Coupling structure of steam generator in washing device

• US 20090151400A1
• Filed: 02/27/2006
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Park, Seog Kyu
• Granted Patent: US 8,875,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 68/5.C
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4234 Steam generating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/12 Casings; Tubs
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/40 Steam generating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F22B 1/284 with water in reservoirs

Abstract

A steam generator for a laundry machine is disclosed, in which the power supplied to a heater is cut off before a water level of water used to generate steam is lower than an end of the heater, thereby avoiding a risk of fire. The steam generator includes a case coupled with the main body of the laundry machine. A heater is provided inside the case. A temperature fuse is provided inside the case when a coupling portion couples the case with the main body of the temperature fuse is configured to be higher than the heater based on a horizontal line.

Claims

1. A steam generator for a laundry machine, comprising:

a case;

a heater provided inside the case;

a temperature fuse provided inside the case; and

a coupling portion to couple the case with a main body of the laundry machine, wherein the coupling portion includes an end that is slanted such that when the case is coupled to the main body of the laundry machine, the temperature fuse is placed higher than the heater based on a horizontal line.

3. The steam generator for the laundry machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the case has a rectangular box shape and its both sides are narrower than its front and rear surfaces.

4. The steam generator for the laundry machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heater is provided inside the case, at least one terminal is formed at one side of the heater and fixed to any one side of the case, and the temperature fuse is provided towards the terminal.

6. The steam generator for the laundry machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling portion includes at least two coupling projections respectively projected from at least one side of the case.

8. The steam generator for the laundry machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coupling projections are respectively provided at different heights based on a horizontal direction.

9. The steam generator for the laundry machine as claimed in claim 8, wherein the coupling projections are respectively provided at opposite angles at the side of the case.

10. The steam generator for the laundry machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the coupling portion is provided on a front or rear surface of the case.

11. The steam generator for the laundry machine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the coupling portion includes at least two coupling projections respectively projected from the front or rear surface of the case.

20. The steam generator for a laundry machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature fuse has a height difference from the heater in the range more than a thickness of the heater of the steam generator.

2. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

12-19. -19. (canceled)

21. A laundry machine, comprising:

a main body of the laundry machine;

a steam generator including a case, a heater provided inside the case and at least one terminal provided at one side of the heater, and a temperature fuse provided inside the case; and

a coupling portion configured to mount the case inside the main body such that the temperature fuse is placed higher than the heater based on a horizontal line.

22. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein the temperature fuse is provided towards the terminal.

23. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein the terminal is fixed to any one side of the case.

24. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein the temperature fuse cuts off the power supplied to the heater when the heater is overheated.

25. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein the coupling portion is respectively provided between one side of the main body of the laundry machine and another side of the case and between an other side of the main body adjacent to the one side of the main body and a front or rear surface of the case.

26. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein the coupling portion includes at least two coupling projections that respectively project from at least one side of the case and couple with the main body of the laundry machine.

27. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 26, wherein the coupling projections coupled with the main body have ends downwardly slanted.

28. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 27, wherein the ends of the coupling projections are slanted at the same slant angle of the case.

29. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 28, wherein the coupling projections are respectively provided at different heights based on a horizontal direction.

30. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 29, wherein the coupling projections are respectively provided at opposite angles at the side of the case.

31. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein the coupling portion includes at least two coupling projections respectively projected from a front or rear surface of the case.

32. The laundry machine as claimed in claim 21, wherein the coupling portion includes at least one coupling projection respectively projected at one side of the case and coupled with one side of the main body, and at least another coupling projection respectively projected at a front or rear surface of the case and coupled with another side of the main body adjacent to the one side of the main body.