Laundry treatment apparatus

Abstract

A laundry treatment apparatus is provided to improve energy efficiency by generating steam by a steam generating means using ultrasonic waves and reduce production costs and improve working efficiency by reduction of the number of heat suppliers by heating the generated steam by a heat supplier provided at a dryer. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet; a washing tub disposed inside the cabinet to treat laundry put therein; and an ultrasonic steam generating means for generating steam to be supplied into the washing tub by using ultrasonic waves.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0100931, filed on Oct. 8, 2007 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a steam generating means which is used for a laundry treatment apparatus for treating laundry, such as a drum washing machine, a tower type washing machine, and a refresher.[0004]2. Discussion of the Related Art[0005]In general, a laundry treatment apparatus is commonly known as a washer which is an appliance for removing contaminants stuck to clothes, beddings and the like (hereinafter, referred to as “laundry”) by using a chemical decomposition of water and detergent and a physical action, such as friction between water and laundry and a refresher for washing laundry easily by jetting steam to the laundry.[0006]Such laundry treatment apparatuses are divided...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]An object of the present invention is to provide a laundry treatment apparatus which can reduce fabrication costs by reducing components and improve energy efficiency by reducing energy consumption.

[0017]First, washing time can be shortened by reducing the steam generation time.

[0018]Second, the energy required for steam generation can be reduced because there is no need to heat water more than necessary for the generation of steam, and accordingly energy efficiency can be increased.

[0019]Third, steam heating time can be shortened by heating the steam to be supplied into the washing tub.

[0020]Fourth, costs can be reduced by a reduction of the number of heat suppliers because a heat supplier for heating steam can be shared with the dryer.

[0021]Fifth, it is possible to simplify an assembling process and reduce costs by simplification of the apparatus by providing a steam generating means in the dryer.

Problems solved by technology

However, it is not always necessary for the temperature in the washing tub to reach a water boiling point to achieve positive effects such as a sufficient solubility of detergent and an increase in the swelling of dirt of the laundry.

Further, considerable time is required to heat water until boiling, thus lengthening the washing time.

This leads to the problem of an increase in the production cost of a washing machine.

Images