KR101221888B1 - Method for water supply in steam generator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a steam generator installed in the washing machine.

The present invention provides a steam generator comprising a water level sensor consisting of a low water level sensing electrode and a high water level sensing electrode, and a water supply valve for supplying water and supplying steam water.

When water is supplied to the steam generator, the water supply method of the steam generator is characterized in that the water is continuously supplied until the washing water reaches a predetermined height, and the water is intermittently supplied from the predetermined height to the high water level. to provide.

Therefore, according to the water supply method of the steam generator of the present invention, when water is supplied into the steam generator, it is intermittently made, and the fluctuation of the steam water inside the case is reduced, so that the difference between the high point and the low point of the surface layer does not increase significantly, so that the high water level is detected. The sensor has the effect of being able to measure the water level of the steam water more accurately.

Washing machine, wrinkle removal, steam generator, water supply

Description

Water supply method for steam generators {Method for water supply in steam generator}

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional general washing machine;

2 is a cross-sectional view showing a steam generating device of FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a steam generator according to a preferred embodiment of the water supply method of the steam generator of the present invention, and

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a control step according to a preferred embodiment of the water supply method of the steam generating device of the present invention.

* Explanation of Signs of Major Parts of Drawings

180: steam generator 182: case

184: water supply port 186: water supply valve

188 steam water 189 heater

190: water level sensor 192: common electrode

194: low level detection electrode 196: high level detection electrode

S1: first water supply step S2: first judgment step

S3: second water supply step S4: second judgment step

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly to a steam generator installed in the washing machine.

In general, a washing machine of a drum type among washing machines is a product which washes by using a friction force of a rotating drum and laundry by receiving a driving force of a motor while detergent, washing water, and laundry are put into the drum. Almost no, the laundry is not tangled with each other, knocking and rubbing can have a laundry effect.

Hereinafter, a drum type washing machine according to the prior art will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of a general drum washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional drum washing machine includes a main body 10 forming an appearance, a tub 20 mounted in the main body 10, and a rotatable inner portion of the tub 20. And a drum (30) provided with a lift (35) and drive means (70) for driving the drum (30).

The front surface of the main body 10 is provided with a door 40 at a predetermined position to correspond to the opening of the drum 30, and maintains a seal in the drum 30 between the door 40 and the drum 30. The gasket 50 is provided.

Here, the tub 20 is provided with dampers 21 at both bottoms of the outer circumferential surface thereof and fixedly supported in the main body 10.

The drum washing machine configured as described above, when a general washing request is made by the user, a controller (not shown) that controls operation performs washing of the laundry while sequentially performing a washing stroke, a rinsing stroke, and a final dewatering stroke. .

At this time, in the washing stroke, the laundry is lifted and dropped by the lift 35 according to the separation of the contaminants through the detergent and the continuous rotation of the drum 30, and the impact force and frictional force through the free fall and flexion (屈伸). Separation of contaminants is carried out through motion.

In the rinsing process, a process of rinsing the remaining detergent and contaminants generated during the washing process through the supply of new wash water and the repeated rotation of the drum 30 is performed from the laundry.

In addition, in the final dehydration stroke, a dehydration process is performed in which the drum 30 is rotated at a high speed (approximately 800 RPM to 1300 RPM) to remove moisture from the rinsed laundry.

In addition, in recent years, a laundry apparatus is further developed, which maximizes the effect of washing and further includes a steam generating device for generating steam to remove wrinkles of laundry.

As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional steam generator 80 includes a case 82 forming an appearance and forming a space for storing water, and a heater 89 for heating the stored water. It is composed.

Here, one side of the case 82 is connected to a water supply pipe (not shown) of the washing machine so that water is introduced into the case 82 is formed, the other side of the case 82 to the inside A discharge port (not shown) is connected to a steam supply pipe (not shown) for supplying the introduced water to the drum 30 of the washing machine by heating the introduced water with the heater 89.

In addition, the heater 89 is installed at the bottom of the case 82, and a sheath heater having high efficiency and capable of heating water in a short time is suitable.

On the other hand, the center of the case 82 is provided with a temperature sensor (not shown) for measuring the temperature of the water contained in the case 82, and a water level sensor 90 for measuring the water level inside the case.

The water level sensor 90 generally includes a common electrode 92, a low level detection electrode 94 for sensing a lower limit level (L), and a high level detection electrode 96 for sensing an upper limit level (H).

That is, when the water level in the case 82 is lowered below the low water level sensing electrode 94, electrical contact between the common electrode 92 and the low water level sensing electrode 94 is broken, so that the water level is lower than the low water level L. When the water level in the case 82 is increased and the steam water contacts the high water level detection electrode 96, the water level reaches the upper limit water level H.

In addition, one side of the water supply port 84 is provided with a water supply valve 86 for controlling the steam water supplied.

When supplying the steam water 88 to the conventional steam generator 80 configured as described above is as follows.

First, when the steam water 88 is supplied, the water supply valve 86 is opened so that the steam water 88 flows into the case 82. The introduced steam water 88 is gradually filled in the case 82, and when the steam water 88 contacts the high water level detecting electrode 96, it is determined that water supply is completed and closes the water supply valve 86. Stop water supply.

However, the conventional water supply method as described above has the following problems.

When the water supply valve 86 is opened to feed the steam water 88 into the case 82, the surface layer of the steam water 88 is swung by the impact or pressure at the time of water supply. Due to the difference between the high point and the low point of (88), there is a problem that the water supply is completed at a lower or higher level than the upper limit level.

That is, when the surface of the steam water 88 is in contact with the high water level sensing electrode 96 at the high point of the surface layer, the water supply is stopped at a level lower than the upper limit water level H. When it comes in contact with the high level detection electrode 96, the water level is higher than the upper limit level.

In this case, when the steam water 88 is supplied at a water level higher than the upper limit water level H, steam water boils during initial steam discharge, and hot water is discharged than steam when steam is discharged, resulting in wet clothing.

In addition, when the clothing is wet, the wrinkle removal effect is lowered, there is a problem that the power consumption is increased because more steam water is heated than the appropriate amount.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a water supply method of the steam generator that can be supplied at a more accurate level when supplying steam water to the steam generator.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a steam generating device comprising a water level sensor consisting of a low water level sensing electrode and a high water level sensing electrode, and a water supply valve for supplying and watering steam water to be supplied,

When water is supplied to the steam generator, the water is continuously supplied until the steam water reaches a predetermined height, and the water supply method of the steam generator is characterized by intermittent water supply from the predetermined height to the high water level. to provide.

The predetermined height is preferably a height at which the low water level sensing electrode is in contact with steam water.

In addition, the intermittent water supply may be achieved by opening and closing the water supply valve.

In addition, the present invention is a steam generating device comprising a water level sensor consisting of a low water level detection electrode and a high water level detection electrode, and a water supply valve for supplying and watering the supplied steam water,

When water is supplied to the steam generator, the water supply valve is always open until the steam water reaches the first level to supply steam water, and opens and closes until the steam water reaches the first to second water levels. Repeating to provide a water supply method of the steam generator, characterized in that for supplying steam water.

The first level is a level at which the low water level sensing electrode senses steam water, and the second level is a level at which the high water level sensing electrode senses steam water.

In addition, the present invention includes a first water supply step of performing a continuous water supply into the case; A first determination step of determining whether the water level in the steam generator has reached the first water level, and if not reaching the first water level, returning to the first water supply step; A second water supply step of continuously supplying water into the case when it is determined that the first water level is reached in the first determination step; A second determination step of determining whether the water level in the steam generator has reached the second water level and if not reaching the second water level, returning to the second water supply step; And,

In the second determination step, if it is determined that the second water level has been reached, the step of stopping the water supply: provides a water supply method of the steam generator comprising a.

Here, the first water level is the lower limit level of the steam generator, and the second water level is preferably the upper limit level of the steam generator.

Therefore, according to the water supply method of the steam generator of the present invention, there is less fluctuation of the steam water in the case at the time of water supply, so that water can be supplied at a more accurate level.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment according to the water supply method of the steam generating device of the present invention that can be specifically carried out the above object will be described.

In addition, the same components as in the prior art are given the same names and the same reference numerals for convenience of description, and description thereof will be omitted.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a steam generating apparatus to which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is applied.

Steam generator 180 of the present embodiment, first, the water inlet 184 formed so that water is introduced into one side, the steam generated by the water introduced from the water inlet 184 is heated drum 30 (see Fig. 1) The case 182 is provided with a discharge port (not shown) discharged to the side. In addition, the case 182 is formed to have a volume to store a predetermined amount of steam water therein.

In addition, the water inlet 184 is preferably provided with a water supply valve 186 for controlling the steam water supplied to the case 182 by opening and closing the water inlet 184.

In addition, a heater 189 capable of heating the stored steam water is installed at the bottom of the case 182.

Then, the water level sensor 190 for measuring the level of water in the case 82 is provided.

The water level detection sensor 190 generally includes a common electrode 192, a low level detection electrode 194 for detecting a lower limit level (L), and a high level detection electrode 196 for detecting an upper limit level (H).

Here, the lower limit water level (L) and the upper limit water level (H) to be described, the lower limit of the lower side of the case 182 appropriate point so that the water level of the steam water 188 in the case 182 is not excessively lowered. The water level L is set, and the upper limit water level H is preferably set at an appropriate point on the upper side of the case 182 so that the steam water 188 is excessively supplied into the case 182 so that the steam water does not overflow. .

Therefore, when the water level in the case 182 falls below the low water level sensing electrode 194, the electrical contact between the common electrode 192 and the low water level sensing electrode 194 is broken so that the water level is lower than the lower limit water level (L). When the water level in the case 182 is increased and the steam water 188 contacts the high water level sensing electrode 196, the water level reaches the upper limit water level H.

Therefore, when the water level in the case 182 falls below the lower limit level L, steam water is replenished through the water supply port 184.

At this time, when water is supplied to the steam generator 180, the water is continuously supplied until the steam water 188 reaches a predetermined height, and after the predetermined height until the upper limit water level H is reached. It is preferable to perform intermittent water supply so that water supply is intermittently made.

At this time, the predetermined height is preferably the lower limit level (L) for detecting the water level of the low water level detection electrode 194 and the common electrode 192.

That is, until the water level of the steam water 188 in the case 182 reaches the lower limit level (L), the water is continuously supplied similarly to the conventional one, and the upper limit level (H) is reached from the lower limit level (L). Until then, the water supply is intermittent and is repeated.

In this case, the intermittent water supply is preferably performed by controlling the water supply valve 186.

That is, when water is supplied into the case 182 of the steam generator, the water supply valve 186 has a water level inside the case 182 so that the low water level sensing electrode 194 detects the steam water 188. Until it reaches the lower limit (L) is always open so that the steam water 188 can be continuously supplied, the water level inside the case 182 exceeds the lower limit (L) and the upper limit (H) Until this time, it is desirable to repeat the opening and closing so that water can be intermittently made.

The process of supplying steam water 188 to the steam generator is described in more detail as follows.

First, when it is determined that water supply of the steam water 188 is required for the steam generator 180, the water supply valve 186 provided at the water supply port 184 is opened to supply water to the case 182. Step S1 is executed.

At this time, the first water supply step (S1) is preferably the water supply valve 186 is always open so that the steam water is continuously supplied into the case 182.

Then, a first determination step S2 is performed to determine whether the water level in the case 182 has reached the first water level.

Here, the first water level is preferably the lower limit level (L) in which the low water level sensing electrode 194 detects the contact of the steam water 188.

In addition, in the first determination step S2, if it is determined that the water level in the case 182 does not reach the first water level (that is, the lower limit water level L), the flow returns to the first water supply step S1 and continues. The water supply is maintained, and if it is determined that the water level has reached the first level, it is preferable that the second water supply step S3 is performed.

The second water supply step S3 is a step in which water is intermittently supplied while the steam water supplied into the case 182 is cut off.

When the water supply is intermittently made in the second water supply step (S3), the fluctuation of the steam water 188 inside the case 182 is reduced, so that the difference between the high point and the low point of the surface of the steam water does not increase significantly. In 196, the water level of the steam water 188 can be measured more accurately.

Then, a second determination step S4 of determining whether the water level in the case 182 has reached the second water level is performed.

Here, the second water level is preferably the upper limit water level H at which the high water level sensing electrode 196 detects the contact of the steam water 188.

In addition, when it is determined in the second determination step S4 that the water level in the case 182 has not reached the second water level (that is, the upper limit water level H), the flow returns to the second water supply step S3 to intermittently. It is preferable that the water supply is maintained and that the water supply is stopped when it is determined that the water level reaches the second water level.

As described above, the time point at which the intermittent water supply is started is preferably when the water level in the case reaches the lower limit water level L as described above, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be set to another water level.

In addition, the period in which the water supply valve 186 is opened and closed is a value that varies depending on the capacity and shape of the steam generator 180 or the pressure of the steam water 188 to be supplied. In this embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the water supply method of the steam generator of the present invention has the following effects.

First, when water is supplied into the steam generator, it is made intermittently, and the fluctuation of the steam water inside the case is reduced, so that the difference between the high point and the low point of the surface layer does not become large, so that the water level of the steam water can be more accurately measured by the high water level sensor. Has the effect of being able to.

Second, since the level of steam water can be measured more accurately, the phenomenon of steam water supply above the upper limit level is prevented, and the phenomenon of boiling water overflowing during steam generation is prevented.

Third, since a continuous water supply is performed up to a predetermined height, there is an effect that the water supply time can be shortened as much as possible.

Claims (9)

In the control method of the steam generator comprising a water level sensor consisting of a low water level sensing electrode and a high water level sensing electrode, and a water supply valve for supplying and cutting off the steam water to be supplied, Performing continuous water supply by always opening the water supply valve until the steam water reaches a predetermined height; And Performing intermittent water supply by repeating opening and closing of the water supply valve with a time interval from a predetermined height to an upper limit water level so as to reduce the fluctuation of the surface of the steam water inside the steam generator; Control method of the steam generating device comprising a. The method of claim 1, And the predetermined height is a height at which the low water level detection electrode is in contact with steam water. delete In the control method of the steam generator comprising a water level sensor consisting of a low water level sensing electrode and a high water level sensing electrode, and a water supply valve for supplying and cutting off the steam water to be supplied, Always open the water supply valve to supply steam water until the steam water reaches the first water level, Supplying steam water by repeating the opening and closing of the water supply valve at a time interval until the steam water reaches the second water level so as to reduce the fluctuation of the surface of the steam water inside the steam generator. Control method of the steam generating device comprising a. 5. The method of claim 4, The first water level is a control method of the steam generator, characterized in that the low water level detection electrode detects the steam water. 5. The method of claim 4, The second water level is a control method of the steam generating device, characterized in that the high water level sensing electrode detects the steam water. A first water supply step of performing continuous water supply into the case; A first determination step of determining whether the water level in the steam generator has reached the first water level, and returning to the first water supply step if the first water level is not reached; A second water supply step of intermittently supplying water into the case when it is determined that the first water level is reached in the first determination step; A second determination step of determining whether the water level in the steam generator has reached the second water level and if not reaching the second water level, returning to the second water supply step; And, And stopping the water supply when it is determined that the second water level is reached in the second determination step. The method of claim 7, wherein And the first water level is a lower limit level of the steam generator. The method of claim 7, wherein And the second water level is the upper limit level of the steam generator.

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