KR20220107555A - Clothes treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clothes treatment device. A purpose of the present invention is to lower the inner pressure of a distillation tank when carbon dioxide gas in the distillation tank is drawn to a compressor in a distillation process. The clothes treatment device includes: a pressure vessel maintaining carbon dioxide accommodated therein at a pressure higher than air pressure; a storage tank storing the carbon dioxide and supplying the carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel, wherein the storage tank is positioned in the upper part of the pressure vessel; and a distillation unit liquefying the gasified carbon dioxide and supplying the liquefied carbon dioxide to the storage tank after separating foreign substances by gasifying carbon dioxide liquid in the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel. The distillation unit includes: the distillation tank positioned in the lower part of the pressure vessel, and storing the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel to separate the foreign substances dissolved in the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel; a circulation flow path positioned on the outside of the distillation tank, and circulating the carbon dioxide liquid stored in the distillation tank; and an outer heat exchanger positioned on the circulation flow path, and heating the carbon dioxide liquid passing through the circulation flow path by using external heat.

Description

Clothes treatment apparatus {Clothes treatment apparatus}

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treatment apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a laundry treatment apparatus for performing laundry treatment such as laundry using carbon dioxide as a laundry solvent.

A clothes treatment device refers to a device developed to wash and dry clothes at home and laundry, and to remove wrinkles on clothes. Classified as clothes treatment equipment, there is a washing machine for washing clothes, a dryer for drying clothes, a washing/drying machine having both washing and drying functions, a clothes manager for refreshing clothes, and a washing machine for removing wrinkles from clothes It is a concept including a steamer and the like.

A typical clothes treatment apparatus treats clothes using water. Accordingly, in the case of the laundry treatment apparatus on which the washing cycle has been completed, even if the laundry goes through the dehydration process, water hydrated in the clothes remains. In order to dry wet clothes, it is necessary to dry them naturally or supply hot air through a separate drying cycle, so it may require additional time as much as the drying cycle.

In general, using water and detergent, foreign substances adhering to or adsorbed on clothes can be removed. Alternatively, instead of water as a cleaning solvent, an organic solvent such as perchlorethylene (PCE) may be used to effectively remove lipophilic foreign substances. Since organic solvents are volatile, the drying cycle may be shorter than when water is used. However, it is effective in removing fat-soluble foreign substances, but there is a limit in removing water-soluble foreign substances. In addition, even after a drying process using hot air, it may cause discomfort if smelled for a long time due to the remaining volatile organic compounds. harmful to

Carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) is emerging as a new laundry solvent to prevent these carcinogens and environmental pollution. Since carbon dioxide is a colorless and odorless gas at atmospheric pressure and room temperature, there is no need to go through a separate drying cycle because the carbon dioxide evaporates when the washing process at high pressure is finished and the pressure is lowered to atmospheric pressure. In addition, as it is one of the components of the general atmosphere, it does not pollute the environment.

In addition, in the case of using a distiller or a distillation tank, after washing, only foreign substances are removed from the contaminated carbon dioxide, and then clean carbon dioxide is distilled and reused.

U.S. Patent Publication No. US6860123B1 discloses a cycle in which contaminated liquid carbon dioxide is distilled and reused after washing using a distiller. That is, after washing, the liquid carbon dioxide in the washing tub is discharged to the distillation tank, and then it is regenerated and recycled using heat in the distillation tub. To this end, a heat exchanger (or regenerator) for exchanging gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid carbon dioxide is installed inside the distillation tank. The gaseous carbon dioxide separated from the foreign material is compressed through a compressor to become a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, and enters the heat exchanger, where, through heat exchange with liquid carbon dioxide in the liquid distillation tank, the liquid carbon dioxide evaporates and the gaseous carbon dioxide becomes liquefied. . At this time, the liquefied gaseous carbon dioxide can be transferred back to the storage tank and reused.

However, in the heat exchange process, since the liquid carbon dioxide in the distillation tank is vaporized, the level of the liquid carbon dioxide is gradually lowered. In this case, there is a problem in that the suction density of gaseous carbon dioxide in the compressor is lowered, so that the flow rate during heat exchange (regeneration) is reduced, and the external heat resistance of the heat exchanger is increased to lower heat exchange performance (or regeneration efficiency). This also has a problem in that a lot of time required for regeneration is required during operation.

In addition, if the capacity of the carbon dioxide storage tank is reduced in order to reduce the size of the laundry treatment apparatus, since it is necessary to reuse the carbon dioxide distilled in the washing process, there is a problem in that the washing time increases as much as the long required time in the distillation process.

First, the present disclosure aims to solve the problem of lowering the internal pressure of the distillation tank when gaseous carbon dioxide is extracted from the inside of the distillation tank by a compressor during the distillation process.

Second, in the present disclosure, as the liquid carbon dioxide in the distillation tank gradually evaporates during the distillation process, the level of liquid carbon dioxide is lowered, and accordingly, the compressor suction density is lowered, so that the flow rate of carbon dioxide passing through the internal heat exchanger provided in the distillation tank is increased. To prevent the deterioration of heat exchange performance by reducing it as a solution.

Third, the present disclosure aims to reduce the time required for distillation as a solution.

Fourth, the present disclosure aims to improve energy efficiency by using a heat pump used to lower the pressure of a storage tank as an external heat source for heating liquid carbon dioxide.

In order to solve the above problems, it may include an external heat exchanger on the outside of the distillation tank. This is to heat the liquid carbon dioxide by heat exchange with liquid carbon dioxide discharged from the distillation tank using an external heat source, and then supply the liquid carbon dioxide to the distillation tank again.

To this end, it may further include a blower fan that sucks outside air and introduces air into the periphery of the external heat exchanger through which the liquid carbon dioxide flows to transfer heat to the liquid carbon dioxide due to a temperature difference between the air and liquid carbon dioxide.

That is, heat of evaporation is supplied to liquid carbon dioxide through an external heat exchanger during a distillation process or a distillation regeneration process.

To this end, the laundry treatment apparatus includes: a pressure vessel for maintaining the carbon dioxide contained therein at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure; a storage tank located in the upper portion of the pressure vessel, storing carbon dioxide and supplying carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel; and a distillation unit for liquefying and supplying the vaporized carbon dioxide to the storage tank after vaporizing liquid carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel to separate foreign substances, and wherein the distillation unit is located at the lower portion of the pressure vessel a distillation tank for storing the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel in order to separate foreign substances dissolved in the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel; a circulation passage which is located outside the distillation tank and circulates the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank; and an external heat exchanger positioned on the circulation passage to heat the liquid carbon dioxide passing through the circulation passage using external heat.

One end of the circulation passage may be connected to the distillation tank at a lower portion of the distillation tank so that the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank flows into the circulation passage.

The distillation unit may further include a circulation pump positioned between the distillation tank and the external heat exchanger on the circulation passage to move the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank toward the external heat exchanger.

The circulation passage includes: a first circulation pipe connecting the distillation tank and the external heat exchanger to move the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank to the external heat exchanger; and a second circulation pipe for moving carbon dioxide passing through the external heat exchanger to the distillation tank.

The second circulation pipe may be connected to the distillation tank in the distillation tank.

The clothes treatment apparatus further includes a discharge pipe connecting the pressure vessel and the distillation tank to discharge carbon dioxide from the pressure vessel to the distillation tank, and the second circulation pipe is connected to the discharge pipe, and the external Carbon dioxide passing through the heat exchanger may be moved to the distillation tank through the discharge pipe.

The discharge pipe may be connected to the distillation tank at an upper portion of the distillation tank.

In addition, the distillation unit is located on the outside of the distillation tank, the distillation compressor for sucking gaseous carbon dioxide from the distillation tank and compressing it; an internal heat exchanger located inside the distillation tank, connected to the distillation compressor, and exchanging the compressed gaseous carbon dioxide with liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank; and a storage pipe connecting the internal heat exchanger and the storage tank to move the cooled carbon dioxide through the internal heat exchanger to the storage tank.

The distillation unit includes: a suction pipe connecting the distillation tank and the distillation compressor to move gaseous carbon dioxide from the distillation tank to the distillation compressor; and a discharge pipe connecting the distillation compressor and the internal heat exchanger to move the compressed gaseous carbon dioxide to the internal heat exchanger.

The internal heat exchanger may be located at a lower portion inside the distillation tank.

The suction pipe may be connected to the distillation tank at an upper portion of the distillation tank.

The laundry treatment apparatus may further include a blowing fan that sucks and supplies air, and may supply heat to the liquid carbon dioxide passing through the external heat exchanger using heat of the air sucked in by the blowing fan.

The laundry treatment apparatus further includes a cabinet including the pressure vessel, the storage tank, and the distillation unit therein, wherein one side of the left and right sides of the cabinet is closer than the other side of the storage tank and the distillation tank, respectively. can do.

Meanwhile, the laundry treatment apparatus includes: a first heat exchanger for heat exchange with the storage tank to maintain the pressure of the storage tank below a preset reference pressure; a second heat exchanger for supplying heat to the liquid carbon dioxide passing through the external heat exchanger through heat exchange with the external heat exchanger; and a refrigerant compressor for compressing the refrigerant circulating in the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger.

In addition, the clothes treatment apparatus includes a circulation fan that cools the outside air through the first heat exchanger and then moves it to the storage tank in order to cool the storage tank using the outside air cooled through the first heat exchanger. may include more.

First, according to the present disclosure, when gaseous carbon dioxide is extracted from the inside of the distillation tank by a compressor during the distillation process, it is possible to reduce the decrease in the internal pressure of the distillation tank.

Second, in the present disclosure, as the liquid carbon dioxide in the distillation tank gradually evaporates during the distillation process, the level of liquid carbon dioxide is lowered, and accordingly, the compressor suction density is lowered, so that the flow rate of carbon dioxide passing through the internal heat exchanger provided in the distillation tank is increased. It is possible to prevent deterioration of the heat exchange performance by reducing it.

Third, the present disclosure can shorten the time required for distillation.

Fourth, the present disclosure can increase energy efficiency by using the heat radiated from the condenser in the heat pump used to lower the pressure of the storage tank as an external heat source for heating liquid carbon dioxide.

1 (a) and 1 (b) show an example of the laundry treatment apparatus described in the present disclosure.
Figure 2 shows an example of the drum and the driving unit provided in the pressure vessel.
3 is a view from the rear so that the partition wall and the driving unit appear after separating the second housing from the pressure vessel.
4(a) and 4(b) are views from the front and side surfaces of the partition wall, respectively.
5 schematically shows the components of a laundry treatment apparatus using carbon dioxide as a laundry solvent.
6( a ) shows an example of a pressurization step for reaching a flat pressure using gaseous carbon dioxide stored in a storage tank during a washing cycle of the laundry treatment apparatus described in the present disclosure. 6(b) shows another example of a pressurization step during a washing cycle of the laundry treatment apparatus according to the present disclosure.
Figure 7 (a) shows the step of supplying liquid carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel using the height difference between the storage tank and the pressure vessel after the pressurization step and the replenishment step are finished. 7 (b) shows the step of recovering the liquid carbon dioxide inside the pressure vessel by supplying carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel using the height difference between the storage tank and the pressure vessel before proceeding with the rinsing process after washing is completed. .
Figure 8 (a) shows the distillation step of distilling the liquid carbon dioxide discharged to the distillation tank after the washing step or the rinsing step. FIG. 8(b) shows a recovery step of recovering gaseous carbon dioxide remaining in the pressure vessel and removing residual gas after the rinsing step and before completing the washing cycle.
9 shows a distillation process using an external heat exchanger provided in the laundry treatment apparatus.
10 shows an example of using a heat pump as an external heat source for external heat exchange.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration or control method of the device to be described below is only for explaining the embodiments of the present disclosure, not for limiting the scope of the present disclosure, and the same reference numbers used throughout the specification indicate the same components .

Specific terminology used in the present specification is only for convenience of description and is not used as a limitation of the illustrated embodiment.

For example, expressions such as "same" and "same as" not only indicate the strictly identical state, but also indicate a state in which a tolerance or a difference in the degree to which the same function is obtained exists.

For example, expressions indicating a relative or absolute arrangement such as "in any direction", "along a certain direction", "parallel", "vertically", "central", "concentric" or "coaxial", Not only strictly indicates such an arrangement, but also indicates a state in which the relative displacement is carried out with a tolerance or an angle or distance sufficient to achieve the same function.

In order to describe the present disclosure, it will be described below based on a spatial orthogonal coordinate system with X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis orthogonal to each other. Each axial direction (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction) means both directions in which each axis extends. Adding a '+' sign in front of each axial direction (+X-axis direction, +Y-axis direction, +Z-axis direction) means a positive direction, which is one of the two directions in which each axis extends. A sign '-' in front of each axial direction (-X-axis direction, -Y-axis direction, -Z-axis direction) means the other negative direction among both directions in which each axis extends.

Expressions referring to directions such as “before (+Y)/after (-Y)/left(+X)/right(-X)/up(+Z)/down(-Z)” mentioned below are XYZ It is defined according to the coordinate axis, but this is for explanation so that the present disclosure can be clearly understood to the last, and it goes without saying that each direction may be defined differently depending on where the reference is placed.

The use of terms such as 'first, second, third' in front of the components mentioned below is only to avoid confusion of the components referred to, and the order, importance, or master-slave relationship between the components, etc. is irrelevant For example, an invention including only the second component without the first component can also be implemented.

As used herein, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure has been described on the premise that carbon dioxide is used as a laundry solvent, but other laundry solvents other than carbon dioxide may be used.

1(a) and 1(b) illustrate a laundry treatment apparatus 1000 as an example of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1( a ), the clothes treatment apparatus 1000 is a pressure vessel 200 for maintaining the carbon dioxide contained therein at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, and is located above the pressure vessel 200 to store carbon dioxide. And after separating foreign substances by vaporizing liquid carbon dioxide out of the storage tank 150 for supplying carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel 200 and the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel 200, the vaporized in the storage tank 150 and a distillation unit 400 that liquefies and supplies carbon dioxide.

The position in the upper part of the pressure vessel 200, when viewed from the front, is higher than the vertical height from the bottom to the center of the circular cross-section of the pressure vessel 200 having a cylindrical shape, the cylindrical storage tank 150 This means that the vertical height to the center of the circular section is greater. This is interpreted similarly to the distillation tank of the distillation unit 400 , so that the distillation tank 401 may be located below the pressure vessel 200 .

That is, the installation height of the storage tank 150 may be higher than the installation height of the pressure vessel 200 , and the installation height of the distillation tank 401 may be lower than the installation height of the pressure vessel 200 .

Also, the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 may include a cabinet 100 forming an exterior. The pressure vessel 200 may include a drum 300 that is rotatably provided inside the pressure vessel 200 to accommodate clothes and a driving unit 500 that rotates the drum 300 .

In addition, the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 further includes a frame 110 supporting the cabinet and supporting the pressure vessel, the storage tank 150 and the distillation unit 400 inside the cabinet 100 . may include

The clothes treatment apparatus 1000 supplies carbon dioxide from the storage tank 150 to the pressure vessel 200 according to a user's input, and then rotates the drum 300 so that the clothes stored in the drum 300 are washed with the clothes. A washing cycle of separating foreign substances from the clothes may be performed using friction between liquid carbon dioxide.

The washing cycle refers to a series of steps performed by the clothes treatment apparatus 1000 when a user selects a course for washing clothes. The washing operation includes a pressurizing step and a supplying step of supplying carbon dioxide from the storage tank 150 to the pressure vessel 200, and rotating the drum 300 at a first preset rotation speed to cause friction between liquid carbon dioxide and clothes. It may include a washing step of separating foreign substances from clothes using .

The rinsing step may be repeated twice. Preferably, the inside of the pressure vessel (or washing chamber) 200 is approximately 45 to 51 bar, and the washing step may be performed for 10 to 15 minutes, and the rinsing step may be performed for 3 to 4 minutes at 10 to 15 ° C.

After the washing step and the rinsing step are completed, a distillation step may be included. Distillation refers to heating a specific liquid mixed with foreign substances (or contaminants), vaporizing (or evaporating) only the specific liquid, and then cooling again to separate only a specific pure liquid. In the present specification, it refers to a step of separating only pure liquid carbon dioxide by cooling after vaporizing liquid carbon dioxide mixed with foreign substances separated from clothes. The separated liquid carbon dioxide may be reused in the next step after being supplied to the storage tank again.

The cabinet 100 includes a cabinet bottom (not shown) forming a bottom surface of the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 , an upper panel (not shown) forming an upper surface of the cabinet 100 , and the cabinet 100 . A front panel 103 forming a front surface and connecting the bottom surface of the cabinet and the upper panel, a side panel (not shown) forming both sides of the cabinet 100 and connecting the bottom surface of the cabinet and the upper panel; and It may include a rear panel (not shown) forming a rear surface of the cabinet.

The front panel 103 may be provided with a cabinet inlet 1031 through which clothes can be put into the drum 300 or clothes accommodated in the drum 300 can be taken out of the cabinet 100 . Also, the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 may include a door 130 rotatably provided on the front panel 103 to open and close the cabinet inlet 1031 .

The pressure vessel 200 may be located inside the cabinet 100 to accommodate carbon dioxide. The pressure vessel 200 may include a vessel inlet 219 capable of communicating with the cabinet inlet. When the door 130 is closed, not only the cabinet inlet 1031 but also the container inlet 219 are closed so that the pressure vessel 200 is a pressure vessel or pressure vessel capable of accommodating high-pressure carbon dioxide. can be

For example, the carbon dioxide supplied to the pressure vessel 200 may maintain a predetermined pressure in order to exist as liquid carbon dioxide, preferably the pressure is set in a pressure range of 45 bar or more and 51 bar or less. It can be one pressure.

The drum 300 may be rotatably provided inside the pressure vessel 200 . Specifically, the drum 300 may be rotatably provided in the inner space of the first housing 211 (refer to FIG. 2 ), that is, the first chamber 210 . The drum 300 may include a plurality of side through-holes (not shown) provided on the inner circumferential surface of the drum 300 to allow fluid communication between the pressure vessel 200 and the drum 300 . That is, the drum 300 may include a drum body 301 for accommodating clothes therein, and a plurality of side through-holes (not shown) penetrating the side of the drum body.

Carbon dioxide supplied to the pressure vessel 200, specifically, the first chamber 210 (refer to FIG. 2), is introduced through the plurality of side through-holes into a accommodating space, which is a space in which clothes are accommodated inside the drum body, or , from the receiving space to the space between the first chamber 210 (refer to FIG. 7 ) and the drum 300 .

The drum 300 may have a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the drum body 301 forming the outer shape of the drum 300 may have a cylindrical shape.

Accordingly, the pressure vessel may serve as a washing chamber in which the washing step and the rinsing step occur using the drum 300 provided therein.

1(a) and 1(b), the storage tank 150, the pressure vessel 200 and the distillation unit 400 may be located in the order of height in the height direction with respect to the bottom surface of the cabinet. have. This is to move liquid carbon dioxide by gravity even under the same pressure condition. That is, when the storage tank 150 and the pressure vessel 200 communicate with each other even if the pressure is the same, the liquid carbon dioxide may move from the storage tank 150 to the pressure vessel 200 by gravity. Similarly, even if the pressure of the pressure vessel 200 and the distillation tank 401 of the distillation unit 400 are the same, liquid carbon dioxide is discharged from the pressure vessel 200 to the distillation tank 401 by gravity according to the height difference. can be

In addition, considering the weight of each of the storage tank 150, the pressure vessel 200 and the distillation tank 401 and the size of the clothes treatment apparatus, the storage tank 150, the pressure vessel 200 and the distillation tank ( 401) is preferably arranged diagonally with respect to the height direction rather than vertically arranged in a straight line in the height direction in terms of weight distribution or miniaturization of the laundry treatment apparatus.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1A , the distillation tank 401 and the storage tank 150 may be disposed closer to the other side than the one side of the cabinet 100 , respectively.

1 (a) and 1 (b), the storage tank 150, the pressure vessel 200 and the distillation tank 401 are viewed from the front, the storage tank 150 and the distillation tank 401 are Although it is shown that it is located closer to the right side of the cabinet than the left side of the cabinet, it may be located on the opposite side.

In the empty space remaining after the storage tank 150, the pressure vessel 200 and the distillation tank 401 are disposed, various compressors, an oil separator 295, a control unit 900, a heat dissipation fan 299, and various connection pipes are provided. can be located

Referring to FIG. 1B , the control unit 900 may be located at the rear of the cabinet. This is for easy access to the control unit 900 . However, this is only an embodiment, and may be located on the side or front side. In FIG. 1 , the control unit 900 is provided in the form of a box, and a control device such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) may be provided inside the box. Alternatively, the control unit 900 may be provided as a PCB including a microcomputer. 1 shows a state in which a box-like shape is rotatably provided to the frame 110 .

The control unit may control the movement of carbon dioxide by controlling the opening and closing of each pipe through various flow control valves. In addition, the driving unit can be controlled to rotate the drum. In addition, the controller may receive a ruler input and perform a course or administration selected by the user according to a preset step.

When the control unit 900 is rotated, the pressure vessel 200 is exposed in consideration of maintenance.

The heat dissipation fan 299 may be provided to cool the distillation compressor 290 or to maintain the air inside the cabinet 100 at a constant temperature. 1 shows an example in which the heat dissipation fan is located at the rear lower part of the cabinet, it may be anywhere as long as it cools the distillation compressor 290 and maintains the air inside the cabinet 100 at a constant temperature. . The distillation compressor 290 may be used to compress gaseous carbon dioxide in the distillation step. Alternatively, heat may be supplied to the pressure vessel 200 using high-temperature gaseous carbon dioxide compressed in the recovery step.

The oil separator 295 may have the control unit 900 located at the upper portion. When the control unit 900 rotates, it may rotate together. This is to facilitate maintenance of the pressure vessel 200 , the storage tank 150 , and the compressor of the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 .

In the oil separator 295, carbon dioxide is mixed with the lubricating oil used when the carbon dioxide vaporized in the distillation compressor 290 is compressed at high temperature and high pressure to separate it again. This is because, when lubricating oil is mixed with carbon dioxide, the lubricating oil can enter the carbon dioxide used for washing and contaminate clothes.

2 shows the pressure vessel 200 . The pressure vessel 200 may accommodate carbon dioxide at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. This is because liquid carbon dioxide is required for washing clothes, and high pressure is essential for this. The pressure vessel 200 may include a drum 300 and a driving unit 500 therein.

Specifically, the pressure vessel 200 may include a first housing 211 and a second housing 221 forming an outer shape of the pressure vessel. The first housing 211 may form a first chamber 210 that is a space into which the drum 300 in which clothes are accommodated is inserted.

The drum 300 is provided to be rotatable, so that liquid carbon dioxide and clothes will be mixed with each other while clothes are accommodated therein.

The first housing 211 may have a first opening 213 opened in a direction opposite to the container inlet 219 formed in the front, that is, in a direction coupled to the second housing. That is, the first opening 213 is located on the opposite side of the container inlet 219 and may be larger than the size of the container inlet 219 .

The first housing 211 is generally made in the form of a cylinder, the container inlet 219 having a circular shape is formed on one side, and the first opening 213 having a circular shape on the other side may be provided. .

The drum 300 may be provided in a cylindrical shape similar to the shape of the first chamber 210 which is the inner space of the first housing 211 . In addition, the drum 300 may rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction inside the first housing 211 .

The size of the first opening 213 may be larger than the size of the cross-section of the drum 300 so that a worker or a user can take out the drum 300 through the first opening 213 and perform repair. In this case, the size of the first opening 213 may be larger than the size of the maximum cross-section of the drum 300 . Accordingly, a worker or the like may separate the first housing 211 and the second housing 221 and then open the first opening 213 to take out the drum 300 . Also, the drum 300 may be installed in the first housing 211 through the first opening 213 .

An inlet pipe (not shown) through which carbon dioxide is supplied from the storage tank 150 to the first housing 211 is provided in the first housing 211 . The inlet pipe is a pipe exposed to the outside of the first housing 211 through which carbon dioxide can be moved from the storage tank 150 to the inside of the first housing 211 , that is, to the first chamber 210 . have.

The first housing 211 may include a filter unit 350 that filters out large foreign substances that do not dissolve in liquid carbon dioxide when the liquid carbon dioxide used in the first chamber 210 moves to the distillation unit 400 . . The filter unit 350 may be provided on a lower outer circumferential surface of the first housing 211 . The filter unit 350 is a cylinder of the first housing 211 and the filter unit 350 is formed to protrude from the cylindrical shape of the first housing 211 in a radial direction to form a space in which the filter can be inserted. It may include a filter insertion part 351, and a discharge hole for discharging liquid carbon dioxide that has passed through the filter to the distillation tank 401 through the filter insertion part 351.

The first housing 211 and the distillation tank 401, specifically, the discharge hole 352 and the distillation tank 401 may be connected through a discharge pipe 630 (refer to FIG. 9).

The first housing 211 may include a first flange 212 formed along the first opening 213 . The first flange 212 may extend in a radial direction along an outer circumferential surface of the first housing 211 similarly to the cylindrical shape of the first housing 211 . The first flange 212 is uniformly disposed along the circumference of the first housing 211 in a direction in which the radius of the first housing 211 increases.

The second housing 221 may be coupled to the first housing 211 to form one pressure vessel 200 . At this time, the inside of the pressure vessel 200 is a space in which the first chamber 210, which is a space for processing clothes by the separation unit 250, and a driving unit 500, which provides a driving force for rotating the drum, is installed. (220).

Schematically, the separation unit 250 may be coupled to the first opening 213 in a disk shape. Through this, a first chamber 210 in the inner space of the pressure vessel 200 is formed by the first housing 211 and the separation part 250 , and the second chamber 220 is the second housing It may be formed by 221 and the separation unit 250 . The drum 300 may be accommodated in the first chamber 210 , and the driving unit 500 may be accommodated in the second chamber 220 . Accordingly, a through hole for connecting the rotating shaft (not shown) provided in the driving unit 500 to the drum 300 may be provided in the middle of the separating unit 250 .

The second housing 221 may include a second flange 222 coupled to the first flange 212 . The second housing 221 may be formed to have a size similar to a cross-section of the first housing 211 , and may be disposed at the rear of the first housing 211 .

The second flange 222 is coupled to the first flange 212 by a plurality of fastening members, for example, bolts and nuts, so that the second housing 221 is fixed to the first housing 211 . It is possible to maintain a pressure in which the internal pressure is greater than the external atmospheric pressure.

A filter capable of filtering foreign substances is disposed in the filter insertion part 351 provided in the first housing 211 . The filter includes a plurality of small holes, so that foreign substances cannot pass through the holes, while liquid carbon dioxide passes through the holes and can be discharged to the outside of the first housing 211 through the discharge pipe 630 . For example, the filter may be provided in the form of a mesh.

The pressure vessel may include a separation unit 250 that seals the first opening 213 and is coupled to the first housing 211 . The separation unit 250 includes a partition wall 251 separating the first housing and the second housing, and a container heat exchanger supported by the partition wall 251 to exchange heat with carbon dioxide contained in the first chamber 210 ( 256), and a heat insulating member 259 provided between the container heat exchanger 256 and the partition wall 251 may be included. The heat insulating member 259 is to prevent the heat of the container heat exchanger 256 from being transferred to the second chamber 220 through the partition wall 251 .

Both the container heat exchanger 256 and the heat insulating member 259 are coupled to and supported by the partition wall 251 , and the container heat exchanger 256 and the heat insulating member 259 are positioned in the first chamber 210 . can On the other hand, the driving unit 500 may be located in the opposite direction of the drum 300 , that is, in the second chamber 220 .

The reason for supplying heat to the first chamber 210 or the drum 300 through the vessel heat exchanger 256 is when discharging liquid carbon dioxide from the first chamber 210 or discharging gaseous carbon dioxide, This is to prevent the clothing from becoming hardened or damaged due to a sudden drop in temperature.

The body of the container heat exchanger may be in the form of a pipe connected to a meander. This is to increase the contact area with carbon dioxide accommodated in the first chamber 210 as much as possible.

In addition, the vessel heat exchanger 256 may include a central through-hole (not shown) through which the rotation shaft of the driving unit 500 is inserted and passed to correspond to the size of the first through-hole 2511 (refer to FIG. 4) to be described later. have. Accordingly, the heat exchanger may be schematically shaped like a donut. This is also true of the insulation member. This is because the rotation shaft of the driving unit 500 is connected to the drum 300 after passing through the separation unit 250 .

The vessel heat exchanger 256 may be a method of supplying heat while circulating a refrigerant, but an electric heater may be used otherwise.

2 and 3 , the partition wall 251 is coupled to the first housing 211 . Alternatively, the separation part 250 may be coupled to the second housing 221 .

The separation unit 250 may block movement of liquid carbon dioxide among the carbon dioxide stored in the first chamber 210 to the second chamber 220 . On the other hand, in the separation unit 250 , gaseous carbon dioxide among the carbon dioxide stored in the first chamber 210 may move freely. This is to reduce the stress applied to the barrier ribs by balancing the pressure between the first chamber 210 and the second chamber 220 .

That is, when high-pressure carbon dioxide is accommodated in the first chamber 210 and the second chamber is maintained at atmospheric pressure, or when the first chamber 210 is reduced from high pressure to atmospheric pressure, or increased from atmospheric pressure to high pressure, the The barrier rib 251 may be stressed due to a pressure difference, which may cause destruction due to fatigue of the barrier rib 251 or deformation due to stress. To prevent this, while maintaining a pressure difference, in order to prevent wasted liquid carbon dioxide from being filled in unnecessary portions, the partition wall 251 prevents gaseous carbon dioxide from moving but liquid carbon dioxide from moving freely.

To this end, a graphite gasket (not shown) may be provided between the partition wall 251 and the seating groove 2122 to which the partition wall is coupled. In addition, all through-holes provided in the partition wall, which will be described later, may be sealed except for the second through-hole. The gaseous carbon dioxide freely moves through the second through hole, but this is to prevent the movement of liquid carbon dioxide.

At least one second through hole 2512 (refer to FIG. 4 ) may be provided at an upper end of the barrier rib that does not contact liquid carbon dioxide. Through this, the movement of gaseous carbon dioxide is possible, so that the left and right space can be maintained in equilibrium. After all, since there is no pressure difference between the first chamber 210 and the second chamber 220, the graphite gasket does not need to block the movement of liquid carbon dioxide due to pressure and simply blocks movement by gravity. Therefore, excessive fastening force may not be required.

2 , the drum 300 is disposed in the space on the left side of the partition wall 251 and the first chamber 210, so that clothes and liquid carbon dioxide are mixed to perform laundry treatment such as a washing step or a rinsing step. . On the other hand, the driving unit 500 is disposed in the space on the right side of the partition wall 251 to provide a driving force for rotating the drum 300 . In this case, a part of the driving unit 500 may pass through the partition wall 251 and be coupled to the drum 300 .

The partition wall 251 may be formed to be larger than the size of the first opening 213 and be disposed to abut against the first opening 213 to seal the first opening 213 . The partition wall 251 and the first opening 213 have a substantially circular shape similar to that of the first housing 211 , and the diameter L of the first opening 213 is the partition wall 251 . smaller than the diameter of The diameter L of the first opening 213 is larger than the diameter of the drum 300 . Accordingly, the size of the cross-section of the drum 300 is the smallest, the cross-section of the first opening 213 is the medium size, and the size of the partition wall 251 is the largest.

The partition wall 251 is disposed to have a plurality of steps, so that strength can be secured.

A seating groove 2122 to which the partition wall 251 is coupled may be formed in the first flange 212 along the first opening 213 . That is, the seating groove 2122 may be provided at a portion extending in a radial direction from the first opening 213 . The seating groove 2122 is recessed more than the thickness of the partition wall 251 so that the first flange 212 and the second flange 222 may contact each other. When the seating groove 2122 has a thickness of the partition wall 251 and is formed to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the partition wall 251 , the partition wall 251 is seated in the seating groove 2122 . If so, it will be possible for the surface of the first flange 212 to be flat.

A first seating surface 2124 extending in a radial direction rather than a circumference of the seating groove 2122 is provided on the first flange 212 , and the first seating surface 2124 is provided on the second flange 222 . A second seating surface (not shown) to be coupled by interviewing may be provided. The first seating surface 2124 and the second seating surface are disposed to contact each other, so that carbon dioxide injected into the inner space of the first housing 211 is prevented from being discharged to the outside. The first seating surface 2124 and the second seating surface are disposed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first housing 211 and the second housing 221 so that the two housings are coupled to each other by a fastening member while making surface contact with each other. It is possible to provide a bonding surface that can be used.

A container heat exchanger 256 in which a refrigerant moves into the first chamber 210 in which the drum is accommodated is disposed on the partition wall 251 , and the container heat exchanger 256 includes the first housing 211 and the It may be disposed in a space formed by the partition wall 251 . It is possible to increase the temperature of the first chamber 210 through the vessel heat exchanger 256, which is when liquid carbon dioxide is discharged from the first chamber 210 to the distillation tank 401, or gaseous carbon dioxide is recovered. This is to prevent the clothes accommodated in the drum 300 from being hardened or damaged by a sudden drop in the temperature of the first chamber 210 when discharging to the outside.

A heat insulating member 259 may be disposed between the container heat exchanger 256 and the partition wall 251 . The heat insulating member 259 is to block the temperature of the container heat exchanger 256 from being transferred to the partition wall 251 to increase the heat exchange efficiency of the container heat exchanger 256 .

The heat insulating member 259 reduces the effect of the temperature change of the container heat exchanger 256 on the partition wall 251 . The heat insulating member 259 is formed similarly to the shape of the vessel heat exchanger 256 , so that it is possible to cover the entire area of the vessel heat exchanger 256 .

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the second housing is separated from FIG. 2 .

When the second housing 221 is separated from the first housing 211 , the partition wall 251 will be exposed to the outside. Since the partition wall 251 is coupled to the seating groove of the first housing 211 , even if the second housing 221 is separated from the first housing 211 , the interior of the first housing 211 . The space will not be exposed to the outside. The partition wall 251 may include a plurality of third through holes 2513 . Through this, the partition wall may be coupled to the first housing 211 by a plurality of fastening members, for example, bolts.

It may be coupled to the driving unit 500 through a first through hole 2511 (refer to FIG. 4 ) provided in the central portion of the partition wall 251 , and at least one second through hole 2512 is provided on the upper side of the driving unit 500 . ) is formed. Refrigerant pipes 2567 and 2568 for circulating a refrigerant in order to transfer heat through the container heat exchanger 256 may pass through the at least one second through hole 2512 .

3 shows two second through-holes 2512 through which the first tube 2567 and the second tube 2568 pass through, respectively, but this is only an example, and the first through-hole The tube 2567 and the second tube 2568 may pass. The first pipe 2567 and the second pipe 2568 are connected to the vessel heat exchanger 256 to circulate the refrigerant. That is, when the refrigerant flows into the first pipe 2567 , the refrigerant flows out through the second pipe 2568 .

Here, the refrigerant may be gaseous carbon dioxide compressed through the distillation compressor 290 rather than a separate refrigerant. Since the gaseous carbon dioxide compressed for distillation is in a high temperature and high pressure state, it can be used to raise the internal temperature of the pressure vessel 200 through the vessel heat exchanger 256 provided in the pressure vessel 200 .

A high-temperature refrigerant is supplied through the first tube 2567, and after heat is exchanged with carbon dioxide in the first chamber 210 through the container heat exchanger 256, the cooled refrigerant is transferred to the second tube. (2568) will be released.

When the partition wall 251 is separated from the first housing 211 , the first opening 213 may be exposed. At this time, the drum 300 can be withdrawn to the outside through the first opening 213 . Since the size of the first opening 213 is larger than that of the drum 300 , maintenance of the drum 300 is possible through the first opening 213 .

A gasket (not shown) is disposed between the partition wall 251 and the seating groove 2122 . Accordingly, when the partition wall 251 is coupled to the first housing 211 , it is possible to prevent carbon dioxide from leaking therebetween. When the partition wall 251 is seated in the seating groove 2122, the gasket may be compressed while being coupled by a plurality of fastening members. A plurality of third through-holes 2513 (refer to FIG. 4 ) for coupling to the first housing 211 may be evenly disposed along the outer circumferential surface of the partition wall 251 .

In addition, the partition wall 251 may be coupled to the driving unit 500 to support the driving unit 500 . Since the rotation shaft of the driving unit 500 passes through the separation unit 250 and is connected to the drum 300 , the partition wall can serve to support both the drum 300 and the driving unit 500 . have.

4(a) and 4(b) are views of the partition wall 251 from the front and side, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 4A , a first through-hole 2511 through which the rotation shaft of the driving unit 500 passes in order to be coupled to the drum 300 may be formed in the center of the partition wall 251 . The first through-hole 2511 may have a circular shape, so that interference with the rotation shaft passing through the first through-hole 2511 may be prevented.

In addition, the barrier rib 251 may further include at least one second through hole 2512 for allowing gaseous carbon dioxide to freely move through the first chamber 210 and the second chamber 220 . The at least one second through hole 2512 may be disposed at a higher position than the first through hole 2511 . The maximum level of liquid carbon dioxide is lower than the height at which the at least one second through hole 2512 is located with respect to the bottom surface, so that the liquid carbon dioxide can be prevented from moving through the at least one second through hole 2512. have.

Typically, the amount of liquid carbon dioxide used in the washing step or the rinsing step does not exceed half of the drum 300 . That is, the height of the rotation shaft of the driving unit 500 coupled to the drum 300, that is, the minimum height of the first through-hole (height to the center of the first through-hole - the radius of the first through-hole) based on the bottom surface, up to or more doesn't go up

Accordingly, when the second through hole 2512 is positioned higher than the first through hole 2511 , liquid carbon dioxide will not move through the second through hole 2512 . On the other hand, since the gaseous carbon dioxide is filled in the space formed by the first housing 211 and the partition wall 251, it is freely moved into the space formed by the second housing 221 and the partition wall 251 to achieve pressure equilibrium. can be achieved

That is, gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid carbon dioxide are mixed in the space partitioned by the first housing 211 and the partition wall 251 while the laundry treatment such as the washing step or the rinsing step is performed. On the other hand, liquid carbon dioxide does not exist in the space partitioned by the second housing 221 and the partition wall 251 , but only gaseous carbon dioxide exists. Since the two spaces are in a pressure equilibrium state, there is no need for liquid carbon dioxide to exist in the space formed by the second housing 221 and the partition wall 251 , and the amount of liquid carbon dioxide can be reduced.

Accordingly, the total amount of carbon dioxide used in the washing step or the rinsing step can be reduced, so that the amount of carbon dioxide used is reduced compared to the prior art. Therefore, the amount of carbon dioxide that must be reprocessed after use will be reduced.

Since the amount of carbon dioxide used is reduced, the capacity of the tank for storing carbon dioxide as well as the overall size of the washing machine for using carbon dioxide may be reduced. In addition, since the amount of carbon dioxide to be distilled after use is reduced, the time required for the washing cycle can be reduced.

In addition, as described above, the refrigerant pipes 2567 and 2568 may pass through the at least one second through hole 2512. Accordingly, the size of the at least one second through hole 2512 is determined by the refrigerant pipe. It may be formed larger than the outer diameter of (2567, 2568).

The partition wall 251 is a part detachable from the first housing 211 or the second housing 221 , and includes the container heat exchanger 256 , the heat insulating member 259 and the driving unit 500 . may be coupled and supported. A plurality of fourth through-holes 2514 through which a fastening member passes in order to couple the container heat exchanger 256 and the heat insulating member 259 to the partition wall 251 have a radius of the first through-hole 2511 . It can be placed through the direction.

4 (a) shows a state in which the plurality of fourth through-holes 2514 are paired by two and the three pairs are each arranged at an interval of 120º (degrees), but this is only one embodiment, and the vessel heat exchanger 256 ) and the heat insulating member 259 may be coupled to and supported by the partition wall 251 in any shape or arrangement.

In addition, when the partition wall 251 is separated from the first housing 211 , an environment in which a user or the like can separate the drum 300 from the first housing 211 may be provided.

The partition wall 251 may be stepped forward or rearward a plurality of times, and may increase strength. In addition, by having a curved surface in some sections, it is possible to be formed to withstand forces in various directions.

The outermost portion of the partition wall 251 may form a shape coupled to the seating groove 2122 of the first housing 211 . In addition, the partition wall 251 has a plurality of third through-holes in a portion corresponding to the seating groove 2122 in order to be coupled to the first housing 211 using a fastening member after being coupled to the seating groove 2122 . (2513) may be included.

4(b), while moving to the central part based on the outermost part of the partition wall 251, the step difference by various lengths in various directions, such as protruding to the left, then to the right, and then to the left, etc. and can increase the strength.

5 to 8 schematically illustrate a movement path of carbon dioxide in a main step of forming a washing cycle in order to explain a washing cycle of a laundry treatment apparatus using carbon dioxide as a laundry solvent.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the clothes treatment apparatus using carbon dioxide as a laundry solvent includes a pressure vessel 200 that accommodates clothes and performs washing and rinsing using the supplied carbon dioxide, distilling the used carbon dioxide and storing the pressure vessel. It may include a storage tank 150 for supplying the (or washing chamber) 200 and a distillation unit 400 for distilling carbon dioxide discharged after use.

The pressure vessel 200 may further include a filter unit 350 for separating foreign substances insoluble in liquid carbon dioxide discharged after use. As described above, the filter unit 350 may be provided on the lower surface of the pressure vessel 200 , but for the sake of explanation, the filter unit 350 is disposed between the pressure vessel 200 and the distillation unit 400 . An example provided separately is shown.

Also, the clothes treatment apparatus 1000 may further include a replenishment tank 155 (refer to FIG. 6 ) for replenishing carbon dioxide that is insufficient in the pressure vessel 200 .

The distillation unit 400 separates foreign substances from the carbon dioxide used in the washing step and the rinsing step, that is, the carbon dioxide used in the pressure vessel, and then distills it for reuse. As described above, in order to separate foreign substances in liquid carbon dioxide, particularly foreign substances dissolved in liquid carbon dioxide, only liquid carbon dioxide needs to be vaporized and then cooled again.

To this end, the conventional distillation unit 400 is located outside the distillation tank 401 for storing the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel, the distillation tank 401, and sucks gaseous carbon dioxide from the distillation tank 401. An internal heat exchanger ( 410) may be included.

The conventional distillation unit 400 may further include a cooler 160 for liquefying the distilled carbon dioxide.

In addition, the conventional laundry treatment apparatus may further include a plurality of pipes connecting each component and a plurality of valves or controllers for controlling movement of carbon dioxide along the plurality of pipes. This has been described using FIGS. 9 and 10 . 5 schematically shows each component, the plurality of valves or controllers are omitted, and the plurality of pipes are indicated by lines. And, the direction of movement of carbon dioxide is indicated by an arrow.

The triple point of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) is known to be 5.1 atm, -56.6°C. Therefore, a phase change occurs from solid (dry ice) to gas when the temperature is changed under a pressure lower than the triple point, whereas it exists as a liquid and a gas under a pressure higher than the triple point, depending on a given pressure and temperature, liquid and gas A phase change may occur in between.

Accordingly, when carbon dioxide is pressurized, liquid carbon dioxide (CO ₂ (L) or L-CO ₂ ) may be used as a laundry solvent, similarly to using water as a laundry solvent in a general laundry treatment apparatus. However, in the case of water-soluble substances, since washing power using carbon dioxide is lowered, detergents or surfactants for removing water-soluble substances may be additionally used.

If, as a laundry solvent, a fluid other than carbon dioxide may be used. When the fluid is pressurized at a predetermined temperature, a phase change from a gas to a liquid may occur or a fluid may be in a state of a supercritical fluid.

If carbon dioxide is used as a washing solvent, all carbon dioxide evaporates into gas when the pressure is reduced to atmospheric pressure after the washing cycle is finished, so there is no need to go through a separate drying cycle that requires a long time. It has the advantage that it does not come off. However, since carbon dioxide is pressurized and used, a sealed pressure vessel is required to prevent carbon dioxide from leaking, unlike a tub of a general clothes treatment apparatus.

Accordingly, the pressure vessel 200 is a sealed vessel through which the pressurized carbon dioxide cannot escape, and must be provided as a tank that withstands the pressure of the pressurized carbon dioxide. This is the same for the storage tank 150 , the make-up tank 155 and the distillation tank 401 .

6 to 8 are views showing the washing operation of the conventional laundry treatment apparatus using carbon dioxide as a laundry solvent by major steps.

FIG. 6(a) shows a pressurization step prior to entering a washing process during a washing cycle of a conventional laundry treatment apparatus using carbon dioxide as a laundry solvent.

When the user selects the washing cycle described above, the control unit 900 opens the purge valve 298 provided in the pressure vessel prior to the pressurization step, and uses a vacuum pump (not shown) to air inside the pressure vessel 200 . can be removed. This is because, when air remains in the pressure vessel and contains moisture, the washing power of carbon dioxide on clothes may be reduced.

In addition, by using a pump (not shown) to discharge the remaining air after the opening of the purge valve 298, the pressure inside the pressure vessel 200 can be made lower than atmospheric pressure, preferably close to vacuum.

Thereafter, the upper portion of the storage tank 150 is opened to supply gaseous carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel 200 to pressurize the pressure vessel 200 . Since the internal pressure of the storage tank 150 is higher than the internal pressure of the pressure vessel 200, gaseous carbon dioxide is stored in the storage tank ( 150) will be moved to the pressure vessel.

Accordingly, the pressurization step will be continued until the pressures of the storage tank 150 and the pressure vessel 200 are balanced. At this time, when the pressure vessel 200 is divided into the first chamber 210 and the second chamber 220 by the separation unit 250 as described above, in the first chamber 210, liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide They will coexist in virtual equilibrium, and the second chamber 220 will be filled with gaseous carbon dioxide at the same pressure as the first chamber 210 .

In the storage tank 150, carbon dioxide used in the previous washing operation may be distilled and stored. The storage tank 150 is also a tank capable of withstanding high pressure, and a portion may be stored as gaseous carbon dioxide and the remainder as liquid carbon dioxide. Accordingly, the upper portion of the storage tank 150 may be opened to supply carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel 200 .

At this time, carbon dioxide will be supplied to the pressure vessel 200 until pressure equilibrium is achieved between the storage tank 150 and the pressure vessel 200 . Therefore, the pressure in the storage tank 150 will decrease, which will also decrease the temperature. Gas carbon dioxide and liquid carbon dioxide coexist in the storage tank 150 . If liquid carbon dioxide is put into the pressure vessel 200 close to a vacuum, both are vaporized and the temperature rapidly drops, which may damage clothes. To prevent this, gaseous carbon dioxide may be injected first.

Figure 6 (b) shows another embodiment of the pressing step. Even if the carbon dioxide used in the washing cycle is reused by distilling the liquid carbon dioxide used in the washing step and the rinsing step, a slight loss caused by opening the purge valve 298 at the beginning of the washing cycle and discharging the residual carbon dioxide to the outside after the washing cycle Considering the above, the amount of carbon dioxide stored in the laundry treatment apparatus will gradually decrease. Therefore, since it is necessary to supplement it, a supplemental tank 155 may be further provided. Liquid carbon dioxide is filled in the replenishment tank 155 , and it may be supplied to the pressure vessel 200 .

Figure 7 (a) shows a supply step of supplying carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel 200 by using the height difference between the storage tank 150 and the pressure vessel after the pressurization step is finished.

After the pressurization step is over, the pressure vessel 200 will maintain a predetermined pressure, for example, 50 bar. At this time, in the pressure vessel 200, liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide will coexist in phase equilibrium. However, in order to secure sufficient liquid carbon dioxide to proceed with washing, the lower portion of the storage tank 150 is opened to supply liquid carbon dioxide. At this time, the liquid carbon dioxide may be supplied by the height difference between the pressure vessel 200 and the storage tank 150 rather than the pressure. To this end, the storage tank 150 may be located above the pressure vessel 200 with respect to the bottom surface.

Alternatively, the installation height of the storage tank 150 may be higher than the installation height of the pressure vessel 200 . That is, the height to the center of the circular cross-section of the storage tank 150 based on the bottom surface of the cabinet may be higher than the height to the center of the circular cross-section of the pressure vessel 200 .

In addition, between the upper portion of the storage tank 150 and the pressure vessel 200, gaseous carbon dioxide communicates with each other. This is indicated by double arrows on the movement path of carbon dioxide in FIG. 7(a).

When the liquid carbon dioxide is filled in the pressure vessel 200 to a predetermined height in the supply step, the control unit 900 rotates the drum 300 at a first preset rotation speed to proceed with the washing process. can The level of the liquid carbon dioxide may be determined by using a water level sensor or by controlling the valve by the controller 900 for a preset time such that a preset flow rate is supplied to the pressure vessel 200 .

7(b) shows that after washing is complete, before rinsing, carbon dioxide is supplied to the pressure vessel 200 by using the height difference between the storage tank 150 and the pressure vessel 200 to the pressure vessel. (200) shows the rinse preparation step for recovering the liquid carbon dioxide inside.

The liquid carbon dioxide used in the pressure vessel 200 may contain foreign substances separated from clothes. Liquid carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel 200 to remove the foreign material may be supplied into the distillation tank 401 through a filter (not shown).

As described above, foreign substances insoluble in liquid carbon dioxide are filtered while passing through the filter unit 350 , and foreign substances dissolved in liquid carbon dioxide are separated through distillation while passing through the distillation unit 400 , and only purified liquid carbon dioxide is used for reuse. can be obtained

The liquid carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel 200 will be discharged to the distillation tank 401 by the height difference between the pressure vessel 200 and the distillation tank 401 rather than the pressure difference. To this end, the distillation tank 401 may be located lower than the pressure vessel 200 with respect to the bottom surface. In addition, this is to prevent unnecessary energy wastage during movement of liquid carbon dioxide.

At this time, the storage tank 150, the distillation tank, and the pressure vessel 200 are communicated to each other to equalize the pressure between the components, so that gaseous carbon dioxide is produced in the storage tank 150, the distillation tank, and the pressure vessel 200. can move freely between This is indicated by double arrows on the movement path of carbon dioxide.

The liquid carbon dioxide discharged after use in the pressure vessel 200 fills the distillation tank 401, and clean liquid carbon dioxide supplied from the lower part of the storage tank 150 fills the empty space instead of the pressure vessel 200. will be filled This is for the subsequent rinsing step.

8(a) shows the liquid carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel 200 to the distillation tank 401 between the washing step and the rinsing step, between the rinsing step and other rinsing steps, or after both the washing step and the rinsing step are finished. It shows the distillation step of distilling the.

After the rinsing preparation step, the controller 900 rotates the drum 300 at a preset second rotation speed to perform a rinsing step of separating the remaining foreign substances.

During the washing or rinsing step or after the rinsing step is finished, distillation of carbon dioxide may be performed in the distillation unit 400 .

The distillation unit 400 is located outside the distillation tank 401, and a distillation compressor 290 for sucking and compressing gaseous carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank 401, and the inside of the distillation tank 401 It is located in the internal heat exchanger 410 connected to the distillation compressor 290 and heat-exchanges the compressed gaseous carbon dioxide with the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank 401 and the internal heat exchanger 410. It may include a storage pipe 610 for moving to the storage tank.

In addition, the distillation compressor 290 may be connected to the distillation tank 401 through a compression pipe 640 . The compression pipe 640 connects the distillation tank 401 and the distillation compressor 290 to suck gaseous carbon dioxide and send the suction pipe 641 to the distillation compressor 290, the distillation compressor 290 and the singi. A discharge pipe 651 for discharging gaseous carbon dioxide compressed at high temperature and high pressure by connecting the internal heat exchanger 410 to the internal heat exchanger 410 may be included.

The distillation compressor 290 may be a general compressor capable of compressing gaseous carbon dioxide.

The carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank 401 may be in phase equilibrium with liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide. Of these, liquid carbon dioxide is mixed with foreign substances, and gaseous carbon dioxide will be only gaseous carbon dioxide because foreign substances are not vaporized.

Since the pressure inside the distillation tank 401 distills the carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank 401 and continues to move it to the storage tank 150, the pressure inside the distillation tank 401 may be lowered as the distillation proceeds. have. That is, when the distillation compressor 290 operates, the pressure inside the distillation tank 401 will drop due to the gas suction force of the distillation compressor 290, and thus, vaporization of liquid carbon dioxide will proceed. Accordingly, in general, the internal pressure of the distillation tank 401 will be lower than the internal pressure of the storage tank 150 . Therefore, in order to send carbon dioxide to the storage tank 150, it is necessary to compress the carbon dioxide above the internal pressure of the storage tank 150. For this, a distillation compressor 290 may be required.

The internal heat exchanger 410 is for heat exchange between compressed gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid carbon dioxide accommodated in the distillation tank. Since the compressed gaseous carbon dioxide is in a state of high temperature and high pressure, it may be stored in the storage tank 150 by lowering the temperature. Preferably, it can be stored after changing the phase to liquid carbon dioxide by lowering the temperature.

To this end, rather than cooling using a separate cooler, it is preferable to use the heat of the compressed gaseous carbon dioxide for evaporating the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank in terms of energy efficiency. ) can be used.

In addition, the distillation unit 400 connects the internal heat exchanger 410 and the storage tank 150 to move the carbon dioxide passing through the internal heat exchanger 410 to the storage tank 150. It may further include a cooler 160 for cooling the moving carbon dioxide.

In this way, the liquid carbon dioxide mixed with foreign substances is vaporized through the distillation unit 400 to be separated from the foreign substances. At this time, the necessary heat of vaporization is obtained through heat exchange with the already vaporized and compressed gaseous carbon dioxide.

However, in the process of using the distillation compressor 290, oil for the smooth operation of the distillation compressor 290 may be used. Since this is eventually mixed with the compressed gaseous carbon dioxide, the distillation unit 400 may further include an oil separator 295 (refer to FIG. 1 ) for separating oil from the compressed gaseous carbon dioxide on the storage pipe 610 .

Figure 8 (b) shows a recovery step of recovering the gaseous carbon dioxide remaining in the pressure vessel 200 after all of the washing and rinsing steps are completed to discharge the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the pressure vessel 200 for distillation. .

The distillation methods are all the same, but the difference is to recover and reuse gaseous carbon dioxide as much as possible since gaseous carbon dioxide no longer needs to remain in the pressure vessel 200 after the rinsing step is finished.

FIG. 8(b) shows a recovery step of recovering gaseous carbon dioxide remaining in the pressure vessel 200 and removing residual gas after the rinsing step and before completing the washing cycle.

As described above, the distillation step refers to a step of vaporizing liquid carbon dioxide in the pressure vessel 200 to remove foreign substances and then storing the purified liquid carbon dioxide in a storage tank. Contrary to this, the recovery step refers to a step of recovering gaseous carbon dioxide present in the pressure vessel 200 and storing it in the storage tank 150 after compression. This is because gaseous carbon dioxide does not mix with foreign substances, so there is no need to pass through a filter or go through a complicated distillation step.

The distillation compressor 290 may be used not only in the distillation step, but also in the recovery step. That is, in order to transfer heat through the vessel heat exchanger 256 provided between the partition wall 251 and the drum 300 inside the first chamber 210, a separate refrigerant may be used, but the distillation compressor Gas carbon dioxide compressed through 290 may be used as a refrigerant. This is possible by simply opening and closing the connecting pipe without using a compressor that takes up a lot of space for compressing a separate refrigerant.

Unlike in the distillation step, the carbon dioxide compressed in the distillation compressor 290 may pass through the container heat exchanger 256 , pass through the cooler 160 , and be liquefied and stored in the storage tank 150 . The movement path of the carbon dioxide may be adjusted according to the opening and closing of the connecting pipe and the valve (not shown).

The reason that the gaseous carbon dioxide in the pressure vessel 200 passes through the vessel heat exchanger 256 after being compressed through the distillation compressor 290 is that the pressure of the pressure vessel 200 drops as the gaseous carbon dioxide is recovered and the temperature drops due to this. This is because gaseous carbon dioxide that has not yet been recovered liquefies and can eventually damage clothing. In order to prevent this, the temperature in the pressure vessel 200 is maintained at a preset temperature in the recovery step.

And, when the pressure inside the pressure vessel 200 drops below a predetermined pressure, for example, 1.5 bar, the purge valve 298 is finally opened to discharge the remaining gaseous carbon dioxide. Due to this, a slight loss of carbon dioxide supplied during the washing cycle may occur in the storage tank. Therefore, as described above, a replenishment tank 155 may be required to replenish carbon dioxide that is insufficient in the next washing cycle.

8 (b) shows that the distillation compressor 290 and the pressure vessel 200 are connected through a separate pipe to directly send high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous carbon dioxide passing through the distillation compressor 290 to the pressure vessel 200 for heat exchange. An example is shown. However, since it uses the distillation compressor 290, more energy can be used. Therefore, in terms of energy saving, instead of sending the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous carbon dioxide that has passed through the distillation compressor 290 to the pressure vessel 200, the liquid carbon dioxide that passes through the internal heat exchanger 410 and moves to the storage tank 150. Available.

That is, the liquid carbon dioxide moving to the storage tank 150 through the internal heat exchanger 410 may not be sufficiently cooled to a desired temperature. Accordingly, when the liquid carbon dioxide moves to the storage tank 150 through the pressure vessel 200 , the temperature of the pressure vessel 200 can be raised by using the heat of the liquid carbon dioxide. If the liquid carbon dioxide moving through the internal heat exchanger 410 and moving to the storage tank 150 is not sufficiently cooled to a desired temperature, it must be cooled using a separate cooler before being introduced into the storage tank 150 anyway. to be.

Liquid carbon dioxide moving to the storage tank 150 through the internal heat exchanger 410 may also move to the storage tank 150 through the vessel heat exchanger 256, or separately inside the pressure vessel 200. It can move to the storage tank 150 through the heat exchanger of the. Through this, it is possible to save energy required for the distillation compressor and energy required for a separate cooler.

In the case of a typical laundry treatment apparatus using carbon dioxide as a laundry solvent, the amount of carbon dioxide stored in the storage tank 150 may generally store an amount necessary for the rinsing step that requires the most amount of liquid carbon dioxide. Since the rinsing step can be generally repeated twice, the amount required for the two rinsing steps can be stored. However, this eventually increases the size and weight of the storage tank 150 , which has a problem in miniaturization of the laundry treatment apparatus. In order to solve this problem, in order to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide stored in the storage tank 150, after reducing the amount of carbon dioxide according to the step that requires a larger amount of the washing step or the first rinsing step, the washing step or the rinsing step It can be reused by distillation.

Therefore, unlike a general clothes treatment apparatus that simply receives water from the outside to perform the washing cycle, a distillation step is required during the washing cycle, and for this purpose, additional time is required for distilling carbon dioxide at the time required for the washing cycle. will do

Since the additional distillation time eventually causes inconvenience to consumers, it is necessary to shorten the distillation time as much as possible.

In addition, in the case of a conventional laundry treatment apparatus using carbon dioxide as a laundry solvent, as described above, the internal pressure of the distillation tank 401 is continuously lowered, which causes the gaseous carbon dioxide to be absorbed into the compressor due to a decrease in the density of the gaseous carbon dioxide. This will result in a reduced flow rate. As a result, by the reduced flow rate, the regeneration efficiency in the internal heat exchanger 410 will be lowered. The regeneration efficiency refers to the efficiency of heat exchange between high-temperature gaseous carbon dioxide and low-temperature liquid carbon dioxide.

And, in order for the internal heat exchanger 410 to operate normally, it may be preferable to be immersed in liquid carbon dioxide. However, the regeneration efficiency is gradually lowered due to a drop in the level of liquid carbon dioxide. In order to prevent this, the internal heat exchanger 410 in the distillation tank 401 should be located as close to the bottom as possible. However, since the distillation tank 401 is also a kind of high-pressure tank, the shape of the distillation tank will preferably be cylindrical in order to minimize internal stress. As a result, since the area of the bottom surface of the distillation tank 401 becomes narrower as it goes down, the shape of the internal heat exchanger 410 must also correspond accordingly. This has a problem in that the heat exchange area is rapidly reduced when the water level is eventually lowered.

9 shows the distillation step of the laundry treatment apparatus additionally provided with an external heat exchanger outside the distillation tank in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. In order to focus on the distillation step, components unnecessary for the description are omitted. In addition, the plurality of pipes and the valves for controlling each pipe shown in FIG. 9 are only examples, and even if they are connected differently, if the carbon dioxide can be moved in a desired direction, the plurality of pipes are connected differently and the valves of each pipe are opened and closed differently free of charge

Referring to FIG. 9 , the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 described in the present disclosure includes a pressure vessel 200 for maintaining carbon dioxide contained therein at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, and is located above the pressure vessel 200 to release carbon dioxide. A storage tank 150 for storing and supplying carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel 200, and located in the lower portion of the pressure vessel 200, vaporizes liquid carbon dioxide among the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel 200 to remove foreign substances After separation, a distillation unit 400 for liquefying and supplying the vaporized carbon dioxide to the storage tank 150 is included.

In addition, the distillation unit 400 is located outside the distillation tank 401 for storing the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel 200 , the distillation tank 401 , and the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank 401 . a circulation passage 660 that circulates the ) may be included.

In addition, the distillation unit 400 connects between the distillation tank 401 and the distillation compressor 290, and a suction pipe 641 for moving gaseous carbon dioxide from the distillation tank to the distillation compressor 290, the A discharge pipe 651 for connecting the distillation compressor 290 and the internal heat exchanger 410 to move the compressed gaseous carbon dioxide to the internal heat exchanger 410, and the internal heat exchanger 410 and the storage tank 150 ) may further include a storage pipe 610 for moving the compressed gaseous carbon dioxide to the storage tank 150 .

FIG. 9 shows schematic piping and valves required for distillation. Opening and closing of the pipe using the valve may be controlled by the control unit 900 .

A supply pipe 620 may be connected between the storage tank 150 and the pressure vessel 200 , and a supply control valve 625 may be positioned on the supply pipe 620 . The control unit 900 may open the supply control valve 625 to move the carbon dioxide stored in the storage tank 150 to the pressure vessel 200 in the pressurization step and the supply step. Specifically, pipes through which liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide move may be separately provided, but it is briefly illustrated here.

For distillation, when the washing step or the rinsing step is completed, the liquid carbon dioxide used in the pressure vessel 200 should be discharged to the distillation unit 400 . To this end, the pressure vessel 200 and the distillation tank 401 are connected by a discharge pipe 630, and the discharge pipe 630 by a discharge control valve 635 provided on the discharge pipe 630. opening and closing can be controlled. The distillation tank 401 is located below the pressure vessel 200 , and liquid carbon dioxide can move from the pressure vessel 200 to the distillation tank 401 using gravity due to a height difference.

If the inner space of the pressure vessel 200 is divided into the first chamber 210 and the second chamber 220 as described above, the storage pipe 610, the supply pipe 620, and the discharge pipe Reference numeral 630 passes through the first housing 211 and is connected to the first chamber 210 .

Since the pressure inside the distillation tank 401 is lower than the pressure of the pressure vessel 200, liquid carbon dioxide is vaporized to generate gaseous carbon dioxide, and the liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide will maintain phase equilibrium at the corresponding temperature and pressure.

When the distillation compressor 290 starts to operate, the internal pressure of the distillation tank 401 is gradually decreased, so that gaseous carbon dioxide increases and liquid carbon dioxide decreases. As a result, as the distillation compressor 290 operates in the distillation step, the pressure inside the distillation tank decreases, the density of gaseous carbon dioxide decreases, and the level of liquid carbon dioxide decreases.

The distillation compressor 290 is positioned on a compression pipe 640, and the compression pipe 640 includes a suction pipe 641 connecting the distillation tank and the distillation compressor 290 and the distillation compressor 290. and a discharge pipe 651 connecting the internal heat exchanger. Opening and closing of the suction pipe 641 may be controlled by the suction control valve 645 , and opening/closing of the discharge pipe 651 may be controlled by the discharge control valve 655 .

The gaseous carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank 401 is introduced into the distillation compressor 290 through the suction pipe 641, and is compressed at high temperature and high pressure in the distillation compressor 290 through the discharge pipe 651. Gas carbon dioxide may be discharged to the internal heat exchanger (410).

Since the gaseous carbon dioxide is located above the distillation tank 401 , one end of the suction pipe may be connected to the distillation tank 401 through the upper part of the distillation tank 401 for suction of gaseous carbon dioxide.

The internal heat exchanger 410 will be located on the bottom surface of the distillation tank 401 so as to be immersed in liquid carbon dioxide as much as possible inside the distillation tank 401 . The internal heat exchanger 410, similar to a conventional heat exchanger, has a pipe through which gaseous carbon dioxide passes therein is meanderingly connected, so that the contact area with liquid carbon dioxide can be increased to facilitate heat transfer.

Accordingly, the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous carbon dioxide discharged in this way will be cooled by the liquid carbon dioxide while passing through the internal heat exchanger 410 . On the other hand, liquid carbon dioxide will receive the heat of high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous carbon dioxide passing through the internal heat exchanger 410 and use it as heat of evaporation.

In addition, the internal heat exchanger 410 and the storage tank 150 may be connected to a storage pipe 610 , and the control unit 900 controls a storage control valve 615 provided on the storage pipe 610 . Thus, the opening and closing of the storage pipe 610 can be controlled.

Meanwhile, a non-return valve 617 may be further provided on the storage pipe 610 to prevent the carbon dioxide moving to the storage tank 150 from flowing backward. The non-return valve 617 is a kind of one-way valve and does not need to be actively controlled by the control unit 900 .

However, in this distillation process, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the clothes treatment apparatus 1000 is located outside the distillation tank 401 and is disposed on the circulation passage 660 and the circulation passage 660 for circulating liquid carbon dioxide. It may further include an external heat exchanger 490 located.

The circulation passage 660 introduces liquid carbon dioxide from the distillation tank 401 to a first circulation pipe 661 for moving it to the external heat exchanger 490, and the liquid carbon dioxide passing through the external heat exchanger 490. It may include a second circulation pipe 671 for moving back to the distillation tank.

The control unit 900 is a first circulation pipe 661 through the first circulation control valve 665 and the second circulation control valve 675 provided on the first circulation pipe 661 and the second circulation pipe 671, respectively. ) and the opening and closing of the second circulation pipe 671 can be controlled, respectively.

Since the liquid carbon dioxide is located in the lower part of the distillation tank 401, one end of the first circulation pipe 661 is connected to the distillation tank 401 through the lower part of the distillation tank 401 for the introduction of liquid carbon dioxide. may be desirable.

On the other hand, it may be advantageous for the second circulation pipe 671 to fall from the upper part to the lower part of the distillation tank 401 in order to transfer heat to the inside of the distillation tank 401 . Accordingly, the second circulation pipe 671 may be directly connected to the upper portion of the distillation tank 401 or may be connected to the discharge pipe 630 to be connected to the distillation tank 401 .

The distillation unit 400 is positioned between the distillation tank 401 and the external heat exchanger 490 on the circulation passage 660 to convert the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank 401 to the external heat exchanger 490 . It may further include a circulation pump 450 to move toward.

By using the circulation pump 450, the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank 401 may be circulated through a circulation passage.

In addition, the distillation unit 400 may further include a heat dissipation fan 299 for smooth heat transfer to the external heat exchanger 490 . The blowing fan 491 may send external air toward the blowing fan 491 , and transfer the heat of the external air to the liquid carbon dioxide passing through the external heat exchanger 490 through the external heat exchanger 490 . Considering the pressure discharged from the pressure vessel, the internal temperature of the distillation tank 401 may be approximately -5 ℃ or more and 5 ℃ or less. Accordingly, when it is assumed that the outside air is at room temperature, heat transfer from the outside air to the liquid carbon dioxide is possible through the external heat exchanger 490 .

The external air may be blown in the direction of the external heat exchanger 490 by sucking the external air by the heat dissipation fan 299 shown in FIG. 1 without separately providing the blowing fan 491 .

As a result, heat for vaporization of liquid carbon dioxide may be supplied through the external heat exchanger 490 . It has the advantage of not causing a pressure drop in the distillation tank. The additional supply of heat for vaporization of liquid carbon dioxide increases the pressure of the distillation tank 401 during the regeneration process in the internal heat exchanger 410 to increase the compressor flow rate, thereby increasing the regeneration efficiency in the internal heat exchanger. This reduces the time required for the distillation step, thereby reducing the time required for the entire washing cycle.

In addition, since the liquid carbon dioxide leaked into the external heat exchanger 490 circulates again and enters the distillation tank 401, the installation of the external heat exchanger 490 and the circulation of liquid carbon dioxide due to this circulates again to the pressure drop of the distillation tank. does not cause

As described above, the pressure vessel 200 shown in FIG. 9 is formed by a first housing 211 and a second housing 221 , and an internal space of the pressure vessel 200 . The first chamber 210 and the second chamber 220 is shown as an example including a separation unit (250).

The separation unit 250 may include a partition wall 251 that separates the first chamber and the second chamber and supports the driving unit 500 and the drum. The rotation shaft of the driving unit 500 may pass through the partition wall and be connected to the drum 300 . Due to the partition wall 251 , the liquid carbon dioxide exists only in the first chamber 210 and cannot move to the second chamber 220 .

Unlike this, FIG. 10 shows a pressure vessel 200 in which liquid carbon dioxide can be accommodated throughout the interior without being separated by a partition wall 251 as another embodiment of the pressure vessel 200 . That is, if the drum 300 is inside the pressure vessel 200 , the driving unit 500 may be located in the same space as the drum 300 .

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of supplying heat to liquid carbon dioxide passing through an external heat exchanger 490 .

In general, the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 using carbon dioxide as a laundry solvent may further include a chiller for pressure management of the storage tank 150 . The chiller may be used to depressurize the storage tank 150 through cooling when the internal pressure of the storage tank 150 reaches a preset dangerous pressure.

10 shows an embodiment in which the chiller is replaced with a heat pump 800 . When replacing the chiller with the heat pump 800 , the heat pump 800 is a first for heat exchange with the storage tank 150 in order to maintain the pressure of the storage tank 150 below a preset reference pressure. A heat exchanger 810, a second heat exchanger 830 for supplying heat to the liquid carbon dioxide passing through the external heat exchanger 490 through heat exchange with the external heat exchanger 490, and the first heat exchanger 810 ) may be included.

In addition, the heat pump 800 includes a refrigerant compressor 820 and a second heat exchanger 830 for circulating and compressing a refrigerant that exchanges heat through the first heat exchanger 810 and the second heat exchanger 830 . ) and may further include an expansion unit 825 for cooling by expanding the radiated refrigerant.

The first heat exchanger 810 may lower the ambient temperature while the low-temperature refrigerant passes. The heat pump 800 may further include a circulation fan 815 for blowing the cooled air toward the storage tank 150 by losing heat by the first heat exchanger. The storage tank 150 may be located in a direction in which the cooled air passes through the first heat exchanger 810 . Through this, when the internal pressure of the storage tank 150 exceeds a preset reference pressure, the control unit 900 blows low-temperature air into the storage tank 150 through the circulation fan 815, and the storage The pressure in the tank 150 may be lowered.

The second heat exchanger 830 and the external heat exchanger 490 may form one heat transfer unit capable of transferring heat to each other. The second heat exchanger 830 may have a form in which the external heat exchanger 490 is inserted into the second heat exchanger 830 for heat transfer with the external heat exchanger 490 . That is, the external heat exchanger 490 may be immersed in the compressed refrigerant. On the other hand, the second heat exchanger 830 is also disposed to face each other in the form of a serpentine pipe corresponding to the same form as the external heat exchanger 490, and may be of a form to exchange heat through another material such as air or water. have.

The present disclosure may be modified and implemented in various forms, but the scope of rights is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, if the modified embodiment includes the elements of the claims of the present disclosure, it should be regarded as belonging to the scope of the present disclosure.

1000: clothes treatment device 100: cabinet 103: front panel
1031: cabinet inlet 110: frame 130: door
150: storage tank 160: cooler 200: pressure vessel
256: container heat exchanger 259: insulating member 300: drum
290: distillation compressor 295: oil separator 400: distillation unit
401: distillation tank 410: internal heat exchanger 490: external heat exchanger
500: drive unit 610: storage pipe 620: supply pipe
630: discharge pipe 641: suction pipe 651: discharge pipe
617: non-return valve 660: circulation path 900: control unit

Claims (15)

a pressure vessel for maintaining the carbon dioxide contained therein at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure;
a storage tank located in the upper portion of the pressure vessel, storing carbon dioxide and supplying carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel; and
and a distillation unit for liquefying and supplying the vaporized carbon dioxide to the storage tank after separating foreign substances by vaporizing liquid carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel,
The distillation unit
a distillation tank located at a lower portion of the pressure vessel to store carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel in order to separate foreign substances dissolved in the carbon dioxide discharged from the pressure vessel;
a circulation passage which is located outside the distillation tank and circulates the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank; and
and an external heat exchanger positioned on the circulation passage to heat the liquid carbon dioxide passing through the circulation passage using external heat. According to claim 1,
One end of the circulation passage is
The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank is connected to the distillation tank at a lower portion of the distillation tank so that the liquid carbon dioxide flows into the circulation passage. 3. The method of claim 2,
The distillation unit
and a circulation pump positioned between the distillation tank and the external heat exchanger on the circulation passage to move the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank toward the external heat exchanger. 4. The method of claim 3,
The circulation path
a first circulation pipe connecting the distillation tank and the external heat exchanger to move the liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank to the external heat exchanger; and
and a second circulation pipe for moving the carbon dioxide passing through the external heat exchanger to the distillation tank. 5. The method of claim 4,
The second circulation pipe is
The clothes treatment apparatus, characterized in that connected to the distillation tank at an upper portion of the distillation tank. 5. The method of claim 4,
Further comprising a discharge pipe connecting the pressure vessel and the distillation tank to discharge carbon dioxide from the pressure vessel to the distillation tank,
The second circulation pipe is
and connected to the discharge pipe to move carbon dioxide that has passed through the external heat exchanger to the distillation tank through the discharge pipe. 7. The method of claim 6,
The exhaust pipe is
The clothes treatment apparatus, characterized in that connected to the distillation tank at an upper portion of the distillation tank. According to claim 1,
The distillation unit
a distillation compressor located outside the distillation tank, which sucks in gaseous carbon dioxide from the distillation tank and compresses it;
an internal heat exchanger located inside the distillation tank and connected to the distillation compressor to heat-exchange the compressed gaseous carbon dioxide with liquid carbon dioxide stored in the distillation tank; and
and a storage pipe connecting the internal heat exchanger and the storage tank to move the cooled carbon dioxide through the internal heat exchanger to the storage tank. 9. The method of claim 8,
The distillation unit
a suction pipe connecting the distillation tank and the distillation compressor to move gaseous carbon dioxide from the distillation tank to the distillation compressor; and
and a discharge pipe connecting the distillation compressor and the internal heat exchanger to move the compressed gaseous carbon dioxide to the internal heat exchanger. 10. The method of claim 9,
The internal heat exchanger
The laundry treatment apparatus, characterized in that it is located in the lower part of the inside of the distillation tank. 11. The method of claim 10,
The suction pipe is
The clothes treatment apparatus, characterized in that connected to the distillation tank at an upper portion of the distillation tank. According to claim 1,
It further includes; a blowing fan for supplying air by sucking,
and supplying heat to the liquid carbon dioxide passing through the external heat exchanger by using the heat of the air sucked in by the blowing fan. According to claim 1,
A cabinet including the pressure vessel, the storage tank, and the distillation unit therein; further comprising,
The storage tank and the distillation tank are each
One side of the left and right side surfaces of the cabinet is located closer than the other side. According to claim 1,
a first heat exchanger for heat exchange with the storage tank to maintain the pressure of the storage tank below a preset reference pressure;
a second heat exchanger for supplying heat to the liquid carbon dioxide passing through the external heat exchanger through heat exchange with the external heat exchanger; and
and a refrigerant compressor for compressing the refrigerant circulating in the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. 15. The method of claim 14,
In order to cool the storage tank using the external air cooled through the first heat exchanger, a circulation fan for cooling the external air through the first heat exchanger and then moving it to the storage tank; characterized in that it further comprises clothes processing equipment.

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