Laundry treating apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treatment device, relating to the technical field of household appliances. The laundry treatment device comprises a cabinet, a drum and a steam generator. The drum is arranged in the cabinet; the steam generator is arranged in the cabinet; the steam generator comprises an evaporation cavity and at least one heating body; an inlet of the evaporation cavity is configured to communicate with an external water source; an outlet of the evaporation cavity is configured to communicate with the drum; the at least one heating body is configured to heat water in the evaporation cavity; at least a portion of each of the at least one heating body is arranged in the evaporation cavity; each of the at least one heating body comprises a carrier and a superconducting heating layer; at least a portion of the superconducting heating layer is arranged on a surface of the carrier. The laundry treatment device can be used to remove bacteria, stains and residual detergent on clothes.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of household appliances, in particular to a clothes treatment device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Steam generators are widely used in household appliances such as washing machines, dry washing machines, clothes care machines, etc. to realize the functions of steaming and washing, and steam ironing.

[0003] At present, steam generators of clothes treatment devices with steaming functions mostly use heating pipe structures. Since the heating pipe has a large volume, the steam generator is greatly limited in the overall layout of the clothes treatment device. SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present disclosure aim to provide a clothes treatment device with a small volume, which solves the problem that the steam generator is greatly limited in the overall layout of the clothes treatment device.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, embodiments of the present disclosure provide the following technical solutions:

[0006] A clothes treatment device includes a cabinet, a drum, and a steam generator. The drum is arranged in the cabinet; the steam generator is arranged in the cabinet; the steam generator includes an evaporation cavity and at least one heating body; an inlet of the evaporation cavity is used to communicate with an external water source; an outlet of the evaporation cavity communicates with the drum; the at least one heating body is used to heat water in the evaporation cavity; at least a part of each of the at least one heating body is located in the evaporation cavity; each of the at least one heating body includes a carrier and a superconducting heating layer; at least a part of the superconducting heating layer covers a surface of the carrier.

[0007] The clothes treatment device provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure uses a superconducting heating layer as a heat source, and at least a part of the superconducting heating layer covers a surface of a carrier to form a heating body of a steam generator, which can generate heat after being powered on. In this way, the volume of the heating part of the steam generator is effectively reduced, and the volume of the steam generator is further reduced, which is more compatible with the clothes treatment device. Meanwhile, an evaporation cavity is arranged on the outside of the heating body to store water to be heated. The water enters the evaporation cavity, and is instantaneously gasified to generate steam under the action of the heating body in the evaporation cavity. The steam is introduced into clothes in the drum to perform steam care on the clothes.

[0008] Optionally, the superconducting heating layer is formed on a side wall of the carrier by a superconducting material; an insulating structure is arranged on a side of the superconducting heating layer away from the carrier to insulate the superconducting heating layer from water in the evaporation cavity.

[0009] Further, the insulation structure comprises a jacket; at least a portion of the jacket covers a surface of the superconducting heating layer away from the carrier; an inner cavity of the jacket is filled with a thermally conductive insulation material for insulation between the superconducting heating layer and water located in the evaporation cavity.

[0010] Further, the thermally conductive insulation material filling the inner cavity of the jacket is magnesium powder.

[0011] Optionally, each of the at least one heating body further comprises two electrodes; the two electrodes are located at two ends of the superconducting heating layer and between the insulation structure and the carrier; the two electrodes are electrically connected to the superconducting heating layer.

[0012] Optionally, a thickness of the superconducting heating layer close to an inlet side of the evaporation cavity is greater than a thickness of the jacket close to an outlet side of the evaporation cavity.

[0013] Optionally, the clothes treatment device further comprises a pressure relief pipe and a pressure relief valve; the pressure relief pipe is in communication with the evaporation cavity; the pressure relief valve is installed at a middle portion of the pressure relief pipe.

[0014] Further, the clothes treatment device further comprises a protective shell; the protective shell is located in an inner cavity of the cabinet; the steam generator is located in an inner cavity of the protective shell; the pressure relief pipe penetrates through the protective shell.

[0015] Optionally, the clothes treatment device further comprises a layer of heat insulation material; the layer of heat insulation material is located between the protective shell and the steam generator.

[0016] Optionally, the clothes treatment device further comprises a water inlet device; the water inlet device is located in the protective shell; the water inlet device comprises a water suction pump and a nozzle; an inlet of the water suction pump is in communication with an external water source; an outlet of the water suction pump is in communication with an inlet of the nozzle; an outlet of the nozzle is in communication with the evaporation cavity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the present disclosure, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art according to these drawings. In addition, the drawings in the following description can be regarded as schematic diagrams, and are not limited to the actual size, actual process, actual time sequence, etc. of the products, methods, signals, etc. involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 1 A structural diagram of a clothes treatment device provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1;

[0019] Figure 2 A structural diagram of a clothes treatment device provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1;

[0020] Figure 3A structural diagram of a steam generator of a laundry treatment apparatus according to some embodiments of the disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4 A structural diagram of a steam generator of a laundry treatment apparatus according to some embodiments of the disclosure;

[0022] Figure 5 A structural diagram of a steam generator of a laundry treatment apparatus according to some embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 4 A sectional view of A-A' of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

[0023] Figure 6 A structural diagram of a steam generator of a laundry treatment apparatus according to some embodiments of the disclosure;

[0024] Figure 7 A structural diagram of a steam generator of a laundry treatment apparatus according to some embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 6 A sectional view of B-B' of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

[0025] Figure 8 A structural diagram of a steam generator of a laundry treatment apparatus according to some embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 7 A partial enlarged view of C of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

[0026] Figure 9 A structural diagram of a heating body of a laundry treatment apparatus according to some embodiments of the disclosure;

[0027] Figure 10 A structural diagram of a steam generator of a laundry treatment apparatus according to some embodiments of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0029] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the purpose of facilitating the description of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0030] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0031] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0032] It should be noted that, for example, 11 to 1 in the accompanying drawings of this application indicate that component 11 belongs to component 1, and 121 to 12 indicate that carrier 121 belongs to heating body 12. Other similar reference numerals in the accompanying drawings also follow the above description.

[0033] Currently, clothing cleaning devices have become an indispensable household appliance in people's daily lives. They can help users clean clothes, reduce their housework time, and improve their work efficiency.

[0034] The garment handling device includes a housing, a loading port, a door, a washing tub / spin-drying tub, a base, a motor, a valve system, a control panel, and a power supply. The housing is hollow, housing and protecting the washing tub / spin-drying tub, base, motor, valve system, and control panel. The loading port is located within the housing. The door is rotatably connected to the housing, allowing garments to be loaded into the washing tub / spin-drying tub after opening the door. The base is located on the side of the washing tub / spin-drying tub requiring support, facilitating its installation. The washing tub / spin-drying tub contains the garments, and the motor is driven by the washing tub / spin-drying tub to rotate it. The control panel is connected to the motor to control its operation. The valve system controls the connection or disconnection of the external water source to the garment handling device and regulates the water flow. The power supply provides energy to the control panel, motor, and other components.

[0035] After receiving a washing command, the garment handling device drives the washing tub / spin-drying tub to rotate via a motor and a transmission mechanism, such as a drive belt and pulley. This causes the clothes inside the washing tub / spin-drying tub to rotate, and the washing tub / spin-drying tub rubs and collides with the clothes, creating an effect that simulates manual washing, thereby removing stains from the clothes.

[0036] When the laundry treatment device is in the washing working state, the washing drum / dehydrating drum rotates at a low speed under the driving of the motor, and the laundry tumbles in the washing drum / dehydrating drum. When the laundry tumbles, the laundry rubs against the inner wall of the washing drum / dehydrating drum and the lifting ribs, and the lifting ribs carry the laundry out of the water surface. After reaching a certain height, the laundry falls back into the water under the action of gravity and collides in the water to improve the washing degree of the laundry. When the laundry treatment device is in the dehydrating working state, the washing drum / dehydrating drum rotates at a high speed under the driving of the motor, and the water adsorbed on the laundry is thrown out under the centrifugal action of the high-speed rotation of the washing drum / dehydrating drum. The thrown-out water flows out through the drain hole of the washing drum / dehydrating drum.

[0037] When the laundry treatment device is used to wash the laundry, the laundry is first put into the washing drum / dehydrating drum through the feeding opening, and then water and detergent are injected. The detergent and water can be mixed in the washing drum / dehydrating drum and fully contact with the laundry to be washed. When the water level in the washing drum / dehydrating drum reaches the set water level, the washing drum / dehydrating drum can be rotated to wash the laundry.

[0038] As described in the background, with the development of technology, the market demand for steam washing and steam ironing functions is becoming stronger and stronger, and the application of the steam generator in washing machines, dry washing machines, laundry care machines and other household appliances is becoming more and more widespread. When the steam generator is applied to the laundry treatment device, the laundry treatment device can be selected as a steam washing mode, and the steam generated by the steam generator can effectively remove bacteria, stains and residual detergent on the laundry.

[0039] It can be understood that the control panel of the laundry treatment device is also electrically connected with the control keys. The user can adjust the washing mode of the control panel through the control keys, so as to control the operation mode of the motor and the washing mode of the washing drum / dehydrating drum, so that the laundry treatment device can switch between water washing, steam washing and other modes, thereby efficiently and stably washing the laundry. When the laundry treatment device is in the water washing mode, the valve device is in communication with the washing drum / dehydrating drum; when the laundry treatment device is in the steam washing mode, the valve device is in communication with the inlet of the steam generator, and the outlet of the steam generator is in communication with the washing drum / dehydrating drum.

[0040] As described in the background, the steam generator of the laundry treatment device with the steam washing function currently mostly uses a heating tube structure. The heating tube structure, for example, includes a tube body made of cast aluminum material, magnesium powder filled in the inside of the tube body, and a heating wire (also referred to as a resistance wire) located in the tube body and inserted into the magnesium powder. The heating principle of the heating tube structure is that the heating wire generates heat after being electrified, the heat is transmitted to the surface of the tube body through the magnesium powder, and the water located outside the tube body is heated, and the water is gasified to generate steam after absorbing the heat. The steam generator using the heating tube structure has high output efficiency and high energy consumption, and the heating tube has a large volume and occupies a large space, which greatly limits the steam generator in the overall layout of the laundry treatment device, and increases the overall cost of the laundry treatment device.

[0041] Based on this, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treatment device, which can be a washing machine, a dry washing machine, a washing and drying integrated machine, a laundry care machine, etc. The following is described by taking the dry washing machine as an example.

[0042] Please refer to Figures 1-2 A laundry treatment device 1000, comprising a cabinet 200, a drum 300, a steam generator 100; the drum 300 is arranged in the cabinet 200; the steam generator 100 is arranged in the cabinet 200.

[0043] Please refer to Figures 4-7 and Figure 10 The steam generator 100 comprises an evaporation cavity 11 and at least one heating body 12; the inlet 111 of the evaporation cavity is used for communicating with an external water source; the outlet 112 of the evaporation cavity communicates with the drum 300; the at least one heating body 12 is used for heating the water located in the evaporation cavity 11; at least a part of each of the at least one heating body 12 is located in the evaporation cavity 11. Each of the at least one heating body 12 comprises a carrier 121 and a superconducting heating layer 122; at least a part of the superconducting heating layer 122 covers the surface of the carrier 121.

[0044] With reference to the state of use of the laundry treatment device 1000, the opening direction of the dropping port is the front direction in the following, and the direction away from the dropping port is the rear direction in the following. The up, down, left and right directions of the laundry treatment device 1000 are the up, down, left and right directions in the following.

[0045] Exemplarily, please refer to Figures 1-2, the laundry treatment device 1000 further comprises a door body 400, a base 500, a control panel 600, and a fan device 700. The door body 400, the base 500, and the control panel 600 are described with reference to the door body 400, the base 500, and the control panel 600 of the laundry treatment device described above, and will not be described herein. The fan device 700 is installed at the rear side of the cabinet 200, and can play a role of air cooling to reduce the temperature of the laundry treatment device 1000 during operation.

[0046] Please refer to Figures 1-2 The cabinet 200 is hollow to accommodate and protect the drum 300 and the steam generator 100. It should be noted that some embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the relative positions of the drum 300 and the steam generator 100. For example, the steam generator 100 can be located above the drum 300, or beside the drum 300 and above the base 500. For example, please refer to Figure 1 The cabinet 200 is a square.

[0047] The drum 300 is a washing tub of the laundry treatment device 1000, and is used to accommodate laundry. The drum 300 is described with reference to the washing tub of the laundry treatment device described above, and will not be described herein. In some embodiments, the washing tub of the laundry treatment device comprises an outer drum and an inner drum. In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The laundry treatment device 1000 only comprises an inner drum (i.e., the drum 300).

[0048] Please refer to Figures 4-7 and Figure 10 The steam generator 100 comprises an evaporation cavity 11. The inlet 111 of the evaporation cavity is used to communicate with an external water source. The outlet 112 of the evaporation cavity communicates with the drum 300. Those skilled in the art can understand that the inlet 111 of the evaporation cavity is communicated with the external water source, and the outlet 112 of the evaporation cavity is communicated with the drum 300, so that the water to be heated flows through the evaporation cavity 11 and completes the gasification process in the evaporation cavity 11.

[0049] For example, please refer to Figures 4-7 The evaporation cavity 11 is a cuboid.

[0050] For example, the material of the evaporation cavity 11 is metal.

[0051] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 4-7 The laundry treatment device 1000 further comprises a steam introduction pipe 800. The inlet of the steam introduction pipe 800 is communicated with the outlet 112 of the evaporation cavity, and the outlet of the steam introduction pipe 800 is communicated with the drum 300. Through the steam introduction pipe 800, the heat generated by the steam generator 100 can be reliably transmitted to the evaporation cavity 11, avoiding leakage of steam.

[0052] Exemplarily, refer to Figure 1 ; the steam generator 100 is located at the side of the drum 300, the upper side of the base 500, the inlet end of the steam introduction pipe 800 is located at the lower side, and the outlet end of the steam introduction pipe 800 is located at the upper side; the steam introduction pipe 800 is located between the door body 400 and the drum 300, and the opening of the steam introduction pipe 800 faces the drum 300.

[0053] The at least one heating body 12 is used for heating water located in the evaporation cavity 11; at least a part of each of the at least one heating body 12 is located in the evaporation cavity 11. It can be understood that, by arranging at least a part of each of the at least one heating body 12 in the evaporation cavity 11, when the heating body 12 is heated, the water to be heated contacts the high-temperature heating body 12 and absorbs heat, and is instantly vaporized to generate steam.

[0054] Exemplarily, refer to Figures 4-7 ; each of the at least one heating body 12 includes a carrier 121 and a superconducting heating layer 122; at least a part of the superconducting heating layer 122 covers the surface of the carrier 121. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the carrier 121 is the carrier 121 of the superconducting heating layer 122, which can provide a covering space for the superconducting heating layer 122. It should be noted that some embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the shape and material of the carrier 121. Exemplarily, the shape of the carrier 121 is hollow cylindrical (i.e. tubular) or sheet-shaped. Exemplarily, the material of the carrier 121 is metal material or glass. When the material of the evaporation cavity 11 is glass, the surface is smoother than the pipe body made of cast aluminum material, which slows down the fouling speed of the contact part of the carrier 121 with water, increases the service life of the steam generator 100, and in some embodiments, the service life of the steam generator 100 can reach more than 1000 hours.

[0055] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a laundry treatment device 1000, which uses a superconducting heating layer 122 as a heat source, and covers at least a portion of the superconducting heating layer 122 on the surface of the carrier 121 to form a heating body 12 of the steam generator 100, so that the output efficiency is high and the energy consumption is low. In this way, the volume of the heating part of the steam generator 100 is effectively reduced, the volume of the steam generator 100 is reduced, the matching degree of the steam generator 100 with the laundry treatment device 1000 is higher, and the overall cost of the laundry treatment device 1000 is reduced to a certain extent; in some embodiments, the overall cost of the laundry treatment device 1000 can be reduced by about one third. In addition, the evaporation cavity 11 is arranged on the outer side of the heating body 12, which is used to store water to be heated. The water to be heated enters the evaporation cavity 11, and is instantaneously gasified under the action of the heating body 12 in the evaporation cavity 11 to generate steam. The steam is led out of the evaporation cavity 11 and enters the drum 300 to fully contact with the laundry in the drum 300, so as to clean or care the laundry.

[0056] When the laundry is cleaned by using the above-mentioned laundry treatment device 1000, first, the laundry is put into the washing drum / dewatering drum through the feeding port, and the detergent is injected; then the steam generator 100 is turned on by controlling the key, the superconducting heating layer 122 is heated to generate heat, and the generated heat is partially directly transmitted to the water in the evaporation cavity 11; the other part is first transmitted to the carrier 121, and then transmitted to the water in contact with the carrier 121 in the evaporation cavity 11 by the carrier 121; the water in the evaporation cavity 11 absorbs the above-mentioned heat and is instantaneously gasified to generate steam. The generated steam is introduced into the drum 300 to fully contact with the laundry to be cleaned, so as to remove the bacteria, stains and residual detergent on the laundry.

[0057] Exemplarily, please refer to Figures 4-8 and Figure 9 ; the number of the heating body 12 is two, and the two heating bodies 12 are arranged in parallel. By arranging the two heating bodies 12 in parallel, the length of the heating body 12 can be reduced, and thus the volume of the steam generator 100 is reduced.

[0058] The above-mentioned heating body 12 can be in contact with the inner wall of the evaporation cavity 11, or a gap is left between the heating body 12 and the inner wall of the evaporation cavity 11.

[0059] Exemplarily, please refer to Figures 4-5The first end of the heating body 12 penetrates the evaporation cavity 11 to support the first end of the heating body 12; the inner wall of the evaporation cavity 11 is fixed with a support block for supporting the part of the heating body 12 located in the evaporation cavity 11; and the sealing ring 124 is arranged between the heating body 12 and the evaporation cavity 11. In this way, a gap is left between the heating body 12 and the inner wall of the evaporation cavity 11, which can prevent the wall of the evaporation cavity 11 from being locally overheated. It should be noted that the part of the heating body 12 penetrating the evaporation cavity 11 and the part of the heating body 12 extending to the outside of the evaporation cavity 11 are not covered by the superconducting heating layer 122, so as to prevent heat loss.

[0060] Exemplarily, please refer to Figures 6-7 The entire heating body 12 is accommodated in the inner cavity of the evaporation cavity 11, and at least one support block is fixed on the inner wall of the evaporation cavity 11 for limiting the movement of the heating body 12. In this way, a gap is left between the heating body 12 and the inner wall of the evaporation cavity 11, which can prevent the wall of the evaporation cavity 11 from being locally overheated.

[0061] The superconducting heating layer 122 can be made of various types of materials. Exemplarily, the material of the superconducting heating layer 122 is a material satisfying the condition that the heat value generated by unit volume of the superconducting heating layer 122 under the action of the same value of voltage / current is greater than the heat value generated by unit volume of the heating wire. That is, when the heat demand value is the same, the volume of the superconducting heating layer 122 to be configured is smaller than the volume of the heating wire to be configured, so that the volume of the heating part of the steam generator 100 is effectively reduced, thereby reducing the volume of the steam generator 100 and improving the matching degree of the laundry treatment apparatus 1000. To some extent, the overall cost of the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 is reduced.

[0062] In other implementations, the steam generator 100 of the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 is an ultrasonic steam generator 100 or a drying heating tube steam generator 100, which has the problem of small steam amount in use and cannot meet the requirement of the laundry treatment apparatus 1000 for steam amount.

[0063] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 4-8 The superconducting heating layer 122 is formed on the side wall of the carrier 121 by a superconducting material; and the side of the superconducting heating layer 122 away from the carrier 121 is provided with an insulating structure for insulating the superconducting heating layer 122 from the water located in the evaporation cavity 11.

[0064] The material of the superconducting heating layer 122 is a superconducting material, for example, a titanium-nickel alloy, an aluminum-chromium alloy, a nickel-chromium alloy, or a semiconductor nanomaterial. In one aspect, the superconducting material can generate heat after being powered on, has high output efficiency, and low energy consumption. In some embodiments, the heat output efficiency of the steam generator can reach 95%, so that the amount of steam generated per unit time can be increased to meet the requirements of the clothes treatment apparatus 1000 on the amount of steam. In another aspect, the superconducting material has the advantage of fast temperature rise speed. In some embodiments, the superconducting heating layer 122 can reach the set temperature within 5 seconds, so that the water carrying phenomenon during initial power-on can be avoided. In still another aspect, the superconducting material has the advantage of fast cooling speed. After being powered off, the superconducting heating layer 122 no longer generates heat, thereby avoiding the accumulation of excess heat. In some embodiments, the surface of the superconducting heating layer 122 can return to normal temperature after 2-3 seconds of power-off.

[0065] In view of the overall arrangement of the clothes treatment apparatus 1000, the superconducting material is formed on the side wall of the carrier 121 to increase the coverage area of the superconducting material and thereby reduce the volume of the steam generator 100, which is more compatible with the clothes treatment apparatus 1000 and reduces the overall cost of the clothes treatment apparatus 1000 to some extent.

[0066] For example, the superconducting heating layer 122 is formed on the side wall of the carrier 121 by using an electroplating process to electroplate the superconducting material on the side wall of the carrier 121 to form the superconducting heating layer 122.

[0067] It should be noted that when the material of the carrier 121 is a metal material, an insulating layer is arranged on the surface of the carrier 121 to insulate the metal material from the superconducting heating layer 122, thereby preventing the superconducting heating layer 122 from being in conduction with the carrier 121 and affecting the safety of the clothes treatment apparatus 1000 during use.

[0068] For example, the superconducting heating layer 122 is formed on the side wall of the carrier 121 by using an electroplating process to electroplate the superconducting material on the side wall of the carrier 121 to form the superconducting heating layer 122. Figures 4-8 The side of the superconducting heating layer 122 away from the carrier 121 is provided with an insulating structure, thereby preventing the superconducting heating layer 122 from being in conduction with the water to be heated and affecting the safety of the clothes treatment apparatus 1000 during use.

[0069] For example, the superconducting heating layer 122 is formed on the side wall of the carrier 121 by using an electroplating process to electroplate the superconducting material on the side wall of the carrier 121 to form the superconducting heating layer 122. Figures 4-8 The insulating structure includes a jacket 13. At least a portion of the jacket 13 covers the surface of the superconducting heating layer 122 away from the carrier 121. The inner cavity of the jacket 13 is filled with a thermally conductive insulating material for insulating the superconducting heating layer 122 from the water in the evaporation cavity 11.

[0070] It can be understood that the superconducting heating layer 122, i.e. the live part of the heating body 12, covers at least a part of the jacket 13 on the surface of the superconducting heating layer 122 away from the carrier 121, so as to realize insulation between the live part of the heating body 12 and the water to be heated, thereby preventing the superconducting heating layer 122 from being in conduction with the water to be heated, which affects the safety of the laundry treatment device 1000 in use.

[0071] The inner cavity of the jacket 13 is filled with the heat-conducting insulating material, so that the heat generated by the heating body 12 can be safely and efficiently transmitted to the water to be heated, thereby improving the heat output efficiency of the heating body 12.

[0072] For example, referring to Figure 8 The jacket 13 includes a sealed shell 131 covering the superconducting heating layer 122 on the side away from the carrier 121, and a heat-conducting insulating material filling layer 132 filled between the sealed shell 131 and the superconducting heating layer 122.

[0073] The sealed shell 131 can form an isolation effect between the superconducting heating layer 122 and the water, and between the heat-conducting insulating material filling layer 132 and the water. The sealed shell 131 can also play a sealing role to prevent the heat-conducting insulating material from leaking into the water, and to prevent the water from entering the jacket 13 and affecting the use of the jacket 13. For example, the material of the sealed shell 131 is stainless steel.

[0074] When the laundry treatment device 1000 is used to wash laundry, the laundry is first put into the washing drum / dewatering drum through the feeding port, and a detergent is injected; then the steam generator 100 is turned on by controlling the key, the superconducting heating layer 122 is in conduction with the external power supply, and under the action of the current / voltage, the superconducting heating layer 122 is quickly heated to generate heat. Part of the generated heat is sequentially transmitted to the heat-conducting insulating material filling layer 132, the sealed shell 131, and then to the water in the evaporation cavity 11; the other part of the heat is first transmitted to the carrier 121, and then transmitted to the water in the evaporation cavity 11 in contact with the carrier 121 by the carrier 121; the water in the evaporation cavity 11 absorbs the heat and is instantly vaporized to generate steam. The generated steam is introduced into the drum 300 and fully contacts the laundry to be washed, so as to remove bacteria, stains and residual detergent on the laundry.

[0075] In an embodiment, the material of the carrier 121 is a glass tube, and the jacket 13 wraps the entire carrier 121. In this way, the water can be prevented from directly contacting the high-temperature glass tube, thereby avoiding the breakage of the glass tube.

[0076] For example, the jacket 13 is in the shape of a cylinder.

[0077] In some embodiments, the heat-conducting insulating material filling the inner cavity of the jacket 13 is magnesium powder.

[0078] The skilled in the art can understand that the magnesium powder has good insulation performance, filling the magnesium powder in the inner cavity of the jacket 13 can realize the insulation between the electrified part of the heating body 12 and the water to be heated, thereby preventing the superconducting heating layer 122 from being conducted with the water to be heated, which affects the safety of the clothes treatment device 1000 in use; meanwhile, the magnesium powder has high thermal conductivity, which can safely and efficiently transfer the heat generated by the heating body 12 to the water to be heated, thereby improving the heat output efficiency of the heating body 12.

[0079] The superconducting heating layer 122 can be directly or indirectly electrically connected with the external power source.

[0080] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 9 Each of the at least one heating body 12 further comprises two electrodes 125, which are located at the two ends of the superconducting heating layer 122 and between the insulation structure and the carrier 121, and are electrically connected with the superconducting heating layer 122.

[0081] In use, the two electrodes 125 are respectively electrically connected with the positive and negative poles of the external power source, so as to supply power to the superconducting heating layer 122, make the current of the electrodes 125 uniformly conducted into the superconducting heating layer 122, and make the superconducting heating layer 122 uniformly heat to balance the temperature of the superconducting heating layer 122 and prevent the local temperature of the superconducting heating layer 122 from being too high.

[0082] The two electrodes 125 are located between the insulation structure and the carrier, thereby preventing the two electrodes 125 from being conducted with the water to be heated, which affects the safety of the clothes treatment device 1000 in use.

[0083] Exemplarily, the electrodes 125 are annular layers of conductive material, and the two electrodes 125 are respectively sleeved on the two ends of the superconducting heating layer 122. In this way, the heating uniformity of the superconducting heating layer 122 is further improved to balance the temperature of the superconducting heating layer 122 and prevent the local temperature of the superconducting heating layer 122 from being too high.

[0084] Exemplarily, the material of the electrodes 125 is pure silver.

[0085] In order to further improve the heat utilization rate of the steam generator 100, in some embodiments, referring to Figure 10 The thickness L1 of the superconducting heating layer 122 near the inlet 111 side of the evaporation cavity is greater than the thickness L2 of the jacket 13 near the outlet 112 side of the evaporation cavity.

[0086] It can be understood that, in the steam generator 100, the water near the inlet 111 side of the evaporation cavity is in a liquid state, and a large amount of heat is required to achieve the purpose of vaporization, and most of the water near the outlet 112 side of the evaporation cavity is in a steam state, and the vaporization process is completed. Therefore, when the thickness of the superconducting heating layer 122 near the inlet 111 side of the evaporation cavity is greater than the thickness of the jacket 13 near the outlet 112 side of the evaporation cavity, the heat generated by the superconducting heating layer 122 near the inlet 111 side of the evaporation cavity is greater than the heat generated by the superconducting heating layer 122 near the outlet 112 side of the evaporation cavity, so that the heat generation of the superconducting heating layer 122 can match the heat demand of the water, and the heat utilization rate is further improved.

[0087] The steam generator 100 described above will generate a large amount of steam on the side near the outlet of the evaporation cavity 11 when in use, causing the pressure in the evaporation cavity 11 to rise. Therefore, when the pressure in the evaporation cavity 11 reaches a pressure threshold, the connection between the evaporation cavity 11 and the external water source needs to be disconnected, so as to avoid the evaporation cavity 11 from bursting due to excessive pressure in the evaporation cavity 11.

[0088] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 ; the clothes treatment apparatus 1000 further comprises a pressure relief pipe 14 and a pressure relief valve (not shown in the figure); the pressure relief pipe 14 is in communication with the evaporation cavity 11; and the pressure relief valve is installed in the middle of the pressure relief pipe 14.

[0089] It can be understood that the pressure relief pipe 14 described above is in communication with the evaporation cavity 11, and the pressure relief valve is installed on the pressure relief pipe 14. When the pressure in the evaporation cavity 11 is greater than a pressure threshold, the control panel 600 can control the pressure relief valve to open, and the excess steam is discharged from the pressure relief pipe 14, achieving the purpose of pressure relief for the evaporation cavity 11.

[0090] The steam generator 100 described above can be directly installed in the inner cavity of the cabinet 200, for example, the evaporation cavity 11 is connected to the upper surface of the base 500.

[0091] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 3-7 ; the clothes treatment apparatus 1000 further comprises a protective shell 15; the protective shell 15 is located in the inner cavity of the cabinet 200; the steam generator 100 is located in the inner cavity of the protective shell 15; and the pressure relief pipe 14 penetrates the protective shell 15.

[0092] The protective shell 15 described above is located in the inner cavity of the cabinet 200, and the steam generator 100 is located in the inner cavity of the protective shell 15, that is, the protective shell 15 can wrap the steam generator 100 to provide a protection function for the steam generator 100.

[0093] Exemplarily, the protective shell 15 is a cuboid-shaped protective shell 15, the evaporation cavity 11 is placed in the inner cavity of the protective shell 15, and the pressure relief pipe 14 passes through one of the walls of the protective shell 15. In this way, when the pressure of the evaporation cavity 11 reaches the pressure threshold, the control panel 600 can control the pressure relief valve to open, and the excess steam is guided out of the protective shell 15 through the pressure relief pipe 14, so as to achieve the purpose of relieving the pressure of the protective shell 15.

[0094] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 3 ; the wall of the protective shell 15 also penetrates the connection terminal 151, the connection terminal 151 is electrically connected with the external power supply, and the connection lines of the two electrodes 125 pass through the jacket 13 and are connected to the connection terminal 151. Through the structure of the connection terminal 151, the connection structure of the electrode 125 and the external power supply is simplified, and the structural complexity of the steam generator 100 is reduced. It should be noted that the connection mode of the connection terminal 151 and the external power supply is not limited here, for example, a power line is connected between the power supply and the connection terminal 151, and the power line is plugged into the connection terminal 151.

[0095] Exemplarily, referring to Figure 3 ; the protective shell 15 includes an upper shell 152 and a lower shell 153, and the upper shell 152 and the lower shell 153 are detachably connected; for example, the upper shell 152 and the lower shell 153 are rotatably connected on one side, and are connected by at least one buckle 154 on the other side. The detachable connection of the upper shell 152 and the lower shell 153 facilitates the opening of the protective shell 15 and the maintenance or replacement of the steam generator 100.

[0096] Exemplarily, the material of the protective shell 15 is plastic.

[0097] In order to reduce the heat loss of the steam generator 100, in some embodiments, referring to Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 ; the clothes treatment device 1000 further includes a heat insulation material layer 16; the heat insulation material layer 16 is located between the protective shell 15 and the steam generator 100.

[0098] The above-mentioned heat insulation material layer 16 can realize the function of heat insulation, prevent the heat generated by the heating pipe from being excessively lost to the protective shell 15, affect the service life of the protective shell 15, reduce the heating efficiency, and increase the energy consumption of the steam generator 100.

[0099] It should be noted that the above-mentioned heat insulation material layer 16 can be connected to the inner wall of the protective shell 15, can be connected to the outer surface of the evaporation cavity 11, or can be placed between the protective shell 15 and the evaporation cavity 11, which is not limited here.

[0100] When the laundry treatment device 1000 is in the steam washing mode, the valve device is in communication with the inlet of the steam generator 100, and the outlet of the steam generator 100 is in communication with the washing drum / drying drum. Exemplarily, the valve device comprises a water inlet pipe 173 and a solenoid valve, and opening the solenoid valve can realize the communication of the external water source outside the steam generator 100.

[0101] In some embodiments, referring to Figures 4-6 ; the laundry treatment device 1000 further comprises a water inlet device 17; the water inlet device 17 is located in the protective shell 15; the water inlet device 17 comprises a water suction pump 171 and a nozzle 172; the inlet of the water suction pump 171 is in communication with the external water source; the outlet of the water suction pump 171 is in communication with the inlet of the nozzle 172; the outlet of the nozzle 172 is in communication with the evaporation cavity 11.

[0102] Exemplarily, referring to Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 6 ; the inlet of the water suction pump 171 is in communication with the external water source through the water inlet pipe 173.

[0103] When the laundry treatment device 1000 described above is used to wash laundry, water from the external water source flows through the water inlet pipe 173, the water suction pump 171 and the nozzle 172 in sequence, and then is sprayed by the nozzle 172 to the inner cavity of the evaporation cavity 11, so as to realize the purpose of supplying water to the steam generator 100.

[0104] Through the water suction pump 171 described above, the water to be heated can stably flow into the evaporation cavity 11 at a set speed, better match the heat generated by the heating body 12, and stabilize the steam output of the steam generator 100, thereby improving the heat utilization rate.

[0105] It can be understood that the nozzle 172 described above can uniformly spray water into the inside of the evaporation cavity 11, so that the surface of the heating body 12 can be contacted by water, thereby further improving the heat utilization rate.

[0106] The description of the laundry treatment device 1000 described above, including the structure, material, purpose and effect, etc., is also applicable to laundry treatment devices such as washing machines, washing and drying integrated machines, and laundry care machines, and will not be described here.

[0107] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed by the present disclosure, which shall be covered within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1.A laundry treating apparatus, characterized by, Comprising: a casing; a drum; the drum is disposed in the casing; a steam generator; the steam generator is disposed in the casing; the steam generator comprises an evaporation cavity and at least one heating body; an inlet of the evaporation cavity is configured to communicate with an external water source; an outlet of the evaporation cavity communicates with the drum; the at least one heating body is configured to heat water in the evaporation cavity; at least a portion of each of the at least one heating body is located in the evaporation cavity; each of the at least one heating body comprises a carrier, a superconducting heating layer formed on a sidewall of the carrier by a superconducting material; an insulation structure is disposed on a side of the superconducting heating layer away from the carrier for insulation between the superconducting heating layer and water in the evaporation cavity; at least a portion of the superconducting heating layer covers an outer surface of the carrier; the insulation structure comprises a jacket; at least a portion of the jacket covers a surface of the superconducting heating layer away from the carrier; an inner cavity of the jacket is filled with a thermally conductive insulating material for insulation between the superconducting heating layer and water in the evaporation cavity. 2.The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein The thermally conductive insulating material filling the inner cavity of the jacket is magnesium powder. 3.The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 1, wherein Each of the at least one heating body further comprises: two electrodes; the two electrodes are located at two ends of the superconducting heating layer and between the insulation structure and the carrier; the two electrodes are electrically connected to the superconducting heating layer. 4.The laundry treating apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The thickness of the superconducting heating layer near the inlet side of the evaporation cavity is greater than the thickness of the jacket near the outlet side of the evaporation cavity. 5.The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, Further comprising: a pressure relief pipe and a pressure relief valve; the pressure relief pipe communicates with the evaporation cavity; the pressure relief valve is installed in the middle of the pressure relief pipe. 6.The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 5, wherein Further comprising: a protective shell; the protective shell is located in the inner cavity of the casing; the steam generator is located in the inner cavity of the protective shell; the pressure relief pipe penetrates the protective shell. 7.The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 6, wherein Further comprising: a layer of thermal insulation material; the layer of thermal insulation material is located between the protective shell and the steam generator. 8.The laundry treatment apparatus of claim 6, wherein Further comprising: a water inlet device; the water inlet device is located in the protective shell; the water inlet device comprises a water suction pump and a nozzle; an inlet of the water suction pump communicates with an external water source; an outlet of the water suction pump communicates with an inlet of the nozzle; an outlet of the nozzle communicates with the evaporation cavity.

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