Clothes dryer having a steam generator using a hot air heater

Abstract

A dryer having a steam generator having high energy efficiency and incurring a low fabrication cost is disclosed. The dryer includes: a drum rotatably mounted in the interior of a main body and accommodating the laundry; a duct guiding air supplied to the drum; a heater assembly provided within the duct and heating air supplied to the drum; and a steam generator disposed to be adjacent to the heater assembly and generating steam to be supplied to the drum by using heat generated by the heater assembly.

1 . A dryer comprising:
 a drum rotatably mounted in the interior of a main body;   a duct guiding air supplied to the drum;   a heater assembly provided within the duct and heating air supplied to the drum; and   a steam generator generating steam to be supplied to the drum by using heat generated by the heater assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The dryer of  claim 1 , wherein the steam generator is a metal pipe bent zigzags near the heater assembly, and receives radiant heat and convective heat from the heater assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The dryer of  claim 2 , wherein the steam generator is disposed in the vicinity of an air discharge portion of the heater assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The dryer of  claim 3 , wherein the steam generator is formed to surround the heater assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The dryer of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a steam hose having one end connected to the steam generator and guiding steam discharged from the steam generator; and   a nozzle provided at the other end of the steam hose and jetting steam to the drum.   
     
     
         6 . The dryer of  claim 5 , wherein the steam hose is installed to be in contact with the duct. 
     
     
         7 . The dryer of  claim 1 , wherein the steam generator is formed of an aluminum pipe or a copper pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The dryer of  claim 1 , wherein the steam generator comprises a first generator disposed at an upper side of the heater assembly and a second generator disposed at a lower side of the heater assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The dryer of  claim 8 , wherein the steam generator further comprises a third generator connecting the first and second generators and disposed to be adjacent to a side portion of the heater assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The dryer of  claim 9 , wherein the third generator is disposed to be adjacent to a side portion of the heater assembly from which heated air is discharged. 
     
     
         11 . The dryer of  claim 8 , wherein the steam generator further comprises an auxiliary generator disposed within the duct such that it is connected with the steam generator, and re-heating steam discharged from the steam generator. 
     
     
         12 . The dryer of  claim 11 , wherein the auxiliary generator extends up to a discharge hole of the duct communicating with the drum along the duct, and a nozzle is mounted at the end of the auxiliary generator in order to jet steam to the interior of the drum from the discharge hole. 
     
     
         13 . The dryer of  claim 11 , wherein the auxiliary generator is configured as a metal pipe extending elongatedly along the duct. 
     
     
         14 . The dryer of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a steam hose connected to the steam generator and guiding steam discharged from the steam generator; and   a nozzle provided to the end of the steam hose and jetting steam to the interior of the drum.   
     
     
         15 . The dryer of  claim 14 , wherein the nozzle is installed at a rear supporter rotatably supporting a rear end portion of the drum, or at the duct. 
     
     
         16 . The dryer of  claim 14 , wherein the auxiliary generator extends up to the discharge hole of the duct communicating with the drum, and the nozzle is mounted at the end of the auxiliary generator to jet steam to the interior of the drum from the discharge hole. 
     
     
         17 . The dryer of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a reservoir storing water supplied to the steam generator; and   a water supply hose guiding water from the reservoir to the steam generator.   
     
     
         18 . The dryer of  claim 17 , wherein the reservoir is configured as a cartridge detachably installed at a drawer which is installed at a front upper portion of the main body such that it can be drawn out. 
     
     
         19 . The dryer of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a pump or a valve for opening and shutting the water supply hose.   
     
     
         20 . The dryer of  claim 8 , wherein the steam generator is formed of an aluminum pipe or a copper pipe.