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

The present invention provides a laundry treatment apparatus that reduces fabrication costs and energy consumption. The apparatus includes a cabinet, a washing tub, and an ultrasonic steam generating means for generating steam to be supplied into the washing tub. The apparatus may also include a steam heater for heating the steam, a dryer for drying air, and a blower for sending the dried air into the washing tub. The invention has the following technical effects: reducing steam generation time, reducing energy required for steam generation, shortening steam heating time, reducing costs, simplifying the assembling process, and reducing costs.

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.

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