KR102578442B1 - Steam Generator and Laundry Treating Apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

It relates to a steam generator and a clothing processing device equipped with the steam generator, which includes a water storage tank in which water is stored, a vibrator provided at the bottom of the water tank to spray the water by selectively applying vibration to the water stored in the water tank, and spraying the sprayed water upward. It is provided with a spray pipe provided on the upper side of the vibrator to move to the vibrator, an inlet through which air flows in from the outside air, and an outlet through which air is discharged, and a mixing pipe on one side of which communicates with the spray pipe to receive the sprayed water and a mixing pipe are provided. A steam generating device is provided including a heating unit that heats at least one of the sucked air and the sprayed water.

Description

{Steam Generator and Laundry Treating Apparatus having the same}

The present invention relates to a steam generating device, a clothing processing device equipped with a steam generating device, and a method of controlling the clothing processing device.

In general, a clothing treatment device refers to a home appliance that includes a washing device that separates contaminants from clothes through the action of supplied washing water and detergent, and a drying device that dries clothes by supplying hot air to wet clothes.

The conventional steam generator is capable of sterilizing, deodorizing, and removing wrinkles from clothing using a steam generator, and includes a storage space for storing water supplied from outside and a heater provided inside the storage space to directly contact the stored water. It is a structure that contains In other words, since the heater is activated after filling a certain amount of water inside the storage space, steam can be supplied only when the water inside the storage space boils.

Therefore, the conventional steam generator not only takes a long time to generate steam, but also continues to generate steam even if the heater of the steam generator is turned off. Therefore, even if the heater of the steam generator is set from on to off, there is a problem that it takes a certain amount of time for hot air with low humidity to be discharged.

In addition, the conventional steam generator generates steam by receiving water without filtration from a water supply source provided in the home. Accordingly, components contained in water (calcium, magnesium, basic substances, etc.) combine with each other during the heating process and are transformed into scale (calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, etc.).

This scale can accumulate in the outlet that discharges steam to the outside of the storage space and clog the outlet, and there is a problem in that it is discharged together with the steam and attaches to the object, contaminating the object. The scale remaining inside the storage space is fixed to the surface of the storage space or the surface of the heater, but when the heater overheats or a temperature imbalance occurs inside the storage space, the scale located in the high temperature area will be separated from the surface of the heater or storage space. In this case, there is a problem that the outlet may become clogged.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and includes a steam generator that can quickly switch from supplying hot air containing steam to supplying hot air that does not contain steam, or vice versa, and the steam generating device. The problem to be solved is to provide a equipped clothing processing device.

In addition, the present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a steam generating device that prevents the discharge portion through which steam is discharged from being blocked by scale, and a clothing treatment device equipped with the steam generating device.

In addition, the present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a steam generator that prevents scale from attaching to an object to which hot air is supplied and a clothing treatment device equipped with the steam generator.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a water storage tank in which water is stored; a vibrator provided at the bottom of the water tank to spray water by selectively applying vibration to the water stored in the water tank; a spray pipe provided above the vibrator to allow the sprayed water to move upward; a mixing pipe provided with an inlet through which air flows in from the outside air and an outlet through which air is discharged, and one side of which communicates with the spray pipe to receive the sprayed water; and a heating unit provided in the mixing pipe to heat at least one of the sucked air and the sprayed water.

The spray pipe may include a bent flow path that provides a movement path for the air so that the air from the mixing pipe is introduced and then bent and discharged.

The bending flow path includes a downward bending flow path that allows air in the mixing pipe to flow inclined downward; and an upward bending flow path that causes the air passing through the downward bending flow path to flow inclined upward.

The bent flow path is provided at the upper end of the spray pipe and may be composed of a first flow path wall whose cross-sectional area increases upward and a second flow path spaced upward from the first flow path wall.

The second flow path wall extends across the mixing pipe and may include a vertical cross-section that is formed in a streamlined shape.

Both ends of the second channel wall may be coupled to the first channel wall, and the central part may be curved convexly upward to be disposed inside the mixing pipe.

The lower end of the spray pipe is coupled to the bottom of the water tank, and a side hole may be formed on one side to communicate with the interior of the water tank.

It further includes an external air supply unit provided at an inlet side of the mixing pipe, wherein the external air supply unit includes a blowing fan for sucking external air; and a fan housing accommodating the blowing fan.

The water storage tank may have a water supply port formed on one side to supply water from the outside, and may further include a filter unit coupled to one side of the water supply port.

In addition, it includes a cabinet provided with an inlet, a receiving part that accommodates clothes flowing into the inlet, a steam generator that generates steam and supplies steam to the receiving part, and a water supply part that supplies water to the steam generating device. The steam generating device includes a water storage tank in which water is stored, a vibrator provided at the bottom of the water tank to selectively apply vibration to the water stored in the water tank to spray the water, and a vibrator on the upper side of the vibrator so that the sprayed water moves upward. It is provided with a spray pipe whose cross-sectional area becomes smaller as it moves upward, a mixing pipe that communicates with the supply duct so that air flows in from the outside air and is supplied to the supply duct, and one side of which communicates with the spray pipe to receive the sprayed water; and a heating unit provided in the mixing pipe to heat at least one of the sucked air and the sprayed water. The above object can be achieved by providing a clothing treatment apparatus comprising a.

The spray pipe includes a downward bending flow path that allows air from the mixing pipe to flow in an inclined downward direction; And it may include an upward bending flow path that causes the air passing through the downward bending flow path to flow obliquely upward.

The spray pipe may include a flow guide that extends across the mixing pipe and has a streamlined vertical cross-section to allow air from the mixing pipe to flow in and then be discharged.

The flow guide may be curved convexly upward so that both ends are coupled to the upper end of the spray pipe and the central portion is disposed inside the mixing pipe.

The spray pipe may further include a guide receiving portion whose cross-sectional area increases upward to accommodate the flow guide.

The steam generator includes an outdoor air supply unit that introduces air from the outdoor air; and a filter unit coupled to one side of the water storage tank to filter water supplied from the outside.

Additionally, a cabinet provided with an input port; a clothing receiving portion that accommodates clothing flowing into the input port; a supply duct communicating with the clothing receiving portion; A steam generator connected to one end of the supply duct to generate steam and supply it to the receiving portion; It includes a water storage tank in which water is stored; a vibrator provided at the bottom of the water tank to spray water by selectively applying vibration to the water stored in the water tank; a spray pipe provided above the vibrator to allow the sprayed water to move upward; a mixing pipe that communicates with the supply duct so that air flows in from the outside and is supplied to the supply duct, and one side of which communicates with the spray pipe to receive the sprayed water; and a heating unit provided in the mixing pipe to heat at least one of the sucked air and the sprayed water. The above object can be achieved by providing a clothing treatment apparatus comprising a.

The present invention provides a steam generating device that can quickly switch from supplying hot air containing steam to supplying hot air that does not contain steam, or vice versa, and a clothing processing device equipped with the steam generating device. There is.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of providing a steam generating device that prevents the discharge portion through which steam is discharged from being blocked by scale, and a clothing treatment device equipped with the steam generating device.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of providing a steam generator that prevents scale from attaching to an object to which hot air is supplied and a clothing treatment device equipped with the steam generator.

1 is a schematic diagram of a clothing treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing one embodiment of the steam generator shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing another embodiment of the steam generator shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing another embodiment of the steam generator shown in FIG. 1.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II indicated in Figures 3 and 4.

Hereinafter, a steam generating device and a clothing processing device including the same according to various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are shown as examples to aid understanding of the invention, and it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented with various modifications different from the embodiments described herein. However, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known functions or components may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed descriptions and specific illustrations will be omitted. Additionally, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the attached drawings are not drawn to scale and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

The first and second terms used in this application may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. Terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one constituent from another.

Additionally, the terms used in this application are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of rights. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as “comprise,” “consist of,” or “consist of” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof described in the specification, but are intended to indicate the presence of one or It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the presence or addition of other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a clothing treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the clothing processing device 100 includes a cabinet 1, a receiving portion 3 provided inside the cabinet to accommodate clothing, a supply portion connected to the receiving portion 3 to supply hot air, and a receiving portion. An exhaust part (6) connected to (3) to discharge moisture and air inside the receiving part (3), a device for supplying moisture to the receiving part (3), and a water supply unit connected to an external water supply source to supply water ( 79).

The cabinet 1 forms the exterior of the clothing treatment device and includes a front panel 11 and a rear panel 13. In addition, a door 15 is provided on the outside of the cabinet 1, and inside the cabinet 1 is a driving part that rotates the receiving part 3 and first and second support parts that rotatably support the receiving body 31. (17, 19) are provided.

The front panel 11 is disposed on the front surface of the laundry treatment device, and an inlet 111 is formed to communicate the receiving portion 3 with the outside.

The rear panel 13 is formed with a panel penetration hole 131 that communicates the inside of the cabinet with the outside of the cabinet in order to smoothly supply air to the receiving body 31.

The door 15 is rotatably provided on the front panel 11, and opens and closes the inlet 111 as it rotates.

The receiving portion (3) is provided inside the cabinet (1) and includes a receiving body (31) and a lifter (33).

The receiving body 31 communicates with the outside through the inlet 111 and can be formed in any shape as long as it can accommodate clothing. For example, the receiving body 31 may be formed as a cylindrical receiving body 31 with open front and rear surfaces, as shown in FIG. 1 .

Meanwhile, the receiving body 31 is supported by a first support part 17 and a second support part 19, which will be described later, so as to be rotatable inside the cabinet 1, and rotates by receiving power from the driving part.

The lifter 33 is formed to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the receiving body 31 toward the center of rotation of the receiving body 31 so that the clothes stored inside the receiving body 31 are stirred as the receiving body 31 rotates.

The first support portion 17 includes a first flange 173 that rotatably supports the open front end of the receiving body 31. For example, the first flange 173 may be formed in a ring shape to be disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the open front end of the receiving body 31, but is not limited to this and may rotatably support the open front end of the receiving body 31. It can be formed into any shape.

Meanwhile, the first support part 17 is provided in front of the receiving part 3, and a through hole 171 is formed on one side so that the receiving part 3 communicates with the outside of the cabinet 1 through the inlet 111. do. Accordingly, the first support portion 17 rotatably supports the receiving portion 3 from the front, but allows the user to insert clothing into the receiving body 31 through the inlet 111 or withdraw clothing from the receiving body 31. Do not disturb or interfere with

In addition, the first support portion 17 has an exhaust hole 175 formed on its lower side to communicate with the exhaust duct 61, which will be described later.

The second support part 19 is provided at the rear of the receiving part 3, and a communication hole 191 is formed so that the receiving part 3 receives hot air from the supply duct 51, which will be described later.

Meanwhile, the second support portion 19 includes a second flange 193 that rotatably supports the open rear end of the receiving body 31. Like the first flange 173, the second flange 193 may be formed in a ring shape disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the open rear end of the receiving body 31, but is not limited to this and may be formed in a ring shape at the open front end of the receiving body 31. It can be rotatably supported and formed into any shape.

The driving unit includes a motor 41 and a belt 45 connecting the rotation axis of the motor and the circumferential surface of the receiving body 31. The motor 41 transmits power to the receiving body 31 through the belt 45 to rotate the receiving body 31.

The supply part performs the function of supplying hot air to the receiving part 3 and includes a supply duct 51 communicating with the receiving body 31 and a heater 53 that heats the air flowing into the supply duct 51. .

The supply duct 51 is disposed at one end in the space formed between the receiving part 3 and the cabinet 1 to introduce external air, and to supply the air heated by the heater 53 to the receiving part 3. The other end is connected to the receiving body 31 through a communication hole 191 formed in the second support portion 19.

The heater 53 is provided inside the supply duct 51 and heats the air introduced through one end of the supply duct 51. The heater 530 may be provided inside one end of the supply duct 51, but is not limited to this, and may be located at any point inside the supply duct 51 as long as it can heat the incoming air. The exhaust unit accommodates The air inside the unit (3) is discharged to the outside of the cabinet (1) and is composed of an exhaust duct (61) and an exhaust fan (63).

As described above, the exhaust duct 61 is connected to the lower side of the first support part 17 and communicates the inside of the receiving body 31 and the outside of the cabinet 1 through the exhaust hole 175.

The exhaust fan 63 is provided inside the exhaust duct 63 and rotates to exhaust the air inside the receiving body 31 to the outside of the cabinet 1 through the exhaust duct 63. When the exhaust fan 63 rotates, the pressure inside the receiving body 31 decreases, and thus the air inside the cabinet 1 can flow into the receiving body 31 through the supply duct 51. As shown in FIG. 1, the clothing processing device 100 has an exhaust drying method that discharges the air discharged from the receiving body 31 to the outside of the cabinet 1 and a condensation method that circulates the air inside the receiving body 31. It can be manufactured using a dry drying method. When the clothing processing device 100 is equipped with a condensation type drying device, the exhaust duct 61 is connected to the supply duct 51 to re-supply the air discharged from the receiving body 31 to the receiving body 31. Must be able to. Furthermore, since the air discharged from the receiving body 31 is preferably dehumidified and then supplied to the heater 53, the exhaust duct 61 should be further equipped with a dehumidifying device (not shown).

Meanwhile, the water supply unit 79 is connected to a water supply valve 793 that is connected to an external water supply source (not shown) and can be opened and closed, and to a device that supplies moisture to the water supply valve 793. It includes a water supply pipe (791).

A device that supplies moisture to the receiving part (3) is a device that supplies unheated droplets to the receiving part (3) or steam to the receiving part (3). It may be a steam generator (7) that supplies steam.

Hereinafter, a case where the device that supplies moisture to the receiving portion (3) is the steam generating device (7) will be described.

Hereinafter, the steam generator 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing one embodiment of the steam generator 7 shown in FIG. 1.

The steam generator 7 is supported by a bracket 8 as shown in FIG. 1 and receives water from the water supply unit 79 to generate steam and is supplied to the receiving unit through a through hole formed in the second support unit 19. Supply steam to (3).

Referring to FIG. 2, this steam generator 7 includes a water storage tank 71 in which water is stored, a vibrating part 72 that sprays the water stored in the water tank 71, and a spray pipe that moves the sprayed water upward. (73), a mixing pipe 76 provided with an inlet 763 through which air flows in and an outlet 765 through which air is discharged, a heating unit 76 provided inside the mixing pipe 76, and a water storage tank 71. It includes a filter unit 78 that filters water supplied to the system and an external air supply unit 77 that supplies air from the outside air.

The water storage tank 71 serves to store water so that the vibrator 721 can spray water. The water storage tank 71 is disposed below the mixing pipe 76 and communicates with the mixing pipe 76 through the spray pipe 73.

In addition, the water storage tank 71 has a water inlet 711 formed at its lower side to receive water from an external water supply source and store it.

The vibration unit 72 includes a vibrator 721 and a vibration control unit 723 that controls the on and off of the vibrator 721.

The vibrator 721 generates ultrasonic vibrations to spray the water in the water tank 71, causing vibration in the water stored in the water tank 71. The vibrator 721 is provided at the bottom of the water storage tank 71 and is disposed on the lower side of the spray pipe 73 so that the sprayed water moves smoothly upward through the spray pipe 73.

The vibration control unit 723 is electrically connected to the vibrator 721 and selectively supplies power to turn the vibrator 721 on and off.

The spray pipe 73 is provided inside the water storage tank 71 and is a pipe that extends from the upper side of the vibrator 721 to the lower side of the mixing pipe 76 in order to move the water sprayed from the vibrator 721 upward. is formed A detailed description of the spray pipe 73 will be provided later.

The mixing pipe 76 is disposed on the upper side of the water storage tank 71 and communicates with the water storage tank 71 through the spray pipe 73. The mixing pipe 76 has an inlet 763 formed at one end to suck in air from the outside air along the arrow direction (A), and an outlet (763) at the other end to discharge the sucked air along the arrow direction (B). 765) is formed. One end is exposed to the outside air so that air can be sucked in from the outside air. Here, external air is a term referring to the outside of the mixing pipe 76. One end of the mixing pipe 76 may be exposed to the outside of the cabinet, but in the steam generator 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is provided to be exposed to the interior space of the cabinet.

Meanwhile, the mixing pipe 76 communicates with the spray pipe 73 through one side of the lower surface. The sprayed water rises along the spray pipe 73 by the action of the pressure of the receiving part lowered by the exhaust fan. The sprayed water moving upward along the spray pipe (73) mixes with the air sucked from the hopper pipe.

The heating unit 76 is provided inside the mixing pipe 76 and is disposed downstream from the connection point with the spray pipe 73. Accordingly, the heating unit 76 can heat at least one of the sucked air and the sprayed water.

The filter unit 78 is connected to the water supply port of the water storage tank 71 to filter the water supplied to the water storage tank 71. The filter unit 78 includes a filter (not shown) that filters water, a filter housing 781 that accommodates the filter and is connected to a water supply pipe to receive water from an external water supply source, and a water supply port of the water storage tank 71. It includes a connector 783 that can be connected to (71).

Here, the filter may be made of an ion filter, and the ion filter serves to remove metal ions from the supplied water. Accordingly, even if the sprayed water is sprayed on the object, scale does not adhere to the object.

The outside air supply unit 77 is provided on the inlet 763 side of the mixing pipe 76 and sucks air from outside into the interior of the mixing pipe along the direction of the arrow (A). The outside air supply unit 77 includes a blowing fan 771 for sucking in outside air and a fan housing 773 provided at one end of the mixing pipe 76 to accommodate the blowing fan 771.

The blowing fan 771 is not always driven when drying clothes accommodated in the receiving unit and can be controlled to turn on and off as needed.

Meanwhile, this external air supply unit 77 may not be provided in the steam generating device, and in this case, the inlet 763 is not provided in the steam generating device.

The spray pipe 73 will be described in detail again. The spray pipe 73 is provided inside the water storage tank 71 and is a pipe that extends from the upper side of the vibrator 721 to the lower side of the mixing pipe 76 in order to move the water sprayed from the vibrator 721 upward. is formed A detailed description of the spray pipe 73 will be provided later.

In general, the spray pipe 73 is only connected to the upper side of the water tank 71 and does not extend sufficiently to the lower side of the water tank 71, so it is not submerged in water. Therefore, the water sprayed by the vibrator 721 occupies the remaining space of the water tank 71 excluding the space occupied by water, and can continue to be discharged outside the water tank 71 even when the vibrator 721 is turned off.

As described above, the spray pipe 73 of the steam generator 7 according to an embodiment of the present invention extends sufficiently downward from the upper side of the water storage tank 71 so that the lower end is submerged in water contained in the water storage tank 71.

Additionally, the spray pipe 73 may have a smaller cross-sectional area as it moves upward so that the sprayed water occupying the inside of the spray pipe 73 cannot be easily discharged when the vibrator 721 is turned off. That is, the spray pipe 73 may be formed in an inverted funnel shape. Accordingly, when the sprayed water supply is stopped due to the off setting of the vibrator 721, the sprayed water remaining inside the spray pipe 73 cannot be easily discharged and falls again to be stored in the water storage tank 71. .

Hereinafter, a steam generator 8 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing another embodiment of the steam generator 7 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I shown in FIG. 3.

The steam generating device 8 according to another embodiment of the present invention described below includes the same structure as the above-described embodiment except for the spray pipe 74. Therefore, the same drawing numbers are used for the same structure as the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the spray pipe 74 has an extension portion 741 extending in the vertical direction, and a bent flow path formed so that a portion of the air flowing through the mixing pipe 76 quickly flows through the spray pipe 74. (749) and a side hole (741a) formed on the side to communicate with the interior of the water storage tank (71).

The bent flow path 749 may be formed to provide a longer air movement path than the air movement path flowing along the mixing pipe 76. For example, it consists of a downward bending passage 749a that allows the air in the mixing pipe 76 to flow obliquely downward and an upward bending passage 749b that allows the air passing through the downward bending passage 749a to flow obliquely upward. You can.

As the pressure of the receiving part 3 decreases and air flows in the mixing pipe 76, a bending passage consisting of a downward bending passage 749a and a downward bending passage 749a among the air flowing inside the mixing pipe 76 ( The speed of air flowing along 749) is higher than the speed of air not flowing along this bending flow path 749. Due to this speed difference, the pressure of the air flowing along the bending passage 749 becomes lower than the pressure of air not flowing along the bending passage 749. Therefore, when the spray pipe 74 is provided with the bent passage 749 at the upper end, the sprayed water inside is discharged more quickly than when the bent passage 749 is not provided at the upper end.

As described above, the bent flow path 749 may have any structure as long as it provides a longer air movement path than the air movement path flowing along the mixing pipe 76.

For example, as described below, the bent passage 749 is provided at the upper end of the spray pipe 74, and the first passage wall 743 and the first passage wall ( It consists of a second passage wall 745 that is provided to be spaced upward from 743).

The mixing pipe 76 of the second flow path wall 745 is arranged to cross, and is formed in the shape of a bar that is convexly curved upward and extends long, as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, one end of both ends of the second passage wall 745 is coupled to one side of the inner surface of the first passage wall 743, and the other end is opposite to one side of the inner surface of the first passage wall 743. combines with

That is, the second channel wall 745 is coupled to a first point on the inner surface of the first channel wall 743, where both ends are formed in a funnel shape, and a second point on the inner surface located opposite to the first point.

In addition, the second passage wall 745 is configured so that the air flowing through the mixing pipe 76 collides with the second passage wall 745 and flows separately to the upper and lower sides of the second passage wall 745. ) is formed to be curved convexly upward so that the central portion is disposed inside the mixing pipe 76.

In addition, the vertical cross-section is formed in a streamlined shape so that the speed of air flowing through the upper and lower sides of the second passage wall 745 is different.

That is, the upper and lower surfaces of the second passage wall 745 are formed to be convex outward, and in particular, the lower surface may be formed to be more convex outward than the upper surface. Alternatively, the upper surface of the second channel wall 745 may be formed parallel to the direction of movement of air in the mixing pipe 76, and only the lower surface of the second channel wall 745 may be formed to be convex outward, that is, downward.

Since this second flow path wall 745 serves to guide air, it may also be called a flow guide.

The first passage wall 743 may be formed integrally with the upper end of the spray pipe 74, but is not limited to this and may be formed as a separate member.

Meanwhile, the upper end of the spray pipe 74 is provided with a bent flow path 749 and communicates with the mixing pipe 76, and the lower end of the spray pipe 74 is formed to be coupled to the bottom of the water storage tank 71. In this case, in order to prevent the water in the water tank 71 from entering the inside of the spray pipe 74, the spray pipe 74 has a side hole 741a on the side to allow the water stored in the water tank 71 to flow inside. This is formed.

The side hole 741a formed at a certain height from the bottom of the water tank 71 can no longer pass the water of the water tank 71 when the water level of the water tank 71 falls below the height of the side hole 741a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the side hole 741a may be formed by the lower end of the spray pipe 74 being depressed upward.

Hereinafter, a steam generator 9 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing another embodiment of the steam generator 7 shown in FIG. 1.

The steam generator 9 according to another embodiment of the present invention described below includes the same structure as the above-described embodiments except for the spray pipe 75. Therefore, the same drawing numbers are used for the same structures as the above-described embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5, the spray pipe 75 is coupled to the mixing pipe 76 so that water in the water tank can flow in more easily, and the lower end may be provided by being pulled away from the bottom of the water tank 71.

In this case, the spray pipe 75 has an extension portion 751 whose cross-sectional area becomes smaller as it moves upward, a bending passage 749, and a vibration guide that guides the vibration generated by the vibrator 721 to the inside of the spray pipe 75. Includes (755).

The vibration guide portion 755 is provided at the lower end of the spray pipe 75 and may be formed in an inverted funnel shape whose cross-sectional area increases downward. If the spray pipe 75 is also formed in the shape of an inverted funnel, the rate at which the cross-sectional area of the vibration guide increases downward is greater than that of the spray pipe 75.

Hereinafter, the operation of the steam generator will be sequentially described with reference to the drawings. The operation of the steam generating device is explained based on the steam generating device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 since the operating principle of the steam generating device shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 overlaps with the steam generating device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. do.

First, when it is determined that the clothes in the receiving part 3 of the clothing treatment device 100 have reached the standard dryness, the steam generator 8 is operated to supply steam to the receiving part 3. Supplying steam to the receiving part 3 is to prevent overdried clothes from being deformed.

In this case, since not only overdried clothing but also clothing that has not yet been dried to the desired level is present in the receiving portion 3, steam is supplied rather than unheated water (liquid droplets). This is because the temperature inside the receiving part 3 may decrease due to spraying of unheated liquid droplets, thereby increasing the drying time.

When the steam generator 8 starts operating, the vibration control unit 723 transmits power to the vibrator so that the vibrator vibrates the water contained in the water storage tank 71 and causes the water to be sprayed. At this time, the outside air supply unit 77 operates to supply outside air to the mixing pipe 76. As shown in FIG. 3, the mixing pipe 76 receives air from the outside air along the arrow A and at the same time flows into the spray pipe ( The sprayed water that fills the interior of 74) moves upward along the spray pipe 74 and is then introduced.

The sprayed water discharged into the mixing pipe 76 is mixed with air and moves along the mixing pipe 76. After being heated by the heating unit 761, it is discharged into the receiving unit 3 along the arrow B.

At this time, the heating unit 761 heats the sprayed water mixed with air and converts it into superheated steam. Afterwards, the superheated steam is sprayed onto the clothing in the receiving portion (3) along with air.

When a certain period of time has elapsed or it is determined that enough superheated steam has been sprayed, the vibrator 721 is turned off to prevent any more sprayed water from entering the mixing pipe 76. Meanwhile, if the lower end of the spray pipe 74 is lower than the water level of the reservoir 71, the water sprayed by the vibrator 721 is discharged into the mixing pipe 76 after filling only the spray pipe 74. However, if the lower end of the spray pipe 74 is higher than the water level of the water tank 71, the sprayed water is in the empty space of the water tank 71 before being discharged into the mixing pipe 76, that is, the space inside the water tank 71 above the water level. Fill in all. Therefore, even if the vibrator 721 is turned off while the lower end of the spray pipe 74 is higher than the water level of the water tank 71, the sprayed water filling the empty space of the water tank 71 continues to flow through the mixing pipe 76. may be discharged. This phenomenon occurs more frequently when the water storage capacity of the reservoir is small or the lower end of the spray pipe is spaced further upward from the bottom of the reservoir.

However, as shown in FIG. 3, when the lower end of the spray pipe 74 is coupled to the sea side of the water tank 71, it takes time for the water level in the water tank to come down to the side hole 741a at the lower end of the spray pipe 74. Since this takes a lot of time, this phenomenon can be significantly reduced.

Meanwhile, since the sprayed water remains inside the spray pipe 74, it can continue to be discharged into the mixing pipe 76 even when the vibrator 721 is turned off. The bent passage 749 provided at the upper end of the spray pipe 74 can solve this problem. That is, the bending passage 749 can reduce to a minimum the amount of sprayed water remaining inside the spray pipe 74 while the vibrator 721 is in the on state, and therefore, when the vibrator 721 is turned off, the spray pipe ( 74) The amount of sprayed water discharged from the device can be minimized. This is because when the bent flow path 749 is provided at the upper end of the spray pipe 74, the pressure at the upper end of the spray pipe 74 is lowered, so the sprayed water is quickly discharged. Hereinafter, a clothing treatment device 100' according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a clothing treatment device 100' according to another embodiment of the present invention.

A clothing treatment device 100' according to another embodiment of the present invention described below has the same structure as the above-described embodiment except for the location where the steam generator is provided. Therefore, the same drawing numbers are used for the same structures as the above-described embodiments, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

In the clothing processing device 100', the steam generator 7 is connected to the supply duct 51 and supplies steam and hot air to the receiving part 3 through the supply duct 51. In addition, the supply duct 51 is not provided with a separate heater.

That is, the supply part of the clothing processing device 100' is formed to supply hot air containing steam and hot air not containing steam to the receiving part 3, and includes a supply duct 51 communicating with the receiving body 31 and It includes a steam generator 7 that is connected at one end to the supply duct 51 and supplies steam and hot air to the receiving part through the supply duct 51. Here, the steam generator 7 draws in outside air, that is, air located in the space between the receiving part 3 and the cabinet 1, through the inlet 763, and blows hot air and air into the supply duct 51 through the outlet 765. Release steam.

When the vibrator 721 and the heater 761 of the steam generator 7 are turned on, hot air containing steam is supplied to the receiving part 3, and the vibrator 721 of the steam generator 7 is turned on and the heater 761 is turned on. ) is turned off, hot air that does not contain steam is supplied to the receiving part (3).

By operating the exhaust fan 63, steam and hot air from the steam generator 7 can be supplied to the receiving part 3 through the supply duct 51, and if the wind speed is not sufficient, the blowing fan 771 rotates. This can increase wind speed.

Meanwhile, the sprayed water discharged into the mixing pipe 76 is mixed with air and moves along the mixing pipe 76, becomes steam by heating by the heating unit 761, and is discharged into the supply duct 51.

At this time, the heating unit 761 heats the sprayed water mixed with air and converts it into superheated steam. The degree of overheating can be adjusted depending on the degree of condensation along the length of the supply duct 51. That is, if the supply duct 51 is long and the degree to which steam is condensed while moving along the supply duct 51 is high, the heating unit 761 can apply heat to a high degree of overheating. Afterwards, the superheated steam moves along the supply duct 51 along with the air and is then sprayed onto the clothing in the receiving part 3.

As described above, although the present invention has been described with limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the technical idea of the present invention and the following will be understood by those skilled in the art. Of course, various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of equivalency of the patent claims described in .

1: cabinet 3: receiving part
6: exhaust unit 7, 8, 9: steam generator
71: water tank 72: vibration unit
73, 74, 75: spray pipe 76: mixing pipe
77: External air supply unit

Claims (16)

A reservoir in which water is stored;
a vibrator provided at the bottom of the water tank to selectively apply vibration to spray the water stored in the water tank;
a spray pipe provided above the vibrator to allow the sprayed water to move upward;
a mixing pipe provided with an inlet through which air flows in from the outside air and an outlet through which air is discharged, and one side of which communicates with the spray pipe to receive the sprayed water; and
It includes a heating unit provided in the mixing pipe to heat at least one of the sucked air and the sprayed water,
The spray pipe is a steam generating device including a bent flow path that provides a movement path for the air so that the air from the mixing pipe is introduced and then bent and discharged. delete According to paragraph 1,
The bending path is
a downward bending flow path that allows air in the mixing pipe to flow inclined downward; and
A steam generating device comprising: an upward bending passage that causes the air passing through the downward bending passage to flow in an upward direction. According to paragraph 1,
The bending path is
a first channel wall provided at the upper end of the spray pipe and having a funnel shape whose cross-sectional area increases upward; and a second flow path wall provided to be spaced upward from the first flow path wall. According to paragraph 4,
A steam generator, characterized in that the second flow path wall extends across the mixing pipe and includes a vertical cross-section formed in a streamlined shape. According to clause 4 or 5,
The steam generating device is characterized in that both ends of the second flow path wall are coupled to the first flow path wall and the central part is curved convexly upward so that it is disposed inside the mixing pipe. According to paragraph 1,
The lower end of the spray pipe is coupled to the bottom of the water tank to accommodate the vibrator, and a side hole is formed on one side to communicate with the inside of the water tank. According to paragraph 1,
It further includes an external air supply unit provided on the inlet side of the mixing pipe,
The outside air supply unit includes a blowing fan that sucks outside air; and a fan housing that accommodates the blowing fan. According to paragraph 1,
The water tank is formed with a water inlet on one side to supply water from the outside,
A steam generating device further comprising a filter unit coupled to one side of the water inlet. According to paragraph 1,
A steam generator, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the spray pipe becomes smaller as it moves upward. a cabinet equipped with an inlet;
a receiving portion that accommodates clothing flowing into the input port;
A steam generator that generates steam and supplies steam to the receiving part;
a supply duct disposed in a space formed between the receiving part and the cabinet, one end of which communicates with one side of the receiving part, and the other end communicating with an outlet of the steam generating device;
It includes a water supply unit that supplies water to the steam generator,
The steam generator is
A reservoir in which water is stored;
a vibrator provided at the bottom of the water tank to spray water by selectively applying vibration to the water stored in the water tank;
a spray pipe provided above the vibrator to allow the sprayed water to move upward, and whose cross-sectional area becomes smaller as it moves upward;
a mixing pipe that communicates with the supply duct so that air flows in from the outside and is supplied to the supply duct, and one side of which communicates with the spray pipe to receive the sprayed water; and
It includes a heating unit provided in the mixing pipe to heat at least one of the sucked air and the sprayed water,
The spray pipe is a clothing treatment device characterized in that it includes a bent flow path that provides a movement path for the air so that the air from the mixing pipe is introduced and then bent and discharged. According to clause 11,
The bending path is
a downward bending flow path that allows air from the mixing pipe to flow in an inclined downward direction; and
An upward bending passage that causes the air passing through the downward bending passage to flow in an upward direction. According to clause 11,
The bending path is
A flow guide extending across the mixing pipe and having a streamlined vertical cross-section to allow air from the mixing pipe to flow in and then be discharged. According to clause 13,
The flow guide is a clothing treatment device, characterized in that both ends are coupled to the upper end of the spray pipe, and the central portion is curved convexly upward so that it is disposed inside the mixing pipe. According to clause 13,
The spray pipe further includes a guide receiving portion formed in a funnel shape whose cross-sectional area increases upward to accommodate the flow guide. According to clause 11,
The steam generator is
An outdoor air supply unit where air flows in from the outdoor air; and
A clothing treatment device further comprising a filter unit coupled to one side of the water storage tank to filter water supplied from the outside.

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