KR102141078B1 - Steamer - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, a steamer comprises: a water supply tank; a steam tank; a water supply device; a heater; a standard water level sensor; a risk water level sensor; a flow rate sensor; a water temperature sensor; and a controller. The controller controls the heater and the water supply device based on information detected by the standard water level sensor, the risk water level sensor, the flow rate sensor, and the water temperature sensor. The controller supplies water to the steam tank in a standby mode to allow the water to wait at a standard water level, supplies the water to the steam tank at a first stage water supply flow rate to operate the steam tank when a water temperature reaches an evaporation point after heating the water of the steam tank in an operating start mode, supplies the water to the steam tank for a second set time at a second stage water supply flow rate higher than the first stage water supply flow rate when a water level of the steam tank is lower than a standard water level for a first set time during operation and then, reduces the water to the first stage water supply flow rate to supply the water to the steam tank. Accordingly, provided is the steam capable of increasing a convenience.

Description

Steamer

The present invention relates to a steamer, and more particularly, to a steamer for generating steam by heating water.

The clothes handling device means all devices for managing clothes, such as washing, drying, and improving wrinkles in a home or laundry. For example, the clothes processing apparatus includes a washing machine for washing clothes, a dryer for drying clothes, a washing machine for drying combined with a washing function and a drying function, a refresher for refreshing and refreshing the condition of clothes. Steamers are used to improve the wrinkles of clothes by supplying steam or to sterilize clothes.

Meanwhile, the steamer may be configured to generate steam by heating the water in the steam tank with a heater. According to a conventional example, the steamer is replenished with water after stopping the use if the water contained in the steam tank is exhausted during use. In this case, continuous use is impossible, which may cause inconvenience.

To compensate for this, it is possible to increase the amount of water contained in the steamer at a time by increasing the size of the steam tank, but not only secures the space occupied by the steam tank inside the steamer, but also increases the water supply time for the enlarged steam tank and increases water The time required to generate steam by heating is increased.

Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1954032 (announced on March 06, 2019)

An object of the present invention is to provide a steamer that can be used continuously even if the steam tank is miniaturized to increase convenience.

Steamer according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a water supply tank, a steam tank, a water supply, a heater, a standard water level sensor, a dangerous water level sensor, a flow rate sensor, a water temperature sensor, and a controller. The water supply tank stores water in the internal space. The steam tank flows water supplied from the water supply tank into the interior space through the inlet, and discharges the steam generated in the interior space through the steam outlet. The water supplyer supplies water from the water supply tank to the steam tank as either the first-stage water supply flow rate or the second-stage water supply flow rate according to the water supply conditions. The heater heats the water in the steam tank to generate steam. The standard water level sensor detects whether the level of the steam tank is the standard level. The dangerous level detects whether the level of the steam tank is at a higher level than the standard level. The flow sensor detects the water flow rate through the inlet of the steam tank. The water temperature sensor detects the water temperature of the steam tank. The controller controls the heater and water supply based on the information detected by the standard water level sensor, the dangerous water level sensor, the flow sensor, and the water temperature sensor. After heating the water in the tank, when the water temperature reaches the vaporization point, it is operated by supplying it to the steam tank at the first stage water supply flow rate, and if the level of the steam tank during operation falls below the standard level during the first set time, it is higher than the first stage water supply flow rate 2 However, after supplying water to the steam tank for the second set time with the water supply flow rate, lower it to the first water supply flow rate to supply water to the steam tank.

In one aspect, the water supply may include a water supply line, a pump, a first stage water supply valve, and a second stage water supply valve. The water supply line is equipped with a water outlet pipe whose inlet end is connected to the drain of the water supply tank, and each inlet end is connected to the outlet end of the water outlet pipe and branched into two branches, and each outlet end has water pipes connected to the inlet of the steam tank. do. The pump is installed in the outlet pipe and sucks water from the feed tank and sends it to the feed pipes at a two-stage feed flow rate. The first stage water supply valve is installed in any one of the water pipes, and when opening, the water flowing into the second stage water flow is adjusted to the first stage water flow and delivered to the steam tank. A two-stage water supply valve is installed on the other of the water pipes to deliver water flowing into the second-stage water supply flow to the steam tank as it is during the opening operation.

In another aspect, the water supply may include a water supply line, a first stage water supply pump, and a second stage water supply pump. The water supply line is provided with a water pipe connected to the inlet end of the water tank and each outlet end connected to the inlet of the steam tank. The first stage water supply pump is installed in one of the water pipes to suck water from the water supply tank and send it to the steam tank at the first stage water supply flow rate. The second stage water supply pump is installed on the other of the water pipes to suck water from the water supply tank and send it to the steam tank at the second stage water supply flow rate.

According to the present invention, even if the steam tank is miniaturized, continuous use is possible, and it is possible not only to shorten the initial water supply time to the steam tank, but also to shorten the time required to generate steam by heating the water initially. , Has the effect of increasing convenience.

1 is a block diagram of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a configuration diagram showing another example of the water supply.
3 is a control flow diagram of the steamer in the standby mode.
4 is a control flow diagram of the steamer in the operation start mode.

If described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings for the present invention. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and repeated descriptions and detailed descriptions of well-known functions and components that may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention are omitted. Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully describe the present invention to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the shape and size of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for a clearer explanation.

1 is a block diagram of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention can be employed in a variety of fields, such as clothes processing apparatus that requires steam. When a steamer is employed in a clothing processing apparatus, steam may be supplied to various clothing to improve wrinkles of clothing or sterilize clothing.

Referring to FIG. 1, the steamer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water supply tank 110, a steam tank 120, a water supply unit 130, a heater 140, and a standard water level sensor 150 ), a dangerous water level sensor 156, a flow rate sensor 160, a water temperature sensor 170, and a controller 180.

The water supply tank 110 stores water in the internal space. The water supply tank 110 may receive water through an inlet 111 from an external water supply source such as waterworks and store it in an internal space, and discharge the water stored in the internal space through the drain 112. The inlet 111 may be formed on the upper side of the water supply tank 110, and the drain hole 112 may be formed on the lower side of the water supply tank 110.

Although not shown, the water supply tank 110 may be provided with an automatic water level regulator to maintain the water level at a set level. The automatic water level regulator may be formed in a conventional configuration, such as a configuration including a water level sensor and a solenoid valve.

The steam tank 120 flows water supplied from the water supply tank 110 into the interior space through the inlet 121, and discharges the steam generated in the interior space through the steam outlet 122. That is, when the water stored in the internal space is heated by the heater 140 and generated as steam, the steam tank 120 discharges the generated steam through the steam outlet 122. The inlet 121 and the steam outlet 122 may be formed at the top of the steam tank 120, respectively. Although not shown, the steam tank 120 may include a drain port for draining the water remaining in the interior space. The drain can be opened and closed by a valve.

The water supply unit 130 supplies water from the water supply tank 110 to the steam tank 120 as one of the first-stage water supply flow rate and the second-stage water supply flow rate according to the water supply conditions. The second-stage water supply flow rate may be set to twice the first-stage water supply flow rate. For example, based on the heater 140 having a power consumption of 1500 W, the first-stage water supply flow rate may be set to 25 ㏄/min, and the second-stage water supply flow rate may be set to 50 ㏄/min. For example, the water supply 130 may include a water supply line 131, a pump 132, a first stage water supply valve 133, and a second stage water supply valve 134.

In the water supply line 131, the inlet end is connected to the outlet 112 of the water supply tank 110, and each inlet end is connected to the outlet end of the outlet pipe 131a, so that it is branched into two branches. In addition, each outlet end is provided with water pipes 131b and 131c connected to the inlet 121 of the steam tank 120. The water pipes 131b and 131c may be connected to the inlet 121 of the steam tank 120 through the inlet pipe 131d. The inlet pipe 131d has an inlet end connected to the outlet ends of the water pipes 131b and 131c, and an outlet end connected to the inlet 121 of the steam tank 120.

The pump 132 is installed in the water outlet pipe 131a, sucks water from the water supply tank 110 and sends it to the water pipes 131b and 131c at a two-stage water supply flow rate. The pump 132 is driven and controlled by the controller 180.

The first stage water supply valve 133 is installed in any one of the water pipes 131b and 131c to adjust the water flowing into the second stage water flow rate to the first stage water flow rate during the opening operation to adjust the steam tank 120 To pass. The second-stage water supply valve 134 is installed in the other one of the water pipes 131b and 131c to transfer water flowing into the second-stage water supply flow to the steam tank 120 as the second-stage water supply flow rate during an open operation. do.

The first stage water supply valve 133 may adjust the opening degree to control the flow rate of water passing through the corresponding water pipe 131b. Here, the opening degree of the first stage water supply valve 133 is adjusted to a size capable of discharging the water flowing into the second stage water supply flow rate to the first stage water supply flow rate during the opening operation.

The second stage water supply valve 134 may adjust the opening degree to control the flow rate of water passing through the corresponding water pipe 131c. Here, the opening degree of the second-stage water supply valve 134 is adjusted to a size capable of discharging the water flowing into the second-stage water supply flow rate without changing the flow rate during the opening operation.

The first stage water supply valve 133 can always be kept open. The two-stage water supply valve 134 may open and close. The second stage water supply valve 133 may supply water to the steam tank 120 at a first stage water flow rate through the first stage water supply valve 133 that is opened during the closing operation. The second stage water supply valve 133 may supply water to the steam tank 120 at a second stage water flow rate through an open opening and an open first stage water supply valve 133 during an opening operation.

As another example, the first stage water supply valve 133 and the second stage water supply valve 134 may selectively open when water is supplied to the steam tank 120. The first-stage water supply valve 133 can open and close the second-stage water supply valve 134 to supply the steam tank 120 with a first-stage water supply flow rate. The first stage water supply valve 133 blocks the flow of water passing through the corresponding water pipe 131b by keeping the opening degree closed when the second stage water supply valve 134 is opened or when the pump 132 is stopped.

The second stage water supply valve 134 may open the first stage water supply valve 133 when it is closed, thereby supplying the steam tank 120 with a second stage water supply flow rate. The second stage water supply valve 134 blocks the flow of water passing through the corresponding water pipe 131c by keeping the opening degree closed when the first stage water supply valve 133 is opened or when the pump 132 is stopped.

The first stage water supply valve 133 and the second stage water supply valve 134 are driven and controlled by the controller 180. The first stage water supply valve 133 and the second stage water supply valve 134 may be formed of various electronic valves such as a solenoid valve.

As another example, as shown in Figure 2, the water supply may include a water supply line 231, a first stage water supply pump 232, and a second stage water supply pump 233. In the water supply line 231, each inlet end is connected to the drain 112 of the water supply tank 110, and the outlet pipes 231b and 231c, each of which is connected to the inlet 121 of the steam tank 120, are connected. To be equipped.

The water pipes 231b and 231c may be connected to the drain 112 of the water supply tank 110 via the water pipe 231a. The outlet pipe 231a has an inlet end connected to the drain 112 of the water supply tank 110, and an outlet end is connected to the inlet ends of the water pipes 231b and 231c. The water pipes 231b and 231c may be connected to the inlet 121 of the steam tank 120 through the inlet pipe 231d. In this case, the inlet pipe 231d has the inlet end connected to the outlet ends of the water pipes 231b and 231c, and the outlet end connected to the inlet 121 of the steam tank 120.

The first stage water supply pump 232 is installed in any one of the water pipes 231b and 231c to suck water from the water supply tank 110 and sends it to the steam tank 120 at the first water supply flow rate. The second stage water supply pump 233 is installed in another one of the water pipes 231b and 231c to suck water from the water supply tank 110 and sends it to the steam tank 120 at the second stage water supply flow rate.

The first stage water supply pump 232 and the second stage water supply pump 233 are selectively driven when water is supplied to the steam tank 120. That is, the second stage water supply pump 233 is stopped when the first stage water supply pump 232 is driven, and the first stage water supply pump 232 is stopped when the second stage water supply pump 233 is driven. When the water supply to the steam tank 120 is stopped, both the first stage water supply pump 232 and the second stage water supply pump 233 are stopped. The first stage water supply pump 232 and the second stage water supply pump 233 are controlled by the controller 180. The first stage water supply pump 232 and the second stage water supply pump 233 may be variously configured in a range capable of performing the above-described functions.

The heater 140 heats the water in the steam tank 120 to generate steam. That is, the heater 140 vaporizes the water in the steam tank 120 by heating to reach the vaporization point. Accordingly, water in the steam tank 120 may be generated as steam. The heater 140 is installed on the outer bottom of the steam tank 120 to heat the outer bottom of the steam tank 120, thereby indirectly heating water in the steam tank 120. Of course, the heater 140 may be installed on the inner floor of the steam tank 120 to directly heat the water in the steam tank 120.

The heater 140 is driven and controlled by the controller 180. The heater 140 may be formed of various types of heaters, such as a Ruthenox heater. The Lutenox heater is a planar heater constructed by laminating an insulating layer, a heating element, and an electrode on a heating plate made of stainless steel, ceramic, aluminum, or glass.

The standard water level sensor 150 detects whether the water level of the steam tank 120 is the standard water level. Here, the standard water level corresponds to a reference level at which water in the steam tank 120 can be stably evaporated when the steamer 100 is operated. Information detected from the standard water level sensor 150 is provided to the controller 180. The controller 180 may control the water level of the steam tank 120 to maintain a level above the standard level by supplying water and driving by determining the standard water level based on the information detected from the standard water level sensor 150.

The standard water level sensor 150 may be formed of various water level sensors, such as a float type water level sensor. The float type water level sensor is a water level sensor that enables a magnetic signal inside the float to move up and down in response to a change in water level, thereby operating a switch inside the sensor to use a contact signal according to a change in the water level.

The dangerous water level sensor 156 detects whether the level of the steam tank 120 is at a higher level than the standard water level. Here, the dangerous water level may correspond to a critical water level at which the steamer 100 starts to become inoperable. That is, the dangerous water level is a phenomenon in which water in the steam tank 120 boils when the steamer 100 is operated and flows back to the inlet 121 of the steam tank 120 or discharged to the steam outlet 122 of the steam tank 120. It may correspond to the generated critical water level.

Information detected from the dangerous water level sensor 156 is provided to the controller 180. The controller 180 may determine the dangerous water level based on the information detected from the dangerous water level sensor 156. The dangerous water level sensor 156 may be configured in the same way as the standard water level sensor 150.

The flow sensor 160 detects the water supply flow rate through the inlet 121 of the steam tank 120. The flow sensor 160 can detect whether the flow rate of the water flowing into the steam tank 120 is a first-stage water supply flow rate or a second-stage water supply flow rate. Information detected from the flow sensor 160 is provided to the controller 180. The controller 180 may determine whether the flow rate of water flowing into the steam tank 120 is a first-stage water supply flow rate or a second-stage water supply flow rate based on the information detected from the flow rate sensor 160. The flow sensor 160 may be formed of various types of flow sensors, such as a float method.

The water temperature sensor 170 detects the water temperature of the steam tank 120. The water temperature sensor 170 may be disposed adjacent to the inner bottom side of the steam tank 120. Information detected from the water temperature sensor 170 is provided to the controller 180. The controller 180 may determine whether the water temperature of the steam tank 120 has reached the vaporization point based on the information detected from the water temperature sensor 170. The water temperature sensor 170 may be formed of various types of water temperature sensors, such as a thermistor method.

The controller 180 controls the heater 140 and the water supply 130 based on information detected by the standard water level sensor 150, the dangerous water level sensor 156, the flow rate sensor 160, and the water temperature sensor 170. .

In the standby mode, the controller 180 supplies water to the steam tank 120 to stand by the standard water level. In the operation start mode, the controller 180 heats the water in the steam tank 120, and when the water temperature reaches the vaporization point, operates the water by supplying it to the steam tank 120 with the first stage water supply flow rate, and the steam tank 120 during operation If the water level of) is lower than the standard water level during the first set time, the water is supplied to the steam tank 120 for the second set time with a second-stage water flow rate higher than the first-stage water flow rate, and then lowered to the first-stage water flow rate to lower the steam level (120). Watering.

For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the standby mode is set. Here, the standby mode may be set as a user inputs a power on or reset or stop command to the controller 180 through the input of the steamer 100.

When the standby mode is set, the controller 180 determines whether the level of the steam tank 120 is lower than the standard level. At this time, the controller 180 may determine the water level of the steam tank 120 as a low water level if no signals are detected from the standard water level sensor 150 and the dangerous water level sensor 156.

When the controller 180 determines that the water level is low in the standby mode, the controller 180 drives the water supply unit 130 to supply water to the steam tank 120. At this time, the controller 180 can quickly supply water by supplying the water supply 130 at a two-stage water supply flow rate. The controller 180 supplies water to the steam tank 120 by the water supply unit 130 until a signal is detected from the standard water level sensor 150, and when it is determined that the water level of the steam tank 120 has reached the standard water level, the water supply device Stop (130) and wait for operation.

In the water supply process of the steam tank 120, when the controller 180 determines that the water supply flow rate is less than the two-stage water supply flow rate through the flow sensor 160, the alarm is output and the operation is stopped to allow the user to check. can do.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 may determine the level of the steam tank 120 as the standard water level when the signal is detected from the standard water level sensor 150 in the standby mode and the signal is not detected from the dangerous water level sensor 156. When the controller 180 determines that the water level is in the standby mode in the standby mode, the controller 180 keeps the water supply 130 in a stopped state, and waits for operation.

Meanwhile, when a signal is detected from the dangerous level sensor 156 in the standby mode, the controller 180 may determine the level of the steam tank 120 as a dangerous level. When the controller 180 determines that the level is dangerous in the standby mode, the controller 180 may output a dangerous level alarm to allow the user to check.

As shown in Fig. 4, the operation start mode is set. Here, the operation start mode may be set as the user inputs the operation start command to the controller 180 through the input unit of the steamer 100.

When the operation start mode is set, the controller 180 drives the heater 140. After starting the operation, the controller 180 determines whether the water temperature of the steam tank 120 reaches the vaporization point within a set time, for example, 3 minutes through the water temperature sensor 170. If it is determined that the vaporization point has not been reached within the set time, the controller 180 may output a heater error alarm and stop the operation, so that the user can check.

If it is determined that the controller 180 has reached the vaporization point before the set time elapses after the start of operation, the controller 180 starts the water supply 130 to start the water supply to the steam tank 120 with the first stage water flow rate, and then the first stage water flow rate The water is continuously supplied to the steam tank 120. In the first stage water supply process, if the controller 180 determines that the water flow rate is smaller than the first stage water flow rate through the flow sensor 160, the controller 180 may output a water supply error alarm and stop the operation, so that the user can check.

In addition, in the first stage water supply process, the controller 180 determines whether the second stage water supply condition, that is, the level of the steam tank 120 is lower than the standard water level during the first set time. Here, the first set time may be set to hundreds of ms, for example, 200 ms. If it is determined that the water level of the steam tank 120 is maintained above the standard level, the controller 180 continuously supplies water to the steam tank 120 at the first stage water supply flow rate.

If it is determined that the level of the steam tank 120 is lower than the standard water level during the first set time, the controller 180 starts to supply water to the steam tank 120 by adjusting the water supply 130 to a two-stage water supply flow rate. . Thereafter, the controller 180 continuously supplies water to the steam tank 120 until the end of the second stage water supply time, that is, during the second set time, at the second stage water supply flow rate. Here, the second setting time may be set to 20 seconds. In the two-stage water supply process, when the controller 180 determines that the water flow rate is smaller than the two-stage water flow rate through the flow sensor 160, the controller 180 may output a water supply error alarm and stop the operation, so that the user can check.

When the second set time has elapsed, the controller 180 controls the water supply unit 130 to the first-stage water supply flow rate and starts supplying water to the steam tank 120, and then determines the end of the operation time. Here, the driving time may be input by the user to the controller 180 through the timer of the steamer 100. The controller 180 repeats the above-described water supply processes when the operation time is over, and when the operation time ends, the steamer 100 stops operation and waits for operation.

According to the steamer 100 having such a configuration, even if the steam tank 120 is miniaturized, continuous use is possible, and it is possible to shorten the initial water supply time for the steam tank 120, and to heat the water at the beginning to steam. Since it can shorten the time required to generate, it is possible to increase the convenience.

The present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, but this is only exemplary, and those skilled in the art can understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible therefrom. Will be able to. Therefore, the true protection scope of the present invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

110..Water tank 120..Steam tank
130.. Water supply 140.. Heater
150..Standard water level sensor 156..Hazard level sensor
160..Flow sensor 170..Water temperature sensor
180..Controller

Claims (3)

A water supply tank for storing water in the interior space;
A steam tank that introduces water supplied from the water supply tank into the internal space through an inlet port and discharges the steam generated in the internal space through the steam outlet;
A water supplyer supplying water from the water supply tank to the steam tank as one of a first-stage water supply flow rate and a second-stage water supply flow rate according to water supply conditions;
A heater that heats the water in the steam tank to generate steam;
A standard water level sensor detecting whether the water level of the steam tank is a standard water level;
A risk level sensor for detecting whether the level of the steam tank is at a higher level than the standard level;
A flow sensor that detects the water flow rate through the inlet of the steam tank;
A water temperature sensor that detects the water temperature of the steam tank; And
Controlling the heater and water supply based on the information detected by the standard water level sensor, the dangerous water level sensor, the flow sensor, and the water temperature sensor. After heating the water in the steam tank, when the water temperature reaches the vaporization point, it is operated by supplying it to the steam tank with a first-stage water supply flow rate. A steamer comprising a controller for supplying water to the steam tank by supplying water to the steam tank for a second predetermined time with a second water supply flow rate higher than the flow rate, and then lowering the water supply to the steam tank. According to claim 1,
The water supply,
The inlet end is connected to the outlet of the water supply tank, and each inlet end is connected to the outlet end of the outlet pipe to be divided into two branches, and each outlet end is provided with water pipes connected to the inlet of the steam tank. Water supply line;
A pump installed in the water discharge pipe to suck water from the water supply tank and send it to the water supply pipes at a two-stage water flow rate;
A first stage water supply valve which is installed in any one of the water pipes and adjusts the water flowing into the second stage water flow rate to the steam tank by controlling the water flowing into the second stage water flow rate in an open operation; And
Steamer characterized in that it comprises a; installed on the other of the water pipes, a two-stage water supply valve that delivers the water flowing into the two-stage water supply flow rate to the steam tank as it is during the open operation. According to claim 1,
The water supply,
A water supply line having each inlet end connected to a drain of the water supply tank and each outlet end having water pipes connected to the inlet of the steam tank;
A first stage water supply pump installed in any one of the water pipes to suck water from the water supply tank and send it to the steam tank at a first stage water flow rate; And
Steamer characterized in that it is installed on the other of the water pipes to suck the water from the water supply tank and a two-stage water supply pump for sending to the steam tank at a two-stage water supply flow rate.

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