KR20060106029A - Drain structure of apparatus for spraying steam in drum type washer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drainage structure of a steam generator for a drum washing machine which can completely discharge residual water remaining inside the steam generator using a simple principle.

To this end, the present invention includes a case having a space for accommodating a predetermined amount of water therein, a heater for generating steam by heating the water contained in the case, and a water level sensor for sensing the water level in the case In the steam generator of the washing machine made; The case provides a drainage structure of the steam generator for a drum washing machine, characterized in that the drainage means for draining the residual water to the outside by buoyancy.

Thus, the user does not need to open the drain cap directly to drain the residual water to the outside, and does not have to use expensive parts such as solenoid valves.

Drum washing machine, steam generator, water level sensor, drainage means

Description

Drain structure of apparatus for spraying steam in drum type washer}

1 is a perspective view briefly showing the structure of a conventional drum washing machine

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a steam generator of a conventional drum washing machine

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention

4 is a perspective view showing a water level sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention

5 is a configuration diagram showing a water supply state of the steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing a drainage state of the steam generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

** Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawings **

80: case 90: water level sensor

100: drain pipe 200: drain cap

210: body portion 230: wedge portion

300: plotter 310: plotter axis

400: guide portion 410: guide tube

411: inlet 413: slit

430: Guide

The present invention relates to a steam generator for a drum washing machine, and more particularly, to a drainage means of the steam generator for discharging the residual water of the steam generator to the outside.

 Generally, a washing machine is a pulsator-type washing machine that washes by water flow generated by rotating a plate-type pulsator, and a drop and friction force of washing water and laundry generated inside a bucket by rotating a lying container. The washing machine is roughly classified into a drum washing machine.

Among them, the drum washing machine has a tendency of increasing demand due to the advantages of using less water and detergent, less cloth damage, and little tangling of the laundry, compared to the pulsator type washing machine.

Referring to Figure 1 and 2 will be described the structure of a conventional drum washing machine as follows.

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional drum washing machine includes a cabinet 10 forming an exterior, a cylindrical tub 20 horizontally supported in the cabinet 10 to store wash water, and washing water and steam. A through hole is formed to be introduced and rotatably installed in the tub 20, a drive motor (not shown) for driving the drum 30, and steam into the drum 30. It comprises at least one steam generator (80) for supplying.

The cabinet 10 has an inlet 13 communicating with the inside of the drum 30 so that laundry can be put into and withdrawn from the front surface thereof, and a door (not shown) is opened to open and close the inlet 13. It is installed pivotably.

In addition, a gasket (not shown) is installed to prevent hot air from leaking through a connection between the door and the tub 20 along the inner circumferential surface of the inlet 13.

On the other hand, on one side of the drum washing machine, is connected to an external water pipe (not shown) and the like is provided with a water supply valve 15 for supplying the wash water to the tub 20.

 As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional steam generator 80 includes a case 81 forming an appearance and forming a space for storing water, and a heater 84 for heating the stored water. It is composed.

Here, a water supply port 82 is formed at one side of the case 81 to be connected to a water supply pipe (not shown) of the washing machine so that water flows into the case 81, and at the other side of the case 81 to the inside. A discharge port 83 is connected to a steam supply pipe (not shown) for supplying the introduced water by heating the heater 84 to the drum 30 of the washing machine.

Meanwhile, a temperature sensor 88 for measuring the temperature of the water accommodated in the case 81 is provided at the center of the case 81.

In addition, in order to prevent the heater 84 from overheating and damage to the heater 84 and the peripheral parts, a heater temperature sensor such as a thermo-fuse at one end of the heater 84 ( Not shown) is installed.

Then, the water level sensor 90 for measuring the water level in the case 81 is installed on the upper portion of the case (81).

However, the conventional steam generator for a washing machine as described above has the following problems.

After the completion of the residual water or steam washing to protect the heater provided in the case 81 of the steam generator 80, in order to discharge the residual water remaining in the case 81 of the drain pipe 40 in communication with the outdoor The drain cap 41 must be opened and closed directly by the user, or an expensive electrical device such as a solenoid valve (not shown) must be discharged in the case 81 of the steam generator.

In other words, when the user directly opens the drain cap 41 to drain the remaining water, it is annoying and inconvenient, and also has an electric device such as a solenoid valve to automatically drain the remaining water. There was a problem that the unit price increased.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to drain the residual water (residual water) remaining inside the steam generator using a simpler principle than conventional drainage of the steam generator for a drum washing machine It is intended to provide a structure.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a case having a space for accommodating a predetermined amount of water therein, a heater for generating steam by heating the water contained in the case, and for detecting the water level in the case In the steam generator of the washing machine comprising a water level sensor; The case provides a drainage means of the steam generator for a drum washing machine, characterized in that the drainage means for draining the residual water by buoyancy.

The water level sensor may include a common electrode as a reference, a high water level electrode for detecting a high water level, a low water level electrode for detecting a low water level, and a water level water electrode for detecting a water level.

The drainage means is provided in the lower portion of the case for guiding the residual water in the case to the outside, a drain cap for selectively opening and closing the drain pipe for discharging the residual water, axially connected to the drain cap to reach the drainage water level The lower surface may include a plotter for moving the drain cap by rising by buoyancy, and a guide part for guiding a moving direction of the drain cap.

It may be made of a body portion connected to the plotter shaft and the wedge portion which is formed extending to the lower end of the body portion to receive the dynamic pressure of the drain water flow through the drain pipe.

 The guide portion has a bottom inlet has an oil inlet through which the remaining water flows in the state in which the drain pipe is wrapped, and the other end is provided in a state in communication with the inside of the guide tube in which the drain cap is vertically moved therein, and is coupled to the plotter shaft. It may be made to include at least one guide provided in the guide tube to guide the movement of the drain cap.

The guide tube is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the inside of the case, the guide is provided in close contact with at least two or more on the inner circumferential surface of the guide tube is moved sliding.

The guide tube may further include at least one or more slits to allow water to flow into the guide tube.

Therefore, by draining the residual water remaining in the case of the steam generator by the buoyancy drainage means, it is possible to simply and conveniently drain the residual water.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of the steam generator for a washing machine of the present invention that can specifically realize the above object will be described.

Prior to the description, the same components as in the prior art are given the same names and the same reference numerals for convenience of description, and description thereof is omitted.

First, Figure 3 is a cutaway perspective view showing the internal structure of the steam generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a water level sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Next, Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a water supply state of the steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a block diagram showing a drainage state of the steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention. At this time, H1 represents the water supply level and H2 represents the drainage level.

As shown in Figure 3, the steam generator of the present embodiment, first, the water supply port 82 formed so that water is introduced into one side, and the steam generated by the water introduced from the water supply port 82 is heated drum 30 1 is provided with a case 81 having a discharge port 83 discharged to the side.

Here, the case 81 is formed to have a volume capable of storing a predetermined amount of water therein.

In addition, a heater 84 capable of heating the received water is installed in the case 81.

Here, the heater 84 is preferably installed at the bottom of the case 81 so that the water can be heated regardless of the high and low level of the water contained in the case 81.

In addition, the heater 84 is preferably a sheath heater having high thermal efficiency and capable of heating water in a relatively short time.

In addition, a temperature sensor 88 for measuring the temperature of the inside of the case 81 or the temperature of water may be provided.

Then, the water level sensor 90 for measuring the level of water in the case 81 is provided.

The water level sensor 90 is preferably installed on one side of the upper side of the case (81).

As shown in FIG. 4, the water level sensor 90 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a common electrode 91 as a reference and a high water level electrode 93 for detecting a high water level, that is, a water level H1. And a low water level electrode 95 for detecting a low water level, and a water level electrode 97 for detecting a water level H2.

On the other hand, the common electrode 91 is provided to be at least equal to or longer than the length of the low water level electrode 95, the drain water level electrode 97 is preferably installed shorter than the high water level electrode (93).

The case 81 is provided with drainage means for discharging the remaining water in the case 81 to the outside.

5 and 6, the drainage means according to an embodiment of the present invention is for draining the residual water in the case 81 to the outside by using buoyancy. The drainage pipe 100 and the drain cap 200 are large. ), The plotter 300, and the guide unit 400.

Here, the drain pipe 100 is provided below the case 81 to guide the remaining water in the case 81 to the outside.

And, the drain cap 200 serves to selectively open and close the inlet of the drain pipe 100 to discharge the residual water.

At this time, the drain cap 200 forms the appearance and includes a body portion 210 connected to the plotter shaft 310 and a wedge portion 230 extending to the bottom of the body portion 210.

Here, the wedge portion 230 when the drain cap 200 is in a state in which the drain pipe 100 is opened to the dynamic pressure due to the water flow acts on the wedge portion 230 when all the remaining water is drained Until the drain cap 200 serves to prevent closing the drain pipe (100).

And, the plotter 300 is connected to the shaft 310 to the drain cap 200 is raised while receiving the buoyancy while the water supplied into the case 81 reaches the drain water level to the upper side of the drain cap 200 It serves to move. Through this operation, the inlet of the drain pipe 100 is opened by the drain cap 200.

In addition, the guide part 400 is provided to guide the moving direction of the drain cap 200, and the guide part 400 includes a guide tube 410 and a guide 430.

Here, the guide tube 410 is installed in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the case 81 in a state where the lower end of the state surrounding the drain pipe 100 and the other end is in communication with the inside of the case 81.

At this time, the inlet 401 is preferably formed at the lower end of the guide tube 410 in contact with the bottom surface of the case 81 so that the residual water flows into the drain pipe 100.

On the other hand, the drain cap 200 moves up and down in conjunction with the plotter 300 in the guide tube 410.

In addition, the guide 430 is provided inside the guide tube 410 in a state coupled to the plotter shaft 310 serves to guide the movement of the drain cap 200.

At this time, the guide 430 is provided to be in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the guide tube 410 is moved more and more along the inner circumferential surface of the guide tube.

Each guide 430 guides the vertical movement of the drain cap 200 while helping to move up and down while being in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the guide tube 410 during the drainage process, and helps the role of the plotter 300.

On the other hand, the guide tube 410 further comprises at least one or more slits 413 to allow water to flow into the guide tube 410.

Here, the slit 413 is provided on the circumferential surface of the guide tube 410 in which the guides 430 are installed to allow water to flow into the space between the guide 430 and the guide 430. This is to prevent the air from being filled between the guides 430. For example, if water is not filled between the guides 430 and air is filled, the role of the plotter 300 may be reduced. Because.

Referring to the operation of the drum washing machine steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above and the effects thereof are as follows.

Referring to FIG. 6, in order to remove residual water remaining to protect the heater 84 inside the case 81 of the steam generator or the remaining water after steam washing is completed, a water supply signal is sent to the case through a water supply port. (81) Supply water to the internal drainage level (H2).

At this time, the detection of the drainage level is made by the drainage level detection electrode 97.

Next, when the water is filled up to the drainage water level H2, the plotter 300 is raised by buoyancy.

At this time, water is filled into the guide tube 410 through each of the slits 413 provided in the guide tube 410, and the guide 430 also moves upward with the plotter 300 by buoyancy. Will rise.

At this time, the drain cap 200 connected to the plotter shaft 310 is separated from the drain pipe to open the inlet of the drain pipe 100.

When the drain pipe 100 is opened, the residual water flows into the drain pipe 100 through an inlet 401 formed at the lower end of the guide pipe 410.

In this process, the wedge portion 230 of the drain cap is floating in a state submerged under water by dynamic pressure by the water flow of the drained residual water.

Next, when the remaining water is all discharged to the drain pipe 100, the drain cap 200 is lowered and the wedge portion 230 of the drain cap to close the drain pipe 100.

Through such a process, the residual water accumulated in the case of the steam generator is drained.

As described above, since the drainage structure of the steam generator according to the embodiment of the present invention only needs to supply water up to the drainage level in order to drain the residual water, the user does not need to open the drainage cap one by one. It is not necessary to have an expensive configuration such as an expensive solenoid valve.

 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and as can be seen in the appended claims, modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

 Referring to the effect of the drainage structure of the steam generating apparatus for a drum washing machine according to the present invention described above are as follows.

First, according to the present invention, as the drainage means using buoyancy to remove the residual water in the case has the effect of reducing the unit cost of the product.

Second, according to the present invention, the user does not need to open the drain cap one by one in order to drain the residual water can provide more convenience to the user.

Claims (8)

Steam generation of the washing machine including a case having a space for accommodating a predetermined amount of water therein, a heater for generating steam by heating the water contained in the case, and a water level sensor for sensing the water level in the case In the apparatus, The inside of the case is a drainage structure of the steam generator for a drum washing machine, characterized in that the drainage means for draining the residual water to the outside by buoyancy. The method of claim 1, The water level sensor Reference common electrode, High level electrode for detecting high water level, Low level electrode for detecting low level, and Drainage structure of the steam generator for a drum washing machine comprising a drainage level electrode for sensing the drainage level. The method of claim 1, The drainage means A drain pipe provided at the bottom of the case to guide the remaining water in the case to the outside; A drain cap for selectively opening and closing the drain pipe to discharge the remaining water; A floater axially connected to the drain cap to move the drain cap by rising by buoyancy when the residual water reaches the drain level; And, Guide portion for guiding the movement direction of the drain cap: Drainage structure of the steam generator for a drum washing machine comprising a. The method of claim 3, wherein The drain cap A body part connected to the plotter shaft to form an appearance, The drainage structure of the steam generator for a drum washing machine formed by extending to the lower end of the body portion and including a wedge portion receiving a dynamic pressure of the water flow to be drained through the drain pipe. The method of claim 3, wherein The guide part The lower end has an inlet through which residual water flows in a state in which the drain pipe is wrapped, and the other end is provided in a state in communication with the inside of the case so that the drain cap is moved up and down in the inside thereof, At least one guide provided in the guide tube in a state coupled to the plotter shaft to guide the movement of the drain cap: drainage structure of the steam generator for a drum washing machine. The method of claim 5, The guide pipe is a drainage structure of the steam generator for a drum washing machine, characterized in that it is disposed in a direction perpendicular to the inside of the case.  The method of claim 5, The guide is a drainage structure of the steam generator for a drum washing machine, characterized in that the structure is provided to be in close contact with at least two or more on the inner circumferential surface of the guide tube sliding. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, The guide tube further comprises a drainage structure of the steam generator for a drum washing machine further comprises at least one or more slits to allow water to flow into the guide tube.

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