KR20070016290A - Steam generation apparatus and washing machine having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a steam generator and a washing machine having the same. Steam generating device according to the present invention, and a case for forming a receiving space therein; A water level sensor disposed inside the case and detecting a level of water therein; An inner wall of the case is characterized in that it comprises a partition wall disposed along the vertical direction spaced apart from the bottom surface of the case by a predetermined distance from one side of the water level sensor to partition the internal space. As a result, it is possible to prevent the accumulation of foreign matters around the level sensor, thereby preventing the misdetection of the level sensor due to the foreign matter.

Description

Steam generator and washing machine with same {STEAM GENERATION APPARATUS AND WASHING MACHINE HAVING THE SAME}

1 is a perspective view showing the inside of a washing machine having a conventional steam generator,

2 is a perspective view of the steam generator of FIG.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

4 is a view showing the inside of a washing machine having a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is an enlarged perspective view of the steam generator of FIG. 4;

6 is a plan sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 5;

8 is a perspective view of a washing machine having a steam generator according to another embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a perspective view of the steam generator of Figure 8,

10 is a plan sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VII of FIG. 9;

12 is a view showing an open state of the drain flow channel of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a control block diagram of the washing machine of FIG. 8.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

111: cabinet 121: tub

131: drum 141: steam generator

143: case 144: upper case

146: lower case 149: bottom

155: heater 157: water level sensor

158: electrode 159: temperature sensor

161: bulkhead 163: rib

The present invention relates to a steam generating device and a washing machine having the same, and more particularly, to prevent the accumulation of foreign matters around the water level sensor so as to prevent false detection of the water level sensor due to the foreign matter. An apparatus and a washing machine having the same.

1 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of a washing machine having a conventional steam generator, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the steam generator of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. As shown in these figures, a washing machine having a steam generator includes a cabinet 11 forming an accommodating space therein, a tub 21 accommodating and installed in the cabinet 11, and a tub 21. And a drum 31 rotatably coupled to the inside of the cabinet and a steam generator 41 installed inside the cabinet 11 to provide steam to the tub 21.

The tub 21 is supported by the support spring 24 and the damper 25 in the cabinet 11, and the drum 31 is rotatably housed in the tub 21.

The upper side of the tub 21 is provided with a detergent supply unit 23 so as to supply the washing water and detergent inside the tub 21, the lower side of the tub 21 to the washing water drained to the tub 21 The washing water circulation passage 27 is formed so as to return to the upper region of the washing machine. A pump 28 is installed in the washing water circulation passage 27 to pump the washing water, and an injection nozzle for spraying the circulated washing water into the tub 21 in the front region of the tub 21. (29) is provided.

On the other hand, a steam generator 41 is provided above the tub 21 to generate steam to supply steam to the inside of the tub 21. The steam generator 41 includes a case 43 forming an accommodation space therein, a heater 47 disposed inside the case 43 so as to heat water inside the case 43, and a case. A water level sensor 48 and a temperature sensor 49 for sensing the water level and the temperature inside the 43 are respectively provided.

The case 43 is composed of an upper case 44a and a lower case 44b which are coupled to face each other along the up and down direction to mutually cooperate to form a receiving space therein. A heater 47 is coupled to one side of the lower case 44b so as to heat the water therein, and the water supply pipe connection part 45 is connected to the upper case 44a so that the water supply pipe 51 for supplying water to the inside is connected. Is formed. The other side of the upper case 44a is formed with a steam pipe connecting portion 46 so that one end of the steam supply pipe 53 can be connected to supply the generated steam to the tub.

One side of the steam pipe connection part 46 is provided with a water level sensor 48 having a plurality of electrodes 55 arranged to extend downward in the vertical direction to detect the water level inside, the water level sensor 48 ), A diaphragm 56 is formed so as to suppress fluctuations in the water level during heating by the heater 47.

The diaphragm is rectangular from an upper diaphragm 57a extending downwardly from a ceiling surface of the upper case 44a and a bottom surface of the lower case 44b to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape to accommodate each electrode 55 therein. The lower portion of the diaphragm 57b extends upward to have a cross-sectional shape and is disposed to overlap the upper diaphragm 57a with a predetermined section. On the sidewalls of the upper diaphragm 57a and the lower diaphragm 57b, slits 59a and 59b cut along the vertical direction are formed to allow water and air to enter and exit.

By the way, in the conventional steam generator, foreign matter introduced into the case 43 together with water during water supply flows into the diaphragm 56 through the slits 59a and 59b and is deposited, and the use period is extended. If there is an increase in the amount of deposition of foreign matter there is a problem that can cause a false detection of the water level sensor (48).

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a steam generator and a washing machine having the same, which can prevent the accumulation of foreign matters around the water level sensor and prevent erroneous detection of the water level sensor due to the foreign matter.

The object is, according to the present invention, a case for forming a receiving space therein; A water level sensor disposed inside the case and detecting a level of water therein; The inside of the case is achieved by a steam generator comprising a partition wall disposed in the vertical direction spaced apart from the bottom surface of the case by a predetermined distance on one side of the water level sensor to partition the internal space.

Here, the bottom surface of the lower case of the water level sensor is preferably formed to be inclined to one side.

The bottom surface of the case below the water level sensor is effective to be arranged on the upper side with a predetermined height difference compared to the peripheral area.

The case may include a case body and a sensor accommodating portion protruding outwardly in communication with the inside of the case body, and the partition wall is formed at a boundary area between the case body and the sensor accommodating portion.

It is effective to further include a rib protruding from the partition wall spaced apart from the side wall of the sensor receiving portion at a predetermined interval.

The case has an upper case and a lower case coupled to face each other along the vertical direction to cooperate with each other to form an accommodation space therein, the partition wall is preferably formed to extend downward from the upper case.

It is effective to further include a drain passage formed to drain the water in the case and a drain valve for opening and closing the drain passage.

On the other hand, according to another field of the invention, the cabinet to form a receiving space therein; A tub installed inside the cabinet; A spin basket rotatably disposed in the tub; The steam generator disposed between the cabinet and the tub to generate steam; One side is connected to the steam generator and the other side is connected to the tub is provided with a washing machine having a steam generator, characterized in that it comprises a steam supply pipe for supplying the steam generated in the steam generator to the tub. .

Here, the steam generator is preferably configured to further include a drain passage formed to drain the water inside the case, and a drain valve for opening and closing the drain passage.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the present invention.

4 is a view illustrating the inside of a washing machine having a steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the steam generator of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a line VI-VI of FIG. 5. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 5. As shown in these drawings, the washing machine provided with the steam generator includes a cabinet 111 forming an accommodating space therein, and a tub accommodating and installed in the cabinet 111 to accommodate washing water therein. 121 and a spin basket rotatably installed in the tub 121 and implemented in the form of a drum 131 for washing and dewatering, and disposed between the cabinet 111 and the tub 121 and being steamed. Steam generator 141 for generating a, and one side is connected to the steam generator 141 and the other side is connected to the tub 121 to provide the steam generated by the steam generator 141 to the tub 121 The supply pipe 171 is comprised.

The tub 121 is installed in the cabinet 111 along the horizontal direction to accommodate the wash water, and a plurality of dampers 123 are provided at the lower side of the tub 121 to buffer and support the tub 121. Is connected. The detergent supply unit 125 is disposed in the upper front region of the tub 121 so as to supply detergent, and a water supply valve 127 is provided in the upper rear region of the tub 121 so that washing water can be supplied. The wash water circulation passage 129 is formed at the lower side of the tub 121 so that the wash water inside the tub 121 may be withdrawn and returned to the inner upper region of the tub 121. ) Is provided with a pump 130 to pump the wash water circulated. In the upper upper region of the tub 121, the injection nozzle 135 is configured to spray the steam provided from the washing water and the steam generator 141 circulated along the washing water circulation passage 129 into the tub 121. It is installed. A steam generator 141 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed in the rear region of the upper detergent supply unit 125 of the tub 121.

Meanwhile, the steam generator 141 includes a case 143 forming an accommodation space therein, a heater 155 coupled to heat the water inside the case 143, and an inside of the case 143. The water level sensor 157 and the temperature sensor 159 is coupled to the case 143 so as to detect the water level and temperature of the case, the case on one side of the water level sensor 157 inside the case 143 It is comprised including the partition wall 161 arrange | positioned along the up-down direction, and spaced apart from the bottom face of 143 by predetermined distance.

The case 143 is composed of an upper case 144 and a lower case 146 which are coupled to face each other along the up and down direction to form a receiving space cooperatively therein.

On one side of the upper case 144, a water supply pipe connection part 147 and a steam pipe connection part 148 are formed so that the water supply pipe 126 and the steam supply pipe 171 may be connected to each other. The heater 155 is coupled to be heated.

The upper case 144 and the lower case 146, respectively, the case body 145a, 147a and the sensor housing portion 145b, 147b protruding outward so as to communicate with the inside of one side of the case body 145a, 147a, respectively. And a water level sensor 157 having a plurality of electrodes 158 extending downward in different lengths along the vertical direction in the sensor accommodating portion 145b of the upper case 144. .

The sensor accommodating part 147b of the lower case 146 is disposed at an upper side with a predetermined height difference with respect to the bottom surface of the case body 147a and has a bottom surface 149 inclined downward toward the case body 147a. Formed.

The boundary wall between the case body 145a and the sensor accommodating part 145b of the upper case 144 extends downward from the ceiling surface of the upper case 144 and has a lower end spaced apart from the bottom surface of the lower case 146 by a predetermined distance. 161 is formed. Both side portions of the partition wall 161 are formed to have a length shortened by a predetermined distance from both sidewalls of the sensor accommodation parts 145b and 147b, and the sensor accommodation parts 145b and 47b at both end regions of the partition wall 161. The ribs 163 protruding at predetermined intervals from the sidewalls of the bottom surface) and extending in the vertical direction are formed, respectively.

By such a configuration, the control unit not shown in the steam use mode such as washing, rinsing and / or dehydration using steam allows the water level inside the case 143 to be sensed by the water level sensor 157 and based on the detection result. When the internal water level is below a certain level, the water supply valve 127 is controlled to supply water. When the water level rises above a certain level, the controller causes power to be applied to the heater 155 to generate steam in the case 143, and the generated steam is moved along the steam supply pipe 171 to move the injection nozzle 135. It is injected into the tub 121 through. In this process, the partition wall 161 suppresses the water ripple in the case 143 during the water supply and the heating of the heater 155 so that the level sensor 157 can stably detect the water level, and the partition wall 161 The inclined bottom surface 149 of the lower case and the lower case 146 prevents foreign matter from being deposited in the lower region of the water level sensor 157.

8 is a perspective view of a washing machine having a steam generator according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the steam generator of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. 9, FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an open state of the drainage channel of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a control block diagram of the washing machine of FIG. 8. Like reference numerals refer to like and like reference numerals for the convenience of description of the drawings and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in these drawings, the washing machine provided with the steam generator includes a cabinet 111 forming an accommodating space therein, and a tub accommodating and installed in the cabinet 111 to accommodate washing water therein. 121 and a spin basket rotatably installed in the tub 121 and implemented in the form of a drum 131 for washing and dewatering, and disposed between the cabinet 111 and the tub 121 and being steamed. Steam generator 181 for generating a, and one side is connected to the steam generator 181 and the other side is connected to the tub 121 to provide the steam generated in the steam generator 181 to the tub 121 The supply pipe 171 is comprised.

The steam generator 181 includes a case 143 forming an accommodation space therein, a heater 155 coupled to heat the water inside the case 143, and a water level inside the case 143. And a water level sensor 157 and a temperature sensor 159 coupled to the case 143 so as to sense a temperature, respectively, and a case of the case at a side of the water level sensor 157 inside the case 143. A partition wall 161 disposed along the vertical direction to be spaced apart from the lower surface by a predetermined distance, a drain passage 181 formed to drain water inside the case 143, and a drain valve for opening and closing the drain passage 181. 183 is comprised.

The case 143 is composed of an upper case 144 and a lower case 146 which are coupled to face each other along the up and down direction to form a receiving space cooperatively therein.

On one side of the upper case 144, a water supply pipe connection part 147 and a steam pipe connection part 148 are formed so that the water supply pipe 126 and the steam supply pipe 171 may be connected to each other. The heater 155 is coupled to be heated.

The upper case 144 and the lower case 146, respectively, the case body (145a147a) and the sensor housing portion (145b, 147b) protruding outward so that the inside is in communication with each other on one side of the case body (145a, 147a) A water level sensor 157 having a plurality of electrodes 158 extending downward in different lengths in an up and down direction is provided inside the sensor accommodating part 145b of the upper case 144.

The sensor accommodating part 147b of the lower case 146 is disposed at an upper side with a predetermined height difference with respect to the bottom surface of the case body 147a and has a bottom surface 149 inclined downward toward the case body 147a. Formed.

The boundary wall between the case body 145a and the sensor accommodating part 145b of the upper case 144 extends downward from the ceiling surface of the upper case 144 and has a lower end spaced apart from the bottom surface of the lower case 146 by a predetermined distance. 161 is formed. Both side portions of the barrier rib 161 are formed to have a length reduced to be spaced apart from both side walls of the sensor accommodation portion by a predetermined distance, and both side regions of the barrier rib 161 and the side walls of the sensor accommodation portions 145b and 147b are defined. Ribs 163 protruding from the plate surface in the thickness direction and extending in the vertical direction to be spaced apart from each other are formed respectively.

On the other hand, the bottom surface of the lower case 146, the drainage passage 181 is formed to drain the water inside, the drainage passage 181, the drainage passage 181 to open and close the drainage passage 181 Is installed. On one side of the drain valve 183, the drain valve 183 is provided with a drain valve driver 185 for driving between a drainage position for opening the drainage passage 181 and a blocking position for blocking the drainage passage 181. The drain valve driver 185 includes a coil 186 generating a magnetic force, a frame 187 disposed inside the coil 186, and a drain valve movably disposed inside the frame 187. The magnetic rod 188 connected to the 183, and the drain valve 183 is configured to include a spring (189) for applying an elastic force in the direction to block the drain flow passage (181).

On the other hand, the control unit 191, which is implemented in the form of a microcomputer with a built-in control program detects the water level inside the water level sensor 157 so that the residual water can be drained if there is residual water in the case 143; The drain valve driver 185 is electrically connected to each other.

By such a configuration, the partition wall 161 suppresses the slack of the water during the water supply and / or the heating of the heater 155 so that the water level sensor 157 can stably detect the water level and the sensor accommodating part ( In cooperation with the inclined bottom surface 149 of 147b, foreign matter introduced together with the water into the case 143 is suppressed from remaining at the lower side of the water level sensor 157.

On the other hand, the control unit 191 at the end of steam use and / or washing to control the drain valve driving unit 185 to open the drainage passage 181. When power is applied to the coil 186 of the drain valve driving unit 185, a magnetic force is generated, and the magnetic rod 188 moves to the drain position where the drain valve 183 opens the drain flow path 181 by the magnetic force. . As a result, the residual water and the foreign matter inside the case 143 are discharged to the outside along the drainage passage 181, and when the power of the coil 186 is cut off, the magnetic rod 188 is formed by the accumulated elastic force of the spring 189. The drain valve 183 is moved to the blocking position to block the drain flow passage (181).

As described above, according to the present invention, a case for forming an accommodation space therein; A water level sensor disposed inside the case and detecting a level of water therein; The foreign matter is accumulated around the water level sensor by configuring a partition wall spaced apart from the bottom surface of the case by a predetermined distance from one side of the inside of the case to be spaced apart from the bottom surface of the case and partitioning an internal space. Provided is a steam generator which can suppress and prevent erroneous detection of the water level sensor due to foreign matter.

Further, by further comprising a drain passage formed to drain the water inside the case and a drain valve for opening and closing the drain passage, the foreign matter is discharged to the outside together with the remaining water in the case to the inside of the case Provided is a steam generator that can suppress the deposition of foreign matters.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cabinet for forming an accommodation space therein; A tub installed inside the cabinet; A spin basket rotatably disposed in the tub; The steam generator disposed between the cabinet and the tub to generate steam; One side is connected to the steam generator and the other side is connected to the tub to include a steam supply pipe for supplying the steam generated in the steam generator to the tub, thereby suppressing the accumulation of foreign matter around the water level sensor There is provided a washing machine having a steam generator capable of preventing water level erroneous detection due to foreign substances.

Claims (9)

A case forming an accommodation space therein; A water level sensor disposed inside the case and detecting a level of water therein; And a partition wall disposed at one side of the water level sensor inside the case along a vertical direction spaced apart from a bottom surface of the case by a predetermined distance to partition an inner space. The method of claim 1, The bottom surface of the case of the lower side of the water level sensor is formed inclined to one side. The method of claim 1, The bottom surface of the case of the lower side of the water level sensor is disposed on the upper side with a predetermined height difference from the surrounding area. The method of claim 3, The case includes a case body and a sensor accommodating portion protruding outward so as to communicate with the inside of the case body, and the partition wall is formed at a boundary area between the case body and the sensor accommodating portion. . The method of claim 4, wherein And a rib protruding from the partition wall and spaced apart from the side wall of the sensor accommodating portion at a predetermined distance. The method of claim 3, The case has an upper case and a lower case coupled to face each other along the up and down direction to cooperate with each other to form a receiving space therein, wherein the partition wall is formed to extend downward from the upper case Device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, And a drainage passage formed to drain the water in the case, and a drain valve for opening and closing the drainage passage. A cabinet forming an accommodation space therein; A tub installed inside the cabinet; A spin basket rotatably disposed in the tub; A steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6 disposed between the cabinet and the tub to generate steam; One side is connected to the steam generating device and the other side is connected to the tub, the washing machine having a steam generating device comprising a steam supply pipe for supplying the steam generated in the steam generating device to the tub. The method of claim 8, The steam generator, the washing machine provided with a steam generator, characterized in that it further comprises a drain passage formed to drain the water inside the case, and a drain valve for opening and closing the drain passage.

Images