KR20080062348A - Steam generator and cleaner using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A steam generator and a cleaner using the same are provided to prevent water in a water storage unit from overflowing to a steam generating unit by completely blocking a space therebetween by a partition wall, while simplifying the cleaning process and reducing time required for steam generation. A steam generator comprises a steam generating unit(136), a water storage unit(138), a partition wall(148), a heater(140), and an absorption filter(146). The steam generating unit forms steam by heating water. The water storage unit supplies water to the steam generating unit. The partition wall separates the steam generating unit from the water storage unit. The heater is provided in the steam generating unit to convert water into steam by heating water. The absorption filter is disposed across the steam generating unit and water storage unit to guide water in the water storage unit to the steam generating unit.

Description

Steam generator and cleaner using the same {Steam generator and Cleaner using the same}

1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner according to the prior art.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a steam cleaner according to the prior art.

3 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of the steam cleaner shown in FIG.

Figure 4 is an external perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the cleaner according to the present invention.

5 is an external perspective view of a nozzle constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a nozzle constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is an exploded perspective view of a nozzle constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a side cross-sectional view of a nozzle constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a front sectional view of a nozzle constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a cross-sectional view showing a detailed configuration of the water storage unit and the steam generating unit constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a bottom perspective view of a nozzle constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the water storage unit and the steam generator that constitute the embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

50. Body 60. Extension tube

70. Hose 80. Handle

100.Nozzle 110.Base Pan

112. Suction port 114. Moving wheel

116. Connectors 118. Shock Absorbers

120. Steam generator 130. Steam case

132. Steam base 134. Steam cover

136. Steam generator 138. Water reservoir

140. Heater 142. Heater support

144. Steam Guide 146. Absorption Filter

148. Partition Wall 150. Water Inlet

160. Suction channel 170. Plate receiving part

172. Steam guide member 174. Steam jet hole

180. Mop plate 182. Mop attachment

184. Exposures 190. Mop

200. Outer case 210. Center cover

212. Display

The present invention relates to a cleaner, and more particularly, to a steam generator and a cleaner using the steam generator and the water storage unit is blocked by the partition wall to move the water by the absorption filter.

The vacuum cleaner is a device to reduce human labor by cleaning with the power of a machine. A vacuum cleaner using suction force and a water cleaner that injects water and air at the same time by spraying water, as well as foreign matters on the floor by spraying steam recently. Various types of steam cleaners for removing oil have emerged.

1 shows a configuration of a general vacuum cleaner. As shown, the vacuum cleaner includes a main body 1 having suction means for sucking air in the room, and a suction nozzle 2 into which air on the bottom surface is introduced by suction force generated in the main body 1. Has a configuration to include.

On the other hand, the main body 1, the lower body (5) to which the suction means is received and fastened, and the parts embedded in the lower body 5 so as not to be exposed to the outside, the electric part for controlling the vacuum cleaner (not shown) It consists of an upper body (6) is built.

A moving handle 6 'is further provided on the upper surface of the upper body 6. The movable handle 6 ′ is for facilitating the grip of the user when the cleaner moves, and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper body 6.

On the other hand, although not shown, the cord reel assembly is further provided on the right side of the upper body 6. The cord reel assembly is a device for winding and storing the power cord 9 to be described below.

In addition, wheels 8 are fastened to both sides of the main body 1 so that the main body 1 can smoothly move the bottom surface, and the wheels 8 are separated from the air sucked through the suction nozzle 2. A discharge portion 8a through which air of the air is discharged from the main body 1 is constituted.

Between the main body 1 and the suction nozzle 2, a suction hose 3b made of a flexible material, an operation unit 4 connected to an end of the suction hose 3b, and the operation unit 4 ) And an extension tube 3a for connecting the suction nozzle 2 are sequentially installed, so that the suction force generated in the main body 1 can be transmitted to the suction nozzle 2.

 Therefore, when electricity is applied through the power cord 9 connected to the electric part (not shown) built in the main body 1, the vacuum cleaner is in a standby state. At this time, if the user adjusts the suction step by using the button of the operation unit 4, the suction force suitable for each step is generated by the suction means built in the main body (1).

The suction force generated through the suction means is transmitted to the suction nozzle 2 via the suction hose 3b and the extension pipe 3a which are fastened to the suction connector 3c. The air containing the foreign matter such as dust or lint is sucked by the suction force transmitted to the suction nozzle 2, the foreign matter in the sucked air is separated by the dust collecting unit 10, and the filtered air is discharged. Cleaning is performed by the process of being discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the portion (8a).

2 and 3 show a perspective view of a general steam cleaner and a cross section of the main body.

The steam cleaner is composed of a main body for cleaning by using a cloth member attached to the bottom after heating the washing water supplied from the body member to generate hot steam and a handle that can move the main body, the main body The part and the handle are connected by a connector or a support and are configured to be cleaned by moving the body part in various directions according to the driving angle of the handle.

As shown, the steam cleaner 20 is rotatably installed on the main body 30 with the steam generating function, and the upper surface of the main body 30 so that the main body 30 can be manually moved to operate. It consists of a stick portion 40.

The main body 30 is formed by combining an upper case 30 'and a steam pad 30 ". The upper case 30' forms an upper appearance of the main body 30, and the upper case A lower end of the stick part 40 is coupled to a central rear end of an upper surface of 30 ′.

On the other hand, the connector 32 is integrally provided between the body portion 30 and the stick portion 40. Therefore, after mounting the stick portion 40 to the body portion 30 is configured to operate the body portion 30 of the steam cleaner 20 in accordance with the movement of the connector (32).

Inside the upper case 30 ′ of the main body 30, a bucket member 33 for storing a predetermined amount of washing water is built-in, and a heater H for heating the washing water is installed in the bucket member 33. . And the heater (H) is installed to be immersed in the water (washing water) stored in the bucket member (33).

The lower portion of the upper case (30 ') is provided with a steam pad (30 ") for injecting the steam supplied through the steam guide 33' from the bucket member 33 to the lower.

On the other hand, the upper surface of the upper case (30 ') is formed with a water injection hole 34 for introducing water into the bucket member, the cap member 34' is provided on the upper surface of the water injection hole 34 is a water injection hole ( 34) Shield.

The steam pad 30 "is installed on the bottom of the main body 30, and a cloth member 36 is covered on the bottom surface of the steam pad 30". Therefore, the user can easily clean the floor by using the steam and the cloth member 36 supplied from the inside.

The upper portion of the connector 32 is provided with a stick portion 40, the upper end of the stick portion 40 is formed with a handle 42 for convenient use of the user, the tip of the handle 42 It is provided with an operation button 44 for turning on / off the power or adjusting the intensity.

Although not shown inside the main body 30, a steam generator is built in. Therefore, the steam generated from the steam generator is injected to the lower portion of the main body portion 30, the steam is evenly sprayed on the cloth member 36 and at the same time always maintained at a high temperature steam can be cleaned clean .

However, the above-described prior art has the following problems.

General vacuum cleaners such as the canister vacuum cleaners exemplified above can remove various dusts and dirts on carpets, furniture or floors by suction power generated by the difference in air pressure through the driving of the motor mounted inside the main body 1. It is designed to inhale and inhale it within a short time.

However, these vacuum cleaners are designed and used only to inhale dust from the floor to fit the Western residential culture using carpets or furniture, so our country lives directly on the floor without using furniture. It is not suitable for the ondol sedentary living culture, and there is a problem of double cleaning. In other words, in our traditional style, floor coverings or ondol are usually laid without furniture or carpeting. Therefore, when cleaning the floor, the floor must be cleaned by water and finally the cleaning is completed.

Therefore, firstly, a general vacuum cleaner such as a canister type removes visible garbage and various dirts, and secondly, a mop containing moisture or a floor cleaner is cleaned by wiping the bottom surface with the above-described steam cleaner. There is a problem that the cleaning operation is quite troublesome because there is no situation, there is a problem that must be provided by the type of cleaner.

As a result, since two cleaners must be provided, a lot of cost and labor are required, and a sufficient storage space for storing the cleaners is required.

In addition, in the steam cleaner as described above, only one bucket member 33 is provided inside the main body 30. Therefore, the heater H must heat all the water (wash water) stored in the bucket member 33. That is, since the steam is generated only when the water temperature inside the bucket member 33 is 100 ° C., it takes a relatively long time until the steam is generated. Therefore, the user has to wait for a considerable time to use the steam cleaner. have.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention for solving the conventional problems as described above, to provide a vacuum cleaner capable of performing vacuum cleaning and steam cleaning at the same time.

Another object of the present invention, the steam generator for heating and evaporating water and the water storage unit for storing the water is completely blocked by the partition wall, respectively, the steam generator to prevent the water storage unit from overflowing to the steam generating unit and this It is to provide a cleaner to use.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a steam generator and a cleaner using the same, wherein water is stored in the water storage unit in which the water is stored and is transferred to the steam generator by the absorption filter.

Steam generating apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the steam generating unit for heating water to form water vapor (水蒸氣); A water storage unit for supplying water to the steam generator; A partition wall partitioning the steam generator and the water storage unit; A heater provided in the steam generator and converting water into steam by heating; And an absorption filter installed between the steam generator and the water storage unit to guide the water of the water storage unit to the steam generator.

In addition, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, the motor assembly for generating a suction force by the rotation, and the main body is provided with a dust collecting unit for filtering foreign matter in the air; And a nozzle for guiding air and foreign matter to be sucked into the main body and having a steam generator for heating water to supply water vapor; The steam generator includes a steam generator for heating water to form water vapor, a water storage unit for supplying water to the steam generator, a partition wall for partitioning the steam generator and the water storage unit, And a heater provided in the steam generator to convert water into steam by heating, and an absorption filter provided between the steam generator and the water storage part to guide the water of the water storage part to the steam generator. It features.

According to the present invention configured as described above, there is an advantage that the cleaning operation becomes simpler and the time until steam generation is reduced.

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

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a steam combined vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the cleaner according to the present invention includes a main body 50 in which a plurality of parts are built, an extension pipe 60 configured to be adjustable in length, and an extension pipe 60 to connect air and foreign matter. The connecting hose 70 made of a stretchable material for guiding, and the nozzle 100 for guiding suction of air and foreign substances while moving in a state close to the bottom surface.

In more detail, the nozzle 100 and the main body 50 are spaced apart, and the extension pipe 60 and the connection hose 70 are provided between the nozzle 100 and the main body 50 to provide air and foreign matter. Will guide the flow. That is, one end (front end) of the extension pipe 60 is connected to the nozzle 100, and one end (back end) of the connection hose 70 is coupled to the front end of the main body 50.

The other end (rear end) of the extension pipe 60 is provided with an operation handle (80). The operation handle 80 is a portion that facilitates the user to grip during the cleaning operation, the front of the operation handle 80, the operation unit 82 for allowing the user to operate the vacuum cleaner is formed.

Therefore, the user manipulates the operation unit 82 while holding the operation handle 80 with one hand to turn on / off the operation of the cleaner and the strength or weakness of the vacuum cleaner 120 to be described below. (off) can be controlled.

The main body 50 is provided with a plurality of parts such as a motor assembly (not shown) that rotates by the power supplied from the outside to generate a suction force, and a dust collecting unit 52 in which foreign substances in the air are filtered and stacked.

Therefore, when power is applied from the outside and a suction force is generated, external air and foreign matter are sucked through the nozzle 100 and introduced into the main body 50 via the extension pipe 60 and the connection hose 70. The foreign material introduced into the main body 50 is filtered by a filter (not shown) provided inside the dust collecting unit 52 and accumulated in the dust collecting unit 52.

5 to 11 illustrate the configuration of the nozzle 100 in detail. That is, FIGS. 5 and 6 show an external perspective view and a partial cutaway perspective view of the nozzle 100, respectively, and FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the nozzle 100. 8 and 9 illustrate side cross-sections and front cross-sections of the nozzle 100, respectively, and in FIG. 10, a water storage unit and a steam generating unit constituting the inside of the nozzle 100 are shown in cross-sectional view. 11 shows the bottom of the nozzle 100.

The nozzle 100 guides the foreign material on the bottom surface to be sucked into the main body 50 together with the air, and the base fan 110 forming the bottom surface as shown, and the base pan 110, The overall appearance is formed by the outer case 200 coupled to the upper side.

The base fan 110 has a quadrangular shape, and a suction port 112 through which external air and foreign matter flows is formed in the center portion of the distal end up and down. That is, the air and the foreign matter under the base fan 110 are moved to the upper side of the base fan 110 through the suction port 112.

A rear wheel 114 is installed at the rear end of the base fan 110. The moving wheel 114 is to facilitate the movement of the nozzle 100, a pair is installed on the left and right. A pair of auxiliary wheels 114 ′ are installed at left and right ends of the base pan 110 to assist the movement of the nozzle 100.

The rear end of the central portion of the base fan 110 is connected to the connecting pipe 116 is installed. The connecting pipe 116 guides the extension pipe 60 and the nozzle 100 to be coupled. Therefore, the front end of the connecting pipe 116 is connected to the rear end of the nozzle 100, the rear end is coupled to the front end of the extension pipe (60). In addition, the connecting pipe 116 is formed in a cylindrical shape guides the air and foreign substances introduced into the nozzle 100 to the extension pipe (60).

The buffer member 118 is attached to the edge of the base pan 110. More specifically, the buffer member 118 made of an elastic material such as rubber is attached to the front and left and right sides of the base pan 110. The buffer member 118 serves to prevent damage to the nozzle 100 and to mitigate shock when the nozzle 100 collides with an external object such as a wall surface.

Inside the nozzle 100, a steam generator 120 is provided to heat water to supply water vapor.

The steam generator 120 has a rough appearance is formed by the steam case 130 as shown. The steam case 130 includes a steam base 132 formed of a flat plate and a steam cover 134 coupled to an upper side of the steam base 132. Therefore, a predetermined space is formed between the steam base 132 and the steam cover 134.

In the space between the steam base 132 and the steam cover 134, a steam generator 136 for heating water to form water vapor, and water storage for supplying water to the steam generator 136 A portion 138 is formed. That is, the steam base 132 and the steam cover 134 is partitioned by a partition wall 148 having a predetermined height, the steam generator 136 is formed on the left side relatively, and the water storage unit 138 on the right side. ) Is formed.

Looking in more detail, the steam generator 136 is formed long before and after the left end of the nozzle 100, the water storage unit 138 is formed to extend left and right through the central portion of the nozzle 100 do. In addition, a predetermined gap is formed between an upper end of the partition wall 148 and a bottom surface of the steam cover 134, and an absorption filter 146 to be described below is inserted into the gap.

The steam generator 136 is provided with a heater 140. The heater 140 generates heat by the power applied from the outside, thereby converting the water of the steam generator 136 into steam. The heater 140 is formed long before and after the pipe (pipe) shape as shown. Of course, it will also be possible to form a 'U' shape (viewed from above).

A heater support 142 is formed at the rear end of the steam generator 136. The heater support 142 protrudes upward from the steam base 132 to fix and support the rear end of the heater 140.

The steam guide 144 is formed inside the steam generator 136. The steam guide 144 is formed to protrude upward from the steam base 132 by a predetermined height, and comprises a hollow shaft having a flow path therein. Therefore, steam is moved through the steam guide 144. That is, water vapor formed in the steam generator 136 is moved below the steam base 132 through the steam guide 144.

Meanwhile, an absorption filter 146 is provided at the bottom of the steam generator 136 and the water storage unit 138. The absorption filter 146 is preferably formed in a square shape corresponding to the bottom size of the steam generating unit 136 and the water storage unit 138, it is located below the heater 140.

More specifically, the lower surface of the absorption filter 146 of the steam generator 136 is in contact with the steam base 132, the upper surface is in contact with the lower half of the heater 140. In addition, the absorption filter 146 is preferably made of a material that easily absorbs water and has high heat resistance. That is, the absorption filter 146 is made of a material capable of holding water, such as a sponge (sponge), and is formed of a material having high heat resistance that does not burn even in contact with the heater 140. For example, it is made of a material such as asbestos.

As shown, the absorption filter 146 is installed between the steam generator 136 and the water storage unit 138. More specifically, the absorption filter 146 is placed on the bottom surface of the steam generator 136 and the water storage unit 138, the absorption filter 146 is the upper end of the partition wall 148 The steam generator 136 and the water storage unit 138 through each other. That is, the absorption filter 146 surrounds the partition wall 148. Accordingly, the water storage unit 138 and the steam generator 136 are completely blocked by the partition wall 148 and the absorption filter 146 passing through the top of the partition wall 148.

The absorption filter 146 serves to guide the water of the water storage unit 138 to the steam generator 136. In more detail, the water of the water storage unit 138 is absorbed into the absorption filter 146, and then moves through the partition wall 148 to the steam generator 136. Then, the water (moisture) delivered to the absorption filter 146 provided in the steam generator 136 is heated and evaporated by the heater 140 and converted into water vapor.

The steam cover 134 is divided into a steam cover 134 ′ covering an upper side of the steam generator 136, and a storage cover 134 ″ covering an upper side of the water storage 138. The left side of the steam cover 134 ′ and the right side of the storage cover 134 ″ may be formed to have the same height as illustrated, but are formed stepped to have a height of the steam cover 134 ′. It may be formed to be relatively larger than the height of the storage cover (134 ").

The space inside the steam generator 136 is formed relatively smaller than the space inside the water storage 138. That is, the total volume of the water storage unit 138 is relatively larger than the volume of the steam generator 136. Therefore, the amount of water stored in the water storage unit 138 is much greater than the amount of water accumulated in the steam generator 136.

As such, the amount of water accumulated in the steam generator 136 is smaller than that of the water storage unit 138 in order to shorten the time required for the water to evaporate by the heater 140. That is, the inside of the steam generator 120 is divided into a water storage unit 138 and the steam generator 136, the absorption unit 136 absorbs the water in the steam generator 136 is contained. Since the heater 140 is heated, the water contained in the absorption filter 146 positioned in the steam generator 136 is first heated and evaporated.

More specifically, since the water storage unit 138 and the steam generating unit 136 are separated from each other by the partition wall 148, the absorption filter 146 provided in the steam generating unit 136 is filled with Since the water (water) and the water accumulated in the water storage unit 138 has the effect of being partitioned separately from each other, the heater 140 in contact with the absorption filter 146 of the steam generating unit 136 is In operation, the water around the heater 140 contained in the absorption filter 146 of the steam generator 136 is heated and evaporated. Therefore, compared to the case where both the water storage unit 138 and the steam generator 136 is heated at the same time, the time to start to generate steam (water vapor) is significantly reduced.

The water inlet 150 is formed in the steam cover 134. That is, the water inlet 150 penetrates up and down at the right end of the steam cover 134. The water inlet 150 protrudes a predetermined portion upward. And a screw surface is formed inside the water inlet 150.

The water inlet 150 is selectively shielded by the inlet valve 152. That is, as shown, when the inlet valve 152 of the circular threaded surface formed on the bottom screwed to the water inlet 150, the water inlet 150 is shielded.

The suction flow passage 160 is installed above the water storage unit 138 of the steam generator 120. That is, the suction flow channel 160 is installed above the storage cover 134 ″ of the steam cover 134. The suction flow channel 160 is configured to move air and foreign substances from the outside to the rear of the nozzle 100. To guide.

The suction channel 160 is installed across the center of the nozzle 100 back and forth, the front end is coupled to the suction port 112. That is, the front end of the suction flow pipe 160 is vertically bent downward and coupled to the upper end of the suction port 112.

The lower portion of the base pan 110 is formed such that the rectangular plate receiving portion 170 is recessed upward. The plate accommodating part 170 is a part in which the mop plate 180 described below is accommodated, and the plate accommodating part 170 is made of a metal material so that the mop plate 180 to be described below can be attached by magnetic force. This is preferred.

In the central portion of the plate receiving portion 170, the steam guide member 172 is formed long left and right. A flow path is formed inside the steam guide member 172 to guide the water vapor (Water 蒸氣) moved to the lower side of the base pan 110 through the steam guide 144 to be distributed to the left and right.

On the lower surface of the steam guide member 172, a plurality of steam jet holes 174 are formed to penetrate up and down. Therefore, water vapor guided by the steam guide member 172 is discharged downward through the steam jet hole 174.

The plate accommodating part 170 is equipped with a square plate-shaped mop plate 180. The mop plate 180 is a plate to which the mop 190 is attached, and a mop attachment part 182 for attaching the mop 190 is formed at a bottom thereof. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the first and second half portions of the bottom surface of the mop plate 180 are provided with mop attachment parts 182 extending from side to side.

The mop attaching portion 182 is preferably made of Velcro, or magic tape, also referred to as 'sticky'. Therefore, although not shown, a mop 190 having a velcro corresponding to the mop attaching part 182 is attached to the bottom of the mop plate 180.

On the other hand, although not shown, the permanent magnet is installed to the left and right in the interior of the mop plate 180. This permanent magnet is for the mop plate 180 to be easily attached to the plate receiving portion 170. That is, the plate accommodating part 170 is formed of a metal material, and since the permanent magnet is embedded in the mop plate 180, the mop plate 180 is brought to the vicinity of the plate accommodating part 170. 180 is spontaneously attached to the plate receiving portion 170.

In the center portion of the mop plate 180, the exposure port 184 is formed to penetrate up and down. That is, the exposed portion 184 of the size corresponding to the left and right length of the steam guide member 172 is formed in the central portion of the mop plate 180 long to the left and right. Therefore, the bottom surface of the steam guide member 172 is exposed to the lower portion of the mop plate 180 through the exposure opening 184.

The outer case 200 is coupled to the base fan 110 to form the front and rear, as well as the left and right and the top appearance of the nozzle 100. Near the right end of the outer case 200, the valve seat 202 on which the inlet valve 152 is seated is formed to be recessed downward. In addition, a valve through hole 204 through which the lower end of the inlet valve 152 penetrates is formed at the center of the valve seat 202.

A central cover 210 is further provided at the center of the outer case 200 to cross the front and rear sides. In addition, the display unit 212 is further formed on the central cover 210. The display unit 212 serves to display the operation state of the steam generator 120 to the outside, and mainly displays whether power is supplied and whether water is insufficient (water replenishment).

Hereinafter, the operation of the steam generator and the cleaner having the configuration as described above will be described.

First, the user opens the water inlet 150 by rotating the inlet valve 152, and then supplies water from the outside through the water inlet 150. And when the appropriate amount of water is accommodated in the water storage unit 138, the water inlet 150 is shielded again by using the inlet valve 152.

Next, when power is applied from the outside, such power is supplied to the main body 50 and the nozzle 100. Therefore, a motor assembly (not shown) provided inside the main body 50 rotates to generate a suction force.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 8, external foreign matter is sucked with air through the suction port 112 of the nozzle 100 and passes through the suction flow channel 160 to extend the extension pipe 60 and the connection hose. It is introduced into the main body 50 through the 70. The foreign matter in the air introduced into the main body 50 is collected by the filter assembly (not shown) provided in the dust collecting unit 52, the foreign matter filtered air is the motor assembly (not shown) It is discharged to outside.

On the other hand, the steam generator 120 is operated by a power applied from the outside. That is, external power is supplied to the heater 140 to heat the heater 140. Of course, at this time, water is supplied to the water storage unit 138 from the outside through the water inlet 150, and the water absorbing filter 146 is sufficiently absorbed.

Therefore, when the heater 140 is heated, the water absorbed inside the absorption filter 146 of the steam generator 136 in contact with the heater 140 is heated to form water vapor. At this time, the water heated by the heater 140 is not the entire water stored in the steam case 130, but water absorbed by the absorption filter 146 located in the steam generator 136 ( Moisture), that is, the water inside the absorption filter 146 that the heater 140 is in contact with.

More specifically, since the lower half of the heater 140 is placed on the upper surface of the absorption filter 146 located in the steam generator 136, when the heater 140 is heated, it is located around the heater 140. Water, that is, water contained in the absorption filter 146 of the steam generator 136 is heated and converted into water vapor. Therefore, water evaporates and vaporizes within a short time (by experiment, within about 10 to 20 seconds).

As shown in FIG. 9, the steam generated by the heater 140 moves downward through the steam guide 144 and flows into the steam guide member 172. At this time, since the steam guide member 172 is formed long to the left and right, the water vapor in the steam guide member 172 is distributed to the left and right and discharged downward through the plurality of steam jet holes 174. .

Water vapor (水蒸氣) discharged to the outside through the steam jet hole 174 is introduced into the mop 190. Therefore, the mop 190 contains a high temperature water vapor (水蒸氣) to become a mop. When the bottom surface is cleaned in this state, foreign matter attached to the bottom surface is easily separated and removed by the mop 190.

The display unit 212 displays whether water vapor is formed. That is, when water is heated by the heater 140 to form water vapor, such a state is displayed on the display unit 212. In addition, the display unit 212 also displays whether water is insufficient. That is, although not shown, if the water shortage is detected by the measurement of the water level sensor installed in the water storage unit 138, this state is displayed to the outside through the display unit 212. Therefore, the user can take appropriate measures according to various information displayed on the display unit 212.

12 shows another embodiment of the steam generator.

Here, the position of the bottom surface of the steam generator 136 is formed at a position higher than the bottom surface position of the water storage unit 138. That is, the height of the bottom of the steam generating unit 136 located on the left side of the partition wall 148 is higher than the bottom surface position of the water storage unit 138 formed on the right side of the partition wall 148.

The absorption filter 146 is disposed on the bottom surfaces of the water storage unit 138 and the steam generator 136 as described above. In addition, the heater 140 is placed on the absorption filter 146 placed on the steam generator 136.

Therefore, the installation height of the heater 140 is placed in a relatively higher position than in FIG. 10, More preferably, the installation height of the heater 140 is installed to be above the water level of the water storage unit 138. That is, the installation height of the heater 140 is preferably installed at a position corresponding to or higher than the maximum level of water stored in the water storage unit 138.

The reason why the installation height of the heater 140 is greater than or equal to the water level of the water storage unit 138 is to shorten the steam generation time by minimizing water that accumulates in the steam generator 136. That is, when the installation height of the heater 140 is lower than the water level of the water storage unit 138, the water of the water storage unit 138 to the steam generator 136 through the absorption filter 146. The height of the water delivered to the water storage unit 138 and the steam generator 136 is equal to each other.

Therefore, at this time, water accumulated in the steam generator 136 is higher than the height of the absorption filter 146, the heater 140 is submerged in the water. In this case, since steam is generated only when all the water accumulated in the steam generator 136 is heated by the heater 140, the steam generation time is relatively long.

On the other hand, when the position of the heater 140 is higher than the water level of the water storage unit 138 as shown in FIG. 12, water does not accumulate in the steam generator 136. That is, even though the water of the water storage unit 138 is transferred to the steam generator 136 through the absorption filter 146, it is present only inside the absorption filter 146. Therefore, when the heater 140 only heats the water (moisture) contained by the absorption filter 146 inside the steam generator 136, steam is immediately generated, and thus the steam generation time is reduced by that amount.

The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-exemplified embodiments, and many other modifications based on the present invention will be possible to those skilled in the art within the above technical scope.

In the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention as described above, the foreign material attached to the bottom surface by wiping the foreign material at the same time by injecting steam through the nozzle to wipe off with a rag. That is, since the vacuum cleaning and the mop cleaning is performed at the same time by one operation, there is an advantage that the work efficiency is improved and the cost is reduced.

In the steam generator of the present invention, the water storage unit and the steam generator are divided by partition walls. Therefore, there is an advantage that the water stored in the water storage unit is prevented from overflowing to the steam generating unit.

As a result, the water storage unit and the steam generating unit are completely blocked by the partition wall and the absorption filter passing through the top of the partition wall, so that the water of the water storage unit does not flow directly to the steam generating unit, so that the amount of water to be heated by the heater Decreases. That is, since only the water (moisture) contained in the absorption filter placed on the bottom surface of the steam generating unit heats the steam is generated, there is an advantage that the steam generation time is significantly reduced compared to the conventional. As a result, the user waits initially for the cleaner to be used.

Claims (6)

A steam generator 136 which heats water to form water vapor; A water storage unit 138 supplying water to the steam generator 136; A partition wall 148 partitioning the steam generator 136 and the water reservoir 138; A heater 140 provided in the steam generator 136 to convert water into steam by heating; And an absorption filter 146 installed between the steam generator 136 and the water storage unit 138 to guide the water of the water storage unit 138 to the steam generator 136. Steam generator, characterized in that having a. The method of claim 1, wherein the absorption filter 146, The steam generator is placed on the bottom surface of the water storage unit (138) and the steam generating unit (136), and in contact with the lower half of the heater (140). The method of claim 1, wherein the water storage unit 138 and the steam generating unit 136, Steam generating device, characterized in that blocked by the partition wall 148 and the absorption filter (146). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The installation height of the heater 140, the steam generator, characterized in that more than the water level of the water storage unit (138). The bottom surface position of the steam generator 136, Steam generating device, characterized in that formed in a position higher than the bottom position of the water storage unit (138). A main body 50 including a motor assembly generating suction force by rotation and a dust collecting unit 52 in which foreign matters in the air are filtered and stacked; Guides the air and foreign matter to be sucked into the main body (50), and has a configuration including a nozzle (100) having a steam generator (120) for supplying water vapor by heating water; The steam generator 120, Steam generator 136 for heating water to form water vapor, water storage unit 138 for supplying water to the steam generator 136, the steam generator 136 and water storage The partition wall 148 which divides the part 138, the heater 140 which is provided in the steam generator 136 and converts water into steam by heating, the steam generator 136 and the water storage unit And an absorption filter (146) provided between the (138) to guide the water of the water storage unit (138) to the steam generating unit (136).

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