DEVICE FOR SENSING FLOW PATH SWITCHING UNIT FOR DRYER, AND DRYER COMPRISING SAME

Abstract

A flow path switching unit for a dryer that dries material. The flow path switching unit for the dryer includes a body portion, and a flow path guide which partitions an internal space of the body portion so as to selectively form a first flow path of air for drying material and a second flow path of air for dehumidifying outside air based on an arrangement position of the body portion. The flow path switching unit provides the first flow path for guiding the air from a drum of a dryer toward a heat exchanger of the dryer at the first position, and the second flow path for guiding the outside air introduced from the outside of the dryer to the outside at the second position.

Claims

1. A device for sensing a flow path switching for a dryer, the device comprising: a mounting portion to be provided in a main body that accommodates a drum; a flow path switching unit, coupleable to and decoupleable from the mounting portion, to provide a drying mode to dry material while coupled to the mounting portion and at a first position and to provide a dehumidifying mode to dehumidify outside air while coupled to the mounting portion and at a second position, the flow path switching unit being rotatable by 180 from the first position so that positions of top and bottom surfaces of the flow path switching unit are inverted; a first indicator unit to be provided on the flow path switching unit, and while the first indicator unit is provided on the flow path switching unit, to indicate the first position; a second indicator unit to be provided on the flow path switching unit, and while the second indicator unit is provided on the flow path switching unit, to indicate the second position; a first sensor, to be provided on the mounting portion, and while the first sensor is provided on the mounting portion, the first sensor is configured to sense the first indicator unit; and a second sensor to be provided on the mounting portion and while the second sensor is provided on the mounting portion, the second sensor is configured to sense the second indicator unit.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the flow path switching unit comprises a body portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface that forms an exterior of the flow path switching unit, the mounting portion comprises an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls respectively corresponding to the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface opposite to the first side surface so that the flow path switching unit is coupleable to and decoupleable from the mounting portion, when the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged at different positions on one surface of the mounting portion, the first indicator unit is arranged on one surface of the body portion, which faces the first sensor, and the second indicator unit is arranged on one opposite surface of the body portion, which faces the one surface of the body portion where the first indicator unit is arranged, and at the first position, the first indicator unit faces the first sensor, and at the second position, the second indicator unit faces the second sensor.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the flow path switching unit comprises a body portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface to form an exterior of the flow path switching unit, the mounting portion comprises an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls respectively corresponding to the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface opposite to the first side surface so that the flow path switching unit is coupleable to and decoupleable from the mounting portion, the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged at different positions on the upper wall of the mounting portion, at different positions on the lower wall of the mounting portion, or at different positions on the side walls of the mounting portion, and at the first position, the first indicator unit faces the first sensor, and at the second position, the second indicator unit faces the second sensor.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the flow path switching unit comprises a body portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface to form an exterior of the flow path switching unit, the mounting portion comprises an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls respectively corresponding to the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface opposite to the first side surface so that the flow path switching unit is coupleable to and decoupleable from the mounting portion, when the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged at different positions on the upper wall of the mounting portion, a virtual line connecting the first sensor to the second sensor is arranged parallel to a left-right width direction of the body portion, at different positions on the lower wall of the mounting portion, a virtual line connecting the first sensor to the second sensor is arranged parallel to a left-right width direction of the body portion, or at different positions on the side walls of the mounting portion, a virtual line connecting the first sensor to the second sensor is arranged parallel to a height direction of the body portion.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the flow path switching unit comprises a body portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface to form an exterior of the flow path switching unit, the mounting portion comprises an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls respectively corresponding to the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface opposite to the first side surface to accommodate the flow path switching unit, when the first indicator unit and the second indicator unit are arranged at different positions on one surface of the body portion, the first sensor is arranged on one surface of the mounting portion, which faces the first indicator unit, and the second sensor is arranged on one opposite surface of the mounting portion, which faces the one surface of the mounting portion where the first sensor is arranged, and at the first position, the first indicator unit faces the first sensor, and at the second position, the second indicator unit faces the second sensor.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the flow path switching unit comprises a body portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface to form an exterior of the flow path switching unit, the mounting portion comprises an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls respectively corresponding to the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface opposite to the first side surface so that the flow path switching unit is coupleable to and decoupleable from the mounting portion, and the first indicator unit and the second indicator unit are arranged at different position on the top surface of the body portion, at different positions on the bottom surface of the body portion, or at different positions on one of the first side surface and the second side surface of the body portion, and at the first position, the first indicator unit faces the first sensor, and at the second position, the second indicator unit faces the second sensor.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first indicator unit and the second indicator unit include magnetic substances, and the first sensor and the second sensor are sensors operated by magnetic forces of the magnetic substances.

8. A device for sensing a flow path switching for a dryer, the device comprising: a mounting portion provided in a main body accommodating a drum; a flow path switching unit detachably coupled to the mounting portion and providing a drying mode to dry material at a first position and a dehumidifying mode for dehumidifying outside air at a second position that is rotated by 180 from the first position so that positions of top and bottom surfaces are inverted; an indicator unit provided on the flow path switching unit for identifying the first position or the second position; a first sensor provided on the mounting portion and configured to sense the indicator unit when the flow path switching unit is at the first position; and a second sensor provided on the mounting portion and configured to sense the indicator unit when the flow path switching unit is at the second position.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the flow path switching unit comprises a body portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface to form an exterior of the flow path switching unit, the mounting portion comprises an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls respectively corresponding to the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface opposite to the first side surface so that the flow path switching unit is coupleable to and decoupleable from the mounting portion, and the indicator unit is arranged on the top surface of the body portion, on the bottom surface of the body portion, or on one of the first side surface and the second side surface of the body portion, the first sensor is arranged on one surface of the mounting portion, which faces the indicator unit, and the second sensor is arranged on one opposite surface of the mounting portion, which faces the one surface of the mounting portion where the first sensor is arranged, and at the first position, the indicator unit faces the first sensor, and at the second position, the indicator unit faces the second sensor.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the indicator unit includes a magnetic substance, and the first sensor and the second sensor are sensors operated by magnetic force of the magnetic substance.

11. A dryer comprising: the device for sensing the flow path switching for the dryer of claim 1; a drum to accommodate the material; and a heat exchanger providing the drum with heat so as to dry the material.

12. The dryer of claim 11, wherein the flow path switching unit comprises a body portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface to form an exterior of the flow path switching unit, the mounting portion comprises an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls respectively corresponding to the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface opposite to the first side surface so that the flow path switching unit is coupleable to and decoupleable from the mounting portion, and when the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged at different positions on one surface of the mounting portion, the first indicator unit is arranged on one surface of the body portion, which faces the first sensor, and the second indicator unit is arranged on one opposite surface of the body portion, which faces the one surface of the body portion where the first indicator unit is arranged, and at the first position, the first indicator unit faces the first sensor, and at the second position, the second indicator unit faces the second sensor.

13. The dryer of claim 11, wherein the flow path switching unit comprises a body portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface to form an exterior of the flow path switching unit, the mounting portion comprises an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls respectively corresponding to the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface opposite to the first side surface to accommodate the flow path switching unit, when the first indicator unit and the second indicator unit are arranged at different positions on one surface of the body portion, the first sensor is arranged on one surface of the mounting portion, which faces the first indicator unit, and the second sensor is arranged on one opposite surface of the mounting portion, which faces the one surface of the mounting portion where the first sensor is arranged, and at the first position, the first indicator unit faces the first sensor, and at the second position, the second indicator unit faces the second sensor.

14. The dryer of claim 11, wherein the first indicator unit and the second indicator unit include magnetic substances, and the first sensor and the second sensor are sensors operated by magnetic force of the magnetic substances.

15. The dryer of claim 11, comprising a controller configured to execute the drying mode or the dehumidifying mode by identifying the first position or the second position of the flow path switching unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower portion of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where a hood is coupled in FIG. 2 according to an embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing a flow path in a drying mode according to an embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing a flow path in a dehumidifying mode according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flow path switching unit according to an embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a body portion at a first position according to an embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the flow path switching unit FIG. 7 according to an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view at a first position when a flow path switching unit is installed in a left lower portion of a main body of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a body portion at a second position according to an embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the flow path switching unit FIG. 10 according to an embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view at a first position when a flow path switching unit is installed in a left lower portion of a main body of a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a flow path switching unit at a second position according to an embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a state where an opening and closing portion is open in FIG. 13 according to an embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the flow path switching unit FIG. 13 according to an embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of a front surface of FIG. 14 according to an embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a flow path switching unit and a mounting portion according to an embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example, in which first and second sensors are arranged on an upper wall of a mounting portion, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example, in which first and second sensors are arranged on a lower wall of a mounting portion, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example, in which first and second sensors are arranged on a side wall of a mounting portion, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example, in which first and second indicator units are arranged on a top surface a body portion, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example, in which first and second indicator units are arranged on a bottom surface a body portion, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example, in which first and second display portions are arranged on a side surface a body portion, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example in which a single indicator unit is provided on a top surface of a body portion, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example in which a single indicator unit is provided on a bottom surface of a body portion, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example in which a single indicator unit is provided on a side surface of a body portion, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of a dryer according to an embodiment.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

[0040] Hereinafter, an example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to matters described in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numeral or symbol presented in each drawing represents a part or component that performs substantially the same function.

[0041] The terms including first, second, etc., may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and similarly, the second component may be referred to as the first component. The term and/or may include a combination of a plurality of related items or any one of the plurality of related items.

[0042] The term used herein is used to describe an embodiment of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit and/or restrict the present disclosure. Singular forms include plural forms unless apparently indicated otherwise contextually. Moreover, it should be understood that the term include, have, or the like used herein is to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or a combination thereof described in the specifications, and does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or a combination thereof. The same reference numeral presented in each drawing represents a member that substantially performs the same function.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dryer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower portion of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where a hood is coupled in FIG. 2.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, a direction along an X axis may be defined as a front-back direction, a direction along a Y-axis may be defined as a left-right direction, and a direction along a Z-axis may be defined as an up-down direction. Meanwhile, among the terms used in the following description, the front-back direction, the left-right direction, the up-down direction, etc., are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, a dryer 100 is a device used for drying a drying material. The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include a main body 110. The main body 110 may be formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape including a front surface 101, a back surface 102, a top surface 103, a bottom surface 104, and a side surface 105.

[0046] The dryer 100 may include a drum 130 accommodating a drying material. The drum 130 may have an open side into which the drying material is put and a lifter 131 inside the drum 130. In the main body 110, an entrance 106 communicating with the drum 130 may be formed and a door 120 for opening and closing the entrance 106 may be provided.

[0047] The drum 130 may be accommodated and mounted in the main body 110 that forms an exterior of the dryer. A manipulation unit 111 may be provided in an upper portion of the front surface 101 of the main body 110 to allow a user to perform a function of the dryer 100. In the manipulation unit 111, a rotation-type input unit 11a for selecting the function of the dryer 100, a display unit 11b for displaying a selection function and a mode state of the dryer 100 according to input of the rotation-type input unit 11a, a touch input unit 11c for allowing the user to select a mode by being pressed, etc., may be arranged. However, a configuration of the manipulation unit 111 is not limited thereto and may be implemented in various manners.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, the dryer 100 may include a heat exchanger 170 that provides hot air to the drum 130. The heat exchanger 170 may be arranged under the drum 130, and may be installed on a base 140 provided in the bottom surface 104 of the main body 110. As shown in FIG. 3, a fan 161 installed on the base 140 may move the air of the drum 130 to a flow path switching unit 200, and the heat exchanger 170 may be arranged at a back end of the flow path switching unit 200. A hood 141 may be coupled to an upper portion of the base 140 to form a duct structure that allows air to pass through the flow path switching unit 200 and the heat exchanger 170.

[0049] The heat exchanger 170 may be provided to supply hot air toward the drum 130 and may be a component constituting a refrigerant cycle. The refrigerant cycle may include the heat exchanger 170, a compressor 180, and an expansion device 190. The heat exchanger 170 may be provided to exchange heat with the air and may include an evaporator 171 and a condenser 172. The refrigerant may circulate through a series of processes including compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation.

[0050] The compressor 180 may compress a refrigerant into a high-temperature and high-pressure state and discharge the refrigerant, such that the discharged refrigerant is introduced to the condenser 172. The condenser 172 may condense the compressed refrigerant and discharge heat to surroundings during the condensation. In addition, the expansion device 190 may expand the refrigerant in the high-temperature and high-pressure state, condensed by the condenser 172, into a low-pressure state. The evaporator 171 may evaporate the expanded refrigerant and take away heat from the surroundings during the evaporation. The refrigerant having passed through the evaporator 171 may move back to the compressor 180 and circulate.

[0051] FIG. 4 is diagram conceptually showing a flow path in a drying mode, and FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing a flow path in a dehumidifying mode.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 4, when the dryer 100 operates in a drying mode for drying a drying material, the air may circulate inside the main body 110 to dry the drying material. More specifically, high-temperature and high-humidity air leaking from the drum 130 may be changed into low-temperature dry air after being cooled while passing through the evaporator 171. When the high-temperature and high-humidity air is cooled in the evaporator 171, condensed water may be generated. The condensed water may move to a recovery container 109 provided in the dryer 100 or may be drained to the outside of the main body 110.

[0053] The low-temperature dry air may pass through the condenser 172 while passing through the evaporator 171. The low-temperature dry air discharged from the evaporator 171 may be heated up and changed into high-temperature dry air while passing through the condenser 172. The high-temperature dry air may be introduced to the back side of the drum 130 to dry the drying material. As the drying material is dried, the high-temperature and high-humidity air containing a lot of moisture may leak from the drum 130 and pass through the evaporator 171 again. Through the above processes, the air circulating inside the main body 110 may dry the drying material accommodated in the drum 130.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, when the dryer 100 operates in the dehumidifying mode for dehumidifying outside air, air outside the dryer 100 may be introduced into the dryer 100 and dehumidified and then discharged to the outside of the dryer 100. More specifically, the air outside the dryer 100 may be introduced into the dryer 100 and may be dehumidified while being discharged to the outside of the dryer 100 after passing through the heat exchanger 170 and the drum 130.

[0055] The high-humidity air needing to be dehumidified may be changed into high-temperature dry air while passing through the heat exchanger 170. The high-temperature dry air may pass through the drum 130 and then may be discharged again to the outside of the dryer 100, such that the high-humidity air outside the dryer 100 may be dehumidified. The dehumidifying mode may operate in a state where any drying material is not accommodated inside the drum 130.

[0056] As such, the air circulates inside the main body 110 in the drying mode, and the outside air is introduced and discharged to outside after passing through the heat exchanger 170 and the drum 130 in the dehumidifying mode. The flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be attachably and detachably coupled to the dryer 100 to selectively form a first flow path for the drying mode and a second flow path for the dehumidifying mode. The flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer may be engaged by being inserted into a mounting hole 108 formed in the main body 110. The mounting hole 108 may be opened and closed by a cover 107. Hereinafter, the flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer will be described in detail.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flow path switching unit 200 according to an embodiment at a first position. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the flow path switching unit at the first position, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the flow path switching unit at a second position, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view where an opening and closing unit is open in FIG. 10.

[0058] The first position may denote a position in a state where the flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer is coupled to the dryer 100 to perform a drying operation, and the second position may denote a position in a state where the flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer is coupled to the dryer 100 to perform a dehumidifying operation.

[0059] The flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer according to an embodiment may include a body portion 10 and a flow path guide 20.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 6, the body portion 10 may include a top surface 11, a bottom surface 12, and opposite side surfaces 13 and 14. According to an embodiment, the body portion 10 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape with open front surface and back surface. When viewed from the front surface, the body portion 10 may have a width in a horizontal direction greater than a height in a vertical direction. As the body portion 10 is formed to have the width in the horizontal direction greater than the height in the vertical direction, the space utilization of a lower portion of the dryer 100 may be improved. As shown in FIG. 1, as the drum 130 is arranged in a central portion of the main body 110 of the dryer 100 and the flow path switching unit 200 is arranged in the space of the lower portion of the main body 110, the height of the body portion 10 may be reduced to minimize interference with other structures.

[0061] Also, the body portion 10 may be formed such that a distance between the opposite side surfaces 13 and 14 is greater than a distance between a front and a back thereof. By reducing the distance in the front-back direction in the body portion 10, an arrangement space of a structure arranged in the back side of the body portion 10, e.g., the heat exchanger 170, may be effectively secured. A relatively long distance between the opposite side surfaces 13 and 14 of the body portion 10 may be secured, thereby sufficiently securing a size of each region when dividing the body portion 10 into a first region A and a second region B at the second position. The shape of the body portion 10 is not limited to the above-described rectangular parallelepiped shape and may be changed variously provided that a flow path in which the air flows may be formed therein.

[0062] The flow path guide 20 may guide the air by partitioning an internal space of the body portion 10. The flow path guide 20 may be coupled to an inside of the body portion 10 to divide the internal space of the body portion 10, in which the divided space may be used as a flow path for the drying mode or the dehumidifying mode.

[0063] More specifically, the flow path guide 20 may form a first flow path for drying the drying material or a second flow path for dehumidifying the outside air. That is, the flow path guide 20 may form the first flow path in the drying mode and the second flow path in the dehumidifying mode.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the flow path guide 20 may provide the first flow path for guiding the air from the drum 130 toward the heat exchanger 170 in a state where the body portion 10 is at the first position. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the flow path guide 20 may provide the second flow path in which, in a state where the body portion 10 is at the second position, outside air is introduced and dehumidified via the heat exchanger 170 and the drum 130, and the outside air is introduced back to the body portion 10 from the drum 130 and is discharged to outside.

[0065] In this case, the second position of the body portion 10 may be a position of the body portion 10 such that the body portion 10 is rotated by 180 from the first position and thus positions of the top surface and the bottom surface are reversed. When the body portion 10 is viewed from the front surface thereof, the second position may be a position of the body portion 10 such that the body portion 10 is rotated in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction with respect to a center of the front surface of the body portion 10 and thus the top surface becomes the bottom surface and the bottom surface becomes the top surface.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 10, a front cover 22 having formed thereon an inlet port 24 through which the outside air is introduced and an outlet port 25 through which the outside air is discharged may be coupled to the front of the body portion 10. The inlet port 24 and the outlet port 25 may be formed to have substantially the same size to facilitate flow of the air in introduction and discharge of the outside air. A guide rib 26 supported in contact with the flow path guide 20 while guiding the outside air to an opening portion 19 may protrude from the inlet port 24. The guide rib 26 may be formed to have a curvature corresponding to a curvature of the flow path guide 20.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the flow path guide 20 may extend from the front of any one of the opposite side surfaces 13 and 14 to the back of the other of the opposite side surfaces 13 and 14.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 7, the flow path guide 20 may extend from the front of the left side surface 13 to the back of the right side surface 14. An end of the flow path guide 20 may be coupled to the front of the left side surface 13 and the other end may be coupled to the back of the right side surface 14. The flow path guide 20 may be formed round to facilitate flow of the air. While the other end of the flow path guide 20 is coupled to the back of the right side surface 14 in FIG. 7, the other end of the flow path guide 20 may be coupled to a corner where the back surface of the body portion 10 meets the right side surface 14 or to the back surface adjacent the corner.

[0069] A first inlet 15 and an outlet 16 may be formed in the body portion 10. More specifically, with respect to the state where the body portion 10 is at the first position, the first inlet 15 may be formed on the side surface to allow the air to be introduced from the drum 130. The outlet 16 may be formed at the back of the body portion 10.

[0070] The air introduced from the first inlet 15 may form the first flow path while flowing to the outlet 16. According to an embodiment, an area of the outlet 16 may be greater than that of the first inlet 15. As the area of the outlet 16 is greater than that of the first inlet 15, the air introduced through the first inlet 15 may be smoothly discharged through the outlet 16.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 8, the first inlet 15 may be formed on the left side surface 13 of the body portion 10 coupled to the end of the flow path guide 20. The outlet 16 may be formed on the back surface of the body portion 10, such that the air from the drum 130 may be introduced to the left side surface 13 in which the first inlet 15 is formed and is discharged to the back where the outlet 16 is provided.

[0072] According to an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flow path switching unit 200 may be coupled to a mounting portion 150 provided on a right lower portion of the main body 110 when viewed from the front of the main body 110. The drum 130 may be positioned in the central portion of the main body 110, and the flow path switching unit 200 may be formed to the right of the drum 130, such that the first inlet 15 may be formed on the left side surface 13 of the body portion 10, thus simplifying the flow path of the air discharged from the drum 130.

[0073] In addition, when the flow path switching unit 200 is coupled to the left lower portion of the main body 110, as shown in FIG. 9, the flow path guide 20 formed in the body portion 10 may be formed round to the back of the left side surface 13 from the front of the right side surface 14. That is, an end of the flow path guide 20 may be coupled to the front of the right side surface 14 and the other end may be coupled to the back of the left side surface 13. Here, the other end of the flow path guide 20 may be coupled to a corner where the left side surface 13 meets the back surface or to the back surface adjacent to the corner.

[0074] In this case, the first inlet 15 may be formed in the right side surface 14 and the outlet 16 may be formed in the back surface of the body portion 10. That is, in an embodiment, the flow path guide 20, the first inlet 15, and the outlet 16 may be changed symmetrically to a structure of FIG. 7. When the main body 110 is viewed from the front surface, for this structure being a structure in which the flow path switching unit 200 is engaged with the left lower portion of the front surface 101 of the main body 110, a flow path introduced from the drum 130 may be simplified and applied.

[0075] In addition, an air dispersion rib 21 may be formed in the flow path guide 20. The air dispersion rib 21 may protrude from a surface of the flow path guide 20 to the outlet 16 with respect to the state where the body portion 10 is at the first position. As the air introduced through the first inlet 15 is injected in collision with the air dispersion rib 21, the air may flow to the outlet 16. The air may be dispersed by the air dispersion rib 21 and smoothly escape to the heat exchanger 170 through the outlet 16.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the body portion 10 may include a second inlet 17, a separating wall 18, and the opening portion 19.

[0077] The flow path guide 20 may extend from the front of any one of the opposite side surfaces 13 and 14 to the back of the other of the opposite side surfaces 13 and 14, and the second inlet 17 may be formed on the other side surface to introduce the air from the drum 130 with respect to the state where the body portion 10 is at the second position. When the body portion 10 is reversed upside down from the first position of FIG. 7, the body portion 10 may be changed to the second position of FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, when the body portion 10 is reversed to the second position, the second inlet 17 may be arranged to the left like the first inlet 15 at the first position.

[0078] In an embodiment, when the main body 110 is viewed from the front, the flow path switching unit 200 may be coupled to the right lower portion of the front surface of the main body 110, such that the second inlet 17 may allow the air to be easily introduced therethrough from the drum 130 arranged in the central portion of the main body 110. This result may be because the top surface and the bottom surface of the flow path switching unit 200 are 180 reversed such that the second inlet 17 moves to the position of the first inlet 15 at the first position.

[0079] More specifically, referring to FIG. 8, with respect to the first position, the flow path guide 20 may extend from the front of the left side surface 13 to the back of the right side surface 14, in which the second inlet 17 may be formed in the right side surface 14 and the first inlet 15 may be formed in the left side surface 13. With this structure, the second inlet 17 may be formed on the opposite side of the first inlet 15. When the first inlet 15 is formed in the right side surface 14, the second inlet 17 may be formed in the left side surface 13.

[0080] In the first flow path in which the air introduced through the first inlet 15 flows through the outlet 16, a surface of the flow path guide 20 may be used. On the other hand, the air introduced through the second inlet 17 may flow along the other surface of the flow path guide 20.

[0081] The separating wall 18 may be provided to protrude from the back to the front from the flow path guide 20. The separating wall 18 may divide the front surface of the body portion 10 into the first region A through which the outside air is introduced and the second region B through which the outside air is discharged.

[0082] In an embodiment, the separating wall 18 may be formed at the center between the opposite side surfaces 13 and 14 of the body portion 10. The separating wall 18 may be formed at the center between the opposite side surfaces 13 and 14 such that the first region A and the second region B may have substantially the same sizes and a flow rate of the outside air introduced and a flow rate of the outside air discharged may be made similar to each other, facilitating a flow of the air.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 10, when the body portion 10 is at the second position, the right side of the separating wall 18 may form the first region A into which the outside air is introduced and the left side of the separating wall 18 may form the second region B from which the outside air is discharged.

[0084] According to an embodiment, an area of the second region B may be greater than that of the second inlet 17. As the area of the second region B is greater than that of the second inlet 17, the air introduced from the drum 130 through the second inlet 17 may be smoothly discharged to outside through the second region B.

[0085] The opening portion 19 may be provided to be open and closed in the flow path guide 20 corresponding to the first region A. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, according to an embodiment, the opening portion 19 may be formed as holes cut in an approximately comb teeth shape. The opening portion 19 formed obliquely in the comb teeth shape in this way may provide the effect of primarily filtering out a foreign substance included in the outside air. However, the shape of the opening portion 19 is not limited thereto, and the opening portion 19 may have a size and a shape that are sufficient for the introduction of the air into the body portion 10. For example, the opening portion 19 may have a shape in which a plurality of circular through-holes are formed in the flow path guide 20 or bars arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions are arranged in a grid.

[0086] The second flow path may be formed such that the outside air is introduced to the body portion 10 through the opening portion 19, is introduced back to the body portion 10 through the second inlet 17 via the heat exchanger 170 and the drum 130, and then is discharged through the second region B.

[0087] According to an embodiment, an area of the opening portion 19 may be less than that of the outlet 16. As the area of the outlet 16 is greater than that of the opening portion 19, the outside air introduced through the opening portion 19 may be smoothly discharged to the heat exchanger 170 through the outlet 16.

[0088] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 9, when the flow path guide 20 extends roundly from the front of the right side surface 14 to the back of the left side surface 13 at the first position, the first inlet 15 may be formed in the right side surface 14 of the body portion 10, the outlet 16 may be formed in the back surface of the body portion 10, and the second inlet 17 may be formed in the left side surface 13 of the body portion 10. In an example where the first position is in the state shown in FIG. 9, the flow path switching unit 200 may enter a state shown in FIG. 12 upon switching to the second position. Referring to FIG. 12, when the body portion 10 is at the second position, the first region A may be a left region on the front surface of the body portion 10 divided by the separating wall 18 and the second region B may be a right region on the front surface of the body portion 10. According to FIG. 9, the end of the flow path guide 20 may be coupled to the front of the right side surface 14 of the body portion 10 and the other end may be coupled to the back of the left side surface 13 of the body portion 10, but the other end of the flow path guide 20 may be coupled to the corner where the left side surface 13 of the body portion 10 meets the back surface or to the back surface of the body portion 10 adjacent to the corner.

[0089] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a flow path switching unit at the second position, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a state where an opening and closing unit is open at the second position in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view seen from a back of a flow path switching unit toward a front thereof, and FIG. 16 is a plan view of FIG. 11.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 13, an opening and closing unit 30 for opening and closing the front of the body portion 10 may be coupled to the flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer according to an embodiment. The opening and closing unit 30 may open or close the first region A and the second region B divided by the separating wall 18. When the body portion 10 is provided in the drying mode in a state of being at the first position, the opening and closing unit 30 may maintain a state of closing the front of the body portion 10. When the body portion 10 is provided in the dehumidifying mode while being located at the second position, the opening and closing unit 30 may maintain a state of opening the front of the body portion 10.

[0091] According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 14, the opening and closing unit 30 may be opened by pivoting with respect to a hinge 81 provided in opposite lower ends in a state where the body portion 10 is at the second position. That is, the opening and closing unit 30 may be configured to open the first region A and the second region B as a lower end pivots by pulling an upper side of the opening and closing unit 30 forward in the state of being at the second position. In the front cover 22 may be formed a receiving portion 23 into which the separating wall 18 is received by being inserted. When the front cover 22 is coupled to the body portion 10, the separating wall 18 may be stably positioned by being inserted into the receiving portion 23.

[0092] According to an embodiment, an airtight member 40 for sealing the opening portion 19 may be coupled to the opening and closing unit 30. The airtight member 40 may be connected to the opening and closing unit 30 to open the opening portion 19 when the opening and closing unit 30 opens the front of the body portion 10. The opening and closing unit 30 and the airtight member 40 may be fixed by a connection bar 41 formed integrally. In the airtight member 40, protrusions 42 inserted into the opening portion 19 when the opening and closing unit 30 closes the opening portion 19 may be formed.

[0093] The airtight member 40 may be formed to have a size corresponding to the opening portion 19. According to an embodiment, because the opening portion 19 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, the airtight member 40 may be formed in a rectangular shape to block the opening portion 19. When the shape of the opening portion 19 is changed, the shape of the airtight member 40 may also be changed.

[0094] The airtight member 40 may have a curved surface corresponding to a curved surface of the flow path guide 20. When the airtight member 40 closes the opening portion 19, the airtight member 40 may form a first flow path along with the flow path guide 20. Thus, an outer surface of the airtight member 40 may be formed to form one curved surface by extending a curved surface of the flow path guide 20.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 15, a sealing member 50 may be coupled to a boundary direction of the airtight member 40. As the sealing member 50 is coupled in the boundary direction of the airtight member 40, the sealing member 50 may effectively preventing leakage of air by integrally sealing a boundary surface of the opening portion 19. That is, when the body portion 10 is provided in the drying mode at the first position, the airtight member 40 may maintain a state of sealing the opening portion 19. When the air flows to the heat exchanger 170 from the drum 130 along the flow path guide 20, surface sealing may be performed in the boundary direction of the airtight member 40 to effectively prevent leakage of the air through the opening portion 19. The sealing member 50 may include a rubber or silicone material, etc. A material of the sealing member 50 may not be limited thereto, and various materials may be selected.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 15, the flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer according to an embodiment may include guide grills 60.

[0097] The guide grills 60 may be provided in the second region B to guide air discharged to outside through the second region B. The guide grills 60 may guide the air discharged through the second region B in a direction away from the separating wall 18. According to an embodiment, the guide grills 60 may be arranged in an oblique shape in the outlet port 25 of the front cover 22.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 16, the guide grill 60 may be provided in a way that band-shaped members with a certain width are arranged to be separated from each other, and the air may flow between the band-shaped members. A front end of the guide grill 60 may be formed to be inclined in a direction away from the separating wall 18 toward the front of the body portion 10. That is, a front end 61 may be spaced apart from the separating wall 18 more than a back end 62 with respect to a width of the guide grill 60. As the air discharged along the guide grill 60 is discharged in a direction away from the separating wall 18, it is possible to prevent the air discharged through the second region B from being re-introduced to the first region A and minimize interference with the outside air introduced through the first region A.

[0099] According to an embodiment, the guide grill 60 may be arranged inclinedly in a direction away from the separating wall 18 toward a lower end of the guide grill 60 from an upper end thereof in a vertical longitudinal direction. As the guide grill 60 is formed inclinedly such that the lower end thereof is away from the separating wall 18, the air passing through the guide grill 60 may be discharged effectively away from the separating wall 18.

[0100] The flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer according to an embodiment may include a filter member 70.

[0101] The filter member 70 may be coupled to the back of the body portion 10 to filter out a foreign substance included in the flowing air. According to an embodiment, the filter member 70 may be attachably and detachably coupled to the outlet 16. The filter member 70 may be formed to have a shape and a size corresponding to the outlet 16.

[0102] The filter member 70 may filter out a foreign substance included in the air circulating inside the main body 110 when the dryer 100 operates in the drying mode as the body portion 10 is at the first position. In the drying mode, as the air introduced through the first inlet 15 exits through the outlet 16, the foreign substance included in the air circulating inside the main body 110 may be filtered out by the filter member 70. In the dehumidifying mode, as the outside air introduced through the opening portion 19 exits through the outlet 16, the foreign substance included in the outside air may be filtered out by the filter member 70.

[0103] The flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer according to an embodiment may include a handle 80.

[0104] The handle 80 may be provided to separate the body portion 10 from the main body 110 and rotate the body portion 10 from the first position to the second position. The handle 80 may be formed in a front lower side of the body portion 10 in the state where the body portion 10 is at the first position. According to an embodiment, the front of the body portion 10 may include a fixing unit 90 for engaging the flow path switching unit 200 to the mounting portion 150, and the handle 80 may be provided in the fixing unit 90.

[0105] As such, when the body portion 10 is at the first position, a user may separate the body portion 10 from the main body 110 by using the handle 80. Then, the body portion 10 may be rotated by 180 such that a top surface and a bottom surface thereof are reversed. In a state where the position of the body portion 10 is changed to the second position, the body portion 10 may be engaged to the main body 110.

[0106] To execute the dehumidifying mode at the second position, the opening portion 19 may be open to guide introduction of the outside air. When lower ends of opposite sides of the opening and closing unit 30 pivot by the hinge 81 at the second position and the upper side of the opening and closing unit 30 is pulled down to open the opening portion 19, the handle 80 is position-changed in a state of being in an upper side, such that the opening and closing unit 30, when open, may not interfere with the handle 80.

[0107] According to an embodiment, opposite ends of the handle 80 are formed to protrude from opposite side surfaces of the body portion 10. The shape of the handle 80 is not limited thereto, and the position and shape of the handle 80 may be changed variously so as not to interfere with the opening and closing unit 30 when the opening and closing unit 30 is open.

[0108] As such, the flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer according to an embodiment may provide the drying mode and the dehumidifying mode by using one unit, thereby improving user convenience. When a separating unit is used for each mode, a unit not in use has to be kept separately and is likely to be lost. Moreover, according to an embodiment, as functions in the drying mode and in the dehumidifying mode are achieved by one unit, costs may be reduced when compared to manufacturing of a separate unit for each mode.

[0109] Meanwhile, according to an embodiment, the dryer 100 including the flow path switching unit 200 therefor may be provided.

[0110] The dryer 100 is a device for drying a drying material and may provide the drying mode and the dehumidifying mode. The drying mode may be a mode for drying a drying material, and the dehumidifying mode may be a mode for dehumidifying the air outside the dryer.

[0111] The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include the main body 110. The main body 110 may be formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape including a front surface 101, a back surface 102, a top surface 103, a bottom surface 104, and a side surface 105.

[0112] The dryer 100 may include a drum 130 accommodating a drying material. The drum 130 may have an open side into which the drying material is put. In the main body 110, an entrance 106 communicating with the drum 130 may be formed and a door 120 for opening and closing the entrance 106 may be provided.

[0113] The drum 130 may be accommodated and mounted in the main body 110 that forms an exterior of the dryer 100. The manipulation unit 111 may be provided in an upper portion of the front surface 101 of the main body 110 to allow a user to perform a function of the dryer 100. In the manipulation unit 111, a rotation-type input unit 11a for selecting the function of the dryer 100, a display unit 11b for displaying a selection function and a mode state of the dryer 100 according to input of the rotation-type input unit 11a, a touch input unit 11c for allowing the user to select a mode by being pressed, etc., may be arranged. However, a configuration of the manipulation unit 111 is not limited thereto and may be implemented in various manners.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 2, the dryer 100 may include the heat exchanger 170 that provides hot air to the drum 130. The heat exchanger 170 may be arranged under the drum 130, and may be installed on a base 140 provided on the bottom surface 104 of the main body 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the fan 161 installed on the base 140 may move the air of the drum 130 to a flow path switching unit 200, and the heat exchanger 170 may be arranged at a back end of the flow path switching unit 200. A hood 141 may be coupled to an upper portion of the base 140 to form a duct structure that allows air to pass through the flow path switching unit 200 and the heat exchanger 170.

[0115] The heat exchanger 170 may be arranged under the drum 130, and may be installed on a base 140 provided on the bottom surface 104 of the main body 110. The heat exchanger 170 may be provided to supply hot air toward the drum 130 and may be a component constituting a refrigerant cycle.

[0116] The refrigerant cycle may include the heat exchanger 170, the compressor 180, and the expansion device 190. The heat exchanger 170 may be provided to exchange air with heat and may include an evaporator 171 and a condenser 172. The refrigerant may circulate through a series of processes including compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation. A detailed description of the heat exchanger 170, the compressor 180, and the expansion device 190 has been provided in the description of the flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer and thus will be omitted at this time.

[0117] In the dryer 100 according to an embodiment, the flow path switching unit 200 may be attachably and detachably coupled to the main body to provide the first flow path for the drying mode at the first position and the second flow path for the dehumidifying mode at the second position. Referring to FIG. 1, the flow path switching unit 200 according to an embodiment may be attachably and detachably mounted in a right lower portion of the front surface when the main body 110 is viewed from the front surface. The installation position of the flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer may not be limited thereto and may be changed to the left side of the front surface as described above.

[0118] The first flow path may be a flow path for providing air from the drum 130 to the heat exchanger 170 when the air inside the main body 110 circulates by sequentially flowing to the drum 130, the flow path switching unit 200, and the heat exchanger 170. The second flow path may be a flow path for introducing the outside air to the heat exchanger 170 and discharging the air from the drum 130 outside when the outside air is introduced through the flow path switching unit 200, passes through the heat exchanger 170 and the drum 130, and then is introduced back to the flow path switching unit 200 and discharged to outside. The flow path switching unit 200 may provide the first flow path at the first position and provide the second flow path at the second position where the top surface and the bottom surface are reversed from the first position.

[0119] The dryer 100 according to an embodiment may include the flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer described above, thereby providing a structure, operations, and effects of the flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer such that a redundant description of the flow path switching unit 200 for the dryer will be omitted.

[0120] In addition, according to an embodiment, a device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer may be provided.

[0121] The device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to an embodiment may identify whether the flow path switching unit 200 mounted in the mounting portion 150 is mounted in a drying mode or a dehumidifying mode. Referring to FIG. 17, the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to an embodiment may include the flow path switching unit 200, the mounting portion 150, a first indicator unit 230, a second indicator unit 240, a first sensor 210, and a second sensor 220.

[0122] The flow path switching unit 200 may provide a drying mode in which the drying material is dried at the first position, and a dehumidifying mode in which outside air is dehumidified at the second position that is rotated by 180 such that the top surface and the bottom surface are inverted from the first position.

[0123] The flow path switching unit 200 may have the above configuration according to the above-described embodiment. That is, the flow path switching unit 200 may include the body portion 10 including the top surface 11, the bottom surface 12, and the side surfaces 13 and 14. The body portion 10 may include the flow path guide 20 which partitions the inner space to guide the air, and provides a first flow path at the first position for drying the drying material and a second flow path at the second position for dehumidifying the external air.

[0124] The flow path guide 20 extends from the front of one of the side surfaces 13 and 14 to the back of the other of the opposite surfaces, and based on a state where the body portion 10 is at the first position, may include the first inlet 15 formed in one of the opposite surfaces so that the air may flow therein from the drum, and the outlet 16 formed in the back of the body portion 10. Also, the flow path switching unit 200 may include, in a state where the body portion 10 is at the second position, the second inlet 17 formed on the other side surface through which the air is introduced from the drum, the separating wall 18 protruding forward from the flow path guide 20 for division into a first region A through which the outside air is introduced and a second region B through which the outside air is discharged, and the opening portion 19 provided to be open and closed in the flow path guide 20 corresponding to the first region A.

[0125] The first flow path may be formed so that the air may flow from the first inlet 15 to the outlet 16, and the second flow path may be formed so that the air introduced through the opening portion 19 is introduced through the second inlet 17 and discharged through the second region B after passing through the drum 130.

[0126] Also, in a state where the body portion 10 is at the first position, the opening and closing unit 30 for opening/closing the body portion 10 may be provided, and the opening and closing unit 30 may form the second flow path by closing the front surface of the body portion 10 at the first position and opening the front surface of the body portion 10 at the second position.

[0127] The flow path switching unit 200 applied to the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for dryer, according to an embodiment, may include the above configuration described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16 and may provide operations and effects described above, and thus, redundant descriptions about the flow path switching unit 200 are omitted.

[0128] The mounting portion 150 is provided in the main body 110 accommodating the drum 130 so as to attachably/detachably support the flow path switching unit 200. The mounting portion 150 may include an upper wall 151, a lower wall 152, and side walls 153 and 154 respectively corresponding to the top surface 11, the bottom surface 12, and the side surfaces 13 and 14 of the body portion 10. The flow path switching unit 200 may be attachably/detachably coupled to the inside of the mounting portion 150. According to an embodiment, the mounting portion 150 may be provided in a lower right side when the main body 110 is seen from the front. The mounting portion 150 may be also provided in a lower left side when the main body 110 is seen from the front. The mounting portion 150 is a bracket structure having a certain width and open front and back surfaces, and may be formed to surround at least a part of the flow path switching unit 200.

[0129] The first indicator unit 230 may be provided may be provided on the flow path switching unit 200 to indicate the first position. The second indicator unit 240 may be provided may be provided on the flow path switching unit 200 to indicate the second position. The first and second indicator units 230 and 240 may be accommodated and arranged in an accommodation portion provided on the outer surface of the body portion 10.

[0130] The first sensor 210 may be provided on the mounting portion 150 to sense the first indicator unit 230. In addition, the second sensor 220 may be provided on the mounting portion 150 to sense the second indicator unit 240. The first and second sensors 210 and 220 may be provided on the outer boundary surface of the mounting portion 150.

[0131] According to an embodiment, the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 may include magnetic substances providing magnetic force, and the first and second sensors 210 and 220 may be sensors operating due to the magnetic force of the magnetic substances. For example, the first and second sensors 210 and 220 may each adopt a magnetic lead switch, a hole sensor, etc. However, the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 and the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are not limited to the sensors using the magnetic force, provided that the flow path switching unit 200 may be identified. For example, the position of the flow path switching unit 200 may be identified by using an optical sensor of a non-contact type.

[0132] According to an embodiment, the first sensor 210 and the second sensor 220 may be arranged at different positions of any one surface of the mounting portion 150. In this case, the first indicator unit 230 is arranged on one surface of the body portion 10, facing the first sensor 210, and the second indicator unit 240 is arranged on one opposite surface of the body portion 10, which faces the surface of the body portion 10 where the first indicator unit 230 is arranged. Thus, at the first position, the first indicator unit 230 may face the first sensor 210, and at the second position, the second indicator unit 240 may face the second sensor 220.

[0133] In detail, the first and second sensors 210 and 220 may be arranged at spaced positions on one surface from among the upper wall 151, the lower wall 152, and the side walls 153 and 154 of the mounting portion 150, and the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 arranged as above are described below with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20.

[0134] FIG. 18 shows an example in which the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged on the upper wall 151 of the mounting portion 150 in the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer, according to an embodiment.

[0135] Referring to FIG. 18, the first and second sensors 210 and 220 may be arranged at different positions on the upper wall 151 of the mounting portion 150. According to an embodiment, a virtual line connecting the first sensor 210 to the second sensor 220 may be arranged parallel to a left-right width direction of the body portion 10. The arrangement direction of the first and second sensors 210 and 220 is not limited thereto. The first and second sensors 210 and 220 may be arranged at left and right edges of the upper wall 151 with a sufficient distance therebetween in the left-right direction, and thus, the first sensor 210 may be prevented from reacting to the second indicator unit 240 or the second sensor 220 may be prevented from reacting to the first indicator unit 230.

[0136] Referring to FIG. 18a, when the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged at different positions on the upper wall 151 of the mounting portion 150, the first indicator unit 230 may be arranged on the top surface 11 of the body portion 10 facing the first sensor 210 and the second indicator unit 240 may be arranged on the bottom surface 12 of the body portion 10, which is symmetrical with the top surface 11 where the first indicator unit 230 is arranged. In this case, the first sensor 210 senses the first indicator unit 230, and it may be identified that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the first position providing the drying mode.

[0137] FIG. 18b shows a state in which the flow path switching unit 200 is inverted by 180 from the first position of FIG. 18a so that the top surface 11 becomes the bottom surface 12. As shown in FIG. 18b, a state in which the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged at different positions of the upper wall 151 of the mounting portion 150 is maintained, the second indicator unit 240 faces the second sensor 220, and the first indicator unit 230 is arranged facing the second indicator unit 240. In the above state, the second sensor 220 senses the second indicator unit 240 and then may identify that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the second position where the dehumidifying mode is provided.

[0138] FIG. 19 shows an example in which the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged on the lower wall 152 of the mounting portion 150 in the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer, according to an embodiment.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 19, the first and second sensors 210 and 220 may be arranged at different positions on the lower wall 152 of the mounting portion 150. According to an embodiment, a virtual line connecting the first sensor 210 to the second sensor 220 may be arranged parallel to a left-right width direction of the body portion 10. However, the arrangement direction of the first and second sensors 210 and 220 is not limited thereto. The first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged at left and right edges of the upper wall 151 with a sufficient distance therebetween in the left-right direction, and thus, malfunctions of the first sensor 210 reacting to the second indicator unit 240 or the second sensor 220 reacting to the first indicator unit 230 may be prevented.

[0140] Referring to FIG. 19a, when the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged at different positions on the lower wall 152 of the mounting portion 150, the first indicator unit 230 may be arranged on the bottom surface 12 of the body portion 10, facing the first sensor 210, and the second indicator unit 240 may be arranged on the top surface 11 of the body portion 10, which is symmetrical with the bottom surface 12 where the first indicator unit 230 is arranged. In this case, the first sensor 210 senses the first indicator unit 230, and it may be determined that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the first position providing the drying mode.

[0141] FIG. 19b shows a state in which the flow path switching unit 200 is inverted by 180 from the first position of FIG. 19a so that the top surface 11 becomes the bottom surface 12. As shown in FIG. 19b, a state in which the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged at different positions on the lower wall 152 of the mounting portion 150 is maintained, the second indicator unit 240 faces the second sensor 220, and the first indicator unit 230 is arranged facing the second indicator unit 240. In the above state, the second sensor 220 senses the second indicator unit 240 and then may identify that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the second position where the dehumidifying mode is provided.

[0142] FIG. 20 shows an example in which the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged on the left side wall 153 of the mounting portion 150 in the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer, according to an embodiment.

[0143] Referring to FIG. 20, the first and second sensors 210 and 220 may be arranged at different positions on the side wall 153 or 154 of the mounting portion 150. FIG. 20 shows that the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged on the left side wall 153 in the vertical direction, but may be arranged on the right side wall 154 in the vertical direction. A virtual line connecting the first sensor 210 to the second sensor 220 may be arranged parallel to a height direction of the body portion 10. However, the arrangement direction of the first and second sensors 210 and 220 is not limited thereto. The first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged on upper and lower end sides of the side wall 153 or 154 with a sufficient distance in the vertical direction, and thus, malfunctions of the first sensor 210 reacting to the second indicator unit 240 or the second sensor 220 reacting to the first indicator unit 230 may be prevented.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 20a, when the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged at different positions of the side wall 153 or 154 of the mounting portion 150, the first indicator unit 230 may be arranged on the side surface 13 (left side surface 13 based on FIG. 20) of the body portion 10, which faces the first sensor 210, and the second indicator unit 240 may be arranged on the side surface 14 (right side surface 14 based on FIG. 20) of the body portion 10, which is symmetrical with the side surface 13 where the first indicator 230 is arranged. In this case, the first sensor 210 senses the first indicator unit 230, and it may be determined that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the first position providing the drying mode.

[0145] FIG. 20b shows a state in which the flow path switching unit 200 is inverted by 180 from the first position of FIG. 20a so that the top surface 11 becomes the bottom surface 12. As shown in FIG. 20b, a state in which the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are arranged at different positions of the side wall 153 of the mounting portion 150 is maintained, the second indicator unit 240 faces the second sensor 220, and the first indicator unit 230 is arranged facing the second indicator unit 240. In the above state, the second sensor 220 senses the second indicator unit 240 and then may identify that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the second position for providing the dehumidifying mode.

[0146] According to an embodiment, the first indicator unit 230 and the second indicator unit 240 may be arranged at different positions on one surface of the body portion 10. In this case, the first sensor 210 is arranged on one surface of the mounting portion 150, which faces the first indicator unit 230, and the second sensor 220 is arranged on one opposite surface of the mounting portion 150, which faces the one surface of the mounting portion 150 where the first sensor 210 is arranged, so that, at the first position, the first indicator unit 230 may face the first sensor 210 and, at the second position, the second indicator unit 240 may face the second sensor 220.

[0147] In more detail, the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are arranged at different positions spaced apart from each other on one surface from among the top surface 11, the bottom surface 12, and the side surfaces 13 and 14 of the body portion 10, and the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 arranged as above are described below with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23.

[0148] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example in which the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are arranged on the top surface 11 of the body portion 10, in the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to an embodiment.

[0149] Referring to FIG. 21, the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 may be arranged at different positions on the top surface 11 of the body portion 10. According to an embodiment, a virtual line connecting the first indicator unit 230 to the second indicator unit 240 may be arranged parallel to the left-right width direction of the body portion 10. However, the arrangement direction of the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 is not limited thereto. The first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are arranged at left and right edges of the top surface 11 with a sufficient distance therebetween in the left-and-right direction, and thus, the first sensor 210 may be prevented from reacting to the second indicator unit 240 or the second sensor 220 may be prevented from reacting to the first indicator unit 230.

[0150] Referring to FIG. 21a, when the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are arranged at different positions on the top surface 11 of the body portion 10, the first sensor 210 is arranged on the upper wall 151 of the mounting portion 150, which faces the first indicator unit 230, and the second sensor 220 may be arranged on the lower wall 152 of the mounting portion 150, which is symmetrical with the upper wall 151 where the first sensor 210 is arranged. In this case, the first sensor 210 senses the first indicator unit 230, and it may be identified that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the first position providing the drying mode.

[0151] FIG. 21b shows a state in which the flow path switching unit 200 is inverted by 180 from the first position of FIG. 21a so that the top surface 11 becomes the bottom surface 12. As shown in FIG. 21b, the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are maintained at the upper wall 151 and the lower wall 152 of the mounting portion 150, the second indicator unit 240 faces the second sensor 220, and the first indicator unit 230 is moved downward along with the second indicator unit 240. In the above state, the second sensor 220 senses the second indicator unit 240 and then may identify that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the second position providing the dehumidifying mode.

[0152] FIG. 22 shows an example in which the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are arranged on the bottom surface 12 of the body portion 10, in the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to an embodiment.

[0153] Referring to FIG. 22, the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 may be arranged at different positions on the bottom surface 12 of the body portion 10. According to an embodiment, a virtual line connecting the first indicator unit 230 to the second indicator unit 240 may be arranged parallel to the left-right width direction of the body portion 10. However, the arrangement directions of the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are not limited thereto. The first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are arranged at left and right edges of the bottom surface 12 with a sufficient distance therebetween in the left-and-right direction, and thus, the first sensor 210 may be prevented from reacting to the second indicator unit 240 or the second sensor 220 may be prevented from reacting to the first indicator unit 230.

[0154] Referring to FIG. 22a, when the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are arranged at different positions on the bottom surface 12 of the body portion 10, the first sensor 210 is arranged on the lower wall 152 of the mounting portion 150, which faces the first indicator unit 230, and the second sensor 220 may be arranged on the upper wall 151 of the mounting portion 150, which is symmetrical with the lower wall 152 where the first sensor 210 is arranged. In this case, the first sensor 210 senses the first indicator unit 230, and it may be identified that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the first position providing the drying mode.

[0155] FIG. 22b shows a state in which the flow path switching unit 200 is inverted by 180 from the first position of FIG. 22a so that the top surface 11 becomes the bottom surface 12. As shown in FIG. 22b, the first sensor 210 and the second sensor 220 are maintained respectively at the lower wall 152 and the upper wall 151 of the mounting portion 150, and the second indicator unit 240 faces the second sensor 220 and the first indicator unit 230 is moved upward along with the second indicator unit 240. In the above state, the second sensor 220 senses the second indicator unit 240 and then may identify that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the second position providing the dehumidifying mode.

[0156] FIG. 23 shows an example in which the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are arranged on the left side surface 13 of the body portion 10, in the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to an embodiment.

[0157] Referring to FIG. 23, the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 may be arranged at different positions on the side surface 13 or 14 of the body portion 10. FIG. 23 shows the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 on the left side surface 13, but the first and second indicator units may be formed on the right side surface 14. Hereinafter, an example in which the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are installed on the left side surface 13 of the body portion 10 is described below. According to an embodiment, a virtual line connecting the first indicator unit 230 to the second indicator unit 240 may be arranged parallel to the height direction of the body portion 10. However, the arrangement direction of the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 is not limited thereto. The first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are arranged at left and right edges of the side surface 13 with a sufficient distance therebetween in the left-right direction, and thus, the first sensor 210 may be prevented from reacting to the second indicator unit 240 or the second sensor 220 may be prevented from reacting to the first indicator unit 230.

[0158] Referring to FIG. 23a, when the first and second indicator units 230 and 240 are arranged at different positions on the left side surface 13 of the body portion 10, the first sensor 210 is arranged on the side wall 153 of the mounting portion 150, which faces the first indicator unit 230, and the second sensor 220 may be arranged on the side wall 154 of the mounting portion 150, which is symmetrical with the side wall 153 where the first sensor 210 is arranged. In this case, the first sensor 210 senses the first indicator unit 230, and it may be identified that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the first position providing the drying mode.

[0159] FIG. 23b shows a state in which the flow path switching unit 200 is inverted by 180 from the first position of FIG. 23a so that the top surface 11 becomes the bottom surface 12. As shown in FIG. 23b, the first sensor 210 and the second sensor 220 are maintained respectively at the side wall 153 or 154 of the mounting portion 150, and the second indicator unit 240 faces the second sensor 220 and the first indicator unit 230 is moved downward direction of the second indicator unit 240. In the above state, the second sensor 220 senses the second indicator unit 240 and then may identify that the flow path switching unit 200 is placed at the second position providing the dehumidifying mode.

[0160] The device for sensing the flow path switching unit for dryer according to an embodiment may be configured to identify the first and second positions by using one indicator unit 250. In detail, according to the embodiment, the mounting portion 150 is provided in the main body 110 accommodating the drum 130, and the flow path switching unit 200 is detachably coupled to the mounting portion 150 to provide a drying mode in which the drying material is dried at the first position and a dehumidifying mode for dehumidifying the external air at the second position that is rotated by 180 from the first position so that the top surface 11 and the bottom surface 12 are inverted. Here, an indicator unit 250 provided on the flow path switching unit 200 for identifying the first position or the second position, the first sensor 210 provided on the mounting portion 150 for sensing the indicator unit 250 when the flow path switching unit 200 is at the first position, and the second sensor 220 provided on the mounting portion 150 for sensing the indicator unit 250 when the flow path switching unit 200 is at the second position may be provided.

[0161] According to an embodiment, the indicator unit 250 may include a magnetic substance providing magnetic force, and the first and second sensors 210 and 220 may be sensors operating due to the magnetic force of the magnetic substance. For example, the first and second sensors 210 and 220 may each adopt a magnetic lead switch, a hole sensor, etc. However, the indicator unit 250 and the first and second sensors 210 and 220 are not limited to the sensors using the magnetic force, provided that the flow path switching unit 200 may be identified. For example, the position of the flow path switching unit 200 may be identified by using an optical sensor of a non-contact type.

[0162] Referring to FIGS. 24 to 26, arrangement relation between the first and second sensors 210 and 220 when the single indicator unit 250 is arranged at various portions of the body portion 10 is described in detail below.

[0163] FIG. 24 shows an example in which the single indicator unit 250 is provided on the top surface 11 of the body portion 10, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment. When the indicator unit 250 is arranged on the top surface 11 of the body portion 10, the first sensor 210 is arranged on the upper wall 151 of the mounting portion 150, which faces the indicator unit 250, and the second sensor 220 may be arranged on the lower wall 152 of the mounting portion 150, which faces the upper wall 151 of the mounting portion 150 where the first sensor 210 is arranged. Here, at the first position, the indicator unit 250 may face the first sensor 210, and at the second position, the indicator unit 250 may face the second sensor 220. That is, one indicator unit 250 faces the first sensor 210 at the first position and faces the second sensor 220 at the second position after rotation.

[0164] FIG. 25 shows an example in which a single indicator unit 250 is provided on the bottom surface 12 of the body portion 10, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment. When the indicator unit 250 is arranged on the bottom surface 12 of the body portion 10, the first sensor 210 is arranged on the lower wall 152 of the mounting portion 150, which faces the indicator unit 250, and the second sensor 220 may be arranged on the opposite upper wall 151 of the mounting portion 150, which faces the lower wall 152 of the mounting portion 150 where the first sensor 210 is arranged. Here, at the first position, the indicator unit 250 may face the first sensor 210, and at the second position that is vertically inverted from the first position, the indicator unit 250 may face the second sensor 220.

[0165] FIG. 26 shows an example in which the single indicator unit 250 is provided on the side surface of the body portion 10, in a device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment. FIG. 26 shows that the indicator unit 250 is installed on the left side surface 13, but the indicator unit may be installed on the right side surface 14. When the indicator unit 250 is arranged on the left side surface 13 of the body portion 10, the first sensor 210 is arranged on the left side wall 153 of the mounting portion 150, which faces the indicator unit 250, and the second sensor 220 may be arranged on the right side wall 154 of the mounting portion 150, which faces the left side wall 153 of the mounting portion 150 where the first sensor 210 is arranged. Here, at the first position, the indicator unit 250 may face the first sensor 210, and at the second position that is vertically inverted from the first position, the indicator unit 250 may face the second sensor 220.

[0166] As described above, according to the present disclosure, the flow path switching unit 200 may provide flow paths for the drying mode and the dehumidifying mode as one unit, and may determine precisely and reliably whether the drying mode or the dehumidifying mode may be applied by using the indicator unit and the sensors in each mode. When the drying mode and the dehumidifying mode are provided via separate units, sensors capable of identifying the mode has to be installed in each unit, and thus, according to the present disclosure, the number of sensors may be reduced and costs such as material costs may be reduced.

[0167] In addition, the present disclosure may provide the dryer 100 including the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for dryer described above. The dryer 100 may adopt the above-described configurations, and the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer is described above, and thus, redundant descriptions are omitted. Also, as shown in FIG. 27, the dryer 100 may include a controller executing the drying mode or the dehumidifying mode by identifying whether the flow path switching unit 200 is coupled to the mounting portion 150 at the first position or the second position.

[0168] To understand the disclosure, reference numerals have been given in embodiments of the disclosure shown in the drawings, and specific terms are used to describe the embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is not limited by the specific terms, and the disclosure may include all the components that are normally thought by those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0169] Certain executions described here are embodiments of the disclosure, not limiting the scope of the disclosure in any way. For the brevity of the specification, the description of conventional electronic configurations, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of the systems may be omitted. Connections of lines or connection members between components shown in the drawings are illustrative of functional connections and/or physical or circuit connections, and in practice, may be represented as alternative or additional various functional connections, physical connections, or circuit connections. In addition, when there is no specific mentioning, such as essential or important, it may not be a necessary component for the application of the disclosure. An expression such as comprising, including, etc., used herein has been used to be understood as terms of an open end of the description.

[0170] In the specification (especially, claims) of the disclosure, the use of the term the and similar indicators thereof may correspond to both the singular and the plural. In addition, when the range is described in the disclosure, the range includes the disclosure to which an individual value falling within the range is applied (unless stated otherwise), and is the same as the description of an individual value constituting the range in the detailed description of the disclosure. Finally, when there is no apparent description of the order of operations constituting the method according to the present disclosure or a contrary description thereof, the operations may be performed in an appropriate order. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited according to the describing order of the operations. The use of all examples or exemplary terms (for example, etc.) in the present disclosure are to simply describe the present disclosure in detail, and unless the range of the present disclosure is not limited by the examples or the exemplary terms unless limited by the claims. In addition, it would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes may be easily made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

[0171] A device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment may use a flow path switching unit that provides a bidirectional flow path for a drying mode and a dehumidifying mode to allow a user to use the drying mode or the dehumidifying mode depending on a purpose with a single flow path switching unit, thereby improving user convenience, eliminating concerns about storage and loss, and reducing a cost such as a material cost, etc. Also, the position of the flow path switching unit is sensed by using the indicator unit and the sensors so as to easily identify whether the flow path switching unit is fastened for the drying mode or the dehumidifying mode, and the number of sensors may be reduced to save the costs.

[0172] The device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to an embodiment may include a mounting portion for mounting the flow path switching unit in a main body accommodating a drum.

[0173] The device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to the embodiment may include the flow path switching unit which is detachably coupled to the mounting portion to provide the drying mode in which the drying material is dried at the first position and the dehumidifying mode in which the external air is dehumidified at the second position that is rotated by 180 from the first position so that the upper and lower surfaces are inverted.

[0174] The device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to the embodiment may include a first indicator unit provided on the flow path switching unit to indicate the first position.

[0175] The device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to the embodiment may include a second indicator unit provided on the flow path switching unit to indicate the second position.

[0176] The device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to the embodiment may include a first sensor provided on the mounting portion for sensing the first indicator unit.

[0177] The device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to the embodiment may include a second sensor provided on the mounting portion for sensing the second indicator unit.

[0178] According to the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer of the embodiment, the flow path switching unit may include a body portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, and the mounting portion includes an upper wall, a lower wall, and side walls respectively corresponding to the top surface, the bottom surface, and the first side surface, and the second side surface opposite to the first side surface so that the flow path switching unit may be attachably/detachably coupled therein.

[0179] In the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to the embodiment, when the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged at different positions on one surface of the mounting portion, the first indicator unit is arranged on one surface of the body portion, which faces the first sensor, and the second indicator unit is arranged on one opposite surface of the body portion, which faces the one surface of the body portion where the first indicator unit is arranged, and thus, at the first position, the first indicator unit faces the first sensor and at the second position, the second indicator unit may face the second sensor.

[0180] The first sensor and the second sensor are arranged at different positions on the upper wall of the mounting portion, and at the first position, the first indicator unit may face the first sensor and at the second position, the second indicator unit may face the second sensor.

[0181] The first sensor and the second sensor are arranged at different positions on the lower wall of the mounting portion, and at the first position, the first indicator unit may face the first sensor and at the second position, the second indicator unit may face the second sensor.

[0182] The first sensor and the second sensor are arranged at different positions on the side wall of the mounting portion, and at the first position, the first indicator unit may face the first sensor and at the second position, the second indicator unit may face the second sensor.

[0183] When the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged at different positions on the upper wall of the mounting portion, a virtual line connecting the first sensor to the second sensor may be arranged parallel to a left-right width direction of the body portion.

[0184] When the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged at different positions on the lower wall of the mounting portion, a virtual line connecting the first sensor to the second sensor may be arranged parallel to a left-right width direction of the body portion.

[0185] When the first sensor and the second sensor are arranged at different positions on the side wall of the mounting portion, a virtual line connecting the first sensor to the second sensor may be arranged parallel to a height direction of the body portion.

[0186] In the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to the embodiment, the first indicator unit and the second indicator unit may be arranged at different positions on one surface of the body portion.

[0187] When the first indicator unit and the second indicator unit are arranged at different positions on one surface of the body portion, the first sensor is arranged on one surface of the mounting portion, which faces the first indicator unit, and the second sensor is arranged on one opposite surface of the mounting portion, which faces the one surface of the mounting portion where the first sensor is arranged. Thus, at the first position, the first indicator unit may face the first sensor, and at the second position, the second indicator unit may face the second sensor.

[0188] The first indicator unit and the second indicator unit are arranged at different positions on the top surface of the body portion, and at the first position, the first indicator unit may face the first sensor and at the second position, the second indicator unit may face the second sensor.

[0189] The first indicator unit and the second indicator unit are arranged at different positions on the bottom surface of the body portion, and at the first position, the first indicator unit may face the first sensor and at the second position, the second indicator unit may face the second sensor.

[0190] The first indicator unit and the second indicator unit are arranged at different positions on the side surface of the body portion, and at the first position, the first indicator unit may face the first sensor and at the second position, the second indicator unit may face the second sensor.

[0191] When the first indicator unit and the second indicator unit are arranged at different positions on the top surface of the body portion, a virtual line connecting the first indicator unit to the second indicator unit may be arranged parallel to the left-right width direction of the body portion.

[0192] When the first indicator unit and the second indicator unit are arranged at different positions on the bottom surface of the body portion, a virtual line connecting the first indicator unit to the second indicator unit may be arranged parallel to the left-right width direction of the body portion.

[0193] When the first indicator unit and the second indicator unit are arranged at different positions on the side surface of the body portion, a virtual line connecting the first indicator unit to the second indicator unit may be arranged parallel to the height direction of the body portion.

[0194] According to the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer of the embodiment, the first indicator unit and the second indicator unit may include magnetic substances, and the first sensor and the second sensor may be sensors operated by the magnetic force due to the magnetic substances.

[0195] A device for sensing a flow path switching unit for a dryer according to an embodiment may include a mounting portion provided in a main body accommodating a drum, a flow path switching unit is attachably/detachably coupled to the mounting portion to provide a drying mode in which a drying material is dried at a first position and a dehumidifying mode in which the external air is dehumidified at a second position rotated by 180 from the first position so that positions of top and bottom surfaces are inverted, and an indicator unit provided on the flow path switching unit to identify the first position or the second position.

[0196] The indicator unit may be sensed by the first sensor provided on the mounting portion when the flow path switching unit is at the first position.

[0197] The indicator unit may be sensed by the second sensor provided on the mounting portion when the flow path switching unit is at the second position.

[0198] The indicator unit is arranged on the top surface of the body portion, the first sensor is arranged on one surface of the mounting portion, which faces the indicator unit, and the second sensor is arranged on one opposite surface of the mounting portion, which faces the one surface of the mounting portion where the first sensor is arranged. Thus, at the first position, the indicator unit may face the first sensor, and at the second position, the indicator unit may face the second sensor.

[0199] The indicator unit is arranged on the bottom surface of the body portion, the first sensor is arranged on one surface of the mounting portion, which faces the indicator unit, and the second sensor is arranged on one opposite surface of the mounting portion, which faces the one surface of the mounting portion where the first sensor is arranged. Thus, at the first position, the indicator unit may face the first sensor, and at the second position, the indicator unit may face the second sensor.

[0200] The indicator unit is arranged on the side surface of the body portion, the first sensor is arranged on one surface of the mounting portion, which faces the indicator unit, and the second sensor is arranged on one opposite surface of the mounting portion, which faces the one surface of the mounting portion where the first sensor is arranged. Thus, at the first position, the indicator unit may face the first sensor, and at the second position, the indicator unit may face the second sensor.

[0201] The indicator unit may include a magnetic substance, and the first sensor and the second sensor may be sensors operated by the magnetic force of the magnetic substance.

[0202] In the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer according to the embodiment, the flow path switching unit includes a body portion including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a first side surface, and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface so as to form the exterior, and the body portion includes a flow path guide which guides the air by partitioning the internal space, and provides a first flow path at the first position for drying the drying material and a second flow path at the second position for dehumidifying the external air. The flow path guide may extend from the front of one of the first side surface and the second side surface opposite to the first side surface to the back of the other of the opposite side surfaces.

[0203] Here, based on a state in which the body portion is at the first position, the body portion may include a first inlet formed in one side surface for introducing the air from the drum, and an outlet formed in the back of the body portion, and the first flow path may be formed so that the air may flow from the first inlet to the outlet.

[0204] Also, based on a state in which the body portion is at the second position, the body portion may include a second inlet formed in the other side surface for introducing the air from the drum, a partition wall protruding forward from the flow path guide to divide into a first region in which the external air is introduced and a second region to which the external air is discharged, and an opening portion provided to be open/closed in the flow path guide corresponding to the first region, wherein the second flow path may be formed so that the outside air introduced through the opening portion is introduced through the second inlet after passing through the drum and is discharged through the second region.

[0205] In addition, based on the state in which the body portion is at the first position, an opening and closing unit for opening/closing the front of the body portion is provided, and the opening and closing unit closes the front of the body portion at the first position and opens the front of the body portion at the second position to form the second flow path.

[0206] A dryer according to an embodiment may include the device for sensing the flow path switching unit for the dryer.

[0207] The dryer may include a controller executing the drying mode or dehumidifying mode by identifying the first position or the second position of the flow path switching unit for the dryer.

[0208] While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the description and also includes various modifications and improvements made by those of ordinary skill in the art using the concept of the present disclosure defined in the appended claims.