothes care chamber 111. The steam generated by the steam generator 153 may be sprayed into an inside of the clothes care chamber 111.

The clothes care device 100 may include a water supply tank 151 provided to store water required to generate steam in the steam generator 153 and a drain tank 152 provided to store condensed water that is generated by the heat exchanger 140. The water supply tank 151 and the drain tank 152 may be provided in front of the machine room 117. The water supply tank 151 and the drain tank 152 may be provided in a lower portion of the first housing 110. The water supply tank 151 and the drain tank 152 may be arranged in a lower portion of the clothes care chamber 111.

Water in the water tank 151 may be supplied to the steam generator 153 and used to form steam. The water tank 151 may be installed so as to be removable from the first housing 110 to facilitate water replenishment.

The drain tank 152 may store condensed water that is generated by the heat exchanger 140. The drain tank 152 may be installed so as to be removable from the first housing 110 to facilitate condensate treatment.

The clothes care device 100 may include the circulation duct 160. The circulation duct 160 may extend from the first air inlet 111b to the air outlet 111a. The circulation duct 160 may form a circulation path in which air introduced from the clothes care chamber 111 through the air inlets 111b and 111c is discharged back into the clothes care chamber 111 through the air outlet 111a. In other words, the circulation duct 160 may be provided to introduce air into the clothes care chamber 111 or discharge air to the clothes care chamber 111. Air passing through the inside of the circulation duct 160 may be heated or dehumidified by the heat exchange with the heat exchanger 140.

The circulation duct 160 may include the first duct inlet 161. The first duct inlet 161 may be provided to allow air within the clothes care chamber 111 to be introduced. That is, air within the clothes care chamber 111 may pass through the first air inlet 111b and be introduced into the first duct inlet 161. The first duct inlet 161 may be provided at the lower side of the clothes care chamber 111.

The circulation duct 160 may include the second duct inlet 162. The second duct inlet 162 may be provided to allow air within the clothes care chamber 111 to be introduced. That is, air within the clothes care chamber 111 may pass through the second air inlet 111c and be introduced into the second duct inlet 162. The second duct inlet 162 may be provided at a lower rear portion of the clothes care chamber 111.

The circulation duct 160 may include a duct outlet 163. The duct outlet 163 may be provided to discharge air into the clothes care chamber 111. That is, air in the duct outlet 163 may pass through the air outlet 111a and flow into the clothes care chamber 111. The duct outlet 163 may be provided on the upper side of the clothes care chamber 111.

The clothes care device 100 may include a blower 170 for circulating air inside the clothes care chamber 111. The blower 170 may be disposed inside the circulation duct 160. Particularly, the blower 170 may be disposed inside the duct outlet 163 of the circulation duct 160. A circulation path formed inside the circulation duct 160 may be formed by the blower 170. The blower 170 may include at least one circulation fan 171 configured to be rotated by a motor configured to generate rotational force.

The clothes care device 100 includes a controller 630 for controlling the clothes care device 100. Details about the controller 630 will be described later.

The clothes care device 100 may include a first connection opening 110b and a second connection opening 110c. Each of the first connection opening 110b and the second connection opening 110c may be formed in one side wall of the first housing 110. Particularly, the first connection opening 110b may be formed at a position adjacent to the duct outlet 163 of the circulation duct 160, and the second connection opening 110c may be formed at a position adjacent to the first duct inlet 161 of the circulation duct 160. For example, the first connection opening 110b may be formed at an upper portion of the first housing 110, and the second connection opening 110c may be formed at a lower portion of the first housing 110.

For example, two first connection openings 110b and two second connection openings 110c may be provided. For example, one first connection opening 110b may be formed in one side wall of the first housing 110, and the other first connection opening 110b may be formed in the other side wall of the first housing 110. For example, one second connection opening 110c may be formed in one side wall of the first housing 110, and the other second connection opening 110c may be formed in the other side wall of the first housing 110. However, there is no particular limitation on the number of each of the first connection openings 110b and the second connection openings 110c.

When a first connecting duct 410 to be described later is mounted on the clothes care device 100, the first connection opening 110b may be provided to allow at least a portion of the first connecting duct 410 to be inserted. When a second connecting duct 510 to be described later is mounted on the clothes care device 100, the second connection opening 110c may be provided to allow at least a portion of the second connecting duct 510 to be inserted.

The clothes care device 100 may include a first cap 181 and a second cap 182. The first cap 181 and the second cap 182 may be detachably mountable to the first connection opening 110b and the second connection opening 110c, respectively. The first cap 181 may be provided to close the first connection opening 110b when the first connecting duct 410 to be described later is separated from the clothes care device 100. The second cap 182 may be provided to close the second connection opening 110c when the second connecting duct 510 to be described later is separated from the clothes care device 100.

The clothes care device 100 may include a duct opening 160a formed in one side wall of the circulation duct 160. Particularly, the duct opening 160a may be formed in the duct outlet 163 of the circulation duct 160. The duct opening 160a may be provided to allow the first connecting duct 410 to be described later to be detachably mountable thereon.

For example, two duct openings 163a may be provided. For example, one duct opening 163a may be formed in one side wall of the first housing 110, and the other duct opening 163a may be formed in the other side wall of the first housing 110. However, there is no particular limitation on the number of duct openings 163a.

The clothes care device 100 may include a duct cap 183. The duct cap 183 may be detachably mountable to the duct opening 160a. The duct cap 183 may be provided to close the duct opening 160a when the first connecting duct 410 described below is separated from the clothes care device 100.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the clothes storage device 200 may include a second housing 210. A clothes storage chamber 211 in which clothes are accommodated and stored may be provided inside the second housing 210.

The second housing 210 may have a substantially hexahedral shape with one surface open. A second opening 210a may be formed on a front surface of the second housing 210. The second opening 210a may be covered by a second door 221 rotatably coupled to the second housing 210. The clothes storage chamber 211 may be opened and closed by rotation of the second door 221 covering the second opening 210a. The second door 221 may be rotatably coupled to the second housing 210 through a second hinge 222.

The clothes storage device 200 may include a mounting device 230. The mounting device 230 may be disposed inside the clothes storage chamber 211. A hanger or the like may be mounted on the mounting device 230.

The clothes storage device 200 may include a third connection opening 210b and a fourth connection opening 210c. Each of the third connection opening 210b and the fourth connection opening 210c may be formed in one side wall of the second housing 210. Particularly, the third connection opening 210b may be formed at a position adjacent to a suction fan 242 to be described later, and the fourth connection opening 210c may be formed at one side of the clothes storage chamber 211. For example, the third connection opening 210b may be formed at an upper portion of the second housing 210, and the fourth connection opening 210c may be formed at a lower portion of the second housing 210.

For example, two third connection openings 210b and two fourth connection openings 210c may be provided. For example, one third connection opening 210b may be formed in one side wall of the second housing 210, and the other third connection opening 210b may be formed in the other side wall of the second housing 210. For example, one fourth connection opening 210c may be formed in one side wall of the second housing 210, and the other fourth connection opening 210c may be formed in the other side wall of the second housing 210. However, there is no particular limitation on the number of each of the third connection openings 210b and the fourth connection openings 210c.

The third connection opening 210b may be provided to allow at least a portion of the first connecting duct 410 to be inserted when the first connecting duct 410 to be described later is mounted on the clothes storage device 200. The fourth connection opening 210c may be provided to allow at least a portion of the second connecting duct 510 to be inserted when the second connecting duct 510 to be described later is mounted on the clothes storage device 200.

The clothes storage device 200 may include a third cap 281 and a fourth cap 282. The third cap 281 and the fourth cap 282 may be detachably mountable to the third connection opening 210b and the fourth connection opening 210c, respectively. The third cap 281 may be provided to close the third connection opening 210b when the first connecting duct 410 to be described later is separated from the clothes storage device 200. The fourth cap 282 may be provided to close the fourth connection opening 210c when the second connecting duct 510 to be described later is separated from the clothes storage device 200. The third cap 281 and the fourth cap 282 may be provided in plurality to correspond to the third connection opening 210b and the fourth connection opening 210c, respectively.

The clothes storage device 200 may not include the machine room equipped with the heat exchanger or the steam generator, which is different from the clothes care device 100. With this configuration, even when the second housing 210 of the clothes storage device 200 has a similar volume to the first housing 110 of the clothes care device 100, the clothes storage chamber 211 of the clothes storage device 200 may have a relatively wide storage space because the machine room is omitted in the clothes storage device 200.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes storage device 200 may be detachably coupleable to the clothes care device 100. By coupling the clothes storage device 200 to the clothes care device 100, the clothes care apparatus 1 may additionally include a space provided to accommodate clothes. In addition, after clothes that are taken care by the clothes care device 100 is moved to the clothes storage chamber 211 of the clothes storage device 200, it becomes easier to take care another clothes that needs to be taken care through the clothes care device 100, and thus the usability of the clothes care apparatus 1 may be improved.

Hereinafter a method of coupling the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of clothes storage devices 200 may be provided. For example, two clothes storage devices 200 may be provided. The two clothes storage devices 200 may be respectively coupled to both sides of the clothes care device 100. However, there is no particular limitation on the number of clothes storage devices 200, and for example, a single clothes storage device 200 may be provided.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a coupling bracket 300. The coupling bracket 300 may couple the clothes storage device 200 to the clothes care device 100. By coupling the clothes storage device 200 to the clothes care device 100 through the coupling bracket 300, a gap between the clothes storage device 200 and the clothes care device 100 may be maintained constant. The coupling bracket 300 may be provided in plurality.

The coupling bracket 300 may include a first coupling bracket 310 and a second coupling bracket 320. The first coupling bracket 310 and the second coupling bracket 320 may be coupled to the first housing 110 of the clothes care device 100 and the second housing 210 of the clothes storage device 200, respectively. Particularly, the first coupling bracket 310 and the second coupling bracket 320 may be coupled to the first housing 110 and the second housing 210 through separate fastening members, thereby coupling the clothes storage device 200 to the clothes care device 100. The first coupling bracket 310 may be coupled to the front surfaces of the first housing 110 and the second housing 210, and the second coupling bracket 320 may be coupled to upper surfaces of the first housing 110 and the second housing 210.

The coupling bracket 300 may include a third coupling bracket 330 and a fourth coupling bracket 340. The third coupling bracket 330 may be coupled to the first housing 110 of the clothes care device 100, and the fourth coupling bracket 340 may be coupled to the second housing 210 of the clothes storage device 200. At this time, one end of the third coupling bracket 330 and one end of the fourth coupling bracket 340 may be hooked to each other, thereby coupling the clothes storage device 200 to the clothes care device 100. The third coupling bracket 330 and the fourth coupling bracket 340 may be coupled to the upper surfaces of the first housing 110 and the second housing 210, respectively. The third coupling bracket 330 and the fourth coupling bracket 340 may be positioned behind the second coupling bracket 320.

According to the present disclosure, when the clothes care device 100 is coupled to the clothes storage device 200 via the coupling bracket 300, one side wall of the first housing 110 and one side wall of the second housing 210 may be arranged side by side, and thus the first housing 110 and the second housing 210 may be arranged to have the same height. Particularly, the first connection opening 110b of the first housing 110 and the third connection opening 210b of the second housing 210 may be provided at the same height, and the second connection opening 110c of the first housing 110 and the fourth connection opening 210c of the second housing 210 may be provided at the same height. With this configuration, a process of coupling the first connecting duct 410 and the second connecting duct 510 to be described later to the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 may be facilitated. Accordingly, even when a plurality of clothes storage devices 200 is coupled to the clothes care device 100, the convenience of installation of each device may be improved through the connecting bracket 300, and the aesthetics of the clothes care apparatus 1 may also be improved.

According to the present disclosure, when the clothes care device 100 is coupled to the clothes storage device 200 via the coupling bracket 300, vibration and noise, which may occur in the clothes care apparatus 1 while performing a clothes care course 1100 or a clothes storage course 1300 described below, may be distributed and transmitted to the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200. Accordingly, vibration and noise that may occur in each of the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 may be reduced.

In the above description, it is described that the coupling bracket 300 includes only the first, second, third, and fourth coupling brackets 310, 320, 330, and 340, but there is no particular limitation on the number or shape of coupling brackets 300.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes care apparatus 1 may couple the clothes storage device 200 to one side of the clothes care device 100 through the coupling bracket 300. In addition, the clothes care apparatus 1 may allow the circulation duct 160 of the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage chamber 211 of the clothes storage device 200 to communicate with each other through the connecting ducts 410 and 510 and the damper devices 420 and 520 which will be described later. Hereinafter the connecting ducts 410 and 510 and the damper devices 420 and 520 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 14.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state in which a first connecting duct and a first damper device are mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device according to one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the first connecting duct and the first damper device are mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the first connecting duct and the first damper device according to one embodiment. FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the first connecting duct and the first damper device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 11, the clothes care apparatus 1 may include the first connecting duct 410 and the first damper device 420 accommodated inside the first connecting duct 410. The first connecting duct 410 may be detachably mountable on the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200.

The first connecting duct 410 may form a flow path therein. Particularly, when the clothes storage device 200 is coupled to the clothes care device 100, the first connecting duct 410 may be mounted on the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200, thereby forming a first connecting flow path P1 between the circulation duct 160 and the clothes storage chamber 211. The first connecting flow path P1 may be a flow path that is from the duct outlet 163 of the circulation duct 160 to the clothes storage chamber 211 through the first connecting duct 410.

The first connecting duct 410 may be coupled to the upper portions of the first housing 110 and the second housing 210. The first connecting duct 410 may be arranged to penetrate the first connection opening 110b and the third connection opening 210b that is the closest to the first connection opening 110b.

The first connecting duct 410 may include a first damper case 411. The first damper case 411 may accommodate the first damper device 420.

The first damper case 411 may form a portion of the first connecting flow path P1. Particularly, the first damper case 411 may include a first air inlet 411a into which air is introduced from the circulation duct 160, and a first air outlet 411b provided to discharge air to an extension duct 412 to be described later. The first air inlet 411a may be formed at one end of the first damper case 411, and the first air outlet 411b may be formed at the other end of the first damper case 411.

The first damper case 411 may be detachably coupleable to the circulation duct 160. Particularly, the first damper case 411 may be coupled to the circulation duct 160 by coupling a first coupling portion 411c formed at one end of the first damper case 411 to a circulation duct coupling portion 160b of the circulation duct 160 through a separate fastening member.

The first damper case 411 may be detachably coupleable to the duct opening 160a of the circulation duct 160. When the first damper case 411 is coupled to the duct opening 160a, the first air inlet 411a of the first damper case 411 and the duct opening 160a may be connected.

According to the present disclosure, when the first connecting duct 410 is mounted on the clothes care device 100, the first damper case 411 may be coupled to the duct opening 160a, and thus the first connecting duct 410 may communicate with the duct outlet 163 of the circulation duct 160. With this configuration, a portion of the air flowing from the duct outlet 163 of the circulation duct 160 to the clothes care chamber 111 may be introduced into the first connecting duct 410 through the duct opening 160a.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes care device 100 may be used independently or may be used in combination with the clothes storage device 200. When the duct cap 183 is mounted on the duct opening 160a, the duct outlet 163 of the circulation duct 160 may not communicate with the outside of the clothes care device 100, and thus the clothes care device 100 may be used independently. When the duct cap 183 is separated from the duct opening 160a, the first damper case 411 of the first connecting duct 410 may be coupled to the duct opening 160a, and thus the duct outlet 163 of the circulation duct 160 may communicate with the outside of the clothes care device 100. As the first connecting duct 410 is mounted on the clothes storage device 200, the clothes care device 100 may be used in a state of being coupled to the clothes storage device 200. That is, a user of the clothes care apparatus 1 can change the configuration mounted/coupled to the duct opening 160a depending on whether to use the clothes care device 100 independently or in the state of being coupled to the clothes storage device 200.

The first damper case 411 may include a first insertion groove 411d into which one end of the extension duct 412 to be described later is inserted. The first insertion groove 411d may be formed at the other end of the first damper case 411. Particularly, the first insertion groove 411d may be formed along an outer circumferential surface of the first air outlet 411b.

The first connecting duct 410 may include the extension duct 412. When the first connecting duct 410 is mounted on the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200, the extension duct 412 may allow the first damper device 420 and the clothes storage chamber 211 to communicate with each other. That is, the extension duct 412 may form a portion of the first connecting flow path P1.

The clothes storage device 200 may include a clothes storage chamber cover 241 provided on the upper side of the clothes storage chamber 211, and the suction fan 242 coupled to the clothes storage chamber cover 241. The suction fan 242 may be arranged on the first connecting flow path P1 and may generate suction force. With this configuration, when the first connecting duct 410 is mounted on the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200, the suction fan 242 may draw in air, which passes through the first connecting duct 410, and then discharge the air into the clothes storage chamber 211.

The extension duct 412 may be coupled to the clothes storage chamber cover 241. Particularly, as a second coupling portion 412a of the extension duct 412 is coupled to a cover coupling portion 241a of the clothes storage chamber cover 241, the extension duct 412 may be coupled to the clothes storage chamber cover 241.

One end of the extension duct 412 may be coupled to the other end of the first damper case 411. With this configuration, the second air inlet 412c formed at one end of the extension duct 412 may be connected to the first air outlet 411b of the first damper case 411, and the extension duct 412 and the first damper case 411 may communicate with each other.

The extension duct 412 may be slidably coupleable to the first damper case 411. Particularly, as one end of the extension duct 412 is slidably inserted into the first insertion groove 411d of the first damper case 411, the extension duct 412 may be coupled to the first damper case 411.

The first connecting duct 410 may include a first sealing member 413. When one end of the extension duct 412 is inserted into the first insertion groove 411d of the first damper case 411, the first sealing member 413 may be disposed inside the first insertion groove 411d. With this configuration, the first sealing member 413 may seal between the first damper case 411 and the extension duct 412. For example, the second sealing member 413 may include an elastic material.

According to the present disclosure, when the extension duct 412 is coupled to the first damper case 411, one end of the extension duct 412 and an inner surface of the first insertion groove 411d may be spaced apart from each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. With this configuration, even when the position of the clothes care device 100 or the clothes storage device 200 change in a state in which the first connecting duct 410 is coupled to the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200, the extension duct 412 may stably maintain a state of being coupled to the first damper case 411. In addition, because the first sealing member 413 is disposed inside the first insertion groove 411d and includes an elastic material, the first sealing member 413 may continuously seal between the first damper case 411 and the extension duct 412 regardless of changes in the position of the clothes care device 100 or the clothes storage device 200.

The other end of extension duct 412 may be connected to the suction fan 242. Particularly, a second air outlet 412c formed at the other end of the extension duct 412 may be covered by a suction surface 242a of the suction fan 242.

The first connecting duct 410 may include a second sealing member 414. The second sealing member 414 may be positioned on an outside of the second air outlet 412c and the suction surface 242a to seal between the extension duct 412 and the suction fan 242. For example, the second sealing member 414 may include an elastic material.

The first damper device 420 may be configured to open or close the first connecting flow path P1. The first damper device 420 may be accommodated within the first damper case 411 of the first connecting duct 410.

The first damper device 420 may include a first damper 421. The first damper 421 may open or close the first connecting flow path P1. Particularly, the first damper 421 may open or close the first connecting flow path P1 by opening or closing the first air inlet 411a of the first damper case 411.

The first damper 421 may be configured to be rotatable within the first damper case 411. Particularly, the first damper 421 may be rotatably coupled to the first damper case 411 via a first damper hinge 422. The first damper 421 may rotate to open or close the first connecting flow path P1. In other words, the first damper 421 may rotate to open or close the first damper inlet 411a.

A first damper sponge 423 may be coupled to one side of the first damper 421. With this configuration, when the first damper 421 closes the first damper inlet 411a, the space between the first damper 421 and the first damper inlet 411a may be completely sealed.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes storage device 200 may be provided in plurality. Correspondingly, each of the first connecting duct 410 and the first damper device 420 may be provided in plurality.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a state in which a second connecting duct and a second damper device are mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device according to one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the second connecting duct and the second damper device are mounted to the clothes care device and the clothes storage device according to one embodiment. FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the second connecting duct and the second damper device according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, the clothes care apparatus 1 may include the second connecting duct 510 and the second damper device 520 accommodated inside the second connecting duct 510. The second connecting duct 510 may be detachably mountable on the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200.

The second connecting duct 510 may form a flow path therein. Particularly, when the clothes storage device 200 is coupled to the clothes care device 100, the second connecting duct 510 may be mounted on the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200, thereby forming a second connecting flow path P2 between the circulation duct 160 and the clothes storage chamber 211. The second connecting flow path P2 may be a flow path that is from the clothes storage chamber 211 to the first duct inlet 161 of the circulation duct 160 through the second connecting duct 510.

The second connecting duct 510 may be coupled to the lower portions of the first housing 110 and the second housing 210. The second connecting duct 510 may be arranged to penetrate the second connection opening 110c and the fourth connection opening 210c that is the closest to the second connection opening 110c.

The clothes care device 100 may include a fixed duct 190 that is fixed to the first duct inlet 161 of the circulation duct 160. One end of the fixed duct 190 may be fixed to the first duct inlet 161 and communicate with the first duct inlet 161. The other end of the fixed duct 190 may be open and provided at a position corresponding to the second connection opening 110c. With this configuration, when the second connecting duct 510 is mounted on the clothes care device 100, the fixed duct 190 may connect the first duct inlet 161 of the circulation duct 160 and the second connecting duct 510. In addition, when the second connection opening 110c is closed by the second cap 182, the other end of the fixed duct 190 may also be closed by the second cap 182.

The second connecting duct 510 may include a duct body 511. The duct body 511 may accommodate the second damper device 520 and a second damper case 512 to be described later therein. When the second connecting duct 510 is mounted on the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200, the duct body 511 may allow the fixed duct 190 and the clothes storage chamber 211 to communicate with each other. With this configuration, air in the clothes storage chamber 211 may pass through the duct body 511 and the second damper device 520 and be introduced into the fixed duct 190. That is, the duct body 511 may form a portion of the second connecting flow path P2.

One end of the duct body 511 may be detachably mountable to the fourth connection opening 210c. The other end of the duct body 511 may be removably connected to the other end of the fixed duct 190. Particularly, as a third coupling portion 511a of the duct body 511 is coupled to a fixed duct coupling portion 190a of the fixed duct 190 through a separate fastening member, the duct body 511 may be coupled to the other end of the fixed duct 190. The duct body 511 may penetrate the second connection opening 110c and the fourth connection opening 210c.

According to the present disclosure, when the second connecting duct 510 is mounted on the clothes care device 100, the duct body 511 may be coupled to the other end of the fixed duct 190, and thus the second connecting duct 510 may communicate with the first duct inlet 161 of the circulation duct 160. With this configuration, a portion of the air in the clothes storage chamber 211 may pass through the second connecting duct 510 and the fixed duct 190 and be introduced into the first duct inlet 161 of the circulation duct 160.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes care device 100 may be used independently or may be used in combination with the clothes storage device 200. When the second cap 182 is mounted on the second connection opening 110c, and the other end of the fixed duct 190 is closed, the first duct inlet 161 of the circulation duct 160 may not communicate with the outside of the clothes care device 100, and thus the clothes care device 100 may be used independently. When the second cap 182 is separated from the second connection opening 110c and the other end of the fixed duct 190 is opened, the duct body 511 of the second connecting duct 510 may be coupled to the other end of the fixed duct 190 and thus the first duct inlet 161 of the circulation duct 160 may communicate with the outside of the clothes care device 100. As the second connecting duct 510 is mounted on the clothes storage device 200, the clothes care device 100 may be used in the state of being coupled to the clothes storage device 200. That is, a user of the clothes care apparatus 1 can change the configuration mounted/coupled to the other end of the fixed duct 190 depending on whether to use the clothes care device 100 independently or in the state of being coupled to the clothes storage device 200.

The second connecting duct 510 may include the second damper case 512. The second damper case 512 may be arranged inside the duct body 511. The second damper case 512 may accommodate the second damper device 520. The second damper case 512 may include a damper base 512a provided on the lower side of the second damper device 520 to support the second damper device 520.

The second damper case 512 may form a portion of the second connecting flow path P2. The second damper case 512 may form a case opening 512b through which air flowing from the circulation duct 160 passes.

The second damper case 512 may be detachably coupleable to the other end of the fixed duct 190. Particularly, by inserting one end of the damper base 512a into a second insertion groove 190b formed at the other end of the fixed duct 190, the second damper case 512 may be coupled to the other end of the fixed duct 190.

The second damper device 520 may be configured to open or close the second connecting flow path P2. The second damper device 520 may be accommodated within the second damper case 512 of the second connecting duct 510.

The second damper device 520 may include a second damper 521. The second damper 521 may open or close the second connecting flow path P2. Particularly, the second damper 521 may open or close the second connecting flow path P2 by opening or closing the case opening 512b.

The second damper 521 may be configured to be rotatable within the second damper case 512. Particularly, the second damper 521 may be rotatably coupled to the second damper case 512 via a second damper hinge 522 fixed to the damper base 512a. The second damper 521 may rotate to open or close the second connecting flow path P2. In other words, the second damper 521 may rotate to open or close the case opening 512b.

A second damper sponge 523 may be coupled to one side of the second damper 521. With this configuration, when the second damper 521 closes the case opening 512b, a space between the second damper 521 and the case opening 512b may be completely sealed.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes storage device 200 may be provided in plurality. Correspondingly, each of the second connecting duct 510 and the second damper device 520 may be provided in plurality.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes care device 100 may form a single circulation path through the air outlet 111a formed at the upper portion of the clothes care chamber 111 and the air inlets 111b and 111c formed at the lower portion of the clothes care chamber 111. In addition, the clothes storage device 200 may be coupled to both sides of the clothes care device 100, and as the connecting ducts 410 and 510 allow the circulation duct 160 and the clothes storage chamber 211 to communicate with each other, steam or dry air, etc. may be discharged even within the clothes storage chamber 211.

In the present disclosure, a state, in which the connecting ducts 410 and 510 are coupled to the circulation duct 160 or the fixed duct 190 and thus the circulation duct 160 and the clothes storage chamber 211 communicate with each other, is described, but the coupling positions of the connecting ducts 410 and 510 are not limited thereto. For example, the connecting ducts 410 and 510 may be coupled to one side wall of each of the clothes care chamber 111 and the clothes storage chamber 211. In this case, the first connecting duct 410 may be coupled to a position relatively adjacent to the air outlet 111a, and the second connecting duct 510 may be coupled to a position relatively adjacent to the air inlets 111b and 111c. In this case, because the clothes care chamber 111 and the clothes storage chamber 211 have better accessibility than the circulation duct 160, it may be easier to couple the connecting ducts 410 and 510 to the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 than when the connecting ducts 410 and 510 are directly coupled to the circulation duct 160.

In the present disclosure, a state in which the clothes care device 100 forms one circulation path is described, but even when the clothes care device 100 forms two circulation paths, it is possible to couple the clothes storage device 200 and the connecting ducts 410 and 510. For example, the clothes care device 100 may form an upper flow path for removing dust or wrinkles from clothes and performing deodorization, etc. through strong wind, and a lower flow path for removing moisture from the clothes care chamber 111. In this case, as described above, by coupling the connecting ducts 410 and 510 to one side wall of each of the clothes care chamber 111 and the clothes storage chamber 211, the clothes care chamber 111 and the clothes storage chamber 211 may communicate with each other and steam or dry air, etc. may be discharged into the clothes storage chamber 211.

In the present disclosure, a state in which two clothes storage devices 200 are coupled to both sides of the clothes care device 100 is described, but the coupling positions of the clothes storage devices 200 are not limited thereto. For example, the clothes storage device 200 may be coupled to one side of another clothes storage device 200. That is, the clothes care device 100 may be coupled to one side of the clothes storage device 200, and another clothes storage device 200 may be coupled to the other side of the clothes storage device 200. In this case, the third connecting duct may be coupled to each of the different clothes storage devices 200, thereby allowing the respective clothes storage chamber 211 to communicate with each other.

Hereinafter a control method of the clothes care apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 18. Particularly, when the clothes storage device 200 is coupled to the clothes care device 100, and the connecting ducts 410 and 510 and the damper devices 420 and 520 are mounted on the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200, a control method of the clothes care apparatus 1 will be described.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the clothes care apparatus according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, the clothes care apparatus 1 may include a control panel 610, a first sensor module 620, a second sensor module 720, the controller 630, a clothes care device driving portion 640, a clothes storage device driving portion 740, and a damper device driving portion 840. The control panel 610, the first sensor module 620, the controller 630, and the clothes care device driving portion 640 may be provided in the clothes care device 100. The second sensor module 720 and the clothes storage device driving portion 740 may be provided in the clothes storage device 200. The damper device driving portion 840 may be provided in the connecting ducts 410 and 510.

The control panel 610 may provide a user interface for interaction with a user. The control panel 610 may be provided in the first housing 110 or in the first door 121. For example, the control panel 610 may be provided on the outside of the first door 121.

In addition, the control panel 610 may be provided in the second housing 210 or in the second door 221. For example, the control panel 610 may be provided on the outside of the second door 221. Further, the control panel 610 may be provided in each of the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 to enhance user convenience.

The control panel 610 may include an input button 611 and/or a display 612.

The input button 611 may obtain a user input related to the operation of the clothes care apparatus 1. For example, the input button 611 may obtain a user input for controlling the clothes care course 1100. For example, the input button 611 may obtain a user input for controlling the clothes storage course 1300.

The input button 611 may provide an electrical signal (user signal) (e.g., a voltage signal or a current signal) corresponding to a user input to the controller 630. The controller 630 may identify the user input based on processing the user input signal.

The input button 611 may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch or a touch switch.

The display 612 may obtain operation information of the clothes care apparatus 1 from the controller 630 and display the operation information of the clothes care apparatus 1. For example, the display 612 may display the opening or closing of the first door 121. For example, the display 612 may display a temperature, humidity, pressure, etc. measured in the clothes care chamber 111 of the clothes care device 100 or the clothes storage chamber 211 of the clothes storage device 200.

The display 612 may display a user input obtained in relation to the operation of the clothes care apparatus 1. For example, the display 612 may display a user input for the clothes care course 1100 of the clothes care apparatus 1. For example, the display 612 may display a user input for the clothes storage course 1300 of the clothes care apparatus 1.

The display 612 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a light emitting diode (LED) panel.

The first sensor module 620 may detect a temperature, humidity, pressure, etc. inside the clothes care chamber 111 of the clothes care device 100.

The first sensor module 620 may include a first humidity sensor 621, a first temperature sensor 622, a first gas sensor 623, a first dust sensor 624, and a first air speed sensor 625. The first humidity sensor 621 may be provided on the inside of the first housing 110 or the first door 121 to detect a humidity within the clothes care chamber 111. The first temperature sensor 622 may be provided on the inside of the first housing 110 or the first door 121 to detect a temperature within the clothes care chamber 111.

The first gas sensor 623 and the first dust sensor 624 may be installed inside the first housing 110 or the first door 121 to detect an amount of gas or dust inside the clothes care chamber 111. That is, the first gas sensor 623 and the first dust sensor 624 may detect a level of contamination of air inside the clothes care chamber 111.

The first air speed sensor 625 may be installed on the inside of the first housing 110 or the first door 121 to detect a level of wind volume within the clothes care chamber 111.

The first sensor module 620 may transmit electrical signals output from the first humidity sensor 621, the first temperature sensor 622, the first gas sensor 623, the first dust sensor 624, and the first air speed sensor 625 to the controller 630.

The second sensor module 720 may detect a temperature, humidity, pressure, etc. inside the clothes storage chamber 211 of the clothes storage device 200.

The second sensor module 720 may include a second humidity sensor 721, a second temperature sensor 722, a second gas sensor 723, a second dust sensor 724, and a second air speed sensor 725. The second humidity sensor 721 may be provided on the inside of the second housing 210 or the second door 221 to detect a humidity within the clothes storage chamber 211. The second temperature sensor 722 may be provided on the inside of the second housing 210 or the door 221 to detect a temperature within the clothes storage chamber 211.

The second gas sensor 723 and the second dust sensor 724 may be installed inside the second housing 210 or the second door 221 to detect an amount of gas or dust inside the clothes storage chamber 211. That is, the second gas sensor 723 and the second dust sensor 724 may detect a level of contamination of air inside the clothes storage chamber 211.

The second air speed sensor 725 may be installed on the inside of the second housing 210 or the second door 221 to detect a level of wind volume inside the clothes storage chamber 211.

The second sensor module 720 may transmit electrical signals output from the second humidity sensor 721, the second temperature sensor 722, the second gas sensor 723, the second dust sensor 724, and the second air speed sensor 725 to the controller 630.

According to the present disclosure, when the clothes storage device 200 is coupled to the clothes care device 100 and the connecting ducts 410 and 510 are mounted on the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200, the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 may be electrically connected to each other. With this configuration, an electrical signal output from the second sensor module 720 provided in the clothes storage device 200 may be transmitted to the controller 630 provided in the clothes care device 100.

The controller 630 may include a processor 631 and a memory 632. The controller 630 may output a control signal for controlling the control panel 610, the first sensor module 620, the second sensor module 720, the clothes care device driving portion 640, the clothes storage device driving portion 740, and/or the connecting duct driving portion 840. That is, the controller 630 may be configured to control the clothes care device 100, the clothes storage device 200, and/or the connecting ducts 410 and 510.

The controller 630 may include the memory 632 provided to store or memorize a program (a plurality of instructions) or data for processing signals and providing control signals.

The memory 632 may include a volatile memory such as Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM), and Dynamic Random Access Memory (D-RAM), and a nonvolatile memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM), and Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM). The memory 632 may be formed integrally with the processor 631 or may be provided as a semiconductor device separate from the processor 631.

The processor 631 may further include a processing core (e.g., an arithmetic circuit, a memory circuit, and a control circuit) that processes a signal based on a program or data stored in the memory 632 and outputs a control signal.

The processor 631 may process a user input signal of the control panel 610 and identify the user input. For example, the processor 631 may identify a user input for controlling the clothes care course 1100 or the clothes storage course 1300.

In addition, the processor 631 may control the clothes care device driving portion 640 based on a user input signal of the control panel 610. Particularly, the processor 631 may control the rotation speed of the circulation fan 171 or control the operation of the heat exchanger 140 or the steam generator 153.

Further, the processor 631 may control the clothes storage device driving portion 740 based on a user input signal of the control panel 610. Particularly, the processor 631 may control the rotation speed of the suction fan 242.

Additionally, the processor 631 may control the damper device driving portion 840 based on a user input signal of the control panel 610. Particularly, the processor 631 may control the first damper device 420 or the second damper device 520.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a clothes care course according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, when the controller 630 performs the clothes care course 1100, the clothes care apparatus 1 may start the operation (1110). The controller 630 may receive an input for the clothes care course 1100 from a user. By performing the clothes care course 1100, odors and dust, etc. of clothes stored in the clothes care chamber 111 may be removed.

The controller 630 that receives the input for the clothes care course 1100 from the user may close the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 by using the damper devices 420 and 520 (1120). That is, the flow path formed between the circulation duct 160 and the clothes storage chamber 211 may be blocked.

After the damper devices 420 and 520 closes the connecting flow paths P1 and P2, the controller 630 may perform a steam spray operation to spray steam generated from the steam generator 153 into the inside of the clothes care chamber 111 to take care the clothes accommodated inside the clothes care chamber 111 (1130). At this time, the circulation fan 171 and the steam generator 153 of the clothes care device driving portion 640 may be driven. Odors and dust, etc. of the clothes accommodated inside the clothes care chamber 111 may be removed by the steam. While the steam spray operation is performed (1130), the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 may be closed by the damper devices 420 and 520, and thus the flow of steam into the clothes storage chamber 211 may be restricted.

The controller 630 may stop the steam spray operation according to the user's input or an end signal of the set course (1140). Accordingly, the operation of the steam generator 153 may be stopped.

After the steam spray operation is terminated (1140), the controller 630 may perform the clothes storage course 1300 (1150). Details on the clothes storage course 1300 will be described later.

According to the present disclosure, the controller 630 may perform the clothes care course 1100 while opening the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 by using the damper devices 420 and 520. By performing the clothes care course 1100 in this manner, odors and dust, etc. of clothes stored in the clothes storage chamber 211 may be removed. At this time, the steam generator 153 may generate a larger amount of steam, and the rotation speeds of the circulation fan 171 and the suction fan 242 may increase.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a clothes storage course according to one embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the clothes storage course according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17, the controller 630 may activate the clothes storage course 1300 (1220) based on whether the connecting ducts 410 and 510 are mounted to the clothes care device 100 (1210). Particularly, in response to both the first connecting duct 410 and the second connecting duct 510 being mounted on the clothes care device 100 (1210), the controller 630 may activate the clothes storage course 1300 (1220), and in response to one of the first connecting duct 410 or the second connecting duct 510 not being mounted on the clothes care device 100 (1210), the controller 630 may deactivate the clothes storage course 1300. In response to the clothes storage course 1300 being deactivated, it may become impossible for a user to select the clothes storage course 1300 through the control panel 610, and even when the steam spray operation is terminated (1140) during the clothes care course 1100, the clothes storage course 1300 may not be performed.

Referring to FIG. 18, in response to the clothes storage course 1300 being activated and performed by the controller 630, the clothes care apparatus 1 may start the operation (1310). The controller 630 may receive an input for the clothes storage course 1300 from a user. In addition, after the steam spray operation is terminated (1140) during the clothes care course 1100, the controller 630 may perform the clothes storage course 1300. As the clothes storage course 1300 is performed, the humidity in the clothes care chamber 111 and the clothes storage chamber 211 may be adjusted.

In response to an input for the clothes storage course 1300 being received from a user or in response to the termination of the steam spray operation (1140) during the clothes care course 1100, the controller 630 may perform a dry air discharge operation to discharge dry air into the clothes care chamber 111 to remove moisture in the clothes care chamber 111 (1320). At this time, the circulation fan 171 and the heat exchanger 140 of the clothes care device driving portion 640 may be driven.

In response to the dry air discharge operation being performed by the controller 630 (1320), dry air may also be discharged inside the clothes storage chamber 211 to remove moisture in the clothes storage chamber 211. That is, a portion of the dry air discharged from the circulation duct 160 to the clothes care chamber 111 may be moved to the clothes storage chamber 211 through the first connecting duct 410 (first connecting flow path P1), and a portion of the air inside the clothes storage chamber 211 may be moved into the circulation duct 160 through the second connecting duct 510 (second connection path P2), thereby adjusting the humidity inside the clothes storage chamber 211.

The controller 630 may control the damper devices 420 and 520 based on the connecting ducts 410 and 510 being mounted on the clothes care device 100. That is, the controller 630 may have control authority over the damper devices 420 and 520 based on the connecting ducts 410 and 510 being mounted on the clothes care device 100.

During the dry air discharge operation (1320), the controller 630 may open the first connecting flow path P1 by controlling the first damper device 420 to allow a portion of the dry air flowing into the clothes care chamber 111 to flow into the clothes storage chamber 211, or close the first connecting flow path P1 so as to prevent the dry air, which flows into the clothes care chamber 111, from flowing into the clothes storage chamber 211.

During the dry air exhaust operation (1320), the controller 630 may open the second connecting flow path P2 to allow a portion of the air in the clothes storage chamber 211 to flow into the circulation duct 160 by controlling the second damper device 520, or close the second connecting flow path P2 to prevent the air in the clothes storage chamber 211 from flowing into the circulation duct 160.

During the dry air exhaust operation (1320), the controller 630 may open or close the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 based on the humidity inside the clothes storage chamber 211 detected by the second humidity sensor 721 (1330).

In response to the humidity of the clothes storage chamber 211 being greater than a predetermined humidity (1330), the controller 630 may open the first connecting flow path P1 by using the first damper device 420 to allow dry air to flow into the clothes storage chamber 211 (1335), and may open the second connecting flow path P2 by using the second damper device 520 to allow a portion of the air inside the clothes storage chamber 211 to flow into the circulation duct 160 (1335).

In response to the humidity of the clothes storage chamber 211 being greater than the predetermined humidity (1330), the controller 630 may drive the suction fan 242 (1335). The controller 630 may control the amount of dry air flowing from the circulation duct 160 to the clothes storage chamber 211 by controlling the rotation speed of the suction fan 242.

Particularly, in response to the humidity of the clothes storage chamber 211 being greater than the predetermined humidity (1330), the controller 630 may determine the rotation speed of the suction fan 242 based on a difference between the humidity inside the clothes storage chamber 211 detected by the second humidity sensor 721 and the predetermined humidity. For example, in response to the difference between the humidity inside the clothes storage chamber 211 and the predetermined humidity being relatively large, the suction fan 242 may rotate relatively quickly. For example, in response to the difference between the humidity inside the clothes storage chamber 211 and the predetermined humidity being relatively small, the suction fan 242 may rotate relatively slowly.

In response to the humidity of the clothes storage chamber 211 being less than or equal to the predetermined humidity (1330), the controller 630 may close the first connecting flow path P1 by using the first damper device 420 (1340), close the second connecting flow path P2 by using the second damper device 520 (1340), and stop the operation of the suction fan 242 (1340).

After the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 are closed because the humidity of the clothes storage chamber 211 is less than or equal to the predetermined humidity, the controller 630 may stop the dry air discharge operation (1360) based on the humidity of the clothes care chamber 111 detected by the first humidity sensor 621 (1350).

Particularly, in response to the humidity of the clothes care chamber 111 being greater than a predetermined humidity (1350), the controller 630 may continuously perform the dry air discharge operation to allow dry air to flow into the clothes care chamber 111.

Particularly, in response to the humidity of the clothes care chamber 111 being lower than or equal to the predetermined humidity (1350), the controller 630 may stop the dry air discharge operation (1360). Accordingly, the operation of the circulation fan 171 and the heat exchanger 140 may be stopped (1360).

More particularly, in response to the humidity of the clothes care chamber 111 being lower than or equal to the predetermined humidity (1350) and in response to the humidity of the clothes storage chamber 211 being lower than or equal to the predetermined humidity (1330), the controller 630 may stop the dry air discharge operation (1360). That is, in response to the above two conditions being satisfied, the controller 630 may stop the dry air discharge operation (1360).

As the dry air discharge operation stops (1360), the clothes care course 1300 may be terminated (1370).

In the above description, one embodiment in which clothes are stored in each of the clothes care chamber 111 of the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage chamber 211 of the clothes storage device 200 has been described. However, depending on embodiments, clothes may not be stored in the clothes care chamber 111 but may be stored only in the clothes storage chamber 211. Even in such an embodiment, the controller 630 may perform the clothes storage course 1300.

Particularly, the controller 630 may receive an input for the clothes storage course 1300 from a user and perform the clothes storage course 1300, and the clothes care apparatus 1 may start the operation (1310). The controller 630 may perform the dry air discharge operation (1320), and a portion of the dry air flowing from the inside of the circulation duct 160 to the clothes care chamber 111 may flow into the inside of the clothes storage chamber 211 through the first connecting duct 410. At this time, the controller 630 may open or close the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 by using the damper devices 420 and 520 (1335 and 1340) based on the humidity in the clothes storage chamber 211 detected by the second humidity sensor 721 (1330).

In response to the humidity of the clothes storage chamber 211 being greater than the predetermined humidity (1330), the controller 630 may open the connecting flow paths P1 and P2. In addition, the controller 630 may control the amount of dry air flowing into the clothes storage chamber 211 by driving the suction fan 242 and controlling the rotation speed of the suction fan 242 (1335).

In response to the humidity of the clothes storage chamber 211 being lower than or equal to the predetermined humidity (1330), the controller 630 may close the connecting flow paths P1 and P2.

After the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 are closed by the controller 630, the controller 630 may stop the dry air discharge operation (1360) regardless of the humidity inside the clothes care chamber 111. As the dry air discharge operation stops (1370), the clothes care course 1300 may be terminated (1370).

That is, when clothes are not stored in the clothes care chamber 111 and clothes are stored in only the clothes storage chamber 211, the operation of checking whether the humidity in the clothes care chamber 111 is lower than or equal to the predetermined humidity (1350) may be omitted.

Even when clothes are not stored in the clothes care chamber 111 of the clothes care device 100, the clothes care apparatus 1 may effectively take care clothes stored in the clothes storage chamber 211 of the clothes storage device 200 and thus user convenience may be improved.

The clothes care apparatus 1 according to one embodiment may include the clothes care device 100 including the first housing 110, in which the care chamber 111 for taking care clothes is formed, and the circulation duct 160 provided to allow air inside the care chamber 111 to be introduced or air to be discharged to the care chamber 111, the clothes care device including the controller 630 configured to control the clothes care device 100; the clothes storage device 200 including the second housing 210 in which the storage chamber 211 for storing clothes is formed, the clothes storage device detachably coupleable to the clothes care device 100; the connecting ducts 410 and 510 detachably mountable to the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 to form the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 between the circulation duct 160 and the storage chamber 211 in response to the clothes storage device 200 being coupled to the clothes care device 100; and the damper devices 420 and 520 configured to open and close the connecting flow paths P1 and P2. The controller 630 may be configured to control the damper devices 420 and 530 to open or close the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 based on the connecting ducts 410 and 510 being mounted to the clothes care device 100.

The circulation duct 160 may include the duct outlet 163 provided to discharge air into the care chamber 111. The connecting duct 410 may be configured to communicate with the duct outlet 163 in response to the connecting duct 410 being mounted to the clothes care device 100.

The clothes storage device 20 may further include the suction fan 242 disposed on the connecting flow path P1 to generate suction force.

The connecting duct 410 may include the damper case 411 accommodating the damper device 420, and the extension duct 412 slidably coupleable to the damper case 411 so as to be in communication with the damper case 411.

The damper case 411 may include the insertion groove 411d provided to allow one end of the extension duct 412 to be inserted thereinto. The connecting duct 410 may further include the sealing member 413 disposed inside the insertion groove 411d to seal between the extension duct 412 and the damper case 411 in response to the one end of the extension duct 412 being inserted into the insertion groove 411d of the damper case 411.

The connecting duct 410 may be the first connecting duct 410. The connecting flow path P1 may be the first connecting flow path P1 from the circulation duct 160 to the storage chamber 211. The clothes care apparatus 1 may further include the second connecting duct 510 detachably mountable to the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 to form the second connecting flow path P2 from the storage chamber 211 to the circulation duct 160 in response to the clothes storage device 200 being coupled to the clothes care device 100.

The circulation duct 160 may include the duct inlet 161 provided to allow air in the care chamber 111 to be introduced. The clothes care device 100 may further include the fixed duct 190 provided by one end thereof being fixed to the duct inlet 161 so as to connect the duct inlet 161 and the second connecting duct 510 in response to the second connecting duct 510 being mounted to the clothes care device 100.

The damper device 420 may be the first damper device 420. The clothes care apparatus 1 may further include the second damper device 520 accommodated within the second connecting duct 510. The controller 630 may be configured to control the second damper device 520 to open or close the second connecting flow path P2.

The clothes care device 100 may further include the connection openings 110b and 110c provided to allow at least a portion of the connecting ducts 410 and 510 to be inserted thereinto in response to the connecting ducts 410 and 510 being mounted to the clothes care device 100, and the caps 181 and 182 detachably mountable to the connection openings 110b and 110c to close the connection openings 110b and 110c in response to the connecting ducts 410 and 510 being separated from the clothes care device 100.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may further include the coupling bracket 300 coupled to each of the first housing 110 and the second housing 210 to couple the clothes storage device 200 to the clothes care device 100.

The controller 630 may be configured to close the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 while performing the steam spray operation that sprays steam into the care chamber 111 (1130).

The controller 630 may configured to perform the dry air discharge operation that discharges dry air to the care chamber 111 (1320) after the steam spray operation is terminated (1140). While performing the dry air discharge operation (1320), the controller 630 may be configured to open the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 to allow a portion of dry air, which flows to the care chamber 111, to be introduced into the storage chamber 211 (1335) or configured to close the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 to prevent air, which flows to the care chamber 111, from being introduced into the storage chamber 211 (1340).

The clothes storage device 200 may further include the humidity sensor 721 configured to detect a humidity within the storage chamber 211. While performing the dry air discharge operation that discharges dry air to the care chamber 111 (1320), the controller 630 may be configured to open or close the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 (1335 or 1340) based on the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 721 (1330).

The controller 630 may be configured to open the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 by using the damper devices 420 and 520 to allow dry air to be introduced into the storage chamber 211 (1335) in response to the humidity detected by the humidity sensor being greater than the predetermined humidity (1330), and configured to close the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 by using the damper devices 420 and 520 (1340) in response to the humidity detected by the humidity sensor being less than or equal to the predetermined humidity (1330).

The clothes storage device 200 may further include the suction fan 242 disposed on the connecting flow paths P1 and P2 to generate suction force. The controller 630 may be configured to determine the rotation speed of the suction fan 242 based on a difference between the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 721 and the predetermined humidity in response to the humidity detected by the humidity sensor 721 being greater than the predetermined humidity (1330).

The clothes care apparatus 1 according to one embodiment may include the clothes care device 100 including the housing, in which the care chamber 111 for taking care clothes is formed, the circulation duct 160 provided to allow air inside the care chamber 111 to be introduced or air to be discharged to the care chamber 111, and the duct opening 160a formed on one side wall of the circulation duct 160; the cap 183 detachably mountable to the duct opening 160a to close the duct opening 160a; and the connecting duct 410 detachably coupleable to the duct opening 160a to allow the circulation duct 160 to communicate with an outside of the clothes care device 100 in response to the cap 183 being separated from the duct opening 160a.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may further include the damper device 420 configured to open or close a flow path formed inside the connecting duct 410.

The circulation duct 160 may include the duct outlet 163 provided to discharge air into the care chamber 111. The duct opening 160a may be formed in the duct outlet 163 of the circulation duct 160.

The connecting duct 410 may be the first connecting duct 410. The circulation duct 160 may include the duct inlet 161 provided to allow air in the care chamber 111 to be introduced. The clothes care device 100 may further include the fixed duct 190 provided by one end thereof being fixed to the duct inlet 161. The clothes care apparatus 1 may further include the second connecting duct 510 detachably coupleable to the other end of the fixed duct 190 to allow the duct inlet 161 of the circulation duct 160 to communicate with an outside of the clothes care device 100.

The clothes care apparatus 1 according to one embodiment may include the clothes care device 100 including the first housing 110, in which the care chamber 111 for taking care clothes is formed, and the circulation duct 160 provided to allow air inside the care chamber 111 to be introduced or air to be discharged to the care chamber 111; the clothes storage device 200 including the second housing 210 in which the storage chamber 211 for storing clothes is formed, the clothes storage device detachably coupleable to the clothes care device 100; the first connecting duct 410 detachably mountable to the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 to form the first connecting flow path P1 from the circulation duct 160 to the storage chamber 211 in response to the clothes storage device 200 being coupled to the clothes care device 100; and the second connecting duct 510 detachably mountable to the clothes care device 100 and the clothes storage device 200 to form the second connecting flow path P2 from the storage chamber 211 to the circulation duct 160 in response to the clothes storage device 200 being coupled to the clothes care device 100.

As is apparent from the above description, a clothes care apparatus may be additionally provided with a clothes storage space by including a clothes care device and a clothes storage device removably connected to the clothes care device.

Further, a connecting duct may be mounted on a clothes care device and a clothes storage device, and thus a connecting flow path may be formed between a circulation duct of the clothes care device and a clothes storage chamber of the clothes storage device. With this configuration, steam, dry air, hot air, etc. generated in a machine room of the clothes care device may be introduced into the clothes storage chamber of the clothes storage device.

Further, a damper device may be provided inside a connecting duct. Accordingly, when the connecting duct is mounted on a clothes care device, a controller may open or close a flow path by controlling the damper device.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.