Fabric treating apparatus

Abstract

A fabric treating apparatus includes a casing that includes a treating chamber and a machinery room that is located below the treating chamber. The fabric treating apparatus further includes a base that is located at a bottom of the machinery room. The fabric treating apparatus further includes a heat pump module that is configured to condition air supplied to the treating chamber. The fabric treating apparatus further includes at least one supporter that is configured to support the heat pump module and that defines a space between the base and the heat pump module. The fabric treating apparatus further includes a steam generating module that is located in the space and that is configured to generate steam and supply steam to the treating chamber. The fabric treating apparatus further includes a controller that is configured to control at least one of the heat pump module or the steam generating module.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fabric treating apparatus comprising:
 a casing that comprises:
 a treating chamber that is configured to receive clothes; and 
 a machinery room that is located below the treating chamber; 
   a base that is located at a bottom of the machinery room;   a heat pump module that is configured to condition air supplied to the treating chamber;   at least one supporter (a) that includes a shelf (i) that is supported by legs that are fixed to the base and (ii) that supports the heat pump module and that defines a space (i) between the base and the heat pump module and (ii) below the shelf and (b) that includes a first supporter fixing tab that includes a surface that faces the base and that is located at a lower part of at least one of the legs;   a steam generating module that is located in the space and that is configured to generate steam and supply steam to the treating chamber; and   a controller that is configured to control at least one of the heat pump module or the steam generating module, the controller being located in the space and below the steam generating module,   wherein the base includes a first supporter fixing part that includes a first supporter fastening hole that is configured to receive the first supporter fixing tab.   
     
     
       2. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first supporter fixing tab is configured to slide into a pocket that is defined by the first supporter fastening hole. 
     
     
       3. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a size of the pocket is about equal to a size of the first supporter fixing tab. 
     
     
       4. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one supporter comprises:
 a first supporter that includes a second supporter fixing tab; and 
 a second supporter that includes the first supporter fixing tab, 
   the base comprises:
 a second supporter fixing part that defines a second supporter fastening hole that is configured to receive the second supporter fixing tab, 
   the second supporter fixing tab is configured to slide into the second supporter fastening hole in a first direction, and   the first supporter fixing tab is configured to slide into the first supporter fastening hole in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.   
     
     
       5. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base comprises a metal material, and   the first supporter fixing part comprises a plastic material.   
     
     
       6. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first supporter fixing part is formed by cutting, about perpendicular to a direction in which the first supporter fixing tab is configured to insert, a portion of the base having a predetermined length and then upwardly pressing a predetermined peripheral area of the cut portion. 
     
     
       7. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first supporter fastening hole is formed through plastic deformation of the cut portion. 
     
     
       8. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 5 , comprising a fastening member that is configured to couple the base and zo the at least one supporter and that vertically penetrates the first supporter fixing part and the first supporter fixing tab. 
     
     
       9. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the casing includes an opening that is located at a rear side of the casing and that is configured to receive the controller,   the heat pump module is located above the controller, and   the fabric treating apparatus further comprises a blower that is configured to blow air into an interior of the heat pump module.   
     
     
       10. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a panel that is detachably coupled to the casing and that is configured to close the opening.   
     
     
       11. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the blower is located in front of the at least one supporter. 
     
     
       12. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the blower is coupled to the base. 
     
     
       13. The fabric treating apparatus of claim of  claim 10 , wherein the base comprises a blower installation tab that protrudes from the base and that is configured to couple to the blower. 
     
     
       14. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 an air intake duct that is configured to guide air into the blower and that is located in front of the blower.   
     
     
       15. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the air intake duct is fixed to at least one of the blower or the base. 
     
     
       16. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes at least one controller fixing tab that is configured to slide into a controller fixing hole that is located at the base. 
     
     
       17. A fabric treating apparatus comprising:
 a casing that comprises:
 a treating chamber that is configured to receive clothes; and 
 a machinery room that is located below the treating chamber; 
   a base that is located at a bottom of the machinery room;   a heat pump module that is configured to condition air supplied to the treating chamber;   at least one supporter that includes a shelf (i) that is supported by legs that are fixed to the base and (ii) that supports the heat pump module and that defines a space (i) between the base and the heat pump module and (ii) below the shelf;   a steam generating module that is located in the space and that is configured to generate steam and supply steam to the treating chamber; and   a controller that is configured to control at least one of the heat pump module or the steam generating module, the controller being located in the space and below the steam generating module,   wherein a steam generating module fixing tab is located at one of the steam generating module or the at least one supporter, and   wherein the fabric treating apparatus defines an installation hole that is configured to receive the steam generating module fixing tab and that is located at another of the steam generating module or the at least one supporter opposite the steam generating module fixing tab.   
     
     
       18. The fabric treating apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the at least one supporter comprises a pair of supporters that are spaced apart from each other and that are about perpendicular to a front and rear direction of the base,   the installation hole is located on one of the pair of the supporters, and   the steam generating module is coupled, by a fastening member, to another one of the pair of the supporters opposite the installation hole, and   the steam generating module fixing tab is inserted into the installation hole.   
     
     
       19. A fabric treating apparatus comprising:
 a casing that comprises:
 an open front; 
 a treating chamber that is configured to receive clothes; and 
 a machinery room that is located below the treating chamber; 
 a base that is located at a bottom of the machinery room; 
 a blower configured to suction air from the treating chamber and to circulate air; 
 an air intake duct that is located in front of the blower with respect to the open front and configured to guide air from the treating chamber to the blower; 
 a heat pump module that is located behind the blower with respect to the open front and is configured to condition air supplied to the treating chamber; 
 at least one supporter that located behind the blower with respect to the open front and includes a shelf (i) that is supported by legs that are fixed to the base and (ii) that supports the heat pump module and that defines a space (i) between the base and the heat pump module and (ii) below the shelf; and 
 a steam generating module that is located behind the blower with respect to the open front and in the space, and that is configured to generate steam and supply steam to the treating chamber, 
 wherein a steam generating module fixing tab is located at one of the steam generating module or the at least one supporter, 
 wherein the fabric treating apparatus further comprises an installation hole that is configured to receive the steam generating module fixing tab, 
 wherein the installation hole is located (i) at the steam generating module when the steam generating module fixing tab is located at the at least one supporter, or (ii) at the at least one supporter when the steam generating module fixing tab is located at the steam generating module, and 
 wherein the blower is located between the air intake duct and the heat pump module and is coupled to the air intake duct and the heat pump module such that the blower suctions air from the treating chamber via the air intake duct and discharges air to the heat pump module.  
   
     
     
       20. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 19, wherein:
 the at least one supporter comprises a pair of supporters that are spaced apart from each other and that are about perpendicular to a front and rear direction of the base,   the installation hole is located on one of the pair of the supporters,   the steam generating module is coupled, by a fastening member, to another one of the pair of the supporters opposite the installation hole, and   the steam generating module fixing tab is inserted into the installation hole.    
     
     
       21. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 19, wherein the blower includes:
 a fan rotated by a motor;   an opening of the blower that connects the air intake duct and configured to introduce air to the fan; and   a vent configured to discharge air blown by the fan to the heat pump module.    
     
     
       22. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 21, wherein the fan is located lower than the vent.  
     
     
       23. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 21, wherein the fan guides air introduced from the opening of the blower along an axial direction associated with a rotation of the fan, moves air from the fan along a circumferential path, and discharges air from the circumferential path at the vent.  
     
     
       24. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 19, wherein the base includes a blower installation tab that is coupled to the blower to couple together the blower and the base.  
     
     
       25. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 19, wherein the air intake duct includes an opening configured to fluidly communicate with the treating chamber, and an air flow path through which air passes, and
 wherein a width of the air flow path in a front-and-rear direction is smaller than a width of the air flow path in a left-and-right direction.    
     
     
       26. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 25, wherein air from the opening of the air intake duct is guided downwardly along the air intake duct, and a flow direction of the air is changed by the blower when outputted toward the heat pump module.  
     
     
       27. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 25, wherein one of the blower or the air intake duct includes a pin extended in a front-and-rear direction, and the blower includes a pin hole to receive the pin in the air intake duct or the air intake duct includes the pin hole to receive the pin in blower, such that the air intake duct and the blower are aligned by inserting the pin into the pin hole when being coupled to each other.  
     
     
       28. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 25, further comprising
 a bottom surface configured to provide a bottom of the treating chamber; and   an air outlet of the treating chamber to supply conditioned air from the heat pump module,   wherein the opening of the air intake duct is connected to a front region of the bottom surface to communicate with the treating chamber, and   wherein the air outlet of the treating chamber is located at rear side of the treating chamber.    
     
     
       29. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 21, wherein the heat pump module includes:
 a housing configured to define an inner space to house a condenser and an evaporator;   an air inlet configured to introduce air into the inner space; and   an air outlet configured to discharge air being heat-exchanged to the treating chamber,   wherein a height of the air inlet of heat pump module is greater than a height of the fan of the blower.    
     
     
       30. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:
 a sump configured to collect condensed water generated from at least one of the heat pump module or the steam generating module,   wherein the condensed water is generated when air passes through an evaporator of the heat pump module or when steam moves along a steam supply path from the steam generating module.    
     
     
       31. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 30, wherein the sump is located in an inner lower region of the air intake duct.  
     
     
       32. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:
 an opening of the casing located at a rear side of the casing;   a panel detachably coupled to the casing and configured to cover at least a portion of the rear side of the casing when attached to cover the opening of the casing; and   a controller that is configured to control at least one of the blower, the heat pump module, or the steam generating module,   wherein the controller is positioned to be exposed to or is accessible of the casing when the panel is detached from the casing.    
     
     
       33. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 32, wherein the controller is located behind the blower with respect to the open front.  
     
     
       34. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:
 an air outlet of the treating chamber to supply conditioned air from the heat pump module into the treating chamber; and   a steam outlet to supply steam generated from steam generating module into the treating chamber,   wherein the air outlet of the treating chamber and the steam outlet are located at a rear side of the treating chamber.    
     
     
       35. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 19, wherein the legs include a mount configured to be fixed to the base.  
     
     
       36. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 35, wherein the base includes a hole configured to fix the mount.  
     
     
       37. A fabric treating apparatus comprising:
 a casing having:
 an open front; 
 a treating chamber that is configured to receive clothes; and 
 a machinery room that is located below the treating chamber; 
 a base that is located at a bottom of the machinery room; 
 a blower configured to suction air from the treating chamber and to discharge the suctioned air; 
 an air intake duct that is located in front of the blower with respect to the open front and configured to guide air from the treating chamber to the blower; 
 a heat pump module that is located behind the blower with respect to the open front and is configured to condition air discharged by the blower and to supply the conditioned air to the treating chamber; 
 at least one supporter that is located behind the blower with respect to the open front and that includes a shelf (i) that is supported by legs that are fixed to the base and (ii) that supports the heat pump module and that defines a space (i) between the base and the heat pump module and (ii) below the shelf; and 
 a steam generating module that is located behind the blower with respect to the open front and in the space, and that is configured to generate steam and supply steam to the treating chamber, 
 wherein a steam generating module fixing tab is located at one of the steam generating module or the at least one supporter, 
 wherein the fabric treating apparatus further comprises an installation hole that is configured to receive the steam generating module fixing tab, 
 wherein the installation hole is located (i) at the steam generating module when the steam generating module fixing tab is located at the at least one supporter, or (ii) at the at least one supporter when the steam generating module fixing tab is located at the steam generating module, and 
 wherein the air intake duct includes an opening configured to communicate with the treating chamber, and an outlet coupled to the blower, the opening of the air intake duct being positioned higher than the outlet of the air intake duct such that air flows downwardly between the treating chamber and the blower.  
   
     
     
       38. The fabric treating apparatus of claim 37, wherein the blower includes an inlet to receive air from the air intake duct and an outlet to force air to the heat pump module, the inlet of the blower being positioned lower than the outlet of the blower such that the blower changes a flow direction of air received from the air intake duct and directs air to flow upwardly toward the heat pump module.