EP2325381A1 - Steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, and laundry care appliance - Google Patents
Steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, and laundry care appliance Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2325381A1 EP2325381A1 EP09176428A EP09176428A EP2325381A1 EP 2325381 A1 EP2325381 A1 EP 2325381A1 EP 09176428 A EP09176428 A EP 09176428A EP 09176428 A EP09176428 A EP 09176428A EP 2325381 A1 EP2325381 A1 EP 2325381A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tank
- steam generator
- valve
- liquid
- steam
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 50
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 17
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005485 electric heating Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000010813 municipal solid waste Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 235000019738 Limestone Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 235000000396 iron Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000006028 limestone Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010409 ironing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000014676 Phragmites communis Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000012190 activator Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000036039 immunity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010755 mineral Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002304 perfume Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013020 steam cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037303 wrinkles Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F75/00—Hand irons
- D06F75/08—Hand irons internally heated by electricity
- D06F75/10—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed
- D06F75/12—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed the steam being produced from water supplied to the iron from an external source
-
- D06F39/40—
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/50—Control of washer-dryers characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/52—Control of the operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
- D06F33/65—Control of the operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry of conditioning or finishing phases, e.g. for smoothing or removing creases
Definitions
- the invention relates to a steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, particularly a refresher dryer, the steam generator comprising a heated tank having an inlet for filling the tank with liquid, a heater for heating the liquid, and a steam outlet.
- the invention further relates to a laundry care appliance comprising such steam generator.
- EP 0 821 096 B1 discloses a steam generator for clothes irons and the like, comprising: a water tank; a boiler; a water supply pipe which connects the tank to the boiler and which has inserted inside it a delivery pump and a non-return valve; electric heating means associated on the outside of the boiler and comprising at least one heating plate associated in a close-fitting manner with a bottom of the boiler; and a thermostatic switch for actuating said pump.
- said boiler has an opening for connection to the water supply pipe; a steam delivery pipe which connects the boiler to the user apparatus and which has inserted inside it a controllable steam valve; wherein said bottom of the boiler has at least two portions including a lower portion and an upper portion, both arranged at different heights and both heated by the said heating plate. Said thermostatic switch and said opening of the boiler are arranged in the region of said upper portion.
- the boiler has a discharge plug arranged in the vicinity of the lower portion for removal therefrom of the scale which inevitably forms inside it with time.
- EP 1 026 306 B1 discloses an automatic-refill steam generator for use in conjunction with steam cleaning equipment, clothes irons, fan-assisted ironing boards with refill function, coffee brewing machines and similar, provided with at least an electric heating element attached to the outside of the steam generator and equipped with a control thermostat, said steam generator being connected on one side to a water reservoir via a pump and at least a pipe, and being further connected on the other side to the steam using apparatus via a pipe provided with an electromagnetic valve and a pressure switch, said steam generator being constituted by a hollow body formed by a first and a second half-shell, and wherein said first and second half-shells are joined to each other along the peripheral edge thereof according to a substantially vertical plane, said electric heating element being externally attached to a lateral face of said first half-shell, said hollow body being provided with a water inlet aperture situated in a lateral face of said second half-shell opposing the lateral face of said first half-shell carrying said electric heating element, such that a water jet let into the steam generator through
- a steam generator for a large laundry care appliance like a clothes dryer typically does not comprise a discharge plug or bottom drain but comprises a "trash area" that provides capacity sufficient to store all the scale formed during a presumed lifetime of the steam generator or appliance.
- Such steam generator needs to become relatively bulky since scale formation as expectable from very calciferous water and a heavy use of the clothes dryer during a presumed lifetime must be anticipated.
- a steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, comprising a heated tank, the heated tank at least comprising: an inlet for filling the tank with liquid; a heater for heating the liquid (to produce steam from the liquid); a steam outlet; and a controllable drain for draining the liquid from the tank wherein an opening and closing of the drain is controllable by a valve.
- the scale By using a drain, the scale can be flushed out of the tank. Thus, there is no need to provide a trash area anymore and the steam generator can be of a very compact design.
- the valve By providing the valve to be controllable, it can be operated automatically without direct user interference which makes its use practicable. Further, the controllable valve can provide additional safety measures.
- the laundry care appliance considered is a refresher dryer, which is a laundry dryer that is equipped for treating laundry placed therein with steam in addition to drying laundry.
- a treatment with steam may be applied to remove wrinkles or undesirable odours from clothes
- a treatment with steam may include adding perfumes or fabric treating agents to clothes thus treated.
- the liquid is water or mostly water, in particular condensate water obtained from a drying process applied within a laundry care appliance.
- the steam outlet may lead to a clothes processing room of a related laundry care appliance, e.g. a clothes drum, to apply steam to clothes placed therein for treatment.
- a clothes processing room of a related laundry care appliance e.g. a clothes drum
- valve is freely controllable or operable, i.e. the valve can be operated (opened/closed) at any point of time, e.g. depending on a program of the laundry care appliance.
- the valve is controllable by a level of the liquid (e.g. a water level) in the heated tank.
- a level of the liquid e.g. a water level
- the valve will open if the liquid level reaches or exceeds a certain threshold level within the tank.
- the valve can thus act as an overflow protection means.
- the valve comprises a mechanical spring-and-float mechanism.
- the float can force open a mechanically operable valve via the spring if the float reaches a certain height associated with the liquid level.
- the tank is equipped with a liquid level sensor that will detect if the liquid level reaches or exceeds a certain threshold level within the tank.
- the liquid level sensor can be communicatively coupled to a control unit of the refresher dryer.
- the control unit can operate (in particular open) the valve in response to the liquid level sensor detecting that the liquid level has reached or exceeded the threshold level.
- the valve is selected to be a pressure-relief valve.
- the valve is opened if a pressure value within the tank reaches or exceeds a certain pressure threshold value within the tank.
- the drain is located at a bottom of the tank. This ensures removal of most of the scale through the drain.
- the heater is placed inside the tank. This achieves an effective heat exchange between the heater and the liquid to be heated.
- Removal is further improved if the bottom is inclined towards the drain in even another embodiment.
- a laundry care appliance comprising the steam generator, wherein the valve is connected for operation or communicatively coupled to a control unit of the appliance.
- the drain can be connected to a fluid outlet to transport the scale out of the appliance.
- Fig.1 shows a steam generator 1 for use in a laundry care applianceD1 embodied as a refresher dryer D1, wherein the steam generator 1 comprises a heated tank 2 for storing liquid L to be heated.
- the tank 2 consists of two "half" shells, namely a lower shell 2a and an upper shell 2b.
- the upper shell 2b acts as a lid for the lower shell 2a and comprises a fluid inlet 3 and a steam outlet 4.
- Attached to the upper shell 2b is a heating element 5 that projects into the tank 2. Terminals 6 to connect the heating element 5 to a current source lead through the upper shell 2b.
- the lower shell 2a and the upper shell 2b are connected in a leak-proof manner.
- At a bottom 7 of the tank 2 and the lower shell 2a is a drain for draining the liquid L from the tank 2.
- the flow cross-section of the drain 8 is controllable by a valve 9.
- the liquid L for example condensate water
- the heating element 5 may be activated by sending a current through it via the terminals 6.
- the liquid L heats up and produces steam S.
- the steam S may be pure steam or a mixture of steam and small water droplets.
- the steam S can leave the tank 2 via the steam outlet 4.
- the steam S can be transported to a clothes processing area, e.g. a clothes drum.
- the heating of the liquid L produces a certain quantity of scale, mostly limestone.
- This scale is heavier than the liquid L and settles on the bottom 7 of the tank 2.
- the scale would be gathered in a 'trash area' for the lifetime of the steam generator 1 or the refresher dryer D1.
- the steam generator 1 makes it possible to remove the scale by opening the valve 9 and with it the drain 8 so that the scale is flushed out together with the liquid L.
- the use of the drain 8 to remove the scale gives the advantage that there is no need to provide the bulky trash area so that a very compact steam generator 1 can be achieved.
- turbulences within the liquid during heating may stir up the scale which then might be transported outside the steam generator by attaching to the steam and which may get into a pipe system (or any other steam channel) leading to a clothes processing area and even onto the clothes.
- a regular drainage of the scale according to the present steam generator 1 this may be prevented.
- the scale may be flushed out at the end of a steam generating cycle.
- operation of the refresher dryer D1 will include drying of clothes and collecting water extracted from the clothes in the form of condensate for later disposal.
- Disposal of the scale flushed out of the steam generator 1 may be done in a preferred manner by concurrent disposal with such condensate, in particular by mixing the scale into the condensate or by providing a separate container for the scale which may be emptied concurrently with a container containing the condensate.
- the bottom 7 of the tank is inclined towards the drain 8.
- the valve 9 is generally not restricted to any kind of opening/closing mechanism and may constitute a general drain activator that is adapted to open and close the drain 8 by opening and closing the associated flow cross-section.
- the valve 9 may be a mechanical and/or electrical valve 9, for example.
- the valve may be operated by a mechanical means and/or an electromechanical driver.
- the valves 9 may be operated by a mechanical spring-and-float mechanism, an electromechanically operated valve, a pressure driven slider, a flap etc.
- the valve 9 may be a freely controllable valve, i.e. a valve that can be operated (opened/closed) at any given time, for example controlled by an external control unit C of the refresher dryer D1.
- This control unit C may activate the valve 9 according to a certain drying/refreshing program and/or a predetermined maintenance program.
- the valve 9 may be operated with reaching or exceeding a certain liquid level of the liquid L within the tank 2. In this case, if the liquid level reaches a predetermined threshold level, the valve 9 opens. The valve 9 therefore will act as an overflow protection means to prevent liquid L to flow through the steam outlet 4.
- the correlation between reaching the fluid level and the opening of the drain 8 and valve 9, respectively, may be achieved by a fluid level sensor (not shown) that is connected to the control unit of the refresher dryer D1 which in turn activates the valve 9.
- the sensor may be a Reed sensor.
- valve 9 may be a mechanically controllable valve that is mechanically connected to a float (not shown), for example by a spring (not shown). If the float rises with the liquid level, so does the force acting upon the valve 9 via the spring. If this force reaches or exceeds a certain predetermined threshold value, the valve 9 opens.
- the valve 9 may also act as a pressure-relief valve such that, if the pressure within the tank 2 exceeds a certain threshold value, the valve 9 opens. This may be the case if the steam outlet 4 or part of the following pipe system (or any other steam channel) and/or a steam opening into the clothes processing area is blocked. This opening of the valve 9 may be achieved by the pressure forcing open the valve 9 and/or by using a pressure sensor (not shown) that is connected to the control unit such that the control unit may open the valve 9, if the pressure level reaches or exceeds the predetermined pressure threshold value.
- the liquid L going through the drain 8 may flow through a fluid outlet 10 of the refresher dryer D1.
- Fig.2 shows a refresher dryer D2 comprising a steam generator 11 according to a second embodiment.
- the tank 12 is now made out of one piece that comprises a window 13 in one of its sides.
- the window 13 is filled and closed by a heating element 14 which comprises a heating plate 15 and a heating coil 16.
- the heating plate 15 constitutes a part of a side wall of the tank 12 and contact the liquid L for good heat transfer.
- the heating coil 16 is placed outside the tank 12.
- liquid inlet 3 is still at the top of the tank 12 while the steam outlet 4 is positioned sideways.
- the heating coil 16 heats up the heating plate 15 which in turn heats up the liquid L to generate the steam S.
- the steam generator 11 has the advantage that the heating element 14 can be manufactured and tested separately of the tank 12. Also, no leakage can occur anymore between two or more shells of the tank.
- drain 8 and its associated valve 9 is the same as with the steam generator 1 according to the first embodiment.
- the steam generator as described and shown has a very high immunity to the presence of scale formed from limestone and other impurities. Scale formation is flushed out of the tank together with liquid.
- the valve also provides additional operational safety against overpressure and/or overflow.
- the heat generator can be designed to be very compact and may thus be placed flexibly within the laundry care appliance, e.g. fixed to a bearing shield.
- the steam generator 1, 11 may comprise further elements like a temperature sensor to control a temperature of the liquid and/or steam and to prevent overheating.
Abstract
The steam generator 11 is intended and adapted for use in a laundry care appliance D1, D2 and comprises a heated tank 12. The tank 12 at least comprises: an inlet 3 for filling the tank 12 with liquid L; a heater 14 for heating the liquid L; a steam outlet 4; and a controllable drain 8 for draining the liquid L from the tank 12 wherein an opening and closing of the drain 8 is controllable by a valve 9. The laundry care appliance D1, D2 according to the invention comprises such steam generator 11, wherein the valve 9 is connected for operation to a control unit C of the laundry care appliance D1, D2.
Description
- The invention relates to a steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, particularly a refresher dryer, the steam generator comprising a heated tank having an inlet for filling the tank with liquid, a heater for heating the liquid, and a steam outlet. The invention further relates to a laundry care appliance comprising such steam generator.
- In such steam generator there is a need to cope with scale (mostly limestone) formed from mineral residuals dissolved in the water used for generating steam and accumulating in the tank of the steam generator itself as the water is converted into steam.
-
EP 0 821 096 B1 discloses a steam generator for clothes irons and the like, comprising: a water tank; a boiler; a water supply pipe which connects the tank to the boiler and which has inserted inside it a delivery pump and a non-return valve; electric heating means associated on the outside of the boiler and comprising at least one heating plate associated in a close-fitting manner with a bottom of the boiler; and a thermostatic switch for actuating said pump. Further, said boiler has an opening for connection to the water supply pipe; a steam delivery pipe which connects the boiler to the user apparatus and which has inserted inside it a controllable steam valve; wherein said bottom of the boiler has at least two portions including a lower portion and an upper portion, both arranged at different heights and both heated by the said heating plate. Said thermostatic switch and said opening of the boiler are arranged in the region of said upper portion. The boiler has a discharge plug arranged in the vicinity of the lower portion for removal therefrom of the scale which inevitably forms inside it with time. -
EP 1 026 306 B1 discloses an automatic-refill steam generator for use in conjunction with steam cleaning equipment, clothes irons, fan-assisted ironing boards with refill function, coffee brewing machines and similar, provided with at least an electric heating element attached to the outside of the steam generator and equipped with a control thermostat, said steam generator being connected on one side to a water reservoir via a pump and at least a pipe, and being further connected on the other side to the steam using apparatus via a pipe provided with an electromagnetic valve and a pressure switch, said steam generator being constituted by a hollow body formed by a first and a second half-shell, and wherein said first and second half-shells are joined to each other along the peripheral edge thereof according to a substantially vertical plane, said electric heating element being externally attached to a lateral face of said first half-shell, said hollow body being provided with a water inlet aperture situated in a lateral face of said second half-shell opposing the lateral face of said first half-shell carrying said electric heating element, such that a water jet let into the steam generator through said aperture is directed against said first half-shell carrying said heating element. The reservoir is provided with a water fill aperture, which is closed by a cap, and the hollow body is provided with a bottom drain that is closed by a cap. This drain can on the other hand be also arranged in the upper portion of the body. - These steam generators have the disadvantage that the discharge plug or bottom drain is only useful for transportable appliances like irons, ironing boards and the like that may be drained manually over a sink or such.
- Therefore, a steam generator for a large laundry care appliance like a clothes dryer typically does not comprise a discharge plug or bottom drain but comprises a "trash area" that provides capacity sufficient to store all the scale formed during a presumed lifetime of the steam generator or appliance. Such steam generator, however, needs to become relatively bulky since scale formation as expectable from very calciferous water and a heavy use of the clothes dryer during a presumed lifetime must be anticipated.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance that overcomes the disadvantages of the art and in particular provides a compact steam generator that is not inhibited by accumulated scale residue.
- The object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments can be derived, inter alia, from the dependent claims and/or the subsequent description.
- According to the invention, this object is achieved by a steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, comprising a heated tank, the heated tank at least comprising: an inlet for filling the tank with liquid; a heater for heating the liquid (to produce steam from the liquid); a steam outlet; and a controllable drain for draining the liquid from the tank wherein an opening and closing of the drain is controllable by a valve.
- By using a drain, the scale can be flushed out of the tank. Thus, there is no need to provide a trash area anymore and the steam generator can be of a very compact design. By providing the valve to be controllable, it can be operated automatically without direct user interference which makes its use practicable. Further, the controllable valve can provide additional safety measures.
- Preferably, the laundry care appliance considered is a refresher dryer, which is a laundry dryer that is equipped for treating laundry placed therein with steam in addition to drying laundry. Such treatment with steam may be applied to remove wrinkles or undesirable odours from clothes In addition, a treatment with steam may include adding perfumes or fabric treating agents to clothes thus treated.
- Preferably the liquid is water or mostly water, in particular condensate water obtained from a drying process applied within a laundry care appliance.
- The steam outlet may lead to a clothes processing room of a related laundry care appliance, e.g. a clothes drum, to apply steam to clothes placed therein for treatment.
- It is a preferred embodiment of the invention hat the valve is freely controllable or operable, i.e. the valve can be operated (opened/closed) at any point of time, e.g. depending on a program of the laundry care appliance.
- It is another preferred embodiment of the invention that the valve is controllable by a level of the liquid (e.g. a water level) in the heated tank. In other words the valve will open if the liquid level reaches or exceeds a certain threshold level within the tank. The valve can thus act as an overflow protection means.
- It is a special preferred embodiment of the invention that the valve comprises a mechanical spring-and-float mechanism. The float can force open a mechanically operable valve via the spring if the float reaches a certain height associated with the liquid level.
- In an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, the tank is equipped with a liquid level sensor that will detect if the liquid level reaches or exceeds a certain threshold level within the tank. The liquid level sensor can be communicatively coupled to a control unit of the refresher dryer. The control unit can operate (in particular open) the valve in response to the liquid level sensor detecting that the liquid level has reached or exceeded the threshold level.
- It is yet another preferred embodiment of the invention that the valve is selected to be a pressure-relief valve. In this case the valve is opened if a pressure value within the tank reaches or exceeds a certain pressure threshold value within the tank.
- It is even another preferred embodiment of the invention that the drain is located at a bottom of the tank. This ensures removal of most of the scale through the drain.
- It is also a preferred embodiment of the invention that the heater is placed inside the tank. This achieves an effective heat exchange between the heater and the liquid to be heated.
- It is an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the heater is placed outside the tank. This has the advantage that scaling of the heater is avoided.
- Removal is further improved if the bottom is inclined towards the drain in even another embodiment.
- The object is also achieved by a laundry care appliance comprising the steam generator, wherein the valve is connected for operation or communicatively coupled to a control unit of the appliance.
- The drain can be connected to a fluid outlet to transport the scale out of the appliance.
- In the following drawings embodiments of the invention are schematically described in greater detail. Equal or functionally equivalent elements may be denoted by same reference numerals.
- Fig.1
- shows a steam generator according to a first embodiment; and
- Fig.2
- shows a steam generator according to a second embodiment.
-
Fig.1 shows asteam generator 1 for use in a laundry care applianceD1 embodied as a refresher dryer D1, wherein thesteam generator 1 comprises a heatedtank 2 for storing liquid L to be heated. Thetank 2 consists of two "half" shells, namely alower shell 2a and anupper shell 2b. Theupper shell 2b acts as a lid for thelower shell 2a and comprises afluid inlet 3 and asteam outlet 4. Attached to theupper shell 2b is aheating element 5 that projects into thetank 2.Terminals 6 to connect theheating element 5 to a current source lead through theupper shell 2b. Thelower shell 2a and theupper shell 2b are connected in a leak-proof manner. At abottom 7 of thetank 2 and thelower shell 2a is a drain for draining the liquid L from thetank 2. The flow cross-section of thedrain 8 is controllable by avalve 9. - During operation of the
steam generator 1, firstly the liquid L, for example condensate water, is filled into thetank 2 through thefluid inlet 3. Thevalve 9 is closed so that thedrain 8 is closed, too. Thus, the liquid L will rise within thetank 2. After having reached a sufficient liquid level (which can be detected by a respective liquid level sensor, for example), theheating element 5 may be activated by sending a current through it via theterminals 6. In effect, the liquid L heats up and produces steam S. The steam S may be pure steam or a mixture of steam and small water droplets. The steam S can leave thetank 2 via thesteam outlet 4. The steam S can be transported to a clothes processing area, e.g. a clothes drum. - The heating of the liquid L produces a certain quantity of scale, mostly limestone. This scale is heavier than the liquid L and settles on the
bottom 7 of thetank 2. In a conventional steam generator, the scale would be gathered in a 'trash area' for the lifetime of thesteam generator 1 or the refresher dryer D1. In contrast to that, thesteam generator 1 makes it possible to remove the scale by opening thevalve 9 and with it thedrain 8 so that the scale is flushed out together with the liquid L. The use of thedrain 8 to remove the scale gives the advantage that there is no need to provide the bulky trash area so that a verycompact steam generator 1 can be achieved. Also, with the known steam generators, turbulences within the liquid during heating may stir up the scale which then might be transported outside the steam generator by attaching to the steam and which may get into a pipe system (or any other steam channel) leading to a clothes processing area and even onto the clothes. By a regular drainage of the scale according to thepresent steam generator 1, this may be prevented. For example, the scale may be flushed out at the end of a steam generating cycle. In the present case, operation of the refresher dryer D1 will include drying of clothes and collecting water extracted from the clothes in the form of condensate for later disposal. Disposal of the scale flushed out of thesteam generator 1 may be done in a preferred manner by concurrent disposal with such condensate, in particular by mixing the scale into the condensate or by providing a separate container for the scale which may be emptied concurrently with a container containing the condensate. - To support a through removal of the scale from the
tank 2, thebottom 7 of the tank is inclined towards thedrain 8. - The
valve 9 is generally not restricted to any kind of opening/closing mechanism and may constitute a general drain activator that is adapted to open and close thedrain 8 by opening and closing the associated flow cross-section. Thevalve 9 may be a mechanical and/orelectrical valve 9, for example. In particular, the valve may be operated by a mechanical means and/or an electromechanical driver. As some of the possible examples, thevalves 9 may be operated by a mechanical spring-and-float mechanism, an electromechanically operated valve, a pressure driven slider, a flap etc. - In one variation, the
valve 9 may be a freely controllable valve, i.e. a valve that can be operated (opened/closed) at any given time, for example controlled by an external control unit C of the refresher dryer D1. This control unit C may activate thevalve 9 according to a certain drying/refreshing program and/or a predetermined maintenance program. - Alternatively or additionally, the
valve 9 may be operated with reaching or exceeding a certain liquid level of the liquid L within thetank 2. In this case, if the liquid level reaches a predetermined threshold level, thevalve 9 opens. Thevalve 9 therefore will act as an overflow protection means to prevent liquid L to flow through thesteam outlet 4. The correlation between reaching the fluid level and the opening of thedrain 8 andvalve 9, respectively, may be achieved by a fluid level sensor (not shown) that is connected to the control unit of the refresher dryer D1 which in turn activates thevalve 9. The sensor may be a Reed sensor. - Alternatively, the
valve 9 may be a mechanically controllable valve that is mechanically connected to a float (not shown), for example by a spring (not shown). If the float rises with the liquid level, so does the force acting upon thevalve 9 via the spring. If this force reaches or exceeds a certain predetermined threshold value, thevalve 9 opens. - The
valve 9 may also act as a pressure-relief valve such that, if the pressure within thetank 2 exceeds a certain threshold value, thevalve 9 opens. This may be the case if thesteam outlet 4 or part of the following pipe system (or any other steam channel) and/or a steam opening into the clothes processing area is blocked. This opening of thevalve 9 may be achieved by the pressure forcing open thevalve 9 and/or by using a pressure sensor (not shown) that is connected to the control unit such that the control unit may open thevalve 9, if the pressure level reaches or exceeds the predetermined pressure threshold value. - The liquid L going through the
drain 8 may flow through afluid outlet 10 of the refresher dryer D1. -
Fig.2 shows a refresher dryer D2 comprising asteam generator 11 according to a second embodiment. - In contrast to the
steam generator 1 according to the first embodiment, thetank 12 is now made out of one piece that comprises awindow 13 in one of its sides. Thewindow 13 is filled and closed by a heating element 14 which comprises aheating plate 15 and aheating coil 16. Theheating plate 15 constitutes a part of a side wall of thetank 12 and contact the liquid L for good heat transfer. Theheating coil 16 is placed outside thetank 12. - Also, the
liquid inlet 3 is still at the top of thetank 12 while thesteam outlet 4 is positioned sideways. - During operation of the
steam generator 11, theheating coil 16 heats up theheating plate 15 which in turn heats up the liquid L to generate the steam S. - The
steam generator 11 has the advantage that the heating element 14 can be manufactured and tested separately of thetank 12. Also, no leakage can occur anymore between two or more shells of the tank. - The operation and use of the
drain 8 and its associatedvalve 9 is the same as with thesteam generator 1 according to the first embodiment. - Generally, the steam generator as described and shown has a very high immunity to the presence of scale formed from limestone and other impurities. Scale formation is flushed out of the tank together with liquid. The valve also provides additional operational safety against overpressure and/or overflow. The heat generator can be designed to be very compact and may thus be placed flexibly within the laundry care appliance, e.g. fixed to a bearing shield.
- Of course, the invention is not restricted to the shown embodiments.
- For example, the
steam generator -
- 1
- steam generator
- 2
- tank
- 2a
- lower shell of the tank
- 2b
- upper shell of the tank
- 3
- fluid inlet
- 4
- steam outlet
- 5
- heating element
- 6
- terminal
- 7
- bottom of the tank
- 8
- drain
- 9
- valve
- 10
- fluid outlet
- 11
- steam generator
- 12
- tank
- 13
- window within the tank
- 14
- heating element
- 15
- heating plate
- 16
- heating coil
- C
- control unit
- D1
- laundry care appliance, refresher dryer
- D2
- laundry care appliance, refresher dryer
- L
- liquid
- S
- steam
Claims (10)
- A steam generator (1; 11) for use in a laundry care appliance (D1; D2), comprising a heated tank (2; 12), the heated tank (2; 12) at least comprising:- an inlet (3) for filling the tank (2; 12) with liquid (L);- a heater (5; 14) for heating the liquid (L);- a steam outlet (4); and- a controllable drain (8) for draining the liquid (L) from the tank (2; 12) wherein an opening and closing of the drain (8) is controllable by a valve (9).
- The steam generator (1; 11) according to claim 1, wherein the valve (9) is freely controllable.
- The steam generator (1; 11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve (9) is controllable according to a liquid level of liquid (L) present in the tank (2; 12).
- The steam generator (1; 11) according to claim 3, wherein the valve (9) comprises a mechanical spring-and-float mechanism.
- The steam generator (1; 11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve (9) is additionally adapted to act as a pressure relief valve.
- The steam generator (1; 11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drain (8) is located at a bottom (7) of the tank (2; 12).
- The steam generator (1; 11) according to claim 6, wherein the bottom (7) is inclined towards the drain (8).
- The steam generator (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heater (5) is placed inside the tank (2).
- The steam generator (11) according to any of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the heater (14) is placed outside the tank (12).
- A laundry care appliance (D1; D2) comprising the steam generator (1; 11) for use in a laundry care appliance (D1; D2), comprising a heated tank (2; 12), the heated tank (2; 12) at least comprising:- an inlet (3) for filling the tank (2; 12) with liquid (L);- a heater (5; 14) for heating the liquid (L);- a steam outlet (4); anda controllable drain (8) for draining the liquid (L) from the tank (2; 12),
wherein an opening and closing of the drain (8) is controllable by a valve (9), and wherein the valve (9) is connected for operation to a control unit (C) of the laundry care appliance (D1; D2).
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP09176428A EP2325381A1 (en) | 2009-11-19 | 2009-11-19 | Steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, and laundry care appliance |
PCT/EP2010/066866 WO2011061066A1 (en) | 2009-11-19 | 2010-11-05 | Steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, and laundry care appliance |
CN201710303626.3A CN107254770A (en) | 2009-11-19 | 2010-11-05 | The steam generator and laundry care appliance used in laundry care appliance |
PL10773105T PL2501849T3 (en) | 2009-11-19 | 2010-11-05 | Steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, and laundry care appliance |
EP10773105.1A EP2501849B1 (en) | 2009-11-19 | 2010-11-05 | Steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, and laundry care appliance |
CN2010800427100A CN102549209A (en) | 2009-11-19 | 2010-11-05 | Steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, and laundry care appliance |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP09176428A EP2325381A1 (en) | 2009-11-19 | 2009-11-19 | Steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, and laundry care appliance |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2325381A1 true EP2325381A1 (en) | 2011-05-25 |
Family
ID=41381769
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP09176428A Withdrawn EP2325381A1 (en) | 2009-11-19 | 2009-11-19 | Steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, and laundry care appliance |
EP10773105.1A Active EP2501849B1 (en) | 2009-11-19 | 2010-11-05 | Steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, and laundry care appliance |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10773105.1A Active EP2501849B1 (en) | 2009-11-19 | 2010-11-05 | Steam generator for use in a laundry care appliance, and laundry care appliance |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (2) | EP2325381A1 (en) |
CN (2) | CN102549209A (en) |
PL (1) | PL2501849T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011061066A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2015078515A1 (en) * | 2013-11-29 | 2015-06-04 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Steam laundry dryer and method for operating the same |
GB2582781B (en) * | 2019-04-02 | 2022-02-23 | Otter Controls Ltd | Steam generator |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102018111904A1 (en) * | 2018-05-17 | 2019-11-21 | Miele & Cie. Kg | Cleaning and / or disinfection machine |
CN111411481A (en) * | 2018-12-18 | 2020-07-14 | 青岛海尔滚筒洗衣机有限公司 | Steam generator and laundry treating apparatus including the same |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0821096B1 (en) | 1996-07-26 | 2001-08-16 | ESSE85 S.r.l. | Steam generator for irons and the like |
EP1026306B1 (en) | 1999-02-01 | 2003-11-05 | Euro Star S.r.l. | Steam generator for cleaning machines, clothes irons, coffee machines and the like |
EP1544345A2 (en) * | 2003-12-16 | 2005-06-22 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine |
EP1813704A1 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2007-08-01 | LG Electronics Inc. | Steam generator for a washing machine |
US20080189992A1 (en) * | 2005-07-11 | 2008-08-14 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Boiler System for Use with a Steaming Device |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3085848B2 (en) * | 1993-06-11 | 2000-09-11 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Apparatus for washing and drying clothes |
-
2009
- 2009-11-19 EP EP09176428A patent/EP2325381A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2010
- 2010-11-05 CN CN2010800427100A patent/CN102549209A/en active Pending
- 2010-11-05 WO PCT/EP2010/066866 patent/WO2011061066A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-11-05 PL PL10773105T patent/PL2501849T3/en unknown
- 2010-11-05 EP EP10773105.1A patent/EP2501849B1/en active Active
- 2010-11-05 CN CN201710303626.3A patent/CN107254770A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0821096B1 (en) | 1996-07-26 | 2001-08-16 | ESSE85 S.r.l. | Steam generator for irons and the like |
EP1026306B1 (en) | 1999-02-01 | 2003-11-05 | Euro Star S.r.l. | Steam generator for cleaning machines, clothes irons, coffee machines and the like |
EP1544345A2 (en) * | 2003-12-16 | 2005-06-22 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Washing machine |
US20080189992A1 (en) * | 2005-07-11 | 2008-08-14 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Boiler System for Use with a Steaming Device |
EP1813704A1 (en) * | 2006-01-26 | 2007-08-01 | LG Electronics Inc. | Steam generator for a washing machine |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2015078515A1 (en) * | 2013-11-29 | 2015-06-04 | Arcelik Anonim Sirketi | Steam laundry dryer and method for operating the same |
GB2582781B (en) * | 2019-04-02 | 2022-02-23 | Otter Controls Ltd | Steam generator |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
PL2501849T3 (en) | 2015-11-30 |
CN107254770A (en) | 2017-10-17 |
WO2011061066A1 (en) | 2011-05-26 |
CN102549209A (en) | 2012-07-04 |
EP2501849A1 (en) | 2012-09-26 |
EP2501849B1 (en) | 2015-07-29 |
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