Steam generator and control method of steam generator

Abstract

A steam generator and a control method thereof are disclosed. The control method includes supplying water to a first chamber (C 1 ), turning a heater ( 83 ) on, wherein power is supplied to the heater ( 83 ) to heat the heater ( 83 ) at a third temperature so as to generate steam, preventing overheating, wherein power supplied to the heater is cut at a first temperature so as to prevent overheating of the heater, and determining scale, wherein power supplied to the heater ( 83 ) is cut at a second temperature lower than the first temperature and then is resupplied after a predetermined time so as to prevent malfunction of the overheating prevention, wherein, when a time interval for the temperature of the heater to rise from the third temperature to the first temperature is within a predetermined time, determining scale is not performed.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A steam generator comprising:
 a first chamber configured to store water;   a heater configured to generate steam by heating the water;   an overheating protector configured to protect the heater from overheating by:
 based on a temperature of the heater reaching a first temperature, cutting power supplied to the heater to protect the heater from overheating; 
   a first temperature sensor configured to protect against mis-triggering of the overheating protector by:
 based on the temperature of the heater reaching a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature, cutting the power supplied to the heater for a first time period; and 
 resuming supply of power to the heater after the first time period; and 
   a controller electrically connected to the heater and first temperature sensor and configured to control an operation of the steam generator.   
     
     
         15 . The steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein a response time of the first temperature sensor is longer than a second time period corresponding to a time for the temperature of the heater to rise from a third temperature lower than the first temperature to the first temperature in absence of water in the first chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the overheating protector and the first temperature sensor are arranged on one of an inside of the heater or a surface of the heater. 
     
     
         17 . The steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the overheating protector and the first temperature sensor are arranged on a surface of a thermal bridge in thermal contact with the heater. 
     
     
         18 . The steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the overheating protector is arranged at a first location of the heater corresponding to a location of maximum temperature during operation of the heater. 
     
     
         19 . The steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the overheating protector comprises a thermal fuse. 
     
     
         20 . The steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the first temperature sensor is arranged at a second location of the heater corresponding to a location of minimum temperature during operation of the heater. 
     
     
         21 . The steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the first temperature sensor comprises a thermostat. 
     
     
         22 . The steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the steam generator by:
 based on the temperature of the heater reaching the second temperature lower than the first temperature, controlling the heater to generate heated wash water.   
     
     
         23 . The steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein the controller is further configured to control a water supply valve configured to supply water to the first chamber, and
 wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the steam generator by:
 based on the temperature of the heater reaching the second temperature lower than the first temperature, controlling the water supply valve to supply water to the first chamber. 
   
     
     
         24 . The steam generator according to  claim 14 , wherein an operation of the overheating protector is triggered in response to the temperature of the heater reaching the first temperature. 
     
     
         25 . A control method of a steam generator, comprising:
 supplying water to a first chamber configured to store water;   supplying power to a heater configured to generate steam by heating the water;   performing overheating protection for the heater by:
 based on a temperature of the heater reaching a first temperature, performing the overheating protection for the heater by cutting the power supplied to the heater to protect the heater from overheating; 
   protecting against mis-triggering of the overheating protection for the heater by:
 based on the temperature of the heater reaching a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature, cutting the power supplied to the heater for a first time period; and 
 resuming supplying of the power to the heater after the first time period; and 
   based on the temperature of the heater reaching the second temperature that is lower than the first temperature, determining a presence of scale buildup.   
     
     
         26 . The control method according to  claim 25 , wherein determining a presence of scale buildup comprises:
 determining that the temperature of the heater has risen from a third temperature lower than the first temperature to the first temperature within the first time period; and   based on the determination that (i) the temperature of the heater has reached the second temperature lower than the first temperature, and (ii) the temperature of the heater has risen from the third temperature to the first temperature within the first time period, determining that scale buildup is not present.   
     
     
         27 . The control method according to  claim 25 , further comprising:
 determining that (i) the overheating protection for the heater has not been performed, and (ii) scale buildup is not present; and   based on the determination that (i) the overheating protection for the heater has not been performed, and (ii) scale buildup is not present, generating steam.   
     
     
         28 . The control method according to  claim 25 , further comprising:
 based on the temperature of the heater reaching the second temperature that is lower than the first temperature, resupplying water to the first chamber to reduce the temperature of the heater.   
     
     
         29 . The control method according to  claim 25 , further comprising:
 waiting for the first time period to reduce the temperature of the heater.   
     
     
         30 . The control method according to  claim 29 , further comprising:
 based on a determination that scale buildup is present, generating heated washing water.   
     
     
         31 . The control method according to  claim 25 , wherein cutting the power supplied to the heater to protect the heater from overheating is performed by a thermal fuse, and
 wherein protecting against mis-triggering of the overheating protection for the heater is performed by a thermostat.