CLOTHES CARE APPARATUS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. § 111(a), of international application No. PCT/KR 2024/009293, filed Jul. 2, 2024, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0112170, filed Aug. 25, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0142691, filed Oct. 24, 2023, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a clothes care apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

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

The clothes care apparatus may include a hot air supply device that supplies hot air to a management room for drying clothes, and may also include a steam generator for performing refreshing functions, such as wrinkle removal, deodorization, static electricity removal, fragrance provision, and the like.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a clothes care apparatus that includes a spot cleaning device to enable partial washing of clothes.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a clothes care apparatus capable of supplying and draining water to and from a spot cleaning device without removing a water supply tank and a drainage tank of the spot cleaning device.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a clothes care apparatus capable of automatically performing water supply to a water supply tank and drainage from the drainage tank of a spot cleaning device.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a clothes care apparatus capable of supplying water from a relatively large capacity cabinet water supply tank to a relatively small capacity water supply tank of a spot cleaning device.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a clothes care apparatus capable of draining water from a relatively small capacity drainage tank of a spot cleaning device to a relatively large capacity cabinet drainage tank.

Technical tasks to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical tasks mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

Technical Solution

A clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a cabinet; a management room formed inside the cabinet and configured to accommodate clothes; a cabinet water supply tank attachable to and detachable from the cabinet; a cabinet drainage tank detachably mounted to the cabinet; a clothes support member attachable to and detachable from an upper side of the management room and configured to support an upper portion of the clothes; a door configured to open or close the management room; and a spot cleaning device, arrangeable on one side wall of the management room, to at least partially wash clothes which are accommodated in the management room, the spot cleaning device including a water supply tank and a drainage tank. The water supply tank of the spot cleaning device is connectable to the cabinet water supply tank to receive from the cabinet water supply tank, and the drainage tank of the spot cleaning device connectable to the cabinet drainage tank to discharge water into the cabinet drainage tank.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which a door of the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment is opened.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a spot cleaning device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates the spot cleaning device according to an embodiment from another angle.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the spot cleaning device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a water supply flow path and a drain flow path in the spot cleaning device according to an embodiment, with some configurations omitted for clarity.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the spot cleaning device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a spot cleaning device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a spot cleaning device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a moving device in the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a view of FIG. 12 from another angle according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates configurations provided below a home positioning portion in the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of portion D of FIG. 15 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion of the spot cleaning device connected to the home positioning portion in the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view for explaining a water supply and drainage process of the spot cleaning device connected to the home positioning portion in the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view for explaining a water supply process to a steam generator in the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a control block diagram of the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a control panel according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for determining a target area by the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example of an interface for setting a target area provided by the control panel according to an embodiment.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a button for setting a target area provided on the control panel according to an embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a method for determining a target area by the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 illustrates the spot cleaning device scanning clothes accommodated in the management room according to an embodiment.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example of an overall image of clothes acquired by the spot cleaning device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 28 illustrates an example in which the overall image of clothes is displayed on the control panel according to an embodiment.

FIG. 29 illustrates a state in which the overall image of clothes acquired by the clothes care apparatus is transmitted to a user device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining a method of automatically setting a target area by the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present document and terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the corresponding embodiments.

In connection with the description 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 a plurality of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.

In this document, 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 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, elements, 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.

Throughout the description, when an element is “on” another element, this includes not only when the element is in contact with the other element, but also when there is another element between the two elements.

As used herein, the terms “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings and are not intended to limit the shape and location of each element.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which a door of the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment is opened. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a clothes care apparatus 1 may include a cabinet 10 forming an exterior and a door 20 rotatably coupled to the cabinet 10.

The cabinet 10 may form a management room 11 configured to receive clothes. The cabinet 10 may have a cuboidal shape with one side open. An opening 10a may be formed on a front surface of the cabinet 10. Accordingly, the management room 11 may be provided with an open front side.

The door 20 may be configured to open or close the opening 10a of the cabinet 10. The door 20 may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet 10. The door 20 may open or close the management room 11 by opening or closing the opening 10a of the cabinet 10. The door 20 may be rotatably coupled to the cabinet 10 via a connection member, such as a hinge 20a. In another example, the door 20 may be movably coupled to the cabinet 10. The door may be provided with a control panel 70. A display 35 may be provided on a front surface of the door 20.

Inside the cabinet 10, a machine room 13, which is partitioned from the management room 11, may be formed. The machine room 13 may accommodate a heat exchanger 45 configured to heat or dehumidify the air inside the management room 11. The machine room 13 may accommodate a steam generator 40 configured to supply steam to an interior of the management room 11.

The management room 11 may be configured to receive clothes. The management room 11 may form a space in which clothes are accommodated. Within the management room 11, a clothes support member (e.g., clothes supporter) 50 configured to support clothes may be provided.

The clothes support member 50 may be detachably coupled to an upper side of the management room 11. One or more clothes support members 50 may be provided inside the management room 11. For example, a plurality of clothes support members 50 may be provided inside the management room 11.

The clothes support member 50 may be provided in the shape of hangers so that clothes may be hung thereon. The clothes support member 50 may be configured to allow air to flow therein. Dirt or foreign matter from the clothes may be removed by blowing air supplied into the clothes support member 50 toward the clothes.

The management room 11 may include a first airflow inlet 11a and a second airflow inlet 12a, and a first airflow outlet 11b and a second airflow outlet 12b.

The first airflow inlet 11a and the first airflow outlet 11b may be formed on a lower surface of the management room 11. The first airflow inlet 11a may be disposed on a front side of the lower surface of the management room 11. The first airflow outlet 11b may be disposed on a rear side of the lower surface of the management room 11. The second airflow inlet 12a may be formed on a rear surface of the management room 11. The second airflow outlet 12b may be formed on an upper surface of the management room 11. The second airflow inlet 12a and the second airflow outlet 12b may be disposed at positions adjacent to each other. To this end, the second airflow inlet 12a may be provided on an upper side of the rear surface of the management room 11. The second airflow outlet 12b may be provided adjacent to a center of the upper surface of the management room 11.

The first airflow inlet 11a may be provided with a grille portion or a filter portion to prevent foreign matter other than water from entering the first airflow inlet 11a. The first airflow outlet 11b may be provided with a grille portion or a filter portion to prevent foreign matter from entering and to allow airflow to spread well inside the management room 11.

The second airflow outlet 12b of the management room 11 may be connected to the clothes support member 50. The air discharged through the second airflow outlet 12b may be delivered to the clothes hung on the clothes support member 50 through an air hole 51 formed in the clothes support member 50. The clothes support member 50 may blow air entering the clothes support member 50 through the second airflow outlet 12b onto the clothes through the air hole 51. The flow rate of the air injected through the air hole 51 of the clothes support member 50 is very high, which may remove dust, foreign matter, and the like on the clothes.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a spot cleaning device (or a partial laundry device) 100 provided inside the management room 11 to partially wash the clothes accommodated in the management room 11.

The spot cleaning device 100 may be disposed inside the management room 11. The spot cleaning device 100 may be provided on one side wall of the management room 11.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a moving device 200 configured to move the spot cleaning device 100 along a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction on one side wall of the management room 11.

The spot cleaning device 100 may be configured to be movable within the management room 11. More specifically, the spot cleaning device 100 may be provided to be movable along the first direction and the second direction on one side wall of the management room 11 by the moving device 200. As used herein, the first direction may refer to a vertical direction, and the second direction may refer to a horizontal direction. The vertical direction may include an up-and-down direction. The horizontal direction may include a front-to-back direction.

As the spot cleaning device 100 is provided to be movable in the first and second directions on one side wall of the management room 11, so that the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 may be spot cleaned. Spot cleaning may mean selectively washing a portion of the clothes. The portion of the clothes subject to spot cleaning may be referred to as a target area. The target area may be determined based on user settings or the like.

The spot cleaning device 100 may be provided to spray a cleaning liquid onto the clothes. The cleaning liquid may refer to a detergent or a liquid that is a mixture of water and detergent. The spot cleaning device 100 may be configured to spray water onto the clothes. The spot cleaning device 100 may be configured to provide micro-vibrations to the clothes after spraying water and the cleaning liquid, or simultaneously with spraying water and the cleaning liquid. The micro-vibrations may be generated by an ultrasonic vibrator provided in the spot cleaning device 100. Thus, the micro-vibrations may be referred to as ultrasonic vibrations. The spot cleaning device 100 may wash the target area by providing micro-vibrations to the target area of the clothes sprayed with water and the cleaning liquid. The spot cleaning device 100 may be configured to draw in the water and the cleaning liquid sprayed onto the clothes. The spot cleaning device 100 may reduce or eliminate the water and the cleaning liquid residue on the clothes by drawing them in. The spot cleaning device 100 may absorb contaminants or foreign matter from the clothes at the same time while drawing in the water and the cleaning liquid. The specific structure of the spot cleaning device 100 will be described below.

At a lower portion of the cabinet 10, a cabinet drainage tank 15a and a cabinet water supply tank (or cabinet water supply reservoir) 15b, which are detachably provided from the cabinet 10, may be installed. The cabinet drainage tank 15a and the cabinet water supply tank 15b may be disposed in a lower portion of the management room 11.

The cabinet drainage tank 15a may be configured to store condensed water generated during operation of the heat exchanger 45 or water formed by the condensation of steam before discharging it. The cabinet drainage tank 15a may be detachably mounted from the cabinet 10 to facilitate draining of water.

The cabinet water supply tank 15b may be configured to store water required to generate steam in the steam generator 40, which will be described later. The water in the cabinet water supply tank 15b may be supplied to the steam generator 40 and utilized to form steam. The cabinet water supply tank 15b may be detachably installed from the cabinet 10 to facilitate water refill.

The cabinet drainage tank 15a and the cabinet water supply tank 15b may be provided on the front side of the machine room 13. The machine room 13 may be provided on a lower side of the cabinet 10. The machine room 13 is arranged below the management room 11 and may be partitioned to form a separate space from the management room 11. Inside the machine room 13, the heat exchanger 45 provided to dehumidify and heat the air inside the management room 11 may be accommodated.

The machine room 13 may include a first fan 42, the heat exchanger 45, and the steam generator 40 therein.

The heat exchanger 45 may supply hot, dry air into the management room 11. The heat exchanger 45 may include an evaporator 46, a compressor 48, and a condenser 47 through which a refrigerant circulates. The heat exchanger 45 may dehumidify and heat air.

As the refrigerant evaporates in the evaporator 46 of the heat exchanger 45, it absorbs latent heat from the surrounding air, which allows the heat exchanger 45 to condense and remove moisture from the air. As the refrigerant is condensed in the condenser 47 through the compressor 48, it releases latent heat to the surrounding air, which allows the heat exchanger 45 to heat the surrounding air. The air drawing into the machine room 13 by the first fan 42 may be dehumidified and heated as it passes sequentially through the evaporator 46 and the condenser 47.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a first duct 71 configured to receive the evaporator 46, the condenser 47, and the first fan 42. The first duct 71 may be disposed in the machine room 13. One end 71a of the first duct 71 may be connected to the first airflow inlet 11a. The other end 71b of the first duct 71 may be connected to the first airflow outlet 11b. The first duct 71 may be connected to the management room 11 via the first airflow inlet 11a and the first airflow outlet 11b.

The air in the management room 11 may enter the first duct 71 through the first airflow inlet 11a and exit the management room 11 through the first airflow outlet 11b. The air entering the first duct 71 may be dehumidified and heated as it passes through the evaporator 46 and the condenser 47. The first duct 71 may form a first circulation flow path 72 that circulates through the management room 11, the first fan 42, the evaporator 46, and the condenser 47. The first fan 42 may be disposed on the first circulation flow path 72 to draw the air from the management room 11 into the first duct 71. The air drawn into the first duct 71 by the first fan 42 may be discharged into the management room 11 through the first airflow outlet 11b. The first circulation flow path 72 may refer to a circulation path through which air drawn into the first duct 71 from the management room 11 through the first airflow inlet 11a is discharged back into the management room 11 from the first duct 71 through the first airflow outlet 11b.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may include the steam generator 40 disposed in the machine room 13. The steam generator 40 may receive water from the cabinet water supply tank 15b in the machine room 13 to form steam.

The steam generator 40 may include a steam generating portion 41 that is connected to the cabinet water supply tank 15b and receives water to generate steam, a steam spraying portion 43 that sprays the steam generated by the steam generating portion 41, and a steam connecting pipe 44 that connects the steam generating portion 41 and the steam spraying portion 43.

The steam spraying portion 43 may be fixed to a steam outlet 43a formed on a lower rear surface of the management room 11. The steam outlet 43a may be formed to correspond to the steam spraying portion 43. The steam spraying portion 43 may spray the steam generated inside the machine room 13 into the management room 11 via the steam outlet 43a. The positions of the steam spraying portion 43 and the steam outlet 43a may be changed.

The steam generating portion 41 may include a heater therein. The steam generating portion 41 may generate steam by the heater heating water.

The door 20 may include a door guide 21 configured to guide water moving downwardly by gravity to the first airflow inlet 11a. The door guide 21 may be provided on a lower side of a rear surface of the door 20. The door guide 21 may be formed to be inclined downwardly from the rear surface of the door 20 toward the first airflow inlet 11a. Water on the rear surface of the door 20 may move to the door guide 21 by gravity, and may be guided rearwardly by the door guide 21 to enter the first airflow inlet 11a. The water flowing in through the first airflow inlet 11a may be moved to the cabinet drainage tank 15a by a connecting member.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a second fan 75 for circulating the air inside the management room 11, and a second duct 73 in which the second fan 75 is installed. The second duct 73 may be connected to the management room 11. One end of the second duct 73 may be connected to the second airflow inlet 12a. The other end of the second duct 73 may be connected to the second airflow outlet 12b. The air entering the second duct 73 through the second airflow inlet 12a may be discharged into the management room 11 via the second airflow outlet 12b. The second fan 75 may be installed inside the second duct 73 to draw air into the second duct 73 through the second airflow inlet 12a. The air drawn into the second duct 73 by the second fan 75 may be discharged into the management room 11 through the second airflow outlet 12b.

The second duct 73 may form a second circulation flow path 74 by connecting the management room 11, the second airflow inlet 12a, and the second airflow outlet 12b. The second circulation flow path 74 may refer to a circulation path in which air entering the second duct 73 from the management room 11 through the second airflow inlet 12a is discharged back into the management room 11 from the second duct 73 through the second airflow outlet 12b.

The second duct 73 may be disposed on a rear side of the management room 11. The second duct 73 may be disposed on a rear side of the second airflow inlet 12a formed on the rear surface of the management room 11. The second duct 73 may be disposed on an upper rear side of the management room 11. A filter member 60 may be detachably installed at the second airflow inlet 12a to filter foreign matter in the air flowing in through the second airflow inlet 12a. The air entering the second duct 73 may be filtered by the filter member 60 to remove foreign matter, such as dust and odors. The filter member 60 may be provided with a sheet for providing fragrance to the clothes in addition to the filter.

The clothes support member 50 may be coupled to the upper side of the management room 11 for connection with the second airflow outlet 12b. The clothes support member 50 may spray the air discharged from the second airflow outlet 12b toward the clothes. The air blown by the clothes support member 50 may remove foreign matter, such as dirt, from the clothes. In another example, the clothes support member 50 may be spaced apart below the second airflow outlet 12b and coupled to the upper side of the management room 11.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may perform a clothes care mode with the clothes hung on the clothes support member 50 and the door 20 closed. In the clothes care mode, the air inside the management room 11 may circulate inside the cabinet 10 along the first circulation flow path 72 and the second circulation flow path 74.

FIG. 4 illustrates a spot cleaning device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates the spot cleaning device according to an embodiment from another angle. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the clothes care apparatus 1 may include the spot cleaning device 100. The spot cleaning device 100 may be provided inside the management room 11 to partially wash the clothes accommodated in the management room 11.

The spot cleaning device 100 may include a water spray portion 101 configured to spray water, a cleaning liquid spray portion 102 configured to spray a cleaning liquid, a vibration portion 103 configured to provide micro-vibrations to the clothes by contacting the clothes, and an intake portion 104 configured to draw in water and the cleaning liquid.

The water spray portion 101 may spray water toward the clothes. The cleaning liquid spray portion 102 may spray a cleaning liquid in which water and detergent are mixed, toward the clothes. In another example, the cleaning liquid may comprise only a detergent with a controlled concentration. The vibration portion 103 may wash the clothes by contacting the clothes and providing micro-vibrations to the clothes. The intake portion 104 may draw in the water, the cleaning liquid, and foreign matter sprayed onto the clothes.

Additionally, the spot cleaning device 100 may further include a roller portion 105 configured to rotate to remove foreign matter from the clothes. The spot cleaning device 100 may include a motor provided to rotate the roller portion 105. The roller portion 105, together with the vibration portion 103, may wash the target area of the clothes. The roller portion 105 may wash the clothes by contacting the clothes. By physically contacting the clothes with water and the cleaning liquid, the roller portion 105 may ensure that the contaminants on the clothes is mixed well with the cleaning liquid. In addition, the roller portion 105 may remove foreign matter, such as dirt, from the clothes by contacting the clothes. In contrast to what is shown in the drawings, the spot cleaning device 100 may not include the roller portion 105. In another example, the spot cleaning device 100 may be configured to include the roller portion 105 instead of the vibration portion 103. In another example, the roller portion 105 may have a brush shape. Other examples will be described later.

According to an embodiment, the spot cleaning device 100 may include a water reservoir 120 including a water supply tank 121 configured to supply water sprayed from the water spray portion 101, and a drainage tank 122 configured to store water drawn in by the intake portion 104. Referring to FIG. 6, the interior of the water reservoir 120 may be partitioned into the water supply tank 121 and the drainage tank 122 by a partition wall 123. In other words, a portion of the water reservoir 120 may be used as the water supply tank 121, and the remaining portion of the water reservoir 120 may be used as the drainage tank 122. The portion and the remaining portion of the water reservoir 120 may be partitioned by the partition wall 123. Alternatively, the spot cleaning device 100 may include a water supply tank and a drainage tank that are separate from each other.

The water reservoir 120 may be provided inside the spot cleaning device 100. As will be described later, the water supply tank 121 may receive water from the cabinet water supply tank 15b mounted on the cabinet 10, and the drainage tank 122 may drain water into the cabinet drainage tank 15a mounted on the cabinet 10. Thus, the water reservoir 120 may be provided so as not to be detached from the spot cleaning device 100. This is because water supply to the water supply tank 121 and drainage of the drainage tank 122 may be possible without detaching the water reservoir 120 from the spot cleaning device 100. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The water reservoir 120 may be provided to be detachable from the spot cleaning device 100 for cleaning the water reservoir 120.

The spot cleaning device 100 may include a water supply portion 124 connected to the water supply tank 121 and a drainage portion 125 connected to the drainage tank 122. When the spot cleaning device 100 is connected to a home positioning portion 25, the water supply tank 121 may receive water from the cabinet water supply tank 15b via the water supply portion 124. When the spot cleaning device 100 is connected to the home positioning portion 25, the drainage tank 122 may drain water into the cabinet drainage tank 15a via the drainage portion 125.

The home positioning portion 25 may include a first opening 25c (see FIG. 14) through which water from the cabinet water supply tank 15b is arranged to pass, and a second opening 25d (see FIG. 14) through which water from the drainage tank 122 is arranged to pass. The first opening 25c may be connected to the water supply portion 124. The second opening 25d may be connected to the drainage portion 125.

Referring to FIG. 6, the water supply portion 124 and the drainage portion 125 may be provided on a lower surface of the spot cleaning device 100 to be connectable to the home positioning portion 25 formed in the management room 11. The water supply portion 124 may be connected to the water supply tank 121 and provided below the water supply tank 121, so that the water stored in the water supply tank 121 may be discharged through the water supply portion 124 by gravity. The spot cleaning device 100 may include a first check valve 124a provided in the water supply portion 124 to prevent the water stored in the water supply tank 121 from being discharged through the water supply portion 124 by gravity. The drainage portion 125 may be connected to the drainage tank 122 and provided below the drainage tank 122, so that the water stored in the drainage tank 122 may be discharged through the drainage portion 125 by gravity. The spot cleaning device 100 may include a second check valve 125a provided in the drainage portion 125 to prevent the water stored in the drainage tank 122 from being discharged through the drainage portion 125 by gravity.

The spot cleaning device 100 may include a detergent inlet 107 configured to receive detergent into a detergent container. The detergent inlet 107 may allow a user to add detergent to the detergent container without removing the spot cleaning device 100 from a frame 250. In other words, the user may add detergent to the detergent container without accessing the rear of the spot cleaning device 100.

The spot cleaning device 100 may further include an inlet cover 130 configured to cover the detergent inlet 107 and detachably coupled to the detergent inlet 107. As shown in FIG. 4, when the detergent inlet 107 is provided on an upper face of the spot cleaning device 100, the inlet cover 130 may be omitted. This is because the detergent does not flow out of the detergent inlet without the inlet cover.

The spot cleaning device 100 may include moving parts 111, 112, 113 and 114. The moving parts 111, 112, 113 and 114 may include a first moving part 111 and a second moving part 112 configured to be connectable to a first shaft 211. The moving parts 111, 112, 113 and 114 may include a third moving part 113 and a fourth moving part 114 configured to be connectable to a third shaft 231. The moving parts 111, 112, 113 and 114 may be configured to move along the first direction as the first shaft 211 and the third shaft 231 rotate.

The first moving part 111 and the second moving part 112 may be disposed spaced apart along the first direction. The third moving part 113 and the fourth moving part 114 may be disposed spaced apart along the first direction. The first direction may refer to a vertical direction or an up-and-down direction. Thus, the first moving part 111 and the second moving part 112 may be spaced apart vertically, and the third moving part 113 and the fourth moving part 114 may be spaced apart vertically.

Each of the moving parts 111, 112, 113 and 114 may include a hole provided for a shaft to pass through. Within the hole of each of the moving parts 111, 112, 113 and 114, threads corresponding to threads formed on the first shaft 211 or the third shaft 231 may be formed. This may allow the first moving part 111 and the second moving part 112 to move upwardly or downwardly as the first shaft 211 rotates in one direction, and the first moving part 111 and the second moving part 112 to move downwardly or upwardly as the first shaft 211 rotates in the other direction. Similarly, as the third shaft 231 rotates in one direction, the third moving part 113 and the fourth moving part 114 may move upwardly or downwardly, and as the third shaft 231 rotates in the other direction, the third moving part 113 and the fourth moving part 114 may move downwardly or upwardly. The one direction and the other direction in which the shaft rotates may refer to clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) directions, respectively.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the spot cleaning device according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a water supply flow path and a drain flow path in the spot cleaning device according to an embodiment, with some configurations omitted for clarity. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the spot cleaning device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the spot cleaning device 100 may include a housing 110, a first water supply pump 140, a first drain pump 150, and a drive motor 160 accommodated inside the housing 110, and a housing cover 110a. The spot cleaning device 100 may further include a detergent container 131, a circuit board 118a, and a battery 118b.

The housing 110 may be provided with one side open. The housing 110 may include the first moving part 111, the second moving part 112, the third moving part 113, and the fourth moving part 114 described above. The housing 110 may accommodate the first water supply pump 140, the first drain pump 150, and the drive motor 160. The housing 110 may be provided with the detergent container 131 therein, and the circuit board 118a and the battery 118b may be accommodated inside the housing 110. The housing cover 110a may be configured to cover the open side of the housing 110.

The housing 110 may include the water reservoir 120 described above. The water reservoir 120 may be provided with a water supply connection portion 117b connected to the water supply tank 121 of the water reservoir 120, and a drain connection portion 117a connected to the drainage tank 122 of the water reservoir 120.

Referring to FIG. 7, the spot cleaning device 100 may include the drive motor 160 that provides a driving force to rotate the roller portion 105, and a gear portion 161 that is provided to transmit the driving force of the drive motor 160 to the roller portion 105. According to an embodiment, the gear portion 161 may include a first gear 162 connected to a drive shaft of the drive motor 160, a second gear 164 connected to the roller portion 105, and a third gear 163 provided to engage with the first gear 162 and the second gear 164 therebetween. The third gear 163 may be connected to a gear connection portion 163a of the housing cover 110a.

The spot cleaning device 100 may include an ultrasonic vibrator 103a configured to provide micro-vibrations to the vibration portion 103. A plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 103a may be provided, and for example, four ultrasonic vibrators 103a may be provided inside the vibration portion 100. The ultrasonic vibrator 103a may be disposed inside the housing 110 when the housing cover 110a is coupled to the housing 110.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the spot cleaning device 100 may include the first water supply pump 140 configured to move the water stored in the water supply tank 121 to at least one of the water spray portion 101 and the cleaning liquid spray portion 102. The first water supply pump 140 may be connected to a first water supply duct 141 and a second water supply duct 142. Water may move through the first water supply duct 141 and the second water supply duct 142, and the first water supply duct 141 and the second water supply duct 142 may form a flow path through which water moves. The first water supply duct 141 may connect the water supply connection portion 117b and the first water supply pump 140. The second water supply duct 142 may connect the first water supply pump 140 and the water spray portion 101. As the first water supply pump 140 operates, the water in the water supply tank 121 may flow into the first water supply pump 140 through the water supply connection portion 117b and the first water supply duct 141. The water flowing into the first water supply pump 140 may be discharged into the second water supply duct 142. The second water supply duct 142 may be connected to the water spray portion 101, so that the water discharged to the second water supply duct 142 may be sprayed to the outside of the spot cleaning device 100 through the water spray portion 101.

According to an embodiment, the spot cleaning device 100 may further include a third water supply duct 143 branching from a point of the second water supply duct 142. The third water supply duct 143 may be connected to a connection duct 133, which will be described later. The water in the third water supply duct 143 may be mixed with the detergent from the detergent container 131 inside the connection duct 133 and then sprayed to the outside of the spot cleaning device 100 through the cleaning liquid spray portion 102. This will be described in detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the spot cleaning device 100 may include the first drain pump 150 configured to move water, the cleaning liquid, and foreign matter from the intake portion 104 to the drainage tank 122. The first drain pump 150 may be connected to a first drain duct 151 and a second drain duct 152. Water may move through the first drain duct 151 and the second drain duct 152, and the first drain duct 151 and the second drain duct 152 may form a flow path through which water moves. The first drain duct 151 may connect the intake portion 104 and the first drain pump 150. The second drain duct 152 may connect the first drain pump 150 and the drain connection portion 117a. As the first drain pump 150 operates, water, the cleaning liquid, and foreign matter may flow into the first drain pump 150 through the intake portion 104 and the first drain duct 151. The water, the cleaning liquid, and foreign matter flowing into the first drain pump 150 may be discharged to the second drain duct 152. The second drain duct 152 may be connected to the drainage tank 122 through the drain connection portion 117a, so that the water, the cleaning liquid, and foreign matter discharged to the second drain duct 152 may be stored in the drainage tank 122.

The spot cleaning device 100 may include the detergent container 131 configured to receive detergent. According to an embodiment, the detergent container 131 may be formed integrally with the housing 110. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the detergent container 131 may be provided as a separate configuration accommodated inside the housing 110 and may be detachable from the housing 110. The detergent container 131 may be connected to the detergent inlet 107. The detergent introduced through the detergent inlet 107 may be stored in the detergent container 131.

The detergent container 131 may include a detergent outlet 131a. The detergent outlet 131a may allow detergent inside the detergent container 131 to be discharged to the outside of the detergent container 131.

The detergent container outlet 131a may be connected to a detergent duct 132. The detergent duct 132 may form a flow path through which the detergent travels. The detergent duct 132 may be connected to the connection duct 133. The connection duct 133 may be provided in the form of a T-shaped valve. The connection duct 133 may include two inlets and one outlet. One of the two inlets of the connection duct 133 may be connected to the third water supply duct 143, and the other may be connected to the detergent duct 132. The outlet of the connection duct 133 may be connected to the cleaning liquid spray portion 102.

Referring to FIG. 9, the connection duct 133 may include a first inlet 133a connected to the third water supply duct 143, a second inlet 133c connected to the detergent duct 132, and an outlet 133d connected to the cleaning liquid spray portion 102. The water flowing in through the first inlet 133a and the detergent flowing in through the second inlet 133c may be mixed inside the connection duct 133, and then the mixed cleaning liquid may be discharged through the outlet 133d.

The connection duct 133 may include a nozzle portion 133b provided at one end of the first inlet 133a. One end of the nozzle portion 133b may have the same diameter as the first inlet 133a for connection with the first inlet 133a. The other end of the nozzle portion 133b may have a smaller diameter than the first inlet 133a. That is, the nozzle portion 133b may be provided such that its diameter decreases from one end to the other end of the nozzle portion 133b. With such a structure of the nozzle portion 133b, the water introduced through one end of the nozzle portion 133b may have an increased flow rate when it is discharged to the other end of the nozzle portion 133b. This is because as the flow path area decreases while passing through the nozzle portion 133b, the pressure decreases and the flow rate increases. As the pressure of the fluid decreases at the other end of the nozzle portion 133b, the detergent inside the detergent duct 132 may move into the connection duct 133, which has a relatively low pressure. The water that has passed through the other end of the nozzle portion 133b and the detergent that has introduced through the second inlet 133c may be mixed inside the connection duct 133. The cleaning liquid, in which water and detergent are mixed, may be discharged through the outlet 133d of the connection duct 133. Since the outlet 133d is connected to the cleaning liquid spray portion 102, the water and detergent mixed inside the connection duct 133 may be sprayed outside the spot cleaning device 100 through the cleaning liquid spray portion 102. As described above, the connection duct 133 may include the nozzle portion 133b therein, so that the water and detergent may be automatically mixed using a pressure difference without the need for a separate drive device.

The spot cleaning device 100 may include the battery 118b provided to supply power to the first water supply pump 140, the first drain pump 150, the drive motor 160, and the ultrasonic vibrator 130a, and charging terminals 115a and 115b provided to charge the battery. The charging terminals 115a and 115b may include a positive electrode 115a and a negative electrode 115b.

The spot cleaning device 100 may include the circuit board 118a on which a second controller 180 and a second communication portion 190, which will be described later, is mounted. The circuit board 118a may be accommodated inside the housing 110. In addition to the second controller 180 and the second communication portion 190, the circuit board 118a may be mounted with various configurations (e.g., a heat sink) as needed.

FIG. 10 illustrates a spot cleaning device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10, the spot cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment may include the water spray portion 101, the cleaning liquid spray portion 102, the vibration portion 103, and the intake portion 104. In other words, the spot cleaning device 100 may be configured to include only the vibration portion of the vibration portion and the roller portion.

FIG. 11 illustrates a spot cleaning device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, the spot cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment may include the water spray portion 101, the cleaning liquid spray portion 102, the roller portion 105, and the intake portion 104. In other words, the spot cleaning device 100 may be configured to include only the roller portion of the vibration portion and the roller portion.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of a moving device in the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 13 is a view of FIG. 12 from another angle.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the clothes care apparatus 1 may include the moving device 200 configured to move the spot cleaning device 100. The moving device 200 may be provided to move the spot cleaning device 100 along the first direction and the second direction on one side wall of the management room 11.

The moving device 200 may include a first motor 210 that provides driving force for the spot cleaning device 100 to move along the first direction, and a second motor 220 that provides driving force for the spot cleaning device 100 to move along the second direction. The moving device 200 may include the first shaft 211 extending along the first direction and connected to the first motor 210, and a second shaft 221 extending along the second direction and connected to the second motor 220. The first shaft 211 may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise by the driving force of the first motor 210. The second shaft 221 may rotate clockwise or counterclockwise by the driving force of the second motor 220.

According to an embodiment, the moving device 200 may further include a third motor 230 that provides driving force for the spot cleaning device 100 to move along the first direction, and a fourth motor 240 that provides driving force for the spot cleaning device 100 to move along the second direction. The moving device 200 may further include the third shaft 231 extending along the first direction and disposed parallel to the first shaft 211, and a fourth shaft 241 extending along the second direction and disposed parallel to the second shaft 221. The third shaft 231 may rotate by receiving driving force from the third motor 230, and the fourth shaft 241 may rotate by receiving driving force from the fourth motor 240. The third motor 230, together with the first motor 210, may provide driving force for the spot cleaning device 100 to move along the first direction. The fourth motor 240, together with the second motor 220, may provide driving force for the spot cleaning device 100 to move along the second direction.

In contrast to what is shown in the drawings, the moving device may include only the first motor and the second motor. In this case, the moving device may include a first link member connecting the first shaft and the third shaft so that they rotate together, and a second link member connecting the second shaft and the fourth shaft so that they rotate together. When the first motor rotates the first shaft clockwise or counterclockwise, the first link member may cause the first shaft and the third shaft to rotate together clockwise or counterclockwise. When the second motor rotates the second shaft clockwise or counterclockwise, the second link member may cause the second shaft and the fourth shaft to rotate together clockwise or counterclockwise.

The moving device 200 may include the frame 250 that supports the spot cleaning device 100. The frame 250 may support the spot cleaning device 100 such that the spot cleaning device 100 is movable along the first direction within the frame 250. The frame 250 may extend along the first direction. The frame 250 may accommodate the spot cleaning device 100, the first motor 210, the third motor 230, the first shaft 211, and the third shaft 231. The frame 250 may be connected to the second shaft 221 and the fourth shaft 241. The frame 250 may move along the second shaft 221 and the fourth shaft 241.

The frame 250 may accommodate the spot cleaning device 100 such that at least a portion of the spot cleaning device 100 is exposed to the management room 11. The frame 250 may support the spot cleaning device 100 so that the spot cleaning device 100 is movable within the frame 250. The frame 250 may extend along the first direction, and the spot cleaning device 100 may move along the first direction within the frame 250. The spot cleaning device 100 may move in the up-and-down direction within the frame 250.

The frame 250 may include a frame body 260 and a frame cover 270 coupled to the frame body 260.

The frame body 260 may include a first frame hole 265 into which the spot cleaning device 100 is inserted. The spot cleaning device 100 may be inserted into the first frame hole 265. At least a portion of the spot cleaning device 100 may pass through the first frame hole 265 and protrude outwardly from the frame body 260. The first frame hole 265 may extend in the first direction to guide the movement of the spot cleaning device 100 in the first direction. The spot cleaning device 100 may move along the first direction within the first frame hole 265. In contrast to what is shown in the drawings, the frame body 260 may not include the first frame hole, and the spot cleaning device 100 may be accommodated inside the frame body 260.

The frame body 260 may include a first frame moving part 261 and a second frame moving part 262, which are connected to the second shaft 221 and configured to move in the second direction along the second shaft 221. The first frame moving part 261 and the second frame moving part 262 may be disposed spaced apart in the left-to-right direction. The first frame moving part 261 may be disposed adjacent to one end of an upper side of the frame body 260, and the second frame moving part 262 may be disposed adjacent to the other end of the upper side of the frame body 260.

The frame body 260 may include a third frame moving part 263 and a fourth frame moving part 264, which are connected to the fourth shaft 241 and configured to move in the second direction along the fourth shaft 241. The third frame moving part 263 and the fourth frame moving part 264 may be disposed spaced apart in the left-to-right direction. The third frame moving part 263 may be disposed adjacent to one end of a lower side of the frame body 260, and the fourth frame moving part 264 may be disposed adjacent to the other end of the lower side of the frame body 260.

The frame body 260 may include the first to fourth frame moving parts 261, 262, 263 and 264. Each of the first to fourth frame moving parts 261, 262, 263 and 264 may include a hole provided for a shaft to pass through. Within the hole of each of the first to fourth frame moving parts 261, 262, 263 and 264, a thread corresponding to a thread formed on the second shaft 221 or the fourth shaft 241 may be formed. This may allow the first frame moving part 261 and the second frame moving part 262 may move to the left or right as the second shaft 221 rotates in one direction, and the first frame moving part 261 and the second frame moving part 262 may move to the right or left as the second shaft 221 rotates in the other direction. Similarly, as the fourth shaft 241 rotates in one direction, the third frame moving part 263 and the fourth frame moving part 264 may move to the left or right, and as the fourth shaft 241 rotates in the other direction, the third frame moving part 263 and the fourth frame moving part 264 may move to the right or left. The one direction and the other direction in which the shaft rotates may refer to clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) directions, respectively.

The frame cover 270 may be coupled to the frame body 260 to cover an open side of the frame body 260. The frame cover 270 may be coupled to the frame body 260 to form an internal space of the frame 250 that accommodates the spot cleaning device 100, the first motor 210, the third motor 230, the first shaft 211, and the third shaft 231.

The frame cover 270 may include first shaft support portions 271 and 272 configured to support the first shaft 211, and third shaft support portions 273 and 274 configured to support the third shaft 231. The frame cover 270 may include a first motor mounting portion 275 on which the first motor 210 is mounted, and a third motor mounting portion 276 on which the third motor 230 is mounted. The frame cover 270 may include a second frame hole 277 formed through the frame cover 270 such that the spot cleaning device 100 is exposed to the management room 11.

The first shaft support portions 271 and 272 may be connected to the first shaft 211. The first shaft support portions 271 and 272 may include a first upper support portion 271 provided adjacent to an upper end of one side of the frame cover 270, and a first lower support portion 272 provided adjacent to a lower end of the one side of the frame cover 270. The first upper support portion 271 and the first lower support portion 272 may each include a hole through which the first shaft 211 is provided to pass. The first shaft 211 may rotate within the first upper support portion 271 and the first lower support portion 272. The first shaft 211 may idle within the first upper support portion 271 and the first lower support portion 272. In other words, even though the first shaft 211 rotates within the first upper support portion 271 and the first lower support portion 272, the first upper support portion 271 and the first lower support portion 272 may not move along the first direction.

The third shaft support portions 273 and 274 may be connected to the third shaft 231. The third shaft support portions 273 and 274 may include a second upper support portion 273 provided adjacent to an upper end of the other side of the frame cover 270, and a second lower support portion 274 provided adjacent to a lower end of the other side of the frame cover 270. The second upper support portion 273 and the second lower support portion 274 may each include a hole through which the third shaft 231 is provided to pass. The third shaft 231 may rotate within the second upper support portion 273 and the second lower support portion 274. The third shaft 231 may idle within the second upper support portion 273 and the second lower support portion 274. In other words, even though the third shaft 231 rotates within the second upper support portion 273 and the second lower support portion 274, the second upper support portion 273 and the second lower support portion 274 may not move along the first direction.

The first motor 210 may be mounted on the first motor mounting portion 275. While no specific structure is shown in the drawings, the first motor mounting portion 275 may support the first motor 210 in various structures. For example, the first motor mounting portion 275 may include an elastic protrusion such that the first motor 210 may be snap-fitted into the first motor mounting portion 275.

The third motor 230 may be mounted on the third motor mounting portion 276. While no specific structure is shown in the drawings, the third motor mounting portion 276 may support the third motor 230 in various structures. For example, the third motor mounting portion 276 may include an elastic protrusion such that the third motor 230 may be snap-fitted into the third motor support portion 276.

The frame cover 270 may include the second frame hole 277 into which the spot cleaning device 100 is provided to be inserted. The spot cleaning device 100 may be inserted into the second frame hole 277. At least a portion of the spot cleaning device 100 may pass through the second frame hole 277 and protrude outwardly from the frame cover 270. The spot cleaning device 100 may be exposed to the management room 11 through the second frame hole 277. The spot cleaning device 100 exposed to the management room 11 may partially wash the clothes accommodated in the management room 11. The second frame hole 277 may extend in the first direction to guide the movement of the spot cleaning device 100 in the first direction. The spot cleaning device 100 may be moved along the first direction within the second frame hole 277.

The moving device 200 may include the second motor 220 and the fourth motor 240 that provide driving force for the spot cleaning device 100 to move along the second direction. The second shaft 221 may be connected to the second motor 220, and the fourth shaft 241 may be connected to the fourth motor 240.

The second motor 220 and the fourth motor 240 may be coupled to one side wall 11c of the management room 11. The moving device 100 may include a support frame 32 coupled to the one side wall 11c of the management room 11.

The second motor 220 and the fourth motor 240 may be mounted to the support frame 32. The second motor 220 may be mounted to a second motor mounting portion 32a of the support frame 32. The second motor mounting portion 32a may be provided adjacent to an upper end of one side of the support frame 32. While no specific structure is shown in the drawings, the second motor mounting portion 32a may support the second motor 220 in various structures. For example, the second motor mounting portion 32a may include an elastic protrusion such that the second motor 220 may be snap-fitted into the second motor support portion 32a. The fourth motor 240 may be mounted to a fourth motor mounting portion 32b of the support frame 32. The fourth motor mounting portion 32b may be disposed adjacent to a lower end of the one side of the support frame. While no specific structure is shown in the drawings, the fourth motor mounting portion 32b may support the fourth motor 240 in various structures. For example, the fourth motor mounting portion 32b may include an elastic protrusion such that the fourth motor 240 may be snap-fitted into the fourth motor support portion 32b.

The second shaft 221 may be connected to a second shaft support portion 32c of the support frame 32. The second shaft support portion 32c may be provided adjacent to an upper end of the other side of the support frame 32. The second shaft support portion 32c may include a hole through which the second shaft 221 is provided to pass. The second shaft 221 may idle within the second shaft support portion 32c. In other words, even though the second shaft 221 rotates within the second shaft support portion 32c, the second shaft support portion 32c may not move along the second direction.

The fourth shaft 241 may be connected to a fourth shaft support portion 32d of the support frame 32. The fourth shaft support portion 32d may be provided adjacent to a lower end of the other side of the support frame 32. The fourth shaft support portion 32d may include a hole through which the fourth shaft 241 is provided to pass. The fourth shaft 241 may idle within the fourth shaft support portion 32d. In other words, even though the fourth shaft 241 rotates within the fourth shaft support portion 32d, the fourth shaft support portion 32d may not move along the second direction.

The support frame 32 may include a support frame hole 32e formed through the support frame 32 to allow the frame 250 to move along the second direction within the support frame 32. The frame 250 may move along the second direction within the support frame hole 32e.

As described above, the spot cleaning device 100 may move along the first direction within the frame 250. The frame 250 accommodating the spot cleaning device 100 may move along the second direction within the support frame 32. Thus, the spot cleaning device 100 may be moved along the first and second directions. In other words, the spot cleaning device 100 may be moved within the management room 11 in the up, down, front, and back directions.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 14, a fixing portion 90 configured to hold the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 may be included. The fixing portion 90 may be provided on the one side wall 11c of the management room 11 where the spot cleaning device 100 is provided. The fixing portion 90 may be provided below the spot cleaning device 100.

The fixing portion 90 may be configured to grip and hold at least a portion of the clothes. The fixing portion 90 may include a bar 93 disposed adjacent to the one side wall 11c of the management room 11 and arranged to traverse the one side wall 11c of the management room 11 in a horizontal direction, and fixing members 91 and 92 configured to be movable in the horizontal direction along the bar 93.

The fixing members 91 and 92 may be configured to catch and hold the clothes. The fixing members 91 and 92 may include a first fixing member 91 and a second fixing member 92. Alternatively, the number of fixing members may be one, or three or more.

The first fixing member 91 may include a first moving member 91a provided to be movable in the horizontal direction along the bar 93, and a first rotating member 91b rotatably coupled to the first moving member 91a. The first rotating member 91b may be elastically biased in a direction approaching the first moving member 91a. As the first rotating member 91b approaches the first moving member 91a, the first fixing member 91 may catch and hold the clothes. To this end, the first fixing member 91 may include an elastic member.

The second fixing member 92 may include a second moving member 92a provided to be movable in the horizontal direction along the bar 93, and a second rotating member 92b rotatably coupled to the second moving member 92a. The second rotating member 92b may be elastically biased in a direction approaching the second moving member 92a. As the second rotating member 92b approaches the second moving member 92a, the second fixing member 92 may catch and hold the clothes. To this end, the second fixing member 92 may include an elastic member.

The one side wall 11c of the management room 11 may be provided with moving guides 96 and 97 extending in the vertical direction (see FIG. 3). The moving guide 96 may include a first moving guide 96 provided on one side of the support frame 32, and a second moving guide 97 provided on the other side of the support frame 32.

The fixing portion 90 may include support portions 94 and 95 provided to support the bar 93. The support portions 94 and 95 may include a first support portion 94 connected to one side of the bar 93 and configured to support one side of the bar 93, and a second support portion 95 connected to the other side of the bar 93 and configured to support the other side of the bar 93.

The support portions 94 and 95 may be configured to be movable in the vertical direction along the moving guides 96 and 97. The first support portion 94 may be coupled to the first moving guide 96 to be movable in the vertical direction along the first moving guide 96. The second support portion 95 may be coupled to the second moving guide 97 to be movable in the vertical direction along the second moving guide 97. The first support portion 94 may be slidably coupled to the first moving guide 96. The second support portion 95 may be slidably coupled to the second moving guide 97. The first support portion 94 may be fixed at a point on the first moving guide 96. The second support portion 95 may be fixed at a point on the second moving guide 97.

With the support portions 94 and 95 supporting the bar 93 and being provided to be movable in the vertical direction along the moving guides 96 and 97, the fixing members 91 and 92 may be movable in the vertical direction. Because the fixing members 91 and 92 are configured to be movable along the vertical direction, the clothes support member 50 and the fixing members 91 and 92 may support clothes of various sizes. Because the fixing members 91 and 92 are configured to be movable along the vertical direction, the clothes support member 50 and the fixing members 91 and 92 may pull the clothes taut in the vertical direction regardless of the size of the clothes. When the clothes is pulled taut to tension, the frictional force between the spot cleaning device 100 and the clothes increases and the washing efficiency of the spot cleaning device 100 may be improved.

Referring to FIG. 14, the home positioning portion 25 may be provided on one side wall of the management room 11. The home positioning portion 25 may be disposed below the frame 250. The home positioning portion 25 may be provided with charging terminals 25a and 25b configured to charge the battery of the spot cleaning device 100. The charging terminals 25a and 25b may include a positive electrode (i.e., anode) 25a and a negative electrode (i.e., cathode) 25b. The positive electrode 25a and the negative electrode 25b of the home positioning portion 25 may correspond to the positive electrode 115a and the negative electrode 115b of the spot cleaning device 100, respectively.

The spot cleaning device 100 may be docked to the home positioning portion 25 such that the charging terminals 115a and 115b of the spot cleaning device 100 contact the charging terminals 25a and 25b provided on the home positioning portion 25 of the door 20, respectively. The spot cleaning device 100 may be docked to the home positioning portion 25 to charge the battery, and then, in response to user input or a command from the controller, may wash the target area of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11.

The home positioning portion 25 may include the first opening 25c provided through which water from the cabinet water supply tank 15b is provided to pass, and the second opening 25d through which water from the drainage tank 122 is provided to pass. The first opening 25c may be connected to the water supply portion 124. The second opening 25d may be connected to the drainage portion 125.

FIG. 15 illustrates configurations provided below a home positioning portion in the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of portion D of FIG. 15.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the clothes care apparatus 1 may include a water supply pipe 33 provided below the home positioning portion 25 and connecting the cabinet water supply tank 15b and the first opening 25c of the home positioning portion 25. The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a water supply valve 35 provided on the water supply pipe 33. The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a drain pipe 34 provided below the home positioning portion 25 and connecting the cabinet drainage tank 15a and the second opening 25d of the home positioning portion 25. The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a drain valve 36 provided on the drain pipe 34. The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a duct 37. The duct 37 may include a water supply duct 37a configured to connect the first opening 25c formed in the home positioning portion 25 and the water supply valve 35, and a drain duct 37b configured to connect the second opening 25d formed in the home positioning portion 25 and the drain valve 36. The water supply duct 37a and the drain duct 37b may be partitioned from each other. Water in the water supply duct 37a and water in the drain duct 37b may not mix with each other. Unlike what is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the water supply duct 37a and the drain duct 37b may be provided as separate configurations.

On the water supply pipe 33, the water supply valve 35 may be connected. For example, the water supply valve 35 may be connected at one end of the water supply pipe 33. The water supply valve 35 may be provided on the water supply pipe 33 to open or close the water supply pipe 33.

On the drain pipe 34, the drain valve 36 may be connected. For example, the drain valve 36 may be connected at one end of the drain pipe 34. The drain valve 36 may be provided on the drain pipe 34 to open or close the drain pipe 34. However, as will be described later, the drain valve 36 may be omitted. In this case, the drain pipe 34 may be directly connected to the second opening 25d.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a cover portion 25g configured to accommodate or cover the water supply pipe 33, the drain pipe 34, the water supply valve 35, the drain valve 36, and the duct 37, which are provided below the home positioning portion 25. The cover portion 25g may accommodate or cover the water supply pipe 33, the drain pipe 34, the water supply valve 35, the drain valve 36, and the duct 37 inside the management room 11 such that they are not exposed.

The water supply pipe 33 may be connected to a second water supply pump 16a provided in the machine room 13. The water supply pipe 33 may be connected between a steam valve 16d, which is connected to a pipe supplying water to the steam generator 40, and the second water supply pump 16a.

The drain pipe 34 may be connected to the first duct 71 provided in the machine room 13. At least a portion of the first duct 71 may be used as a water collection tray for storing condensed water. In the case where a water collection tray is provided separately, the drain pipe 34 may be connected to the water collection tray. The condensed water stored in the water collection tray may be moved by the second drain pump 16b and stored in the cabinet drainage tank 15a. Alternatively, the drain pipe 34 may be directly connected to the cabinet drainage tank 15a.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion of the spot cleaning device connected to the home positioning portion in the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17, when the spot cleaning device 100 is connected to the home positioning portion 25, the water supply portion 124 of the spot cleaning device 100 may be connected to the first opening 25c of the home positioning portion 25, and the drainage portion 125 of the spot cleaning device 100 may be connected to the second opening 25d of the home positioning portion 25. At least a portion of the water supply portion 124 may be inserted into the first opening 25c, and at least a portion of the drainage portion 125 may be inserted into the second opening 25d.

A first sealing member 124b may be configured to seal between the water supply portion 124 and the first opening 25c when the water supply portion 124 is inserted into the first opening 25c. The first sealing member 124b may be provided along an outer circumference of the water supply portion 124. The first sealing member 124b may be provided in a ring shape and may be coupled to the water supply portion 124.

A second sealing member 125b may be configured to seal between the drainage portion 125 and the second opening 25d when the drainage portion 125 is inserted into the second opening 25d. The second sealing member 125b may be provided along an outer circumference of the drainage portion 125. The second sealing member 125b may be provided in a ring shape and may be coupled to the drainage portion 125.

Referring to FIG. 17, in response to the water supply portion 124 being inserted into the first opening 25c, the first check valve 124a may be opened. In response to the drainage portion 125 being inserted into the second opening 25d, the second check valve 125a may be opened. Inside the first opening 25c, a first opener 25e configured to open the first check valve 124a may be provided. Inside the second opening 25d, a second opener 25f configured to open the second check valve 125a may be provided. The first opener 25e may press the first check valve 124a to open the first check valve 124a when the water supply portion 124 is inserted into the first opening 25c. The second opener 25f may press the second check valve 125a to open the second check valve 125a when the drainage portion 125 is inserted into the second opening 25d. The first check valve 124a may be moved by the first opener 25e from a position that closes the water supply portion 124 to a position that opens the water supply portion 124. The second check valve 125a may be moved by the second opener 25f from a position that closes the drainage portion 125 to a position that opens the drainage portion 125. The first opener 25e may be provided in the form of a protrusion having a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the water supply portion 124. The second opener 25f may be provided in the form of a protrusion having a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the drainage portion 125.

When the water supply portion 124 is connected to the first opening 25c, the first check valve 124a may be opened. When the drainage portion 125 is connected to the second opening 25d, the second check valve 125a may be opened.

FIG. 18 is a schematic view for explaining a water supply and drainage process of the spot cleaning device connected to the home positioning portion in the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 18, when the spot cleaning device 100 is connected to the home positioning portion 25, the drain valve 36 may be open, and the water in the drainage tank 122 may move through the drain valve 36 to the water collection tray of the first duct 71. The water moved to the water collection tray of the first duct 71 may be pumped by the second drain pump 16b and moved to the cabinet drainage tank 15a. Through the above process, the water in the drainage tank 122 of the spot cleaning device 100 may be drained to the cabinet drainage tank 15a without disconnecting the drainage tank 122 from the spot cleaning device 100. This may improve user convenience because the user may only need to empty the relatively large capacity cabinet drainage tank 15a rather than frequently emptying the relatively small capacity drainage tank 122 of the spot cleaning device 100.

When the duct 37 is positioned higher than the water collection tray of the first duct 71, the drain valve 36 may be omitted because there is no concern that gravity may cause water to move from the water collection tray of the first duct 71 toward the duct 37. In other words, the drain pipe 34 may be directly connected to the drain duct 37b, or the drain pipe 34 may be directly connected to the second opening 25d.

Referring to FIG. 18, when the spot cleaning device 100 is connected to the home positioning portion 25, the water supply valve 35 may be open, and water from the cabinet water supply tank 15b may be drawn into the water supply duct 37a by the second water supply pump 16a. The water introduced into the water supply duct 37a may pass through the first opening 25c and the water supply portion 124 and be supplied to the water supply tank 121.

When supplying water to the water supply tank 121 of the spot cleaning device 100, the second water supply pump 16a may be operated to move water in the cabinet water supply tank 15b, the steam valve 16d may be closed, and the water supply valve 35 may be open. With the steam valve 16d being closed, a first flow path may be formed connecting from the cabinet water supply tank 15b, through the second water supply pump 16a and a branch pipe 16c, to the water supply valve 35, as shown in FIG. 18. The branch pipe 16c may include a T-shaped valve, which has an inlet for receiving water from the second water supply pump 16a, a first outlet for discharging water into the water supply pipe 33 connected to the water supply valve 35, and a second outlet for discharging water into a steam pipe connected to the steam valve 16d.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view for explaining a water supply process to the steam generator in the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 19, when supplying water from the cabinet water supply tank 15b to the steam generator 40, the second water supply pump 16a may be operated, the steam valve 16d may be open, and the water supply valve 35 may be closed. With the water supply valve 35 being closed, a second flow path may be formed connecting from the cabinet water supply tank 15b, through the second water supply pump 16a and the branch pipe 16c, to the steam valve 16d, as shown in FIG. 14. The water passing through the steam valve 16d may be supplied to the steam generator 40, and the steam generator 40 may generate steam using the supplied water.

FIG. 20 is a control block diagram of the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 20, the clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may include the display 35, the control panel 70, the heat exchanger 45, the first fan 42, the steam generator 40, the second fan 75, an actuator 76, the spot cleaning device 100, the moving device 200, a communication portion 330, and/or a first controller 300.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a control panel according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 21, at least one input interface 70a may include a power button 70a-1, course selection buttons 70a-2, 70a-3 and 70a-4, directional selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6, a start/pause button 70a-7, a communication button 70a-10, and/or a selection button 70a-12.

Each button may include a visual indicator (e.g., text, icon, etc.) that may indicate its function.

The at least one input interface 70a 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.

As used herein, ‘button’ may be replaced with a user interface (UI) element, 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.

At least one output interface 70b may generate sensory information to convey various information related to operation of the clothes care apparatus 1 to a user.

For example, the at least one output interface 70b may convey to the user information related to a clothes care course, operating time of the clothes care apparatus 1, setting a target area for partial care (or spot care), and the like. Information regarding the operation of the clothes care apparatus 1 may be output on a display 70b-1, indicators 70b-2, 70b-3, 70b-4, and 70b-5, voice, or the like. The at least one output interface 70b may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an indicator, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, or the like.

The display 70b-1 may output information related to the clothes care course, the operating time of the clothes care apparatus 1, setting the target area for partial care, and the like. The display 70b-1 may include a touch panel for receiving touch input from the user.

The indicators 70b-2, 70b-3, 70b-4 and 70b-5 may visually inform the user of an operational status of the clothes care apparatus 1.

A clothes care indicator 70b-2 may be illuminated during the operation of the clothes care course.

A delicate dry indicator 70b-3 may be illuminated during the operation of a delicate dry course.

A partial care indicator 70b-4 may be illuminated during the operation of a partial care course (also referred to as a spot care course).

The power button 70a-1 may be a button for turning the power of the clothes care apparatus 1 on or off.

The course selection buttons 70a-2, 70a-3 and 70a-4 may be buttons for selecting a course of the clothes care apparatus 1.

The course selection buttons 70a-2, 70a-3 and 70a-4 may include buttons 70a-2 and 70a-3 for selecting a course to care for the clothes accommodated in the management room 11.

The button for selecting a course to care for the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 may include a clothes care button 70a-2.

When the clothes care button 70a-2 is selected, the output interface 70b (e.g., display 70b-1) may display at least one course corresponding to clothes care, and the user may select a desired course using the directional selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6. The at least one course may include various courses, such as a standard course, a large capacity care course, a sterilization course, a fine dust course, a quick course, a school uniform course, a denim course, a coat course, a wool/knit course, a suit course, and the like.

The button for selecting a course to care for the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 may include a delicate dry button 70a-2.

When the delicate dry button 70a-2 is selected, the output interface 70b (e.g., display 70b-1) may display at least one course corresponding to delicate dry, and the user may select a desired course using the directional selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6. The at least one course may include various courses, such as a custom dry course, a shirt course, a swimsuit course, an outdoor course, a fitness course, a blouse course, a denim course, a coat course, a wool/knit course, a suit course, a space dehumidification course, and the like.

When the start button 70a-7 is selected after a course to care for clothes is selected, the first controller 300 may perform the selected course by controlling the configurations of the clothes care apparatus 1 (e.g., the heat exchanger 45, the steam generator 40, the first fan 42, and/or the second fan 75) according to the algorithm of the selected course.

The partial care button 70a-4 may be a button for selecting a course for partially care of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 using the spot cleaning device 100.

When the partial care button 70a-4 is selected, the output interface 70b (e.g., display 70b-1) may display an interface for controlling the spot cleaning device 100.

For example, when the partial care button 70a-4 is selected, the output interface 70b (e.g., display 70b-1) may display an interface for setting the target area.

The directional selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 may include a left button 70a-5 and a right button 70a-6. According to various embodiments, it is also possible for the directional selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 to include an up button and a down button, and it is also possible for a button for any one direction to be omitted.

The directional selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 may be buttons for manipulating the interface provided by the display 70b-1. For example, the directional selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 may be used to change the selection of UI elements provided by the display 70b-1.

In an embodiment, the directional selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 may also be used to set a target area for a partial care course.

The start/pause button 70a-7 may be a button for starting a selected course or temporarily pausing a course in operation.

The communication button 70a-10 may be a button for setting the communication of the clothes care apparatus 1. The communication button 70a-10 may allow the clothes care apparatus 1 to connect to a nearby Access Point (AP). The clothes care apparatus 1 may communicate with external devices, such as servers, user devices, other home appliances, and the like through the nearby AP.

The selection button 70a-12 may be a button for operating the interface provided by the display 70b-1. For example, the selection button 70a-12 may be used to select a UI element provided by the display 70b-1.

It should be appreciated that the examples of various buttons included in the control panel 70 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are not limited to the examples described above, and that some buttons may be omitted or some buttons may be added.

For example, the control panel 70 may further include interface buttons for displaying a user interface related to the spot cleaning device 100, which will be described later, on the display 35 or removing the user interface from the display 35.

The heat exchanger 45 may be for heating the air supplied into the management room 11 and may include the compressor 48 for compressing a refrigerant. The compressor 48 may be operable based on a control signal from the controller 300.

The first fan 42 may cause the air in the management room 11 to be discharged back into the management room 11 through the machine room 13, the evaporator 46, and the condenser 47. The first fan 42 may be operable based on a control signal from the controller 300.

The steam generator 40 may spray steam into the management room 11. The steam generator 40 may be operable based on a control signal from the first controller 300.

The second fan 75 may circulate the air in the management room 11 back into the management room 11 through the second airflow outlet 12b or the clothes support member 50. The second fan 75 may be operable based on a control signal from the controller 300.

The actuator 76 may be actuated based on a control signal from the first controller 300. For example, the actuator 76 may be configured with a member such as an electromagnet or a link member, or any configuration capable of pushing the door 20.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may include a first communication portion 330 for wired and/or wireless communication with external devices (e.g., a server, a user device, the spot cleaning device 100, and/or a home appliance).

The first communication portion 330 may include at least one of a short-range communication module or a long-range communication module.

The first communication portion 330 may transmit data to an external device or receive data from an external device. For example, the first communication portion 330 may establish communication with a server, a user device, and/or another home appliance and transmit/receive various data.

To this end, the first communication portion 330 may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between external devices, and the performance of communication over the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the first communication portion 330 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). The corresponding communication module among these communication modules may communicate with an external device over a first network (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range 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 WAN)). These different types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or may be implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., a plurality of 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, a Zigbee communication module, an infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

The long-range communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range communication, and may include a mobile first communication portion 330. The mobile first communication portion 330 may transmit and receive wireless signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network.

In an embodiment, the first communication portion 330 may communicate with external devices such as servers, user devices, and other home appliances through a nearby AP. The AP may connect a LAN to which the clothes care apparatus 1, other home appliances, and/or user devices are connected to a WAN to which the server is connected. The clothes care apparatus 1, other home appliances, and/or the user devices may be connected to the server via the WAN.

The spot cleaning device 100 may be provided on the one side wall 11c of the management room 11 to partially wash the clothes accommodated in the management room 11.

The spot cleaning device 100 may include the second controller 180 for controlling the configurations of the spot cleaning device 100 (e.g., the water spray portion 101, the cleaning liquid spray portion 102, the vibration portion 103, the intake portion 104, and/or at least one sensor 108), and the second communication portion 190 for communicating with an external devices (e.g., a server, a user device, the first communication portion 330, and/or a home appliance).

The second communication portion 190 included in the spot cleaning device 100 may communicate with the first communication portion 330 of the clothes care apparatus 1 in a wired or wireless manner.

In an embodiment, when the second communication portion 190 included in the spot cleaning device 100 performs wireless communication with the first communication portion 330 of the clothes care apparatus 1, it is possible to prevent the aesthetics within the management room 11 from being disturbed by the wires for connecting the cabinet 10 of the clothes care apparatus 1 and the spot cleaning device 100.

Controlling, by the first controller 300, the spot cleaning device 100 may include transmitting, the first controller 300, control commands to the second controller 180.

The second communication portion 190 may communicate with the first communication portion 330 of the clothes care apparatus 1 to convey control commands transmitted from the first controller 300 to the second controller 180.

The second controller 180 may control the configurations of the spot cleaning device 100 based on the control commands transmitted from the first controller 300.

The moving device 200 may move the spot cleaning device 100.

According to various embodiments, the moving device 200 may include a third controller for controlling the first to fourth motors, and a wired or wireless third communication portion. The third controller of the moving device 200 may receive control commands from the second controller 180 via the third communication portion. In other words, the second controller 180 may control the moving device 200. In another example, the motor of the moving device 200 may be directly controlled by being connected in a wired manner to the controller of the spot cleaning device 100. For example, when the first controller 300 transmits a movement control signal to the spot cleaning device 100, the second controller 180 of the spot cleaning device 100 may move the spot cleaning device 100 by controlling the moving device 200.

According to various embodiments, the moving device 200 may receive control commands from the first controller 300. That is, the first controller 300 may control the moving device 200. For example, the first controller 300 may move the spot cleaning device 100 by controlling the spot cleaning device 100.

In the present disclosure, controlling the spot cleaning device 100 may include controlling the configurations of the spot cleaning device 100 (e.g., the water spray portion 101, the cleaning liquid spray portion 102, the vibration portion 103, the intake portion 104, and/or the at least one sensor 108), as well as controlling the movement of the spot cleaning device 100 by controlling the moving device 200.

In an embodiment, the spot cleaning device 100 may include the at least one sensor 108. Sensor data collected from the at least one sensor 108 may be communicated to the first controller 300. For example, the sensor 108 of the spot cleaning device 100 may include a camera, and image data collected from the camera may be communicated to the first controller 300.

The first controller 300 may control various configurations of the clothes care apparatus 1 (e.g., the display 35, the control panel 70, the heat exchanger 45, the first fan 42, the steam generator 40, the second fan 75, the actuator 76, the spot cleaning device 100, the moving device 200, the first communication portion 330). The first controller 300 may control various configurations of the clothes care apparatus 1 to perform a clothes care course or a partial care course in response to user input. For example, the first controller 300 may control the heat exchanger 45 and the first fan 42 to provide hot air into the management room 11, or control the steam generator 40 to provide steam into the management room 11, or control the second fan 75 to circulate the air in the management room 11, or control the spot cleaning device 100 to partially wash the clothes accommodated in the management room 11.

The first controller 300 may process data collected from various configurations of the clothes care apparatus 1 (e.g., the control panel 70, the display 35, the first communication portion 330, the spot cleaning device 100). The first controller 300 may process user input inputted via the control panel 70 and/or the display 35, and may perform operation corresponding to the user input.

The first controller 300 may process image data collected from the at least one sensor 108 of the spot cleaning device 100.

The first controller 300 may include hardware, such as a CPU, a Micom, or memory, and software, such as a control program. For example, the first controller 300 may include at least one memory 320 that stores algorithms for controlling the operation of the configurations within the clothes care apparatus 1, data in the form of programs, and at least one processor 310 that performs the operations described above and operations to be described below using the data stored in the at least one memory 320. The memory 320 and the processor 310 may each be implemented on a separate chip. The processor 310 may include one or two or more processor chips or may include one or two or more processing cores. The memory 320 may include one or two or more memory chips, or may include one or two or more memory blocks. Alternatively, the memory 320 and the processor 310 may be implemented on a single chip.

The at least one memory 320 may store algorithms for a clothes care course, a partial care course, and setting a target area.

The first controller 300 may be, for example, mounted on a printed circuit board provided on a rear surface of the control panel 70, but the location of the first controller 300 is not limited thereto.

The first controller 300 may be electrically connected to the display 35, the control panel 70, the heat exchanger 45, the first fan 42, the steam generator 40, the second fan 75, the actuator 76, the spot cleaning device 100, the moving device 200, and/or the first communication portion 330.

The configurations shown in FIG. 20 may be examples of the configurations of the clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment, and the clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may further include some configurations in addition to the configurations shown in FIG. 20, and may not include some of the configurations shown in FIG. 20.

For example, the clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may include an actuator for automatically opening the door 20, a door open/close sensor for detecting the opening or closing of the door 20, a proximity sensor for detecting the approach of an object to a predetermined position around the clothes care apparatus 1, and the like.

Hereinafter, for ease of description, the first controller 300 may be referred to as the controller 300, and the first communication portion 330 may be referred to as the communication portion 330.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for determining a target area by the clothes care apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 22, the clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may receive user input for setting the target area (in operation 1210). The clothes care apparatus 1 may receive user input to set the target area via various methods.

The clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may determine the target area based on user input received via the input interface 70a of the control panel 70.

In an embodiment, the controller 300 may receive input for selecting at least one of a plurality of zones via the control panel 70 (in operation 1220).

The controller 300 may determine the at least one zone selected via the control panel 70 of the plurality of zones as the target area (in operation 1230).

The controller 300 may wash the target area (in operation 1240).

FIG. 23 illustrates an example of an interface for setting the target area provided by the control panel 70 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 23, the controller 300 may control the output interface 70b to provide an interface for receiving a selection of at least one of a plurality of mutually partitioned zones based on receiving user input for setting the target area.

For example, the controller 300 may control the display 70b-1 to provide an interface for receiving a selection of at least one of a plurality of mutually partitioned zones a2 based on the partial care button 70a-4 being selected.

In an embodiment, the interface for receiving a selection of at least one of the plurality of mutually partitioned zones a2 may include a pre-stored items (e.g., clothes) image and a visual indicator g2 that partitions the pre-stored items (e.g., clothes) image into the plurality of zones a2.

In an embodiment, the controller 300 may control the display 70b-1 to provide an interface for determining a type of clothes (e.g., short-sleeved, long-sleeved, pants, etc.) based on the partial care button 70a-4 being selected, and may control the display 70b-1 to output the pre-stored items (e.g., clothes) image and the visual indicator g2 that partitions the pre-stored items (e.g., clothes) image corresponding to the type of clothes into the plurality of zones a2 based on the type of clothes being selected.

The visual indicator g2 may include a grid pattern, but the form of the visual indicator g2 that partitions the pre-stored clothes image displayed on the display 70b-1 into the plurality of zones a2 is not limited thereto.

The user may select at least one of the plurality of zones a2 via the control panel 70. For example, the user may select at least one of the plurality of zones a2 via the directional selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 and the selection button 70a-12, or may select at least one of the plurality of zones a2 via touch input on the display 70b-1.

The controller 300 may control the display 70b-1 to output a visual indication that distinguishes the at least one zone selected via the control panel 70 of the plurality of zones a2 from the unselected zones.

The controller 300 may determine the at least one zone selected via the control panel 70 of the plurality of zones a2 as the target area.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when the spot cleaning device 100 is disposed on a side wall of the clothes care apparatus 1 and thus the user cannot see the clothes accommodated in the management room 11, the user may easily set the target area by identifying a contaminated portion of the clothes in advance and selecting at least one area corresponding to the contaminated portion.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a button for setting a target area provided on the control panel 70 according to an embodiment.

The control panel 70 according to an embodiment may include a plurality of buttons bb for receiving a selection of at least one of the plurality of partitioned zones a2 partitioned from each other.

In an embodiment, the plurality of buttons bb may form a clothes shape. For example, the plurality of buttons bb may form a short-sleeved shape, a long-sleeved shape, a trouser shape, and/or a dress shirt shape.

The plurality of buttons bb may correspond to the plurality of zones a2. In other words, each of the plurality of buttons bb may correspond to each of the plurality of zones a2.

The user may make a selection of at least one of the plurality of zones a2 partitioned from each other by selecting a button bb corresponding to the area desired to be washed from the plurality of buttons bb.

Each of the plurality of buttons bb may represent a physical button. Each of the plurality of buttons bb may be lit in response to being selected, and unlit in response to being deselected. In another example, the plurality of buttons bb may be provided on a touch panel, so that the button area may be illuminated or extinguished.

The controller 300 may determine the at least one zone selected via the control panel 70 of the plurality of zones A2 as the target area. In other words, the controller 300 may determine the zone corresponding to a selected button of the plurality of buttons bb as the target area.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when the spot cleaning device 100 is disposed on a side wall of the clothes care apparatus 1 and thus the user cannot see the clothes accommodated in the management room 11, the user may easily set the target area by identifying the contaminated portion of the clothes in advance and selecting the at least one button bb corresponding to the contaminated portion.

According to the present disclosure, the user may set the target area through the control panel 70 of the clothes care apparatus 1.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a method for determining a target area by the clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 25, the controller 300 may transmit a clothes scan command to the spot cleaning device 100 based on a given condition being satisfied (in operation 1310). The spot cleaning device 100 may acquire a full image of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 by moving along the one side wall 11c of the management room 11 based on receiving the clothes scan command from the controller 300.

In other words, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to acquire an overall image of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 by moving along the one side wall 11c of the management room 11 based on a predetermined condition being satisfied.

Such a condition may include at least one of: a new item (e.g., clothes, garment, apparel, etc.) being detected based on an image acquired by a camera of the spot cleaning device 100, a change of items being detected based on an image acquired by the camera of the spot cleaning device 100, or a clothes scan command being received.

For example, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to acquire an overall image of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 based on receiving a clothes scan command via the user interface provided by the control panel 70 and/or the display 35.

As another example, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to acquire an overall image of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 based on receiving a clothes scan command via the communication portion 330.

As another example, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to acquire an overall image of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 based on receiving user input for setting a target area.

As another example, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to acquire an overall image of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 based on a new item being detected or a change of items being detected based on an image acquired by a camera of the spot cleaning device 100.

FIG. 26 illustrates the spot cleaning device 100 scanning clothes accommodated in the management room 11 according to an embodiment. FIG. 27 illustrates an example of an overall image of clothes acquired by the spot cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, the spot cleaning device 100 may acquire a partial image ma of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 at each of a plurality of positions while moving along the one side wall 11c of the management room 11 based on receiving a clothes scan command from the controller 300.

In an example, the spot cleaning device 100 may acquire a partial image ma of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 at a plurality of predetermined positions dp by moving along a predetermined path da on the one side wall 11c of the management room 11 based on receiving a clothes scan command from the controller 300. In an example, the partial image ma may be acquired by a camera (image sensor), which is the sensor 108 provided in the spot cleaning device 100.

The spot cleaning device 100 may deliver the plurality of partial images ma acquired at the plurality of predetermined positions dp to the controller 300.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may generate an overall image M of the clothes by synthesizing the plurality of partial images ma acquired at the plurality of positions dp (in operation 1320).

In an embodiment, the controller 300 may generate the overall image M of the clothes by synthesizing the plurality of partial images ma.

In an embodiment, the controller 300 may identify a contaminated portion from the overall image M of the clothes. To this end, the memory 320 may store an algorithm for identifying a contaminated portion from the overall image of the clothes. For example, the controller 300 may identify the soiled portion by inputting the overall image M of the clothes into a machine learning model.

According to various embodiments, the second controller 180 of the spot cleaning device 100 may generate the overall image M of the clothes by synthesizing the plurality of partial images ma.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may receive an instruction to select a partial region in the overall image M of the clothes (in operation 1330).

The instruction to select a partial region in the overall image M of the clothes may be received from the control panel 70, a user interface provided by the display 35, and/or an external device via the communication portion 330.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may need to show the overall image M of the clothes to the user in order to receive the instruction to select a partial region in the overall image M of the clothes.

The clothes care apparatus 1 may determine the selected partial region as the target area based on receiving the instruction to select a partial region in the overall image M of the clothes, and then the spot cleaning device 100 may wash the target area (in operation 1340).

FIG. 28 illustrates an example in which the overall image of clothes is displayed on the control panel 70 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 28, in an embodiment, the controller 300 may control the display 70b-1 of the control panel 70 to display the overall image of the clothes based on receiving the user input for setting the target area.

The overall image of the clothes may be displayed on the display 70b-1 of the control panel 70.

The controller 300 may control the display 70b-1 to display a visual indicator pp to emphasize the contaminated portion identified from the overall image M of the clothes while displaying the overall image M of the clothes.

According to the present disclosure, the user may easily set the target area by referring to the contaminated portion identified from the overall image M of the clothes by the clothes care apparatus 1.

The overall image M of the clothes displayed on the display 70b-1 may be enlarged or reduced based on user input to enlarge or reduce the overall image M of the clothes.

The user input for zooming in or out on the overall image M of the clothes may include, for example, a pinch-to-zoom touch input to the display 70b-1.

The controller 300 may control the display 70b-1 to zoom in or out of the overall image M of the clothes based on receiving the user input for zooming in or out of the overall image M of the clothes.

According to the present disclosure, the user may easily find the contaminated portion of the clothes while zooming in or out of the clothes.

The controller 300 may determine the target area based on a selection of a partial region of the overall image M of the clothes displayed on the display 70b-1.

The controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to wash the target area based on the target area being determined.

Receiving a selection of a partial region of the overall image M of the clothes displayed on the display 70b-1 may include receiving touch input to the display 70b-1 and/or utilizing the directional selection buttons 70a-5 and 70a-6 and the selection button 70a-12 of the control panel 70.

According to various embodiments, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 22, the overall image M of the clothes displayed on the display 70b-1 may be partitioned into a plurality of zones by the visual indicator.

FIG. 29 illustrates a state in which the overall image of clothes acquired by the clothes care apparatus 1 is transmitted to a user device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 29, in an embodiment, the controller 300 may transmit the overall image M of the clothes to an external device (e.g., the user device 3) via the communication portion 330.

For example, the controller 300 may transmit the overall image M of the clothes to the external device in response to receiving a command for target setting from the external device via the communication portion 330.

In another example, the controller 300 may transmit the overall image M of the clothes to an external device (e.g., a user device) based on the overall image M of the clothes being generated.

The user device may store an application for managing home appliances.

After executing the application for managing home appliances through the user device 3, the user may access the user's account and send various control commands to the home appliances associated with the account, or receive various information from the home appliances associated with the account.

In the case where the clothes care apparatus 1 is linked to the user's account, the user may send commands to control the clothes care apparatus 1 through the user device 3.

In the case where the clothes care apparatus 1 is linked to the user's account, the clothes care apparatus 1 may transmit the overall image M of the clothes to the user device 3.

The user device 3 may display the overall image M of the clothes received from the clothes care apparatus 1 in response to an operation of the user.

The user device 3 may display the visual indicator pp for highlighting the contaminated portion identified from the overall image M of the clothes during the display of the overall image M of the clothes.

The overall image M of the clothes displayed by the user device 3 may be partitioned into the plurality of zones by the visual indicator.

A method of receiving a selection of a partial region of the overall image M of the clothes displayed on the user device 3 may include receiving touch input to the user device 3.

The user may select a confirmation button m1 after completing the selection of a partial region of the overall image M of the clothes by operating the user device 3.

The user device 3 may transmit a partial wash command to the clothes care apparatus 1 based on the selection of the partial region of the overall image M of the clothes being received and the confirmation button m1 being selected.

The partial wash command may include a command to select a partial region in the overall image M of the clothes.

The controller 300 may determine a region corresponding to the partial region selected by the user device 3 in the overall image M of the clothes as the target area.

The controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to wash the target area based on the target area being determined.

According to the present disclosure, the user may set the target area remotely.

According to the present disclosure, the target area may be set through various methods and means.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining a method of automatically setting a target area by the clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 30, the clothes care apparatus 1 according to an embodiment may automatically set the target area.

The controller 300 may receive user input to initate an automatic washing cycle (in operation 1410). The user input to initate the automatic washing cycle may be communicated to the controller 300 by various manners.

For example, when the partial care button 70a-4 is selected, an interface for selecting an automatic washing mode may be provided on the display 70b-1, and the controller 300 may perform the automatic washing cycle based on the start button 70 a-7 being selected in a state where the automatic washing mode is selected.

In another example, the controller 300 may perform the automatic washing cycle based on an automatic washing button of the user interface provided by the display 35 being selected.

The automatic washing cycle may refer to a cycle in which the controller 300 automatically identifies a contaminated portion of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 based on sensor data collected from the at least one sensor 108 of the spot cleaning device 100, and the spot cleaning device 100 washes the contaminated portion.

According to various embodiments, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to move along a predetermined path in the management room 11 based on the automatic washing cycle being initiated.

In an embodiment, the controller 300 may identify a contaminated portion of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 based on sensor data collected from the sensor 108 while the spot cleaning device 100 is traveling (in operation 1420).

The controller 300 may identify the contaminated portion of the clothes based on the sensor data collected from the sensor 108. To this end, the memory 320 may store an algorithm for identifying the contaminated portion based on the sensor data. For example, the controller 300 may identify the contaminated portion by inputting the sensor data into a machine learning model.

In the case where the sensor 108 is a camera, the controller 300 may identify the contaminated portion of the clothes based on image data. In the case where the sensor 108 is a photo sensor, the controller 300 may identify the contaminated portion of the clothes based on light amount data.

According to various embodiments, when the second controller 180 of the spot cleaning device 100 is capable of identifying the contaminated portion of the clothes based on sensor data collected from the sensor 108, the operations described above and operations described below may also be performed by the second controller 180.

In an embodiment, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to wash the contaminated portion (in operation 1430).

According to various embodiments, the controller 300 may control the spot cleaning device 100 to wash a contaminated portion in response to the contaminated portion being identified while the spot cleaning device 100 is moving along a predetermined path on one side wall of the management room 11.

According to this embodiment, the spot cleaning device 100 may wash the contaminated portion in real time while moving along one side wall of the management room 11.

According to various embodiments, the controller 300 may store coordinate data for a contaminated portion while the spot cleaning device 100 is moving along a predetermined path on one side wall of the management room 11, and may control the spot cleaning device 100 to wash the contaminated portion in response to the spot cleaning device 100 completing a clothes scan.

According to the present embodiment, the time required for completing the automatic washing cycle may be calculated relatively accurately by accurately identifying the contaminated portion of the clothes accommodated in the management room 11 and then performing washing of the contaminated portion.

On the other hand, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, which, when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer-readable recording medium includes any type of recording media that stores instructions that can be decoded by a computer. For example, it can be read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, and the like.

In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. As used herein, ‘non-transitory storage medium’ refers only to a tangible device that does not contain a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently on the storage medium and cases where data is stored temporarily. For example, a ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

In an embodiment, methods according to various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided as part of a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between a seller and a buyer as a commodity. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable recording medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded), such as through an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be at least temporarily stored on, or temporarily generated from, a machine-readable recording medium, such as a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a memory of a relay server.

According to an embodiment, the clothes care apparatus 1 may include the cabinet 10, the management room 11 formed inside the cabinet and configured to accommodate clothes, the cabinet water supply tank 15b detachably mounted to the cabinet, the cabinet drainage tank 15a detachably mounted to the cabinet, the clothes support member 50 detachably coupled to an upper side of the management room and configured to support an upper portion of the clothes, the door 20 configured to open or close the management room, and the spot cleaning device 100 provided on one side wall of the management room to partially wash clothes accommodated in the management room, the spot cleaning device including the water supply tank 121 and the drainage tank 122. The water supply tank of the spot cleaning device may receive water from the cabinet water supply tank, and the drainage tank of the spot cleaning device may discharge water into the cabinet drainage tank.

The spot cleaning device may be movably provided on one side wall 11c of the management room.

The clothes care apparatus may further include the home positioning portion 25 provided on one side wall of the management room to be connected to the spot cleaning device.

When the spot cleaning device is connected to the home positioning portion, the water supply tank may be connected to the cabinet water supply tank to receive water therefrom, and the drainage tank may be connected to the cabinet drainage tank to discharge water thereto.

The home positioning portion may include the first opening 25c through which water from the cabinet water supply tank is configured to pass through, and the second opening 25d through which water from the drainage tank is configured to pass.

The clothes care apparatus may further include the water supply pump 16a disposed below the first opening and configured to move water from the cabinet water supply tank to the water supply tank positioned above the first opening when the spot cleaning device is connected to the home positioning portion.

The clothes care apparatus may further include the steam generator 40 configured to generate steam to provide steam to the management room.

The water supply pump may be configured to move water from the cabinet water supply tank to the steam generator or the water supply tank.

The spot cleaning device may include the water supply portion 124 connected to the water supply tank to provide water to the water supply tank and configured to be connected to the home positioning portion, and the drainage portion 125 connected to the drainage tank to discharge water from the drainage tank and configured to be connected to the home positioning portion.

The water supply portion may include the first check valve 124a configured to prevent water in the water supply tank from being discharged through the water supply portion by gravity.

The drainage portion may include the second check valve 125a configured to prevent water in the drainage tank from being discharged through the drainage portion by gravity.

The home positioning portion may include the first opener 25e configured to open the first check valve when the water supply portion is connected to the home positioning portion, and the second opener 25f configured to open the second check valve when the drainage portion is connected to the home positioning portion.

The spot cleaning device may include the water spray portion 101 configured to spray water, the cleaning liquid spray portion 102 configured to spray a cleaning liquid in which water and detergent are mixed, and the intake portion 104 configured to draw in water, the cleaning liquid, and foreign matter.

The spot cleaning device may include at least one of the vibration portion 103 configured to provide micro-vibrations to clothes and the roller portion 105 configured to contact clothes and remove contaminants from the clothes.

The spot cleaning device may further include the water supply pump 140 configured to move water in the water supply tank to at least one of the water spray portion and the cleaning liquid spray portion, the drain pump 150 configured to move water from the intake portion to the drainage tank, and the battery 118b configured to supply power to the water supply pump and the drain pump.

The spot cleaning device may include the first charging terminals 115a and 115b electrically connected to the battery.

The home positioning portion may include the second charging terminals 25a and 25b configured to be connected to the first charging terminals to charge the battery.

The clothes care apparatus may further include the fixing portion 90 provided on the one side wall of the management room and configured to hold a lower side of the clothes.

The fixing portion may include the bar 93 traversing the one side wall of the management room in a horizontal direction, and the fixing members 91 and 92 configured to be movable in the horizontal direction along the bar and configured to grip and hold the clothes.

The clothes care apparatus may further include the moving device 200 configured to move the spot cleaning device along a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction on the one side wall of the management room.

The moving device may include the first motor 210 configured to provide a driving force for the spot cleaning device to move along the first direction and the second motor 220 configured to provide a driving force for the spot cleaning device to move along the second direction.

The moving device may further include the frame 250 supporting the spot cleaning device, the first shaft 211 provided inside the frame, connected to the spot cleaning device, and extending along the first direction, and the second shaft 221 provided outside the frame, connected to the frame, and extending along the second direction.

The spot cleaning device may be movably provided within the frame along the first direction.

The first motor may be configured to be connected to the first shaft to rotate the first shaft.

The second motor may be configured to be connected to the second shaft to rotate the second shaft.

The spot cleaning device may move along the first direction within the frame in response to rotation of the first shaft.

The frame and the spot cleaning device may move along the second direction in response to rotation of the second shaft.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes care apparatus including the spot cleaning device to enable partial washing of clothes may be provided.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes care apparatus capable of supplying and draining water to and from the spot cleaning device without removing the water supply tank and the drainage tank of the spot cleaning device may be provided.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes care apparatus capable of automatically performing water supply to the water supply tank and drainage from the drainage tank of the spot cleaning device may be provided.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes care apparatus capable of supplying water from the relatively large capacity cabinet water supply tank to the relatively small capacity water supply tank of the spot cleaning device may be provided.

According to the present disclosure, the clothes care apparatus capable of draining water from the relatively small capacity drainage tank of the spot cleaning device to the relatively large capacity cabinet drainage tank may be provided.

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