KR102578445B1 - Steam Generator and Laundry Treating Machine having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is provided to include a first body forming an upper surface, a second body forming a bottom surface and provided as a conductor, and a connecting body connecting the first body and the second body, where water is stored. A chamber providing space; a heater fixed to the second body and located outside the chamber to heat the second body; a supply port for supplying water to the chamber; an outlet for discharging steam inside the chamber to the outside of the chamber; and an attenuation unit provided inside the chamber to reduce the amount of variation in water level that occurs inside the chamber when water boils.

Description

Steam generator and laundry treatment machine having the same {Steam Generator and Laundry Treating Machine having the same}

The present invention relates to a steam generator and a washing machine using the same.

A clothing treatment device is a general term for a washing machine that removes dirt from clothes by friction between clothes and water, and a dryer that removes moisture from wet clothes. Among conventional clothing treatment devices, there are some that can sterilize, remove odors, and even remove wrinkles using a steam generator.

The steam generator provided in a conventional clothing treatment device generates steam by heating water using a heater. It includes a chamber for storing water, a heater provided in contact with water inside the chamber, and a heater provided at a higher position than the heater to generate steam. It was a structure that included an outlet for discharging to the outside of the chamber.

This steam generator operates the heater only when the heater is completely submerged in water to prevent overheating of the heater (ensuring safety). That is, in a conventional steam generator, even if a certain amount of water remains inside the chamber, if the heater is not submerged in water, the operation of the heater must be stopped and then re-supplied.

In addition, the conventional steam generator had the disadvantage that when water starts to boil by the heater, the water level fluctuation inside the chamber increases and not only steam but also water is discharged through the outlet.

The present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a steam generator that can minimize residual water inside the steam generator and a clothing treatment device equipped with the same.

In addition, the present invention aims to provide a steam generator that can prevent water from being discharged to the outside of the chamber by minimizing the water level fluctuation inside the chamber that occurs when water boils, and a clothing treatment device equipped with the same. Make it an assignment.

Additionally, the present invention aims to solve the problem of providing a control method for a steam generator that prevents overheating of the heater.

The present invention is provided to include a first body forming an upper surface, a second body forming a bottom surface and provided as a conductor, and a connecting body connecting the first body and the second body, where water is stored. A chamber providing space; a heater fixed to the second body and located outside the chamber to heat the second body; a supply port for supplying water to the chamber; an outlet for discharging steam inside the chamber to the outside of the chamber; Provided is a steam generating device including: an attenuation unit provided inside the chamber to reduce the amount of variation in water level that occurs inside the chamber when water boils.

The present invention further includes a mounting part provided in the second body to provide a space in which the heater is fixed, wherein the attenuating part is located between the mounting part and the outlet so that the outlet is located in the space where the mounting part is located. It may be provided to attenuate waves moving in space.

The free end of the attenuator may be provided as a board protruding from the first body toward the second body so as not to contact the second body.

The attenuation unit is provided with a plurality of boards arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a direction that divides the inside of the chamber into a space where the mounting part is located and a space where the outlet is located, and one end of each board is connected to the first body. It is fixed to, and the free end of each board may be provided so as not to contact the second body.

Each of the boards may be provided in a shape parallel to a direction dividing the inside of the chamber into a space where the mounting part is located and a space where the outlet is located.

Each of the boards may be provided in a convexly bent shape toward a direction away from the direction in which the mounting unit is located.

The damping unit is comprised of a plurality of first boards arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a direction that divides the inside of the chamber into a space where the mounting unit is located and a space where the outlet is located, and a second board located between the outlet and the mounting unit. 1 Attenuation section; and a second attenuator provided with a plurality of second boards spaced apart from each other along a direction parallel to the first attenuator, and located between the first attenuator and the outlet.

The space formed between the first boards and the space formed between the second boards may be arranged on a straight line.

The space formed between the first boards and the space formed between the second boards may be arranged to be staggered.

The first board and the second board may be provided in a shape parallel to a direction dividing the interior of the chamber into a space where the mounting part is located and a space where the outlet is located.

The first board and the second board may be provided in a convexly bent shape toward a direction away from the mounting unit.

One of the first board and the second board is provided in a convex bent shape toward a direction away from the mounting unit, and the other one of the first board and the second board is located inside the chamber where the mounting unit is located. It may be provided in a shape parallel to the direction dividing the space provided and the space where the outlet is located.

The present invention includes a clothing receiving unit that provides a space for storing clothing; It is provided to include a first body forming the upper surface, a second body forming the bottom surface and provided as a conductor, and a connection body connecting the first body and the second body, providing a space in which water is stored. chamber; a heater fixed to the second body and located outside the chamber to heat the second body; a supply port for supplying water to the chamber; an outlet for discharging steam inside the chamber to the clothing receiving portion; and an attenuation unit provided inside the chamber to reduce the amount of variation in water level that occurs inside the chamber when water boils.

The present invention further includes a mounting part provided in the second body to provide a space in which the heater is fixed, wherein the attenuating part is located between the mounting part and the outlet so that the outlet is located in the space where the mounting part is located. It may be provided to attenuate waves moving in space.

It is provided to include a first body forming the upper surface, a second body forming the bottom surface and provided as a conductor, and a connection body connecting the first body and the second body, providing a space in which water is stored. chamber; a heater fixed to the second body and located outside the chamber to heat the second body; a supply port for supplying water to the chamber; an outlet for discharging steam inside the chamber to the clothing receiving portion; An attenuation unit provided inside the chamber to reduce the amount of variation in water level that occurs inside the chamber when water boils; and a temperature sensor provided at a position higher than the second body and lower than the outlet to detect the temperature inside the chamber. In the method of controlling a steam generator including a A water supply step of supplying water; A first measurement step of measuring a first temperature through the temperature sensor; A heater operating step of operating the heater after measuring the first temperature; A second measurement step of measuring a second temperature through the temperature sensor when a preset first reference time has elapsed from the time the heater starts operating; If the difference between the second temperature and the first temperature is less than a preset first reference value, a heater operation termination step of stopping operation of the heater. The first reference value may be set to 15 degrees Celsius. The first reference time is preferably set to be between 1 minute and 2 minutes.

The present invention includes a third measurement step of periodically measuring a third temperature through the temperature sensor when the difference between the second temperature and the first temperature is greater than a preset first reference value; A fourth measurement step of measuring the fourth temperature through the temperature sensor when a preset second reference time has elapsed from the time the third temperature reaches the preset reference temperature, and terminating the heater operation. Can be executed when the difference between the fourth temperature and the third temperature is greater than or equal to a preset second reference value. The second reference value may be set to the same value as the first reference value, and the first reference value may be set to 15 degrees Celsius. The reference temperature may be set to 80 degrees Celsius. The second reference time can be set to a time between 10 seconds and 30 seconds.

The present invention has the effect of providing a steam generator that can minimize residual water inside the steam generator and a clothing treatment device equipped with the same.

In addition, the present invention has the effect of providing a steam generator that can prevent water from being discharged to the outside of the chamber by minimizing water level fluctuations inside the chamber that occur when water boils, and a clothing treatment device equipped with the same.

Additionally, the present invention has the effect of providing a control method for a steam generator that prevents overheating of the heater.

Figure 1 shows an example of a clothing treatment device equipped with a steam generating device.
Figures 2 and 3 show an example of the steam generator of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the steam generating device of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows an example of a control method for a steam generator.
Figure 6 shows another embodiment of a clothing treatment device equipped with a steam generating device of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Unless otherwise specified, all terms in this specification have the same general meaning as understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and if a term used in this specification conflicts with the general meaning of the term, follows the definitions used in this specification. Meanwhile, the configuration or control method of the device described below is only for explaining the embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and the same reference numbers used throughout the specification refer to the same components. represents them.

As shown in FIG. 1, the clothing processing apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a cabinet 1, clothing receiving portions 2 and 4 provided inside the cabinet to provide a space for storing clothing, and steam flowing into the clothing receiving portion. It includes a steam generator (5) that supplies.

The front surface of the cabinet 1 is provided with an inlet 11 through which clothes are supplied to the clothes receiving part. The inlet 11 is opened and closed by a door 13 rotatably coupled to the cabinet 1.

The cabinet 1 may be provided with an input unit 15 that receives control commands from the user, and a display unit 17 that displays control commands selectable by the user and the execution process of the control command selected by the user.

When the laundry treatment device 100 of the present invention is provided as a device for washing clothes, the clothes receiving parts 2 and 4 are provided inside the cabinet 1 and include a tub 2 in which water is stored, and the tub It may be provided with a drum 4 that is rotatably provided inside and provides a space for storing clothes.

The tub 2 is provided as a cylinder with an empty interior and can be fixed to the cabinet 1 through the tub support portion 23. A tub inlet 21 communicating with the inlet 11 is provided on the front surface of the tub 2.

The tub 2 receives water through a water supply unit, and the water stored in the tub can be discharged to the outside of the cabinet 1 through a drain unit.

The water supply unit may be provided with a water supply pipe 25 connecting the tub 2 and a water supply source, and a water supply pipe valve 26 that opens or closes the water supply pipe 25 according to a control signal from the controller.

The drain unit includes a pump 28 fixed inside the cabinet 1, a first drain pipe 27 that guides water inside the tub 2 to the pump 28, and a first drain pipe 27 that guides water discharged from the pump to the cabinet. It may be provided as a second drain pipe (29) leading to the outside of (1).

The drum 4 may be a cylinder with an empty interior, and the front surface is provided with the tub inlet 21 and a drum inlet 41 communicating with the inlet 11. Accordingly, the user can put clothes into the drum 4 through the inlet 11 or take the clothes stored in the drum 4 out of the cabinet 1.

A plurality of drum through-holes 43 are provided on the circumferential surface and the rear surface of the drum 4. This is to communicate the inside of the tub (2) with the inside of the drum (4).

The drum 4 rotates through a driving unit, which includes a stator 45 that is fixed to the back of the tub 2 and generates a rotating magnetic field, a rotor 47 rotating by the rotating magnetic field, and the tub 2. It includes a rotation shaft 49 that is provided to penetrate the rear surface of the rotor 47 and the rear surface of the drum 4.

Meanwhile, if the laundry treatment device 100 of the present invention is equipped with a device capable of washing clothes and drying clothes, the laundry treatment device 100 of the present invention includes an air supply unit (not shown) that supplies air to the tub 2. More should be provided.

The air supply unit may be equipped to include a duct that draws the air inside the tub 2 to the outside of the tub and then supplies it back to the tub, and a heat exchanger that sequentially dehumidifies and heats the air flowing into the duct. You can. In contrast, the air supply unit may be provided with an exhaust duct that discharges the air inside the tub (2) to the outside of the cabinet, a supply duct that supplies outside air to the tub (2), and a heater provided in the supply duct to heat the air. It may be possible.

On the other hand, when the clothes processing apparatus 100 of the present invention is equipped as a device that only dries clothes, the clothes receiving part is provided inside the cabinet 1 and consists of only the drum 4 that provides a space for storing clothes. It can be provided.

In this case, the drum 4 is provided as a cylinder with open front and rear surfaces, and the front surface of the drum is rotatably supported on the front support part (where the drum inlet is formed) fixed to the cabinet 1, The rear surface of the drum may be rotatably supported on a rear supporter fixed to the cabinet 1.

There is no need for a drum through-hole on the circumferential surface of the drum 4 provided in a clothing processing device that only dries clothes, and inside the cabinet, air is supplied to the space formed by the front support part, the rear support part, and the drum. An air supply unit (not shown) must be provided. The air supply unit may include an exhaust duct that discharges air inside the drum to the outside of the cabinet, a supply duct that supplies outside air to the drum, and a heater provided in the supply duct to heat the air.

The steam generator 5 includes a chamber (C) fixed inside the cabinet 1 to provide a space for storing water, a supply port 54 for supplying water to the chamber, and heating the water inside the chamber. It includes a heater 56 that supplies steam inside the chamber to the clothing receiving space and an outlet 55.

As shown in FIG. 2, the chamber (C) includes a first body 51 forming an upper surface, a second body 52 forming a bottom surface and provided as a conductor, and the first body and the first body 51. It may be provided as a connection body 53 that connects the two bodies.

The connection body 53 may be provided along the edge of the first body 51 or along the edge of the second body 52. Figure 2 shows the connection body 53. A case where it is provided along the edge of body 51 is shown as an example.

The supply port 54 may be provided to penetrate the first body 51 or the connecting body 53. When the supply port 54 is provided in the connection body 53, water may flow back to the supply port 54 depending on the water level inside the chamber (C), so the supply port 54 is connected to the first body 51. ) is preferably provided to penetrate. As shown in FIG. 1, a water supply source connector 541 connected to a water supply source is fixed to the supply port 54, and the water supply source connector 541 is connected to the water supply source connector according to a control signal from the controller. A valve 543 that opens and closes 541 is provided.

The outlet 55 may also be provided to pass through the first body 51 or may be provided to pass through the connecting body 53. When the outlet 55 is provided to penetrate the first body 51, water inside the chamber C is discharged through the outlet 55 compared to the case where the outlet 55 is provided in the connecting body 53. Since it is possible to prevent discharge, it is preferable that the discharge port 55 is provided to penetrate the first body 51. The outlet 55 is provided with a steam supply pipe 551 that guides steam to the clothing receiving part.

The heater 56 is fixed to the second body 52 and located outside the chamber C. Accordingly, the heat supplied by the heater 56 is transferred to the water inside the chamber C through the second body 52.

Since the above-described steam generator 5 is structured to heat the water inside the chamber C through the second body 52 provided as a conductor, all water supplied to the chamber C can be converted into steam. . Therefore, the steam generator 5 does not require water level control to maintain the heater submerged in water, which is required for conventional steam generators, and can minimize the amount of water remaining inside the chamber C, generating steam. It is possible to minimize the number of water supplies to produce water.

Looking at the specific structure of the second body 52 with reference to FIG. 2, the second body includes a heating plate 521 forming the bottom surface of the chamber C, and is provided at the edge of the heating plate to form the connection body. It may be provided with a fastening groove 523 that accommodates the free end, and a mounting portion 525 provided on the heating plate 521 to provide a space for fixing the heater 56.

A fastening protrusion 531 is provided at the free end of the connecting body 53, and the fastening groove 523 may be provided in any shape as long as the fastening protrusion can be accommodated.

The mounting part 525 is provided in a cylindrical shape with the heating plate 521 protruding in a direction away from the chamber C, and the heater 56 is located on the outer circumferential surface of the mounting part 525 (located outside the chamber). It can be fixed to the circumferential surface of the mounting part.

As shown in FIG. 1, the interior of the chamber C may be further provided with an attenuation unit 59 that reduces the amount of variation in water level that occurs inside the chamber C when water boils.

Since the heater 56 is fixed to the mounting part 525, the water inside the chamber C boils in the space where the mounting part 525 is located before the space far away from the mounting part 525. Therefore, when the water inside the chamber (C) begins to boil, the water surface inside the chamber (C) will fluctuate, and in this process, the water may move to the steam supply pipe (551) through the outlet (55). When water is supplied to clothes through the steam supply pipe 551, a problem arises in which effects that can be achieved by supplying steam to clothes (odor removal, wrinkle removal, etc.) become difficult to implement. Furthermore, if water inside the chamber flows into the outlet 55, noise may occur.

The attenuation unit 59 is a means of solving this problem. That is, the damping part 59 provided in the present invention is located between the mounting part 525 and the outlet 55 and moves from the space where the mounting part 525 is located to the space where the outlet 55 is located. Attenuates waves.

The damping unit 59 provided in the present invention may be provided as a board protruding from the first body toward the second body. In this case, one end of the board must be fixed to the first body 51, and the free end of the board must be provided so as not to contact the second body. This is to ensure that the water supplied through the supply port 54 is supplied to the mounting part 525.

The attenuation unit 59 may be provided as one board, or may be provided as multiple boards. 1 shows the attenuating part 59 as a first attenuating part 59a located between the mounting part 525 and the outlet 55, and a first attenuating part 59a located between the first attenuating part 59a and the outlet 55. The case where it is provided with the second attenuation part 59b and the third attenuation part 59c located between the first attenuation part 59a and the mounting part 525 is shown as an example.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first attenuating part 59a is located along the direction A dividing the inside of the chamber C into a space where the mounting part 525 is located and a space where the outlet 55 is located. It may be provided with a plurality of first boards 591 arranged to be spaced apart from each other. One end of each first board 591 is fixed to the first body 51, and the free end does not contact the second body 52.

However, since one first board 591 and the other first board remain spaced apart from each other, each first board 591 provided in this embodiment is connected to the first body 51 and the second body 591. It may also be provided to connect the body 52.

The second attenuating part 59b may be provided with a plurality of second boards 593 arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a direction parallel to the first attenuating part 59a. In this case, the second boards 593 constituting the second attenuator 59b will be located between the first attenuator 59a and the outlet 55.

The third attenuation unit 59c may be provided with a plurality of third boards 595 arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a direction parallel to the first attenuation unit 59a. In this case, the third boards 595 constituting the third attenuating part 59c will be located between the first attenuating part 59a and the mounting part 525.

The space formed between the first boards 591, the space formed between the second boards 593, and the space formed between the third boards 595 are as shown in Figure 3 (a). It may be arranged on a straight line (L1), or may be arranged to stagger each other (L2) as shown in FIG. 3 (b).

The shapes of the first board 591, second board 593, and third board 595 divide the interior of the chamber (C) into a space where the mounting part 525 is located and a space where the outlet 55 is located. It may be provided in a shape parallel to the direction (A) (provided as a flat plate).

However, as shown in FIG. 4, the shapes of the first board 591, second board 593, and third board 595 are convexly bent in the direction away from the mounting portion 525. It may be provided (provided as a curved plate). If each of the boards 591, 593, and 595 is provided in a convex shape toward the direction away from the mounting portion 525, the contact area between each board and the water will be expanded, allowing more effective wave attenuation compared to the embodiment of FIG. 3.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the space formed between the first boards 591, the space formed between the second boards 593, and the space formed between the third boards 595 are shown in Figure 4 (a). ) may be arranged on a straight line, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), or may be arranged to stagger each other, as shown in FIG. 4 (b).

Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, one of the three boards 591, 593, and 595 is provided in a convex shape toward a direction away from the mounting portion, and the remaining of the three boards is provided with a mounting portion inside the chamber C. It may be provided in a shape parallel to the direction (A) dividing the space in which the outlet is located and the space in which the outlet is located.

The attenuation unit 59 provided in the present invention may be provided as one of the three attenuation units 59a, 59b, and 59c. In this case, the attenuating part 59 is a plurality of units arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the direction A dividing the interior of the chamber C into a space where the mounting part 525 is located and a space where the outlet 55 is located. It may be composed of a board of

In addition, each board may be provided as a flat plate parallel to the direction A that divides the inside of the chamber C into a space where the mounting part is located and a space where the outlet is located, and may be oriented in a direction away from the mounting part 525. It may also be provided as a curved plate that is convex towards.

The steam generator 5 may further include a water level sensor 57 that detects the water level inside the chamber (C) and a temperature sensor 58 that detects the temperature inside the chamber (C).

As shown in FIG. 4, the water level sensor 57 is fixed to the connection body 53 and serves as a means to prevent the water level inside the chamber C from becoming higher than the outlet 55. That is, the water level sensor 57 may be fixed to the connection body 53 and positioned between the second body 52 and the outlet 55.

The water level sensor 57 may be provided with a first electrode 571 and a second electrode 573 fixed to the connection body 53. The first electrode 571 and the second electrode 573 may be provided to be spaced apart from each other along the height direction of the chamber (direction from the first body to the second body), or in the width or length direction of the chamber. Accordingly, they may be provided to be spaced apart from each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the controller controls the valve 543 to open the water supply connection pipe 541, water will be supplied to the chamber C. When the water level inside the chamber (C) rises to the height of the water level sensor 57, the first electrode 571 and the second electrode 573 are electrically connected to each other and send a control signal (control regarding the water level) to the controller. signal), and the controller can control the valve 543 to close the water supply source connector 541 when receiving a control signal from the water level sensor 57.

The temperature sensor 58 is fixed to the connection body 53 and positioned between the water level sensor 57 and the second body 52. Therefore, if the water level inside the chamber (C) is higher than the temperature sensor 58, the temperature sensor 58 measures the temperature of the water, and if the water level inside the chamber (C) is lower than the temperature sensor 58, the temperature sensor 58 measures the temperature of the water. , the temperature sensor 58 will measure the air temperature inside the chamber.

The heater 56 is equipped with an overheating prevention unit (not shown) that prevents overheating of the heater. The overheating prevention unit cuts off the power supplied to the heater when the temperature of the heater 56 reaches a preset maximum temperature, When the temperature of the heater 56 reaches a preset minimum temperature, a fuse may be provided to re-supply power to the heater. Accordingly, the heater 56 is controlled on-off by the overheating prevention unit.

In the steam generator 5 equipped with the above-described water level sensor 57 and temperature sensor 58, the heater ( 56) can work. In this case, a fire may occur due to overheating of the heater. Figure 5 shows an example of a control method for preventing overheating of the heater by controlling the steam generator 5 with the temperature sensor 58 when the water level sensor 57 is broken. It shows.

The control method of the present invention includes a water supply step (S1) in which the controller controls the valve 543 to supply water to the chamber (C) through the supply port 54, and a first temperature is measured through the temperature sensor 58. A first measurement step (S10), a heater operation step (S20) of operating the heater 56 after measuring the first temperature, and whether a preset first reference time has elapsed from the time the heater 56 starts operating. A step (S21) of measuring whether the first reference time has elapsed, a second measurement step (S30) of measuring the second temperature through the temperature sensor 58, the second temperature and the first reference time. If the difference of 1 temperature is less than the preset first reference value, it includes a heater operation termination step (S80) of stopping operation of the heater.

The temperature sensor 58 is fixed to the connection body 53 and is located between the second body 52 and the water level sensor 57, so when there is no water inside the chamber (C), water is sent to the water level sensor ( When supplied up to 57), in each case where the water maintains a water level lower than the height of the temperature sensor 58, the control signal (control signal regarding temperature) transmitted from the temperature sensor 58 to the control unit tends to be different. will show.

That is, since the heater 56 is controlled on-off by the overheating prevention unit, if the heater 56 operates in a state where there is no water in the chamber C, the on-off cycle of the heater will be shortened. If the on-off cycle of the heater is shortened, there will be little heat supplied into the chamber, so there will be almost no change in temperature inside the chamber C measured by the temperature sensor 58.

In contrast, if there is water in the chamber (C), the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 58 will tend to increase up to 100 degrees Celsius. Therefore, by comparing the temperature change after the first reference time after power is supplied to the heater 56, it is possible to determine whether there is water or no water inside the chamber C.

Therefore, the difference between the second temperature measured when the first reference time has elapsed after the start of the heater operation step (S20) and the first temperature measured before the start of the heater operation step is compared with the first reference value (S31) Then, it will be possible to determine whether water is stored in the chamber (C) or whether there is no water in the chamber (C).

In order to prevent safety accidents due to overheating of the heater, the shorter the first reference time, the more advantageous. According to experiments, the first reference time is set to be between 1 minute and 2 minutes, and the first reference time is set to be between 1 minute and 2 minutes. It was confirmed that when the standard value was set to 15 degrees Celsius, it was possible to effectively distinguish between cases with and without water in the chamber.

If it is determined that the difference between the second temperature and the first temperature is smaller than the first reference value, it can be considered that there is no water in the chamber (C), so the control method of the present invention performs the heater operation termination step (S80). Proceed. Therefore, the present invention can solve the problem that occurs when the heater 56 operates even though there is no water inside the chamber C due to a failure of the water level sensor 57.

The control method of the present invention may proceed with an error display step (S70) for displaying abnormalities in the steam generator 5 on the display unit 17 before proceeding with the heater operation termination step (S80). The information displayed on the display unit 17 may be a text or voice signal requesting the user to inspect the steam generator 5.

Meanwhile, if it is determined that the difference between the second temperature and the first temperature is greater than the first reference value, the control method of the present invention performs a third measurement step (S40) of periodically measuring the third temperature through the temperature sensor 58. , a step of determining whether the third temperature measured in the third measurement step (S40) has reached the preset reference temperature (S41), and a preset second reference time from when the third temperature reaches the reference temperature. A step of determining whether this has elapsed (S43), a fourth measurement step of measuring the fourth temperature through the temperature sensor 58 when the third temperature reaches the reference temperature (S50), the fourth temperature and the A step (S51) is performed to determine whether the difference between the third temperature (reference temperature) is greater than or equal to a preset second reference value.

Even when water is stored in the chamber C, the control signal transmitted from the temperature sensor to the control unit shows different tendencies depending on the amount of water. That is, when there is little water in the chamber (C), it takes a shorter time to reach the boiling point (100 degrees C) compared to when there is a lot of water. This means that the temperature change rate when the amount of water is small is greater than the temperature change rate when the amount of water is large.

Therefore, if the value obtained by subtracting the third temperature from the fourth temperature is greater than or equal to the second reference value, the control method of the present invention determines that a small amount of water is stored in the chamber C, and changes the third temperature from the fourth temperature to the second reference value. If the subtracted value is less than the second reference value, the control method of the present invention can determine that the chamber C is full of water.

According to the experiment, it was confirmed that the amount of water inside the chamber (C) can be effectively distinguished when the reference temperature is set to 80 degrees Celsius and the second reference time is set to 10 seconds to 30 seconds. In addition, the second reference value may be set to the same value as the first reference value, or may be set to a different value. Figure 5 shows that the second reference value is the same as the first reference value (15 degrees C). A case where the value is set is shown as an example.

If the value obtained by subtracting the third temperature from the fourth temperature is greater than or equal to the second reference value, the control method of the present invention sequentially proceeds with the error display step (S70) and the heater operation termination step (S80).

On the other hand, if the value obtained by subtracting the third temperature from the fourth temperature is less than the second reference value, the control method of the present invention performs a fifth measurement step (S60) of measuring the temperature (fifth temperature) inside the chamber C. ), a step (S61) of determining whether the fifth temperature measured through the fifth measurement step is below the preset end reference temperature is performed. The termination reference temperature may be set to a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius or more and 40 degrees Celsius or less. Therefore, in the present invention, even when the water level sensor 57 is broken and the water level inside the chamber cannot be known, the steam generator 5 can be safely controlled only with the temperature sensor 58.

The above-described embodiments have been described based on the fact that the steam generating device of the present invention is provided in a clothing processing device equipped with a drum. The steam generating device of the present invention is a clothing processing device provided with a clothing receiving portion capable of maintaining the unfolded state of clothing. It may be provided in . Figure 6 shows an example of a clothing processing device equipped with a clothing receiving portion that allows clothing to be maintained in an unfolded state.

The clothing handling device 200 of FIG. 6 is provided with a cabinet 1, a clothing receiving portion 3 provided in the cabinet to provide a space for receiving clothing, and located at a lower portion of the clothing receiving portion 3. It may be provided to include a machine room (6) that provides a space in which the steam generating device (5) is accommodated.

The clothing receiving section (3) and the machine room (6) are separated from each other through a partition wall (19), the clothing receiving section (3) communicates with the outside through an inlet, and the machine room (6) communicates with the outside through the machine room inlet. It may be provided to communicate with.

The cabinet 1 may be provided with a door 13 that opens and closes the inlet and the machine room inlet. The laundry treatment device 200 according to this embodiment includes a machine room door 68 that opens and closes only the machine room inlet. More may be provided.

The clothing receiving portion 3 is provided with a support portion 37 on which a hanger H on which clothing is fixed is detachably fixed. Therefore, in the clothing treatment device according to the present embodiment, the clothing remains unfolded inside the clothing receiving portion 3 when drying (since it is not rotated by the drum), so the steam generating device 5 operates in the clothing receiving portion 3. If steam is supplied, it will be possible to remove wrinkles from clothes more effectively.

The partition wall 19 may be provided with an air outlet 31, an air supply port 33, and a moisture supply port 35 that communicate with the clothes receiving unit 3 and the machine room 6. The air outlet 31 and the air supply port 33 are connected to each other through a duct 61 fixed to the machine room 6, and a fan 67 is provided inside the duct. Therefore, when the fan 67 operates, the air inside the clothes receiving unit 3 flows into the duct 61 through the air outlet 31 and then flows into the clothes receiving part 3 through the air supply port 33. It is discharged to unit (3).

The machine room 6 may be further equipped with a heat exchange unit that dehumidifies and heats the air introduced into the duct 61. The heat exchange unit includes a refrigerant pipe 66 forming a circulation path for the refrigerant, a first heat exchanger 62 located inside the duct 61 and fixed to the refrigerant pipe 66, and a first heat exchanger 62 located inside the duct and containing the refrigerant. A second heat exchanger (63) fixed to a pipe, a compressor (64) that compresses the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger (62) and moves it to the second heat exchanger (63), and the refrigerant pipe (66). It may be provided as an expander 65 that is open or closed (equipped to control the flow rate of the refrigerant) and controls the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the second heat exchanger 63.

The first heat exchanger (62, evaporator) is provided to absorb heat from air flowing into the duct (61). Accordingly, the air passing through the first heat exchanger 62 is cooled, and the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 62 evaporates inside the refrigerant pipe 66. The second heat exchanger (63, condenser) is provided to emit heat to the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger. Accordingly, the air passing through the second heat exchanger 63 is heated, and the refrigerant passing through the second heat exchanger 63 is condensed inside the refrigerant pipe.

The machine room door 68 may be provided with a water tank 69 that supplies water to the steam generator 5. The supply port 54 of the steam generator 5 is connected to the water tank 69 through a connection pipe 691, and the connection pipe 691 may be provided to be opened and closed by a valve 693. .

The present invention can be modified and implemented in various forms, and its scope is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, if the modified embodiment includes elements of the claims of the present invention, it should be considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

100: Clothing processing device 1: Cabinet 11: Inlet
13: Door 15: Input unit 17: Display unit
2: Tub 21: Tub inlet 23: Tub support
25: water supply pipe 26: water supply pipe valve 27: first drain pipe
28: Pump 29: Second drain pipe 4: Drum
41: Drum inlet 43: Drum through hole 5: Steam generator
51: first body 52: second body 521: heating plate
523: Fastening groove 525: Mounting part 53: Connection body
531: Fastening protrusion 54: Supply port 541: Water supply source connector
543: valve 55: outlet 551: steam supply pipe
56: Heater 57: Water level sensor 58: Temperature sensor
59: Attenuation unit 59a: First attenuation unit 591: First board
59b: second attenuation unit 593: second board 59c: third attenuation unit
595: 3rd board

Claims (14)

It is provided to include a first body forming the upper surface, a second body forming the bottom surface and provided as a conductor, and a connection body connecting the first body and the second body, providing a space in which water is stored. chamber;
a heater fixed to the second body and located outside the chamber to heat the second body;
a supply port for supplying water to the chamber;
an outlet for discharging steam inside the chamber to the outside of the chamber;
A steam generating device comprising: an attenuator fixed inside the chamber to reduce the amount of variation in water level that occurs inside the chamber when water boils. According to paragraph 1,
It further includes a mounting part provided in the second body to provide a space in which the heater is fixed,
A steam generator, characterized in that the attenuator is located between the mounting part and the outlet to attenuate waves moving from the space where the mounting part is located to the space where the outlet is located. According to paragraph 2,
A steam generating device, wherein the free end of the attenuator is provided as a board protruding from the first body toward the second body so as not to contact the second body. According to paragraph 2,
The attenuation unit is provided with a plurality of boards arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a direction that divides the interior of the chamber into a space where the mounting unit is located and a space where the outlet is located,
A steam generator, characterized in that one end of each board is fixed to the first body, and the free end of each board does not contact the second body. According to paragraph 4,
A steam generator, characterized in that each board is provided in a shape parallel to a direction dividing the inside of the chamber into a space where the mounting part is located and a space where the outlet is located. According to paragraph 4,
A steam generating device, characterized in that each board is provided in a convexly bent shape toward a direction away from the direction in which the mounting portion is located. According to paragraph 2,
The attenuation part
It is provided with a plurality of first boards arranged to be spaced apart from each other along a direction that divides the interior of the chamber into a space where the mounting part is located and a space where the discharge port is located, and a first attenuator located between the discharge port and the mounting portion. ; and
a second attenuator comprising a plurality of second boards arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the first attenuator, and a second attenuator located between the first attenuator and the outlet; Generating device. In clause 7,
A steam generator, characterized in that the space formed between the first boards and the space formed between the second boards are arranged on a straight line. In clause 7,
A steam generator, characterized in that the space formed between the first boards and the space formed between the second boards are arranged to be staggered. In clause 7,
The first board and the second board are provided in a shape parallel to a direction dividing the interior of the chamber into a space where the mounting part is located and a space where the outlet is located. In clause 7,
A steam generator, characterized in that the first board and the second board are provided in a convexly bent shape toward a direction away from the mounting portion. In clause 7,
One of the first board and the second board is provided in a convexly bent shape toward a direction away from the mounting unit,
The remaining one of the first board and the second board is provided in a shape parallel to the direction dividing the inside of the chamber into a space where the mounting part is located and a space where the outlet is located. A clothing receiving unit that provides a space for storing clothing;
It is provided to include a first body forming the upper surface, a second body forming the bottom surface and provided as a conductor, and a connection body connecting the first body and the second body, providing a space in which water is stored. chamber;
a heater fixed to the second body and located outside the chamber to heat the second body;
a supply port for supplying water to the chamber;
an outlet for discharging steam inside the chamber to the clothing receiving portion; and
A clothing treatment device comprising: an attenuator fixed inside the chamber to reduce the amount of variation in water level that occurs inside the chamber when water boils. According to clause 13,
It further includes a mounting part provided in the second body to provide a space in which the heater is fixed,
The clothing treatment device is characterized in that the attenuation part is located between the mounting part and the outlet to attenuate waves moving from a space where the mounting part is located to a space where the outlet is located.

Images