Washing machine and steam generator thereof

Abstract

The steam generator includes a body, a pipe passing through the body and connected to the body such that both ends of the pipe are protruded to the outside of the body, and a heater disposed within the body to heat the body.

1 . A steam generator comprising:
 a body;   a pipe passing through the body and connected to the body such that both ends of the pipe are protruded to the outside of the body; and   a heater disposed within the body to heat the body.   
     
     
         2 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the pipe disposed within the body contacts the body so as to receive heat transmitted from the body. 
     
     
         3 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the body is formed through a diecasting method under the condition that the pipe is inserted thereinto. 
     
     
         4 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the pipe is made of a metal having high conductance so as to convert water introduced thereinto into steam. 
     
     
         5 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a safety device to switch on and off power supplied to the heater. 
     
     
         6 . The steam generator according to  claim 5 , wherein the safety device is mounted in a safety device mounting recess provided on the body. 
     
     
         7 . The steam generator according to  claim 5 , wherein the safety device includes a bimetal. 
     
     
         8 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature fuse installed at one of a power input terminal and a power output terminal of the heater. 
     
     
         9 . A washing machine comprising:
 a water supply pipe;   a steam supply pipe;   a pipe provided with one end connected to the water supply pipe and the other end connected to the steam supply pipe to generate steam;   a body surrounding the pipe to transmit heat to the pipe; and   a heater disposed within the body to heat the body.   
     
     
         10 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the body is made of a metal having high conductance and low specific gravity. 
     
     
         11 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the body is formed through a diecasting method under the condition that the pipe is inserted thereinto. 
     
     
         12 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the pipe is made of a metal having high conductance so as to convert water introduced thereinto into steam. 
     
     
         13 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , further comprising a safety device to switch on and off power supplied to the heater. 
     
     
         14 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the safety device is mounted in a safety device mounting recess provided on the body. 
     
     
         15 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the safety device includes a bimetal. 
     
     
         16 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , further comprising a temperature fuse installed at one of a power input terminal and a power output terminal of the heater. 
     
     
         17 . The washing machine according to  claim 9 , wherein the pipe is formed integrally with the body by insert casting and does not include either of a nozzle and a seal.