CLOTHES TREATING APPARATUS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/KR2025/013522, filed on Sep. 3, 2025, which is based on and claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Number 10-2024-0183120, filed on Dec. 10, 2024, and Korean Patent Application Number 10-2024-0199211, filed on Dec. 27, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a clothes treating apparatus including a drying device.

BACKGROUND ART

A clothes treating apparatus is an appliance for treating and/or managing clothes. The clothes treating apparatus includes a washing machine and a dryer. The washing machine includes a washing machine with a drying function.

The washing machine with the drying function performs washing through friction by stirring laundry, water, and detergent together inside the tub by the driving force of the driving motor.

Cycles that are performed by the washing machine with the drying function include a washing cycle of supplying water and detergent to the tub in which laundry is accommodated and washing the laundry by rotating the drum, a rinsing cycle of supplying water to the tub and rinsing the laundry by rotating the drum, and a dehydrating cycle of discharging water from the tub and removing water from the laundry by rotating the drum.

The cycles that are performed by the washing machine with the drying function include a drying cycle of drying the laundry by blowing heat generated in a dryer into an accommodating space in which the laundry is accommodated. The washing machine with the drying function includes the dryer to perform the drying cycle.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

An aspect of the disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus with enhanced ease of use.

An aspect of the disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus with improved safety.

An aspect of the disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus with improved efficiency.

An aspect of the disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus capable of reducing an unnecessary space.

An aspect of the disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus with improved accessibility to a drying device.

The technical object intended to be achieved by the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned technical objects, and other technical objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical art to which the disclosure belongs from the following description.

Technical Solution

Aspects of embodiments of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a clothes treating apparatus includes a housing; a tub inside the housing; and a drying device positioned above the tub, the drying device including a hot air supply device configured to supply heated air to inside of the tub, and a discharge device configured to receive air discharged from the tub and discharge the received air to outside of the housing, wherein the discharge device includes a discharge guide positioned in a rear end portion of the drying device above the tub and configured to guide the received air to the outside of the housing.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the discharge device may include a discharge flow path through which the received air flows to the outside of the housing. A largest cross-sectional area of the discharge flow path in a horizontal direction may be 35% or more of a cross-sectional area of the drying device in the horizontal direction.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the clothes treating apparatus may further include a discharge filter detachably mounted to the drying device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the discharge device may include a first discharge flow path through which the received air flows to the discharge filter. A cross-sectional area of the first discharge flow path in a direction that is perpendicular to a flow of the received air is equal to or larger than a cross-sectional area of a region at which the discharge device is connected to the tub.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a volume of the first discharge flow path may be 40% or more of an internal volume of the discharge device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the discharge device may include a discharge flow path through which the received air flows to the outside of the housing. A cross-sectional area of the discharge flow path passing through the discharge filter, in a direction that is perpendicular to a flow of the received air, may be equal to or larger than a cross-sectional area of a region at which the discharge device is connected to the tub.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the discharge device may include a first discharge flow path through which the received air flows to the discharge filter. The discharge device may include a second discharge flow path through which the received air flows from the discharge filter to outside of the discharge device. A cross-sectional area of the second discharge flow path in a direction that is perpendicular to a flow of the received air may be equal to or larger than a cross-sectional area of the discharge guide in a direction that is perpendicular to the flow of the received air.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the hot air supply device may include a supply fan configured to blow air drawn into the hot air supply device from the outside of the housing to the tub, and a drying heater configured to heat the air blown by the supply fan.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the clothes treating apparatus may further include a supply temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the heated air supplied to the tub through the hot air supply device; and a controller configured to control at least one of the drying heater or the supply fan, based on a value of the measured temperature.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the clothes treating apparatus may further include a discharge temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the air discharged from the tub through the discharge device; and a controller configured to control at least one of the drying heater or the supply fan, based on a value of the measured temperature.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the discharge device may include a discharge connection part connected to the tub. The discharge connection part may include an elastic material configured to reduce vibration of the tub that is transferred to the drying device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the clothes treating apparatus may further include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub; and a terminal module configured to supply power. The water supply device may be positioned at a first side of the discharge guide in the rear end portion of the drying device. The terminal module may be positioned at a second side of the discharge guide, opposite to the first side, at the rear end portion of the drying device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the hot air supply device may be configured such that air drawn from the rear end portion of the drying device is supplied to a front end portion of the tub. The discharge device may be configured such that the air discharged from the rear end portion of the tub is discharged at the rear end portion of the drying device via a front end portion of the drying device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the discharge device may include a discharge base forming at least a part of a discharge flow path, a discharge cover coupled to the discharge base, and a sealing member on at least a region at which the discharge cover is coupled to the discharge base, the sealing member being configured to reduce leakage of air from the discharge flow path.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the housing may include an outside air hole through which air is drawn into the housing. The outside air hole may be positioned above the tub in a rear side of the housing.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings listed below.

FIG. 1 shows a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure in a direction that is different from that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows some components arranged inside a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows some components arranged inside a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure in a direction that is different from that shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure when a drying device is separated from a tub.

FIG. 7 shows a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure when a drying device is separated from a tub, in a direction that is different from that shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a hot air supply device and a discharge device of a drying device, disassembled from a drying case, in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows insides of a hot air supply device and a discharge device by disassembling some components of a drying device in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows insides of a hot air supply device and a discharge device by disassembling some components of a drying device in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a direction that is different from that shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a supply flow path and a discharge flow path formed inside a drying device of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows imaginary lines expressing a volume of a space formed inside a discharge device of a drying device in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing changes in air volume and flow resistance according to changes in internal volume of a discharge device of a drying device in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a discharge device of a drying device in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 shows a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure, to which an exhaust pipe is connected.

FIG. 16 is a control block diagram of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.

In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.

The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

In the disclosure, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively) coupled” or “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.

It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and/or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

A washing machine according to various embodiments may perform washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying processes. The washing machine is an example of a clothes treating apparatus, and the clothes treating apparatus is a concept including a device capable of washing clothes (objects to be washed, and objects to be dried), a device capable of drying clothes, and a device capable of washing and drying clothes.

The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a top-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet for inserting or removing laundry is provided to face upward, or a front-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet is provided to face forward. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine of a loading type other than the top-loading washing machine and the front-loading washing machine.

For the top-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed using water current generated by a rotating body such as a pulsator. For the front-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed by repeatedly lifting and lowering laundry by rotating a drum. The front-loading washing machine may include a dryer combined washing machine capable of drying laundry stored in a drum. The dryer combined washing machine may include a hot air supply device for supplying high-temperature air into the drum. For example, the dryer combined washing machine may include a heater. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine using a washing method other than the above-described washing method.

The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a housing accommodating various components therein. The housing may be provided in the form of a box including a laundry inlet on one side thereof.

The washing machine may include a door for opening and closing the laundry inlet. The door may be rotatably mounted to the housing by a hinge. At least a portion of the door may be transparent or translucent to allow the inside of the housing to be visible.

The washing machine may include a tub disposed within the housing to store water. The tub may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening formed on one side thereof. The tub may be disposed inside the housing in such a way that the tub opening corresponds to the laundry inlet.

The tub may be connected to the housing by a damper. The damper may absorb vibration generated when the drum rotates, and the damper may reduce vibration transmitted to the housing.

The washing machine may include a drum provided to accommodate laundry.

The drum may be disposed inside the tub such that a drum opening provided on one side of the drum corresponds to the laundry inlet and the tub opening. Laundry may pass sequentially through the laundry inlet, the tub opening, and the drum opening and then be received in the drum or removed from the drum.

The drum may perform each operation according to washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying while rotating in the tub. A plurality of through holes may be formed in a cylindrical wall of the drum to allow water stored in the tub to be introduced into or to be discharged from the drum.

The washing machine may include a driving device configured to rotate the drum. The driving device may include a drive motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated by the drive motor to the drum. The rotating shaft may penetrate the tub to be connected to the drum.

The driving device may perform respective operations according to washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying, or drying processes by rotating the drum in a forward or reverse direction.

The washing machine may include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub. The water supply device may include a water supply pipe and a water supply valve disposed in the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected to an external water supply source. The water supply pipe may extend from an external water supply source to a detergent supply device and/or the tub. Water may be supplied to the tub through the detergent supply device. Alternatively, water may be supplied to the tub without passing through the detergent supply device.

The water supply valve may open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal from a controller. The water supply valve may allow or block the supply of water to the tub from an external water supply source. The water supply valve may include a solenoid valve configured to open or close in response to an electrical signal.

The washing machine may include the detergent supply device configured to supply detergent to the tub. The detergent supply device may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to enter detergent to be used for each washing, and an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically adds a predetermined amount of detergent during washing. The detergent supply device may include a detergent container for storing detergent. The detergent supply device may be configured to supply detergent into the tub during a water supply process. Water supplied through the water supply pipe may be mixed with detergent via the detergent supply device. Water mixed with detergent may be supplied into the tub. Detergent is used as a term including detergent for pre-washing, detergent for main washing, fabric softener, bleach, etc., and the detergent container may be partitioned into a storage region for the pre-washing detergent, a storage region for the main washing detergent, a storage region for the fabric softener, and a storage region for the bleach.

The washing machine may include a drainage device configured to discharge water contained in the tub to the outside. The drainage device may include a drain pipe extending from a bottom of the tub to the outside of the housing, a drain valve disposed on the drain pipe to open or close the drain pipe, and a pump disposed on the drain pipe. The pump may pump water from the drain pipe to the outside of the housing.

The washing machine may include a control panel disposed on one side of the housing. The control panel may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the washing machine. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.

The at least one input interface may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

The at least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing/rinsing/spin-drying setting button. The at least one input interface may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.

The at least one output interface may visually or audibly transmit information related to the operation of the washing machine to a user.

For example, the at least one output interface may transmit information related to a washing course, operation time of the washing machine, and washing/rinsing/spin-drying settings to the user. Information about the operation of the washing machine may be output via a screen, an indicator, or a voice. The at least one output interface may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.

The washing machine may include a communication module for wired and/or wireless communication with an external device.

The communication module may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module.

The communication module may transmit data to an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, and/or a home appliance) or receive data from the external device. For example, the communication module may establish communication with a server and/or a user device and/or a home appliance, and transmit and receive various types of data.

For the communication, the communication module may establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the external devices, and support the performance of the communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the communication module may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module may communicate with an external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated as a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips).

The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an IrDA communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range wireless communication, and may include a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server in a mobile communication network.

According to an embodiment, the communication module may communicate with an external device such as a server, a user device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The AP may connect a LAN, to which a washing machine or a user device is connected, to a WAN to which a server is connected. The washing machine or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN. The controller may control various components of the washing machine (e.g., the drive motor, and the water supply valve). The controller may control various components of the washing machine to perform at least one operation including water supply, washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying according to a user input. For example, the controller may control the drive motor to adjust the rotational speed of the drum or control the water supply valve of the water supply device to supply water to the tub.

The controller may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the controller may include at least one memory for storing an algorithm and program-type data for controlling the operation of components in the washing machine, and at least one processor configured to perform the above-mentioned operation by using the data stored in the at least one memory. The memory and the processor may each be implemented as separate chips. The processor may include one or more processor chips or may include one or more processing cores. The memory may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.

Hereinafter, a clothes treating apparatus according to various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a washing machine with a drying function will be described as an example of the clothes treating apparatus. However, a concept of the disclosure is not limited to the washing machine with the drying function, and may be applied to various apparatuses for treating and/or managing clothes.

In the following description, the terms “front”, rear”, “left”, and “right” are defined based on the drawings, and the shapes and positions of components are not limited by the terms.

For example, an X-axis direction may be defined as a front-rear direction, an Y-axis direction may be defined as a left-right direction, and a Z-axis direction may be defined as an up-down direction.

FIG. 1 shows a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 shows a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure in a direction that is different from that shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 shows some components arranged inside a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 shows some components arranged inside a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure in a direction that is different from that shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may include a housing 10 that accommodates various components therein. The housing 10 may be formed in the shape of a box having one side in which a laundry inlet 11 is formed. The laundry inlet 11 may face substantially a front direction.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a laundry door 17 for opening or closing the laundry inlet 11. The laundry door 17 may be rotatably mounted on the housing 10 by a hinge. At least a part of the laundry door 17 may be transparent or translucent to show inside of the housing 10. For example, the laundry door 17 may include tempered glass.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a lower door 18 that allows access to a lower detergent supply device 60. The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include an upper door 19 that allows access to an upper detergent supply device 50 and a discharge filter 150.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a tub 20 provided inside the housing 10 to store water. The tub 20 may have a substantially cylindrical shape including a tub opening 21 in one side and may be positioned inside the housing 10 such that the tub opening 21 is positioned to correspond to the laundry inlet 11. The tub opening 21 may face substantially the front direction.

The tub 20 may be connected to the housing 10 by a damper 25. The damper 25 may absorb vibrations generated while a drum 30 rotates to thereby attenuate vibration that is transferred to the housing 10.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a diaphragm 22 for connecting the tub 20 with the housing 10. For example, the diaphragm 22 may extend between the laundry inlet 11 of the housing 10 and the tub opening 21 of the tub 20. The diaphragm 22 may be detachably mounted to the tub opening 21 of the tub 20. The diaphragm 22 may reduce vibration of the tub 20 that is transferred to the housing 10. For example, the diaphragm 22 may include a more flexible material than the housing 10 and the tub 20.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the drum 30 that accommodates laundry. On an inner surface of the drum 30, at least one lifter 33 may be installed to perform washing by raising and dropping laundry.

The drum 30 may be positioned inside the tub 20 such that the drum opening 31 provided in one side corresponds to the laundry inlet 11 and the tub opening 21. Laundry may be inserted into the drum 30 or taken out of the drum 30 by passing through the laundry inlet 11, the diaphragm 22, the tub opening 21, and the drum opening 31 in order. The drum opening 31 may face substantially the front direction.

The drum 30 may perform operations corresponding to a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and/or a dehydrating cycle while rotating inside the tub 20. A plurality of through holes 32 may be formed in a cylindrical wall of the drum 30 to move water stored in the tub 20 to inside of the drum 30 or discharge water out of the drum 30.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a driving device 36 for rotating the drum 30. The driving device 36 may include a driving motor, and a rotating shaft for transferring a driving force generated in the driving motor to the drum 30. The rotating shaft may be connected to the drum 30 by penetrating the tub 20.

The driving device 36 may rotate the drum 30 forward or backward to perform an operation corresponding to a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and/or a dehydrating cycle, or a drying cycle.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a water supply device 40 that supplies water to the tub 20. The water supply device 40 may include water supply valves 41 and 42 connected to an external water source. For example, the water supply valves 41 and 42 may include a first water supply valve 41 and a second water supply valve 42. For example, the water supply valves 41 and 42 may include a hot water valve 41 for supplying hot water and a cold water valve 42 for supplying cold water.

The water supply device 40 may include water supply pipes 43 and 44. The water supply pipes 43 and 44 may be connected to the water supply valves 41 and 42. For example, the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may include a first water supply pipe 43 and a second water supply pipe 44. For example, the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may be provided as hoses or pipes made of a flexible material.

For example, the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may include a hot water pipe 43 connected to the hot water valve 41 and a cold water pipe 44 connected to the cold water valve 42. At least one of the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may guide water from the water supply valves 41 and 42 to the tub 20. At least one of the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may extend from a water supply valve 41 and 42 to the tub 20. Water may be supplied to the lower detergent supply device 60 via the tub 20. Water may also be supplied to the lower detergent supply device 60 not via the tub 20.

The water supply valves 41 and 42 may open or close the water supply pipes 43 and 44 in response to an electrical signal from a controller 80 (see FIG. 14). The water supply valves 41 and 42 may allow or block supply of water from an external water source to the tub 20. The water supply valves 41 and 42 may include, for example, a solenoid valve that is opened and closed in response to an electrical signal.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the detergent supply devices 50 and 60 configured to supply a detergent to the tub 20. The detergent supply devices 50 and 60 may include the upper detergent supply device 50 and the lower detergent supply device 60. A detergent may be used as a term encompassing a pre-wash detergent, a main wash detergent, a fabric softener, a bleach, etc.

The upper detergent supply device 50 may be positioned above the tub 20. The upper detergent supply device 50 may be positioned above the tub 20 in a vertical direction. The upper detergent supply device 50 may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to add a detergent to be used for each washing, or an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically adds a preset amount of detergent during washing. The upper detergent supply device 50 may be connected to the tub 20 through a detergent connection pipe 51. For example, the upper detergent supply device 50 may supply a solid detergent and/or a fabric softener to the tub 20. However, kinds of detergents are not limited to the above-described examples.

The lower detergent supply device 60 may be positioned below the tub 20. The lower detergent supply device 60 may be positioned below the tub 20 in the vertical direction. The lower detergent supply device 60 may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to add a detergent for each washing, or an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically adds a preset amount of detergent during washing. For example, the lower detergent supply device 60 may supply a liquid detergent and/or a fabric softener to the tub 20. However, kinds of detergents are not limited to the above-described examples.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a drain device 70 that discharges water contained in the tub 20 to the outside. The drain device 70 may include a drain pump 71 for discharging water in the tub 20 to the outside of the housing 10.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a circulation pump 76 for circulating water of the tub 20 back to the tub 20 via the lower detergent supply device 60.

The drain device 70 may be connected to the tub 20 through a tub connection pipe 72. The drain device 70 may discharge water of the tub 20 to the outside of the housing 10 through a drain pipe 73.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a washing water heater 24. The washing water heater 24 may be provided below the tub 20 and heat washing water during washing. In addition, the water supply device 40 may supply a preset amount of water to a lower space of the tub 20 through a connection flow path P during a drying cycle, and the washing water heater 24 may heat water supplied into the tub 20 through the water supply device 40, the connection flow path P, and a tub exhaust port 27 to generate steam. That is, steam generated by the water supply device 40 and the washing water heater 24 may come into contact with clothes during a drying cycle, thereby reducing formation of wrinkles on the clothes.

That is, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be a washing machine with washing and drying functions, and unlike existing dryers, the clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the washing water heater 24 for heating washing water and generate steam by utilizing the washing water heater 24 and the water supply device 40 for washing the connection flow path P, thereby preventing formation of wrinkles on clothes during a drying cycle as much as possible.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a control panel 15 positioned on one side of the housing 10. The control panel 15 may provide a user interface for interactions between a user and the clothes treating apparatus 1. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.

The at least one input interface may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.

The at least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing/rinsing/dehydrating setting button. The at least one input interface may include, for example, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.

The at least one output interface may visually or audibly transfer information related to an operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 to a user.

For example, the at least one output interface may transfer information related to a washing course, an operation time of the clothes treating apparatus 1, and washing settings/rinsing settings/dehydrating settings to a user. Information related to the operation of the clothes treating apparatus may be output through a screen, an indicator, a voice, etc. The at least one output interface may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a control box 15c for the control panel 15. The control box 15c for the control panel 15 may be electrically connected to the control panel 15. The control box 15c for the control panel 15 may supply power to the control panel 15. The control box 15c for the control panel 15 may process information input through the control panel 15. The control box 15c for the control panel 15 may control the control panel 15 to output information.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a drying device 100 for drying laundry accommodated inside the drum 30. The drying device 100 may heat air and supply the air to the inside of the tub 20. The drying device 100 may discharge air discharged from the tub 20 to the outside of the clothes treating apparatus 1. The clothes treating apparatus 1 may suck in outside air, heat the outside air, supply the outside air to the tub 20 to dry clothes inside the drum 30, and then discharge air discharged from the tub 20 to the outside of the clothes treating apparatus 1. The drying device 100 according to various embodiments may be positioned above the tub 20.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a terminal module 90. The terminal module 90 may include a terminal block. For example, the clothes treating apparatus 1 having a drying function may use a relatively high voltage and may stably supply power through the terminal module 90.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a terminal cover 91 for covering the terminal module 90. The terminal cover 91 may be detachably coupled to the housing 10. For example, the terminal module 90 may be provided in the drying device 100, and the terminal cover 91 may be detachably mounted on the drying device 100.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a connector coupling portion 149 to which a connector for electrically connecting the terminal module 90 with the control panel 15 is coupled. For example, a connector provided on a wire extending from the terminal module 90 may be connected to a connector provided on a wire extending from the control panel 15 at the connector coupling portion 149. The connector coupling portion 149 may include a space where the connector provided on the wire extending from the terminal module 90 is coupled with the wire extending from the control panel 15. For example, the connector coupling portion 149 may be provided in the drying device 100. For example, the connector coupling portion 149 may be provided in a discharge cover 142 of a discharge device 140 of the drying device 100.

FIG. 6 shows a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure when a drying device is separated from a tub. FIG. 7 shows a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure when a drying device is separated from a tub, in a direction that is different from that shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 shows a hot air supply device and a discharge device of a drying device, disassembled from a drying case, in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 9 shows insides of a hot air supply device and a discharge device by disassembling some components of a drying device in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 10 shows insides of a hot air supply device and a discharge device by disassembling some components of a drying device in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in a direction that is different from that shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 10, the drying device 100 may include a drying case 101. Various components of the drying device 100 may be installed in the drying case 101. For example, a hot air supply device 110 and/or the discharge device 140 of the drying device 100 may be installed in the drying case 101. The drying device 100 may be provided as a single module by installing the hot air supply device 110 and the discharge device 140 in the drying case 101.

Referring to FIG. 8, the drying case 101 may include a case opening 101a for allowing air flowing into the housing 10 to flow into the drying device 100. For example, the case opening 101a may include at least one opening. As an example, the case opening 101a may be provided in a side portion of the drying case 101, which is adjacent to a supply fan 130.

Referring to FIG. 8, the drying case 101 may include a tub connection opening 101b through which one portion of the discharge device 140 extends and is connected to the tub 20. A discharge connection part 143 and/or a duct guide 144 of the discharge device 140 may pass through the tub connection opening 101b. According to the discharge connection part 143 being connected to the duct guide 144, the discharge connection part 143 and/or the duct guide 144 may be positioned at the tub connection opening 101b.

For example, the case opening 101a may be provided at a left rear end portion of the drying case 101, and the tub connection opening 101b may be provided at a right rear end portion of the drying case 101.

Referring to FIG. 8, the drying case 101 may include a guide installing portion 102 through which inside air of the drying device 100 is discharged to outside of the drying device 100. According to a portion of the discharge device 140 being installed in the guide installing portion 102, inside air of the drying device 100 may be discharged to the outside of the drying device 100. For example, the guide installing portion 102 may be provided in a rear side of the drying case 101.

The drying device 100 may include a reinforcing frame 109 for reinforcing rigidity of the drying case 101. For example, the reinforcing frame 109 may be detachably mounted on a front end portion of the drying case 101. For example, after the hot air supply device 110 and the discharge device 140 are installed in the drying case 101, the reinforcing frame 109 may be mounted on the drying case 101. For example, after the reinforcing frame 109 is separated from the drying case 101, the hot air supply device 110 and the discharge device 140 may be separated from the drying case 101.

The drying device 100 may include the hot air supply device 110 for supplying hot air, that is, heated air to the tub 20. The hot air supply device 110 may be mounted on the drying case 101. A supply flow path 116 through which air to be supplied to the tub 20 flows may be formed inside the hot air supply device 110.

For example, the hot air supply device 110 may be connected to the diaphragm 22. An end of the hot air supply device 110 through which air is discharged may be connected to the diaphragm 22. The diaphragm 22 may include a diaphragm connecting portion 22a connected to the end of the hot air supply device 110. The diaphragm connecting portion 22a may be provided with an air inlet 26. Air discharged from the hot air supply device 110 may be supplied to the inside of the drum 30 through the air inlet 26.

The hot air supply device 110 may guide air flowed into the housing 10 to the tub 20. The hot air supply device 110 may heat air flowed into the housing 10. The hot air supply device 110 may change outside air flowed into the housing 10 to hot and dry air.

For example, referring to FIG. 2, an outside air hole 10a into which outside air flows may be formed in a rear side of the housing 10, and according to an operation of the hot air supply device 110, outside air may flow into the housing 10 through the outside air hole 10a. Referring to FIG. 8, air flowed into the housing 10 may flow into the drying device 100 through the at least one case opening 101a formed in the drying case 101. The air flowed into the drying device 100 may flow into the hot air supply device 110.

The hot air supply device 110 may include a supply base 111. The supply base 111 may be mounted on the drying case 101. The supply base 111 may form a part of the supply flow path 116. Components of the hot air supply device 110 may be accommodated on the supply base 111. The supply base 111 may form at least a part of the supply flow path 116. For example, the supply base 111 may have a shape of which an upper side opens.

The hot air supply device 110 may include a supply cover 112. The supply cover 112 may be coupled to the supply base 111. The supply cover 112 may cover the open side of the supply base 111. The supply cover 112 may form at least a part of the supply flow path 116 together with the supply base 111. For example, according to the supply cover 112 being coupled to the supply base 111, at least a part of the supply flow path 116 may be formed.

The hot air supply device 110 may include a drying heater 120 for heating air passing through the hot air supply device 110. The drying heater 120 may heat air passing through the supply flow path 116. For example, the drying heater 120 may include a dual heater.

The drying device 100 may include a heater control box 129 for controlling the drying heater 120. The heater control box 129 may be electrically connected to the drying heater 120. For example, the heater control box 129 may be mounted on the drying case 101.

The hot air supply device 110 may include a supply fan 130 for forming an airflow inside the hot air supply device 110. The supply fan 130 may suck in outside air outside the housing 10 and blow the outside air into the tub 20. The supply fan 130 may supply air to an object existing inside the drum 30. For example, the supply fan 130 may include a sirocco fan. For example, the supply fan 130 may suck in air in an extension direction of a rotating shaft of the supply fan 13 and discharge the air outwardly from a circumference of the supply fan 130.

The hot air supply device 110 may include a fan driver 135 for providing power to the supply fan 130. For example, the hot air supply device 110 may include a fan cover 113 that is couplable to the supply base 111 and/or the supply cover 112. The fan driver 135 may be mounted on the fan cover 113.

Referring to FIG. 10, the supply base 111 may include a supply inlet 117 through which air flows into the hot air supply device 110. The supply inlet 117 may be formed by penetrating the supply base 111 in the extension direction of the rotating shaft of the supply fan 130. According to an operation of the supply fan 130, outside air of the hot air supply device 110 may flow to inside of the hot air supply device 110 through the supply inlet 117.

The hot air supply device 110 may include a supply connection part 114 connected to the tub 20. The supply connection part 114 may be connected to a front end of the tub 20. For example, the supply base 111 may extend in a front-rear direction and the supply connection part 114 may extend in the vertical direction.

The supply connection part 114 may include a supply guide portion 114a for guiding air flowing from the supply base 111 to the supply connection part 114. The supply guide portion 114a may have a rib shape. The supply guide portion 114a may agitate dry air supplied to the tub 20 to reduce temperature deviation of the dry air supplied to the tub 20.

For example, the supply connection part 114 may be positioned at another end portion of the supply base 111, which is opposite to one end portion of the supply base 111 at which the supply fan 130 is positioned. For example, the supply connection part 114 may be positioned at another end portion of the supply base 111, which is opposite to one end portion of the supply base 111 at which the supply inlet 117 is formed. Because the supply connection part 114 and the supply inlet 117 are positioned at both end portions of the supply base 111 in such a way as to be spaced from each other, a time for which air received through the supply inlet 117 is heated by the drying heater 120 before being supplied to the tub 20 through the supply connection part 114 may be ensured.

The supply connection part 114 of the hot air supply device 110 may be connected to the air inlet 26. The air inlet 26 of the tub 20 may be positioned in the diaphragm 22 provided in the front end of the tub 20. The supply connection part 114 may be connected to the diaphragm connecting portion 22a provided in the diaphragm 22. For example, the supply connection part 114 and the diaphragm connection portion 22a may be fixed by installing a clamp at a region where the supply connection part 114 is coupled to the diaphragm connecting portion 22a.

The drying device 100 may include a thermostat 170 for stopping an operation of the drying device 100 according to a temperature of dry air supplied through the hot air supply device 110 exceeding a preset temperature. For example, the thermostat 170 may be mounted on the hot air supply device 110. For example, the thermostat 170 may include a sensor for detecting a temperature of the supply flow path 116.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, air heated by the drying device 100 may be supplied to the inside of the drum 30 via the tub 20. To ensure a time for which the heated air supplied to the inside of the drum 30 removes water of laundry, a tub exhaust port 27 may be opposite to the air inlet 26 through which air heated by the drying device 100 is supplied to the tub 20. To cause heated air to come in more contact with laundry by increasing a distance by which the heated air flows inside the drum 30 and/or a time for which the heated air flows inside the drum 30, the tub exhaust port 27 may be positioned to be opposite to the air inlet 26 through which air heated by the drying device 100 is supplied to the tub 20. By increasing a time for which heated air comes in contact with laundry, drying efficiency may be improved.

The air inlet 26 and the tub exhaust port 27 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may be arranged to maximize use of heated air provided from the drying device 100. For example, the air inlet 26 may be positioned in the front end portion of the tub 20, and the tub exhaust port 27 may be located in a rear end portion of the tub 20.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may include the connection flow path P through which air discharged from the tub 20 flows to the drying device 100. The connection flow path P may allow air discharged from the tub exhaust port 27 to flow to a discharge flow path 146 of the drying device 100. The connection flow path P may discharge humid air passed through the tub 20. For example, the connection flow path P may be provided behind the tub 20.

Internal air of the tub 20 may be discharged to a tub duct 28 through the tub exhaust port 27 formed in a rear side of the tub 20. The air discharged to the dub duct 28 may flow along the connection flow path P and be supplied to the drying device 100.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may include the tub duct 28 forming at least a part of the connection flow path P. For example, the tub duct 28 may be integrated into the tub 20. For example, the tub 20 may include the tub duct 28. The tub duct 28 may surround the tub exhaust port 27.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may include a duct cover 29 forming at least a part of the connection flow path P. The duct cover 29 may cover an open rear side of the tub duct 28. For example, the tub 20 may include the duct cover 29. The duct cover 29 may form at least a part of the connection flow path P through which air discharged through the tub exhaust port 27 flows into the drying device 100.

In the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments, the connection flow path P may be formed by coupling the duct cover 29 to the tub duct 28.

The tub duct 28 according to an embodiment may include a recess portion 28a forming a part of the connection flow path P through which air discharged from the tub 20 flows. A reinforcement rib 23 for reinforcing rigidity of the tub 20 may be provided on a rear surface of the tub 20, and the recess portion 28a may be provided as a portion sunken from an end of the reinforcement rib 23 protruding from the rear surface of the tub 20. The recess portion 28a may be provided as a portion of the rear surface of the tub 20, on which the reinforcement rib 23 is not formed. The tub exhaust port 27 through which air is discharged from the tub 20 may be formed in the recess portion 28a. The tub duct 28 may include a partition rib 28d extending along a circumference of the recess portion 28a. The partition rib 28d may partition a region on which the recess portion 28a is formed from a region on which the reinforcement rib 23 is formed, on the rear surface of the tub 20.

The tub duct 28 according to an embodiment may include a duct connecting portion 28b forming another part of the connection flow path P through which air passed through the recess portion 28a flows. The duct connecting portion 28b may protrude outward from an outer circumferential surface of the tub 20. The duct connecting portion 28b may protrude substantially upward from the outer circumferential surface of the tub 20.

The duct connecting portion 28b may allow the recess portion 28a to communicate with the drying device 100. The duct connecting portion 28b may be connected to the discharge connection part 143 of the drying device 100. The duct connecting portion 28b may form a passage forming the connection flow path P together with the recess portion 28a and the duct cover 29.

The duct connecting portion 28b may be covered by the duct cover 29. One side of the duct connecting portion 28b may open. The duct cover 29 may cover the open side of the duct connecting portion 28b.

The duct cover 29 may cover both the recess portion 28a and the duct connecting portion 28b. For example, the duct cover 29 may cover both the open side of the recess portion 28a and the open side of the duct connecting portion 28b. The connection flow path P may be formed by the duct cover 29 covering the recess portion 28a and the duct connecting portion 28b. For example, the duct cover 29 may cover only the recess portion 28a.

The duct cover 29 may cover the open rear side of the recess portion 28a and/or the open rear side of the duct connecting portion 28b. The connection flow path P may be a passage formed by the tub duct 28 and the duct cover 29 together.

The tub duct 28 may include a step portion 28c for expanding a cross-sectional area of the connection flow path P. Due to the step portion 28c, a width of a part of the connection flow path P, formed by the duct connecting portion 28b may be larger than a width of another part of the connection flow path P, formed by the recess portion 28a.

The drying device 100 may include the discharge device 140 for discharging air discharged from the tub 20 to the outside of the clothes treating apparatus 1. The discharge device 140 may be mounted on the drying case 101. The discharge device 140 may form the discharge flow path 146 through which air discharged from the tub 20 is discharged to the outside of the housing 10.

The discharge device 140 may include a discharge base 141. The discharge base 141 may be mounted on the drying case 101. The discharge base 141 may form at least a part of the discharge flow path 146. The discharge base 141 may be shaped such that the discharge flow path 146 has a substantially U-shape.

The discharge device 140 may include a discharge cover 142. The discharge cover 142 may be coupled to the discharge base 141. The discharge cover 142 may form at least a part of the discharge flow path 146. The discharge cover 142 may cover an open side of the discharge base 141. The discharge cover 142 may form at least a part of the discharge flow path 146 together with the discharge base 141. For example, the discharge cover 142 may be coupled to the discharge base 141 to form at least a part of the discharge flow path 146.

The discharge device 140 may include the discharge connection part 143 connected to the tub 20. The discharge connection part 143 may guide air discharged from the tub 20 and passed through the connection flow path P. A flow path through which air flows may be formed inside the discharge connection part 143. The discharge connection part 143 may be connected to the duct connecting portion 28b of the tub 20.

For example, the discharge connection part 143 may include a flexible material. For example, the discharge connection part 143 may have a structure capable of changing in length. For example, the discharge connection part 143 may include an elastic material. For example, the discharge connection part 143 may include a stretchy material. The discharge connection part 143 may reduce vibration of the tub 20 that is transferred to the drying device 100. The discharge connection part 143 may seal between the duct connecting portion 28b of the tub 20 and the duct guide 144 of the discharge device 140.

The discharge device 140 may include the duct guide 144 connected to the discharge connection part 143. The duct guide 144 may guide air passed through the discharge connection part 143 to the discharge flow path 146. The duct guide 144 may connect the discharge connection part 143 to the discharge base 141 and/or the discharge cover 142. The duct guide 144 may change a flow direction of air discharged from the tub 20 and flowing upward along the connection flow path P. The duct guide 144 may include a material having higher rigidity than the discharge connection part 143.

The discharge device 140 may include a discharge guide 145 for guiding air passed through the discharge base 141 to the outside of the housing 10. The discharge guide 145 may be connected to the discharge base 141. The discharge guide 145 may be installed at a guide installing portion 102 formed in the drying case 101. The guide installing portion 102 may be positioned in a rear end portion of the drying case 101.

The discharge guide 145 may be positioned in a substantially central area of the rear end portion of the drying device 100. For example, the water supply valves 41 and 42 may be positioned at one side of the discharge guide 145, and the terminal module 90 may be positioned at another side of the discharge guide 145, which is opposite to the one side of the discharge guide 145 at which the water supply valves 41 and 42 are positioned. The discharge guide 145 may be positioned between the water supply valves 41 and 42 and the terminal module 90 in the rear end portion of the drying device 100.

The drying device 100 may include a discharge filter 150 that is detachably couplable to the discharge device 140. The discharge filter 150 may filter out foreign materials from air passing through the discharge device 140. The discharge filter 150 may filter out foreign materials from air passing through the discharge flow path 146. The discharge filter 150 may be detachably installed on the discharge base 141 and/or the discharge cover 142. The discharge filter 150 may be accessible by opening the upper door 19 shown in FIG. 1.

A filter installing portion 141a for installing the discharge filter 150 may be provided on the discharge base 141. The filter installing portion 141a may extend from a front end portion of the discharge base 141 toward a rear direction. The filter installing portion 141a may correspond to a size and/or shape of the discharge filter 150. The filter installing portion 141a may include a rail on which the discharge filter 150 slides. The discharge filter 150 may be installed on the filter installing portion 141 by sliding on the filter installing portion 141a.

In the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, because the discharge filter 150 for filtering out foreign materials from humid air discharged from the tub 20 is installed in the drying device 100 positioned above the tub 20, a user or operator may easily access the discharge filter 150 to maintain and/or repair the discharge filter 150.

The drying device 100 may include a humidity sensor 180 for detecting humidity of air discharged through the discharge device 140. The humidity sensor 180 may detect humidity of air passing through the discharge flow path 146. For example, the humidity sensor 180 may be mounted on the discharge device 140.

The drying device 100 may include an Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) filter 108. The EMI filter 108 may reduce or block electromagnetic interference of the clothes treating apparatus 1. The EMI filter 108 may be mounted on the drying case 101. For example, the EMI filter 108 may be positioned behind the hot air supply device 110. For example, the EMI filter 108 may be positioned at a corner of the drying case 101.

In the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, because the drying heater 120 is positioned in the hot air supply device 110 and the discharge filter 150 is positioned in the discharge device 140, the discharge filter 150 may be prevented from being damaged by the drying heater 120.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the hot air supply device 110 and the discharge device 140 may be independently separated from the drying case 101. The hot air supply device 110 and the discharge device 140 may be provided as separate components.

FIG. 11 shows a supply flow path and a discharge flow path formed inside a drying device of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 12 shows imaginary lines expressing a volume of a space formed inside a discharge device of a drying device in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 13 is a graph showing changes in air volume and flow resistance according to changes in internal volume of a discharge device of a drying device in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the supply flow path 116 and the discharge flow path 146 may be separated from each other. For example, in the clothes treating apparatus 1, as seen from above, the hot air supply device 110 forming the supply flow path 116 may be positioned in a region other than that occupied by the discharge device 140 forming the discharge flow path 146.

For example, in the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a part of the discharge flow path 146 though which air discharged from the tub 20 flows may be positioned to one side from the discharge guide 145, and the drying heater 120 and the supply fan 130 may be positioned to another side that is opposite to the one side to which the one part of the discharge flow path 146 is positioned.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 11, the drying device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may heat air flowed into the hot air supply device 110 and supply the heated air to the tub 20. In the supply flow path 116 formed inside the hot air supply device 110, an airflow may be formed by the supply fan 130. While the supply fan 130 operates, air received from the rear end portion of the drying device 100 may flow to a front end portion of the drying device 100. Air passing through the supply flow path 116 may be heated by the drying heater 120. The hot air supply device 110 may provide hot and dry air by the drying heater 120.

The drying device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may discharge air discharged from the tub 20 and flowed into the discharge device 140 to the outside of the drying device 100. Air discharged from the inside of the tub 20 and then passed through the connection flow path P may pass through the discharge connection part 143 and the duct guide 144 sequentially and then flow into the discharge flow path 146.

The discharge flow path 146 may include a first discharge flow path 146a and a second flow path 146b. The first discharge flow path 146a may extend from the duct guide 144 to the discharge filter 150. The second discharge flow path 146b may extend from the discharge filter 150 to the discharge guide 145.

A direction of air flowing through the first discharge flow path 146a may be different from a direction of air flowing through the second discharge flow path 146b. For example, air flowing through the first discharge flow path 146a may move from the rear end portion of the drying device 100 to the front end portion, and air flowing through the second discharge flow path 146b may move from the front end portion of the drying device 100 to the rear end portion. The first discharge flow path 146a and the second discharge flow path 146b may be arranged in parallel to each other. Air flowing through the first discharge flow path 146a may change in direction and then flow through the second discharge flow path 146b. The discharge filter 150 may be positioned at a region at which air flows from the first discharge flow path 146a to the second discharge flow path 146b. Air flowing through the discharge flow path 146 may change in direction at the region at which the discharge filter 150 is positioned.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may improve drying efficiency because air received through a rear end portion of the clothes treating apparatus 1 is guided to a front end portion of the clothes treating apparatus 1 in the hot air supply device 110, heated, and then supplied to a front end portion of the tub 20.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may improve drying efficiency because hot and dry air is supplied to the front end portion of the tub 20 and humid air which has dried clothes is discharged from the rear end portion of the tub 20.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may improve drying efficiency because air discharged from the rear end portion of the tub 20 is guided to the rear end portion of the discharge device 140, air flowed into the discharge device 140 moves from a rear portion of the discharge device 140 to a front portion of the discharge device 140 before passing through the discharge filter 150, air passed through the discharge filter 150 moves from the front portion of the discharge device 140 to the rear portion of the discharge device 140.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the drying device 100 which is seen from above, a largest cross-sectional area DA of cross-sectional areas in horizontal direction of the discharge flow path 146 may be 35% or more of a cross-sectional area TA in horizontal direction of the drying device 100. As shown in FIG. 11, in the drying device 100 which is seen from above, a discharge flow path area DA in which the discharge flow path 146 is formed may be 35% or more of a total area TA of the drying device 100. As shown in FIG. 11, in the drying device 100 which is seen from above, the discharge flow path area DA in which the discharge flow path 146 is formed may be 50% or more of the total area TA of the drying device 100. By providing an area of the discharge flow path 146 of a preset size or larger, the drying device 100 of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may secure a flow rate and/or air volume.

Referring to FIG. 12, for example, in the drying device 100, a first volume V1 of the first discharge flow path 146a formed in the discharge device 140 may be 40% of a total volume TV of the discharge flow path 146, a second volume V2 of the second discharge flow path 146b formed in the discharge device 140 may be 49% of the total volume TV of the discharge flow path 146, and a filter volume FV of the filter installing portion 141a formed in the discharge device 140 may be 11% of the total volume TV of the discharge flow path 146. For example, the total volume TV of the discharge flow path 146 may be 19,304,000 mm³, the first volume V1 of the first discharge flow path 146a may be 7,658,090 mm³, the second volume V2 of the second discharge flow path 146b may be 9,448,436 mm³, and the filter volume FV of the filter installing portion 141a may be 2,197,474 mm³.

For example, in the drying device 100 which is seen from above, in the case in which the discharge flow path area DA in which the discharge flow path 146 is formed is 35% or less of the total area TA of the drying device 100 and/or the first volume V1 of the first discharge flow path 146a is 40% or less of the total volume TV of the discharge flow path 146, flow resistance may increase. In the case in which the flow rate of the discharge flow path 146 of the drying device 100 increases, an air volume discharged from the discharge device 140 with respect to an air volume flowed into the discharge device 140 may be reduced. To compensate for the reduction of air volume, the drying device 100 may increase an output of the supply fan 130, resulting in an increase of consumption power. In addition, due to the increase of consumption power by the supply fan 130, the drying heater 120 may be overloaded, which may increase a risk of fire.

In the drying device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, as seen from above, because the discharge flow path area DA in which the discharge flow path 146 is formed is 35% or more of the total area TA of the drying device 100 and/or the first volume V1 of the first discharge flow path 146a is 40% or more of the total volume TV of the discharge flow path 146, flow resistance may be reduced, which may reduce an air volume of the discharge flow path 146, increase an output of the supply fan 130, increase consumption power, reduce overload of the drying heater 120, and reduce a risk of fire.

Referring to FIG. 13, in the discharge device 140 of the drying device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, as the total volume TV of the discharge flow path 146 increases, resistance of the discharge flow path 146 may be reduced, and an air volume of the discharge flow path 146 may increase. In the discharge device 140 of the drying device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, as the total volume TV of the discharge flow path 146 formed inside the discharge device 140 decreases, resistance of the discharge flow path 146 may increase, and an air volume of the discharge flow path 146 may decrease. The drying device 100 of the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may increase the total volume TV of the discharge flow path 146, thereby improving efficiency of air volume.

In the discharge device 140 of the drying device 100, a cross-sectional area of the first discharge flow path 146a may be equal to or larger than a cross-sectional area of a flow path through which air discharged from the tub 20 and flowing into the discharge device 140 flows. For example, the cross-sectional area of the first discharge flow path 146a of the discharge device 140 may be equal to or larger than a cross-sectional area of an inlet of the discharge connection part 143, the inlet being connected to the tub 20.

In the discharge device 140 of the drying device 100, a cross-sectional area of a part of the discharge flow path 146, at which air passes through the discharge filter 150, may be equal to or larger than the cross-sectional area of the flow path through which air discharged from the tub 20 and flowing into the discharge device 140 flows. For example, in the discharge device 140, the cross-sectional area of the part of the discharge flow path 146, at which air passes through the discharge filter 150 may be equal to or larger than the cross-sectional area of the inlet of the discharge connection part 143, the inlet being connected to the tub 20.

In the discharge device 140 of the drying device 100, a cross-sectional area of the second discharge flow path 146b may be equal to or larger than a cross-sectional area of the discharge guide 145.

According to this configuration, the drying device 100 of the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may reduce pressure loss and improve drying performance.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a discharge device of a drying device in a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 14, the discharge device 140 may include at least one sealing member 160 to reduce leakage of air passing through the discharge device 140 from the discharge device 140.

For example, the sealing member 160 may include a first sealing member 161 for sealing between the discharge base 141 and the discharge cover 142. The first sealing member 161 may be provided on a region at which the discharge cover 142 is coupled to the discharge base 141. The first sealing member 161 may be positioned along an edge of at least one of the discharge base 141 or the discharge cover 162. The first sealing member 161 may include a material that is more flexible than the discharge base 141 and/or the discharge cover 142.

For example, the sealing member 160 may include a second sealing member 162 for sealing between the discharge base 141, the discharge cover 142, and the duct guide 144. The second sealing member 162 may be provided on a region at which the duct guide 144 is coupled to the discharge base 141 and the discharge cover 142. The second sealing member 162 may be positioned along at least one edge of the duct guide 144 toward the discharge base 141 and the discharge cover 142. The second sealing member 162 may include a material that is more flexible than the discharge base 141, the discharge cover 142, and/or the duct guide 144.

For example, the sealing member 160 may include a third sealing member 163 for sealing between the discharge base 141 and the discharge guide 145. The third sealing member 163 may be positioned on a region at which the discharge guide 145 is coupled to the discharge base 141. The third sealing member 163 may be positioned along at least one edge of the discharge guide 145 toward the discharge base 141. The third sealing member 163 may include a material that is more flexible than the discharge base 141 and/or the discharge guide 145.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may improve sealing performance of the discharge flow path 146 formed inside the discharge device 140 to prevent loss of air volume, improve drying performance, and reduce a risk of fire caused by leakage of lint.

FIG. 15 shows a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure, to which an exhaust pipe is connected.

Referring to FIG. 15, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include an exhaust pipe 199 for guiding air discharged through the discharge guide 145 of the drying device 100 to outside. In the case in which the clothes treating apparatus 1 is installed indoor and the exhaust pipe 199 is not connected to the discharge guide 145, humid air discharged through the discharge guide 145 may be discharged indoor. In the case in which the clothes treating apparatus 1 is installed indoor and the exhaust pipe 199 is connected to the discharge guide 145, humid air discharged through the discharge guide 145 may be guided to the outside by the exhaust pipe 199 and discharged to the outside.

FIG. 16 is a control block diagram of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 16, the clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the controller 80. The controller 80 may be electrically connected to various components and/or devices of the clothes treating apparatus 1 and control the various components and/or devices.

For example, the controller 80 may control the control panel 15, the driving device 36, the water supply device 40, the drain pump 71, the circulation pump 76, the drying device 100, and a communication interface 89. The controller 80 may be electrically connected to a supply temperature sensor 86 and a discharge temperature sensor 88.

The controller 80 may include a processor 81 and a memory 82. The memory 82 may include a volatile memory (for example, Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) and Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM)) and a non-volatile memory (for example, Read Only Memory (ROM) and Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM)). The processor 81 and memory 82 may be implemented as separate chips or a single chip. Also, a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories may be provided. The processor 81 may process various data and various signals by using an instruction, data, a program, and/or software stored in the memory 82. The processor 81 may include one core or a plurality of cores. The processor 81 may generate a control signal for controlling the components of the clothes treating apparatus 1.

The control panel 15 may obtain various user inputs and output various information related to operations of the clothes treating apparatus 1. The control panel 15 may include an input interface 15a and an output interface 15b.

The input interface 15a may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal. For example, the input interface 15a may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing/rinsing/dehydrating setting button. The input interface 15a may include, for example, a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone, etc.

The output interface 15b may visually or aurally transfer information related to an operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 to a user. For example, the output interface 15b may transfer, to the user, various information, such as a washing course, a washing setting, a rinsing setting, a dehydrating setting, a drying course, a drying setting, and/or an operation time of the clothes treating apparatus 1. Information related to an operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may be output through a screen, an indicator, a voice, etc. The output interface 15b may include, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.

The controller 80 may control an operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on a user input obtained through the control panel 15. For example, the controller 80 may turn on or off the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on a user input of turning on or off the clothes treating apparatus 1. The controller 300 may set an operation course of the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on a user input of setting the operation course of the clothes treating apparatus 1.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may provide various operation courses. For example, the operation courses of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may broadly include a washing course, a drying course, and a heat exchanger cleaning course.

The washing course may be provided as a plurality of washing courses according to kinds (for example, clothes, bedclothes, underwear, etc.) and materials (for example, cotton, wool, nylon, etc.) of laundry. For example, the washing courses may include at least one of, for example, a standard course, a strong course, a delicate clothes course, a bedclothes course, a baby clothes course, a towel course, a boiling course, or an outdoor clothes course. The plurality of washing courses may include different washing settings (e.g., different washing temperatures, different numbers of rinsing operations, different intensities of dehydrating, etc.). According to a selection of one of the plurality of washing courses through the control panel 15 or an external user device, the controller 80 may control the clothes treating apparatus 1 to perform a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a dehydrating cycle corresponding to the selected washing course. The washing courses may include a rinsing and dehydrating course, a rinsing course, and a dehydrating course, which exclude a washing cycle. The washing courses are not limited to the above-mentioned examples.

The drying course may also be provided as a plurality of drying courses according to kinds (for example, clothes, bedclothes, underwear, etc.) and materials (for example, cotton, wool, nylon, etc.) of an object to be dried. For example, the drying course may include at least one of, for example, standard drying, strong drying, delicate clothes drying, bedclothes drying, baby clothes drying, towel drying, or outdoor clothes drying. The plurality of drying courses may include different washing settings (e.g., different drying temperatures, different drying times, etc.). According to a selection of one of the plurality of drying courses through the control panel 15 or an external user device, the controller 80 may control the clothes treating apparatus 1 to perform a drying cycle corresponding to the selected drying course. The drying courses are not limited to the above-mentioned examples.

The controller 80 may control the control panel 15 to output various information related to an operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1. For example, the control panel 15 may visually and/or aurally output information about an operation course, an operation time, a washing setting, a rinsing setting, a dehydrating setting, and/or a drying setting of the clothes treating apparatus 1. The control panel 15 may output information related to an error of the clothes treating apparatus 1.

The driving device 36 may rotate the drum 30 according to control by the controller 80. The driving device 36 may include a driving motor. The controller 80 may control the driving motor to adjust a rotation speed of the drum 30.

The water supply device 40 may selectively supply water to the tub 20. The water supply device 40 may include the water supply pipes 43 and 44 connected to an external water supply source, and the water supply valves 41 and 42 that open or close the water supply pipes 43 and 44. The water supply device 40 may include the first water supply valve 41 and the second water supply valve 42. As described above, the first water supply valve 41 may correspond to a hot water valve. The second water supply valve 42 may correspond to a cool water valve. The water supply pipes 43 and 44 may include the first water supply pipe 43 corresponding to the hot water pipe 43 and the second water supply pipe 44 corresponding to the cool water pipe 44.

The controller 80 may control opening and closing of the first water supply valve 41 and the second water supply valve 42. The controller 80 may adjust an opening degree of each of the first water supply valve 41 and the second water supply valve 42. The first water supply valve 41 may open or close the first water supply pipe 43 based on an electrical signal transmitted from the controller 80. The second water supply valve 42 may open or close the second water supply pipe 44 based on an electrical signal transmitted from the controller 80.

The drain pump 71 may discharge water in the tub 20 to the outside of the housing 10. The controller 80 may control the drain pump 71 to discharge water in the tub 20 to the outside through the drain pipe 73.

The circulation pump 76 may send water in the tub 20 to the lower detergent supply device 60. Water passed through the circulation pump 76 and the lower detergent supply device 60 may return to the tub 20. The controller 80 may control the circulation pump 76 to circulate water in the tub 20 via the lower detergent supply device 60.

The drying device 100 may heat air and supply the heated air to the tub 20. The controller 80 may operate the drying device 100 to dry laundry located inside the drum 30. To generate dry and hot air, the drying device 100 may include the supply fan 130 and the drying heater 120.

The controller 80 may control the supply fan 130 and the drying heater 120 included in the drying device 100. The controller 80 may operate the supply fan 130 to supply dry and hot air into the drum 30. The controller 80 may adjust Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) of the supply fan 130. A flow rate of air that is supplied into the drum 30 may depend on the RPM of the supply fan 130.

The supply temperature sensor 86 may detect a temperature of air supplied to the tub 20 and transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the temperature of air supplied to the tub 20 to the controller 80. The supply temperature sensor 86 may transmit a first temperature value of air supplied to the tub 20 to the controller 80. The controller 80 may identify the first temperature value of air supplied to the tub 20, based on the electrical signal transmitted from the supply temperature sensor 86. The supply temperature sensor 86 may be positioned on the hot air supply device 110. For example, the supply temperature sensor 86 may be positioned on the supply connection part 114 of the hot air supply device 110. For example, the supply temperature sensor 86 may be positioned at an end location of the supply flow path 116.

The discharge temperature sensor 87 may detect a temperature of air discharged from the tub 20 and transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the temperature of the air discharged from the tub 20 to the controller 80. The discharge temperature sensor 87 may transmit a second temperature value of air discharged from the tub 20 to the controller 80. The controller 80 may identify the second temperature vale of air discharged from the tub 20, based on the electrical signal transmitted from the discharge temperature sensor 87. The discharge temperature sensor 87 may be positioned on the discharge device 140. For example, the discharge temperature sensor 87 may be positioned at an entrance of the discharge flow path 146 of the discharge device 140. For example, the discharge temperature sensor 87 may be positioned at a start location at which air flows from the duct guide 144 to the discharge base 141 and the discharge cover 142.

The controller 80 may perform heating reduction control based on at least one of a first temperature value of air supplied to the tub 20 or a second temperature value discharged from the tub 20. For example, based on a first temperature value of air supplied to the tub 20 exceeding a first threshold value set in advance, the controller 80 may perform heating reduction control. Based on a second temperature value of air discharged from the tub 20 being greater than a second threshold value set in advance, the controller 80 may perform heating reduction control. The first threshold value and the second threshold value may be equal to or different from each other and may change according to a design. For example, according to clothes being dried with air of a relatively high temperature during a drying cycle, at least one of a first temperature value of air supplied to the tub 20 or a second temperature value discharged from the tub 20 may exceed the threshold value.

The controller 80 may control the control panel 15 to visually and/or aurally output temperature information of air supplied to the tub 20 and temperature information of air discharged from the tub 20. Temperature information of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may include at least one of first temperature information of air supplied to the tub 20 or second temperature information of air discharged from the tub 20. The temperature information may include at least one of a first temperature value of air supplied to the tub 20 or a second temperature value of air discharged from the tub 20. The first temperature value of air supplied to the tub 20 and the second temperature value of air discharged from the tub 20 may be expressed in Celsius (° C.) or Fahrenheit (° F.). In addition, the temperature information may include information about heating reduction control that is performed based on at least one of a first temperature value of air supplied to tub 20 or a second temperature value of air discharged from the tub 20.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may cause the controller 80 to perform heating reduction control based on a temperature value measured by the supply temperature sensor 86, thereby reducing damage of the supply connection part 114 and/or the laundry door 17 and protecting a user.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure may cause the controller 80 to perform heating reduction control based on a temperature value measured by the discharge temperature sensor 87, thereby reducing damage of the discharge filter 150 or the humidity sensor and adjusting a temperature of air discharged to the outside of the clothes treating apparatus 1 to a preset temperature or lower to improve a consumer's safety.

The controller 80 may control the control panel 15 to visually and/or aurally output noise information corresponding to a temperature of air supplied to the tub 20 and/or a temperature of air discharged from the tub 20. The noise information may include a first noise value corresponding to a first temperature value of air supplied to the tub 20 and a second noise value corresponding to a second temperature value of air discharged from the tub 20. The first noise value corresponding to the first temperature value of air supplied to the tub 20 and the second noise value corresponding to the second temperature value of air discharged from the tub 20 may be expressed in decibels (DB).

The communication interface 89 may include various communication circuits for performing wired communication and/or wireless communication with an external device (for example, a server, a user device, and/or another home appliance). The user device may include various electronic devices, such as a smartphone, a notebook, a laptop, a smartwatch, a stationary tablet, a speaker, etc. A user input may be obtained through the user device as well as through the control panel 15.

The communication interface 89 may include at least one of a short-range communication circuit or a long-distance communication circuit. The communication interface 89 may transmit data to an external device or receive data from an external device. For example, the communication interface 89 may support cellular communication, a wireless local area network, Home Radio Frequency (Home RF), infrared communication, Ultra-wide band (UWB) communication, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, AD-HOC, and/or Zigbee. Communication technologies supported by the communication interface 89 are not limited to the above-mentioned examples.

The communication interface 89 may communicate with an external device through an Access Point (AP). The AP may connect a Local Area Network (LAN) to which the clothes treating apparatus 1 is connected to a Wide Area Network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The clothes treating apparatus 1 may be connected to the server through the WAN.

A clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment includes a housing, a tub inside the housing, and a drying device positioned above the tub, and including a hot air supply device configured to supply heated air to inside of the tub and a discharge device configured to receive air discharged from the tub and discharge the received air to outside of the housing. The discharge device includes a discharge guide positioned in a rear end portion of the drying device above the tub and configured to guide the received air to the outside of the housing.

The discharge device may include a discharge flow path through which the received air flows to the outside of the housing. A largest cross-sectional area of the discharge flow path in a horizontal direction may be 35% or more of a cross-sectional area of the drying device in the horizontal direction.

The clothes treating apparatus may further include a discharge filter detachably mounted to the drying device.

The discharge device may include a first discharge flow path through which the received air flows to the discharge filter. A cross-sectional area of the first discharge flow path in a direction that is perpendicular to a flow of the received air may be equal to or larger than a cross-sectional area of a region at which the discharge device is connected to the tub.

A volume of the first discharge flow path may be 40% or more of an internal volume of the discharge device.

The discharge device may include a discharge flow path through which the received air flows to the outside of the housing. A cross-sectional area of the discharge flow path passing through the discharge filter in a direction that is perpendicular to a flow of the received air may be equal to or larger than a cross-sectional area of a region at which the discharge device is connected to the tub.

The discharge device may include a first discharge flow path through which the received air flows to the discharge filter. The discharge device may include a second discharge flow path through which the received air flows from the discharge filter to outside of the discharge device. A cross-sectional area of the second discharge flow path in a direction that is perpendicular to a flow of the received air may be equal to or larger than a cross-sectional area of the discharge guide in a direction that is perpendicular to the flow of the received air.

The hot air supply device may include a supply fan configured to blow air drawn into the hot air supply device from the outside of the housing to the tub, and a drying heater configured to heat the air blown by the supply fan.

The clothes treating apparatus may further include a supply temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the heated air supplied to the tub through the hot air supply device, and a controller configured to control

at least one of the drying heater or the supply fan, based on a value of the measured temperature.

The clothes treating apparatus may further include a discharge temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the air discharged from the tub through the discharge device, and a controller configured to control at least one of the drying heater or the supply fan, based on a value of the measured temperature.

The discharge device may include a discharge connection part connected to the tub. The discharge connection part may include an elastic material configured to reduce vibration of the tub that is transferred to the drying device.

The clothes treating apparatus may further include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub, and a terminal module configured to supply power. The water supply device may be positioned at a first side of the discharge guide in the rear end portion of the drying device. The terminal module may be positioned at a second side of the discharge guide opposite to the first side, at the rear end portion of the drying device.

The hot air supply device may be configured such that air drawn from the rear end portion of the drying device is supplied to the front end portion of the tub. The discharge device may be configured such that the air discharged from the rear end portion of the tub is discharged at the rear end portion of the drying device via a front end portion of the drying device.

The discharge device may include a discharge base forming at least a part of a discharge flow path, a discharge cover coupled to the discharge base, and a sealing member on at least a region at which the discharge cover is coupled to the discharge base, the sealing member being configured to reduce leakage of air from the discharge flow path.

The housing may include an outside air hole through which air is drawn into the housing. The outside air hole may be positioned above the tub in a rear side of the housing.

A clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment includes a housing, a tub provided inside the housing, and a drying device positioned above the tub, and including a hot air supply device including a supply flow path formed to supply heated air to inside of the tub and a discharge device including a discharge flow path formed to discharge air discharged from the tub to outside of the housing, and a discharge filter detachably installed on the discharge device and positioned on the discharge flow path. The discharge flow path includes a first discharge flow path through which air discharged from the tub flows toward the discharge filter, and a second discharge flow path through which air passed through the discharge filter flows to outside of the drying device. The first discharge flow path is positioned to one side of the second discharge flow path. The supply flow path is partitioned from the discharge flow path and positioned to another side of the second discharge flow path, the other side being opposite to the one side to which the first discharge flow path is positioned.

A largest cross-sectional area of cross-sectional areas in horizontal direction of the discharge flow path may be 35% or more of a cross-sectional area in horizontal direction of the drying device.

The clothes treating apparatus may further include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub, and a terminal module configured to supply power. The discharge device may include a discharge guide positioned in a rear end portion of the drying device above the tub and configured to discharge internal air of the discharge device to the outside of the housing. The water supply device may be positioned to one side of the discharge guide in the rear end portion of the drying device. The terminal module may be positioned to another side of the discharge guide in the rear end portion of the drying device, the other side being opposite to the one side to which the water supply device is positioned.

The hot air supply device may include a supply fan configured to blow air flowed into the housing to the tub, and a drying heater configured to heat air blown by the supply fan.

The clothes treating apparatus may further include a supply temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of air supplied to the tub through the hot air supply device, a discharge temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of air discharged from the tub through the discharge device, and a controller configured to control at least one of the drying heater or the supply fan, based on at least one of a temperature value of air measured by the supply temperature sensor or a temperature value of air measured by the discharge temperature sensor.

According to a concept of the disclosure, the clothes treating apparatus may wash and dry clothes in one space without having to move clothes, thereby increasing convenience of use.

According to a concept of the disclosure, the clothes treating apparatus may improve safety because the heater and the filter are arranged in partitioned spaces, respectively.

According to a concept of the disclosure, the clothes treating apparatus may facilitate accessibility for maintenance and/or repair of the

discharge filter because the discharge filter is detachably installed in the drying device positioned above the tub.

According to a concept of the disclosure, the clothes treating apparatus may facilitate accessibility for installing the exhaust pipe in the discharge device because the discharge guide of the discharge device is positioned above the tub.

According to a concept of the disclosure, the clothes treating apparatus may perform heating reduction control based on a temperature of air measured by the temperature sensor, thereby improving safety.

According to a concept of the disclosure, the clothes treating apparatus may reduce an unnecessary space because the tub duct, the discharge guide of the discharge device, and the supply fan are arranged in parallel as seen

from above.

According to a concept of the disclosure, the clothes treating apparatus may secure an air volume and improve drying efficiency because a cross-sectional area in horizontal direction of the discharge flow path inside the discharge device is larger than or equal to a preset cross-sectional area.

Effects that may be achieved according to the disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the disclosure belongs from the following descriptions.

So far, specific embodiments have been shown and described. However, the disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made by one of ordinary skill in the technical art to which the disclosure belongs without departing from the gist of the technical idea of the disclosure defined by the claims below.