US20080256990A1

US20080256990A1 - Steam Generator for Laundry Device

Info

Publication number: US20080256990A1
Application number: US11/661,590
Authority: US
Inventors: Ki Chul Cho
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2005-05-23
Filing date: 2006-05-18
Publication date: 2008-10-23
Also published as: DE112006000055T5; WO2006126804A3; WO2006126804A2; KR20060120824A

Abstract

Disclosed is a steam generator, in which connection units are respectively formed on first and second cases. The connection units comprise connection pieces extended from the circumferential surface of the first case and connection pieces extended from the circumferential surface of the second case. Screw holes are respectively formed through the connection pieces so that the connection pieces of the first case and the connection pieces of the second case are connected using screws inserted into the screw holes. A sealing member is interposed between contact portions of the first case and the second case, thus maximizing contact between the first case and the second case. Thereby, since the, contact portions of first and second cases are smooth when the first case and the second case are connected to each other, the steam generator has a neat external appearance and does not require a separate process for smoothing the contact portions, thereby increasing in efficiency and productivity.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a laundry device, and more particularly, to a connection structure for connecting and separating two cases of a steam generator to and from each other.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a laundry device is a general term used for apparatuses for washing clothing and bedding.
The laundry devices include a washing machine having only a washing function, a washing machine having washing and drying functions, and a drying machine having only a drying function.
The washing machines are divided into pulsator washing machines, in which laundry is washed using a water current generated by rotating a plate-shaped pulsator, and drum washing machines, in which laundry is washed using a fall of washing water supplied to a horizontally-laid drum and the laundry and friction therebetween caused by rotating the drum.
Compared to the pulsator washing machine, the drum washing machine prevents the laundry from being entangled, and reduces the amounts of the washing water and a detergent used, thereby being increasingly used these days.
In order to more effectively wash the laundry, the drum washing machine performs a soaking operation. In the soaking operation, a large amount of the washing water is consumed and a separate structure for sterilizing the laundry is not provided in the drum washing machine.
A recent drum washing machine, which has a heater for heating washing water to perform a boiling operation, is proposed. However, the drum washing machine requires excessively large amounts of the washing water and electric power to perform the boiling operation, thus not being preferably used.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, a drum washing machine having a steam generator to solve the problems of the above drum washing machine will be described.
The drum washing machine comprises a cabinet 10 forming the external appearance of the washing machine, a cylindrical tub 20 horizontally supported in the cabinet 10 for storing washing machine, a drum 30 rotatably installed in the tub 20, a driving motor (not shown) for driving the drum 30, and at least one steam generator 40 for supplying steam to the inside of the drum 30.
A water supply valve 50 connected to an external water pipe for supplying the washing water to the inside of the tub 20 is provided at one side of the drum washing machine.
The steam generator 40 is connected to the water supply valve 50, and a heater (not shown) is installed in the steam generator 40.
Water is supplied from the water supply valve 50 to the inside of the steam generator 40, and a designated amount of the water is stored in the steam generator 40.
The water, which is stored in the steam generator 40, is heated by the heater, and steam generated by boiling the water in the steam generator 40 is supplied to the inside of the drum 30.
A steam supply pipe 6Q serving as a channel for guiding the steam generated from the steam generator 40 to the inside of the drum 30 is installed at one side of the steam generator 40.
Preferably, the tip of the steam supply pipe 60 has a nozzle shape so that the steam generated from the steam generator 40 is smoothly sprayed to the inside of the drum 30.
The tip of the steam supply pipe 60 for spraying the steam is exposed to the inside of the drum 30.
The steam generator 40 is installed above the tub 20 so that the steam generator 40 can be easily repaired and inspected.
Here, a case of the steam generator 40 for forming the external appearance of the steam generator 40 is obtained by connecting upper and lower cases, which are respectively formed by injection molding.
The upper and lower cases of the steam generator 40 are connected by welding.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the steam generator 40, the upper and lower cases of which are connected by welding, will be described.
The steam generator 40 comprises the upper case 41 and the lower case 42.
A temperature sensor 44 for measuring the temperature of water stored in the lower case 42, and a water level sensor 43 for measuring the level of the water are installed on the upper case 41.
After the lower case 42 is covered by the upper case 41, the upper and lower cases 41 and 42 are connected by welding contact portions of the upper and lower cases 41 and 42.
The above-described conventional steam generator 40 has several problems, as follows.
First, burrs (A) are formed at the welded portions of the upper and lower cases 41 and 42 of the steam generator 40, thereby preventing the steam generator 40 from having a smooth surface.
The burrs (A) are formed by the material of the upper and lower cases 41 and 42, which melts during welding, and solidifies after the welding has finished.
Thereby, the steam generator 40 has a poor external appearance, and further requires a separate process for removing the burrs (A), thereby generating a secondary problem, i.e., reduction of productivity.
Second, when the upper and lower cases 42 are separated from each other so as to repair defected electric components provided in the steam generator 40, the steam generator 40 is inevitably damaged.
That is, since the upper and lower cases 41 and 42 are welded to each other, in order to separate the upper and lower cases 41 and 42 from each other, large force is inevitably applied to the steam generator 40.
Thereby, the steam generator 40 is damaged, and the damaged steam generator 40 must be replaced with a new one, thereby increasing the costs of the stems generator 40 and thus being uneconomic.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on a steam generator, for a laundry device, having an improved connection structure, which does not cause steam leakage and water leakage without generating burrs on the circumferential surface of the steam generator.

Technical Solution

The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a steam generator for a laundry device comprising a case forming a space for containing water, and comprising a first case and a second case, which are connected to each other to form the external appearance of the steam generator; a heater installed in the case for heating the water contained in the case; and a connection unit for connecting and separating the first case and the second case to and from each other.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

In the steam generator of the present invention, the first case and the second case are selectively connected to and separated from each other, thereby preventing the generation of burrs due to welding contact portions of the first and second cases.
Thereby, the steam generator has a neat external appearance and does not require a separate process for removing the burrs, thereby increasing in productivity.
A sealing member is interposed between the contact portions of the first case and the second case, thus preventing steam, generated from the steam generator, from leaking out, or water, stored in the steam generator, from leaking out.
A worker can selectively connect and separate the first case and the second case to and from each other, thus allowing easy repair of defected parts in the steam generator.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent the damage to the steam generator generated when the first and second cases are separated from each other, thus not generating additional costs. That is, the steam generator of the present invention is economical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional drum washing machine having a steam generator;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional steam generator;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a steam generator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a steam generator in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a steam generator 100 of one embodiment of the present invention comprises a case 101, a heater 102, a water level sensor 103, a temperature sensor 104, and a sealing member 105.
A space for containing water is provided in the case 101, and the case 101 includes a first case 101 a and a second case 101 b.
The connection of the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b may be performed by various methods. This embodiment describes the most preferable method for connecting the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b.
The first case 101 a forms the upper portion of the steam generator 100, and has a lid shape for covering the second case 101 b.
A water supply hole 110 for supplying water from an external water pipe to the inside of the steam generator 100 is formed through one side of the first case 101 a.
A discharge hole 120 for discharging the steam generated from the inside of the steam generator 100 to the drum 30 (FIG. 1) is formed through the other side of the first case 101 a.
Preferably, the water supply hole 110 is formed toward the water pipe so that the water is easily supplied from the water pipe.
Further, preferably, the discharge hole 120 is, formed toward the drum 30 so that the steam is easily discharged to the inside of the drum 30.
The water level sensor 103 is installed on the first case 101 a.
The water level sensor 103 serves to sense the level of the water supplied to the inside of the steam generator 100 through the water supply hole 110.
That is, the water level sensor 103 is used to allow a proper amount of water to be always stored in the steam generator 100.
Further, the temperature sensor 104 is installed on the first case 101 a.
The temperature sensor 104 serves to measure the temperature of the water stored in the steam generator 100.
That is, when the heater 102 heats the water to generate steam, the temperature sensor 104 maintains the optimum temperature of the water so that the heater 102 is not unnecessarily overheated.
Connection pieces 106 a are formed along the circumferential surface of the lower end of the first case 101 a contacting the second case 101 b.
The connection pieces 106 a serve to connect the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b to each other.
The connection pieces 106 a are horizontally extended outwardly from the circumferential surface of the lower end of the first case 101 a.
Preferably, a plurality of the connection pieces 106 a, which are separated from each other, are formed along the circumferential surface of the lower end of the first case 101 a. However, the connection pieces 106 a may be integrated into one unit along the circumferential surface of the lower end of the first case 101 a.
A screw hole 107 is formed through each of the connection pieces 106 a so that a screw, such as a bolt, is inserted into the screw hole 107.
A receipt groove 108 is formed in the edge of the bottom surface of the first case 101 a contacting the second case 101 b so that the sealing member 105 is received in the receipt groove 108.
The second case 101 b forms the lower portion of the steam generator 100, and has a designated space therein.
The water supplied through the water supply hole 110 is contained in the space of the second case 101 b.
Further, the heater 102 for heating the water is installed in the space of the second case 101 b.
Preferably, a sheath heater, which directly heats water under the condition that the heater is completely immersed in the water, is used as the heater 102.
Further, connection pieces 106 b, corresponding to the connection pieces 106 a, are formed along the circumferential surface of the upper end of the second case 101 b contacting the first case 101 b.
The connection pieces 106 b also serve to connect the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b to each other.
The connection pieces 106 b are horizontally extended outwardly from the circumferential surface of the upper end of the second case 101 b.
A screw hole 107, having the same shape of the screw hole 107 of each of the connection pieces 106 a, is formed through each of the connection pieces 106 b.
A receipt groove 109, corresponding to the receipt groove 108 of the first case 101 a, is formed in the edge of the top surface of the second case 101 b contacting the first case 101 a so that the sealing member 105 is received in the receipt groove 109.
The sealing member 105 serves to prevent the steam generated from the steam generator 100 from leaking out, or to prevent the water stored in the steam generator 100 from leaking out.
The sealing member 105 has the same shape as the cross section of the case 101.
The sealing member 105 is interposed between the contact portions of the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b.
That is, the upper portion of the sealing member 105 is received in the receipt groove 108 of the first case 101 a, and the lower portion of the sealing member 105 is received in the receipt groove 109 of the second case 101 b.
Preferably, the sealing member 105 is made of soft rubber so as to maximize the contact with the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b.
Further, preferably, the sealing member 105 has a designated thickness in such a manner that the sealing member 105 can vertically separate the first and second case 101 a and 101 b from each other when the second case 101 b is covered with the first case 101 a under the condition that the sealing member 105 is received in the receipt groove 109 of the second case 101 b.
It maximizes the contact between the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b.
Hereinafter, a process for connecting the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b of the above steam generator 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
First, the sealing member 105 received in the receipt groove 109 formed in the edge of the top surface of the second case 101 b.
Here, the sealing member 105 is partially exposed to the outside due to the thickness of the sealing member 105.
Thereafter, the second case 101 b is covered with the first case 101 a, on which the water level sensor 103 and the temperature sensor 104 are installed.
Here, the connection pieces 106 a of the first case 101 a respectively correspond to the connection pieces 106 b of the second case 101 b.
Then, the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b are vertically separated from each other due to the thickness of the sealing member 105, thereby generating a gap having a designated height between the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b.
Thereafter, screws, such as bolts, are respectively inserted into the screw holes 107 of the connection pieces 106 a of the first case 101 a and the screw holes 107 of the connection pieces 106 b of the second case 101 b, and are tightened.
Thereby, the gap between the lower end of the first case 101 a and the upper end of the second case 101 b is gradually narrowed by tightening the screws, and finally, the lower end of the first case 101 a contacts the upper end of the second case 101 b.
The lower end of the first case 101 a and the upper end of the second case 101 b are pressed against the sealing member 105 by tightening the screws.
Thereby, the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b are firmly connected, thus preventing the water, supplied to the case 101, from leaking out, and the steam, generated by heating the water, from leaking out.
On the other hand, a process for separating the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b from each other is simply performed in the opposite order.
In this embodiment, the connection pieces 106 a of the first case 101 a and the connection pieces 106 b of the second case 101 b are connected using the screws.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, a connection structure of a steam generator in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention will be described.
For the reference, parts of the steam generator of this embodiment are substantially the same as those in the earlier embodiment except for connection units.
The parts of the steam generator of this embodiment, which are substantially the same as those in the earlier embodiment, are denoted by the same reference numerals even through they are depicted in different drawings, and a detailed description thereof will thus be omitted because it is considered to be unnecessary.
First, extension portions 130 a are horizontally extended outwardly from the circumferential surface of the lower end of the first case 101 a forming the upper portion of the steam generator.
Bending portions 130 b are bent downwardly from the ends of the extension portions 130 a, and hooks 130 c are bent vertically inwardly from the ends of the bending portions 130 b.
Preferably, the hooks 130 c are made of a synthetic resin having high elasticity.
A plurality, of the connection units each of which has the extension portion 130 a, the bending portion 130 b, and the hook 130 c, are formed along the circumferential surface of the first case 101 a.
A protrusion 131, onto which the hooks 130 c of the first case 101 a are latched, is formed on the circumferential surface of the upper end of the second case 101 b contacting the first case 101 a.
The protrusion 131 is horizontally extended outwardly from the upper end of the second case 101 b, and is formed along the circumferential surface of the second case 101 b.
The hooks 103 c of the steam generator 100 may be integrated into one unit along the circumferential surface of the first case 101 a.
On the other hand, the protrusion 131 may be formed on the first case 101 a, and the hooks 130 c may be formed on the second case 101 b.
Hereinafter, a process for connecting the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b of the above steam generator 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
First, in the same manner as the earlier embodiment, the sealing member 105 is inserted into the receipt groove 109 of the second case 101 b and the receipt groove 108 of the first case 101 a.
Thereafter, the second case 101 b is covered with the first case 101 a, on which the water level sensor 103 and the temperature sensor 104 are installed.
Simultaneously, the hooks 130 c formed on the first case 101 a are latched onto the protrusion 131 of the second case 101 b, thereby connecting the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b to each other.
Here, the lower end of the first case 101 a and the upper end of the second case 101 b are pressed against the sealing member 105 by latching the hooks 130 c onto the protrusion 131.
Since the hooks 130 c are made of a synthetic resin having high elasticity, the hooks 130 c are forcibly latched onto the protrusion 131 by applying force having a designated intensity to the hooks 130 c.
Thereby, the connection of the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b is completed.
On the other hand, a process for separating the first case 101 a and the second case 101 b from each other is simply performed in the opposite order.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention may be applied to steam generators for laundry devices, including a washing machine and a drying machine.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention provides a steam generator for a laundry device, in which contact portions of first and second cases are smooth when the first and second cases are connected to each other.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A steam generator for a laundry device comprising:

a case forming a space for containing water, and comprising a first case and a second case, which are connected to each other to form the external appearance of the steam generator;

a heater installed in the case for heating the water contained in the case; and connection units for connecting and separating the first case and the second case to and from each other.

2. The steam generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connection units comprise connection pieces extended from the circumferential surface of the first case and connection pieces extended from the circumferential surface of the second case.

3. The steam generator as set forth in claim 2, wherein a screw hole is formed through each of the connection pieces.

4. The steam generator as set forth in claim 2, wherein the connection pieces of the first case are integrated into one unit along the circumferential surface of the first case, and the connection pieces of the second case are integrated into one unit along the circumferential surface of the second case.

5. The steam generator as set forth in claim 2, wherein a plurality of the connection pieces of the first case are formed separately along the circumferential surface of the first case, and a plurality of the connection pieces of the second case are formed separately along the circumferential surface of the second case.

6. The steam generator as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a sealing member interposed between contact portions of the first case and the second case.

7. The steam generator as set forth in claim 6, wherein receipt grooves for receiving the sealing member are respectively formed in the contact portions of the first case and the second case.

8. The steam generator as set forth in claim 7, wherein the first case and the second case are separated from each other when the sealing member is received in the receipt grooves.

9. The steam generator as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connection units comprise hooks and a protrusion.

10. The steam generator as set forth in claim 9, wherein the hooks are extended from the circumferential surface of the first case, and the protrusion is extended from the circumferential surface of the second case.

11. The steam generator as set forth in claim 10, wherein the hooks are integrated into one unit along the circumferential surface of the first case.

12. The steam generator as set forth in claim 10, wherein a plurality of the hooks are formed separately along the circumferential surface of the first case.

13. The steam generator as set forth in claim 9, wherein the hooks are extended from the circumferential surface of the second case, and the protrusion is extended from the circumferential surface of the first case.

14. The steam generator as set forth in claim 13, wherein the hooks are integrated into one unit along the circumferential surface of the second case.

15. The steam generator as set forth in claim 13, wherein a plurality of the hooks are formed separately along the circumferential surface of the second case.