DE112006000057T5 - Steam generator with a pressure sensor for a drum washing machine and associated control method - Google Patents

Abstract

Steam generator of a drum washing machine, with:
a housing that receives water;
a heater that generates steam by heating the water received in the housing; and
a pressure sensor that detects the internal pressure in the housing.

Description

technical area

The This invention relates to a drum type washing machine, and more particularly They use a steam generator of a drum washing machine, the one over Pressure sensor for controlling the internal pressure of the steam generator features, to prevent the steam generator due to excessive vapor pressure or water pressure is damaged.

Wallpaper end technology

Washing machines Generally, they are mainly used in pulsating washing machines and drum washing machines assigned. A pulsating washing machine washes laundry using a generated between a water flow and the laundry by rotating a pulsation device Frictional force, and a drum washing machine washes laundry using a falling down as well as a frictional force.

In younger Time is falling on that drum washing machines supplied using steam become.

The 1 FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing a drum washing machine according to a related art. FIG.

According to the 1 has a drum washing machine according to a related art via a housing forming its exterior 10 ; a vertical in the housing 10 suspended, cylindrical tub 20 for picking up washing water; one rotatable in the tub 20 mounted drum 30 ; and a drive motor (not shown) axially with the drum 30 connected to power them.

In addition, in the drum washing machine according to the related art in the 1 a steam generator 50 present to steam in the interior of the drum 30 to deliver.

At the front of the case 10 is in connection with the interior of the drum 30 a laundry inlet opening 13 for filling and removal of laundry available. Also is a door 11 for opening and closing the laundry inlet opening 13 available. Ie, that's the door 11 at its hinge to the front of the drum washing machine rotates.

Also are a water supply valve 15 and a water supply hose 25 on one side of the drum washing machine, and they are connected to an external water pipe (not shown) for washing water to the tub 20 to deliver.

The steam generator 50 is with the water supply hose 25 connected. When washing water to the steam generator 50 when it is supplied, it heats the same and then delivers the heated washing water to the drum 30 ,

Also is on one side of the steam generator 50 a steam supply line 53 present as a channel for guiding and feeding in the steam generator 50 generated steam in the interior of the drum 30 serves.

Preferably, one end of the steam supply line 53 with a nozzle for uniform injection of the steam into the interior of the drum 30 Mistake. Preferably, the end of the steam supply line is located 53 for discharging the steam to the inside of the drum 30 free.

With reference to the 2 and 3 now becomes the structure of the steam generator 50 explained in detail.

As it is in the 2 is shown, the steam generator has 50 via a lower housing 81 for determining its exterior and a space for receiving the washing water; an upper case 82 that with the top of the lower case 81 connected is; and a heater 55 for heating in the steam generator 50 housed washing water.

Furthermore, an inlet 82a on one side of the upper housing 82 present, for the admission of washing water into the steam generator 50 serves and with the water supply valve 15 connected is. Also, on the other side of the upper case 82 an outlet 82b present, with the steam supply line 53 connected to the generated steam to the drum 30 to deliver.

According to the 3 is the heater 55 at the bottom of the lower case 81 available. When water to the steam generator 50 is delivered, is the heater 55 completely immersed in the water to heat it directly.

Also are a water level sensor 60 and a temperature sensor 57 on one side of the upper housing 82 present, with the water level sensor 60 the state of the upper case 82 recorded recorded water and the temperature sensor 57 the temperature of the water as well as that of the heater 55 heated steam detected.

The water level sensor 60 records the level of the steam generator 50 recorded Water to maintain the appropriate amount of water in it.

That is, when the water level in the steam generator is lower than a preset value, the water supply valve 15 is opened to replenish the water. If, however, the water level in the steam generator 50 higher than the preset value becomes the water supply valve 15 closed to stop the water supply, and the heater 55 is operated to generate steam.

The water level sensor 60 is with a receiving housing 61 as well as electrodes 62 . 63 and 64 Mistake. The receiving housing 61 determines the exterior of the water level sensor 60 and it also attaches it to the steam generator 50 , Each of the electrodes 62 . 63 and 64 is in a lower part of the receiving housing 61 present to the water level in the steam generator 50 capture.

However, unexplained reference numbers correspond 52a and 52b a section for connecting the water level 25 with the steam supply line 53 ,

however shows the drum washing machine according to the relevant art the following problems.

Even though the outlet of the drum washing machine is clogged by foreign substances can be, the heater of the steam generator stops its operation not to generate steam. Accordingly, the internal pressure increases due to excessively generated vapor on, whereby the steam generator can be destroyed. Also, the overly generated steam lick.

epiphany the invention

technical problem

It It is an object of the invention to provide a steam generator of a drum type washing machine to provide a pressure sensor for controlling the internal pressure contains in it to prevent the steam generator due to excessive vapor pressure or water pressure damaged becomes.

Technical solution

Around to accomplish these tasks and other benefits, and according to the purpose of the invention as realized and comprehensively described herein, has a steam generator of a drum washing machine via a housing that receives water; one Heater by heating in the case absorbed water generates steam; and a pressure sensor, the the internal pressure in the housing detected.

there the pressure sensor is electrically connected to the heater.

Also has the housing via a steam filling part, which is filled with the steam generated by the heater. The steam filling part stands upwards from an upper side of the housing.

Also the pressure sensor is present in the steam filling part.

According to one Another aspect of the invention involves a method for detecting a pressure inside a steam generator of a drum washing machine The following: presetting a predetermined pressure value; Deliver of water in the interior of the steam generator; Heating the water supplied to the steam generator; Detecting the internal pressure in the steam generator during heating of the supplied water; and comparing the detected pressure with the preset predetermined value Value.

It also includes the method stopping the operation of the heater when the detected pressure higher than is the previously set predetermined value.

advantageous effects

Of the Steam generator of a drum washing machine according to the invention has a Internal pressure controlling pressure sensor. If the heater is the water further heated, while the supply line of the steam generator is clogged by foreign substances increases the internal pressure. The pressure sensor detects the internal pressure of the steam generator, and he controls the operation of the heater by the microcomputer, thereby preventing the internal pressure of the steam generator from becoming excessively high becomes.

Short description the drawings

The attached Drawings that are included for further understanding of the Illustrate embodiments of the same, and. they serve together with the description to the principle of To explain invention.

In The drawings show the following.

1 FIG. 15 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a drum washing machine according to the related art. FIG.

2 FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a steam generator of a drum washing machine according to the related art. FIG.

3 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of a in the 2 shown steam generator.

4 FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a steam generator according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG.

5 FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of a steam generator according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG.

6 Figure 11 is a block diagram illustrating a connection of components inside a steam generator according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

7 FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a method of controlling a heater of a steam generator according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG.

Best kind to run the invention

Now is detailed on the preferred embodiments of the invention Reference is made to those illustrated in the accompanying drawings are. Wherever possible is the same reference numbers are used in all drawings, the same or similar To identify parts.

The 4 FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a steam generator according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG.

According to the 4 has a steam generator 50 a drum washing machine according to the preferred embodiment of the inven tion via a housing 80 from a lower and an upper housing 81 and 82 that are interconnected.

The housing 80 is with a water level sensor 60 a heater 55 and a pressure sensor 100 Mistake. The water level sensor detects this 60 the state of the steam generator 50 absorbed water. The heater 55 heats that to the case 80 supplied water. Then the pressure sensor detects 100 the pressure inside the case 80 ,

As it is in the 4 is shown in the upper part of the housing 80 a steam filling part 88 with protruding structure available.

The steam filling part 88 is not filled with water but with steam, as the water level sensor 60 recorded the water level. Accordingly, it is preferable to use the pressure sensor 100 at the steam filling part 88 to install.

Also is at the top of the case 80 a temperature sensor 57 present to the temperature of the inside of the steam generator 50 to capture the supplied water.

In this case, the pressure sensor is 100 preferably in connection with the interior of the housing 80 present to detect the internal pressure in this.

Also features the case 80 via a with a water supply hose ( 25 in the 1 ) connected water supply line 52a and one with a steam supply line ( 53 in the 1 ) connected supply line 52b ,

The pressure sensor 100 is electric with the heater 55 connected. Although not shown, the drum type washing machine according to the invention has a microcomputer 200 to control the heater 55 , this microcomputer 200 electrically with the pressure sensor 100 and the heater 55 connected is.

One A method of controlling the steam generator according to the preferred embodiment The invention will be explained as follows.

According to the 5 when washing water passes through the water supply hose ( 25 in the 1 ) to the steam generator 50 is delivered, the heater 55 operated to heat the wash water. As a result, steam is generated and the generated steam is passed through the steam supply line (FIG. 53 in the 1 ) in the interior of the drum 30 directed. Then a wash stroke is performed.

Because the electrodes ( 62 . 63 and 64 in the 3 ) of the water level sensor 60 completely in the steam generator 50 immersed washing water are immersed, and since an electric current is supplied to them, the water level sensor detects 60 the water level.

When the supply line 52b of the steam generator 50 in connection with the steam supply line 53 is clogged with foreign substances and the heater 55 the supplied water is further heated, the internal pressure in the steam generator 50 overly high.

To prevent the internal pressure in the steam generator 50 becomes excessively high, is the pressure sensor 100 present in its interior to measure the pressure in its interior. When the pressure sensor 100 electrically with the microcomputer 200 is connected, it sends electrical signals to this. That is, if that by the pressure sensor 100 detected pressure is higher than a preset pressure, the microcomputer 200 the operation of the heater 55 by controlling it stops.

Accordingly, it is possible, the temperature of the water supplied to the interior of the steam generator to lower and stop the generation of steam, thereby increasing prevent the steam generator from being damaged.

Of the One skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications are made to the invention and variations can be made without departing from the basic idea or scope of the invention. So should the invention cover the modifications and variations of their self, provided that they are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents fall.

industrial applicability

Of the Steam generator of a drum washing machine according to the invention has a pressure sensor, which controls the internal pressure. If the heater continues the water heated while the feed of the pressure sensor is clogged by foreign substances, the increases Internal pressure on. The pressure sensor detects the internal pressure in the steam generator, and he controls the operation of the heater by the microcomputer, thereby preventing the internal pressure of the steam generator from becoming excessively high becomes.

Summary:

It a steam generator of a drum washing machine is disclosed which has a Pressure sensor to control the internal pressure in it has an excessively high In order to prevent vapor pressure or water pressure in its interior this steam generator over a water-absorbing housing, a heater, by heating in the case Water generated steam generated, and a pressure sensor that has the internal pressure in the housing detected.

Claims (7)

Steam generator of a drum washing machine, with: one Casing, absorbs the water; a stoker, the steam by heating the in the case absorbed water produced; and a pressure sensor that the Internal pressure detected in the housing. Steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor electrically connected to the heater. Steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the housing via a Dampffüllteil features, which is filled with the steam generated by the heater. Steam generator according to claim 3, wherein the steam filling part after above from a top of the housing protrudes. Steam generator according to claim 4, wherein the pressure sensor in the steam filling section is available. Method for detecting the pressure inside a Steam generator of a drum washing machine comprising: advance successively setting a predetermined pressure value; Deliver of water in the interior of the steam generator; Heating the water supplied to the steam generator; Detecting the pressure in the interior of the steam generator when heating the supplied water; and Compare the detected pressure with the previously set, predetermined value. The method of claim 6, further comprising: To stop the operation of the heater when the detected pressure is higher than is the previously set, predetermined pressure.