Steam generator and laundry treatment machine having the same

Abstract

A steam generator and a laundry treatment machine having the same are provided, in which the steam generator includes a housing, a heater and a temperature controller, in which the housing defines a steam generating cavity therein and has a water inlet and a steam outlet in communication with the steam generating cavity, and the heater is disposed in the steam generating cavity, the temperature controller is disposed in the steam generating cavity and is connected to the heater, and the temperature controller is configured to detect the temperature of the heater, the temperature controller controls the heater to heat up and the water inlet to close when the temperature of the heater is below a predetermined temperature, and controls the heater to stop heating and the water inlet to open when the temperature of the heater reaches a predetermined temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A steam generator comprising:
 a housing, wherein the housing defines a steam generating cavity therein and has a water inlet and a steam outlet in communication with the steam generating cavity;   a heater disposed in the steam generating cavity; and   a temperature controller disposed in the steam generating cavity, being connected to the heater and configured to detect a temperature of the heater, wherein the temperature controller controls the heater to heat up and the water inlet to close when the temperature of the heater is below a predetermined temperature, and controls the heater to stop heating and the water inlet to open when the temperature of the heater reaches a predetermined temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a water inlet valve disposed in the water inlet, being connected to the temperature controller and controlled to be opened and closed by the temperature controller. 
     
     
         3 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the heater is disposed on a bottom of the steam generating cavity and the water inlet is disposed adjacent to the heater. 
     
     
         4 . The steam generator according to  claim 3 , wherein the housing further defines a limescale storage cavity therein, wherein the limescale storage cavity is in communication with the bottom of the steam generating cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The steam generator according to  claim 4 , wherein a horizontal height of a bottom of the limescale storage cavity is lower than that of the bottom of the steam generating cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The steam generator according to  claim 5 , wherein a horizontal height of a top of the limescale storage cavity is equal to that of a top of the heater. 
     
     
         7 . The steam generator according to  claim 4 , wherein the water inlet is disposed on a first side of the housing and the limescale storage cavity is disposed on a second side of the housing opposite to the water inlet. 
     
     
         8 . The steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are detachably connected. 
     
     
         9 . The steam generator according to  claim 2 , wherein the housing comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are detachably connected. 
     
     
         10 . The steam generator according to  claim 3 , wherein the housing comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are detachably connected. 
     
     
         11 . The steam generator according to  claim 4 , wherein the housing comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are detachably connected. 
     
     
         12 . The steam generator according to  claim 5 , wherein the housing comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are detachably connected. 
     
     
         13 . The steam generator according to  claim 6 , wherein the housing comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are detachably connected. 
     
     
         14 . The steam generator according to  claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises an upper cover and a lower cover, wherein the upper cover and the lower cover are detachably connected. 
     
     
         15 . The steam generator according to  claim 8 , wherein, a bottom of the upper cover is provided with a sealing groove, the sealing groove is provided with a sealing ring therein and the lower cover and the upper cover are fitted with each other, so as to press the sealing ring tightly. 
     
     
         16 . A laundry treatment machine comprising a steam generator, wherein the steam generator comprises:
 a housing, wherein the housing defines a steam generating cavity therein and has a water inlet and a steam outlet in communication with the steam generating cavity;   a heater disposed in the steam generating cavity; and   a temperature controller disposed in the steam generating cavity, being connected to the heater and configured to detect a temperature of the heater, wherein the temperature controller controls the heater to heat up and the water inlet to close when the temperature of the heater is below a predetermined temperature, and controls the heater to stop heating and the water inlet to open when the temperature of the heater reaches a predetermined temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The laundry treatment machine according to  claim 16 , wherein the laundry treatment machine is configured as a drum-type washer. 
     
     
         18 . The laundry treatment machine according to claim  19 , wherein the laundry treatment machine is configured as a clothes dryer.