KR20070081471A - Apparatus for generating steam and laundry machine having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A steam generator and a washing machine having the steam generator are provided to remove wrinkle of clothes and obtain sterilization effect for the clothes by more rapidly and efficiently washing and drying the clothes. A steam generator includes a steam generating part(610), a water supply passage, a water discharge passage, a bypass passage(660), and a heater(640). The steam generating part includes a flow space, a water supply inlet, and a water discharge outlet. Water flows in the flow space. An oxide layer is formed on the flow space by anodizing a surface of the flow space. The water supply passage and the water discharge passage are connected to the flow space, respectively. The water supply passage is connected between a water supply valve and the water supply inlet of the steam generating part. The water discharge outlet is connected between the water discharge outlet of the steam generating part and a tub. The bypass passage exhausts overflowed water from the flow space of the steam generating space. The heater rapidly heats the water introduced into the flow space of the steam generating part.

Description

Steam generator and laundry machine having same {Apparatus for generating steam and laundry machine having the same}

The present invention relates to a steam generator and a laundry machine having the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new type configured to obtain a refreshing effect such as wrinkle removal and sterilization of laundry, as well as faster and more efficient washing and drying of laundry. It relates to a steam generator and a laundry apparatus having the same.

In general, the drum washing machine performs washing by using the friction force of the rotating drum and the laundry by receiving the driving force of the motor while the detergent, the washing water, and the laundry are put in the drum, so that there is little damage to the laundry, and the laundry is mutually different. Not tangled, knocking and rubbing can have a laundry effect.

In addition, the drying combined-use drum washing machine is a device capable of carrying out washing of laundry in the same way as a drum washing machine, and drying the laundry after washing.

At this time, the drying drum washing machine performs a drying operation of the laundry while supplying hot air into the drum through a drying duct provided with a drying heater and a blowing fan.

However, the drum washing machine according to the prior art has the following problems.

First, when the soaking process is performed before the washing, the consumption of the washing water is large.

That is, a large amount of washing water was required because the laundry had to be soaked with washing water.

Second, no separate structure for sterilizing laundry was provided.

Of course, although not shown in recent years, a separate washing water heater for heating the wash water is also provided in the washing machine so that it can be boiled laundry structure, but since the sterilization of the laundry was done only by the boiling stroke is required for the life stroke Due to the increased washing water and power consumption is not preferred.

Third, due to the many wrinkles generated during the washing process there was an inconvenience that a separate manual work such as ironing should be carried out.

In particular, even though there are many wrinkles in the laundry, if the drying process is performed in the drum, there was a problem that ironing on the wrinkles was more difficult, which caused a problem of consumer dissatisfaction.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, the present invention is a new type of steam generating device configured to achieve the effect of washing and drying the laundry more quickly and efficiently and to remove the wrinkles and sterilization of the laundry And it is an object to provide a laundry machine having the same.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a predetermined flow space in which water flows therein, an oxide film is formed on the surface of the flow space, the steam having a water supply port and a discharge port respectively communicating with the flow space Generator; A water supply passage connected between the water supply valve and a water supply port of the steam generator; A heater installed inside the steam generator to have a length along the longitudinal direction of the flow space outside the flow space, and indirectly heating water flowing as the inside of the flow space is heated through the steam generator; Provided is a steam generator for a drum washing machine.

In addition, the present invention provides a body forming an appearance; A water supply valve provided at the main body and connected to an external water pipe; Tub provided inside the main body; A drum rotatably installed in the tub; And a steam generator for supplying steam into the drum, wherein the steam generator has a predetermined flow space in which water flows, an oxide film is formed on a surface of the flow space, and each of the flow spaces. A steam generator having a connected water supply port and a discharge port; A water supply passage connected between the water supply valve and the water supply port of the steam generator; A heater installed inside the steam generator to have a length along the longitudinal direction of the flow space outside the flow space, and indirectly heating water flowing as the inside of the flow space is heated through the steam generator; Provide a drum washing machine.

Preferably, the oxide film may be formed by anodizing.

According to the present invention having the configuration as described above, there is an advantage to increase the washing effect while saving the washing water during the washing administration.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is an advantage that can improve the drying efficiency and drying performance during the drying administration, as well as to achieve the wrinkle removal and sterilization effect of the laundry.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the laundry can be refreshed and improve the user's satisfaction.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent corrosion of the space where the steam of the steam generator is generated, there is an advantage that can improve the performance and life of the steam generator.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in the present embodiment will be described as a drying drum washing machine as an example of the washing machine, the idea of the present invention is found to be applicable to other washing machines, for example, a dryer, a washing machine.

1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a combined drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a front sectional view schematically showing the structure of a combined drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a plan view schematically showing the structure of a dry drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the steam generator of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line II of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line II-II of FIG. 4, and FIG. In the combined-use drum washing machine of the present invention, a front sectional view schematically showing another form of the steam supply structure.

On the other hand, Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing that another type of steam generating device is applied to the drying and washing drum of Figure 1, Figure 9 is a perspective view schematically showing the steam generating device of Figure 8, Figure 10 is Figure 8 The cutaway perspective view schematically showing the steam generator of the.

As shown in Figure 1 and 2, the combined drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention and the main body 100 to form an appearance, the main body 100 is provided and connected to the external water pipe 20 It is installed inside the water supply valve 200, the main body 100 and the hot air inlet 310 and the hot air outlet 320 is formed of a substantially cylindrical tub 300, rotatably installed in the tub 300 Blowing fan for forcibly blowing the drum 400, the drying heater 510 for heating the air supplied into the drum 400 and the hot air heated by the drying heater 510 into the drum 400 ( 520 is provided with a built-in drying duct 500 to form a flow path for supplying hot air into the drum 400, and at least one or more to supply steam to the drum 400, the space of the steam is generated Comprising a steam generator 600 formed by artificially forming an oxide film on the surface The.

3 to 6, the steam generator 600 has a predetermined flow space 611 in which water flows and anodizes its surface to form an oxide film. A steam generator 610 having a water supply port 612 and a discharge port 613 communicated with each other, and a water supply passage connected between the water supply valve 200 and the water supply port 612 of the steam generator 610 ( 620, the discharge passage 630 connected between the discharge port 613 of the steam generator 610 and the tub 300, and the water overflowing from the flow space of the steam generator is discharged. It includes a bypass passage 660 and a heater 640 for rapidly heating water flowing into the flow space 611 of the steam generator 610.

In addition, the steam generator 600 further includes a temperature sensor (not shown) for sensing the temperature of the steam generator 610.

Here, the temperature sensor is provided to control the heater 640 according to the temperature of the steam generating unit, using a thermo fuse or the like to cut off the power supplied to the heater 640 as it is cut off above a set temperature. It is desirable to prevent the heater 640 from overheating in advance.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, as the steam generator 610 is formed in a tubular shape, the flow space 611 is also formed as a pipe, and a water supply port 612 of the steam generator 610 is provided. And the discharge holes 613 are formed at both ends of the steam generator 610, respectively.

In addition, the steam generator 610 is inclined so that the discharge port 613 is positioned higher than the water supply port 612 with respect to the horizontal line, and prevents water other than steam from being discharged through the discharge port 613. It is desirable to.

At this time, the cross-sectional area of the flow space 611 of the steam generator 610 is formed larger than the cross-sectional area of the water supply passage 620 and the cross-sectional area of the discharge passage 630, the flow space of the steam generator 610 The supply of water to the 611 and the steam discharge from the flow space 611 is made more smoothly.

In addition, the cross-sectional area of the discharge passage 630 is preferably smaller than the cross-sectional area of the water supply passage 620.

This causes a pressure difference between the discharge passage 630 and the water supply passage 620, so that water supplied from the water supply passage 620 flows into the flow space 611 of the steam generator 610. This is to allow the steam generated while flowing to be discharged to the discharge passage 630 more smoothly.

On the other hand, the steam generator 610 is formed of a metal material having a high conductivity and a small specific gravity, such as aluminum, it is preferable to be processed by die casting (die casting) casting method.

The water supply passage 620 includes a water supply valve 200 (see FIG. 3), a water supply pipe 621 connected to the water supply valve, a water supply port of the water supply pipe 621, and the steam generator 610. The water supply pipe 622 interposed between 612 is comprised.

In addition, the discharge passage 630 is a discharge pipe 632 provided in the discharge port 613 of the steam generating unit 610, and a steam supply pipe connected between the discharge pipe 632 and the tub 300. And (631).

Here, as shown in Figure 1, it is preferable that the end 631a through which the steam of the steam supply pipe 631 is discharged to have a nozzle shape for smooth supply of steam.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 7, the steam generated by the steam generator 600 is supplied to the drying duct 500 to provide steam to the drum 400 through the drying duct 500. You may.

That is, the steam supply pipe 631 is connected between the discharge port 613 of the steam generating unit 610 and the drying duct 500 to supply steam to the drum 400 through the drying duct 500. It is.

At this time, it is preferable that the end 631a through which steam of the steam supply pipe 631 is discharged is provided on the side from which hot air of the drying duct 500 is discharged.

In addition, when the steam discharged from the steam supply pipe 631 is supplied to the drying duct 500, it is preferable to drive the blowing fan 520 built in the drying duct 500.

This is to prevent the steam discharged from the steam supply pipe 631 from flowing backward in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the hot air of the drying duct 500.

Of course, when the steam discharged from the steam supply pipe 631 is supplied to the drying duct 500, while driving the blowing fan 520 built in the drying duct 500 and at the same time operating the drying heater 510 Thus, the steam supplied to the drying duct 500 may be provided into the drum 400 together with the hot air.

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the bypass passage 660 may allow the washing water to flow into the tub 300 from the water supply passage 620 and the water supply valve 200 of the steam generator 610. It is connected between flow paths.

In other words, as shown in Figure 3, between the water supply valve 200 and the tub 300 is provided with a detergent box 700 for mixing the washing water and detergent to the tub 300, the bypass The flow path 660 is preferably provided to be connected on the pipe line 710 connecting between the detergent box 700 and the water supply valve 200.

That is, the bypass passage 660 is connected between the water pipe 710 and the water supply pipe 621 of the water supply passage 620.

On the other hand, although not shown, the bypass passage 660 is directly connected to the detergent box 700, it is also possible to directly discharge the water overflowed from the flow space of the steam generator 610 to the detergent box 700. have.

4 to 6, the heater 640 of the steam generator 600 preferably uses a sheath heater, and the heater 640 of the steam generator 610. Although buried in a molding manner therein, it is more preferable that the water is installed around the flow space 611 of the steam generator 610 to rapidly heat the water flowing in the flow space 611.

That is, the heater 640 is embedded in the steam generating unit 610, and rapidly heats the steam generating unit 610 itself formed of aluminum as the heat is generated, thereby, of the steam generating unit 610 The water flowing in the flow space 611 is rapidly heated to generate steam.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, the steam generator 600 configured as described above is installed through a bracket (810, 820) separate from the main body 100 to form the appearance of the drying drum washing machine.

That is, the main body 100 of the combined-use drum washing machine is provided with an auxiliary frame 810 long along the front and rear direction of the main body 100, and one side of the support bracket 820 is coupled to the front side of the auxiliary frame 810. As the steam generator 610 is coupled to the other side of the support bracket 820, the steam generator 600 is installed in the main body 100 of the combined drum washing machine.

At this time, the other side of the steam generating unit 610 and the support bracket 820 is preferably coupled by a screw fastening method.

That is, although not shown in detail, the upper surface of the steam generating unit 610 is formed with a fastening boss formed with a fastening hole, the fastening hole corresponding to the fastening boss is formed on the other side of the support bracket 820, the fastening hole As the screw is fastened to the fastening boss, the steam generator 610 and the support bracket 820 are coupled to each other.

For reference, the auxiliary frame 810 coupled to the main body 100 serves to increase the rigidity of the main body 100, thereby reducing the vibration and noise generated in the main body 100 during stroke such as dehydration. Also

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, the surface of the flow space 611 forming the steam generator 610 of the steam generator 600, the oxide film 670 is formed by artificially anodizing.

The reason why the oxide film 670 is formed on the surface of the flow space 611 by an anodizing technique is that hard water such as tap water supplied from the outside is supplied to the flow space 611 and heated by the heater 640. This is to prevent corrosion of the surface of the flow space 611 in the process.

Therefore, by forming the oxide film 670 on the surface of the flow space 611, it is possible to prevent the surface of the flow space 611 from being corroded, thereby improving the performance and life of the steam generator 600 composed therein You can do it.

Hereinafter, in the drying combined drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the operation of the steam generator is as follows.

First, a description will be given of the washing administration of the dry combined drum washing machine.

When the washing operation of the combined drying drum washing machine starts, the washing water and the detergent are mixed in the detergent box 700 and introduced into the drum 400, and at the same time, the steam generator 600 is operated to operate the tub 300. The high temperature steam is supplied into the drum 400 through.

In other words, by supplying high-temperature steam to the drum 400 at the beginning of washing, it is possible to increase the washing effect even with a small amount of washing water by smoothing the soaking of laundry and separation of contaminants.

At this time, the blowing fan 520 and the drying heater 510 is turned on to supply hot air into the drum 400 at the same time as the steam, thereby increasing the temperature inside the drum 400 and heating the wash water to wash the laundry. The soaking and separation of contaminants can be carried out more quickly and efficiently.

On the other hand, the steam generator 600 may supply the washing water instead of supplying steam to the drum 400 of the combined drum washing machine, it is possible to shorten the administrative time during the washing administration or dehydration administration.

That is, when only washing water is needed instead of steam, as the steam generator 600 is operated in a state in which the heater 640 is turned off, the steam generator 600 may be moved into the drum 400 through the steam generator 600. It can supply wash water.

Therefore, as the washing water supplied into the drum 400 is supplied through two water passages connected to the detergent box 700 and the steam generator 600, respectively, the time for receiving the washing water can be reduced, so that the overall stroke can be reduced. It can save time.

Next, the operation of the drying combined-use drum washing machine in the drying operation will be described.

When the drying operation of the combined drying drum washing machine is started, power is supplied to the drying heater 510 built into the drying duct 500 and a blower fan 520 is driven to generate hot air in the drying duct 500. And is fed into the drum.

At the same time, the steam generator 600 operates to generate high temperature steam, and supplies the generated steam to the drum 400 through the tub 300.

Then, the hot air and hot steam generated as described above is introduced into the drum 400 to dry the laundry.

That is, during the drying operation of the laundry, as the hot air is supplied to the drum 400 and hot steam is supplied, the temperature of the drum 400 is quickly increased.

Accordingly, the laundry contained in the drum 400 may be dried more quickly, and at the same time, the wrinkles may be unfolded and sterilized by high temperature steam, thereby obtaining a refreshing effect of the laundry.

Next, the operations other than the washing stroke and the drying stroke of the combined drying drum washing machine will be described.

In addition to the washing stroke and drying stroke in the drying combined-use drum washing machine to perform a separate refresh stroke to wrinkle, sterilization, etc., the steam generator 600 generates a high-temperature steam drum through the tub 300 400 supplies inside.

That is, by providing only hot steam to the laundry instead of washing and drying, to perform the action of removing wrinkles and sterilization of the laundry.

Therefore, it is possible to minimize the wrinkles of the laundry more conveniently, as well as to obtain hygienic laundry, thereby improving consumer satisfaction.

During the washing and drying stroke and the refresh stroke of the combined drying drum washing machine as described above, when the steam generator 600 is operated, the drum 400 is rotated to generate the steam generator 600. It is desirable to ensure that the steam is evenly supplied to the laundry.

On the other hand, instead of the steam generator 600 described above may be applied to the drying drum washing machine of the other type.

Hereinafter, the steam generator of another form will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

The steam generator 60 is composed of an upper surface (61a) and a lower case (61b) formed with an anodized film 67 to form an anodizing process so as to have a space for generating steam therein, and water is supplied. A case 61 having a sphere 61a-1 and a discharge port 61a-2 through which steam is discharged, and connected between a water supply valve 200 of a drum washing machine and a water supply port 61a-1 of the case 61; A water supply flow path which is connected between the water supply flow path and the discharge port 61a-2 of the case 61 and the tub 300 of the drum washing machine, and a space in the case 61 and is provided in the case 61. And a heater 64 for heating the water to be stored.

In addition, the steam generator 60 further includes a temperature sensor 65 for detecting a temperature in the case 61 and a water level sensor 66 for detecting a level of water supplied into the case 61. It is preferred to be configured.

Here, the water supply passage is a water supply pipe 621 connecting between the water supply valve 200 and the water supply port 61a-1 of the case 61, and the discharge passage is a discharge port 61a of the case 61. -2) and the steam supply pipe 631 connecting between the tub 300.

In addition, the steam generator 60 configured as described above also has a space for generating steam (that is, the inner surfaces of the upper case 61a and the lower case 61b) to form an oxide film 67 by an anodizing technique to generate steam. Corrosion of the space can be prevented, it is possible to improve the performance and life of the steam generator 60 composed of this.

For reference, the steam generator 60 configured as described above, unlike the steam generator 600 described above, stores the water supplied from the water supply valve 200, heats the stored water to generate steam, and thus generates The supplied steam is supplied into the drum 400 through the tub 300.

That is, since the water is stored by the set water level and the stored water is heated to generate steam, unlike the steam generator 600 described above, the supplied water does not overflow, and thus the configuration as the bypass passage 660 described above. The element may be removed.

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.

1 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a dry drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 2 is a front sectional view schematically showing the structure of a dry drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 3 is a plan view schematically showing the structure of a dry drum washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention

4 is a perspective view schematically showing the steam generator of FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 4.

Figure 7 is a front cross-sectional view schematically showing another form of the steam supply structure in the combined drum washing machine of the present invention

8 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing that another type of steam generating device is applied to the combined drum washing machine of FIG.

9 is a perspective view schematically showing the steam generator of FIG.

10 is a perspective view schematically showing the steam generator of FIG. 8

Claims (4)

A steam generator having a predetermined flow space through which water flows, an oxide film being formed on a surface of the flow space, and having a water supply port and a discharge port communicating with the flow space, respectively; A water supply passage connected between the water supply valve and a water supply port of the steam generator; And A heater installed inside the steam generator to have a length along the longitudinal direction of the flow space outside the flow space, and indirectly heating water flowing as the inside of the flow space is heated through the steam generator; Steam generator. The method of claim 1, The oxide film is a steam generator, characterized in that formed by the method of (anodizing). A body forming an appearance; A water supply valve provided at the main body and connected to an external water pipe; Tub provided inside the main body; A drum rotatably installed in the tub; And Includes; a steam generator for supplying steam into the drum; The steam generator includes a steam generator having a predetermined flow space in which water flows therein, an oxide film being formed on a surface of the flow space, and having a water supply port and a discharge port communicating with the flow space, respectively; A water supply passage connected between the water supply valve and a water supply port of the steam generator; And A heater installed inside the steam generator to have a length along the longitudinal direction of the flow space outside the flow space, and indirectly heating water flowing as the inside of the flow space is heated through the steam generator; Washing apparatus, characterized in that. The method of claim 3, wherein Washing apparatus, characterized in that the oxide film is formed by the method of anodizing (anodizing).

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