Laundry Device

Abstract

Disclosed is laundry device having a steam generator ( 200 ), which prevents water from being excessively supplied to a case and steam generated from the case from adversely flowing toward a water supply valve ( 104 ), and removes overpressure due to steam generated in the case. A water oversupply prevention unit ( 220 ) for preventing the water from being excessively supplied to the case is a hollow floater, which moves vertically according to the amount of the water supplied to the case to open and close a water supply hole ( 211 a ). A backflow prevention unit ( 230 ) for preventing steam generated from the case from adversely flowing toward the water supply hole ( 211 a ) is a check valve, which allows the water to be supplied only to the inside of the case, prevents the steam generated from the case from flowing toward the water supply valve ( 104 ), and in installed between a water supply hole ( 211 a ) and the water supply valve ( 104 ). An air exhauster ( 400 ) for removing overpressure due to steam generated in the case is a relief valve ( 420 ), which is opened to remove overpressure due to steam generated in the case and is installed in a sub-pipe ( 410 ) branched from a steam supply pipe ( 106 ). Thereby, the steam generator is effectively operated, thus lengthening the lifespan of the laundry device and improving the reliability of

1 . A laundry device comprising:
 a cabinet;   a drum rotatably installed in the cabinet;   a steam generator including a case provided with a water supply hole, a discharge hole, and a heater to heat water supplied through the water supply hole to generate steam; and   a backflow preventer to prevent the water or the steam from flowing toward the water supply hole;   a water supply pipe to supply the water into the case; and   a steam supply pipe to supply the steam into the drum.   
   
   
       2 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the backflow preventer is disposed inside the case. 
   
   
       3 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the backflow preventer comprises a floater to open and close the water supply hole. 
   
   
       4 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the floater comprises:
 a rib having a diaphragm shape, and vertically disposed in the case such that the rib is separated from an inner surface of the case; and   a switching member interposed between the rib and the inner surface of the case, and moves vertically according to a level of the water in the case, and thereby opening and closing the water supply hole.   
   
   
       5 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the inner surface of the case facing the rib is stepped to prevent the switching member from excessively descending. 
   
   
       6 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein both side ends of the rib are bent to prevent the switching member from deviating from a movable range to open and close the water supply hole. 
   
   
       7 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the rib is disposed perpendicularly from a top surface of the case such that a lower end of the rib is separated from a bottom surface of the case. 
   
   
       8 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the floater comprises:
 a switching member to open and close the water supply hole;   a hinge disposed on an inner surface of the case; and   a floater bar having one end rotatably installed on the hinge and the other end connected with the switching member.   
   
   
       9 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the other end of the floater bar is hinged with the switching member. 
   
   
       10 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the inner surface of the case facing the rib is stepped to prevent the switching member from excessively descending. 
   
   
       11 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 4  or  8 , wherein the switching member has a hollow structure. 
   
   
       12 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a water supply valve and wherein the water supply pipe is disposed between the water supply hole and a water supply valve to supply the water into the case. 
   
   
       13 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the backflow preventer is disposed outside the case. 
   
   
       14 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the backflow preventer comprises a check valve. 
   
   
       15 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the check valve is disposed between the water supply hole and a water supply pipe. 
   
   
       16 . A laundry device comprising:
 a cabinet;   a drum rotatable installed in the cabinet;   a steam generator including a case provided with a water supply hole and a discharge hole, and a heater to heat water supplied through the water supply hole to generate steam;   a water supply pipe to supply the water into the case;   a steam supply pipe to supply the steam into the drum; and   an air exhauster to remove overpressure due to steam generated in the case.   
   
   
       17 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the air exhauster is disposed at the steam supply pipe. 
   
   
       18 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the air exhauster comprises:
 a sub pipe branched from the steam supply pipe; and   a relief valve disposed at the sub pipe.   
   
   
       19 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the air exhauster further comprises an air exhaust pipe having one end connected with the relief valve and the other end connected with a drain channel of the laundry device. 
   
   
       20 . The laundry device as set forth in  claim 16 , further comprising a backflow preventer to prevent the water or the steam in the case from flowing toward the water supply hole.