Steam generating device and washing machine having the same

Abstract

A steam generating device, in which steam is generated just after the supply of water is performed so that the steam is supplied to a tub in a short time and the consumption of energy is decreased, and a washing machine having the same. The steam generating device includes a main body provided with a steam supply channel formed therein; a heater buried in the main body for heating the main body to heat water flowing along the steam supply channel; and a water supply control valve installed at an inlet of the steam supply channel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application Nos. 2004-90036, 2004-90037, filed Nov. 5, 2004, and 2004-94772, filed Nov. 18, 2004, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a steam generating device and a washing machine having the same and, more particularly, to a steam generating device for supplying steam to the inside of a tub of a washing machine, and a washing machine having the same. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 10-2004-85507 (dated Oct. 8, 2004) discloses a steam jet-type drum washing machine for jetting steam to the inside of a tub to increase a washing force. [0006] A steam generating device of the washing machine disclosed by the above patent comprises a pressure container provided with...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] Therefore, one aspect of the invention is to provide a steam generating device, in which steam is generated just after the supply of water is performed so that the steam is supplied to a tub in a short time and the consumption of energy is decreased, and a washing machine having the same.

[0010] A further aspect of the invention is to provide a steam generating device, which does not require components, such as a pressure container, a water level sensor, and a pressure sensor so as to greatly reduce the volume and the production costs thereof are decreased, and a washing machine having the same.

[0012] Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide a steam generating device which prevents the generation of scales therein, and a washing machine having the same.

[0017] Further, a spiral coil member for delaying the flow of water may be installed in the steam supply channel.

Problems solved by technology

Since the above steam generating device is heated by the heater to generate steam under the condition that the pressure container is filled with water, the supply of the steam is delayed due to the time taken to heat the water in the pressure container.

Accordingly, the steam generating device is disadvantageous in that the overall washing time is lengthened and energy consumption is high.

Further, the above steam generating device comprises the pressure container, the water level sensor, and the pressure sensor, thus having high production costs.

Moreover, when the pressure in the pressure container is excessively increased due to a malfunction of the sensors, the pressure container is cracked and steam of a high temperature is leaked to the outside through the cracks of the pressure container.

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