Patent Publication Number: US-2018038585-A1

Title: Steam generator system, control method and household appliance

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a technical field of household appliance, and more particularly to a steam generator system, a control method and a household appliance. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An existing steam generator will be fully incrusted in a chamber after a period of time. Generally, the steam generator needs to be descaled artificially, which results in a cost increase. If the chamber of the steam generator is not descaled in time, a service life of the steam generator will be shortened, and even a security risk will be produced. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure seeks to solve at least one of the problems existing in the related art to at least some extent. To this end, the present invention provides a steam generator system, which facilitates saving a cost and prolonging the service life of the steam generator. 
     The present invention further provides a control method for the steam generator. 
     The present invention further provides a household appliance including the above-described steam generator. 
     The steam generator system according to embodiments of the present invention, includes: a water tank; a steam generator comprising a housing having a water inlet and a steam outlet, and a heating element provided in the housing; a water pump connected between the water tank and the water inlet; and a water softener, in which the water tank, the water pump and the water inlet of the steam generator are in communication with each other to form a water inlet pipeline, and the water softener is connected to the water inlet pipeline in series. 
     In the steam generator system according to embodiments of the present invention, the water softener is connected to the water inlet pipeline in series to soften the water in the water inlet pipeline, and the water entering the steam generator is softened, such that during use of the steam generator, the scale in the steam generator can be significantly reduced, and the steam generator  100  does not need descaling, which saves the cost, prolongs the service life of the steam generator, and improves the use safety of the steam generator, so as to prolong the service life of the steam generator system. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the water softener is provided in the water tank. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, V represents a flow rate of the water pump, and when the steam generator is in operation, the water pump continuously pumps water in the water tank into the housing at a flow rate of 20 ml/min≦V≦100 ml/min. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the housing has a sealed chamber, a dividing wall is formed in the housing to divide the chamber into an outer chamber and an inner chamber spaced apart from each other, at least one communication groove is formed in the dividing wall to make the outer chamber in fluid communication with the inner chamber, the water inlet is in communication with the outer chamber, the steam outlet is in communication with the inner chamber, and the heating element is provided to the dividing wall to heat the inner chamber and the outer chamber; and the water pump pumps water in the water tank into outer chamber at a flow rate of 20 ml/min≦V≦100 ml/min. 
     Specifically, at least one flow passage is defined between the outer chamber and the inner chamber, a barrier wall is provided in the at least one flow passage to block the flow direction of a fluid, and the barrier wall is provided adjacent to the communication groove. 
     Specifically, the water inlet is located at a side of the barrier wall facing away from the communication groove. 
     Specifically, the steam generator further includes a first water inlet pipe in communication with the water inlet, and the first water inlet pipe has a water outlet end extending into the outer chamber. 
     Specifically, the water inlet and the communication groove are located at a same side of the barrier wall. 
     Specifically, the steam generator further includes a second water inlet pipe in communication with the water inlet, and the second water inlet pipe has a free end extending from a side of barrier wall adjacent to the communication groove to the other side of the barrier wall after encircling the dividing wall  2  in the circumferential direction. 
     Further, the second water inlet pipe has a plurality of first water outlet holes spaced apart. 
     Further, the free end of the second water inlet pipe is configured as a water outlet end. 
     Specifically, the steam generator further includes a third water inlet pipe in communication with the water inlet, and the third water inlet pipe has a water outlet end of extending into the side of the outer chamber facing away from the communication groove after penetrating the barrier wall. 
     Specifically, the steam generator further includes a fourth water inlet pipe in communication with the water inlet, the fourth water inlet pipe has a free end being closed, the fourth water inlet pipe passes through the barrier wall and extends in circumferential direction of the dividing wall, and a plurality of second water outlet holes are formed in a longitudinal direction of the fourth water inlet pipe and spaced apart. 
     Further, steam generated in the outer chamber forms steam cyclonic airflow after entering the inner chamber via the communication groove. 
     Further, an extending direction of the communication groove is tangent to an inner circumferential wall surface of the inner chamber, such that the steam generated in the outer chamber tangentially enters the inner chamber. 
     Specifically, the communication groove is formed in an upper portion of the dividing wall and is adjacent to a top wall of the housing. 
     Specifically, the heating element further includes an electrical terminal, and the electrical terminal is embedded in the barrier wall and exposed via a through hole in a side wall of the housing corresponding to the barrier wall. 
     Specifically, four end walls of the barrier wall are connected and integrally formed with the housing and the dividing wall respectively. 
     According to embodiments of the present invention, the housing includes a base, and a cover for sealing the base; the water inlet and the steam outlet are both provided in the cover. 
     Specifically, the heating element heats the inner chamber and the outer chamber simultaneously. 
     Specifically, the heating element is embedded in an interior of the dividing wall, an inner wall surface or an outer wall surface of the dividing wall. 
     Further, the steam generator further includes a pressure switch device, and the pressure switch device is provided at the steam outlet to make the steam in the base discharged unidirectionally via the steam outlet. 
     Further, a protruding post extends downward from the cover, a one-way passage with a passage opening at a bottom portion thereof is defined in the protruding post, an upper end of the one-way passage is in communication with the steam outlet, and the pressure switch device is provided in the one-way passage. 
     Further, the pressure switch device includes a seal element and an elastic element, and the seal element seals the passage opening under an elastic deformation force of the elastic element. 
     Further, the pressure switch device includes a one-way valve plate provided at the steam outlet. 
     Specifically, the steam generator further includes at least one scale containing structure, and the scale containing structure is provided in the inner chamber and/or the outer chamber. 
     Specifically, the scale containing structure is configured as at least one of a mesh grille, a strip grille and a columnar grille. 
     Specifically, the mesh grille and/or the strip grille are provided in the outer chamber, and two ends of the mesh grille and/or two ends of the strip grille are connected to an inner side wall of the outer chamber and an outer side wall of the dividing wall respectively. 
     Further, the inner side wall of the outer chamber is provided with a first snap groove, the outer side wall of the dividing wall is provided with a second snap groove, and the two ends of the mesh grille and/or the two ends of the strip grille snap into the first snap groove and the second snap groove respectively. 
     Specifically, the columnar grille is located in the outer chamber and/or the inner chamber, and includes a plurality of extending strips substantially extending in a substantial radial direction. 
     Further, the columnar grille includes a number of rounds of extending strips distributed in a height direction of the housing, and each round includes a plurality of extending strips distributed in a circumferential direction. 
     Further, the steam generator further includes at least one gain structure, and the gain structure is accommodated in the inner chamber and/or the outer chamber and is in contact with the dividing wall. 
     Further, the gain structure is provided on a top wall of the housing, and extends downward into the inner chamber and/or the outer chamber. 
     Further, the gain structure has a lower end spaced apart from a bottom wall of the housing. 
     Further, a plurality of gain structures is provided, and the plurality of gain structures is provided in a circumferential direction of the dividing wall. 
     The control method for the steam generator system according to embodiments of the present invention, in which the steam generator system is an above-described steam generator system, and the control method includes steps as follows: 
     S1: supplying power to the water pump and the heating element respectively; 
     S2: pumping the water in the water tank into the housing via the water inlet with the flow rate of 20 ml/min≦V≦100 ml/min by the water pump; and 
     S3: vaporizing the water pumped into the housing into steam by the heating element and discharging the steam via the steam outlet. 
     The control method of the steam generator system according to embodiments of the present invention may be used to control the steam generator system to improve the operating efficiency of the steam generator. 
     The household appliance according to embodiments of the present invention includes an above-described steam generator system. 
     The household appliance according to embodiments of the present invention can has a prolonged service life by being provided with the above-described steam generator system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a steam generator according to some embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the steam generator shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the steam generator shown in  FIG. 2  taken along line A-A; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the steam generator shown in  FIG. 3  taken along line A-A, in which an elastic element and a seal element are removed from the steam generator; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the steam generator shown in  FIG. 2  taken along line B-B; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded schematic view of a steam generator according to other embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a steam generator according to still other embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial schematic view of the steam generator according to other embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the steam generator shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the steam generator shown in  FIG. 9  taken along line C-C; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial schematic view of the steam generator shown in  FIG. 7 , in which a cover is removed from the steam generator; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the steam generator shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial schematic view of the steam generator according to yet other embodiments of the present invention, in which a cover is removed from the steam generator; 
         FIG. 14  is a partial schematic view of the steam generator shown in  FIG. 13 , in which a scale containing structure is taken away; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic view of a fluid flow direction in the steam generator shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the steam generator according to other embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a sectional view of the steam generator shown in  FIG. 16  taken along line D-D; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic view of the steam generator shown in  FIG. 16 , in which a cover is removed from the steam generator; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic view of a connection of a steam generator system according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       1000 : steam generator system; 
       100 : steam generator; 
       1 : housing;  11 : outer chamber;  12 : inner chamber;  13 : water inlet;  14 : steam outlet;  15 : base;  16 : cover;  162 : rib;  161 : protruding post;  1611 : passage opening;  1612 : one-way passage;  163 : raised line;  2 : dividing wall;  22 : groove;  21 : communication groove;  3 : heating element;  31 : electrical terminal;  4 : pressure switch device;  41 : seal element;  42 : elastic element;  5 : barrier wall;  51 : first end wall;  52 : second end wall;  53 : third end wall;  54 : fourth end wall;  55 : seal groove;  61 : first water inlet pipe;  62 : second water inlet pipe;  621 : first water outlet;  622 : C-shaped pipe segment;  623 : vertical pipe segment;  7 : gain structure;  81 : mesh grille;  82 : strip grille;  83 : columnar grille;  831 : extending strip;  84 : first snap groove;  85 : second snap groove;  9 : temperature controller;  10 : fuse; 
       200 : water tank;  300 : water pump;  400 : water softener. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Description will be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, and examples of the embodiments will be illustrated in drawings. The embodiments described herein with reference to drawings are explanatory, illustrative, and used to generally understand the present disclosure. The embodiments shall not be construed to limit the present disclosure. 
     In the specification of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the terms such as “central”, “lateral”, “length”, “upper”, “lower”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, “outer”, “radial”, “circumferential”, etc. should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience and simplifying of description, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, or be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Therefore, these relative terms should not be construed to limit the present disclosure. 
     A steam generator system  1000  will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 19 . The steam generator system  1000  may be applied to a household appliance such as a vacuum cleaner, a garment steamer, a range hood, a coffee maker, a washing machine, an air conditioner or a microwave oven, etc., and used for generating steam. 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , the steam generator system according to embodiments of the present invention may include a steam generator  100 , a water tank  200 , a water pump  300  and a water softener  400 . Optionally, the water pump  300  is configured as a displacement pump or a vane pump. 
     The steam generator  100  may include a housing  1  and a heating element  3 . The heating element  3  may be provided in the housing  1 , so as to conveniently heat the water in the housing  1 . 
     The housing  1  is provided with a water inlet  13  and a steam outlet  14 , so as to conveniently supply water into the housing  1  via the water inlet  13 . The heating element  3  heats water in the housing  1  to vaporize the water into steam, and then the steam is discharged via the steam outlet  14 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the water pump  300  is connected between the water tank  200  and the water inlet  13 . The water tank  200 , the water pump  300  and the water inlet  13  of the steam generator  100  are in communication with each other to form a water inlet pipeline, so as to conveniently pump water into the steam generator  100 . 
     The water softener  400  is connected to the water inlet pipeline in series. Therefore, the water softener  400  is connected to the water inlet pipeline in series to soften the water in the water inlet pipeline, and the water entering the steam generator  100  is softened. During use of the steam generator  100 , scale in the steam generator  100  can be significantly reduced, and the steam generator  100  does not need descaling, which saves the cost, prolongs the service life of the steam generator  100 , and improves safety of the steam generator  100  during use, so as to prolong the service life of the steam generator system  1000 . 
     According to the steam generator system  1000  according to embodiments of the present invention, the water softener  400  is connected to the water inlet pipeline in series to soften the water in the water inlet pipeline, and water entering the steam generator  100  is softened. During use of the steam generator  100 , scale in the steam generator  100  can be significantly reduced, and the steam generator  100  does not need descaling, which saves the cost, prolongs the service life of the steam generator  100 , and improves safety of the steam generator  100  during use, so as to prolong the service life of the steam generator system  1000 . 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the water softener  400  is disposed in the water tank  200  to soften the water in the water tank  200 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The water softener  400  may also be connected to other positions on the water inlet pipeline in series such as a position between the water pump  300  and the water inlet  13  of the steam generator  100 . Optionally, the water softener  400  is configured as a softening resin or a reverse osmosis membrane, so as to improve a softening effect on the water in the water inlet pipeline and remove the scale in the water to a large extent. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, when the steam generator  100  is in operation, the water pump  300  pumps the water in the water tank  200  into the housing  1  of the steam generator  100  continuously, and the heating element  3  heats continuously. Specifically, V represents a flow rate of the water pump  300 , when the steam generator  100  is in operation, the water pump  300  continuously pumps the water in the water tank  200  into the housing  1  of the steam generator  100  at a flow rate of 20 ml/min≦V≦100 ml/min. Specifically, when the steam generator system  1000  is in operation, by making the water pump  300  continuously pump the water in the water tank  200  into the housing  1  of the steam generator  100  at a flow rate of 20 ml/min≦V≦100 ml/min, the water flowing into the housing  1  can be heated by the heating element  3 , rapidly vaporized into steam and then discharged via the steam outlet  14 . On the one hand, water can be conveniently added, and a pre-heat time of the steam generator  100  can be shortened, which ensures continuous discharge of the steam via the steam outlet  14 , and improves the operating efficiency of the steam generator  100 ; on the other hand, a water level sensor and wiring, etc. does not need to be disposed in the steam generator  100 , which makes for cost saving, facilitates assembling by workers, and meanwhile, improves the safety performance of the steam generator system  1000 . It should be noted that, the water pump  300  continuously pumps the water in the water tank  200  into the housing  1  of the steam generator  100  at a flow rate of 20 ml/min≦V≦100 ml/min, said “continuously” may be construed as three embodiments including continuing without a stop, i.e. continuing without a break, continuing at equal time intervals, or continuing at unequal time intervals. 
     Optionally, P represents a power of the heating element  3 , when 1000 W≦P≦2500 W, 20 ml/min≦V≦100 ml/min. Therefore, a degree of cooperation between the heating element  3  and the water pump  300  can be further optimized to avoid problems as followed: as the power of the heating element  3  is too low and the water pumped into the housing  1  by the water pump  300  is too much, the water in the housing  1  spills over; and as the power of the heating element  3  is too high and the water pumped into the housing  1  by the water pump  300  is too little, the heating element  3  has no water to heat but itself. Therefore, the safety of the steam generator system  1000  during use can be further improved. 
     Specifically, when the steam generator  100  is in operation, the water pump  300  continuously pumps the water in the water tank  200  into the housing  1 , and the heating element  3  heats continuously. That is to say, once the steam generator  100  starts to operate, the water pump  300  continuously pump the water in the water tank  200  into the housing  1  without a break, and the heating element  3  continuously heat without a break. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, when the steam generator system  1000  is in operation, the water pump  300  may pump a predetermined amount of water in the water tank  200  into the housing  1  at equal intervals or unequal intervals, the heating element  3  may heat continuously. For example, the water pump  300  may pump the predetermined amount of water into the housing  1  every 5 minutes, the heating element  3  heats continuously, even after the water pump  300  has pumped the predetermined amount of water into the housing  1  and stops pumping, the heating element  3  still heats. In which, it should be understood that, a time parameter that the water pump  300  pumps the water in the water tank  200  into the housing  1  at equal intervals or unequal intervals may be adaptively adjusted according to practical requirements. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 8, 10 to 15 ,  17  and  18 , a sealed chamber is disposed in the housing  1 , the heating element  3 , etc. are disposed in the chamber. The heating element  3  includes an electrical terminal  31 , and the electrical terminal  31  of the heating element  3  is exposed via a through hole formed in the housing  1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 to 15 , a dividing wall  2  is formed in the housing  1  to divide the chamber into an outer chamber  11  and an inner chamber  12  spaced apart from each other. For example, an annular dividing wall  2  is provided in the chamber of the housing  1  to define the outer chamber  11  and the inner chamber  12 , and to make the outer chamber  11  surround the inner chamber  12 . Thus, the dividing wall  2  provided in the housing  1  can makes for increase of an inner surface area of the housing  1 , more scale can adhere, which can avoid decrease of energy efficiency even damage of the steam generator  100  resulting from the excessive scale to some extent, and prolong the service life of the steam generator  100 . 
     The dividing wall  2  is provided with at least one communication groove  21  making the outer chamber  11  in fluid communication with the inner chamber  12 . For example, one communication groove  21  is provided in the dividing wall  2  to facilitate fluid communication between the outer chamber  11  and the inner chamber  12 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The dividing wall  2  may also be provided with a plurality of communication grooves  21 , such as two, three, etc. to facilitate fluid communication between the outer chamber  11  and the inner chamber  12 . Preferably, the dividing wall  2  is provided with one communication groove  21 . 
     The housing  1  is provided with the water inlet  13  and the steam outlet  14 , in which, the water inlet  13  is in communication with the outer chamber  11 , and the steam outlet  14  is in communication with the inner chamber  12 . Thus, by providing the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11  spaced apart from each other in the housing  1 , and meanwhile, making the water inlet  13  in direct communication with the outer chamber  11  and the steam outlet  14  in direct communication with the inner chamber  12 , when the steam generator  100  is in operation, the water may be pumped into the outer chamber  11  by the water pump while the steam outlet  14  in communication with the inner chamber  12  continuously discharge the steam, thus solving the problem that water cannot conveniently added in an existing boiler type steam generator. Furthermore, compared with the existing boiler type steam generator having a large volume, the steam generator  100  of the present invention has a small volume, when the steam generator  100  is mounted in the household appliance together with the steam generator system  1000 , the steam generator  100  can facilitate miniaturization of the household appliance. Optionally, the water inlet  13  may be provided at any position of a top wall of the housing  1  corresponding to the outer chamber  11 . 
     The heating element  3  is provided in the dividing wall  2  to heat the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11 . Specifically, by providing the heating element  3  on the dividing wall  2 , the thermal energy produced by the heating element  3  can be conducted rapidly to the fluid in the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11  at first, a liquid fluid can be vaporized rapidly into a steam fluid after being heated to improve the utilization rate of electrical energy, and the heating element  3  can be prevented from overheating locally. For example, the heating element  3  may be embedded in an interior of the dividing wall  2 , an inner wall surface or an outer wall surface of the dividing wall  2  to facilitate heating the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11 . Optionally, the heating element  3  may be integrally embedded in the interior of the dividing wall  2  based on a casting process, or fixedly provided on the inner wall surface or the outer wall surface of the dividing wall  2  to facilitate heating the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The heating element  3  may also be provided at other positions of the housing  1 , e. g. the heating element  3  is disposed in the inner chamber  12  or the outer chamber  11 , or the heating element  3  is integrally embedded in any position of the housing  1  based on a casting process. It should be understood that, the dividing wall  2  provided in the housing  1  has a heat conducting effect. 
     Specifically, the water pump  300  pumps the water in the water tank  200  into the outer chamber  11  at a flow rate of 20 ml/min≦V≦100 ml/min, and the water entering the outer chamber  11  is heated by the heating element  3  and vaporized. When steam or a mixed fluid of water droplets and the steam in the outer chamber  11  enter the inner chamber  12  via the communication groove  21 , the heating element  3  acts on the inner chamber  12  simultaneously, and the steam entering the inner chamber  12  is dried into a dry steam and then discharged via the steam outlet  14 . Thus, by providing the heating element  3  in the dividing wall  2  to make the heating element  3  heat the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11 , and meanwhile by pumping the water into the outer chamber  11  through the water pump  300  to facilitate the continuously discharging of the steam via the steam outlet  14 , it not only improves the utilization rate of the heating element  3 , but also shortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator  100 , which makes the steam generator  100  continuously generate steam with a high temperature and great dryness. 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 5 to 7 , the housing  1  includes a base  15  and a cover  16  used for sealing the base  15 . Specifically, the above-described chamber is provided in the base  15  and a top portion of the base  15  is open, the cover  16  closes the base  15  to seal the chamber. The dividing wall  2  is provided in the base  15  to define the outer chamber  11  and the inner chamber  12 . In which, the water inlet  13  and the steam outlet  14  are both provided in the cover  16 , which is not only simple in structure, but also facilitate arrangement of the heating element  3  and the dividing wall  2 , etc. in the housing  1 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The water inlet  13  and the steam outlet  14  may also be provided at other feasible positions, for example, the water inlet  13  and the steam outlet  14  are provided in the base  15 , or provided in the base  15  and the cover  16  respectively, or others arrangement positions capable of achieving an equivalent above-described effect. 
     Optionally, the cover  16  is connected to the base  15  through a fastener such as a bolt in a sealing manner. Further optionally, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a bottom wall of the cover  16  is provided with a rib  162 , and a top wall of the dividing wall  2  is provided with a substantially annular groove  22 . When the cover  16  covers on the base  15 , the rib  162  is fitted with the groove  22 , meanwhile the cover  16  is further connected to the base  15  through the fastener, which further improves the sealing performance of the connection between the cover  16  and the base  15 . 
     It should be understood that, the top wall of the housing  1  is the cover  16 , a side wall of the housing  1  is a side wall of the base  15 , a bottom wall of the housing  1  is a bottom wall of the base  15 , the chamber of the housing  1  is the chamber of the base  15 , and the chamber of the base  15  is sealed by the cover  16 . Of course, in other embodiments, the cover  16  may also have a chamber, so that it is convenient for the chamber of the cover  16  to be assembled with the chamber of the base  15  in a sealing manner to define the chamber, that is, the housing  1  is formed by assembling an upper chamber and a lower chamber together in a sealing manner. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one flow passage is defined between the outer chamber  11  and the inner chamber  12 , that is to say, at least one flow passage is provided outside the dividing wall  2  and located in the outer chamber  11 . For example, the dividing wall  2  is annular, a plurality of flow passages are defined in the outer chamber  11  by a plurality of annular partition plates (not shown in the drawings), the plurality of flow passages are annular passages distributed in a radial direction of the dividing wall  2 , and the plurality of flow passages are in communication with each other. For another example, one flow passage is provided between the outer chamber  11  and the inner chamber  12 . It should be understood that, the one flow passage provided between the outer chamber  11  and the inner chamber  12  is a passage of the outer chamber  11 . 
     A barrier wall  5  is provided in the at least one flow passage to block the flow direction of the fluid. That is to say, the barrier wall  5  is provided in the at least one flow passage to block the flow direction of the fluid such as the steam. For example, the plurality of flow passages are provided between the inner chamber  12  and outer chamber  11 , and the barrier wall  5  is provided in one of the flow passages. For another example, as shown in  FIGS. 6, 8, and 11 to 15 , one flow passage is provided between the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11 , and the barrier wall  5  is provided between the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11 . 
     The barrier wall  5  is provided adjacent to the communication groove  21 , so as to block the flow direction of the fluid. 
     Preferably, one flow passage is provided between the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11 , and the barrier wall  5  is provided in the outer chamber  11  and located outside of the dividing wall  2 . 
     Further, the barrier wall  5  is provided in the outer chamber  11  to configure the outer chamber  11  as a C-shaped body. For example, when the housing  1  of the steam generator  100  is configured to be a substantial regular body such as a cube, a cylinder, a sphere or an ellipsoid, etc. the barrier wall  5  is provided in the outer chamber  11  to make the outer chamber  11  have a substantial C-shaped cross section. When the housing  1  of the steam generator  100  is designed as an irregular body, the barrier wall  5  is provided in the outer chamber  11  to make the outer chamber  11  have a substantial C-shaped cross section with equivalent effect. 
     Optionally, the barrier wall  5  may be integrally formed with the housing  1  and the dividing wall  2 . Specifically, four end walls of the barrier wall  5  are connected to the housing  1  and the dividing wall  2  respectively and are provided in an integrally forming manner. For example, a portion of the side wall of the housing  1  is recessed into the outer chamber  11  inwards a center of the housing  1  to define the barrier wall  5 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The barrier wall  5  and the housing  1  may also be two structures formed separately, for example, the barrier wall  5  is welded in the outer chamber  11 . 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 18 , the barrier wall  5  includes a first end wall  51 , a second end wall  52 , a third end wall  53  and a fourth end wall  54 . In which, the first end wall  51  is integrally connected to the bottom portion of the housing  1  (i.e. the bottom portion of the base  15 ), the second end wall  52  is integrally connected to the side wall of the housing  1  (i.e. the side wall of the base  15 ), the third end wall  53  is integrally connected to the outer side wall of the dividing wall  2 , and the fourth end wall  54  is the top wall of the barrier wall  5 . The fourth end wall  54  is provided with a seal groove  55  in communication with the above-described groove  22  of the top portion of the dividing wall  2 , an inner top wall of the housing  1  (i.e. a bottom wall of the cover  16 ) is provided with a raised line  163  connected to the above-described rib  162 . When the cover  16  covers the base  15 , the rib  162  is fitted in the groove  22 , and the raised line  163  is embedded in the seal groove  55 , so as to make the barrier wall  5  block the flow direction of the fluid in the outer chamber  11  such as the steam. 
     Further, the electrical terminal  31  of the heating element  3  is embedded in the barrier wall  5  and exposed outside through the through hole in the side wall of the housing  1  corresponding to the barrier wall  5 . Specifically, as the barrier wall  5  is integrally formed with the housing  1  and the dividing wall  2 , the electrical terminal  31  of the heating element  3  provided in the dividing wall  2  is embedded in the barrier wall  5 , and the side wall of the housing  1  corresponding to the barrier wall  5  is provided with the through hole, so that the electrical terminal  31  passes through the through hole and is exposed outside for electrical connection. Thus, the terminal of the heating element  3  is skillfully embedded in the barrier wall  5 , which is simple in structure, and avoids a complicated arrangement of electric wires in the housing  1 . 
     Optionally, the housing  1 , and the dividing wall  2  and the barrier wall  5  formed in the housing  1  may all configured to be cast aluminum pieces. 
     Further, the water inlet  13  is located at a side of the barrier wall  5  facing away from the communication groove  21 , that is to say, the water inlet  13  and the communication groove  21  are located at two sides of the barrier wall  5  respectively. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the water flowing into the outer chamber  11  from the water inlet  13  is vaporized into the steam with low dryness under a heating effect of the heating element  3 . Due to the effect of the barrier wall  5 , the steam flows to the communication groove  21  after flowing along the outer chamber  11  and around a circle of the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall  2 , and enters the inner chamber  12  via the communication groove  21 . The steam is heated and dried again after entering the inner chamber  12 , and the steam is further converted into dry steam and discharged via the steam outlet  14 . During the process, an area where the steam contacts with the inner and outer surfaces of the dividing wall  2  and the inner surface of the housing  1  is increased, and the heating element  3  provided in the dividing wall  2  can be prevented from overheating locally, which makes for prolonging the service life of the dividing wall  2  and the service life of the heating element  3 , improves the heating efficiency of the heating element  3 , and meanwhile, further shortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator  100  so as to improve the dryness of the steam. 
     Specifically, the steam generator  100  includes a first water inlet pipe  61  in communication with the water inlet  13 , and a water outlet end of the first water inlet pipe  61  extends into the outer chamber  11 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 15 , the water outlet end of the first water inlet pipe  61  extends downward into the outer chamber  11 . Thus, the water outlet end of the first water inlet pipe  61  and the communication groove  21  are located at two sides of the barrier wall  5  respectively, the water outflowing from the water outlet end of the first water inlet pipe  61  flows in the outer chamber  11 , and is converted into steam with low dryness after being heated by the heating element  3 , and the steam needs to flow around a circle of the dividing wall  2  in order to enter the inner chamber  12  via the communication groove  21 . During the process, an area where the steam contacts with the inner and outer surfaces of the dividing wall  2  and the inner surface of the housing  1  is increased, and the heating element  3  provided in the dividing wall  2  can be prevented from overheating locally, which makes for prolonging the service life of the dividing wall  2  and the service life of the heating element  3 , improves the heating efficiency of the heating element  3 , and meanwhile, further shortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator  100  so as to improve the dryness of the steam. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, the water inlet  13  and the communication groove  21  are located at a same side of the barrier wall  5 . 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 8, 11 and 12 , the steam generator  100  includes a second water inlet pipe  62  in communication with the water inlet  13 , and a free end of the second water inlet pipe  62  extends from a side of the barrier wall  5  adjacent to the communication groove  21  to the other side of the barrier wall  5  after encircling the dividing wall  2  in the circumferential direction. Thus, after the water entering the outer chamber  11  from the second water inlet pipe  62  is converted into the steam under the heating effect of the heating element  3 , at least a portion of the steam in the outer chamber  11  needs to flow around a circle of the dividing wall  2  in the circumferential direction in order to enter the inner chamber  12  via the communication groove  21 . During the process, an area where the steam contacts with the inner and outer surfaces of the dividing wall  2  and the inner surface of the housing  1  is increased, and the heating element  3  provided in the dividing wall  2  can be prevented from overheating locally, which makes for prolonging the service life of the dividing wall  2  and the service life of the heating element  3 , improves the heating efficiency of the heating element  3 , and meanwhile, further shortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator  100  so as to improve the dryness of the steam. 
     Of course, the present invention is not limit thereto. The water inlet pipe may also be formed as other shapes, for example, a water inlet end of the water inlet pipe is in communication with the water inlet  13 , and the other end of the water inlet pipe is provided around a plurality of turns of the dividing wall  2  in the circumferential direction. Or, the other end of the water inlet pipe may also be spirally wound around the dividing wall  2  in the circumferential direction. 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the second water inlet pipe  62  is provided with a plurality of first water outlet holes  621  spaced apart. Thus, the water outflowing from the plurality of first water outlet holes  621  may be injected on the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall  2 , so that a water flow or water membrane is formed on the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall  2 , and flows downward along the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall  2  to make the liquid water have a sufficient heat exchange with the heating element  3 , furthermore, the steam generated from the water injected from the first water outlet holes  621  of the second water inlet pipe  62  facing away from the communication groove  21  needs to flow around a circle of the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall  2  in order to enter the inner chamber  12  via the communication groove  21 , thus improving the heating efficiency of the heating element  3 , shortening the pre-heating time of the steam generator  100 , and meanwhile, preventing the heating element  3  from overheating locally to prolong the service life of the heating element  3 . Optionally, the plurality of first water outlet holes  621  are evenly spaced in a side of the second water inlet pipe  62  adjacent to the dividing wall  2 , which is convenient for the water outflowing from the first water outlet holes  621  to be injected on the dividing wall  2  as much as possible to facilitate the heating of the heating element  3 . It should be understood that, when the plurality of first water outlet holes  621  of the second water inlet pipe  62  are very small and inject atomized water droplets, the above-described advantage may be further optimized. 
     In other specific examples of the present invention, the free end of the second water inlet pipe  62  is configured as a water outlet end, thus, the water outlet end of the second water inlet pipe  62  is separated from the communication groove  21  by the barrier wall  5 , the water outflowing from the water outlet end of the second water inlet pipe  62  is converted into the steam under the heating of the heating element  3 , and the steam needs to flow around a circle of the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall  2  in order to enter the inner chamber  12  via the communication groove  21 . During the process, an area where the steam contacts with the inner and outer surfaces of the dividing wall  2  and the inner surface of the housing  1  is increased, and the heating element  3  provided in the dividing wall  2  can be prevented from overheating locally, which makes for prolonging the service life of the dividing wall  2  and the service life of the heating element  3 , improves the heating efficiency of the heating element  3 , and meanwhile, further shortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator  100  so as to improve the dryness of the steam. 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 11 , the second water inlet pipe  62  includes a C-shaped pipe segment  622  and a vertical pipe segment  623  perpendicular to the C-shaped pipe segment  622  and connected to the water inlet  13 , which is simple in structure. Further, the second water inlet pipe  62  surrounds the outer side of an upper outer wall surface of the dividing wall  2 , thus, at least a portion of water discharged from the second water inlet pipe  62  may be injected on the outer side of the upper outer wall surface of the dividing wall  2 , and flow downward along the dividing wall  2 , so that the water can fully exchange heat with the heating element  3 , which improves the heating efficiency of the heating element  3 , and prevents the heating element  3  from overheating locally to some extent. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The second water inlet pipe  62  may also surround other positions of the dividing wall  2  in a height direction, for example, the second water inlet pipe  62  surrounds the outer side of a middle outer wall surface or a lower outer wall surface of the dividing wall  2 . 
     In other specific examples of the present invention, the steam generator  100  may also include a third water inlet pipe (not shown in the drawings) in communication with the water inlet  13 , a water outlet end of the third water inlet pipe passes through the barrier wall  5  and extends into a side of the outer chamber  11  facing away from the communication groove  21 , so as to make the water outlet end of the third water inlet pipe and the communication groove  21  located at two sides of the barrier wall  5  respectively, which is convenient for the water outflowing from the water outlet end of the third water inlet pipe to enter the outer chamber  11  and to be converted into the steam under the heating of the heating element  3 , and at least a portion of the steam in the outer chamber  11  needs to flow around a circle of the dividing wall  2  in the circumferential direction in order to enter the inner chamber  12  via the communication groove  21 . During the process, an area where the steam contacts with the inner and outer surfaces of the dividing wall  2  and the inner surface of the housing  1  is increased, and the heating element  3  provided in the dividing wall  2  can be prevented from overheating locally, which makes for prolonging the service life of the dividing wall  2  and the service life of the heating element  3 , improves the heating efficiency of the heating element  3 , and meanwhile, further shortens the pre-heating time of the steam generator  100  so as to improve the dryness of the steam. 
     Further, the steam generator  100  also includes a fourth water inlet pipe in communication with the water inlet  13  (not shown in the drawings), a free end of the fourth water inlet pipe is closed, meanwhile, the fourth water inlet pipe passes through the barrier wall  5  and extends in the circumferential direction of the dividing wall  2 , and the fourth water inlet pipe is provided with a plurality of second water outlet holes (not shown in the drawings) spaced apart in a length direction thereof. Thus, the water outflowing from the plurality of second water outlet holes may be injected on the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall  2 , so that a water flow or water membrane is formed on the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall  2 , and flows downward along the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall  2 , which makes the liquid water have a sufficient heat exchange with the heating element  3 , furthermore, the steam generated from the water injected from the second water outlet holes of the fourth water inlet pipe facing away from the communication groove  21  needs to flow around a circle of the outer circumferential wall of the dividing wall  2  in order to enter the inner chamber  12  via the communication groove  21 , thus improving the heating efficiency of the heating element  3 , shortening the pre-heating time of the steam generator  100 , and meanwhile, preventing the heating element  3  from overheating locally to prolong the service life of the heating element  3 . Optionally, the plurality of second water outlet holes are evenly spaced in a side of the fourth water inlet pipe adjacent to the dividing wall  2 , which is convenient for the water outflowing from the second water outlet holes to be injected on the dividing wall  2  as much as possible. It should be understood that, when the plurality of second water outlet holes of the fourth water inlet pipe are very small and inject atomized water droplets, the above-described advantage may be further optimized. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the steam formed in the outer chamber  11  forms a steam cyclonic airflow after entering the inner chamber  12  via the communication groove  21 . Specifically, an extending direction of the communication groove  21  is tangent to an inner circumferential wall surface of the inner chamber  12 , so that the steam formed in the outer chamber  11  tangentially enters the inner chamber  12  to form the steam cyclonic airflow. 
     Specifically, with the above-described configuration of the communication groove  21 , under the heating of the heating element  3 , the steam in the outer chamber  11  tangentially enters the inner chamber  12  via the communication groove  21 , and forms the cyclonic airflow in the inner chamber  12  to make the steam contact with the inner wall surface of the inner chamber  12 , meanwhile, the cyclonic airflow may form an effect of cyclone separator to make the liquid water of the steam thrown onto the inner wall of the inner chamber  12 , vaporized rapidly or flow downward along the inner wall, and the liquid water further forms the steam under the heating of the heating element  3 . Thus, on the one hand, the inner wall surface of the inner chamber  12  can be prevented from overheating locally to some extent to prolong the service life of the heating element  3 , meanwhile, the heating efficiency of the heating element  3  can be improved, the pre-heating time of the steam generator  100  can be shortened, and the temperature and the dryness of the steam at the steam outlet  14  can be increased; on the other hand, the scale in the steam is thrown onto the inner wall surface of the inner chamber  12 , and adheres to the inner wall surface of the inner chamber  12 , which reduces the possibility for the scale to be discharged from the steam outlet  14 , and avoids a harm resulting from that the steam outlet  14  is jammed by the scale. 
     Optionally, as shown in  FIGS. 6, 8, and 11 to 15 , the communication groove  21  is formed in the upper portion of the dividing wall  2  and is adjacent to the top wall (for example, adjacent to the cover  16 ) of the housing  1 . Thus, the steam formed by water which is heated by the heating element  3  can conveniently move upward and enter the inner chamber  12  from the outer chamber  11 . 
     According to some further embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the steam generator  100  also includes a pressure switch device  4  provided at the steam outlet  14  to make the steam from the base  15  discharged unidirectionally via the steam outlet  14 . The pressure switch device  4  provided at the steam outlet  14  may make the steam in the housing  1  discharged via the steam outlet  14  at a constant velocity and a high pressure. Specifically, when the heating element  3  is used for heating, the liquid water in the housing  1  is vaporized into the steam continuously. During the process, the pressure in the housing  1  increases continuously, when the pressure in the housing  1  is larger than a setting value, the pressure switch device  4  is opened, so that the dry steam is rapidly discharged via the steam outlet  14  at a high pressure. When the pressure in the housing  1  decreases to be equal to or less than the setting value, the pressure switch device  4  is closed and the pressure switch device  4  will not open until that the pressure in the housing  1  reaches up to the setting value again. Thus, the pressure switch device  4  provided at the steam outlet  14  can keep the housing  1  always has a certain pressure therein, which not only facilitates improving a saturation temperature of the steam in the housing  1  to raise the temperature and dryness of the steam at the steam outlet  14 , but also facilitates improving the discharging velocity of the steam to ensure that the steam is discharged via the steam outlet  14  continuously and avoid continuous attenuation of the steam at the steam outlet  14 . In which, it should be understood that, the setting value of the pressure in the housing  1  is related to a weight of the pressure switch device  4 , accordingly, the setting value of the pressure in the housing  1  can be adjusted by adjusting the weight of the pressure switch device  4 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a protruding post  161  extends downward from the cover  16 , and a one-way passage  1612  having a passage opening  1611  is defined in the protruding post  161 . An upper end of the one-way passage  1612  is in communication with the steam outlet  14 , and the pressure switch device  4  is provided in the one-way passage  1612 . Thus, a structure is simple, and the protruding post  161  extending downward from the cover  16  increases a surface area in the housing  1 , so that the scale adheres to an outer surface of the protruding post  161 , which avoids damage to the steam generator  100  resulting from the excessive scale to some extent, so as to prolong the service life of the steam generator  100 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The cover  16  may not be provided with the protruding post  161 . 
     Optionally, of the protruding post  161  has an annular cross section, and a cross sectional area of the protruding post  161  becomes smaller and smaller in a direction away from the cover  16 . 
     In some further specific examples of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the pressure switch device  4  includes a seal element  41  and an elastic element  42 . In which, the seal element  41  seals the passage opening  1611  under an elastic deformation force of the elastic element  42 . For example, the seal element  41  is located in the one-way passage  1612  and a lower end thereof seals the passage opening  1611 , the elastic element  42  abuts between the steam outlet  14  and the seal element  41 , so that the seal element  41  seals the passage opening  1611  according to the elastic deformation force of the elastic element  42 . Thus, when the heating element  3  is heating, the pressure in the housing  1  increases continuously, and when the pressure in the housing  1  is larger than a setting value, the steam in the housing  1  pushes the seal element  41  upward to make the elastic element  42  in a compressed state, so that the steam passes through the passage opening  1611  and further passes through the one-way passage  1612  and finally is discharged via the steam outlet  14 . When the pressure in the housing  1  is equal to or less than the setting value, the elastic element  42  abuts the seal element  41  against the passage opening  1611  to seal the passage opening  1611 . 
     On the one hand, the above configuration can facilitate further improving a saturation temperature of the steam in the housing  1  to improve the temperature and dryness of the steam at the steam outlet  14 , but also can facilitate improving the discharging velocity of the steam to ensure that the steam is discharged via the steam outlet  14  continuously and avoid continuous attenuation of the steam. On the other hand, the provided elastic element  42  and the seal element  41  can also block the scale and the liquid water of the steam in the housing  1 , which not only avoids a pipe jam due to that the scale is discharged into a pipe connected to the steam outlet  14  along with the steam, but also further improves the dryness of the steam discharged via the steam outlet  14 . In which, it should be understood that, the setting value of the pressure in the housing  1  is related to a weight of the elastic element  42  and the seal element  41 , and an elastic coefficient and a deformation length of the elastic element  42 . Accordingly, the setting value of the pressure in the housing  1  can be adjusted by adjusting the weight of the elastic element  42  and the seal element  41 , and the elastic coefficient and the deformation length of the elastic element  42 . 
     Optionally, the seal element  41  may be in the shape of a sphere, a cylinder, a cone or a cuboid, etc. Of course, it should be understood that, the seal element  41  may also be in the shape of other forms, as long as the passage opening  1611  can be closed and opened. Optionally, the seal element  41  may be configured as a piston, and the elastic element  42  may be configured as a spring. 
     Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the present invention, the pressure switch device  4  includes a one-way valve plate provided at the steam outlet  14 . For example, the pressure switch device  4  may be configured as the one-way valve plate to make the steam discharged unidirectionally via the steam outlet  14 , which is simple in structure. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, the heating element  3  may heat the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11  simultaneously, that is to say, in the whole operation process of the heating element  3 , the heating element  3  always heat the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11  simultaneously. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. When the heating element  3  just starts to operate, the heating element  3  dose not heat the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11  simultaneously, after a period of time, the heating element  3  heats the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11  simultaneously. For example, during a period of time (for example,  5  seconds) when the heating element  3  just starts to operate, the heating element  3  first heats the outer chamber  11 , so that the water in the outer chamber  11  is converted into the steam as soon as possible under the heating of the heating element  3  and enters the inner chamber  12 . After a period of time (for example,  5  seconds), the heating element  3  heats the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11  simultaneously, so that the heating element  3  continue to heat the water in the outer chamber  11  and the steam entering the inner chamber  12 , so as to increase the dryness of the steam discharged via the steam outlet  14 . 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the steam generator  100  further includes at least one gain structure  7 . The gain structure  7  is accommodated in the inner chamber  12  and/or the outer chamber  11 , for example, the gain structure  7  may only be accommodated in the inner chamber  12 , or may only be accommodated in the outer chamber  11 , or there is a plurality of gain structures  7  and the plurality of gain structures  7  is accommodated in the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11  respectively. Thus, by providing the gain structure  7  in the inner chamber  12  and/or the outer chamber  11 , not only an internal surface area of the inner chamber  12  and/or the outer chamber  11  is increased, more scale can conveniently adhere to the gain structure  7 , which prolongs the service life of steam generator  100  to some extent, but also the flowing of the scale along with the steam can be blocked to reduce the possibility that the scale flows out via the steam outlet  14 . 
     The gain structure  7  is in contact with the dividing wall  2 , thus transferring the heat generated by the heating element  3  to the gain structure  7  to facilitate the heat exchange between the gain structure  7  and the steam and/or the water flowing through the gain structure  7 , and increasing the heat exchange area to improve the utilization rate of the heat from the heating element  3 , reduce the operate time of the heating element  3  to some extent, and prolong the service life of the heating element  3 , i.e. indirectly prolong the service life of the steam generator  100 , meanwhile, the temperature and dryness of the steam can be increased. 
     Optionally, the gain structure  7  is not in contact with the inner side wall of the outer chamber  11  (i.e. the inner side wall of the housing  1 /the inner side wall of the base  15 ), so as to avoid heat radiation to the exterior of the steam generator  100  to some extent due to a contact between the gain structure  7  and the inner side wall of the outer chamber  11 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The gain structure  7  may be connected to the outer side wall of the dividing wall  2  and the inner side wall of the outer chamber  11  at the same time. 
     Further, the gain structure  7  is connected to the dividing wall  2 , for example, the gain structure  7  and the dividing wall  2  are integrally formed in one piece, which is simple in structure. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The gain structure  7  may also be provided on the top wall of the housing  1  (for example, the cover  16 ), and the gain structure  7  extends downward into the inner chamber  12  and/or the outer chamber  11  and is in contact with the dividing wall  2 . 
     Specifically, a lower end of the gain structure  7  is spaced apart from the bottom wall of the housing  1  to facilitate the flowing of the water and the scale in the bottom portion of the housing  1  (the bottom portion of the cover  16 ), and to prevent the lower end of the gain structure  7  from being in contact with the bottom wall of the housing to avoid the accumulation of the scale therebetween. Optionally, the gain structure  7  has a substantially cross-shaped cross section, and a cross sectional area of the gain structure  7  gradually decreases in an up-and-down direction. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The gain structure  7  may also in the shape of other forms, for example, a plate shape extending in the up-and-down direction. 
     Optionally, a plurality of gain structures  7  is provided, and the plurality of gain structures  7  is provided around the dividing wall  2  in the circumferential direction thereof. Specifically, the plurality of gain structures  7  is provided around the dividing wall  2  in the circumferential direction thereof and spaced apart. For example, there are four gain structures  7 , the four gain structures  7  are accommodated in the outer chamber  11  and evenly spaced around the dividing wall  2  in the circumferential direction thereof. It should be understood that, sizes and shapes of the plurality of gain structures  7  may be the same, and may also be different. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the steam generator  100  further includes at least one scale containing structure provided in the inner chamber  12  and/or the outer chamber  11 . For example, the scale containing structure is only provided in the inner chamber  12 , or only provided in the outer chamber  11 , or a plurality of scale containing structures is provided in the outer chamber  11  and the inner chamber  12  respectively. Thus, by providing the scale containing structure, not only the internal surface area of the inner chamber  12  and/or the outer chamber  11  can be increased, more scale can conveniently adhere to the scale containing structure to prolong the service life of steam generator  100  to some extent, but also the flowing of the scale along with the steam can be blocked to reduce the possibility that the scale flows out via the steam outlet  14 . 
     Further, referring to  FIGS. 10 to 18 , the scale containing structure is configured to be at least one of a mesh grille  81 , a strip grille  82  and a columnar grille  83 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15 , the scale containing structure is configured as the mesh grille  81 , thus facilitating increasing the internal the surface area of the housing  1  to facilitate adhering more scale to the mesh grille  81  to prolong the service life of steam generator  100  to some extent, and meshes of the mesh grille  81  may also block the flowing of the scale along with the steam to reduce the possibility that the scale flows out via the steam outlet  14 . Meanwhile, because of the mesh grille  81 , a filter screen does not need to be disposed at the steam outlet  14 , so as to avoid problems in the art as followed: the steam outlet  14  is blocked because the scale adheres to the filter screen which is provided at the steam outlet  14 , and a pipe is blocked because the scale on the filter screen flows into an external pipe in communication with the steam outlet  14  under the impact of the steam, and etc. 
     It should be noted that, a mesh of the mesh grille  81  may be formed as a circular hole, a hexagonal hole, or holes in other shapes, which is not limited by the present invention. It should be understood that, meshes in the mesh grille  81  may have the same size, of course, may also have different sizes. Optionally, sizes of the meshes in the mesh grille  81  are adjustable. For example, the sizes of the meshes in the mesh grille  81  may be adjusted according to different water qualities and operating conditions in different regions. 
     Optionally, there is a plurality of mesh grilles  81 , and the plurality of mesh grilles  81  is spaced in the chamber where they are (i.e. the outer chamber  11  and/or the inner chamber  12 ). For example, as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15 , three mesh grilles  81  are spaced in the outer chamber  11 , so that an adhesion area for the scale increases to a greater extent, and the flowing of the scale along with the steam is blocked to a greater extent to decrease the possibility that the scale flows out via the steam outlet  14 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the scale containing structure is configured as the strip grille  82 , thus facilitating an increase in the internal surface area of the housing  1  to facilitate adhering more scale to the strip grille  82  to prolong the service life of steam generator  100  to some extent, and the flowing of the scale along with the steam can be blocked to reduce the possibility that the scale flows out via the steam outlet  14 . Meanwhile, because of the strip grille  82 , a filter screen does not need to be disposed at the steam outlet  14 , so as to avoid problems in the art as followed: the steam outlet  14  is blocked because the scale adheres to the filter screen which is provided at the steam outlet  14 , and the pipe is blocked because the scale on the filter screen flows into the external pipe in communication with the steam outlet  14  under the impact of the steam, and etc. In addition, since each grille hole of the strip grille  82  extends in a height direction of the strip grille  82 , when the scale is blocked by the strip grille  82 , the scale deposits downward to a bottom portion of the strip grille  82 , which reduces the probability that the strip grille  82  is blocked by the scale, and ensures a flow area of the steam via the strip grille  82 ; and further when the steam is flowing through the strip grille  82 , the flow rate of the steam is not excessively large to prevent the scale from rushing out via the steam outlet  14  together with the steam. 
     It should be understood that, sizes and the number of the grille holes of each strip grille  82  are adjustable, for example, the sizes of grille holes may be adjusted according to the different water qualities and operating conditions in different regions. 
     Optionally, there is a plurality of strip grilles  82 , and the plurality of strip grilles  82  is spaced in the chamber where they are (i.e. the outer chamber  11  and/or the inner chamber  12 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 18 , three strip grilles  82  are spaced in the outer chamber  11 , so that an adhesion area for the scale increases to a greater extent, and the flowing of the scale along with the steam is blocked to a greater extent to decrease the possibility that the scale flows out via the steam outlet  14 . 
     Further, the mesh grille  81  and/or the strip grille  82  are provided in the outer chamber  11 , two ends of the mesh grille  81  and/or two ends of the strip grille  82  are connected to the inner side wall of the outer chamber  11  and the outer side wall of the dividing wall  2  respectively. For example, when the outer chamber  11  is only provided with the mesh grille  81  therein, two ends of the mesh grille  81  are connected to the inner side wall of the outer chamber  11  and the outer side wall of the dividing wall  2  respectively; when the outer chamber  11  is only provided with the strip grille  82  therein, two ends of the strip grille  82  are connected to the inner side wall of the outer chamber  11  and the outer side wall of the dividing wall  2  respectively; and when the outer chamber  11  is provided with the mesh grille  81  and the strip grille  82  therein simultaneously, two ends of the mesh grille  81  and two ends of the strip grille  82  are connected to the inner side wall of the outer chamber  11  and the outer side wall of the dividing wall  2  respectively. Thus, the steam flowing through the outer chamber  11  has to pass through the mesh grille  81  and/or the strip grille  82  in order to continue to flow forward, so that the flowing of the scale along with the steam is reliably blocked. 
     Specifically, referring to  FIG. 14 , the inner side wall of the outer chamber  11  is provided with a first snap groove  84 , the outer side wall of the dividing wall  2  is provided with a second snap groove  85 , and the two ends of the mesh grille  81  and/or two ends of the strip grille  82  are snapped into the first snap groove  84  and the second snap groove  85 , thus reliably fixing the mesh grille  81  and/or the strip grille  82  in the outer chamber  11  to avoid a move or a waggle of the mesh grille  81  and/or the strip grille  82  in the outer chamber  11  due to an unstable fixation of the mesh grille  81  and/or strip grille  82 , which affects a use effect of the mesh grille  81  and the strip grille  82 . 
     For example, in a specific embodiment shown in  FIG. 14 , the first snap groove  84  and the second snap groove  85  both extend in a height direction of the housing  1  (i.e. a height direction of the base  15 ) to make the strip grille  82  and/or the mesh grille  81  reliably fixed between the outer chamber  11  and the dividing wall  2 . Specifically, the first snap groove  84  is defined by two first protruding ribs protruding from the inner side wall of the outer chamber  11  and being spaced apart from each other. The second snap groove  85  is defined by two second protruding ribs protruding from the outer side wall of the dividing wall  2  and being spaced apart from each other, which is simple and reliable in structure. Optionally, the second protruding ribs and the dividing wall  2  may be integrally formed in one piece, and the first protruding ribs and the housing  1  may be integrally formed in one piece. 
     In further embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 10 to 12 , a columnar grille  83  is located in the outer chamber  11  and/or the inner chamber  12 , and the columnar grille  83  includes a plurality of extending strips  831  substantially extending in a radial direction, thus facilitating an increase in the internal surface area of the outer chamber  11  and/or the inner chamber  12  to facilitate adhering more scale to the extending strips  831  to prolong the service life of the steam generator  100  to some extent. The extending strips  831  may also block the flowing of the scale along with the steam to some extent to reduce the possibility that the scale flows out via the steam outlet  14 . 
     Specifically, the columnar grille  83  includes a number of rounds of extending strips  831  distributed in the height direction of the housing  1 , each round includes a plurality of extending strips  831  distributed around a circumference (for example, around a circumference of the dividing wall  2 ), so as to increases the internal surface area of the outer chamber  11  and/or the inner chamber  12  to a greater extent to facilitate containing more scale, meanwhile, the flowing of the scale along with the steam can be blocked to a great extent to prolong the service life of the steam generator  100 . Further, two adjacent rounds of extending strips  831  are staggered from each other in a height direction, for example, a number of rounds of extending strips  831  distributed in the height direction of the housing  1  (for example, the height direction of the base  15 ) are staggered from each other. Thus, when the scale flows along with the steam, the probability that the scale contacts with the extending strips  831  increases, the flowing of the scale along with the steam can be blocked, and further that the steam outlet  14  and the pipe connected to the steam outlet  14  are blocked by the scale outflowing along with the steam via the steam outlet  14  can be avoided, which prolongs the service life of the steam generator  100 . 
     Optionally, the extending strips  831  extend from the outer side wall and/or the inner side wall of the dividing wall  2 , for example, when the columnar grille  83  is provided in the inner chamber  12 , the extending strips  831  extend from the inner side wall of the dividing wall  2  towards the inner chamber  12 ; when the columnar grille  83  is provided in the outer chamber  11 , the extending strips  831  extend from the outer side wall of the dividing wall  2  towards the outer chamber  11 ; when the columnar grilles  83  are provided in the outer chamber  11  and the inner chamber  12  simultaneously, the plurality of extending strips  831  extend from the outer side wall of the dividing wall  2  towards the outer chamber  11  and extend from the inner side wall of the dividing wall  2  towards the inner chamber  12  respectively. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the heating element  3  is spirally around the dividing wall  2  in the circumferential direction thereof and is provided in the dividing wall  2 . For example, there is one heating element  3  and the heating element  3  is spirally around the dividing wall  2  in the circumferential direction thereof and is provided in the dividing wall  2 . So that a contact area of the heating element  3  and the dividing wall  2  increases to make the heating element  3  radiate more heat to the inner chamber  12  and the outer chamber  11  via the dividing wall  2 , which shortens the pre-heat time of the steam generator  100  to improve the temperature and dryness of the steam. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. There may be a plurality of heating elements  3 , and the plurality of heating elements  3  are distributed in an up-and-down direction of the dividing wall  2  and spaced apart from each other. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the steam generator  100  further includes at least one temperature controller  9 , and the temperature controller  9  controls the energization and de-energization of the heating element  3  according to a temperature of the housing  1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 , the temperature controller  9  is provided on an outer surface of the housing  1 . For example, the temperature controller  9  is provided on an outer top wall of the housing  1  (i.e. an outer top wall of the cover  16 ), on an outer bottom wall of the housing  1  (i.e. an outer bottom wall of the base  15 ), or on an outer side wall of the housing  1  (i.e. an outer side wall of the base  15 ). Thus, providing the temperature controller  9  on the outer surface of the housing  1  not only facilitates the installation, maintenance and replacement of the temperature controller  9 , but also optimizes an operating environment of the temperature controller  9 . The temperature controller  9  does not needs to operate under a harsh environment, such that a range of choice of the temperature controller  9  is enlarged, for example, a temperature controller  9  with a low cost can be chosen, to facilitate decreasing a cost of the steam generator  100 . 
     Optionally, in some examples, the temperature controller  9  is configured as an electronic temperature controller  9  which is connected with a first temperature sensor, the temperature controller  9  is provided on the outer surface of the housing  1  to make the first temperature sensor detect a temperature of the housing  1 , and controls the energization and de-energization of the heating element  3  according to the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor. For example, when the first temperature sensor of the temperature controller  9  detects that the temperature of the housing  1  is greater than a predetermined maximum temperature, the temperature controller  9  controls the heating element  3  to stop heating; when the first temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the housing  1  is less than a predetermined minimum temperature, the temperature controller  9  controls the heating element  3  to heat, so as to ensure the use reliability of the heating element  3 , improve the use safety of the steam generator  100 , and prevents the steam generator  100  from burnout and other potential safety hazard, which results from an excessive high temperature due to continuous heating of the heating element  3 . 
     Optionally, there is a plurality of temperature controllers  9 , the plurality of temperature controller  9  are connected in parallel, and may be provided at different positions on the outer surface of the housing  1  respectively to detect temperatures of the different positions on the housing  1 . For example, when a first temperature sensor of a first temperature controller  9  detects that a temperature of a position on the housing  1  where the first temperature controller  9  is located is greater than the predetermined maximum temperature value, the first temperature controller  9  can control the heating element  3  to stop heating. After the heating element  3  stops heating for a period of time, if a first temperature sensor of a second temperature controller  9  detects that a temperature of a position on the housing  1  where the second temperature controller  9  is located is less than the predetermined minimum temperature value, the second temperature controller  9  can control the heating element  3  to start to heat. 
     Of course, in other examples, the temperature controller  9  may be configured as a mechanical temperature controller  9  and is provided on the housing  1 , and the temperature controller  9  may be disconnected or reset to control the energization and de-energization of the heating element  3 . 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the steam generator  100  further includes at least one fuse  10  provided on the outer surface of the housing  1 . For example, the fuse  10  is provided on the outer top wall of the housing  1  (i.e. the outer top wall of the cover  16 ), on the outer bottom wall of the housing  1  (i.e. the outer bottom wall of the base  15 ), or on the outer side wall of the housing  1  (i.e. the outer side wall of the base  15 ), so as to facilitates the installation, maintenance and replacement of the fuse  10 . 
     Each fuse  10  includes a second temperature sensor, and the fuse  10  is provided on the outer surface of the housing  1  to make the second temperature sensor detect the temperature of the housing  1 . When the second temperature sensor detects that the temperature of the housing  1  is greater than a predetermined value, the fuse  10  controls the heating element  3  to be de-energized. Specifically, when the second temperature sensor of the fuse  10  detects that the temperature of the housing  1  is unusually high (for example, when the steam generator  100  is in abnormal operation and the temperature controller  9  breaks down) and is greater than the predetermined value, the fuse  10  can blow to make the heating element  3  de-energized, so as to stop the heating element  3  from heating, which improves the use safety of the steam generator  100 . 
     Optionally, there may be a plurality of fuses  10 , the plurality of fuses  10  are connected in parallel, and may be provided on different positions on the outer surface of the housing  1 . 
     Further, the temperature controller  9  is provided on the outer side wall of the housing  1 , for example, the temperature controller  9  is provided on the outer side wall of the base  15 . Optionally, the fuse  10  and the temperature controller  9  both are provided on the outer side wall of the base  15 . 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 18 , the housing  1  is configured as a cube, a sphere, an ellipsoid or a cylinder generally, which is simple in structure. Optionally, the dividing wall  2  is formed to be a circular annular or square annular shape, that is, the dividing wall  2  has a circular annular or square annular cross section to divide the outer chamber  11  and the inner chamber  12 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The dividing wall  2  may have a cross section of other shapes, such as an elliptical cross section. 
     Optionally, the steam outlet  14  is provided in a position corresponding to a center of the inner chamber  12 . Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. The steam outlet  14  may also be provided in other positions on the top wall of the housing  1  (i.e. the cover  16 ) corresponding to the inner chamber  12 , as long as it is convenient for the steam in the inner chamber  12  to be discharged. 
     Optionally, a central line of the dividing wall  2  and a central line of the housing  1  are collinear, that is to say, a central line of the inner chamber  12  and a central line of the outer chamber  11  are collinear. Thus, it is convenient for the steam to flow through the outer chamber  11  smoothly, and it is convenient for the heating element  3  to heat the steam in the outer chamber  11  uniformly. Of course, it should be understood that the central line of the inner chamber  12  and the central line of the outer chamber  11  may also not be collinear. 
     A control method for the steam generator system according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In which, the steam generator system is the above-described steam generator system, and the control method for the steam generator system includes at least steps as follows. 
     S1: Power is supplied to the water pump and the heating element. For example, when the steam generator system is applied to the household appliance, the water pump and the steam generator are energized by connecting a power plug of the household appliance to a live socket, it should be understood that after the steam generator is energized, the heating element is energized. 
     S2: The water pump pumps the water in the water tank into the housing via the water inlet at the flow rate of 20 ml/min≦V≦100 ml/min. For example, the water pump pumps the water in the water tank via the water inlet into the outer chamber in communication with the water inlet at the flow rate of 20 ml/min≦V≦100 ml/min. 
     S3: The heating element vaporizes the water pumped into the housing into the steam to be discharged via the steam outlet. For example, the heating element heats the water pumped into the outer chamber to vaporize the water into the steam; and the steam enters the inner chamber via the communication groove, and forms the dry steam under the further heating of heating element in the inner chamber to be discharged via the steam outlet. 
     The control method for the steam generator system according to embodiments of the present invention makes for improvement of the operating efficiency of the steam generator. 
     The household appliance according to embodiments of the present invention includes an above-described steam generator system  1000 . 
     The household appliance according to embodiments of the present invention can have a prolonged service life, by providing the above-described steam generator system  1000 . 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, the household appliance may be a vacuum cleaner, a garment steamer, a range hood, a coffee maker, a washing machine, an air conditioner or a microwave oven. 
     In the present invention, unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “coupled,” “fixed” and the like are used broadly, and may be, for example, fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; may also be mechanical or electrical connections; may also be direct connections or indirect connections via intervening structures; may also be inner communications or interactions of two elements, which can be understood by those skilled in the art according to specific situations. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “an example,” “a specific example,” or “some examples,” device that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine the different embodiments or examples and the features of the different embodiments or examples described in this specification without conflicting situations. 
     Although explanatory embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated that the above embodiments cannot be construed to limit the present disclosure, and changes, alternatives, and modifications can be made in the embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art.