A steam generator and a laundry treatment device including the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a steam generator and a laundry treatment apparatus including the same. The steam generator includes: a housing, a water storage cavity is formed inside the housing, a water inlet pipe joint for supplying water into the water storage cavity, a steam pipe joint for exhausting gas, and a water outlet structure for draining water are provided on the housing; a switching mechanism is arranged in the water storage cavity, and the switching mechanism operates according to the water level in the water storage cavity to open or close the steam pipe joint. By providing a water inlet pipe joint and a water outlet structure on the housing, the steam generator can be connected to the water supply pipeline of the washing machine, thereby simplifying the water circuit structure of the washing machine. A switching mechanism is provided on the housing to control the opening and closing of the steam pipe joint, and the steam pipe joint is closed during water inlet to ensure sufficient water pressure during water inlet. At the same time, the setting of the water outlet structure can also enable the water in the steam generator to be discharged in time, avoiding a large amount of water remaining in the housing, which may cause the steam generator to be frozen or bacteria to breed in the steam generator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of clothing treatment devices, and in particular, to a steam generator and a clothing treatment device including the same. Background Art

[0002] Currently, with the continuous improvement of modern living standards, more and more users no longer simply require that the clothing treatment device can wash clothes cleanly when washing clothes. In order to adapt to the rapid development of modern society and improve the quality of life, more and more consumers hope that the clothing treatment device can have the functions of drying clothes and removing wrinkles from clothes, so that the clothes to be washed can be directly taken out and worn after being put into the clothing treatment device for cleaning, and the clothes are flat without wrinkles caused by washing, making the clothing treatment more convenient. In order to make the washed clothes flat without wrinkles, the clothing treatment device needs to be able to perform steam care on the clothes, and a steam generator assembly needs to be installed on the clothing treatment device. At present, there are many clothing treatment devices equipped with steam generator assemblies on the market, but during the process of performing steam care on clothes, problems such as water leakage, water retention, and freezing and cracking may occur in the steam generator assembly. Moreover, the water circuits of common steam generators and washing machines cannot be well combined, making the structure of the water supply pipeline of the washing machine complex. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a steam generator and a clothing treatment device including the same, which are at least used to solve the technical problem that the water circuits of the steam generator and the washing machine cannot be integrated in the prior art. Specifically:

[0004] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a steam generator, comprising:

[0005] A housing, a water storage cavity is formed inside the housing, and a water inlet joint for supplying water into the water storage cavity, a steam pipe joint for exhausting gas, and a water outlet structure for draining water are provided on the housing;

[0006] A switch mechanism is provided on the housing, and the switch mechanism acts according to the water level in the water storage cavity to open or close the steam pipe joint.

[0007] Further optionally, the housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover, the upper cover and the lower cover are buckled to form the housing, the steam pipe joint and the switch mechanism are located on the upper cover,

[0008] The switch mechanism includes a limiting structure provided on the inner wall of the upper cover and a floating block movably provided in the limiting structure. The floating block has a first working position for blocking the steam pipe joint and a second working position for opening the steam pipe joint.

[0009] The floating block can slide up and down within the limiting structure along with the change of the water level in the water storage cavity.

[0010] Further optionally, the limiting structure includes:

[0011] Limiting ribs formed on the inner wall of the upper cover, and the limiting ribs are arranged around the position where the steam pipe joint is located;

[0012] A cover plate, detachably arranged on the limiting ribs, to limit the floating block within the limiting structure;

[0013] Communication structures are provided on both the limiting ribs and the cover plate, so that the inside of the limiting structure communicates with the water storage cavity.

[0014] Further optionally, a retaining wall is provided on the inner wall of the upper cover, and the retaining wall is located inside the limiting ribs.

[0015] An air flow channel is formed inside the retaining wall, and the steam port communicates with the water storage cavity through the retaining wall.

[0016] When the floating block is in the first working position, it abuts against the retaining wall and blocks the air flow channel.

[0017] Further optionally, the water outlet structure includes a water outlet pipe joint provided on the housing and a siphon structure provided in the water storage cavity and communicating with the outside of the water storage cavity.

[0018] Further optionally, the siphon structure includes:

[0019] A siphon pipe provided on the lower cover, and the outlet end of the siphon pipe penetrates to the outside of the lower cover;

[0020] A sleeve, provided on the inner wall of the upper cover, the inlet end of the siphon pipe extends into the inside of the sleeve, and a water flow passage is provided between the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve and the outer peripheral wall of the siphon pipe;

[0021] Wherein, the lengths of the siphon pipe and the sleeve are both less than the distance between the top wall of the upper cover and the bottom wall of the lower cover.

[0022] Further optionally, a ventilation structure is also provided on the upper cover, and under the action of atmospheric pressure, external air can enter the water storage cavity through the ventilation structure.

[0023] Further optionally, a heater is provided inside the lower cover for heating water to generate steam;

[0024] A temperature sensor and a liquid level detection device are provided on the upper cover for detecting the temperature and water level in the water storage cavity.

[0025] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus including the above-described steam generator.

[0026] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a laundry treating apparatus including:

[0027] a washing tub assembly; a drying air duct and a water inlet box connected to the washing tub assembly;

[0028] the above-described steam generator, wherein,

[0029] the steam pipe joint is communicated with the drying air duct, the water outlet pipe joint is communicated with the water inlet box, and the siphon structure is connected to the washing tub assembly.

[0030] By providing a water inlet pipe joint and a water outlet structure on the housing, the steam generator can be connected to the water supply pipeline of the washing machine, thereby simplifying the water circuit structure of the washing machine. A switch mechanism is provided on the housing to control the opening and closing of the steam pipe joint, and the steam pipe joint is closed during water inlet to ensure sufficient water pressure during water inlet. At the same time, the setting of the water outlet structure can also enable the water in the steam generator to be discharged in time, avoiding a large amount of water remaining in the housing, which may cause the steam generator to be frozen or bacteria to breed in the steam generator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] By referring to the accompanying drawings and describing its exemplary embodiments in detail, the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent. The following described drawings are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0032] Figure 1 Showing a schematic structural view of the steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 Showing an exploded structural view of the steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 Showing a partial cross-sectional view of the steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4 Showing a partial cross-sectional view of the steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention (steam pipe joint open);

[0036] Figure 5 Showing a partial cross-sectional view of the steam generator according to an embodiment of the present invention (steam pipe joint closed).

[0037] In the figures:

[0038] 1. Upper cover; 11. Water inlet joint; 12. Steam pipe joint; 13. Limiting rib; 14. Enclosure; 15. Sleeve; 16. Vent hole; 2. Lower cover; 21. Water outlet joint; 22. Siphon; 31. Floating block; 32. Cover plate; 4. Vent structure; 5. Heater; 6. Liquid level detection device; 7. Thermosensitive bulb; 8. Heater bracket. Detailed implementation manners

[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0040] The terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular forms "a", "the" and "said" used in the embodiments of the present invention and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. "Plural" generally includes at least two, but does not exclude the case of including at least one.

[0041] It should be understood that the term " / and" used herein is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " herein generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0042] It should also be noted that the term "comprises", "comprising" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a commodity or system including a series of elements not only includes those elements but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or further includes elements inherent to such commodity or system. Without further limitations, the element defined by the statement "comprising a..." does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the commodity or system including the said element.

[0043] By providing a water inlet joint and a water outlet structure on the housing, the steam generator of the present invention can be connected to the water supply pipeline of the washing machine, thereby simplifying the water circuit structure of the washing machine. A switch mechanism is provided on the housing to control the opening and closing of the steam pipe joint, and the steam pipe joint 12 is closed during water inlet to ensure sufficient water pressure during water inlet. At the same time, the water outlet structure can also drain the water in the steam generator in a timely manner, avoiding a large amount of water remaining in the housing, which may cause the steam generator to be frozen or bacteria to breed in the steam generator. The following is a detailed introduction of the present invention with specific embodiments:

[0044] As Figure 1 、 Figure 2 shown, the present invention provides a steam generator, comprising:

[0045] A housing with a water storage cavity formed inside. A water inlet joint 11 for supplying water into the water storage cavity, a steam pipe joint 12 for exhausting gas, and a water outlet structure for draining water are provided on the housing. The water inlet joint 11 is connected to the water supply pipeline, and the steam pipe joint 12 is communicated with the inside of the washing tub; A switch mechanism is provided on the housing, and the switch mechanism acts according to the water level in the water storage cavity to open or close the steam pipe joint 12.

[0046] The housing includes an upper cover 1 and a lower cover 2, and the upper cover 1 and the lower cover 2 are buckled to form the housing. In this embodiment, the water inlet joint 11 and the steam pipe joint 12 are provided on the upper cover 1 and are located at the top of the upper cover 1 or near the top wall.

[0047] As Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 shown, the switch mechanism is located on the upper cover 1. The switch mechanism includes a limiting structure provided on the inner wall of the upper cover 1 and a floating block 31 movably arranged in the limiting structure. The floating block 31 has a first working position for blocking the steam pipe joint 12 and a second working position for opening the steam pipe joint 12. The floating block 31 can slide up and down in the limiting structure as the water level in the water storage cavity changes.

[0048] Preferably, the floating block 31 is a foam block or a block structure made of other lightweight materials, which can float on the water surface and has a light mass structure.

[0049] The limiting structure includes: Limiting ribs 13 formed on the inner wall of the upper cover 1, and the limiting ribs 13 are arranged around the position where the steam pipe joint 12 is located. The floating block 31 can freely slide within the space surrounded by the limiting ribs 13 without being affected by the limiting ribs 13; A cover plate 32 detachably provided on the limiting ribs 13 to limit the floating block 31 within the limiting structure.

[0050] Both the limiting rib 13 and the cover plate 32 are provided with a communication structure, which connects the inside of the limiting structure with the water storage cavity, enabling water and water vapor to enter the limiting structure, so that the cylinder water level control float 31 can work smoothly, and enabling steam to flow out of the steam pipe joint 12 smoothly. Preferably, a through hole is formed at the position of the limiting rib 13 close to the top wall of the upper cover 1 to form the communication structure. Alternatively, a plurality of limiting ribs 13 are provided, and the plurality of limiting ribs 13 are arranged at a certain distance apart, and the intervals between adjacent limiting ribs 13 form the communication structure; the cover plate 32 is a hollow structure, and the hollow structure forms the communication structure for water to flow through.

[0051] Preferably, a retaining wall 14 is provided on the inner wall of the upper cover 1. The retaining wall 14 is located inside the limiting rib 13, and an air flow channel is formed inside the retaining wall 14. Specifically, the retaining wall 14 and the top wall of the upper cover 1 jointly enclose the air flow channel, and the steam port is connected to the water storage cavity through the air flow channel. The retaining wall 14 changes the position of the communication port of the steam pipe joint 12 inside the upper cover 1, so that the communication port of the steam pipe joint 12 inside the upper cover 1 protrudes from the inner wall of the upper cover 1. When the float 31 is in the first working position, it abuts against the retaining wall 14 and blocks the air flow channel. The setting of the retaining wall 14 enables the float 31 to more easily block the steam pipe joint 12 and makes the blocking effect better.

[0052] The water outlet structure includes a water outlet pipe joint 21 provided on the housing and a siphon structure provided in the water storage cavity and communicating with the outside of the water storage cavity. Preferably, the water outlet pipe joint 21 is provided on the side wall of the lower cover 2 and is used to communicate with the water box of the washing machine.

[0053] The siphon structure includes:

[0054] A siphon pipe 22 provided on the lower cover 2, and the outlet end of the siphon pipe 22 penetrates to the outside of the lower cover 2, specifically penetrates from the bottom wall of the lower cover 2 to form the siphon pipe joint;

[0055] A sleeve 15 provided on the inner wall of the upper cover 1, and the inlet end of the siphon pipe 22 extends into the inside of the sleeve 15, and water flows through between the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve 15 and the outer peripheral wall of the siphon pipe 22;

[0056] Wherein, the lengths of both the siphon pipe 22 and the sleeve 15 are less than the distance between the top wall of the upper cover 1 and the bottom wall of the lower cover 2, so that there is a gap between the sleeve 15 and the bottom wall of the lower cover 2, a gap between the siphon pipe 22 and the top wall of the sleeve 15, and the inner diameter of the sleeve 15 is larger than the outer diameter of the siphon pipe 22, and a gap is also formed between the sleeve 15 and the siphon pipe 22, thus forming a flowing channel.

[0057] Preferably, a ventilation structure 4 is also provided on the upper cover 1. Under the action of atmospheric pressure, external air can enter the water storage cavity through the ventilation structure 4 to ensure the normal water discharge of the siphon structure. Further, ventilation holes 16 are provided on the upper cover 1, and the ventilation structure 4 is inserted into the ventilation holes 16. The ventilation structure 4 is made of a flexible material. When the internal pressure of the housing is small, the ventilation structure 4 can deform to allow external air to enter the housing. When the internal and external air pressures are balanced, the ventilation structure 4 blocks the ventilation holes 16 to prevent water or steam from overflowing. Further, when the pressure inside the housing is too high, for example, the steam pressure is too high, the ventilation structure 4 can be extruded from the ventilation holes 16, thereby relieving pressure through the ventilation holes 16 to prevent the housing from being burst by excessive pressure. After the steam generator stops water inlet, the water storage cavity is filled with water. The water storage cavity is communicated with the external atmospheric pressure through the ventilation structure 4, and a siphon effect occurs in the water storage cavity of the siphon structure, and the remaining water in the water storage cavity is discharged through the joint of the siphon pipe 22, significantly reducing the stagnant water in the water storage cavity, which can avoid the generation of bacteria in the water storage cavity due to stagnant water and prevent the components of the steam generator from being frozen and cracked.

[0058] In other embodiments, if the switch mechanism does not completely block the steam pipe joint 12 after the water storage cavity stops water inlet, the ventilation structure 4 and the ventilation holes 16 on the upper cover 1 can be not provided, and air can be introduced into the housing through the steam pipe joint 12.

[0059] A heater 5 is provided on the inner side of the lower cover 2. Preferably, a heater bracket 8 is provided in the lower cover 2 for supporting the heater 5. The heater 5 is used to heat water to generate steam; a temperature sensing package 7 and a liquid level detection device 6 are provided on the upper cover 1 for detecting the temperature and water level in the water storage cavity.

[0060] The present invention also provides a laundry treatment device, including the above steam generator. In this embodiment, the laundry treatment device is a washing and drying integrated machine, preferably a heat pump type washing and drying integrated machine.

[0061] Specifically, the laundry treatment device includes:

[0062] A washing tub assembly; and a drying air duct and a water inlet box connected to the washing tub assembly;

[0063] The above steam generator, wherein the water inlet pipe joint 11 is connected to the water inlet pipeline of the washing machine, the steam pipe joint 12 is communicated with the drying air duct, and the water outlet pipe joint 21 is communicated with the water inlet box. The siphon structure is connected to the washing tub assembly. Preferably, the washing tub assembly includes an outer tub and an inner tub. The outlet end of the siphon pipe 22 of the siphon structure is connected to the outer tub through a pipeline, preferably communicated to the drain port at the bottom of the outer tub. When the drain port of the washing tub assembly is closed, the water flowing out of the siphon pipe 22 can enter the outer tub. When the drain port is opened, the water flowing out of the siphon pipe 22 can be directly discharged from the drain port.

[0064] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been specifically shown and described above. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the detailed structures, arrangements, or implementation methods described herein; on the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clothing treatment device, characterized in that, it includes a washing cylinder assembly, a drying air duct connected to the washing cylinder assembly, a water inlet box, and a steam generator. The steam generator includes: a housing. A water storage cavity is formed inside the housing. The housing is provided with a water inlet joint for supplying water to the water storage cavity, a steam pipe joint for exhausting gas, and a water outlet structure for draining water; a switch mechanism arranged on the housing. The switch mechanism acts according to the water level in the water storage cavity and is used to open or close the steam pipe joint; wherein the steam pipe joint is communicated with the drying air duct, and the water outlet joint is communicated with the water inlet box.

2. The clothing treatment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the housing includes an upper cover and a lower cover. The upper cover and the lower cover are buckled to form the housing. The steam pipe joint and the switch mechanism are located on the upper cover, the switch mechanism includes a limiting structure arranged on the inner wall of the upper cover and a floating block movably arranged in the limiting structure. The floating block has a first working position for blocking the steam pipe joint and a second working position for opening the steam pipe joint, and the floating block can slide up and down in the limiting structure along with the change of the water level in the water storage cavity.

3. The clothing treatment device according to claim 2, characterized in that, the limiting structure includes: limiting ribs formed on the inner wall of the upper cover. The limiting ribs are arranged around the position where the steam pipe joint is located; a cover plate detachably arranged on the limiting ribs to limit the floating block in the limiting structure; communication structures are arranged on both the limiting ribs and the cover plate to communicate the inside of the limiting structure with the water storage cavity.

4. The clothing treatment device according to claim 3, characterized in that, a retaining wall is arranged on the inner wall of the upper cover. The retaining wall is located inside the limiting ribs, an air flow channel is formed inside the retaining wall. The steam port is communicated with the water storage cavity through the retaining wall, when the floating block is in the first working position, it abuts against the retaining wall and blocks the air flow channel.

5. The clothing treatment device according to claim 2, characterized in that, the water outlet structure includes a water outlet joint arranged on the housing and a siphon structure arranged in the water storage cavity and communicated with the outside of the water storage cavity.

6. The clothing treatment device according to claim 5, characterized in that, the siphon structure includes: a siphon pipe arranged on the lower cover. The outlet end of the siphon pipe penetrates to the outside of the lower cover; a sleeve arranged on the inner wall of the upper cover. The inlet end of the siphon pipe extends into the inside of the sleeve. A water flow passage is provided between the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve and the outer peripheral wall of the siphon pipe; wherein, the lengths of both the siphon pipe and the sleeve are less than the distance between the top wall of the upper cover and the bottom wall of the lower cover.

7. The clothing treatment device according to claim 5, characterized in that, a ventilation structure is also arranged on the upper cover. Under the action of atmospheric pressure, external air can enter the water storage cavity through the ventilation structure.

8. The clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 5-7, characterized in that, A heater is arranged inside the lower cover and is used for heating water to generate steam. A temperature sensing bulb and a liquid level detection device are arranged on the upper cover and are used for detecting the temperature and water level in the water storage cavity.

9. The laundry treatment device according to claim 8, characterized in that the siphon structure is connected to the washing tub assembly.

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