CLOTHES TREATING 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 2025/017291, filed Oct. 28, 2025, which claims priority under 35 U.S. C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0201308, filed Dec. 30, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

BACKGROUND ART

A clothes treating apparatus is an apparatus for treating and/or managing clothes. The clothes treating apparatus may include a washing machine and a drier. The clothes treating apparatus may include a drying combined washing machine.

A drying combined washing machine is an apparatus that performs washing through friction between laundry, water, and a detergent put into a tub by stirring the laundry, water, and detergent together using a driving force of a driving motor.

A procedure to be performed by the drying combined washing machine may include a washing process of supplying the detergent and water to the tub accommodating laundry and washing the laundry while rotating a drum, a rinsing process of supplying water to the tub and rotating the drum to rinse the laundry, and a dewatering process of discharging the water from the tub and rotating the drum to remove moisture from the laundry.

The procedure to be performed by the drying combined washing machine may include a drying process of blowing heat generated from a drying device into an accommodation space in which the laundry is accommodated to dry the laundry. The drying combined washing machine may include the drying device to perform the drying process.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus capable of reducing damage to a filter caused by water collected in a water collection portion of a drying device.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a clothes treating apparatus capable of reducing a decrease in an air flow supplied from a fan to a drum.

Technical objects of the disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other technical objects not described herein will also be clearly understood by a person who has a common knowledge in the technical field to which the disclosure pertains from the following detailed description.

Technical Solution

A clothes treating apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure includes: a tub; and a drying device to be disposed at an upper side of the tub, the drying device being configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub and to supply dried air to the tub. The drying device includes: a drying base including a water collection portion; a heat exchanger accommodated in the drying base; a filter to be disposed at a first side of the heat exchanger; a supply fan to be disposed at a second side of the heat exchanger such that while the filter is disposed at the first side of the heat exchanger, the supply fan is at the second side of the heat exchanger which is opposite to the first side, the supply fan being configured to blow air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger into the tub; and a fan duct configured to accommodate the supply fan, the fan duct including a duct drain portion configured to, based on an occurrence of overflow of water in the water collection portion, allow water introduced from the water collection portion into the fan duct due to the occurrence of overflow to flow toward the tub.

A clothes treating apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure includes: a tub; and a drying device to be disposed at an upper side of the tub, the drying device being configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub and to supply dried air to the tub. The drying device includes: a filter configured to filter air discharged from the tub; a drying base including a filter cover portion configured to support a lower end of the filter and a water collection portion located at one side of the filter cover portion; and a fan duct to be disposed at a side opposite to a side of the water collection portion at which the filter is located, the fan duct including a duct drain portion configured to, based on an occurrence of overflow of water in the water collection portion, allow water introduced from the water collection portion into the fan duct due to the occurrence of overflow to flow toward the tub. A bottom surface of the duct drain portion is disposed lower than an upper end of the filter cover portion.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a part of components disposed inside a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a part of components disposed inside the clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed in a direction different from that of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which a fan device of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is separated from a drying device and a tub.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fan device of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fan device of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in an exploded view.

FIG. 8 illustrates components of a drying device in a part of a cross-section taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-section taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section taken along line D-D′ of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-section taken along line E-E′ of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-section taken along line F-F′ of FIG. 6.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-section of a fan device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-section taken along line G-G′ of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-section of a fan device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-section of a fan device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-section of a fan device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technology disclosed herein to specific forms, and the disclosure should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives to the corresponding embodiments.

In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to designate similar constituent elements.

A singular expression may include a plural expression unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.

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

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

Herein, the expressions “a first”, “a second”, “the first”, “the second”, etc., may simply be used to distinguish an element from other elements, but is not limited to another aspect (e.g., importance or order) of elements.

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.

In this disclosure, the terms “including”, “having”, and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, elements, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

When an element is said to be “connected”, “coupled”, “supported” or “contacted” with another element, this includes not only when elements are directly connected, coupled, supported or contacted, but also when elements are indirectly connected, coupled, supported or contacted 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For example, the at least one output interface may transmit information related to a washing course, operation time of the washing machine, and washing/rinsing/spin-drying settings to the user. Information about the operation of the washing machine may be output through a screen, an indicator, or voice. The at least one output interface may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.

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

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

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

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

The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an 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, etc., but is not limited thereto.

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

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

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

Hereinafter, various embodiments of a clothes treating apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although a drying combined washing machine is described as an example of the clothes treating apparatus below, the spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may be applied to various apparatuses for treating and/or managing clothes.

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

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

FIG. 1 illustrates a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a part of components disposed inside a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a part of components disposed inside the clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed in a direction different from that of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which a fan device of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is separated from a drying device and a tub.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may include a housing 10 accommodating various components therein. The housing 10 may be provided in the form of a box with a laundry inlet 11 formed on one side thereof. The laundry inlet 11 may be provided to face substantially the front.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a laundry door 17 for opening and closing the laundry inlet 11. The laundry door 17 may be rotatably mounted on the housing 10 by hinges. At least a portion of the laundry door 17 may be provided to be transparent or translucent so that the inside of the housing 10 is visible. As an example, the laundry door 17 may include tempered glass.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a lower door 18 configured to provide access to a lower detergent supply device 60. The clothes treating apparatus 1 may further include an upper door 19 configured to provide access to an upper detergent supply device 50 and a filter 95.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a tub 20 provided inside the housing 10 to store water. The tub 20 may be provided in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening 21 formed on one side thereof and may be disposed inside the housing 10 so that the tub opening 21 is disposed to correspond to the laundry inlet 11. The tub opening 21 may be provided to face substantially the front.

The tub 20 may be connected to the housing 10 by a damper 25. The damper 25 may absorb vibration occurring when the drum 30 rotates to attenuate the vibration transmitted to the housing 10.

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

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the drum 30 provided to accommodate laundry. At least one lifter 33 may be provided inside the drum 30 to perform washing by lifting and dropping laundry.

The drum 30 may be disposed inside the tub 20 such that a drum opening 31 provided on one side thereof corresponds to the laundry inlet 11 and the tub opening 21. Laundry may sequentially pass through the laundry inlet 11, the diaphragm, the tub opening 21, and the drum opening 31 to be put into the drum 30 or taken out from the drum 30. The drum opening 31 may be provided to face substantially the front.

The drum 30 may perform each operation according to a washing, rinsing, and/or dewatering process while rotating inside the tub 20. A plurality of passing holes 32 is formed on a cylindrical wall of the drum 30 so that water stored in the tub 20 may flow into or out of the drum 30.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a driver 36 configured to rotate the drum 30. The driver 36 may include a driving motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated by the driving motor to the drum 30. The rotating shaft may penetrate the tub 20 to be connected to the drum 30.

The driver 36 may rotate the drum 30 forward or backward to perform each operation according to the washing, rinsing, and/or dewatering, or drying process.

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

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

For example, the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may include a hot water pipe 43 connected to the hot water valve 41 and a cold water pipe 44 connected to the cold water valve 42. At least one of the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may guide water from the water supply valves 41 and 42 to the tub 20. At least one of the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may extend from the water supply valves 41 and 42 to the tub 20. The water may be supplied to the lower detergent supply device 60 via the tub 20. Alternatively, the water may be supplied to the lower detergent supply device 60 without passing through the tub 20.

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

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

The upper detergent supply device 50 may be located above the tub 20. The upper detergent supply device 50 may be located above the tub 20 in the upper-lower direction. The upper detergent supply device 50 may include a manual detergent supply device configured such that the user supplies the detergent to be used each time washing, and an automatic detergent supply device configured to store a large amount of detergent and automatically supply a predetermined amount of detergent each time washing. The upper detergent supply 50 may be connected to the tub 20 through a detergent connection pipe 51. As an example, the upper detergent supply device 50 may be provided to supply a solid washing detergent and/or softener to the tub 20. However, the type of detergent is not limited to the above example.

The lower detergent supply device 60 may be located below the tub 20. The lower detergent supply device 60 may be located below the tub 20 in the upper-lower direction. The lower detergent supply device 60 may include a manual detergent supply device configured such that the user supplies the detergent to be used each time washing, and an automatic detergent supply device configured to store a large amount of detergent and automatically supply a predetermined amount of detergent each time washing. As an example, the lower detergent supply device 60 may be provided to supply a solid washing detergent and/or softener to the tub 20. However, the type of detergent is not limited to the above example.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a drain device 70 configured to discharge water accommodated in the tub 20 to the outside. The drain device 70 may include a drain pump 71 provided to discharge water in the tub 20 to the outside of the housing 10.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a circulation pump 76 provided to circulate water in the tub 20 back to the tub 20 through the lower detergent supply 60.

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

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

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

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

The at least one output interface may visually or audibly deliver information related to operations of the clothes treating apparatus 1 to the user.

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

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a control box 16 for the control panel 15. The control box 16 may be electrically connected to the control panel 15. The control box 16 may supply power to the control panel 15. The control box 16 may process information input through the control panel 15. The control box 16 may control the control panel 15 to output information.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a drying device 80 configured to dry laundry accommodated inside the drum 30. The drying device 80 may be configured to heat air and supply the heated air to the inside of the tub 20. The drying device 80 may be configured to dry and heat air discharged from the tub 20 and circulate the dried and heated air inside the tub 20 to dry clothes inside the drum 30. The drying device 80 according to various embodiments may be disposed above the tub 20.

The drying device 80 may include a drying case 81 in which a heat pump for drying air may be installed. The drying case 81 may include a drying base 81a and a drying cover 81b coupled to the drying base 81a to form a flow path through which air may move. The drying cover 81b may cover at least a portion of an open upper side of the drying base 81a.

The drying device 80 according to various embodiments may be configured as a heat pump type. The drying device 80 may include a compressor 91, the condenser 92, the evaporator 93, an expansion valve, and a refrigerant pipe 94 through which a refrigerant circulates. The compressor 91, condenser 92, evaporator 93, and the like constituting the heat pump may be disposed in the drying case 81. For example, the drying device 80 may include a cooling fan 91a provided to cool the compressor 91. As an example, the drying device 80 may be mounted as a single module.

The compressor 91 may compress the refrigerant, and the compressed high-temperature and pressure refrigerant may move to the condenser 92. The condenser 92 may cool the refrigerant to heat the surrounding air. The heated air may be introduced into the drum 30 to dry clothes.

The refrigerant expanded through the expansion valve may absorb heat from the evaporator 93 to cool the surrounding air. That is, the evaporator 93 may remove moisture by cooling high-temperature and humid air passed through the inside of the drum 30. The air from which moisture has been removed passes through the condenser 92 and exchanges heat with the refrigerant passing through the condenser 92, thereby being heated again. That is, the condenser 92 may heat the air passed through the evaporator 93. The condenser 92 and the evaporator 93 may be collectively referred to as a heat exchanger.

The drying device 80 may include an inlet guide 84 connected to the tub 20. The inlet guide 84 may guide air discharged from the tub 20 into the inside of the drying case 81. The inlet guide 84 may be in communication with an exhaust passage (P) formed in the tub 20. Air passing through the exhaust passage (P) may be introduced into the drying device 80 through the inlet guide 84.

A first end of the inlet guide 84 may be connected to the tub 20, and a second end opposite to the first end of the inlet guide 84 may be connected to the drying case 81. For example, the inlet guide 84 may be provided to reduce transmission of vibration of the tub 20 to the drying device 80. The inlet guide 84 may include a material more flexible than the tub 20 and/or the drying case 81.

The drying device 80 may include a filter 95 for filtering out foreign substances, such as lint, contained in the air introduced from the tub 20 through the exhaust passage (P). Air introduced into the inside of the drying device 80 through the inlet guide 84 may pass through the filter 95 and then move to the evaporator 93 and the condenser 92. The filter 95 may be located on a flow path along which the air introduced into the drying device 80 moves to the evaporator 93 and the condenser 92. The filter 95 may be detachably mounted on the drying case 81.

The condenser 92 and the evaporator 93 may be mounted in the drying case 81. Since the air introduced into the drying device 80 from the tub 20 has dried laundry while passing through the inside of the tub 20, the air may be humid air. The humid air may be cooled in the evaporator 93 of the drying device 80, and have moisture removed. The air with moisture removed in the evaporator 93 may be reheated while passing through the condenser 92.

The drying device 80 may include a nozzle device 96 for cleaning the condenser 92 and/or the evaporator 93. For example, the nozzle device 96 may be mounted on the drying cover 81b of the drying case 81. The nozzle device 96 may be located above the condenser 92 and/or the evaporator 93. The nozzle device 96 may receive water from the water supply device 40 and spray washing water toward the condenser 92 and/or the evaporator 93.

Meanwhile, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a drain connection pipe 97 for guiding water discharged from the drying device 80. The drain connection pipe 97 may guide condensate generated in the heat exchanger 92, 93 of the drying device 80 to the outside of the drying device 80. The drain connection pipe 97 may guide washing water sprayed by the nozzle device 96 for cleaning the heat exchanger 92, 93 to the outside of the drying device 80. For example, the drain connection pipe 97 may be connected to the drain device 70. Water discharged from the drying device 80 may flow along the drain connection pipe 97 to the drain device 70. Water introduced into the drain device 70 through the drain connection pipe 97 may be discharged to the outside of the clothes treating apparatus 1.

The drying device 80 may include a fan device 100 for supplying the air heated while passing through the condenser 92 back into the tub 20. The fan device 100 may be disposed at one side of the condenser 92. For example, the fan device 100 may be disposed at a second side of the condenser 92 opposite to a first side at which the evaporator 93 is located. The fan device 100 may extend toward a front lower side to supply the heated air into the drum 30. Since, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fan device 100 is located at the second side opposite to the first side of the condenser 92 in which the evaporator 93 is located, a space may be ensured for positioning the control box 16 located at the front end of the clothes treating apparatus 1. The control box 16 may be located at the front end of the clothes treating apparatus 1, between a portion of the fan device 100 and the filter 95.

For example, the fan device 100 may be connected to the diaphragm 22. An end of the fan device 100 from which air is discharged may be connected to the diaphragm 22. The diaphragm 22 may include a diaphragm connection portion 22a connected to the end of the fan device 100. The diaphragm connection portion 22a may include an air inlet 26. Air discharged from the fan device 100 may be supplied into the drum 30 through the air inlet 26.

The fan device 100 may include a supply fan 101 for blowing the heat-exchanged air into the tub 20. The supply fan 101 may be provided to supply air to laundry inside the drum 30. For example, the supply fan 101 may be provided to draw in air in an axial direction of the supply fan 101 and discharge the air in an outward circumferential direction of the supply fan 101. For example, the supply fan 101 may include a sirocco fan.

As the drying device 80 may be connected to the tub 20, the air for drying laundry inside the drum 30 may circulate between the drying device 80 and the tub 20. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the air discharged from the tub 20 may be provided to pass through the drying device 80 located above the tub 20 and then be supplied into the inside of the tub 20.

Air heated in the drying device 80 may be supplied into the drum 30. To ensure an area in which the heated air supplied into the drum 30 contacts the laundry, a tub exhaust port 27 may be provided at a position opposite to the air inlet 26 through which the air heated in the drying device 80 is supplied into the tub 20. To increase the distance and/or time that the heated air flows inside the drum 30 so that the heated air may contact the laundry more, the tub exhaust port 27 may be provided at a position opposite to the air inlet 26 through which the air heated in the drying device 80 is supplied into the tub 20. The diaphragm 22 connected to the fan device 100 for supplying heated air into the inside of the drum 30 may be arranged to be spaced apart from the tub exhaust port 27. By increasing the area in which the heated air contacts the laundry, drying efficiency may be improved.

The air inlet 26 and the tub exhaust port 27 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be arranged to maximize utilization of the heated air supplied from the drying device 80. For example, the air inlet 26 may be located at a front end of the tub 20, and the tub exhaust port 27 may be located at a rear end of the tub 20.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may further include the exhaust passage P that allows the air discharged from the inside of the tub 20 to flow to the drying device 80. The exhaust passage P may be provided such that air discharged from the tub exhaust port 27 flows to the inlet guide 84 of the drying device 80. The exhaust passage P may be provided to discharge the humid air passed through the tub 20. As an example, the exhaust passage P may be provided at the rear of the tub 20.

The air inside the tub 20 may be discharged to a tub duct 28 through the tub exhaust port 27 formed at the rear side of the tub 20. The air discharged to the tub duct 28 may flow along the exhaust passage (P) and then be supplied to the drying device 80.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may include the tub duct 28 forming at least a portion of the exhaust passage P. As an example, the tub duct 28 may be formed integrally with the tub 20. As an example, the tub 20 may include the tub duct 28. The tub duct 28 may be provided to surround the tub exhaust port 27.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may include a duct cover 29 forming at least a portion of the exhaust passage P. The duct cover 29 may be provided to cover an open rear side of the tub duct 28. As an example, the tub 20 may include the duct cover 29. The duct cover 29 may form at least a portion of the exhaust passage P through which the air discharged through a tub exhaust port 27 flows to the drying device 80.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a tub sealing member 29a for sealing between the tub duct 28 and the duct cover 29. The tub sealing member 29a may be provided along an edge of the tub duct 28 and/or the duct cover 29. The tub sealing member 29a may include a material more flexible than the tub duct 28 and/or the duct cover 29.

In the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments, the exhaust passage P may be formed as the duct cover 29 is coupled to the tub duct 28.

The tub duct 28 according to an embodiment may include a recess portion 28a forming a portion of the exhaust passage P through which the air discharged from the inside of the tub 20 flows. A reinforcing rib 23 for reinforcing the rigidity of the tub 20 may be provided on a rear surface of the tub 20, and the recess portion 28a may be formed as a portion that is recessed from an end of the reinforcing rib 23 protruding from the rear surface of the tub 20. The recess portion 28a may be formed as a portion of the rear surface of the tub 20 in which the reinforcing rib 23 is not provided. The tub exhaust port 27 may be formed on the recess portion 28a to exhaust air from the inside of the tub 20.

The tub duct 28 may include a partition rib 28d) provided along a periphery of the recess portion 28a. The partition rib 28d) may distinguish a region in which the reinforcing rib 23 is formed from a region in which the recess portion 28a is formed on the rear surface of the tub 20.

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

The duct connection portion 28b may communicate the drying device 80 and the recess portion 28a. The duct connection portion 28b may be connected to the inlet guide 84 of the drying device 80. The duct connection portion 28b may form one passage forming the exhaust passage P together with the recess portion 28a and the duct cover 29.

The duct connection portion 28b may be covered by the duct cover 29. The duct connection portion 28b may have one open side. The duct cover 29 may cover the one open side of the duct connection portion 28b.

The duct cover 29 may cover both the recess portion 28a and the duct connection portion 28b. For example, the duct cover 29 may cover both an open side of the recess portion 28a and the open side of the duct connection portion 28b. The exhaust passage P may be formed by the duct cover 29 covering the recess portion 28a and the duct connection portion 28b. As an example, the duct cover 29 may cover only the recess portion 28a.

The duct cover 29 may be provided to cover an open rear side of the recess portion 28a and/or an open rear side of the duct connection portion 28b. The exhaust passage P may be one passage formed together with the tub duct 28 and the duct cover 29.

The tub duct 28 may include a stepped portion 28c that expands a cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage P perpendicular to a direction in which air flows through. The exhaust passage P may be configured such that, due to the stepped portion 28c, a width of a portion formed by the duct connection portion 28b is greater than a width of a portion formed by the recess portion 28a. The stepped portion 28c may be formed such that a cross-sectional area perpendicular to a direction of air flow expands in the direction of air flow along the exhaust passage P. The clothes treating apparatus 1 may ensure the size of the exhaust passage P through the stepped portion 28c and may efficiently utilize an internal space of the housing 10.

The water supply valves 41 and 42 of the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have the mounting positions determined by utilizing a remaining space formed by such a mounting structure. In the present embodiment, the water supply valves 41 and 42 may be mounted between the inlet guide 84 and the cooling fan 91a. The water supply valves 41 and 42 may be positioned at a central portion of the rear side of the drying device 80. The water supply valves 41 and 42 may be located at the rear of the condenser 92. The water supply valves 41, 42 may be positioned in a region separated from a flow path through which drying air flows. The position of the water supply valves 41 and 42 is not limited thereto. For example, the water supply valves 41 and 42 may be mounted at a rear end portion of the drying case 81.

Meanwhile, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a wash-water heater 24. The wash-water heater 24 may be provided at a lower side of the tub 20 to heat wash water during a washing process. In addition, during a drying process, the water supply device 40 may supply a predetermined amount of water to a lower side of the tub 20 through the exhaust passage P, and the wash-water heater 24 may heat the water supplied into the tub 20 through the water supply device 40, the exhaust passage P, and the tub exhaust port 27 to generate steam. That is, the steam generated by the water supply device 40 and the wash-water heater 24 may come into contact with laundry during the drying process, thereby preventing wrinkles from forming on the clothes as much as possible.

The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a washing/drying combined washing machine that, unlike the conventional drier, includes the wash-water heater 24 for heating wash water, and may utilize the wash-water heater 24 together with the water supply device 40 for cleaning the exhaust passage P to generate steam, thereby preventing wrinkles from forming on clothes during the drying process as much as possible.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fan device of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 illustrates a fan device of a clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in an exploded view.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a fan device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a supply fan 101 for blowing air, which has passed through the heat exchanger 92, 93, into the tub 20. The supply fan 101 may be located on a second side opposite to a first side of the heat exchanger 92, 93 in which the filter 95 is positioned. The supply fan 101 may be arranged in parallel with the heat exchanger 92, 93 and the filter 95 in the direction of a rotation axis.

The fan device 100 may include a fan driver 103 for driving the supply fan 101. The fan driver 103 may be mounted to a fan duct 110, 120. For example, the supply fan 101 may be mounted inside the fan duct 110, 120, and the fan driver 103 may be installed outside the fan duct 110, 120. For instance, the fan driver 103 may include a motor.

The fan device 100 may include the fan duct 110, 120 for accommodating the supply fan 101. The fan duct 110, 120 may be mounted to the drying case 81. The fan duct 110, 120 may be located on the second side opposite to the first side of the heat exchanger 92, 93 in which the filter 95 is positioned. The fan duct 110 may form a flow path for guiding air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 92, 93 to the tub 20.

For example, the fan duct 110, 120 may include a first duct case 110 and a second duct case 120. The second duct case 120 may be detachably mounted to the first duct case 110. When the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120 are coupled, a flow path may be formed inside the fan duct 110, 120. For instance, the first duct case 110 may have a shape open at one side, and the second duct case 120 may be coupled to the first duct case 110 to cover the open one side of the first duct case 110.

The first duct case 110 may include a first coupling portion 117 for coupling with the second duct case 120. For example, the first coupling portion 117 may be located at an edge portion facing the second duct case 120. The first coupling portion 117 may include a first coupling structure 117a that couples with the second duct case 120 in a hook manner and/or a second coupling structure 117b that couples with the second duct case 120 in a screw manner.

The second duct case 120 may include a second coupling portion 127 for coupling with the first duct case 110. For example, the second coupling portion 127 may be located at an edge portion facing the first duct case 110. The second coupling portion 127 may include a third coupling structure 127a that couples with the first duct case 110 in a hook manner and/or a fourth coupling structure 127b that couples with the first duct case 110 in a screw manner.

The first coupling portion 117 of the first duct case 110 may be detachably coupled with the second coupling portion 127 of the second duct case 120. The first coupling structure 117a of the first coupling portion 117 may be detachably coupled with the third coupling structure 127a of the second coupling portion 127. The second coupling structure 117b of the first coupling portion 117 may be detachably coupled with the fourth coupling structure 127b of the second coupling portion 127.

The first duct case 110 may include a duct inlet portion 113 for air to be introduced by the supply fan 101. The duct inlet portion 113 may include an opening that opens toward the heat exchanger 92, 93. The duct inlet portion 113 may include a portion that opens in the rotational axis direction of the supply fan 101.

The first duct case 110 may include a duct outlet portion 114 for discharging air blown by the supply fan 101 to the tub 20. The duct outlet portion 114 may be connected to a diaphragm connection portion 22a provided in the diaphragm 22. For example, the duct outlet portion 114 and the diaphragm connection portion 22a may be fixed by mounting a clamp to a portion in which the duct outlet portion 114 and the diaphragm connection portion 22a are coupled.

The first duct case 110 may include a duct extension portion 111 for directing the air blown by the supply fan 101 to the duct outlet portion 114. The duct extension portion 111 may extend from the supply fan 101 toward a front lower side in which the diaphragm 22 is located.

The second duct case 120 may be detachably coupled to the first duct case 110. The second duct case 120 may be configured to cover the open side of the first duct case 110. The second duct case 120 may form a flow path through which the air blown by the supply fan 101 flows, together with the first duct case 110.

The second duct case 120 may include a duct guide 125 for guiding the air blown by the supply fan 101 toward the duct outlet portion 114. The duct guide 125 may protrude from a surface of the second duct case 120 facing the first duct case 110. The duct guide 125 may protrude from the bottom surface of the flow path formed inside the fan duct 110, 120.

For example, when the duct guide 125 is absent, air blown by the supply fan 101 during rotation of the supply fan 101 circulates within the inside of the fan duct 110, 120 without being discharged from the fan duct 110, 120. The duct guide 125 may guide the air blown by the supply fan 101 to prevent the air from forming a circulating airflow inside the fan duct 110, 1120 and enable discharge from the fan duct 110, 120.

For example, when the length of the duct guide 125 protruding from the bottom surface of the flow path formed inside the fan duct 110, 120 is relatively short, the volume of air blown by the supply fan 101 may be reduced. However, as the duct guide 125 protrudes by a predetermined length, it may be possible to prevent the reduction in volume of the air blown by the supply fan 101.

The second duct case 120 may include a driver mounting portion 123 for mounting the fan driver 103. The fan driver 103 may be mounted to the driver mounting portion 123 of the second duct case 120. In a state in which the fan driver 103 is mounted to the driver mounting portion 123 on a first side of the second duct case 120, the supply fan 101 may be connected to the fan driver 103 on a second side opposite to the first side of the second duct case 120, so that the supply fan 101 may be coupled to the fan driver 103 and receive power therefrom.

The fan device 100 may include a duct sealing member 109 for sealing between the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120 when the second duct case 120 is coupled to the first duct case 110. The duct sealing member 109 may be provided at least at a portion in which the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120 are coupled. For example, the duct sealing member 109 may be provided along at least one edge of the first duct case 110 and/or at least one edge of the second duct case 120. The duct sealing member 109 may include a material more flexible than the first duct case 110 and/or the second duct case 120. The duct sealing member 109 may reduce airflow loss of the fan device 100. The duct sealing member 109 may reduce air leakage from the flow path formed inside the fan duct 110, 120 by the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120.

The fan device 100 may include a fan sealing member 130 for sealing a portion in which the drying case 81 and the fan duct 110, 120 are connected when the fan duct 110, 120 is mounted to the drying case 81. The fan sealing member 130 may be provided along the outer circumference of the duct inlet portion 113. The fan sealing member 130 may include a material more flexible than the fan duct 110, 120 and/or the drying case 81.

Although the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120 have been described as separate components, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120 may be integrally formed with each other.

FIG. 8 illustrates components of a drying device in a part of a cross-section taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 3. FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-section taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the drying case 81 of the drying device 80 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a water collection portion 82. The water collection portion 82 may be provided in a drying base 81a. The water collection portion 82 may include a space formed at a lower end portion of the drying case 81. The water collection portion 82 may include an inclined portion of a bottom surface of the drying case 81. The water collection portion 82 may be provided as at least a portion of the bottom surface of the drying case 81 is concavely formed to collect water.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the water collection portion 82 may be located below the heat exchanger 92, 93. The water collection portion 82 may collect condensate generated from the heat exchanger 92, 93. The water collection portion 82 may also collect wash water sprayed by the nozzle device 96 for cleaning the heat exchanger 92, 93. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, water inside the drying device 80 may be collected in the water collection portion 82.

A drain hole 82a may be formed in the water collection portion 82. The drain hole 82a may be provided at the lowest position of the water collection portion 82. The water collection portion 82 may include a portion sloping downward toward the drain hole 82a. The drain hole 82a of the water collection portion 82 may be connected to a drain connection pipe 97. Water collected in the water collection portion 82 may be discharged through the drain connection pipe 97

When the amount of water collected in the water collection portion 82 exceeds a predetermined amount, the water may overflow from the water collection portion 82. For example, when a drain hole 82a is blocked by foreign matter such as lint, the water collected in the water collection portion 82 may exceed a predetermined capacity and overflow from the water collection portion 82.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the drying case 81 of the drying device 80 may include a filter mounting portion 83 for mounting a filter 95. The filter mounting portion 83 may include a filter cover portion 83a for supporting a lower end portion of the filter 95. The filter cover portion 83a may be provided to protect the filter 95 from water collected in the water collection portion 82. The filter cover portion 83a may include a portion protruding upward from a part of the bottom surface of the drying case 81 that forms the water collection portion 82.

Referring to FIG. 10, in the clothes treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a lower end of the duct inlet portion 113 may be positioned below an upper end of the filter cover portion 83a. The lower end of the duct inlet portion 113 may be positioned at a height h3 that is lower than a height (h2 of the upper end of the filter cover portion 83a. As the lower end of the duct inlet portion 113 is positioned lower than the upper end of the filter cover portion 83a, when water collected in the water collection portion 82 exceeds a predetermined amount, the overflowing water may flow into the interior of the fan duct 110, 120 through the duct inlet portion 113, instead of flowing toward the filter 95.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section taken along line D-D′ of FIG. 6. FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-section taken along line E-E′ of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-section taken along line F-F′ of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the fan device 100 of the drying device 80 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a duct drain portion 140. The duct drain portion 140 may allow water overflowing from the water collection portion 82 and introduced into the fan duct 110, 120 to flow into the tub 20.

The duct drain portion 140 may be formed inside the fan duct 110, 120. For example, the duct drain portion 140 may be formed by coupling the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120. The duct drain portion 140 may be provided as a space formed by portions of the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120 being spaced apart from each other. A bottom surface of the duct drain portion 140 may be formed flat.

When the duct drain portion 140 is formed to pass through a part of the first duct case 110 or a portion of the second duct case 120, the first duct case 110 and/or the second duct case 120 may not be easily manufactured as injection-molded parts. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the duct drain portion 140 has a structure that is formed between the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120 by coupling the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120, the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120 may be more easily manufactured as injection-molded parts.

The duct drain portion 140 may be provided at a position adjacent to the duct inlet portion 113. The duct drain portion 140 may be located closer to the duct inlet portion 113 than to the duct outlet portion 114. The duct inlet portion 113 may be oriented toward the water collection portion 82. The duct drain portion 140 may be positioned closer to the supply fan 101 than the duct outlet portion 114, between the supply fan 101 and the duct outlet portion 114. By providing the duct drain portion 140 at a position close to the duct inlet portion 113, the drying device 80 may form the shortest flow path that allows water overflowing from the water collection portion 82 and introduced into the fan duct 110, 120 to be discharged into the tub 20.

The duct drain portion 140 may be provided adjacent to the duct guide 125. The duct drain portion 140 may include a space formed as the duct guide 125 is spaced apart from the first duct case 110 while the first duct case 110 and the second duct case 120 are coupled to each other. The duct drain portion 140 may include a space between the duct guide 125 and an inner surface of the first duct case 110

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 13, the duct drain portion 140 may be formed such that, when water collected in the water collection portion 82 exceeds a predetermined capacity, the overflowing water flows through the duct drain portion 140 instead of flowing toward the filter 95.

In one example, in the drying device 80 of the clothes treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a bottom surface of the duct drain portion 140 may be configured at a height (h1 lower than a height (h2 of an upper end of the filter cover portion 83a. For example, the height (h1 of the bottom surface of the duct drain portion 140 may be positioned 14.8 mm lower than the height (h2 of the upper end of the filter cover portion 83a. Since the height (h1 of the bottom surface of the duct drain portion 140 is positioned lower than the height (h2 of the upper end of the filter cover portion 83a, when water collected in the water collection portion 82 exceeds a predetermined amount, the overflowing water may flow into the tub 20 through the duct drain portion 140, instead of flowing toward the filter 95.

In one example, referring to FIG. 11, a distance d by which the duct guide 125 is spaced apart from the first duct case 110 may be set to 2.5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The distance d by which the duct guide 125 is spaced apart from the first duct case 110 may be referred to as a width d of the duct drain portion 140. The width d of the duct drain portion 140, which is formed as the duct guide 125 is spaced apart from the first duct case 110, may be set to 2.5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. When the width d of the duct drain portion 140 is less than 2.5 mm, water introduced through the duct inlet portion 113 may be hindered from flowing toward the duct outlet portion 114. When the width d of the duct drain portion 140 is greater than 10 mm, the volume of air blown by the supply fan 101 may be reduced, thereby impairing the drying performance of the clothes treatment apparatus 1. When the width d of the duct drain portion 140 is 5 mm, water may be easily discharged to the duct outlet portion 114, and a reduction in the air volume blown by the supply fan 101 may be minimized.

In one example, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a length l from the bottom surface of the duct drain portion 140 to an upper end of the duct drain portion 140 may be provided as 50.4 mm. Accordingly, a cross-sectional area, which is a value obtained by multiplying the length l of the duct drain portion 140 by the width d of the duct drain portion 140, may be set to 126 mm² or more and 504 mm² or less. For example, a cross-sectional area perpendicular to the flow direction of water in the duct drain portion 140 may be set to 126 mm² or more and 504 mm² or Less.

Since the clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with the duct drain portion 140 inside the fan device 100, accumulation of lint in the duct drain portion 140 may be reduced by the supply fan 101. Air blown by the supply fan 101 may remove foreign matter such as lint present in the duct drain portion 140.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-section of a fan device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-section taken along line G-G′ of FIG. 14.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, a fan device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In describing the fan device 200 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the same reference numerals are assigned to components identical to those of the fan device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the fan device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a fan duct 210, 220 for accommodating a supply fan 101. For example, the fan duct 210, 220 may include a first duct case 210 and a second duct case 220. The fan device 200 may include a duct guide 225 for guiding air blown by the supply fan 101.

The fan device 200 may include a duct drain portion 240 configured to allow water introduced into the interiors of the fan duct 210, 220 to flow in a discharge direction toward the outside of the fan duct 210, 220. The duct drain portion 240 may be formed by coupling the first duct case 210 and the second duct case 220. A bottom surface of the duct drain portion 240 may be formed flat.

The duct drain portion 240 may be formed to pass through a part of the duct guide 225. The duct drain portion 240 may have a hole shape connecting a first side of the duct guide 225 facing the supply fan 101 and a second side of the duct guide 225 opposite to the first side. The duct drain portion 240 may include a flow path having a circular cross-section perpendicular to the water flow direction. Since the duct drain portion 240 includes a flow path having a circular cross-section perpendicular to the water flow direction, accumulation of foreign matter such as lint inside the duct drain portion 240 may be reduced.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-section of a fan device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 16, a fan device 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In describing the fan device 300 shown in FIG. 16, the same reference numerals are assigned to components identical to those of the fan device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 16, the fan device 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a fan duct 310, 320 for accommodating a supply fan 101. For example, the fan duct 310, 320 may include a first duct case 310 and a second duct case 320. The fan device 300 may include a duct guide 325 for guiding air blown by the supply fan 101.

The fan device 300 may include a duct drain portion 340 configured to allow water introduced into the interiors of the fan duct 310, 320 to flow in a discharge direction toward the outside of the fan duct 310, 320. The duct drain portion 340 may be formed by coupling the first duct case 310 and the second duct case 320. A bottom surface of the duct drain portion 340 may be formed flat.

The duct drain portion 340 may be formed to pass through a part of the duct guide 325. The duct drain portion 340 may have a hole shape connecting a first side of the duct guide 325 facing the supply fan 101 and a second side of the duct guide 325 opposite to the first side. The duct drain portion 340 may include a flow path having a circular cross-section perpendicular to the water flow direction. Since the duct drain portion 340 includes a flow path having a circular cross-section perpendicular to the water flow direction, accumulation of foreign matter such as lint inside the duct drain portion 340 may be reduced.

While the supply fan 101 is operating, the duct drain portion 340 may have a pressure lower than that formed in a flow path through which air blown by the supply fan 101 may be discharged to the outside of the fan duct 310, 320 and accordingly, a portion of the air discharged to the outside of the fan duct 310, 320 may flow back into the duct drain portion 340.

The fan device 300 may include a backflow reduction portion 325a that reduces air blown by the supply fan 101 from flowing back into the supply fan 101 through the duct drain portion 340. The backflow reduction portion 325a may reduce air blown by the supply fan 101 from being introduced into the duct drain portion 340. The backflow reduction portion 325a may protrude from a part of the duct guide 325. The backflow reduction portion 325a may be provided to cover a part of an outlet of the duct drain portion 340 in the water flow direction. As the backflow reduction portion 325a is configured to reduce a portion of air discharged to the outside of the fan device 300 from flowing back into the duct drain portion 340, the fan device 300 may reduce a decrease in air volume

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-section of a fan device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 17, a fan device 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In describing the fan device 400 shown in FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are assigned to components identical to those of the fan device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 17, the fan device 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a fan duct 410, 420 for accommodating a supply fan 101. For example, the fan duct 410, 420 may include a first duct case 410 and a second duct case 420. The fan device 400 may include a duct guide 425 for guiding air blown by the supply fan 101.

The fan device 400 may include a duct drain portion 440 configured to allow water introduced into the interiors of the fan duct 410, 420 to flow in a discharge direction toward the outside of the fan duct 410, 420. The duct drain portion 440 may be formed by coupling the first duct case 410 and the second duct case 420.

The duct drain portion 440 may be formed to pass through a part of the duct guide 425. The duct drain portion 440 may have a hole shape connecting a first side of the duct guide 425 facing the supply fan 101 and a second side of the duct guide 425 opposite to the first side.

While the supply fan 101 is operating, the duct drain portion 440 may have a pressure lower than that formed in a flow path through which air blown by the supply fan 101 may be discharged to the outside of the fan duct 410, 420, and accordingly, a portion of the air discharged to the outside of the fan duct 410, 420 may flow back into the duct drain portion 440.

The fan device 400 may include a backflow reduction portion 440a to reduce air blown by the supply fan 101 from flowing back into the supply fan 101 through the duct drain portion 440. The backflow reduction portion 440a may be formed as the bottom surface of the duct drain portion 440 has a curved shape along the water flow direction. The duct drain portion 440 may be formed such that a middle portion between a first side through which water is introduced and a second side through which water is discharged is positioned higher than the first side and the second side. The bottom surface of the duct drain portion 440 may have a central portion, in the water flow direction, protruding upward. The backflow reduction portion 440a may include the protruding central portion of the bottom surface of the duct drain portion 440.

Since the fan device 400 includes the duct drain portion 440 provided with the backflow reduction portion 440a, the fan device 400 may reduce air blown by the supply fan 101 from flowing back into the supply fan 101 through the duct drain portion 440. The curved bottom surface of the duct drain portion 440 may prevent a portion of the air discharged to the outside of the fan device 400 from flowing back to the duct drain portion 440. As the backflow reduction portion 440a is configured to reduce a portion of the air discharged to the outside of the fan device 400 from flowing backward to the supply fan 101 through the duct drain portion 440, the fan device 400 may reduce a decrease in air volume

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-section of a fan device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 18, a fan device 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In describing the fan device 500 shown in FIG. 18, the same reference numerals are assigned to components identical to those of the fan device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 18, the fan device 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a fan duct 510, 520 for accommodating a supply fan 101. For example, the fan duct 510, 520 may include a first duct case 510 and a second duct case 520. The fan device 500 may include a duct guide 525 for guiding air blown by the supply fan 101.

The fan device 500 may include a duct drain portion 540 configured to allow water introduced into the interiors of the fan duct 510, 520 to flow in a discharge direction toward the outside of the fan duct 510, 520. The duct drain portion 540 may be formed by coupling the first duct case 510 and the second duct case 520.

The duct drain portion 540 may be formed to pass through a part of the duct guide 525. The duct drain portion 540 may have a hole shape connecting a first side of the duct guide 525 facing the supply fan 101 and a second side of the duct guide 525 opposite to the first side.

While the supply fan 101 is operating, the duct drain portion 540 may have a pressure lower than that formed in a flow path through which air blown by the supply fan 101 may be discharged to the outside of the fan duct 510, 520, and accordingly, a portion of the air discharged to the outside of the fan duct 510, 520 may flow back to the duct drain portion 540.

The fan device 500 may include a first backflow reduction portion 540a to reduce air blown by the supply fan 101 from flowing back into the supply fan 101 through the duct drain portion 540. The first backflow reduction portion 540a may be formed as the bottom surface of the duct drain portion 540 has a curved shape along the water flow direction. The duct drain portion 540 may be formed such that a middle portion between a first side through which water is introduced and a second side through which water is discharged is positioned higher than the first side and the second side. The bottom surface of the duct drain portion 540 may have a central portion, in the water flow direction, protruding upward. The first backflow reduction portion 540a may include the protruding central portion of the bottom surface of the duct drain portion 540.

The fan device 500 may include a second backflow reduction portion 525a to reduce air blown by the supply fan 101 from flowing back to the supply fan 101through the duct drain portion 540. The second backflow reduction portion 525a may reduce air blown by the supply fan 101 from being introduced into the duct drain portion 540. The second backflow reduction portion 525a may protrude from a part of the duct guide 525. The second backflow reduction portion 525a may be provided to cover a part of an outlet portion of the duct drain portion 540 in the water flow direction. Since the second backflow reduction portion 525a is configured to reduce a portion of air discharged to the outside of the fan device 500 from flowing back into the duct drain portion 540, the fan device 500 may reduce a decrease in air volume.

Since the fan device 500 is provided such that the duct drain portion 540 is provided with the first backflow reduction portion 540a and the duct guide 525 is provided with the second backflow reduction portion 525a, the fan device 500 may reduce air blown by the supply fan 101 from flowing back into the supply fan 101 through the duct drain portion 540. The curved bottom surface of the duct drain portion 540 may prevent a portion of the air discharged to the outside of the fan device 500 from flowing back to the duct drain portion 540, and the protruding portion of the duct guide 525 may prevent a portion of the air discharged to the outside of the fan device 500 from flowing back to the duct drain portion 540. As the first backflow reduction portion 540a and the second backflow reduction portion 525a are configured to reduce a portion of the air discharged to the outside of the fan device 500 from flowing backward to the supply fan 101 through the duct drain portion 540, the fan device 500 may reduce a decrease in air volume

A clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a tub; and a drying device to be disposed at an upper side of the tub, the drying device being configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub and to supply dried air to the tub. The drying device includes: a drying base including a water collection portion; a heat exchanger accommodated in the drying base; a filter to be disposed at a first side of the heat exchanger; a supply fan to be disposed at a second side of the heat exchanger opposite to the first side, the supply fan being configured to blow air heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger into the tub; and a fan duct configured to accommodate the supply fan, the fan duct including a duct drain portion configured to, based on an occurrence of overflow of water in the water collection portion, allow water introduced from the water collection portion into the fan duct due to the occurrence of overflow to flow toward the tub.

The drying base may include a filter cover portion configured to support a lower portion of the filter. A bottom surface of the duct drain portion may be positioned below an upper end of the filter cover portion.

The fan duct may include: a duct inlet portion to be oriented toward the water collection portion; and a duct outlet portion to be connected to the tub. The duct drain portion may be located adjacent to the duct inlet portion.

The duct drain portion may be located between the supply fan and the duct outlet portion.

The drying base may include a filter cover portion configured to support a lower portion of the filter. A lower end of the duct inlet portion may be positioned below an upper end of the filter cover portion.

The drying device may further include a fan sealing member, along an outer periphery of the duct inlet portion, configured to seal a connection portion between the fan duct and the drying base.

The clothes treating apparatus may further include a drain device configured to discharge water from the tub. The drying base may include a drain port configured to discharge the water in the water collection portion to the drain device.

The fan duct may include a duct guide configured to guide air blown by the supply fan toward the tub, the duct guide being spaced apart from a portion of an inner surface of the fan duct by the duct drain portion.

The fan duct may include a duct guide configured to guide air blown by the supply fan toward the tub. The duct drain portion may be formed to pass through a portion of the duct guide.

The fan duct may include a backflow reducing portion protruding to block a part of a flow path through which air blown by the duct guide flows to the duct drain portion.

A bottom surface of the duct drain portion may have a curved shape in a direction in which water flows.

The drying device may further include a nozzle device configured to clean the heat exchanger. The water collection portion may be configured to collect water discharged from the nozzle device.

The water collection portion may be configured to collect condensate generated from the heat exchanger.

The fan duct may include a first duct case and a second duct case coupled to the first duct case. The duct drain portion may include a space formed by coupling the first duct case and the second duct case.

The drying device may further include a duct sealing member configured to seal a coupling portion between the first duct case and the second duct case.

A clothes treating apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a tub; and a drying device to be disposed at an upper side of the tub, the drying device being configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub and to supply dried air to the tub. The drying device includes: a filter configured to filter air discharged from the tub; a drying base including a filter cover portion configured to support a lower end of the filter and a water collection portion located at one side of the filter cover portion; and a fan duct to be disposed at a side opposite to a side of the water collection portion at which the filter is located, the fan duct including a duct drain portion configured to, based on an occurrence of overflow of water in the water collection portion, allow water introduced from the water collection portion into the fan duct due to the occurrence of overflow to flow toward the tub. A bottom surface of the duct drain portion is disposed lower than an upper end of the filter cover portion.

The fan duct may include a duct inlet portion provided to be oriented toward the water collection portion and a duct outlet portion connected to the tub. The duct drain portion may be located at a portion adjacent to the duct inlet.

A lower end of the duct inlet portion may be disposed below an upper end of the filter cover portion.

The fan duct may include a duct guide configured to guide air blown by a supply fan to the tub, the duct guide being spaced apart from a portion of an inner surface of the fan duct by the duct drain portion.

The fan duct may include a first duct case and a second duct case coupled to the first duct case. The duct drain portion may include a space formed as the first duct case and the second duct case are coupled to each other.

According to the spirit of the present disclosure, since a bottom surface of the duct drain portion provided in the fan duct is positioned lower than an upper end of the filter cover portion, damage to the filter caused by water can be reduced.

The effects of the disclosure are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects that are not described will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the above detailed description.

Although the disclosure has been shown and described in relation to specific embodiments, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and scope of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.