Laundry machine

The present invention relates to a laundry machine. The laundry machine includes a drum rotatably mounted in a cabinet, a hot air heater to heat air and supply hot air into the drum, a steam generator to supply steam into the drum, a water supply source detachably mounted in the cabinet to supply water into the steam generator, and a water leakage preventing unit to prevent water leakage when the water supply source is detachably mounted.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0128696, filed on Dec. 15, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a laundry machine, and more particularly, to a steam laundry dryer which can prevent generation of water leakage in the steam laundry dryer.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Laundry dryers are typically electric appliances that dry washed laundry, mainly washed clothes, by using high temperature air. In general, a laundry dryer is configured of a drum, a driving source, heating means and a blower unit. Laundry is held in the drum, and the driving source drives the drum. The heating means heats air drawn into the drum. The blower unit sucks air into the drum, or discharges air outside the drum.

Laundry dryers may be categorized, based on a method of heating air, i.e., heating means, into electric type laundry dryers and gas type laundry dryers. In an electric type laundry dryer, air is heated by using electric resistance heat. In a gas type laundry dryer, air is heated by using heat generated from gas combustion. On the other hand, laundry dryers may be categorized into condensation type laundry dryers and exhaustion type laundry dryers. In a condensation type laundry dryer, air is heat-exchanged with laundry in the drum and the damp air is circulated without being discharged outside the laundry dryer, to be heat-exchanged with external air at an auxiliary condenser. At this time, condensed water is generated and discharged outside. In an exhaustion type laundry dryer, air is heat-exchanged with laundry in the drum and the damp air is directly discharged outside the laundry dryer. Further, laundry dryers may be categorized, based on a method of loading laundry, into top loading type laundry dryers and front loading type laundry dryers. In a top loading type laundry dryer, laundry is loaded into the drum through a top of the laundry dryer. In a front loading type laundry dryer, laundry is loaded into the drum through a front of the laundry dryer.

However, the above conventional laundry dryers have the following problems.

Commonly, the washed and dehydrated laundry is loaded and dried in the laundry dryer. In view of a principle of water washing, the washed laundry has wrinkles, and the wrinkles are not removed during a drying process in the laundry dryer. As a result, the conventional laundry dryer has a shortcoming that a user should iron out the dried laundry to remove the wrinkles.

Moreover, in case that clothes besides the washed laundry are kept and used, the clothes may have wrinkles, crumples and fold marks (hereinafter, commonly referred to as “wrinkles”). Accordingly, there have been demands for development of devices capable of also easily removing the wrinkles generated by the common usage and keeping of the clothes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a steam laundry dryer that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a steam laundry dryer that can remove wrinkles of laundry.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a steam laundry dryer that can prevent generation of water leakage in the steam laundry dryer.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a steam laundry dryer comprises: a drum rotatably mounted in a cabinet; a hot air heater to heat air and supply hot air into the drum; a steam generator to supply steam into the drum; a water supply source detachably mounted in the cabinet to supply water into the steam generator; and a water leakage preventing unit to prevent water leakage when the water supply source is detachably mounted.

The steam generator is to generate steam to supply into the drum. Instead of the steam generator, other device can be used as long as the device is appropriate to supply fine droplets of water into the drum. For example, a spray nozzle can be used to supply fine droplets of water. The spray nozzle is well known as a nozzle which turns water into fine droplets of water. The spray nozzle can be mounted at a location, like a rear support for the drum, appropriate to supply the fine droplets into the drum and connected to the water supply source by a hose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention associated with a steam laundry dryer, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. For convenience of explanation of a steam laundry dryer according to the present invention, a top loading type, electric type and condensation type laundry dryer will be exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example, and also can be applied to a front loading type, gas type and condensation type laundry dryer.

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view illustrating a steam laundry dryer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2is a longitudinal-sectional view ofFIG. 1.

A steam laundry dryer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

A cabinet10defines an exterior appearance of the steam laundry dryer according to the present invention, and houses components described below. Inside the cabinet10are mounted a rotatable drum20, and a motor70and a belt68to drive the drum20. A heater90(hereinafter, referred to as “hot air heater”) is mounted in a predetermined portion of the cabinet10to create air of a high temperature (hereinafter, referred to as “hot air”) by heating the air. A hot air supply duct44is mounted in a predetermined portion of the cabinet10to supply the hot air generated from the hot air heater90into the drum20. Also, there are provided an exhaustion duct80and a blower unit60in the cabinet10. The damp air heat-exchanged with the laundry in the drum20is discharged outside the drum20through the exhaustion duct80, and the damp air is sucked by the blower unit60. A steam generator200is mounted in a predetermined portion of the cabinet10to generate steam of a high temperature.

For convenience of explanation, this embodiment shows and describes an indirect drive type such that the drum20is rotated by the motor70and the belt68, however the present invention is not limited thereto. In other words, the present invention also can be applied to a direct drive type such that the drum20is directly rotated by directly connecting the motor to a rear surface of the drum20.

The aforesaid components will now be explained in detail.

The cabinet10defining the exterior appearance of the laundry dryer includes a base12forming a bottom surface, a pair of side covers14vertically mounted to the base12, a front cover16mounted to front surfaces of the side covers14, a rear cover18mounted to rear surfaces of the side covers14, and a top cover17mounted to top surfaces of the side covers14. A control panel19having various operational switches is positioned on the top cover17or the front cover16, and a door164is coupled to the front cover16. An air inlet182and an air outlet184are provided at the rear cover18. External air is drawn through the air inlet182, and the air in the drum20is discharged outside through the air outlet184that is a final path to the outside.

An inner space of the drum20is employed as a drying chamber for drying the laundry. It is preferred that a lifter22is installed in the drum20to lift and drop the laundry, so that the laundry is turned over to enhance drying efficiency.

A front supporter30and a rear supporter40are provided between the drum20and the cabinet10. More particularly, the front supporter30is provided between the drum20and the front cover16, and the rear supporter40is provided between the drum20and the rear cover18. The drum20is rotatably mounted between the front supporter30and the rear supporter40, and sealing members (not shown) for preventing water leakage are provided between the front supporter30and the drum20and between the drum20and the rear supporter40. The front supporter30and the rear supporter40shield a front surface and a rear surface of the drum20, respectively, to form the drying chamber and support a front end and a rear end of the drum20.

An opening is formed at the front supporter30to communicate the drum20with the outside of the laundry dryer. The opening is selectively opened and closed by the door164. A lint duct50, through which the air in the drum20flows outside, is connected to the front supporter30, and a lint filter52is installed at the lint duct50.

A portion of the blower unit60is connected to the lint duct50, and an opposite portion of the blower unit60is connected to the exhaustion duct80. The exhaustion duct80is in communication with the air outlet184provided at the rear cover18.

Accordingly, if the blower unit60operates, the air in the drum20flows through the lint duct50, the exhaustion duct80and the air outlet184in order, and is discharged outside. At this time, foreign substances including lint are filtered by the lint filter52. The blower unit60typically consists of a blower62and a blower housing64. The blower62is commonly connected to the motor70for driving the drum20.

An opening portion42including a plurality of through-holes is formed at the rear supporter40, and the hot air supply duct44is connected to the opening portion42. The hot air supply duct44is in communication with the drum20, and is employed as a path for supplying hot air into the drum20. For this, the hot air heater90is mounted in a predetermined portion of the hot air supply duct44.

The steam generator200is mounted in a predetermined portion of the cabinet10to generate steam and supply the steam into the drum20.

FIG. 3is a sectional view illustrating the steam generator shown inFIG. 1. The steam generator200will now be explained in detail with reference toFIG. 3.

The steam generator200includes a water tank210to store water therein, a heater240mounted in the water tank210, a water level sensor260to detect a water level in the steam generator200, and a temperature sensor270to detect a temperature of the steam generator200. The water level sensor260includes a common electrode262, a low water level electrode264and a high water level electrode266. A high water level is sensed based on whether an electric current is applied between the common electrode262and the high water level electrode266, and a low water level is sensed based on whether an electric current is applied between the common electrode262and the low water level electrode264.

A water supply hose220is connected to a portion of the steam generator200to supply water, and a steam hose230is connected to an opposite portion of the steam generator200to discharge steam. It is preferred that a nozzle250having a predetermined shape is provided at a front end of the steam hose230. An end of the water supply hose220is typically connected to an external water supply source such as a water tap. The front end of the steam hose230or the nozzle250, that is, a steam outlet is positioned at a predetermined portion of the drum20to spray steam into the drum20.

Although this embodiment shows and describes the steam generator200in which the heater240heats the water in the water tank210to generate steam (hereinafter, referred to as “tank heating type steam generator” for convenience of explanation), the present invention is not limited thereto. In other words, any device capable of generating steam may be used as the steam generator in the present invention. For example, a steam generator in which a heater is directly installed around a water supply hose to heat the water flowing through the water supply hose, without storing water in a predetermined space, (hereinafter, referred to as “pipe heating type steam generator” for convenience of explanation) may be applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 4is a schematic view illustrating a steam generator of a steam laundry dryer in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A steam laundry dryer according to another embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference toFIG. 4.

In this embodiment, a water supply source for supplying water to the steam generator200is detachably mounted. The water supply source may be configured as a water tap as described in the previous embodiment. However, in such a case, the installation becomes complicated. This is because the laundry dryer does not commonly use water, if the water tap is used as the water supply source, various devices annexed thereto should be additionally installed. Accordingly, this embodiment using a detachable water supply source300is very convenient in use. In other words, the water supply source300is detached from the laundry dryer to be filled with water, and then the water supply source300filled with water is connected to a water supply passage of the steam generator200, i.e., the water supply hose220.

It is preferred that a pump400is provided between the water supply source300and the steam generator200. More preferably, the pump400can rotate in a forward direction and a reverse direction, so as to supply water into the steam generator200or collect residual water in the steam generator200as needed.

It also may be possible to supply water into the steam generator200by using a difference in water column heights between the water supply source300and the steam generator200, without using the pump400. However, because the components of the steam laundry dryer are typically standardized and designed compactly, a structural space is absolutely small. Therefore, if sizes of the components of the conventional laundry dryer are not changed, the water supply using the difference in water column heights is practically impossible. As a result, it is very useful to use the compact pump400, because the steam generator200can be installed without changing sizes of the components of the conventional laundry dryer. Here, the reason for collecting residual water in the steam generator200is that if the steam generator200is not used for a long period, the heater may be damaged by the residual water or rotten water may be used in the following operation.

While the previous embodiment is configured such that the water supply and the steam exhaustion are achieved through the upper portion of the steam generator200, this embodiment is configured such that water is supplied through the lower portion of the steam generator200and steam is exhausted through the upper portion of the steam generator200. Such a configuration of this embodiment is effective to collect residual water in the steam generator200. Also, it is preferred that a safety valve500is provided at a steam passage for discharging steam from the steam generator200, i.e., the steam hose230.

Hereinafter, the respective components will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the detachable water supply source300(hereinafter, referred to as “cartridge” for convenience of explanation) will be explained in detail with reference toFIG. 5.

The cartridge300includes a lower housing310to substantially store water therein, and an upper housing320detachably coupled to the lower housing310. If the cartridge300is composed by the lower housing310and the upper housing320, it is easy to clean out dirt of water in the cartridge300and to dismantle filters330and340and a water softening member350(which will be described later) to clean and reuse them.

It is preferred that a first filter330is mounted to the upper housing320. In other words, the first filter330is mounted to a water inlet322of the upper housing320, to firstly filter the water supplied into the cartridge300.

A first opening/closing member360(refer toFIG. 6) is provided at the lower housing310to selectively supply water in the cartridge300to the outside. When the cartridge300is detached, the first opening/closing member360blocks the water from being discharged outside the cartridge300. When the cartridge300is installed, the first opening/closing member360permits the water to be discharged outside the cartridge300. It is also preferred that a second filter340for filtering water is connected to the first opening/closing member360. It is more preferred that the second filter340is detachably provided. A concrete constitution of the first opening/closing member360will be explained in detail later.

By using the first filter330and the second filter340, impurities, such as micro dust, contained in water can be filtered off twice. It is preferable to use the first filter330having about 50 mesh nets and the second filter340having about 60 mesh nets. Here, the 50 mesh nets refer to that the number of mesh per a predetermined area is 50. Accordingly, since a size of an air hole composing the mesh of the first filter330is larger than a size of an air hole composing the mesh of the second filter340, the relatively large foreign substances are firstly filtered off by the first filter330, and the relatively small foreign substances are secondarily filtered off by the second filter340.

It is also preferred that a water softening member350for softening water is provided in the cartridge300. It is more preferred that the water softening member350is detachably provided.

The reason for using the water softening member350is as follows. If hardness of water supplied into the steam generator200is high, when calcium hydrogen carbonate (Ca(HCO3)2) dissolved in water is heated, lime (calcium carbobate (CaCO3)) is educed, which may cause corrosion of the heater. Especially, such a phenomenon is accelerated in the European and American continents in which hard water having high hardness is used. Accordingly, it is preferable to prevent the eduction of the lime by using ion exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium ions in advance. Because performance of the ion exchange resin is deteriorated as the water softening process is performed, the ion exchange resin is regenerated by salt (NaCl) and reused. The water softening process by the ion exchange resin is represented as follows: 2(R—SONa)+Ca2<->(R—SO)Ca+2Na. The regenerating process is represented as follows: (R—SO)Ca+2NaCl<->2(R—SONa)+CaCl.

FIG. 6is a partial perspective view illustrating a state of demounting the second filter340from the cartridge300shown inFIG. 5, andFIGS. 7 and 8are partial perspective views illustrating a state of coupling the second filter340inFIG. 6. The mounting/demounting structure of the second filter340and the first opening/closing member360will now be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 6 to 8.

As shown inFIG. 6, the first opening/closing member360is provided at the lower housing310of the cartridge300to communicate the interior of the cartridge300with the exterior. The first opening/closing member360includes a first flow passage362communicating with the cartridge300, and a first pin365(refer toFIG. 10) to selectively open and close the first flow passage362.

The first flow passage362includes an inner flow passage362aand an outer flow passage362b. A latching protrusion361is formed on an outer surface of the inner flow passage362a. The second filter340includes a case341having a shape corresponding to the inner flow passage362a, and a filtering part344provided at a portion of the case341. The case341is formed with a slot portion342at a position corresponding to the latching protrusion361of the inner flow passage362a. The slot portion342is formed in an “L” shape including a horizontal portion and a vertical portion.

Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 7, the second filter340is located such that the latching protrusion361of the inner flow passage362ais fitted into the horizontal portion of the slot portion342of the second filter340. Then, as shown inFIG. 8, if the second filter340is rotated, the coupling of the second filter340and the first opening/closing member360is completed. Since a process of demounting the second filter340from the first opening/closing member360is performed in order reverse to the above, the detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Although the aforesaid embodiment has shown and described that the first filter330, the second filter340and the water softening member350are mounted to the detachable cartridge300, the present invention is not restricted thereto. For example, the present invention also can be applied to a configuration in which an external water tap is used as the water supply source300. In such a case, it is preferred that at least one of the first filter330, the second filter340and the water softening member350is mounted in a water supply passage connected to the steam generator200. It is more preferred that the first filter330, the second filter340and the water softening member350are detachably mounted. Also, the first filter330, the second filter340and the water softening member350may be provided together in a single case, and the case itself may be detachably mounted in the water supply passage.

FIG. 9is a side view illustrating the connecting structure of the cartridge300and the pump400shown inFIG. 4. The connecting structure of the cartridge300and the pump400will now be explained in detail with reference toFIG. 9.

As described above, the cartridge300is detachably mounted, and when the cartridge300is installed in the laundry dryer, the cartridge300is connected to the pump400. At this time, a flow passage connecting the cartridge300and the pump400is formed. When mounting and demounting the cartridge300, it is important to prevent water leakage from the connecting portion between the cartridge300and the pump400. To this end, the steam laundry dryer of this embodiment includes an opening/closing member as a water leakage preventing unit which forms a flow passage to selectively pass water through the connecting portion between the cartridge300and the pump400and prevents water leakage. The opening/closing member may be mounted to at least any one of the cartridge300and the pump400. However, the steam laundry dryer of this embodiment is constituted such that the opening/closing members are mounted to the cartridge300and the pump400one by one, which will be explained hereinafter.

Referring toFIG. 9, the cartridge300and the pump400are connected to each other through first and second opening/closing members360and460. In other words, the flow passage connecting the cartridge300and the pump400is formed by coupling the first and second opening/closing members360and460to each other. Accordingly, the water in the cartridge300flows to the pump400via the first and second opening/closing members360and460, and then flows to the steam generator200via the pump400.

The connecting structure of the first and second opening/closing members360and460will now be explained in detail with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11.

As described above, the cartridge300is provided with the first opening/closing member360which selectively communicates with the exterior of the cartridge300. The first opening/closing member360includes the first flow passage362and the first pin365to selectively open and close the first flow passage362. The first flow passage362includes the inner flow passage362aand the outer flow passage362b. The outer flow passage362bis provided with a sealing member369to prevent water leakage.

In this embodiment, the sealing member369extends perpendicular to an end portion of the outer flow passage362b. Particularly, the sealing member369is configured as a rib type ring which extends perpendicular to the end portion of the outer flow passage362band has a predetermined thickness. The sealing member369and the first and second opening/closing members360and460doubly prevent water leakage, which will be described later. Also, by the sealing member369, the coupling of the first and second opening/closing members360and460is easily achieved, and thus a user can experience a smooth feeling while manipulating the opening/closing members. The first and second opening/closing members360and460are further provided with a guide member to guide the coupling of the first and second opening/closing members360and460, which will be described later.

The first pin365includes a moving part365aand an opening/closing part365bformed at an end of the moving part365a. As shown inFIG. 12, the moving part365ais formed in a substantially cross shape having cross-blades366. Water flows through spaces between the cross-blades366. Preferably, the opening/closing part365bis made of a rubber material.

Referring again toFIG. 10, the first flow passage362includes the inner flow passage362awhich is protrudingly formed inwardly of the cartridge300, and the outer flow passage362bwhich communicates with the inner flow passage362aand is protrudingly formed outwardly of the cartridge300. The moving part365aof the first pin365is supportedly mounted in the outer flow passage362bby the cross-blades366(refer toFIG. 12). A spring364is provided between the moving part365aof the first pin365and the inner flow passage362a. The spring364applies an elastic force to the first pin365, so that the opening/closing part365bof the first pin365blocks the outer flow passage362bwhen the cartridge300is not connected to the pump400.

The second opening/closing member460, which is selectively coupled to the first opening/closing member360, is mounted to an inlet port430of the pump400. The second opening/closing member460has a constitution corresponding to the first opening/closing member360. In other words, the second opening/closing member460includes a second flow passage462connected to the pump400, and a second pin465to selectively open and close the second flow passage462.

The second flow passage462is connected to the inlet port430of the pump400. A guide member495is mounted to an end portion of the second flow passage462, adjacent to the cartridge300, to guide the coupling of the first and second opening/closing members360and460.

It is preferred that the guide member495has an expanded tube shape which is mounted to the end portion of the second flow passage462of the second opening/closing member460and is gradually increased in diameter. Although a center of the first opening/closing member360does not perfectly aligned with a center of the second opening/closing member460, the first and second opening/closing members360and460can be easily and concentrically coupled to each other by the guide member495formed in the expanded tube shape.

Similarly to the first pin365, the second pin465of the second opening/closing member460includes a moving part465aand an opening/closing part465bformed at an end portion of the moving part465a. The moving part465ais formed in a substantially cross shape having cross-blades. A spring464is provided between the moving part465aof the second pin465and the inlet port430of the pump400. When the cartridge300is not installed, the opening/closing part465bof the second pin465blocks the second flow passage462by the spring464.

Hereinafter, the coupling process of the first and second opening/closing members360and460will be explained in detail with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11.

As shown inFIG. 10, when the cartridge300is separated from the second opening/closing member460connected to the pump400, the opening/closing part365bof the first pin365blocks the front end of the outer flow passage362bby the first spring364of the first opening/closing member360. Therefore, the water in the cartridge300does not flow outside through the first flow passage362. Also in the second opening/closing member460connected to the pump400, the opening/closing part465bof the second pin465blocks the second flow passage462by the second spring464.

As shown inFIG. 11, if the cartridge300is installed and the first and second opening/closing members360and460are coupled to each other, the first pin365and the second pin465push each other. Accordingly, the first pin365is pushed toward the inner flow passage362aagainst the elastic force of the first spring364, and the second pin465is pushed toward the pump400against the elastic force of the second spring464. As a result, the opening/closing part365bof the first pin365is separated from the front end of the outer flow passage362bto form a gap therebetween, and the water flows out through the gap. As described above, since the moving part365aof the first pin365is formed with cross-blades366(refer toFIG. 12), the water in the cartridge300flows through the spaces between the cross-blades366, and is discharged outside the outer flow passage362b.

The opening/closing part465bof the second pin465is also separated from the front end of the second flow passage462to form a gap therebetween, and the water flowing out through the first opening/closing member360is supplied into the pump400via the second opening/closing member460through the gap. Since the moving part465aof the second pin465is formed with cross-blades (not shown), the water discharged out of the first opening/closing member360flows into the pump400through the second flow passage462and the spaces between the cross-blades.

When the first and second opening/closing members360and460are coupled to each other, although the centers of the first and second opening/closing members360and460are not perfectly aligned, the first and second opening/closing members360and460can be easily coupled by the guide member495mounted to the end portion of the second opening/closing member460. Also, since the sealing member369formed in the rib type ring is mounted to the end portion of the first opening/closing member360, as shown inFIG. 11, when the first and second opening/closing members360and460are coupled to each other, an end portion of the sealing member369is bent by being contacted with the inner surface of the guide member495, thereby securing the sealing between the first opening/closing member360and the second opening/closing member460.

Although this embodiment has shown and described that the sealing member369is mounted to the first opening/closing member360and the guide member495is mounted to the second opening/closing member460, the present invention is not restricted thereto. The guide member may be mounted to the first opening/closing member360, and the sealing member may be mounted to the second opening/closing member460. Alternatively, both the sealing member and the guide member may be mounted to any one of the first opening/closing member and the second opening/closing member.

FIG. 13is a sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a pump according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 13, the pump400is employed to selectively supply water into the steam generator200. It is preferred that the pump400can rotate in a forward direction and a reverse direction, so as to supply water into the steam generator200or collect water from the steam generator200as needed.

The pump400may be configured as a gear type pump, a pulsating type pump, or a diaphragm type pump. The pulsating type pump and the diaphragm type pump can control the flow of fluid in a forward direction and a reverse direction by changing polarities of a circuit momentarily as needed.

FIG. 13illustrates a gear type pump as an example of the pump400. The gear type pump400includes a case410and a pair of gears420provided in the case410. The case410is provided with an inlet port430and an outlet port414. According to a rotational direction of the gears420, the water flows from the inlet port430to the outlet port414or from the outlet port414to the inlet port430.

FIG. 14is a front view illustrating the steam laundry dryer mounted with the nozzle shown inFIG. 4.

Referring toFIG. 14, the nozzle250is mounted adjacent to the opening portion42for supplying hot air into the drum, so as to spray steam into the drum toward the front surface of the drum from the rear surface. The air is drawn into the drum through the opening portion42formed at the rear supporter40disposed at the rear of the drum, and then flows out to the lint duct50(refer toFIG. 1) provided under the door104disposed at the front of the drum. Accordingly, the air flow passage is defined substantially from the opening portion42to the lint duct50. As a result, if the steam is sprayed toward the lower portion of the door104disposed at the front of the drum from the nozzle250mounted adjacent to the opening portion42disposed at the rear of the drum, the sprayed steam smoothly flows along the air flow passage, thereby evenly reaching the laundry in the drum.

The nozzle250explained in this embodiment can be applied to a laundry dryer without the detachable water supply source300. For example, the nozzle250can be applied to a laundry dryer in which an external water tap is used as the water supply source300.

The installation of the steam generator and other components of a steam line according to the present invention will now be explained with reference toFIG. 15.

A drawer type container700(hereinafter, referred to as “drawer”) is drawably inserted into a predetermined portion of the steam laundry dryer. Preferably, the cartridge300is mounted in the drawer700. In other words, it is preferable to mount the cartridge300in the drawer700and to indirectly connect/disconnect the cartridge300to/from the pump400by inserting/drawing the drawer700, rather than to directly connect the cartridge300to the pump400.

It is preferred that the drawer700is provided at the front surface of the steam laundry dryer, e.g., the control panel19. A supporter820is mounted at the rear of the control panel19. Particularly, the supporter820is mounted substantially parallel with a top frame830, and a drawer guide710is mounted to the supporter820and the top frame830to guide and support the drawer700. Although it is not illustrated in the drawings, it is preferable to provide a top guide at a portion of an upper portion of the drawer guide710.

The upper portion and one side surface (at a direction of the front surface of the steam laundry dryer) of the drawer guide710are opened. The drawer700is inserted and drawn through the front opening portion of the steam laundry dryer, and the pump400is provided at an upper surface of the other side of the drawer guide710.

As described above, it is preferable to mount the drawer700to the front surface of the laundry dryer from an aspect of convenience in use.FIG. 14illustrates the laundry dryer in which the control panel19is mounted to the front cover, and the drawer700is inserted into and drawn out from the control panel19. However, the present invention is not restricted thereto. For example, when the control panel is mounted to a top cover as shown inFIG. 1, it is possible to directly mount the drawer700to the front cover.

When it is designed such that the cartridge300is mounted in the drawer700, it is preferred that at least both side surfaces of the cartridge300are shaped corresponding to both side surfaces of the drawer700, so that the cartridge300is tightly coupled to the drawer700. It is also preferred that both the side surfaces of the cartridge300is formed with concave portions301to facilitate the mounting/demounting of the cartridge300.

Hereinafter, a process of supplying water into the cartridge300will be explained with reference toFIG. 15.

If a user draws out the drawer700, the cartridge300is also drawn out therewith. Then, the user dismantles the cartridge300from the drawer700. Water is supplied into the cartridge300through the water inlet322so that the cartridge300is filled with the water. The cartridge300filled with the water is mounted again in the drawer700, and the drawer700is pushed in. The first opening/closing member360of the cartridge300is automatically connected to the second opening/closing member460connected to the pump400, and the water in the cartridge300flows to the pump400.

When the operation of the steam laundry dryer is completed, the cartridge300can be removed from the drawer700. Since the cartridge300is composed of the upper housing320and the lower housing310, it is easy to clean the removed cartridge300.

Experimental results by this inventor show that the steam laundry dryer according to the present invention has an effect of removing and preventing wrinkles of laundry, although there is a difference according to the kinds of laundry, e.g., the kinds of cloths, hygroscopic properties, and the like. The object to be dried by the steam laundry dryer is generally the laundry dehydrated by a washing machine, however this is not restricted thereto. For example, the steam laundry dryer according to the present invention can remove wrinkles of the clothes that a user has worn for one day or more, i.e., the already dried clothes having few wrinkles. In other words, the steam laundry dryer according to the present invention also can be used as a kind of wrinkle-removing apparatus.

The steam laundry dryer according to the present invention may have the following advantageous effects.

First, wrinkles or crumples generated on the dried laundry can be effectively prevented or removed. Further, sterilization and deodorization of the dried laundry can be achieved.

Second, wrinkles or crumples of the clothes that are in a dried state, can be effectively removed without additional ironing.

Third, since water leakage is doubly prevented by the first and second opening/closing members when installing the cartridge, the water leakage in the steam laundry dryer can be effectively prevented.