[0001] A clothing treatment apparatus is an apparatus for washing and drying clothing, and
for removing wrinkles generated in the clothing. Examples of apparatuses classified
as the clothing treatment apparatus include a washing machine for washing clothing,
a dryer for drying clothing, a washer/dryer having both washing and drying functions,
a clothing care apparatus for refreshing clothing, and a steamer for removing wrinkles
from clothing.
[0002] In addition to a clothing treatment apparatus of a conventional type that washes
clothing by immersing the clothing in water with a detergent, recently, a clothing
treatment apparatus that maintains clothing in a fresh and clean state without washing
has been used. Such a clothing treatment apparatus supplies either high-temperature
air or steam to clothing to deodorize the clothing, thereafter dries the clothing,
and at the same time may also remove wrinkles from the clothing.
[0003] Such a clothing treatment apparatus may repeatedly rotate or shake a moving hanger
on which clothing is hung to remove fine dust or foreign substances adhering to the
clothing. In this case, to drive the moving hanger, a driving force of a motor may
be used. More specifically, a rotational force of the motor may be transmitted to
the moving hanger through a pulley and belt structure. The pulley may rotate in opposite
directions by a predetermined angle, thereby repeatedly driving the moving hanger.
[0004] However, when a driving force is transmitted through a pulley and belt structure
as described above, slippage may occur between the belt and the pulley during operation.
Such slippage not only leads to a loss of kinetic energy but also makes accurate power
transmission difficult.
[0005] In addition, in a drive device configured with a belt and pulley, it is difficult
to maintain a predetermined speed ratio between the motor and the pulley, and since
the belt deforms according to changes in tension, output stability may decrease when
a load fluctuates significantly. Furthermore, the belt has the disadvantage that,
over time, wear, elongation, or hardening may occur, requiring periodic replacement.
[0006] To overcome this issue, a power transmission structure using a plurality of gears
instead of a belt and a pulley may be considered. However, in this case, a motor and
a moving hanger, which constitute a drive unit, are required to be arranged close
to each other, so interference between the components is likely to occur, and the
height of the drive unit also increases.
[0007] Meanwhile, a conventional clothing treatment apparatus may have a structure in which
a moving hanger is rotated within a predetermined angular range by using a driving
force of a motor. To this end, a lever connected to the moving hanger is provided
with an elongated slot, and an eccentric shaft connected to the motor moves within
the slot to rotate the lever in both directions. However, such a structure has a problem
in that friction occurs as the eccentric shaft moves within the slot, resulting in
energy loss. In addition, continuous contact between the eccentric shaft and the inner
surface of the slot causes wear, thereby reducing the durability of the clothing treatment
apparatus.
[0008] The present invention is specified by the independent claim. Preferred embodiments
are defined by the dependent claims. The present disclosure is intended to solve the
problems of the conventional technology as described above, and an objective of the
present disclosure is to connect a moving hanger and a motor by a plurality of links.
[0009] Another objective of the present disclosure is to ensure that the driving force of
the motor is not lost and is efficiently transmitted to the moving hanger through
the plurality of links.
[0010] Another objective of the present disclosure is to effectively utilize an operating
space inside a clothing treatment apparatus through the plurality of links.
[0011] Another objective of the present disclosure is to ensure that the operation of the
moving hanger accurately follows input values of a drive unit (motor).
[0012] According to the features of the present disclosure a clothing treatment apparatus
of the present disclosure may include a moving hanger configured to rotate about a
hanger shaft and a drive unit configured to rotate the hanger shaft. The drive unit
may include an eccentric disk having an eccentric portion offset from a motor shaft
of a motor assembly. The drive unit may further include a plurality of link bars that
connect the eccentric portion and the hanger shaft and are rotatable relative to each
other. Link driving caused by the plurality of link bars may prevent slippage during
the driving process, thereby reducing loss of kinetic energy.
[0013] The plurality of link bars may include a first link bar connected to the eccentric
portion to operate in connection with rotation of the eccentric portion, and a second
link bar connected to the first link bar and configured to rotate about the hanger
shaft as a rotation center.
[0014] The first link bar may include a first end portion rotatably connected to the eccentric
portion and configured to revolve around the motor shaft along the eccentric portion.
The first link bar may further include a second end portion rotatably coupled to the
second link bar and configured to reciprocate along an arcuate path while maintaining
a predetermined radius from the hanger shaft.
[0015] The second end portion of the first link bar and an interlocking end portion of the
second link bar may be disposed on a common link rotation axis. The second end portion
of the first link bar and the interlocking end portion of the second link bar may
be connected to each other so as to be independently rotatable about the link rotation
axis.
[0016] Each of the motor shaft and the hanger shaft may be arranged in a direction of a
Z-axis. The plurality of link bars may rotate or linearly move on an X-Y plane orthogonal
to the Z-axis.
[0017] The plurality of link bars may include the first link bar having each of opposite
end portions configured to perform rotational or arcuate movement in the X-Y plane.
The plurality of link bars may include the second link bar having a rotational center
portion configured to rotate about the hanger shaft fixed on the X-Y plane, and the
interlocking end portion spaced apart from the rotational center portion and connected
to the first link bar. The interlocking end portion may perform arcuate movement along
the first link bar in the X-Y plane.
[0018] The first link bar may include the first end portion rotatably connected to the eccentric
portion and configured to revolve around the motor shaft along the eccentric portion.
The first link bar may include the second end portion rotatably coupled to the second
link bar and configured to perform reciprocating movement within a predetermined range
of rotation angles. The hanger shaft may operate in connection with the rotation of
the second end portion and have the same range of rotation angles as the second end
portion.
[0019] When a distance between the motor shaft and the eccentric portion is defined as D1,
a distance between a link connection portion at which the first link bar and the second
link bar are connected and the eccentric portion is defined as D2, a distance between
the link connection portion and the hanger shaft is defined as D3, and a distance
between the hanger shaft and the motor shaft is defined as D4, following relationships
may be satisfied: D1+D2≤D3+D4, D1+D3≤D2+D4, D1+D4≤D2+D3.
[0020] The link connection portion may be rotated along an arcuate path between a first
position and a second position. An angle (∠P1P4P3a) between the motor shaft (P1) and
the link connection portion (P3a) at the first position with respect to the hanger
shaft (P4) may be

and
an angle (∠P1P4P3b) between the motor shaft (P1) and the link connection portion (P3b)
at the second position with respect to the hanger shaft (P4) may be

[0021] With respect to a front-rear direction orthogonal to the hanger shaft, an operating
space may be divided into a first region and a second region. The motor assembly,
the eccentric disk, and the first link bar may be disposed in the first region. The
hanger shaft may be disposed in the second region. The second link bar may be connected
to the eccentric disk in the first region and may be connected to the hanger shaft
in the second region.
[0022] The motor shaft may extend from the motor assembly in a direction parallel to the
hanger shaft. The eccentric disk may be disposed below the motor assembly and may
be connected to the motor shaft
[0023] With respect to the front-rear direction orthogonal to the hanger shaft, the link
connection portion at which the plurality of link bars is connected to each other
may be disposed behind the motor shaft.
[0024] With respect to the front-rear direction orthogonal to the hanger shaft, the motor
shaft may be disposed between the link connection portion at which the plurality of
link bars is connected to each other and the hanger shaft.
[0025] Each of the motor shaft and the hanger shaft may be disposed in a Z-axis direction.
The eccentric disk and the plurality of link bars may be arranged at different heights
along the Z-axis direction.
[0026] A mounting frame may be disposed in the operating space. The motor assembly and the
second link bar may be supported by the mounting frame.
[0027] The mounting frame may include a first mounting frame on which the motor assembly
is disposed. The mounting frame may include a second mounting frame disposed parallel
to the first mounting frame and supporting the second link bar.
[0028] With respect to the front-rear direction orthogonal to the hanger shaft, the first
mounting frame may be disposed behind the second mounting frame. The hanger shaft
and the moving hanger may be disposed on the second mounting frame.
[0029] Each of the motor shaft and the hanger shaft may be disposed in the Z-axis direction.
The first mounting frame and the second mounting frame may be arranged at different
heights along the Z-axis direction.
[0030] With respect to the axial direction of the hanger shaft, a first bearing may be disposed
between the second link bar and the hanger shaft. A second bearing coaxial with the
first bearing may be disposed between the hanger shaft and the mounting frame.
[0031] The motor assembly may be disposed on a first surface of the mounting frame. The
eccentric disk may be disposed to face a second surface of the mounting frame opposite
to the first surface.
[0032] Moving hangers may be connected to the plurality of interlocking link parts, respectively.
The second link bar and the plurality of interlocking link parts may be connected
to each other by a sync bar, so that the plurality of interlocking link parts may
be synchronized with the rotational movement of the second link bar through the sync
bar.
[0033] A bearing may be disposed at a link connection portion at which the first link bar
and the second link bar are connected to each other. The first link bar or the second
link bar may be provided with a link boss portion coupled to the bearing.
[0034] The motor assembly may include a plurality of gears configured to reduce rotational
speed of the motor shaft. An output gear among the plurality of gears may rotate the
eccentric disk.
[0035] The motor assembly may include a plurality of gears configured to reduce rotational
speed of the motor shaft. The plurality of gears may be provided with an output shaft
that rotates the eccentric disk while rotating in conjunction with the motor shaft
of the motor assembly. The motor shaft and the output shaft may be concentrically
disposed to form the same rotational center.
[0036] The plurality of link bars may include the first link bar and the second link bar
respectively configured as rigid bodies.
[0037] The plurality of link bars may include the first link bar and the second link bar
that are rotated relative to each other. The second link bar may be connected to the
hanger shaft, and a fixing bar may be provided between the second link bar and the
motor assembly.
[0038] The drive unit may include: (i) a first driving point rotated by the motor assembly;
(ii) a second driving point configured to revolve around the first driving point;
(iii) a third driving point that maintains a predetermined linear distance from the
second driving point and reciprocates along an arcuate path while maintaining a predetermined
radius from the hanger shaft; and (iv) a fourth driving point formed on the hanger
shaft and maintaining a predetermined linear distance from the motor shaft.
[0039] As described above, the clothing treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure
may have the following effects.
[0040] In the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, the moving hanger
and the motor may be connected by a plurality of links, and the moving hanger may
be operated through driving of the links. Such link driving may prevent slippage during
the driving process, thereby reducing waste of kinetic energy.
[0041] In addition, in the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, since
power is transmitted from a driving source (motor) to a final output part (moving
hanger) through the link bars, accurate power transmission may be achieved. As a result,
precise control of the moving hanger may be made possible.
[0042] In particular, according to the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure,
when input values (speed of the motor and rotation number thereof) are controlled,
output values (rotation angle range of the moving hanger) may accurately follow the
input values. Accordingly, the operation reliability of the clothing treatment apparatus
may be improved, and more precise clothing care may be achieved.
[0043] In addition, in the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, since
the plurality of links operate while rotating relative to each other, wear may be
reduced compared to a conventional belt-driven method, thereby enabling stable operation
over a long period and improving durability.
[0044] In addition, the drive unit constituting the clothing treatment apparatus of the
present disclosure may be configured as a four-bar linkage mechanism, allowing the
drive unit (motor) and the moving hanger to be spaced apart from each other. As a
result, interference between components may be prevented, and the operating space
may be utilized more efficiently.
[0045] In addition, in the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, the moving
hanger may be rotated within the same angular range as the rotation angle range of
the link connection portion where the first link bar and the second link bar are connected.
Since the moving hanger is fully and operatively interlocked with the rotation of
the link bars in this manner, kinetic energy may be transmitted effectively without
waste, and the angular control of the moving hanger may be performed more precisely.
[0046] In addition, in the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, the input
shaft and the output shaft of the motor assembly may be configured coaxially, thereby
facilitating control of the output shaft and enabling stable operation.
[0047] In particular, since the end of the motor shaft can be fixed to the eccentric disk
coupled coaxially to the output shaft, the motor shaft may be driven stably without
wobbling during rotation.
[0048] In addition, in the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, the first
link bar and the second link bar, which constitute the plurality of link bars, may
respectively be configured as rigid bodies. As a result, precise operation control
of the drive unit including the link bars may be achieved, deformation of the link
bars may be minimized, and the accuracy of the driving mechanism may be improved.
[0049] In addition, in the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, a plurality
of components, including the motor, the link bars, the hanger shaft, and the moving
hanger, may be mounted in different regions (or on different mounting frames). When
the plurality of components is thus distributed, the efficient use of the operating
space may be increased, interference between components may be prevented, thereby
improving the efficiency and stability of the entire driving system.
[0050] In addition, in the clothing treatment apparatus of the present disclosure, the motor
assembly, the eccentric disk, the plurality of link bars, and the hanger shaft may
constitute a type of four-bar linkage mechanism, in which the motor assembly and the
hanger shaft may be fixed to respective mounting frames, and a separate ground link
therebetween may be omitted. When a separate ground link between the motor assembly
and the hanger shaft is thus omitted, the number of components required to constitute
the four-bar linkage mechanism may be reduced. In addition, the motor assembly and
the hanger shaft may be arranged on different mounting frames with different positions
and heights in the front-rear direction, thereby increasing freedom of design.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] The above and other objectives, features, and other advantages of the present disclosure
will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a clothing treatment apparatus according to a
first embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the upper structure of the clothing treatment
apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of a treatment space of the clothing
treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an operating space of the clothing treatment
apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the structure of a moving hanger and a drive
unit constituting the clothing treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment
of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view in which a mounting frame of FIG. 5 is removed and the
structure of the drive unit is shown in an enlarged view;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view in which a motor housing of FIG. 6 is removed and the
structure of the drive unit is shown in an enlarged view;
FIGS. 8 to 13 are operational views sequentially showing a state in which the moving
hanger is operated by the drive unit of the clothing treatment apparatus according
to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the structure of the moving hanger and the drive unit
constituting the clothing treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of
the present disclosure;
FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the structure of the drive unit of the clothing treatment
apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b) are plan views showing states in which the moving hanger is
rotated in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, by the drive unit
of the clothing treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the structure of a plurality of link bars, the
moving hanger, and a sync bar constituting the clothing treatment apparatus according
to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing the moving hanger and a hanger shaft
of the clothing treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX-XX' of FIG. 5;
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view shown by enlarging the square region of FIG. 19;
FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing a motor assembly and a first link
bar constituting the clothing treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment
of the present disclosure;
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII' of FIG. 20;
FIG. 24 is a plan view showing the structure of a drive unit and a moving hanger of
a clothing treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a motor assembly and a
first link bar of a clothing treatment apparatus according to a third embodiment of
the present disclosure;
FIG. 26 is a plan view showing the structure of a drive unit and a moving hanger of
a clothing treatment apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;
and
FIG. 27 is a plan view showing the structure of a drive unit and a moving hanger of
a clothing treatment apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail
with reference to exemplary drawings. In assigning reference numerals to components
of each drawing, it should be noted that the same reference numerals are assigned
to the same components as much as possible, even if they are shown in different drawings.
Furthermore, in describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions
of well-known configurations or functions will be omitted when it is determined that
such descriptions may obscure the understanding of the embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0053] The present disclosure relates to a clothing treatment apparatus 1 having a structure
for rotating moving hangers 100 for managing clothes. The moving hangers 100 may shake
off foreign substances adhering to clothes and remove wrinkles while repeatedly rotating.
In the present disclosure, each of the moving hangers 100 may be operated by a drive
unit MU, and the drive unit MU may include a motor assembly 200 and a plurality of
link bars LB for transmitting rotational power of the motor assembly 200 to the moving
hanger 100. Hereinafter, the structures of the drive unit MU and the moving hanger
100 will be mainly described in detail.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 1, the clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to the present
embodiment may include a treatment space S1 configured to accommodate clothing. The
treatment space S1 may be defined by an inner casing 20 surrounding the treatment
space S1 and a door 3 configured to open and close an entrance of the inner casing
20. An outer casing 2 may be disposed outside the inner casing 20 to surround the
inner casing 20. In FIG. 1, the outer casing 2 is illustrated with a dotted line for
ease of understanding. In another example, the inner casing 20 and the outer casing
2 may be configured as a single casing. For reference, hereinafter, the term "clothing"
is used as a concept including not only upper garments such as dress shirts or blouses
but also lower garments such as jeans, and all types of garments that require regular
care.
[0055] In FIG. 1 and other drawings, an X-axis represents a front-rear direction, a Y-axis
represents a left-right direction, and a Z-axis represents an up-down direction, respectively.
Hereinafter, the terms front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction
are based on these axial directions. For reference, a hanger 50 may be rotated about
a rotation shaft formed in a Z-axis direction.
[0056] An air treatment part 4 may be disposed at a lower portion of the outer casing 2
to supply at least one of hot air and steam into the treatment space S1. The air treatment
part 4 may be disposed in a machine room (not shown) formed at a lower portion of
the outer casing 2 and separated from the treatment space S1. The air treatment part
4 may include at least one of a blower unit (not shown), a heat pump unit (not shown),
and a steam unit (not shown) disposed in the machine room.
[0057] The air treatment part 4 may include a discharge part 5 configured to discharge hot
air or steam. Although not illustrated, the air treatment part 4 may further include
a water supply tank for supplying steam and a drainage tank for discharging wastewater.
In the present embodiment, the air treatment part 4 may be disposed below the inner
casing 20. The configuration and position of the air treatment part 4 may be variously
modified. For example, the air treatment part 4 may be disposed at the rear or side
of the outer casing 2.
[0058] The outer casing 2 may include a main frame 10. The main frame 10 may be disposed
to surround the periphery of the inner casing 20. The main frame 10 may constitute
a frame enclosing the inner casing 20. Referring to FIG. 2, the main frame 10 may
include side frames 11 and an upper frame 13. An operating space S2, which will be
described below, may be formed between the upper frame 13 and the upper surface of
the inner casing 20.
[0059] The inner casing 20 may include side portions 21 and a top portion 23. A front surface
of the inner casing 20, which is not surrounded by the side portions 21 and the top
portion 23, may be open toward the front. The open front may be opened and closed
by the door 3. The top portion 23 of the inner casing 20 may partition the treatment
space S1 from the operating space S2.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operating space S2 may be formed on the upper side
of the inner casing 20, with the operating space S2 separated from the treatment space
S1. The operating space S2 may be a space in which the drive unit MU and a mounting
frame 70, which will be described below, are disposed. The drive unit MU disposed
in the operating space S2 may operate within the operating space S2 to rotate the
moving hanger 100.
[0061] Here, the drive unit MU may include an eccentric disk 260 and a plurality of link
bars LB interlocking with the drive unit MU. Hereinafter, the drive unit MU will be
used to indicate a structure including these components.
[0062] The hanger 50 may be disposed in the treatment space S1. The hanger 50 may be hung
on the moving hanger 100, which will be described below. When the moving hanger 100
operates in a state in which the hanger 50 is hung on the moving hanger 100, the hanger
50 and clothes hung on the hanger 50 may be rotated by the moving hanger 100. In FIG.
2, an arrow indicates directions in which the hanger 50 is rotated by the moving hanger
100. Although only one hanger 50 is illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of hangers
50 may be hung on the moving hanger 100.
[0063] Referring to the structure of the hanger 50, the hanger 50 may be made exclusively
for the moving hanger 100 of the present embodiment, or the hanger 50 may be a general
hanger. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hanger 50 may include a pair of hanging arms
51 extending to opposite sides. The pair of hanging arms 51 may have anti-slip portions
52 protruding therefrom to increase frictional force thereof with clothes. Reference
numeral 53 denotes a support bar connecting the pair of hanging arms 51. The support
bar 53 may be provided with clamping portions 55, which may be used to fix clothes.
[0064] For reference, among the plurality of moving hangers 100 shown in FIG. 3, the moving
hanger 100 positioned at the center is assigned a distinguishing reference numeral
100M. The moving hanger 100 at the center may be connected to a hanger shaft 150,
which will be described below, and may be directly rotated by the drive unit MU. Other
moving hangers 100 disposed on the opposite sides of the central moving hanger 100M
may interlock with the central moving hanger 100M and may be operated by interlocking
link parts 600. Hereinafter, the moving hanger 100 positioned at the center will be
referred to as a main hanger 100M to distinguish it from the other moving hangers
100.
[0065] An upper portion of the hanger 50 may be provided with a hanging hook 57. The hanging
hook 57, which is a portion caught on the moving hanger 100, may be fitted into a
hanging groove 136 formed in the moving hanger 100. The hanging hook 57 may be fixed
so as not to rotate relative to the pair of hanging arms 51. When the hanging hook
57 is rotated by the moving hanger 100, the hanger 50 as a whole may rotate. Such
a structure of the hanger 50 is merely one example, and may variously be modified.
[0066] The mounting frame 70 may be disposed in the operating space S2. The mounting frame
70 may support the drive unit MU, a link unit, the interlocking link parts 600, and
the moving hanger 100, which will be described below. The mounting frame 70 may be
arranged to extend across the operating space S2. For reference, the link unit may
include the plurality of link bars LB, which will be described later.
[0067] The mounting frame 70 may be configured as one or a plurality of mounting frames
80 and 90. In the present embodiment, the mounting frame 70 may include a first mounting
frame 80 and a second mounting frame 90. Each of opposite end portions 82 of the first
mounting frame 80 may be fixed to the upper frame 13. Each of opposite end portions
92 of the second mounting frame 90 may be fixed to the upper frame 13.
[0068] The drive unit MU may be disposed on the first mounting frame 80. The drive unit
MU may include the motor assembly 200, the eccentric disk 260, and the plurality of
link bars LB, which will be described below. The second mounting frame 90 may be disposed
in parallel with the first mounting frame 80, and a second link bar 400, which will
be described below, may be supported on the second mounting frame 90. The second mounting
frame 90 may support the hanger shaft 150, the moving hanger 100, and the interlocking
link parts 600.
[0069] With respect to the front-rear direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the
hanger shaft 150, the first mounting frame 80 may be disposed behind the second mounting
frame 90. The first mounting frame 80 may be disposed behind the second mounting frame
90, and thus the first mounting frame 80 and the second mounting frame 90 may respectively
support the motor assembly 200 and the hanger shaft 150 to be maintained spaced apart
from each other in the front-rear direction.
[0070] A motor shaft 225 and the hanger shaft 150 may be disposed along the Z-axis direction,
and in this case, the first mounting frame 80 and the second mounting frame 90 may
be arranged at different heights along the Z-axis direction. With reference to FIG.
2, the first mounting frame 80 may be disposed at a higher position than the second
mounting frame 90. In this case, a plurality of components, including the motor assembly
200 and the interlocking link parts 600, may be arranged at various positions, allowing
extensive use of the operating space S2. Furthermore, this structure enables smooth
operation of the components while preventing interference therebetween, and increases
freedom of design.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 2, the motor assembly 200 may be disposed on a first surface 84
of the mounting frame 70. The eccentric disk 260, which will be described below, may
be disposed to face a second surface 85 of the mounting frame 70, which is opposite
to the first surface 84. Here, the first surface 84 of the mounting frame 70 may serve
as an upper surface thereof, and the second surface 85 may serve as a lower surface
thereof. In this case, the operating space S2 may be efficiently utilized, and the
motor assembly 200 and the eccentric disk 260 may be aligned in the Z-axis direction
to improve the efficiency of power transmission.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 3, a partition panel 95 may be disposed on the upper side of the
treatment space S1. The partition panel 95 may be disposed between the treatment space
S1 and the operating space S2. The partition panel 95 may block a passage (not shown)
between the treatment space S1 and the operating space S2 so that the operating space
S2 is not exposed to the treatment space S1. The partition panel 95 may be fixed to
at least one of the top portion 23 of the inner casing 20 and the second mounting
frame 90.
[0073] The partition panel 95 may be provided with moving holes 99 that are open in the
vertical direction, and at least a portion of each of the moving hangers 100 may be
disposed in the treatment space S1 through each of the moving holes 99. More specifically,
a portion of the moving hanger 100 may be disposed in the treatment space S1 to fix
the hanger 50, while the other portion of the moving hanger 100 may be disposed in
the operating space S2 to be connected to the hanger shaft 150 and the second link
bar 400. The portion of the moving hanger 100 disposed in the treatment space S1 includes
a hanging portion 135.
[0074] FIG. 4 illustrates the operating space S2. As shown, the drive unit MU, which includes
the motor assembly 200, the eccentric disk 260, and the plurality of link bars LB,
the hanger shaft 150, a sync bar 500, and the interlocking link parts 600 may be disposed
in the operating space S2. The aforementioned components may operate within the operating
space S2, and such operations may result in the rotation of the moving hanger 100.
[0075] The drive unit MU may interlock with the hanger shaft 150 to rotate the hanger shaft
150. More specifically, the motor assembly 200 may rotate the eccentric disk 260,
and the eccentric disk 260 may actuate the plurality of link bars LB. The plurality
of link bars LB may rotate the hanger shaft 150, and ultimately, the main hanger 100M
may be rotated This series of operations may occur simultaneously and continuously.
Hereinafter, the operations of these components will be described in detail.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the drive unit MU may include the motor assembly 200.
The motor assembly 200 may be disposed on the first mounting frame 80. A drive motor
220 of the motor assembly 200 may generate rotational force while being fixed to the
first mounting frame 80 and may rotate the motor shaft 225. The drive motor 220 may
generate rotational force by receiving electric power, and a wire harness for supplying
the electric power is omitted in the drawings.
[0077] With respect to the first mounting frame 80, the eccentric disk 260 may be disposed
below the motor assembly 200. The eccentric disk 260 may be considered as a component
of the drive unit MU. The eccentric disk 260 may be disposed concentrically with the
drive motor 220. That is, the rotational axis of the eccentric disk 260 may be coaxial
with the motor shaft 225. The eccentric disk 260 may be rotated by the drive motor
220 and actuate the plurality of link bars LB.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 6, an eccentric portion 265 constituting the eccentric disk 260
is shown in dashed lines. The eccentric portion 265 may be coupled to a first link
bar 300 so as not to be exposed to the outside, but is illustrated in dashed lines
for ease of understanding. The eccentric portion 265 may be disposed at a position
eccentric from the rotational center of the eccentric disk 260. The eccentric portion
265 may revolve around the motor shaft 225. This revolution of the eccentric portion
265 may be converted into a reciprocating motion of the first link bar 300.
[0079] The plurality of link bars LB may include the first link bar 300 and the second link
bar 400. The first link bar 300 may have opposite end portions configured to perform
rotational motion, respectively. The second link bar 400 may be connected to the hanger
shaft 150 and a portion of the second link bar 400 connected to the first link bar
300 may be rotated about the hanger shaft 150 as a rotational axis. More specifically,
the second link bar 400 may include an interlocking end portion 410 and a sync end
portion 430 on opposite sides of a rotational center portion 420 fixed to the hanger
shaft 150. The interlocking end portion 410 may be rotatably connected to the first
link bar 300 to constitute a link connection portion LM. The sync end portion 430
may be connected to the sync bar 500 to linearly move the sync bar 500.
[0080] Each of the first link bar 300 and the second link bar 400 may have an elongated
rod shape extending in one direction. The first link bar 300 and the second link bar
400 may both be configured as rigid bodies so that bending or deformation is minimized
during operation thereof. The first link bar 300 and the second link bar 400 may have
different lengths. In this embodiment, the second link bar 400 is longer than the
first link bar 300, but contrarily, the first link bar 300 may be longer than the
second link bar 400. Details related to the lengths of the plurality of link bars
LB will be described again later.
[0081] In FIG. 6, the motor shaft 225 may extend in the Z-axis direction. Reference numeral
MX denotes the rotational center of the motor passing through the center of the motor
shaft 225. In this case, a disk rotation axis X1 of the eccentric disk 260 may be
defined concentrically with the rotational center MX of the motor shaft 225. The eccentric
portion 265 may revolve around the disk rotation axis X1.
[0082] Each of the first link bar 300 and the second link bar 400 may each have a rotation
axis formed in the Z-axis direction together with the motor shaft 225. That is, a
link rotation axis X2, which is a rotation axis of the link connection portion LM
where the first link bar 300 and the second link bar 400 are connected to each other,
and a drive axis X3, which is a rotation axis of the second link bar 400, may each
be defined in the Z-axis direction, which is the same as the axial extension line
MX of the motor shaft 225. The extension line MX of the motor shaft 225, the disk
rotation axis X1, the link rotation axis X2, and the drive axis X3 may all be defined
in parallel with each other. In this case, the drive axis X3 of the second link bar
400 may be defined by the hanger shaft 150. That is, the hanger shaft 150 may serve
as the drive axis X3 of the second link bar 400.
[0083] In a portion where the sync end portion 430 of the second link bar 400 is connected
to the sync bar 500, a sync rotation axis X4 may be defined. Since the sync end portion
430 and the sync bar 500 rotate relative to each other, the sync rotation axis X4
may be defined at the portion where the sync end portion 430 and the sync bar 500
rotate relative to each other. In addition, in a portion where each of the interlocking
link parts 600 is connected to the sync bar 500, an interlocking rotation axis X5
may be defined. Since the interlocking link part 600 and the sync bar 500 rotate relative
to each other, the interlocking rotation axis X5 may be defined at the portion where
the interlocking link part 600 and the sync bar 500 rotate relative to each other.
More precisely, the interlocking rotation axis X5 may be defined by a link shaft 160
disposed at the rotational center of the interlocking link part 600. In this case,
the two rotation axes X4 and X5 may also be defined in the Z-axis direction.
[0084] FIG. 7 illustrates the drive unit MU, the moving hangers 100, the sync bar 500, and
the interlocking link parts 600 with a motor housing 210 of the motor assembly 200
removed. As shown, when the motor shaft 225 of the drive motor 220 constituting the
motor assembly 200 rotates, gears may interlock therewith. Here, the gears may include
an input gear 230, a transmission gear 240, and an output gear 250. When the input
gear 230 rotates (in the direction of arrow ①), a first transmission gear 241 of the
transmission gear 240 meshed with the input gear 230 may rotate (in the direction
of arrow ②). A second transmission gear 243 constituting the transmission gear 240
may also rotate coaxially with the first transmission gear 241 (in the direction of
arrow ③). The output gear 250 meshed with the second transmission gear 243 may be
rotated concentrically with the input gear 230 (in the direction of arrow ④).
[0085] The rotational force resulting from the interlocking of the gears may be transmitted
to the eccentric disk 260. The eccentric disk 260 may rotate concentrically with the
motor shaft 225, whereby the eccentric portion 265 may be rotated (in the direction
of arrow ⑤). Since the eccentric portion 265 is connected to a first end portion 310
of the first link bar 300, the first link bar 300 may be rotated by the eccentric
portion 265 (in the direction of arrow ⑥). More specifically, the first end portion
310 of the first link bar 300 may be rotated in a direction away from the motor assembly
200. Here, the rotation of the first end portion 310 may refer to a movement along
a curved path, such as an arc-shaped path. The first end portion 310 may also be referred
to as an eccentric connecting portion 315.
[0086] The entirety of the first link bar 300, including the first end portion 310 and a
second end portion 320, may not be fixed on an X-Y plane, and each of the portions
may move within the X-Y plane. Accordingly, the second end portion 320 may also rotate
in conjunction with the rotation of the first end portion 310 (in the direction of
arrow ⑦). Here, the rotation of the second end portion 320 may refer to a movement
along an arc-shaped path. The second end portion 320 may also be referred to as a
bar connecting portion.
[0087] Since the second end portion 320 constitutes the link connection portion LM together
with the interlocking end portion 410 of the second link bar 400, the interlocking
end portion 410 may rotate along the same path as the second end portion 320 (in the
direction of arrow ⑦). In this case, the second link bar 400 may be rotated about
the hanger shaft 150 formed at the rotational center portion 420 (in the direction
of arrow ⑧). That is, while the rotational center portion 420 of the second link bar
400 is fixed to the X-Y plane by the hanger shaft 150, both the interlocking end portion
410 and the sync end portion 430 formed at the opposite ends of the rotational center
portion 420 may simultaneously rotate in the same direction.
[0088] When the hanger shaft 150 rotates, the main hanger 100M connected to the hanger shaft
150 may rotate in the same direction (in the direction of arrow ⑨). In addition, the
hanger 50 (not shown in FIG. 7) hung on the main hanger 100M may also rotate together
with the main hanger 100M to treat clothes.
[0089] Meanwhile, when the second link bar 400 rotates about the hanger shaft 150, the sync
end portion 430 may be simultaneously rotated in the same direction as the interlocking
end portion 410. In this process, the sync bar 500 connected to the sync end portion
430 may perform a linear motion in one direction (in the direction of arrow ⑩). The
interlocking link parts 600 connected to the sync bar 500 may rotate about respective
link shafts 160 (in the direction of arrow ⑪), thereby rotating the moving hangers
100 connected to lower portions thereof (in the direction of arrow ⑫).
[0090] Although only operations in one direction are illustrated by arrows in FIG. 7, operations
in the opposite direction may also be performed by the rotation of the eccentric disk
260. While the eccentric disk 260 rotates about the motor shaft 225 within a range
of 0° to 180°, the operations described above may be performed, but while the eccentric
disk 260 rotates within a range of 180° to 360°, the operations in the opposite direction
may be performed. Here, the ranges of 0° to 180° and 180° to 360° are arbitrarily
defined phases and may vary depending on a reference point.
[0091] Specifically, the gears may always rotate in the same direction. However, since the
eccentric portion 265 revolves about the motor shaft 225, at the moment when the phase
changes with respect to 180°, the first end portion 310 of the first link bar 300
may be pulled in the opposite direction, that is, in a direction approaching the motor
assembly 200. During this process, the second end portion 320 may also be pulled in
the same direction, whereby the link connection portion LM may move together. Accordingly,
the hanger shaft 150 may rotate in the opposite direction, and the main hanger 100M
may also be rotated in the direction opposite to the previous direction. In addition,
when the sync bar 500 and the interlocking link parts 600, which are operatively connected
to the second link bar 400, rotate in the opposite direction, the rotation direction
of the remaining moving hangers 100 may also be changed.
[0092] Such direction reversals may be repeatedly performed during the continuous rotation
of the drive motor 220 in one direction. In this process, the main hanger 100M and
the remaining moving hangers 100 continuously change their rotation direction, thereby
removing foreign substances adhering to clothes more effectively and also reducing
wrinkles.
[0093] These direction-reversal operations are illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 13. FIGS. 8 and
9 show the plurality of link bars LB arranged at a reference position. FIGS. 10 and
11 show a state in which the plurality of link bars LB is moved from the reference
position and the main hanger 100M and the remaining moving hangers 100 are rotated
in a first direction. FIGS. 12 and 13 show a state in which the plurality of link
bars LB is moved in the opposite direction from the reference position and the main
hanger 100M and the remaining moving hangers 100 are rotated in a second direction.
[0094] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the first link bar 300 may be aligned with a virtual
centerline C at the reference position. Here, the centerline C may refer to a virtual
line extending in the front-rear direction, i.e., the X-axis direction. The main hanger
100M and the remaining moving hangers 100 may face forward. Accordingly, the two hanging
arms 51 of the hanger 50 may be aligned symmetrically with respect to the centerline
C, without being tilted to either side. In this state, when the drive unit MU operates,
the link connection portion LM may rotate in opposite directions (see the directions
of arrows ① and ②). Here, although the reference position is based on the centerline
C, the centerline C may also have angular displacement in the direction of arrow ①
or arrow ②.
[0095] During the operations of the plurality of link bars LB, the link connection portion
LM may repeatedly pass over the centerline C. That is, as the link connection portion
LM rotates in opposite directions, the link connection portion LM may pass over the
centerline C, and in this process, the main hanger 100M may be rotated in opposite
directions. When the operation of the drive unit MU stops, the first link bar 300
may be realigned to the reference position.
[0096] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a state in which the operation of the drive unit MU
causes the plurality of link bars LB to rotate is illustrated. As shown, when the
drive unit MU operates, the link connection portion LM, which connects the plurality
of link bars LB, may be rotated in the first direction (in the direction of arrow
①). Accordingly, the main hanger 100M may also be rotated about the hanger shaft 150
in the same direction (in the direction of arrow ①). Comparing FIG. 11 with FIG. 9,
it is seen that the hanger 50 has rotated together with the main hanger 100M.
[0097] More specifically, when the eccentric disk 260 rotates in conjunction with the drive
motor 220, the eccentric portion 265 may revolve about the motor shaft 225. When the
eccentric portion 265 revolves, the first link bar 300 may be rotated along with the
eccentric portion 265. In
[0098] FIG. 10, the first link bar 300 is shown to be pushed in a direction away from the
motor shaft 225 by the eccentric portion 265. Since the entire first link bar 300
is not fixed and can rotate, the link connection portion LM may also rotate together
with the first link bar 300 in this process. Furthermore, in conjunction with the
rotation of the link connection portion LM, the first link bar 300 may rotate about
the hanger shaft 150, and in this process, the hanger shaft 150 and the main hanger
100M may also be rotated.
[0099] In conjunction with the rotation of the main hanger 100M, the sync bar 500 may move
along a linear path (see the direction of arrow ②). The linear movement of the sync
bar 500 may lead to the rotations of the interlocking link parts 600. Referring to
FIG. 10, the interlocking link parts 600 may rotate about the link shafts 160. In
this case, link end portions 630 formed at one end portions of the interlocking link
parts 600 may also rotate in the same direction as the link connection portion LM
(in the direction of arrow ③), thereby rotating the moving hangers 100.
[0100] Referring to FIG. 10, the link connection portion LM is rotated counterclockwise
with respect to the centerline C. This may be seen as the link connection portion
LM having rotated and moved from the reference position (see FIG. 8). The rotation
angle of the link connection portion LM may be the same as the rotation angle of the
hanger shaft 150, and, as a result, the hanger 50 may be rotated together by the rotation
angle of the link connection portion LM.
[0101] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a state in which the operation of the drive unit MU
causes the plurality of link bars LB to rotate is illustrated. As shown, when the
drive unit MU operates, the link connection portion LM, which connects the plurality
of link bars LB, may be rotated in a second direction (the direction of arrow ①).
Accordingly, the main hanger 100M may also be rotated about the hanger shaft 150 in
the same direction (in the direction of arrow ①). Comparing FIG. 13 with FIGS. 9 and
11, it is seen that the hanger 50 has rotated together with the main hanger 100M.
[0102] In conjunction with the rotation of the main hanger 100M, the sync bar 500 may move
along a linear path (see the direction of arrow ②). The linear movement of the sync
bar 500 may lead to the rotations of the interlocking link parts 600. Referring to
FIG. 12, the interlocking link parts 600 may rotate about the link shafts 160. In
this case, the link end portions 630 formed at the one end portions of the interlocking
link parts 600 may also rotate in the same direction as the link connection portion
LM (in the direction of arrow ③), thereby rotating the moving hangers 100.
[0103] Referring to FIG. 12, the link connection portion LM is rotated clockwise relative
to the centerline C. This may be seen as the link connection portion LM having rotated
and moved from the reference position (see FIG. 8). The rotation angle of the link
connection portion LM may be the same as the rotation angle of the hanger shaft 150,
and, as a result, the hanger 50 may rotate together by the rotation angle of the link
connection portion LM.
[0104] Comparing FIGS. 11 and 13, with respect to the reference position, the main hanger
100M and the hanger 50 may be rotated in opposite directions. Such opposite-direction
rotations may be continuously performed in conjunction with the revolution of the
eccentric portion 265.
[0105] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, the link connection portion LM may reciprocally rotate
along an arc-shaped path in the X-Y plane. During the rotation of the link connection
portion LM, the second link bar 400 may have a reference position arranged in the
front-rear direction, which is perpendicular to the Z-axis. Here, the reference position
means that the second link bar 400 is aligned with the centerline C. In this case,
the link connection portion LM may be rotated in opposite directions with respect
to the reference position.
[0106] Referring to FIG. 14, with respect to the front-rear direction (X-axis direction)
perpendicular to the hanger shaft 150, the operating space may be divided into a first
region T1 and a second region T2. In FIG. 14, a virtual line dividing the operating
space in the front-rear direction is illustrated as a chain line. The operating space
may be divided into the two regions with respect to this virtual dividing line. For
reference, the virtual dividing line may extend across the second link bar 400.
[0107] The motor assembly 200, the eccentric disk 260 (not shown in FIG. 14), and the first
link bar 300 may be arranged in the first region T1. The hanger shaft 150 may be arranged
in the second region T2. In this case, the second link bar 400 may be connected to
the eccentric disk 260 in the first region T1 and may be connected to the hanger shaft
150 in the second region T2. The sync bar 500 and the interlocking link parts 600
may be arranged in the second region T2. In this embodiment, a plurality of components,
including the drive unit MU, may be distributed and arranged in different regions.
In this case, interference among the components may be prevented, enabling smooth
operation of the components and increasing freedom of design.
[0108] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 12, with respect to the front-rear direction perpendicular
to the hanger shaft 150, the link connection portion LM, at which the plurality of
link bars LB is connected, may be disposed behind the motor shaft 225. When the link
connection portion LM is disposed behind the motor shaft 225, an area occupied by
the motor shaft 225 and the motor assembly 200 in the front-rear direction may be
reduced, and a larger range of rotation angles may be obtained through the plurality
of link bars LB
[0109] In this embodiment, with respect to the front-rear direction (X-axis direction in
FIG. 12) perpendicular to the hanger shaft 150, the motor shaft 225 may be disposed
between the hanger shaft 150 and the link connection portion LM, at which the plurality
of link bars LB are connected. More specifically, the hanger shaft 150 may be disposed
in front of the motor shaft 225, while the link connection portion LM may be disposed
behind the motor shaft 225.
[0110] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the operation of the drive unit MU and its range of
rotation angle will now be described FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating the configuration
of the drive unit MU according to this embodiment. The eccentric disk 260, the first
link bar 300, the second link bar 400, the motor assembly 200, and the hanger shaft
150 together may constitute a four-bar linkage mechanism. In this embodiment, there
is no separate link between the motor assembly 200 and the hanger shaft 150. However,
since the motor assembly 200 and the hanger shaft 150 are fixed to different mounting
frames 80 and 90, respectively, and a predetermined distance therebetween is maintained,
it may be regarded that a kind of ground link is provided between the motor assembly
200 and the hanger shaft 150.
[0111] In FIG. 15, a distance between the motor shaft 225 and the eccentric portion 265
is indicated as D1. Here, the motor shaft 225 may constitute a first driving point
P1 rotated by the motor assembly 200. The eccentric portion 265 may constitute a second
driving point P2 that revolves around the first driving point P1.
[0112] A distance between the link connection portion LM, at which the first link bar 300
and the second link bar 400 are connected, and the eccentric portion 265 is indicated
as D2. The link connection portion LM may constitute a third driving point P3 that
reciprocates along an arcuate path while maintaining a predetermined radius D3 from
the hanger shaft 150. In this case, the third driving point P3 may reciprocate along
the arcuate path while maintaining a predetermined linear distance D2 from second
driving point P2. Here, D3 may be regarded as a distance between the link connection
portion LM and the hanger shaft 150.
[0113] A distance between the hanger shaft 150 and the motor shaft 225 is indicated as D4.
Here, the hanger shaft 150 may constitute a fourth driving point P4 that maintains
a predetermined linear distance from the motor shaft 225. The fourth driving point
P4 may be fixed on the X-Y plane and may be rotatable about the Z-axis.
[0114] Here, the second driving point P2 and the third driving point P3 may rotate together
while maintaining the predetermined distance D2 from each other. The distance D3 between
the third driving point P3 and the fourth driving point P4 may serve as the rotation
radius of the third driving point P3.
[0115] In this case, the above-mentioned distances may satisfy all of the following relationships:
D1 + D2 ≤ D3 + D4, D1 + D3 ≤ D2 + D4, and D1 + D4 ≤ D2 + D3. When these relationships
are satisfied, the first link bar 300 and the second link bar 400 may interlock with
each other during the revolution of the eccentric portion 265, thereby continuously
rotating the hanger shaft 150 in two opposite directions.
[0116] Meanwhile, in FIG. 15, P3a indicates a first position P3a representing the position
of the third driving point P3 when the link connection portion LM is rotated counterclockwise
by its maximum angle. Referring to FIG. 16(a), the link connection portion LM has
rotated from its reference position aligned with the centerline C to the first position
P3a, and the link connection portion LM that has moved to the first position P3a is
denoted as LM2.
[0117] In FIG. 15, P3b indicates a second position P3b representing the position of the
third driving point P3 when the link connection portion LM is rotated clockwise by
its maximum angle. Referring to FIG. 16(b), the link connection portion LM has rotated
in the opposite direction from its reference position aligned with the centerline
C to the second position P3b, and the link connection portion LM that has moved to
the second position P3b is denoted as LM3.
[0118] In this case, the link connection portion LM may repeatedly reciprocate along an
arcuate path between the first position P3a and the second position P3b. The angle
∠P1P4P3a between the first driving point P1, which is the position of the motor shaft
225, and the third driving point P3, which is the position of the link connection
portion LM at the first position P3a, with the fourth driving point P4, which is the
position of the hanger shaft 150, as the center, has the following relationship.

[0119] Therefore, the angle (∠P1P4P3a) between the motor shaft 225 (P1) and the link connection
portion LM (P3a) at the first position, with the hanger shaft 150 (P4) as the center,
is as follows.

[0120] From this, the maximum rotation angle of the third driving point P3 in the first
direction (counterclockwise) may be calculated. In other words, by adjusting the distances
D1 to D4, the maximum rotation angle α1 of the third driving point P3 in the first
direction (counterclockwise) may be obtained.
[0121] Meanwhile, the angle ∠P1P4P3b between the first driving point P1, which is the position
of the motor shaft 225, and the third driving point P3b, which is the position of
the link connection portion LM at the second position, with the fourth driving point
P4, which is the position of the hanger shaft 150, as the center, has the following
relationship.

[0122] Therefore, the angle ∠P1P4P3b between the motor shaft 225 (P1) and the link connection
portion LM (P3b) at the second position, with the hanger shaft 150 (P4) as the center,
is as follows.

[0123] From this, the maximum rotation angle of the third driving point P3 in the second
direction (clockwise) may be calculated. In other words, by adjusting the distances
D1 to D4, the maximum rotation angle α2 of the third driving point P3 in the second
direction (clockwise) may be obtained.
[0124] As a result, the maximum rotation angle range α of the third driving point P3, which
is the position of the link connection portion LM, may be obtained from α1 + α2. The
maximum rotation angle range α of the link connection portion LM may correspond to
the rotation angle range of the hanger shaft 150 and thus to the rotation angle range
of the hanger 50. In this way, in the present embodiment, since the rotation angle
range of the first link bar 300 corresponds to the rotation angle range of the hanger
50, power may be fully transmitted during the driving process, minimizing energy loss.
[0125] Specifically, referring to FIG. 16(a), with respect to a hanger 50a arranged at the
reference position, the rotational state of a hanger 50b, which has rotated by the
maximum rotation angle α1 in the first direction (counterclockwise), may be compared.
Reference numeral C1 indicates a virtual line extending along the center of the second
link bar 400 rotated in the first direction, relative to the centerline C at the reference
position. Referring to FIG. 16(b), with respect to the hanger 50a at the reference
position, the rotational state of the hanger 50c, which has rotated by the maximum
rotation angle α2 in the second direction (clockwise), may be compared. Reference
numeral C2 indicates a virtual line extending along the center of the second link
bar 400 rotated in the second direction, relative to the centerline C at the reference
position. In this way, the hanger 50 may process clothes while alternating its rotation
in opposite directions up to the respective maximum angle ranges.
[0126] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 16(a), in this process, the sync bar 500 and the plurality
of interlocking link parts 600 may also operate in synchronization with the main hanger
100M. Referring to FIG. 16(a), a sync bar 500a at the reference position can move
linearly in conjunction with the sync end portion 430 of the second link bar 400.
Reference numeral 500b indicates, in dashed lines, the position of a sync bar 500b
after being moved by the sync end portion 430. The sync bar 500 may rotate the plurality
of interlocking link parts 600 while moving linearly. Reference numeral 600a represents
the plurality of interlocking link parts at the reference positions, and reference
numeral 600b represents, in dashed lines, the plurality of interlocking link parts
600b after being moved by the sync bar 500b.
[0127] Referring to FIG. 16(b), when the sync end portion 430 of the second link bar 400
rotates in the opposite direction, the plurality of interlocking link parts 600 may
operate in synchronization with the main hanger 100M in the opposite direction. Referring
to FIG. 16(b), the sync bar 500a at the reference position may move linearly in conjunction
with the sync end portion 430 of the second link bar 400. Reference numeral 500c represents,
in dashed lines, the position of a sync bar 500c after being moved by the sync end
portion 430. The sync bar 500 may rotate the plurality of interlocking link parts
600 while moving linearly. Reference numeral 600c represents, in dashed lines, the
plurality of interlocking link parts 600c after being moved by the sync bar 500c.
[0128] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the main hanger 100M, the hanger shaft 150, the plurality
of link bars LB, and the sync bar 500 that constitute the clothing treatment apparatus
of the present embodiment. As is shown, the first link bar 300 may include the eccentric
connecting portion 315 provided at the first end portion 310 thereof. The eccentric
connecting portion 315 may be rotatably coupled to the eccentric portion 265 of the
eccentric disk 260. In this embodiment, the eccentric connecting portion 315 may have
a through-hole or recessed shape in the Z-axis direction, into which the eccentric
portion 265 is inserted. Conversely, the eccentric connecting portion 315 may protrude
in the Z-axis direction and be fitted into the eccentric portion 265 recessed in the
Z-axis direction. Reference numeral X1' indicates the axial extension line of the
rotational axis of the eccentric connecting portion 315, which revolves around the
disk rotation axis X1 (see FIG. 6).
[0129] Referring to FIG. 7, the eccentric disk 260 and the plurality of link bars LB may
be arranged at different heights along the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, with
respect to the Z-axis direction, the eccentric disk 260 may be disposed at a higher
position than the plurality of link bars LB, and the second link bar 400 may be disposed
below the first link bar 300. By arranging the eccentric disk 260 and the plurality
of link bars LB at different heights in this manner, interference may be prevented
during operation, and the freedom of design may be increased.
[0130] A link bearing 300B may be disposed at the second end portion 320 of the first link
bar 300. The link bearing 300B may allow the first link bar 300 and the second link
bar 400 to smoothly rotate relative to each other. A link hole 325 may be formed at
the center of the link bearing 300B. A link boss portion 415 provided on the second
link bar 400 may be fitted into the link hole 325 and may serve as a rotational shaft.
Conversely, a protruding rotational shaft may be provided at the second end portion
320 of the first link bar 300 and may be fitted into the interlocking end portion
410 of the second link bar 400.
[0131] Referring to the second link bar 400, the second link bar 400 may include the interlocking
end portion 410 and the sync end portion 430 on the opposite sides of the rotational
center portion 420. The link boss portion 415 may protrude from the interlocking end
portion 410 to be rotatably connected to the first link bar 300. The rotational center
portion 420 may include a shaft coupling groove 425 so as to be coupled to the hanger
shaft 150. The sync end portion 430 may include a sync coupling hole 435 so as to
be coupled to the sync bar 500.
[0132] A central bearing 400B1 may be disposed in the shaft coupling groove 425 formed in
the rotational center portion 420. The central bearing 400B1 may facilitate smooth
relative rotation between the hanger shaft 150 and the second link bar 400. However,
in this embodiment, since the second link bar 400 rotates together with the hanger
shaft 150, the central bearing 400B1 may be omitted. A component with reference numeral
400B2 may be provided to facilitate smooth relative rotation between the sync end
portion 430 of the second link bar 400 and the sync bar 500, and may be disposed between
the sync coupling hole 435 and a sync fastening boss 520 of the sync bar 500.
[0133] The sync bar 500 may be configured as a rigid body extending longitudinally in one
direction. The sync bar 500 may include the sync fastening boss 520 to be coupled
to the sync end portion 430 of the second link bar 400. The sync fastening boss 520
may be connected not only to the sync end portion 430 but also to the plurality of
interlocking link parts 600, and thus may be provided at positions corresponding to
the interlocking link parts 600, respectively. In this embodiment, a total of five
sync fastening bosses 520 are provided.
[0134] The sync fastening boss 520 may be configured as a snap-fit structure, in which it
is elastically deformed and inserted into the sync coupling hole 435. After being
inserted into the sync coupling hole 435 in the elastically deformed state, the sync
fastening boss 520 may return to its original shape when fully inserted. Alternatively,
the sync bar 500, the second link bar 400, and the plurality of interlocking link
parts 600 may be connected by separate fasteners.
[0135] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the main hanger 100M and the hanger shaft 150 will
be described. The main hanger 100M may be coupled to the hanger shaft 150. The hanger
shaft 150 may rotate together with the main hanger 100M. To this end, the hanger shaft
150 is fixed to the main hanger 100M. In this embodiment, the hanger shaft 150 may
be fixed to the main hanger 100M by insert molding. Alternatively, the hanger shaft
150 may be coupled to the main hanger 100M by a separate fastener, or the hanger shaft
150 may be provided with threads and screwed to the main hanger 100M.
[0136] A first end portion of a shaft body 151, which constitutes the frame of the hanger
shaft 150, may be provided with a hanger coupling portion 153 inserted into which
the main hanger 100M. The hanger coupling portion 153 may be considered as a part
that is fixed inside the main hanger 100M during the insert molding process. To prevent
relative rotation between the hanger shaft 150 and the main hanger 100M, the hanger
coupling portion 153 may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape. Reference numeral
154 denotes a fixing end portion provided at the end of the hanger coupling portion
153 in a direction increasing in diameter. The fixing end portion 154 may prevent
the hanger shaft 150 from moving out of the main hanger 100M in the axial (Z-axis)
direction.
[0137] A second end portion of the shaft body 151 may be provided with a link coupling portion
155. The link coupling portion 155 may be coupled to the shaft coupling groove 425
formed at the rotational center portion 420 of the second link bar 400. More specifically,
as shown in FIG. 19, a shaft coupling hole 426 may be formed through the shaft coupling
groove 425 in the axial direction (Z-axis direction), and the link coupling portion
155 may be fitted into the shaft coupling hole 426. In this case, the link coupling
portion 155 and the shaft coupling hole 426 may be formed in corresponding polygonal
shapes so that slippage between the hanger shaft 150 and the second link bar 400 may
be prevented. Reference numeral 156 denotes a threaded portion to be coupled to a
shaft nut 158.
[0138] Referring to the structure of the main hanger 100M, the main hanger 100M may include
a hanger body 110 coupled to the hanger shaft 150. The hanger body 110 may include
a fixing block 111 in which a portion of the hanger shaft 150 is embedded. The hanger
body 110 may be provided with a coupling flange 113 formed in the axial direction
and coupled to the hanger shaft 150. A flange hole 115 may be formed inside the coupling
flange 113. A portion of the hanger shaft 150 may be positioned at a lower portion
of the flange hole 115, and the remaining portion may protrude upwardly from the flange
hole 115 so as to be connected to the second link bar 400. Reference numeral 112 denotes
an assembly hole into which a fastener is inserted so that the hanger body 110 is
coupled to an outer body 130.
[0139] A lower cover 120 may be coupled to a lower portion of the hanger body 110. The lower
cover 120 may constitute a lower portion of the main hanger 100M and may have a curved
structure to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the main hanger 100M. The lower cover
120 may include one or more lower covers, and two lower covers 120 may be coupled
to the main hanger 100M.
[0140] The outer body 130 may be coupled to the hanger body 110. The outer body 130 may
be coupled to the hanger body 110 and, together with the hanger body 110, may constitute
the exterior of the main hanger 100M. The outer body 130 may be provided with a cover
plate 131 that surrounds the fixing block 111. The cover plate 131 may surround the
fixing block 111 so that the fixing block 111 is not exposed. A cover coupling portion
132 for coupling the lower cover 120 may be provided at a lower portion of the hanger
body 110.
[0141] The outer body 130 may be provided with the hanging portion 135. The hanger 50 may
be hung on the hanging portion 135. The hanging portion 135 may protrude from a side
surface of the outer body 130. The hanging groove 136 into which a hanging hook 57
of the hanger 50 is inserted may be formed in the hanging portion 135. The hanging
groove 136 may be open upward (in the Z-axis direction) and in the front-rear direction
(in the X-axis direction). In the present embodiment, two hanging portions 135 and
two hanging grooves 136 may be formed in the main hanger 100M. In another example,
one hanging portion 135 and one hanging groove 136 may be formed in the main hanger
100M.
[0142] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the hanger shaft 150 may be provided with a shaft bearing
150B. The shaft bearing 150B may be disposed between the hanger shaft 150 and the
second mounting frame 90 so that the hanger shaft 150 can smoothly rotate relative
to the second mounting frame 90. The hanger shaft 150 may pass through the shaft bearing
150B and be connected to the second link bar 400.
[0143] The shaft bearing 150B may be stacked coaxially with the central bearing 400B1. The
shaft bearing 150B may be stacked on the lower side of the central bearing 400B1.
The central bearing 400B1 and the shaft bearing 150B may be referred to as a first
bearing and a second bearing, respectively.
[0144] Next, referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the coupling structure of the main hanger 100M,
the second link bar 400, and the second mounting frame 90 will be described. For reference,
FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a rectangular box portion indicated by a single-dashed
line in FIG. 20. As shown, the second end portion 320 of the first link bar 300 and
the interlocking end portion 410 of the second link bar 400 may be disposed on the
common link rotation axis X2 (see FIG. 6). Referring to FIG. 20, which is shown in
cross-section, the link boss portion 415 of the interlocking end portion 410 may be
fitted into the link bearing 300B provided at the second end portion 320 so as to
constitute a rotation shaft. Accordingly, the second end portion 320 of the first
link bar 300 and the interlocking end portion 410 of the second link bar 400 are connected
to each other so as to rotate independently about the link rotation axis X2.
[0145] The motor shaft 225 and the hanger shaft 150 may each be disposed in the Z-axis direction,
and the plurality of link bars LB may rotate or linearly move in the X-Y plane perpendicular
to the Z-axis. More specifically, the opposite end portions of the first link bar
300 may perform rotational or arcuate motion in the X-Y plane, while the rotational
center portion 420 of the second link bar 400 may rotate about the hanger shaft 150
while remaining fixed in the X-Y plane. The interlocking end portion 410 of the second
link bar 400, which is spaced apart from the rotational center portion 420, may be
connected to the first link bar 300 and may perform arcuate motion along the first
link bar 300 in the X-Y plane.
[0146] The hanger shaft 150, which is interlocked with the second link bar 400, may be disposed
concentrically with the main hanger 100M along the Z-axis. The sync bar 500 may be
disposed at a position spaced apart from the hanger shaft 150 along the second link
bar 400. As shown in FIG. 21, the sync bar 500 may be disposed at a position spaced
apart from the rotational center portion 420 of the second link bar 400. Accordingly,
when the second link bar 400 rotates about the rotational center portion 420, the
sync bar 500 may rotate together on the opposite side of the interlocking end portion
410.
[0147] As shown in FIG. 21, the second mounting frame 90 may be disposed below the second
link bar 400 to support the second link bar 400 in the axial direction. More specifically,
a support end portion 93 provided on the second mounting frame 90 may support the
shaft bearing 150B from below, thereby providing a space in which the shaft bearing
150B is seated. The shaft bearing 150B may facilitate relative rotation between the
hanger shaft 150 and the second mounting frame 90.
[0148] The partition panel 95 may be disposed below the second mounting frame 90. The partition
panel 95 may be disposed between the treatment space S1 and the operating space S2
to prevent the operating space S2 from being exposed to the treatment space S1. In
the present embodiment, the partition panel 95 may be fixed to the top portion 23
of the inner casing 20. The partition panel 95 may be disposed below the second mounting
frame 90. In another example, the partition panel 95 may be fixed to the second mounting
frame 90 or may be configured as a portion of the second mounting frame 90.
[0149] Referring to FIG. 21, the partition panel 95 may be provided with a mounting flange
96. The mounting flange 96 may be arranged to surround the support end portion 93
of the second mounting frame 90. The partition panel 95 may be provided with a sealing
fixing portion 97. A sealing member SM may be disposed in the sealing fixing portion
97 to block a gap between the treatment space S1 and the operating space S2. More
specifically, the sealing member SM may prevent moisture or hot air from the treatment
space S1 from being transmitted to the operating space S2.
[0150] The structure of the motor assembly 200 will be described in detail As described
above, referring to FIG. 4, the motor housing 210, which constitutes the frame of
the motor assembly 200, may be mounted on the first surface 84 of the first mounting
frame 80 described above. The motor housing 210 may have a substantially hexahedral
shape, and the drive motor 220 may protrude upward from the motor housing 210. In
another example, the motor housing 210 may completely enclose the drive motor 220.
[0151] Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, the motor assembly 200 may include the motor housing
210 and a housing cover 215. The motor housing 210 and the housing cover 215 may define
an internal space 211. The input gear 230, the transmission gear 240, and the output
gear 250 may be disposed in the internal space 211. The plurality of gears may be
operated by the rotational force of the drive motor 220, thereby reducing speed and
increasing torque.
[0152] A bearing accommodating portion 212 may be provided at a lower portion of the motor
housing 210. One or more output bearings 200B1 and 200B2 may be disposed inside the
bearing accommodating portion 212. In the present embodiment, a pair of output bearings
200B1 and 200B2 may be disposed in the bearing accommodating portion 212. Referring
to FIG. 23, a partition rib 213 may protrude inside the bearing accommodating portion
212, and the output bearings 200B1 and 200B2 may be respectively disposed above and
below the partition rib 213. The output bearings 200B1 and 200B2 may facilitate relative
rotation between the motor assembly 200 and the eccentric disk 260. To this end, the
output bearings 200B1 and 200B2 may be disposed between the inner circumferential
surface of the bearing accommodating portion 212 and the outer circumferential surface
of a disk shaft 262 of the eccentric disk 260.
[0153] In the present embodiment, the pair of output bearings 200B1 and 200B2 may be disposed
along the axial direction to support the disk shaft 262 of the eccentric disk 260
in the axial direction. Accordingly, the eccentric disk 260 may rotate stably without
wobbling under torque applied during the operation of the plurality of link bars LB.
[0154] Referring to FIG. 22, the housing cover 215 may be provided with a motor hole 216
and a gear shaft hole 217. The motor shaft 225 may pass through the motor hole 216
and be inserted into the internal space 211. A transmission shaft 245 of the transmission
gear 240 may be inserted into the gear shaft hole 217. The gear shaft hole 217 may
support the transmission shaft 245 to be rotatable.
[0155] The motor shaft 225 may pass through the motor hole 216 and be coupled to the input
gear 230 disposed in the internal space 211. The input gear 230 may be coupled to
the motor shaft 225 and rotate simultaneously with the motor shaft 225. The input
gear 230 may be engaged with the first transmission gear 241 of the transmission gear
240 to rotate the entire transmission gear 240. The input gear 230 and the output
gear 250 may be disposed concentrically along the motor shaft 225.
[0156] The transmission gear 240, which is rotated by the input gear 230, may include the
first transmission gear 241 and the second transmission gear 243. The first transmission
gear 241 and the second transmission gear 243 may be integrally formed and rotate
simultaneously. The first transmission gear 241 may have a larger diameter and more
teeth than the input gear 230. Accordingly, a first reduction may be achieved between
the input gear 230 and the first transmission gear 241.
[0157] The second transmission gear 243 may have a smaller diameter and fewer teeth than
the first transmission gear 241. At the same time, the second transmission gear 243
may have a smaller diameter and fewer teeth than the output gear 250. Accordingly,
a second reduction may be achieved between the second transmission gear 243 and the
output gear 250.
[0158] The rotational shaft of the output gear 250 may serve as an output shaft. The output
shaft may be disposed concentrically to form the same rotational center as the motor
shaft 225. In the present embodiment, the output gear 250 may be rotatably coupled
to the disk shaft 262 of the eccentric disk 260, and as a result, the disk shaft 262
may serve as the output shaft.
[0159] A shaft through-hole 253 may be formed to be open at the center of the output gear
250. The motor shaft 225 may further protrude in the axial direction through the shaft
through-hole 253. The motor shaft 225 passing through the shaft through-hole 253 may
be connected to the eccentric disk 260. The motor shaft 225 may be connected to the
eccentric disk 260 and may be supported by the eccentric disk 260.
[0160] More specifically, the eccentric disk 260 may include a disk-shaped disk body 261
and the disk shaft 262 protruding in the axial direction from the disk body 261. The
eccentric portion 265 may protrude from the disk body 261 in the opposite direction
of the disk shaft 262. Since the eccentric portion 265 is disposed at an off-center
position relative to the center of the disk body 261, the eccentric portion 265 may
revolve around the disk shaft 262.
[0161] The disk shaft 262 may be provided with a shaft support portion 263. The shaft support
portion 263 may protrude toward the motor shaft 225 and have a hollow space at a center
thereof. The end of the motor shaft 225 may be inserted into the shaft support portion
263. When the end of the motor shaft 225 is inserted into the shaft support portion
263, the motor shaft 225 may rotate stably while being supported by the shaft support
portion 263.
[0162] Referring to FIG. 23, the end of the motor shaft 225 may be seen to be inserted into
the shaft support portion 263. The end of the motor shaft 225 may not be fixed to
the shaft support portion 263 but may be supported so as to be rotatable relative
to the shaft support portion 263. Accordingly, during high-speed rotation of the motor
shaft 225, the motor shaft 225 may maintain accurate axial alignment thereof without
misalignment. In this case, the driving force of the drive motor 220 may be transmitted
to the gears without loss, and vibration and operating noise of the drive motor 220
may be prevented.
[0163] Referring to FIG. 23, the rotational center MX of the motor shaft 225 passing through
the center of the motor shaft 225 and the rotational center MX' of the transmission
shaft 245 of the transmission gear 240 may be parallel to each other. The rotational
center MX of the motor shaft 225 and the rotational center MX' of the transmission
shaft 245 may be spaced apart from each other and extend side by side.
[0164] In this case, a distance D1 between the rotational center of the input gear 230 and
the rotational center of the first transmission gear 241 and a distance D2 between
the rotational center of the output gear 250 and the rotational center of the second
transmission gear 243 may be equal. In this case, the input gear 230 and the output
gear 250 may be disposed concentrically, and the motor shaft 225 may be inserted into
the shaft support portion 263 after passing through the input gear 230 and the output
gear 250.
[0165] Meanwhile, a snap ring SR and a preload washer PW may be disposed on the disk shaft
262. The snap ring SR may support the gears 230 and 250 in the axial direction. The
preload washer PW may elastically support the gears 230 and 250 to maintain a distance
between the gears and the shaft, thereby enabling stable operation.
[0166] FIG. 24 is a plan view illustrating the structure of the drive unit MU and the moving
hanger 100 constituting the clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to a second embodiment
of the present disclosure. Only the structural differences from the previously described
embodiment are explained. A fixing bar 700 may be provided between the motor assembly
200 and the second link bar 400. The fixing bar 700 may remain stationary without
operating. The fixing bar 700 may connect the motor assembly 200 and the second link
bar 400, more specifically, the motor assembly 200 and the hanger shaft 150. Since
the fixing bar 700 secures these components, either the first mounting frame 80 or
the second mounting frame 90 may be omitted.
[0167] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the motor assembly
200 and the first link bar 300 constituting the clothing treatment apparatus 1 according
to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Only the structural differences from
the previously described embodiments are explained. The motor assembly 200 may be
disposed below the first link bar 300. That is, the motor assembly 200 may transmit
rotational power thereto from below, and the first link bar 300, which is disposed
relatively above, may be rotated by the motor assembly 200. Although not illustrated,
in this case, the second link bar 400 may be disposed above the first link bar 300
in the axial (Z-axis) direction.
[0168] FIG. 26 is a plan view illustrating the structure of the drive unit MU and the moving
hanger 100 constituting the clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to a fourth embodiment
of the present disclosure. Only the structural differences from the previously described
embodiments are explained. The drive unit MU may include a plurality of drive units
MU. In the drawing, a total of two drive units MU are spaced apart from each other.
These drive units MU may operate independently. Each of the drive units MU may be
connected to a separate sync bar 500. In this way, the plurality of drive units MU
may operate at different speeds, or one of the plurality of drive units MU may not
be driven.
[0169] FIG. 27 is a plan view illustrating the structure of the drive unit MU and the moving
hanger 100 constituting the clothing treatment apparatus 1 according to a fifth embodiment
of the present disclosure. Only the structural differences from the previously described
embodiments are explained. In addition to the motor assembly 200, the plurality of
link bars LB, and the hanger shaft 150 constituting the drive unit MU, the sync bar
500 and the interlocking link parts 600 may be omitted. In this case, the motor assembly
200 and the plurality of link bars LB may interlock with each other to rotate only
the single hanger shaft 150. Such a structure may be arranged repeatedly, so that
each of the hanger shafts 150 may operate independently.
[0170] Meanwhile, although not illustrated, the plurality of link bars LB may include three
or more link bars. For example, the plurality of link bars LB may constitute a five-bar
linkage mechanism together with the eccentric disk 260.
[0171] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for
illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications,
additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope of the
present invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. Therefore, the preferred
embodiments described above have been described for illustrative purposes, and should
not be intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention, and the scope
of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments. The protective scope
of the present invention should be interpreted by the accompanying claims, and all
technical scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present
invention.