CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of laundry treatment devices,
and more particularly, to a laundry treatment device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the related art, a steam generator assembly of a laundry treatment device needs
to be mounted in a casing, which has a complex mounting structure and high cost.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing
in the related art. To this end, an object of the present disclosure is to provide
a laundry treatment device, which facilitates modular mounting of a steam generator
assembly and has a simple structure and high mounting efficiency.
[0005] A laundry treatment device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes
a casing, a mounting plate detachably connected to the casing, and a steam generator
assembly mounted in the casing through the mounting plate.
[0006] With the laundry treatment device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure,
the mounting plate is detachably connected to the casing, and the steam generator
assembly is mounted in the casing through the mounting plate. Therefore, the steam
generator assembly is detachable relative to the casing, which results in easy disassembly
and assembly of the steam generator assembly, thereby facilitating maintenance and
replacement of the steam generator assembly. In addition, it is possible to mount
the steam generator assembly in the casing by using the mounting plate, resulting
in a simple structure, low cost, and easy operation.
[0007] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the casing includes a casing
body having a side opened to form an opening, and a cover body removably covering
the opening.
[0008] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a peripheral wall of the
opening is provided with a flange extending towards a center of the opening, and the
cover body is detachably engaged with the flange.
[0009] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mounting plate includes
a main plate body connected to the steam generator assembly, and a mounting portion
connected to the main plate body and extending between the flange and the cover body.
The mounting portion is detachably connected to at least one of the flange and the
cover body.
[0010] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mounting portion includes
a first mounting portion. The first mounting portion and the steam generator assembly
are located at two sides of the main plate body in a thickness direction of the main
plate body, respectively. The first mounting portion has an end connected to the main
plate body, and another end extending beyond an outer peripheral wall of the main
plate body towards the flange. The other end of the first mounting portion is detachably
connected to the flange.
[0011] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mounting portion includes
a second mounting portion having an end connected to the outer peripheral wall of
the main plate body and another end detachably connected to the flange. The other
end of the second mounting portion extends away from the steam generator assembly
and then is bent towards the flange, and is spaced apart from the other end of the
first mounting portion in a peripheral direction of the casing.
[0012] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mounting plate is provided
with a first positioning portion, and the casing is provided with a second positioning
portion engaged with the first positioning portion to pre-position the mounting plate
and the casing.
[0013] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first positioning portion
is constructed as a rib, and the second positioning portion is constructed as a recess.
[0014] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mounting plate is an
integrated piece.
[0015] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the steam generator assembly
includes a protective shell having a first aperture and a second aperture, and a steam
generator located in the protective shell and having a housing with a water inlet
and a steam outlet. The water inlet corresponds to the first aperture, and the steam
outlet corresponds to the second aperture.
[0016] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the protective shell is
internally provided with a heat insulation housing. The steam generator is located
in the heat insulation housing. The heat insulation housing has a first through hole
and a second through hole. The first through hole and the water inlet correspond to
the first aperture, and the second through hole and the steam outlet correspond to
the second aperture.
[0017] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the steam generator assembly
is detachably connected to the mounting plate.
[0018] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the housing of the steam
generator has a first fastening hole, the mounting plate has a second fastening hole,
and the protective shell has an avoidance hole. The first fastening hole, the avoidance
hole, and the second fastening hole correspond to each other. The laundry treatment
device includes a fastener sequentially passing through the first fastening hole,
the avoidance hole, and the second fastening hole.
[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be provided at least
in part in the following description, or will become apparent at least in part from
the following description, or can be learned from practicing of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0020] The above and/or additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will
become more apparent and more understandable from the following description of embodiments
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a laundry treatment device according to some
embodiments of the present disclosure, in which a cover body is not shown.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the laundry treatment device shown in FIG. 1, in which the
cover body is not shown.
FIG. 3 is a schematic partial structural view of a laundry treatment device according
to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a steam generator assembly and a mounting plate according
to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a steam generator system according to some embodiments
of the present disclosure.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a part C shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a part B shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a connection between a steam generator assembly and
a mounting plate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded view of a steam generator assembly and a mounting
plate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded view of a steam generator according to some embodiments
of the present disclosure.
FIG. 12 is a schematic structural view of a top cover according to some embodiments
of the present disclosure.
Reference Signs:
[0021]
laundry treatment device 100;
steam generator assembly 1; steam generator 11; housing 111; stud 1111; first fastening
hole 11111; water inlet 1112; steam outlet 1113; partition 112; first chamber a; second
chamber b; communication channel c; bottom housing 114; positioning rib 1141; top
cover 115; abutting rib 1151; accommodation cavity d; filtration component 116; baffle
117; protective shell 12; avoidance hole 123; heat insulation housing 13; first through
hole 131; second through hole 132;
casing 2; casing body 21; opening 211; flange 2111;
mounting plate 3; main plate body 31; second fastening hole 311; wire buckle 312;
mounting portion 32; first mounting portion 321; second mounting portion 322; first
positioning portion 33;
laundry treatment agent box 4;
pressure adjustment member 5; communication pipe 51; pressure relief hole 52; connection
pipe 53; water supply valve 54; flexible pipe 55.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with
reference to examples thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout
which same or similar elements, or elements having same or similar functions, are
denoted by same or similar reference signs. The embodiments described below with reference
to the drawings are illustrative only, and are intended to explain, rather than limiting,
the present disclosure.
[0023] A steam generator 11, a steam generator assembly 1, a steam generator system, and
a laundry treatment device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0024] Mounting of the steam generator assembly 1 in the laundry treatment device 100 will
be first described below.
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the laundry treatment device 100 according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a steam generator system, a casing
2, and a mounting plate 3. The steam generator system includes a steam generator assembly
1.
[0026] The mounting plate 3 is detachably connected to the casing 2, and the steam generator
assembly 1 is mounted in the casing 2 through the mounting plate 3. Therefore, the
steam generator assembly 1 is detachable relative to the casing 2. As a result, disassembly
and assembly of the steam generator assembly 1 are easy, thereby facilitating maintenance
and replacement of the steam generator assembly 1. Moreover, it is possible to mount
the steam generator assembly 1 in the casing 2 by using the mounting plate 3, resulting
in a simple structure, low cost, and easy operation.
[0027] With the laundry treatment device 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure,
the mounting plate 3 is detachably connected to the casing 2, and the steam generator
assembly 1 is mounted in the casing 2 through the mounting plate 3. Therefore, the
steam generator assembly 1 is detachable relative to the casing 2. As a result, the
disassembly and assembly of the steam generator assembly 1 are easy, thereby facilitating
the maintenance and replacement of the steam generator assembly 1. Moreover, it is
possible to mount the steam generator assembly 1 in the casing 2 by using the mounting
plate 3, resulting in the simple structure, low cost, and easy operation.
[0028] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG.
3, the casing 2 includes a casing body 21 and a cover body (not shown). The casing
body 21 has a side opened to form an opening 211, and the cover body removably covers
the opening 211. Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a top of the
casing body 21 is opened to form the opening 211, and the cover body removably covers
the opening 211. Therefore, the cover body is removably arranged relative to the casing
body 21, thereby facilitating disassembly, maintenance, and replacement of components
inside the casing 2 such as the steam generator system.
[0029] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a peripheral
wall of the opening 211 is provided with a flange 2111 extending towards a center
of the opening 211, and the cover body is detachably engaged with the flange 2111.
For example, the cover body is detachably engaged with the flange 2111 through a fastener.
Therefore, by providing the flange 2111, on the one hand, the flange 2111 can enhance
a strength of the casing body 21, and on the other hand, the flange 2111 may be provided
with a connection structure connected to the cover body, which is convenient to realize
a detachable connection between the cover body and the casing body 21.
[0030] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the flange 2111 and the casing body
21 may be integrally formed. Therefore, the integrated structure not only can ensure
structure and performance stability of the flange 2111 and the casing body 21, but
also is convenient to be formed and easy to be manufactured. Further, redundant assembly
parts and connection steps may be removed, which greatly improves assembly efficiency
of the flange 2111 and the casing body 21 and ensures reliability of a connection
between the flange 2111 and the casing body 21. Further, the integrated structure
is high in overall strength and stability, more convenient to be assembled, and long
in service life.
[0031] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the mounting
plate 3 includes a main plate body 31 and a mounting portion 32 connected to the main
plate body 31. The main plate body 31 is connected to the steam generator assembly
1. The mounting portion 32 extends between the flange 2111 and the cover body. The
mounting portion 32 is detachably connected to at least one of the flange 2111 and
the cover body. That is, an end of the mounting portion 32 is located between the
flange 2111 and the cover body and is detachably connected to at least one of the
flange 2111 and the cover body, and the other end of the mounting portion 32 is connected
to the main plate body 31.
[0032] Here, it can be understood that the expression "the mounting portion 32 is detachably
connected to at least one of the flange 2111 and the cover body" means that the mounting
portion 32 is detachably connected to the cover body or the flange 2111, or the mounting
portion 32 is detachably connected to both the cover body and the flange 2111.
[0033] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the main
plate body 31 is provided with a wire buckle 312. The wire buckle 312 is configured
to position wirings of an electric device such as the steam generator 11 of the laundry
treatment device 100 and/or of a heating element in a drying channel, thereby avoiding
tangled wires.
[0034] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the flange 2111 has a first screw
hole passing through the flange 2111, and the mounting portion 32 has a second screw
hole passing through the mounting portion 32. A first screw may pass through the first
screw hole and the second screw hole, to detachably connect the mounting plate 3 to
the casing 2.
[0035] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the mounting
portion 32 includes a first mounting portion 321. The first mounting portion 321 and
the steam generator assembly 1 are located at two sides of the main plate body 31
in a thickness direction of the main plate body 31, respectively. The first mounting
portion 321 has an end connected to the main plate body 31, and another end extending
beyond an outer peripheral wall of the main plate body 31 towards the flange 2111.
The other end of the first mounting portion 321 is detachably connected to the flange
2111. For example, the main plate body 31 is horizontally arranged. In this case,
the steam generator assembly 1 is located below the main plate body 31 and connected
to the main plate body 31, and the first mounting portion 321 is located above the
main plate body 31. In addition, the end of the first mounting portion 321 is connected
to an upper surface of the main plate body 31, and the other end of the first mounting
portion 321 extends horizontally towards the flange 2111 and connected to the flange
2111 by means of the first screw. By extending the other end of the first mounting
portion 321 beyond the main plate body 31 towards the flange 2111 to be connected
to the flange 2111, positioning the steam generator assembly 1 below the main plate
body 31, and positioning the first mounting portion 321 above the main plate body
31, an avoidance space may be formed below the first mounting portion 321. As a result,
when the first mounting portion 321 is fixed to the flange 2111, the steam generator
assembly 1 may be suspended in the casing 2. Therefore, only a space having a same
volume as a volume of the steam generator needs to be occupied. Compared with the
related art, such a mounting manner of the steam generator is more space-saving, more
reliable, and firmer.
[0036] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mounting portion 32 includes a
second mounting portion 322. The second mounting portion 322 has an end connected
to the outer peripheral wall of the main plate body 31 and another end detachably
connected to the flange 2111. The other end of the second mounting portion 322 extends
away from the steam generator assembly 1 and then is bent towards the flange 2111.
Further, the other end of the second mounting portion 322 is spaced apart from the
other end of the first mounting portion 321 in a peripheral direction of the casing
2.
[0037] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 9, the main plate body 31 is formed
in a horizontal rectangular shape. The first mounting portion 321 is arranged adjacent
to a long side of the main plate body 31. The second mounting portion 322 is located
at a short side of the main plate body 31, and the end of the second mounting portion
322 is connected to the outer peripheral wall of the main plate body 31. Moreover,
the other end of the second mounting portion 322 extends upwards and then is bent
towards the flange 2111. Further, the other end of the second mounting portion 322
is detachably connected to the flange 2111. Furthermore, the other end of the second
mounting portion 322 is spaced apart from the other end of the first mounting portion
321 in the peripheral direction of the casing 2. Moreover, the steam generator assembly
1 is located below the main plate body 31. Therefore, reliability of the connection
between the mounting plate 3 and the casing 2 can be improved.
[0038] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the mounting
plate 3 is provided with a first positioning portion 33, and the casing 2 is provided
with a second positioning portion. The first positioning portion 33 is engaged with
the second positioning portion 33 to pre-position the mounting plate 3 and the casing
2. Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the outer peripheral
wall of the main plate body 31 is provided with the first positioning portion 33,
and the flange 2111 as described above is provided with the second positioning portion.
Moreover, the first positioning portion 33 is located between the first mounting portion
321 and the second mounting portion 322 in a peripheral direction of the main plate
body 31. Therefore, through the engagement between the first positioning portion 33
and the second positioning portion, the mounting plate 3 and the casing body 21 can
be pre-positioned, to further facilitate realizing the connection between the mounting
plate 3 and the casing 2.
[0039] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first
positioning portion 33 is constructed as a rib, and the second positioning portion
is constructed as a recess. Therefore, through an engagement between the rib and the
recess, positioning can be realized through only a plug-in action, resulting in simple
mounting. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. In other
embodiments, the first positioning portion 33 may be the recess, and the second positioning
portion may be the rib.
[0040] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mounting plate 3 is an integrated
piece. Therefore, the integrated structure not only can ensure structure and performance
stability of the mounting plate 3, but also is convenient to be formed and easy to
be manufactured. Further, redundant assembly parts and connection steps may be removed,
which greatly improves assembly efficiency of the mounting plate 3 and ensures reliability
of a connection of the mounting plate 3. Further, the integrated structure is high
in overall strength and stability, more convenient to be assembled, and long in service
life.
[0041] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the rib and the mounting plate 3 are
integrally formed. Therefore, the integrated structure not only can ensure structure
and performance stability of the rib and the mounting plate 3, but also is convenient
to be formed and easy to be manufactured. Further, redundant assembly parts and connection
steps can be removed, which greatly improves assembly efficiency of the rib and the
mounting plate 3 and ensures reliability of a connection between the ribs and the
mounting plate 3. Further, the integrated structure is high in overall strength and
stability, more convenient to be assembled, and long in service life.
[0042] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the steam
generator assembly 1 includes a protective shell 12 and a steam generator 11. Specifically,
the protective shell 12 has a first aperture (not shown) and a second aperture (not
shown). The steam generator 11 is located in the protective shell 12 and has a housing
111 with a water inlet 1112 and a steam outlet 1113. The water inlet 1112 corresponds
to the first aperture, and the steam outlet 1113 corresponds to the second aperture.
Therefore, by providing the protective shell 12, a protective effect on the steam
generator 11 can be enhanced. In addition, the arrangement of the first aperture may
be used to avoid the water inlet 1112 to facilitate communication between the water
inlet 1112 and a pipeline, and the arrangement of the second aperture may be used
to avoid the steam outlet 1113 to facilitate communication between the steam outlet
1113 and the pipeline.
[0043] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the protective
shell 12 is internally provided with a heat insulation housing 13. The steam generator
11 is located in the heat insulation housing 13. The heat insulation housing 13 has
a first through hole 131 and a second through hole 132. The first through hole 131
and the water inlet 1112 correspond to the first aperture, and the second through
hole 132 and the steam outlet 1113 correspond to the second aperture. Therefore, by
providing the heat insulation housing 13, a heat insulation effect on the steam generator
11 can be enhanced.
[0044] In some specific examples of the present disclosure, the heat insulation housing
13 is formed by assembling two sub-housings. Therefore, the structure is simple, facilitating
the mounting.
[0045] In some implementations of the present disclosure, the heat insulation housing 13
is a foam member. Thus, the cost is low.
[0046] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the steam generator assembly 1 is
detachably connected to the mounting plate 3. Therefore, the structure is simple,
which is convenient for disassembly and assembly.
[0047] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the housing
111 has a first fastening hole 11111. The mounting plate 3 has a second fastening
hole 311. The protective shell 12 has an avoidance hole 123. The first fastening hole
11111, the avoidance hole 123, and the second fastening hole 311 correspond to each
other. The laundry treatment device 100 includes a fastener sequentially passing through
the first fastening hole 11111, the avoidance hole 123, and the second fastening hole
311. Therefore, it is possible to realize a detachable connection between the steam
generator assembly 1 and the mounting plated 3.
[0048] For example, the mounting plate 3 has a plurality of second fastening holes 311.
A top wall of the housing 111 is provided with a plurality of studs 1111, and each
of the plurality of studs 1111 has the first fastening hole 11111. The protective
shell 12 has a plurality of avoidance holes 123 arranged at intervals. The heat insulation
housing 13 has a plurality of avoidance apertures. The plurality of fasteners such
as screws, the plurality of first fastening holes 11111, the plurality of second fastening
holes 311, the plurality of avoidance apertures, and the plurality of avoidance holes
123 correspond to each other. The fasteners sequentially pass through the corresponding
first fastening holes 11111, the avoidance apertures, the avoidance holes 123, and
the second fastening holes 311, thereby achieving the connection between the steam
generator assembly 1 and the mounting plate 3. Further, reliability of the connection
between the steam generator assembly 1 and the mounting plate 3 can be improved.
[0049] A specific structure of the steam generator 11 according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure will be described below.
[0050] A laundry treatment device 100 includes a steam generator assembly 1. The steam generator
assembly 1 includes a steam generator 11, and the steam generator 11 may include a
housing 111, a partition 112, and a heating element (not shown).
[0051] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the housing 111 has a water
inlet 1112 and a steam outlet 1113. The partition 112 is disposed in the housing 111
to divide the housing 111 into a first chamber a and a second chamber b. The water
inlet 1112 is in communication with the first chamber a. The steam outlet 1113 is
in communication with the second chamber b. The first chamber a is in communication
with the second chamber b through a communication channel c. The heating element is
disposed in the housing 111 to at least heat the first chamber a. In this way, external
water may enter the first chamber a through the water inlet 1112, and the heating
element can heat the water entering the first chamber a to form steam. Moreover, the
steam may enter the second chamber b through the communication channel c. The steam
entering the second chamber b may further flow in the second chamber b and be discharged
through the steam outlet 1113, and then discharged into an inner tub of the laundry
treatment device 100, to achieve micro-dry cleaning of the laundry.
[0052] Specifically, an angle is formed between a plane where an inlet end of the steam
outlet 1113 is located and a plane where an outlet end of the communication channel
c is located. That is, the plane where the inlet end of the steam outlet 1113 is located
is angled to the plane where the outlet end of the communication channel c is located,
rather than being parallel to the plane where the outlet end of the communication
channel c is located. With such an arrangement, it is possible to prolong a flow path
of the steam in the second chamber b. Moreover, during a flow of the steam from the
communication channel c to the steam outlet 1113, the airflow will be diverted, and
thus water drops of large particles can be removed from the diverted airflow by means
of the gravity and inertia. Therefore, dryness of the steam discharged through the
steam outlet 1113 can be ensured, and thus it is possible to prevent water carried
by the steam from being sprayed out of the steam outlet 1113.
[0053] For the steam generator 11 of the laundry treatment device 100 according to the embodiments
of the present disclosure, the predetermined angle is formed between the plane where
the inlet end of the steam outlet 1113 is located and the plane where the outlet end
of the communication channel c is located. With this arrangement, it is beneficial
to prolong the flow path of the steam in the second chamber b. Moreover, during the
flow of the steam from the communication channel c to the steam outlet 1113, the airflow
will be diverted, and thus water drops of large particles can be removed from the
diverted airflow by means of the gravity and inertia. Therefore, the dryness of the
steam discharged from the steam outlet 1113 can be ensured, and thus it is possible
to prevent water carried by the steam from being sprayed of the steam outlet 1113.
[0054] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, referring to FIG. 11, the first chamber
a and the second chamber b are arranged in an up-down direction. The first chamber
a is located below the second chamber b, and the water inlet 1112 is located at a
peripheral wall or a bottom wall of the first chamber a. Specifically, the partition
112 is horizontally arranged in the housing 111 to divide the housing 111 into an
upper second chamber b and a lower first chamber a. With this arrangement, the structure
is simple, facilitating the mounting of the partition 112.
[0055] However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. In other implementations,
the partition 112 may also be arranged at a predetermined angle with a horizontal
direction. For example, an angle between the partition 112 and the horizontal direction
ranges between 0 to 45°. Specifically, the angle between the partition 112 and the
horizontal direction is 10°, 15°, 20°, or 25°.
[0056] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the steam outlet 1113 is formed at
a peripheral wall of the second chamber b. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11,
the partition 112 is horizontally arranged in the housing 111 to divide the housing
111 into the upper second chamber b and the lower first chamber a. The communication
channel c is formed at the partition 112, and the steam outlet 1113 is formed at the
peripheral wall of the second chamber b. With such an arrangement, a plane where an
air inlet end of the steam outlet 1113 is located is perpendicular to a plane where
an air outlet end of the communication channel c is located. In this way, the steam
will be diverted by a large angle when flowing from the communication channel c towards
the steam outlet 1113, and thus water drops of large particles can be removed from
the diverted airflow by means of the gravity and inertia. Therefore, dryness of the
steam discharged through the steam outlet 1113 can be increased, and thus it is possible
to prevent water carried by the steam from being sprayed out of the steam outlet 1113.
[0057] However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard. In other implementations,
the outer peripheral wall of the housing 111 is provided with a connection portion
having a communication channel in communication with the first chamber a and the second
chamber b.
[0058] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 11, one communication
channel c is provided and is formed at an end of the partition 112 in a length direction
of the partition 112. Moreover, the steam outlet 1113 is formed adjacent to the other
end of the partition 112 in the length direction of the partition 112. Specifically,
in a horizontal plane, the communication channel c and the steam outlet 1113 are respectively
located at two sides of a symmetric line of the partition 112 in a width direction
of the partition 112. In this way, it is advantageous to prolong a flow path of the
steam from the communication channel c to the steam outlet 1113. Therefore, the water
drops of the large particles can be greatly removed from the diverted steam by means
of the gravity and inertia. Therefore, it is possible to increase the dryness of the
steam and prevent the water carried in the steam from being sprayed out of the steam
outlet 1113.
[0059] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the housing
111 includes a bottom housing 114 and a top cover 115. A top of the bottom housing
114 is opened, and the top cover 115 removably covers the top of the bottom housing
114. Therefore, by arranging the bottom housing 114 to be detachably connected to
the top cover 115, components in the housing 111 such as the partition 112 can be
conveniently mounted and replaced.
[0060] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the heating element may be disposed
in the bottom housing 114. For example, the heating element is integrally disposed
within the bottom housing 114. Therefore, the integrated structure not only can ensure
structure and performance stability of the heating element and the bottom housing
114, but also is convenient to be formed and easy to be manufactured. Further, redundant
assembly parts and connection steps can be removed, which greatly improves assembly
efficiency of the heating element and the bottom housing 114 and ensures reliability
of a connection between the heating element and the bottom housing 114. Furthermore,
the integrated structure is high in overall strength and stability, more convenient
to be assembled, and long in service life.
[0061] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the partition 112 is disposed in the
bottom housing 114. An inner peripheral wall of the bottom housing 114 is provided
with a positioning rib 1141. The top cover 115 is provided with an abutting rib 1151.
The partition 112 is supported on a top wall of the positioning rib 1141 and abuts
with the abutting rib 1151. Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 11 and
FIG. 12, the inner peripheral wall of the bottom housing 114 is provided with a plurality
of positioning ribs 1141, and the plurality of positioning ribs 1141 is arranged at
intervals in a peripheral direction of the bottom housing 114. The top cover 115 is
provided with a plurality of abutting ribs 1151, and the plurality of abutting ribs
1151 is arranged at intervals in the peripheral direction of the bottom housing 114.
A lower surface of the partition 112 is supported on the plurality of positioning
ribs 1141. In this way, each of the abutting ribs 1151 on the top cover 115 abuts
with an upper surface of the partition 112 when the bottom housing 114 is connected
to the top cover 115, to fix the partition 112. With this arrangement, the assembly
is simple. Moreover, the arrangement of the abutting ribs 1151 on the top cover 115
is also beneficial to improving structural strength of the top cover 115, and the
arrangement of the positioning ribs 1141 at the inner peripheral wall of the bottom
housing 114 is also advantageous to improving structural strength of the bottom housing
114.
[0062] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bottom housing 114 and the positioning
rib 1141 are integrally formed. Therefore, the integrated structure not only can ensure
structure and performance stability of the bottom housing 114 and the positioning
rib 1141, but also is convenient to be formed and easy to be manufactured. Further,
redundant assembly parts and connection steps can be removed, which greatly improves
assembly efficiency of the bottom housing 114 and the positioning rib 1141 and ensures
reliability of a connection between the bottom housing 114 and the positioning rib
1141. Furthermore, the integrated structure is high in overall strength and stability,
more convenient to be assembled, and long in service life.
[0063] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the top cover 115 and the abutting
rib 1151 are integrally formed. Therefore, the integrated structure not only can ensure
structure and performance stability of the top cover 115 and the abutting rib 1151,
but also is convenient to be formed and easy to be manufactured. Further, redundant
assembly parts and connection steps can be removed, which greatly improves assembly
efficiency of the top cover 115 and the abutting rib 1151 and ensures reliability
of a connection between the top cover 115 and the abutting rib 1151. Furthermore,
the integrated structure is high in overall strength and stability, more convenient
to be assembled, and long in service life.
[0064] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the top
cover 115 has an accommodation cavity d with an open bottom, and an end surface of
an open end of the top cover 115 is provided with the abutting rib 1151. In this way,
the second chamber b is defined by the accommodation cavity d, a space of the bottom
housing 114 located at the partition 112 and adjacent to the accommodation cavity
d, and the partition 112 together, and the steam outlet 1113 is formed at a peripheral
wall of the top cover 115. This arrangement not only ensures simplicity in structure,
but also results in a more reasonable structural layout.
[0065] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the steam
generator 11 includes a filtration component 116 disposed in the second chamber b.
In a flow direction of the airflow, the filtration component 116 is located between
the communication channel c and the steam outlet 1113. Therefore, during the flow
of the airflow in the second chamber b, the airflow necessarily flows through the
filtration component 116. The filtration component 116 can filter the steam, allowing
droplets of water in the steam to flow along the filtration component 116 due to gravity,
to allow small droplets of water to be filtered out. With this arrangement, the dryness
of the airflow discharged through the steam outlet 1113 can be further increased,
and thus it is possible to prevent the water carried in the steam from being sprayed
out of the steam outlet 1113.
[0066] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the filtration component 116 is arranged
parallel to the air inlet end of the steam outlet 1113, or the filtration component
116 is parallel to the air outlet end of the communication channel c. Therefore, the
structure is simple, facilitating processing and manufacturing. Moreover, filtering
effect can be enhanced.
[0067] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the steam
generator 11 includes a baffle 117. The baffle 117 is disposed in the housing 111
and directly faces towards the steam outlet 1113. Therefore, by providing the baffle
117, when the airflow flows towards the steam outlet 1113, the airflow necessarily
collides with the baffle 117, and then enters the steam outlet 1113 through a gap
between a surface of the baffle 117 adjacent to the steam outlet 1113 and an inner
wall of the housing 111, thereby further filtering the water droplets from the steam
through the blocking of the baffle 117, to ensure that dry steam can be sprayed out
of the steam outlet 1113.
[0068] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the baffle 117 may be provided at
the top cover 115, and the baffle 117 and the top cover 115 may be integrally formed.
Therefore, the integrated structure not only can ensure structure and performance
stability of the baffle 117 and the top cover 115, but also is convenient to be formed
and easy to be manufactured. Further, redundant assembly parts and connection steps
can be removed, which greatly improves assembly efficiency of the baffle 117 and the
top cover 115 and ensures reliability of a connection between the baffle 117 and the
top cover 115. Furthermore, the integrated structure is high in overall strength and
stability, more convenient to be assembled, and long in service life.
[0069] For the steam generator assembly 1 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure,
by providing the steam generator 11, the angle is formed between the plane where the
inlet end of the steam outlet 1113 is located and the plane where the outlet end of
the communication channel c is located. With this arrangement, it is beneficial to
prolong the flow path of the steam in the second chamber b. Moreover, during the flow
of the steam from the communication channel c to the steam outlet 1113, the airflow
will be diverted, and the water drops of the large particles can be removed from the
diverted steam by means of the gravity and inertia. Therefore, the dryness of the
steam discharged through the steam outlet 1113 can be ensured, and thus it is possible
to prevent the water carried in the steam from being sprayed out of the steam outlet
1113.
[0070] For the laundry treatment device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure,
by providing the steam generator assembly 1 as described above, the angle is formed
between the plane where the inlet end of the steam outlet 1113 is located and the
plane where the outlet end of the communication channel c is located. With this arrangement,
it is beneficial to prolong the flow path of the steam in the second chamber b. Moreover,
during the flow of the steam from the communication channel c to the steam outlet
1113, the airflow will be diverted, and the water drops of the large particles can
be removed from the diverted steam by means of the gravity and inertia. Therefore,
the dryness of the steam discharged through the steam outlet 1113 can be ensured,
and thus it is possible to prevent the water carried in the steam from being sprayed
out of the steam outlet 1113.
[0071] The steam generator system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will
be described below.
[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8, a steam generator system according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure may include a steam generator 11 and a pressure adjustment
member 5.
[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the pressure adjustment member 5 includes a
communication pipe 51 and a pressure adjustment portion. The pressure adjustment portion
is disposed at a wall of the communication pipe 51 and is configured to adjust pressure
in the communication pipe 51. One of the water inlet 1112 and the steam outlet 1113
is in communication with the communication pipe 51 of the pressure adjustment member
5, or the water inlet 1112 and the steam outlet 1113 are in communication with the
communication pipes 51 of different pressure adjustment members 5, respectively.
[0074] Specifically, since the communication pipe 51 is connected to the steam generator
11, an adjustment on a pressure in the housing 111 of the steam generator 11 can be
achieved by adjusting the pressure in the communication pipe 51. In this way, when
the pressure in the housing 111 of the steam generator 11 is abnormal, for example,
when the pressure is increased due to an abnormal temperature rise of the heating
element, the pressure in the communication pipe 51 can be relieved through the pressure
adjustment portion, which in turn relieves the pressure of the steam generator 11.
Therefore, it is advantageous to improve reliability of operation of the steam generator
11. Moreover, the structure is simple, eliminating the need for an additional safety
valve at the steam generator 11. Therefore, the structure of the steam generator 11
can be simplified, thereby removing steps of re-checking safety of the steam generator
11 after an abnormal pressure occurs on the safety valve.
[0075] For the steam generator system according to the embodiments of the present disclosure,
since the communication pipe 51 is connected to the steam generator 11, the adjustment
on the pressure in the housing 111 of the steam generator 11 can be realized by adjusting
the pressure in the communication pipe 51. In this way, when the pressure in the housing
111 of the steam generator 11 is abnormal, for example, when the pressure is increased
due to the abnormal temperature rise of the heating element, the pressure in the communication
pipe 51 can be relieved through the pressure adjustment portion, which in turn relieves
the pressure of the steam generator 11. Therefore, it is advantageous to improve reliability
of operation of the steam generator 11. Moreover, the structure is simple, eliminating
the need for the additional safety valve at the steam generator 11. Therefore, the
structure of the steam generator 11 can be simplified, thereby removing steps of re-checking
safety of the steam generator 11 after an abnormal pressure occurs on the safety valve.
[0076] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressure adjustment portion is
constructed as a pressure relief hole 52 penetrating the pipe wall of the communication
pipe 51. Moreover, a cross-sectional area of the pressure relief hole 52 is smaller
than a cross-sectional area of the communication pipe 51. As a result, the structure
is simple, and it is also convenient for manufacturing and processing. Meanwhile,
pressure relief effect can be improved.
[0077] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an equivalent diameter of the pressure
relief hole 52 is smaller than or equal to 1.5 mm. For example, the pressure relief
hole 52 has an equivalent diameter of 1.3 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.1 mm, 1 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.5 mm,
or 0.2 mm. Therefore, by setting the equivalent diameter of the pressure relief hole
52 smaller than or equal to 1.5 mm, both the pressure relief effect and normal flow
of the fluid between the communication pipe 51 and the steam generator 11 can be ensured,
preventing the fluid in the communication pipe 51 from being used for pressure relief
and discharged due to an overlarge size of the pressure relief hole 52, rather than
normally flowing into the steam generator 11, or preventing the fluid of the steam
generator 11 from being used for pressure relief and discharged through the pressure
relief hole 52, rather than being delivered into the inner tub through the communication
pipe 51.
[0078] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the steam generator system includes
a storage box. The pressure relief hole 52 is adapted to be in communication with
the storage box. Therefore, the fluid discharged through the pressure relief hole
52 can be discharged into the storage box, thereby preventing water from flowing onto
the electrical device, which may result in damage to the electrical device.
[0079] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the storage box is a laundry treatment
agent box 4. Therefore, the existing laundry treatment agent box 4 of the laundry
treatment device 100 can be used as the storage box for receiving the fluid discharged
through the pressure relief hole 52 without providing an additional storage box. Therefore,
the structure is more compact, thereby facilitating cost saving.
[0080] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the storage box and the pressure adjustment
member 5 are integrally formed. Therefore, the integrated structure not only can ensure
structure and performance stability of the storage box and the pressure adjustment
member 5, but also is convenient to be formed and easy to be manufactured. Further,
redundant assembly parts and connection steps can be removed, which greatly improves
assembly efficiency of the storage box and the pressure adjustment member 5 and ensures
reliability of a connection between the storage box and the pressure adjustment member
5. Furthermore, the integrated structure is high in overall strength and stability,
more convenient to be assembled, and long in service life.
[0081] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the pressure
adjustment member 5 includes a connection pipe 53. The connection pipe 53 has an end
connected to an outer circumferential wall of the communication pipe 51 and another
end inserted into the storage box. The connection pipe 53 is arranged around the pressure
relief hole 52. Therefore, the structure is simple, and the arrangement of the connection
pipe 53 also facilitates guiding of the fluid discharged through the pressure relief
hole 52. Therefore, it is possible to ensure that the fluid flowing out of the pressure
relief hole 52 can reliably flow into the storage box.
[0082] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a wall thickness
m of a part of the pipe wall of the communication pipe 51 located between an inner
circumferential wall of the pressure relief hole 52 and an inner circumferential wall
of the connection pipe 53 is smaller than wall thicknesses of other parts of the communication
pipe 51. Therefore, when there is an excessive pressure in the housing 111 of the
steam generator 11 and water continuously enters the housing 111 from the communication
pipe 51, the excessive pressure in the communication pipe 51 causes the part of the
pipe wall of the communication pipe 51 between the inner circumferential wall of the
pressure relief hole 52 and the inner circumferential wall of the connection pipe
53 to be broken, thereby allowing the water in the communication pipe 51 to enter
the storage box through the connection pipe 53, greatly relieving the pressure in
the communication pipe 51. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the steam generator
11 from being damaged.
[0083] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the wall
thickness m of the part of the pipe wall of the communication pipe 51 located between
the inner circumferential wall of the pressure relief hole 52 and the inner circumferential
wall of the connection pipe 53 is smaller than or equal to 1 mm. For example, the
wall thickness m of the part of the pipe wall of the communication pipe 51 located
between the inner circumferential wall of the pressure relief hole 52 and the inner
circumferential wall of the connection pipe 53 is 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, or 0.8 mm.
By setting the wall thickness of the part of the pipe wall of the communication pipe
51 located between the inner circumferential wall of the pressure relief hole 52 and
the inner circumferential wall of the connection pipe 53 smaller than or equal to
1 mm, when there is the excessive pressure in the housing 111 of the steam generator
11 and the water continuously enters the housing 111 from the communication pipe 51,
the excessive pressure in the communication pipe 51 causes the part to be broken,
thereby allowing the water in the communication pipe 51 to enter the storage box through
the connection pipe 53, greatly relieving the pressure in the communication pipe 51.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the steam generator 11 from being damaged.
[0084] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the laundry treatment device 100 includes
a water supply valve 54. For example, the water supply valve 54 is a solenoid valve
and is in communication with the water inlet 1112 through the communication pipe 51.
Therefore, by providing the water supply valve 54, the water supply of the laundry
treatment device 100 can be more intelligent.
[0085] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the water
supply valve 54 is in communication with the communication pipe 51 through a flexible
pipe 55, and/or the communication pipe 51 is in communication with the water inlet
1112 through a flexible pipe 55. That is, a communication between the water supply
valve 54 and the communication pipe 51 may be realized through the flexible pipe 55,
or a communication between the communication pipe 51 and the water inlet 1112 may
be realized through the flexible pipe 55, or the communication between the water supply
valve 54 and the communication pipe 51 as well as the communication between the communication
pipe 51 and the water inlet 1112 are both realized through the flexible pipe 55. Since
the flexible pipe 55 can be freely bent, the arrangement of the flexible pipe 55 would
not occupy more mounting space, allowing for more compact structure of the steam generator
system.
[0086] In some specific examples of the present disclosure, the flexible pipe 55 may be
a corrugated pipe, a rubber pipe, a silicone pipe, or a plastic pipe. Thus, the cost
is low.
[0087] For the laundry treatment device 100 according to the embodiments of the present
disclosure, by providing the steam generator system as described above, since the
communication pipe 51 is connected to the steam generator 11, the adjustment on the
pressure in the housing 111 of the steam generator 11 can be realized by adjusting
the pressure in the communication pipe 51. In this way, when the pressure in the housing
111 of the steam generator 11 is abnormal, for example, when the pressure is increased
due to the abnormal temperature rise of the heating element, the pressure in the communication
pipe 51 can be relieved through the pressure adjustment portion, which in turn relieves
the pressure of the steam generator 11. Therefore, it is advantageous to improve the
reliability of the operation of the steam generator 11. Moreover, the structure is
simple, eliminating the need for an additional safety valve at the steam generator
11. Therefore, the structure of the steam generator 11 can be simplified, thereby
removing the step of re-checking the safety of the steam generator 11 after the abnormal
pressure occurs on the safety valve.
[0088] In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the orientation
or position relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse",
"length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right",
"vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise",
"axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., is based on the orientation or position
relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing
the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or
implying that the associated device or element must have a specific orientation, or
be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood
as a limitation of the present disclosure. In addition, the features associated with
"first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features.
In the description of the present disclosure, "a plurality of' means at least two,
unless otherwise defined. In the present disclosure, the first feature "on", or "under"
the second feature may mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second
feature, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through another
feature between the first and second features. Moreover, the first feature "above"
or "over" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or
obliquely above the second feature, or simply mean that the level of the first feature
is higher than that of the second feature.
[0089] In the description of this specification, descriptions with reference to the terms
"an embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "examples", "specific
examples", or "some examples" etc. mean that specific features, structure, materials
or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included
in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. In this specification,
the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same
embodiment or example. Moreover, the described specific features, structures, materials
or characteristics may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a
suitable manner.
[0090] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described,
it is conceivable for those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes, modifications,
replacements, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from
the principles and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure
shall be defined by the claims as appended and their equivalents.