Steam Generator and Washing Machine Having the Same

Abstract

A steam generator having an improved structure to change water supplied into the steam generator into steam within a short period of time and a drum type washing machine having the same are disclosed. The washing machine includes a tub mounted in a cabinet, which constitutes the external appearance of the washing machine, for storing wash water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and a steam generator mounted in the cabinet for supplying steam into the drum. The steam generator includes a case having a space for receiving a predetermined amount of water, the case being provided at one side thereof with an inlet port and an outlet port, a heater case disposed in the case such that the heater case communicates with the interior of the case, the heater case having an additional space, into which some of the water supplied into the case is introduced and a steam heater disposed in the heater case for heating the water introduced into the heater case so as to generate steam.

1 . A steam generator comprising:
 a case having a space for receiving a predetermined amount of water, the case being provided at one side thereof with an inlet port and an outlet port;   a heater case disposed in the case such that the heater case communicates with the interior of the case, the heater case having an additional space, into which some of the water supplied into the case is introduced; and   a steam heater disposed in the heater case for heating the water introduced into the heater case so as to generate steam.   
   
   
       2 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the heater case is mounted in the case such that the heater case is spaced apart from the bottom of the case. 
   
   
       3 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the heater case comprises:
 an introduction part having at least one introduction hole, through which some of the water supplied into the case is introduced into the heater case; and   a discharge part having at least one discharge hole, through which steam generated in the heater case is discharged.   
   
   
       4 . The steam generator according to  claim 3 , wherein the introduction part is formed at the lower surface of the heater case. 
   
   
       5 . The steam generator according to  claim 3 , wherein the discharge part is formed at the upper surface of the heater case. 
   
   
       6 . The steam generator according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one introduction hole has a diameter less than that of the at least one discharge hole. 
   
   
       7 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a temperature detecting sensor disposed in the case for detecting the temperature of the steam discharged from the heater case.   
   
   
       8 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a water level detecting sensor disposed in the case for detecting the water level of the water received in the case.   
   
   
       9 . A washing machine including a tub mounted in a cabinet, which constitutes the external appearance of the washing machine, for storing wash water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and a steam generator mounted in the cabinet for supplying steam into the drum, wherein the steam generator comprises:
 a case having a space for receiving a predetermined amount of water, the case being provided at one side thereof with an inlet port and an outlet port;   a heater case disposed in the case such that the heater case communicates with the interior of the case, the heater case having an additional space, into which some of the water supplied into the case is introduced; and   a steam heater disposed in the heater case for heating the water introduced into the heater case to generate steam.   
   
   
       10 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the heater case is mounted in the case such that the heater case is spaced apart from the bottom of the case. 
   
   
       11 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the heater case comprises:
 an introduction part having at least one introduction hole, through which some of the water supplied into the case is introduced into the heater case; and   a discharge part having at least one discharge hole, through which steam generated in the heater case is discharged.   
   
   
       12 . The washing machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the introduction part is formed at the lower surface of the heater case. 
   
   
       13 . The washing machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the discharge part is formed at the upper surface of the heater case. 
   
   
       14 . The washing machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one introduction hole has a diameter less than that of the at least one discharge hole. 
   
   
       15 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a temperature detecting sensor disposed in the case for detecting the temperature of the steam discharged from the heater case.   
   
   
       16 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a water level detecting sensor disposed in the case for detecting the water level of the water received in the case.