# US 12,111,071 B2 · Multifunctional storage system having separate cleaning flow passage > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,111,071 B2 - Document ID: US12111071B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/418,573 - Filed: 2019-12-11 - Published: 2022-08-04 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-12-27 - Assignees: Coway Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Coway Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Sung Hwan Heo; Jin Min Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111071B2 ## CPC - F24F 3/14: by humidification; by dehumidification - D06F 58/20: General details of domestic laundry dryers (D06F59/00 takes precedence) - D06F 58/22: Lint collecting arrangements - D06F 58/24: Condensing arrangements - D06F 58/26: Heating arrangements, e.g. gas heating equipment (D06F58/18 takes precedence) - D06F 58/30: Drying processes (controlling a series of operations in domestic laundry dryers D06F58/32) - F24F 7/007: with forced flow (using ducting systems F24F7/06) - F24F 8/10: by separation, e.g. by filtering - F24F 2003/144: {by dehumidification only} - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES ## Abstract A multifunctional storage system includes a storage chamber and a machine chamber provided on one side of the storage chamber and in fluid communication with the storage chamber. The system also includes a humidifier configured to generate naturally humidified air with a circulation filter unit; a dehumidifier configured to generate dried air with a heat pump module; a cleaning filter unit configured to purify exterior air; a first flow passage in which the humidifier band the dehumidifier are embedded and configured such that the naturally humidified or dried air flows therethrough; a second flow passage configured such that the exterior air filtered by the cleaning filter unit flows therethrough; and a fan unit configured to circulate air in one direction. The first and second flow passages form flow passages that are independently formed and separated from each other, and formed to be in communication with the fan unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multifunctional storage system including a storage chamber and a machine chamber provided on one side of the storage chamber and in fluid communication with the storage chamber, the multifunctional storage system comprising: a humidifier including a circulation filter unit and configured to generate naturally humidified air with the circulation filter unit; a dehumidifier including a heat pump module and configured to generate dried air with the heat pump module; a cleaning filter unit configured to purify exterior air; a first flow passage, in which the humidifier and the dehumidifier are embedded, configured such that the naturally humidified air or the dried air flows therethrough; a second flow passage configured such that the exterior air filtered by the cleaning filter unit flows therethrough; and a fan unit configured to circulate air, wherein the first flow passage and the second flow passage form flow passages that are independently formed and separated from each other, and are formed to be in communication with the fan unit, wherein the fan unit is in fluid communication with front ends of the first and second flow passages and provided with a passage-switching member to adjust fluid communication with the first and second flow passages, wherein the machine chamber is provided with an intake hole and an exhaust hole that communicate the exterior air with the machine chamber, wherein one side of the fan unit is in communication with the intake hole, an opposite side of the fan unit is in communication with the second flow passage, and the cleaning filter unit is provided on a side that is close to the intake hole, wherein the storage chamber comprises a circulation air inlet and a circulation air outlet that communicate the storage chamber with the machine chamber, and wherein the circulation air inlet is in communication with a rear end of the first flow passage, and the circulation air outlet is in communication with one side of the fan unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multifunctional storage system of claim 1, wherein the humidifier, the dehumidifier, the cleaning filter unit, the first flow passage, the second flow passage, and the fan unit are provided in the machine chamber, and wherein the fan unit is a blowing fan disposed on a front side of the machine chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The multifunctional storage system of claim 2, wherein, in an air cleaning mode of filtering the exterior air, the exterior air introduced from the intake hole is filtered by the fan unit while passing through the cleaning filter unit, flows through the second flow passage, and is discharged through the exhaust hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The multifunctional storage system of claim 3, further comprising: a door covering front sides of the machine chamber and the storage chamber, excluding the intake hole, wherein the door comprises: a controller; and an exhaust door configured to open and close the exhaust hole, and wherein the exhaust door is opened in the air cleaning mode, and is closed in a clothing managing mode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The multifunctional storage system of claim 2, wherein, in a clothing managing mode of alternately operating the humidifier and the dehumidifier, the naturally humidified air or the dried air is made to flow in a sequence of the first flow passage, the circulation air inlet, the storage chamber, and the circulation air outlet by the fan unit and is introduced into the fan unit again to circulate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The multifunctional storage system of claim 5, wherein, in the clothing managing mode, hot air is generated by the heat pump module of the dehumidifier, and the dried air, which is hot air, is discharged into the storage chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The multifunctional storage system of claim 2, wherein the machine chamber is provided with: a supply vessel; and a condensation vessel, wherein the circulation filter unit located in the first flow passage is supplied with moisture from the supply vessel provided on an outer side of the first flow passage, and wherein condensed water generated from the circulating air in the storage chamber and the first flow passage is stored in the condensation vessel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The multifunctional storage system of claim 2, wherein a first flow passage communication hole and a second flow passage communication hole are formed in the fan unit, and the passage-switching member is configured to be slid along an inner surface of a casing of the fan unit, wherein the fan unit and the second flow passage are in communication with each other when the passage-switching member is slid to a first location, at which the first flow passage communication hole is closed, and wherein the fan unit and the first flow passage are in communication with each other when the passage-switching member is slid to a second location, at which the second flow passage communication hole is closed. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The multifunctional storage system of claim 8, wherein the passage-switching member is slid to a third location, at which both the first and second passage communication holes are open, and wherein the fan unit is in communication with both the first and second flow passages at the third location to perform a clothing managing mode and an air cleaning mode at the same time.