Steam generator and controlling method thereof

Abstract

A steam generator and a controlling method thereof are disclosed. The steam generator includes a housing for containing water, a heater for heating the water in the housing, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the heater according to an inner pressure of the housing.

1 . A steam generator comprising:
 a housing for containing water;   a heater for heating the water in the housing; and   a control unit for controlling an operation of the heater according to an inner pressure of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the operation of the heater to be stopped if the inner pressure of the housing is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         3 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes a switch unit which stops the operation of the heater if the inner pressure of the housing is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The steam generator according to  claim 3 , wherein the switch unit includes:
 a first elastic wall disposed inside the housing and expanding according to the inner pressure of the housing; and   a pair of contact switches respectively disposed on the first elastic wall and an inner surface of the housing and selectively in contact with each other according to expansion of the first elastic wall.   
     
     
         5 . The steam generator according to  claim 4 , further comprising a second elastic wall provided at a specific position of the housing corresponding to the first elastic wall, wherein the contact switches are disposed on facing surfaces of the first and second elastic walls, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit includes:
 a pressure sensor which measures the inner pressure of the housing; and   a controller which controls the operation of the heater according to the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.   
     
     
         7 . The steam generator according to  claim 6 , wherein the pressure sensor is positioned at an upper portion of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The steam generator according to  claim 6 , wherein the controller controls a heating time of the heater according to the pressure measured by the pressure sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The steam generator according to  claim 8 , wherein the controller reduces a heating time of the heater as the pressure measured by the pressure sensor increases. 
     
     
         10 . The steam generator according to  claim 9 , wherein the controller controls the operation of the heater to be stopped if the pressure measured by the pressure sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         11 . A clothes treating machine comprising:
 a receiving space for receiving clothes; and   a steam generator for selectively supplying steam into the receiving space, the steam generator having a housing for containing water, a heater for heating the water in the housing, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the heater according to an inner pressure of the housing.   
     
     
         12 . A dish washing machine comprising:
 a receiving space for receiving dishes;   a spray unit for supplying wash water into the receiving space; and   a steam generator for selectively supplying steam into the receiving space, the steam generator having a housing for containing water, a heater for heating the water in the housing, and a control unit for controlling an operation of the heater according to an inner pressure of the housing.   
     
     
         13 . A controlling method of a steam generator comprising:
 heating water;   measuring an inner pressure of a housing in which the water is heated; and   controlling a water heating time according to the measured pressure.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step of measuring includes continuously measuring the pressure while the water is heated. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step of controlling includes reducing the water heating time as the measured pressure increases. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of controlling further includes stopping the step of heating if the measured pressure is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure.