Steam Generator and Laundry Machine Comprising the Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to laundry machines, and more particularly, to a steam generator for a laundry machine and a laundry machine with the same. The present invention provides a steam generator including a case having a space for turning water into steam, a heater for heating the water for generating the steam, and at least two overheating preventive means for preventing overheating of the heater, and a laundry machine with the same.

1 . A steam generator for a laundry machine comprising:
 a case having a space to turn water into steam;   a heater to heat the water and to generate the steam; and   at least a first and second overheating preventers to prevent overheating of the heater, wherein the first overheating preventer is located at one side of the heater and the second overheating preventer is located at the other side of the heater.   
     
     
         2 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second overheating preventers includes a thermo-fuse. 
     
     
         3 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the thermo-fuse is provided to cut off a current to the heater when the heater is overheated. 
     
     
         4 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second overheating preventer includes a thermister. 
     
     
         5 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second overheating preventer includes a thermostat. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first overheating preventer and the second overheating preventer are of different types. 
     
     
         8 . A steam generator for a laundry machine comprising:
 a case having a water inlet to receive water and an outlet to discharge steam;   a heater to heat the water in the case to generate the steam; and   at least a first and second overheating preventers to prevent overheating of the heater, wherein the first overheating preventer is located at one side of the heater and the second overheating preventer is located at the other side of the heater.   
     
     
         9 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the heater is mounted in the case. 
     
     
         10 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the heater is a sheath heater. 
     
     
         11 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the heater is mounted such that the heater passes through one side wall of the case and extends toward a direction of a side wall opposite the one side wall. 
     
     
         12 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein
 the first overheating preventer is in the vicinity of the one side wall of the case and   the second preventer is in the vicinity of the side wall opposite to the one side wall.   
     
     
         13 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the first overheating preventer and the second overheating preventer are of different types. 
     
     
         14 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the first overheating preventer senses overheating of the heater through of thermal conduction. 
     
     
         15 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first overheating preventer is a thermo-fuse or a thermostat. 
     
     
         16 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the second overheating preventer senses overheating of the heater through heat convection. 
     
     
         17 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the second overheating preventer is a thermister having a resistance that varies with temperature. 
     
     
         18 . The steam generator as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the resistance of the thermister rises sharply if a temperature of the heater is higher than a reference temperature, to substantially cut off power to the heater. 
     
     
         19 . A laundry machine comprising:
 a body;   a drum rotatably mounted in the body; and   a steam generator to generate steam to be supplied into the drum,   wherein the steam generator includes;   a case having a water inlet to receive water and an outlet to discharge the steam,   a heater to heat the water and to generate the steam,   first overheating preventer located at one side of the heater, and   second overheating preventer located at the other side of the heater.   
     
     
         20 . The laundry machine as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein
 the first overheating preventer and the second overheating preventer are of different types.