Steam generating device and washing machine having the same

(19)

(11)

EP 1 873 298 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	23.03.2011 Bulletin 2011/12

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	02.01.2008 Bulletin 2008/01

(21)	Application number: 07012488.8

(22)	Date of filing: 26.06.2007

(51)

International Patent Classification (IPC):

D06F 58/20^(2006.01)

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL BA HR MK RS

(30)

Priority:

27.06.2006 KR 20060058056
27.06.2006 KR 20060058058

(71)	Applicant: LG Electronics, Inc.
	Seoul 150-721 (KR)

(72)	Inventors:
	Ahn, In Geun Changwon-si Gyeongsangnam-do, 641-711 (KR) Lee, Kyu Won Changwon-si Gyeongsangnam-do, 641-711 (KR) Moon, Seong II Changwon-si Gyeongsangnam-do, 641-711 (KR)

(74)	Representative: TER MEER - STEINMEISTER & PARTNER GbR
	Patentanwälte Mauerkircherstrasse 45 81679 München 81679 München (DE)

(54)	Steam generating device and washing machine having the same

(57) A steam generating device (50) and a washing machine having the same are disclosed. The steam generating device (50) includes a case (80) for containing water, the case (80) receiving a heater, a water level sensor (60) for sensing a water level of the case, and a receptacle extending downwardly from a top of the case (80) while enclosing the water level sensor (60), to prevent the water level sensor from malfunctioning, the receptacle having an open bottom directly communicating with an interior of the case (80), to prevent foreign matter from being accumulated in the receptacle. The structure of the receptacle covering the water level sensor (60) is improved. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the accumulation of foreign matter in the receptacle, and thus to prevent the water level sensor (60) from malfunctioning.

Search report