Patent Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a drum washing machine which is capable of lifting clothes to a predetermined height and then dropping the lifted clothes so that the clothes can be washed by means of friction and impact. The drum washing machine is capable of heating wash water and spraying the heated wash water into a tub and a drum of the washing machine in a phase of high-temperature steam, thereby rapidly soaking clothes in the wash water, improving sterilizing and washing efficiencies of the drum washing machine, reducing costs of manufacturing the drum washing machine, and saving wash water and electric energy which are required for washing the clothes.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a drum washing machine which is capable of lifting clothes to a predetermined height and then dropping the lifted clothes so that the clothes can be washed by means of friction and impact, and more particularly to a steam jet drum washing machine which is capable of heating wash water and spraying the heated wash water into a tub and a drum of the washing machine in a phase of high-temperature steam, whereby sterilizing and washing efficiencies of the drum washing machine are improved.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    A drum washing machine is a kind of washer which is capable of washing clothes by friction between a drum rotated by a motor and the clothes put in the drum while a detergent and wash water are supplied in a horizontally mounted tub and the drum, which is disposed in the tub. With the drum washing machine, the clothes are neither damaged nor tangled with one another. Furthermore, the drum washing machine washes clothes by striking and rubbing the clothes, whereby washing efficiency is improved.  
           [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional drum washing machine, and FIG. 2 is a side view, in cross section, of the conventional drum washing machine.  
           [0006]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional drum washing machine comprises: a casing  2  forming the exterior of the drum washing machine; a tub  6  disposed in the casing  2  in such a manner that the tub  6  is suspended by means of springs  4  and simultaneously supported by means of damper assemblies  5 ; a drum  8  rotatably mounted in the tub  6 , in which clothes are put and into which wash water is supplied; a plurality of vanes  8   a  provided on the inner circumference of the drum  8  for lifting the clothes in the drum  8  as the drum  8  is rotated, the vanes  8   a  being longitudinally extended parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum  8  and inwardly protruded to a predetermined height while the vanes  8   a  are uniformly spaced apart from each other; and a motor  10  connected to the drum  8  in the rear of the tub  6  for rotating the drum  8 .  
           [0007]    The drum washing machine further comprises: a water-supply valve assembly  12  mounted above the tub  6  for supplying wash water into the tub  6  and the drum  8 ; a detergent box assembly  14  also mounted above the tub  6  for supplying a detergent into the tub  6  and the drum  8 ; and a drainage pump assembly  16  mounted below the tub  6  for draining the wash water from the tub  6  and the drum  8 .  
           [0008]    The drum  8  is provided at the inner circumference thereof with a plurality of through-holes  8   h , through which the wash water flows between the drum  8  and the tub  6 . When the drum  8  is rotated to dewater the clothes, the wash water contained in the clothes is separated from the clothes by means of the centrifugal force of the drum  8 . At this time, the wash water separated from the clothes is discharged through the through-holes  8   h . The water-supply valve assembly  12  includes a water-supply valve (not shown) so that the water-supply valve assembly  12  supplies wash water into the tub  6  and the drum  8  when the water-supply valve is opened. Similarly, the drainage pump assembly  16  includes a drainage pump (not shown) so that the drainage pump assembly  16  discharges the wash water from the tub  6  and the drum  8  when the drainage pump is operated.  
           [0009]    To the lower part of the tub  6  is mounted a heater  20  for heating wash water in the tub  6  to a high temperature, by which the washing efficiency is improved. Specifically, the tub  6  includes a heater mounting part  6   a  formed at the lower part thereof. The heater mounting part  6   a  of the tub  6  is downwardly extended from the tub  6  so that the heater  20  is mounted in the heater mounting part  6   a . The heater  20  is slidably inserted into the heater mounting part  6   a  of the tub  6  from the front part thereof, and then securely fixed to the heater mounting part  6   a  of the tub  6 .  
           [0010]    The operation of the conventional drum washing machine with the above-stated construction will now be described.  
           [0011]    When a washing process is performed while clothes are put in the drum  8 , the water-supply valve is opened so that a proper amount of wash water is supplied into the tub  6  and the drum  8  depending upon the amount of the clothes. The wash water passes through the water-supply valve assembly  12 , and then passes through the detergent box assembly  14 . The wash water having passed through the detergent box assembly  14  is supplied into the tub  6  together with a detergent.  
           [0012]    When the drum  8  is rotated by operation of the motor  10 , the clothes are lifted to a predetermined height by the vanes  8   a  and then dropped from the vanes  8   a  so that the clothes can be washed by means of friction and impact. At this time, the heater  20  may be operated to heat the wash water in the tub  6  so that the washing efficiency is improved.  
           [0013]    After the washing process is finished, the drainage pump is operated so that the wash water is discharged. Subsequently, the motor  10  is rotated at a high speed, and thus the drum  8  is also rotated at a high speed. When the drum  8  is rotated, the wash water contained in the clothes is separated from the clothes by means of the centrifugal force of the drum  8 . At this time, the wash water separated from the clothes is discharged through the through-holes  8   h . In this way, an intermittent dewatering. process is performed. Thereafter, the water-supply valve is opened again so that wash water is supplied into the tub  6  and the drum  8 . At the same time, the drum  8  is rotated so that a rinsing process is performed.  
           [0014]    The aforementioned rinsing and intermittent dewatering processes are alternately and repeatedly carried out, and finally a dewatering process is performed. In this way, a cleaning process is completed.  
           [0015]    In the conventional drum washing machine, however, the wash water is supplied into the tub  6  from the upper part thereof together with the detergent via the water-supply valve assembly  12  and the detergent box assembly  14 , and the wash water supplied into the tub  6  is heated by the heater  20  mounted to the lower part of the tub  6 . As can be easily understood from the above description, the wash water initially supplied into the tub is cold. Consequently, the wash water is slowly absorbed by the clothes.  
           [0016]    The conventional drum washing machine includes the heater mounting part  6   a  of the tub  6 , which is provided so that the heater  20  is mounted in the tub  6 . The heater mounting part  6   a  is formed at the lower part of the tub  6  in such a manner that the heater mounting part  6   a  is downwardly extended from the tub  6 . Consequently, it is required to provide an additional space necessary for forming the heater mounting part  6   a  in the tub  6 , which complicates construction of the drum washing machine.  
           [0017]    The wash water supplied in the tub  6  is heated by the heater  20 . Since the heater  20  is mounted in the heater mounting part  6   a  of the tub  6 , the wash water is also filled in the heater mounting part  6   a  of the tub  6 , and thus the wash water filled in the heater mounting part  6   a  of the tub  6  is also heated. However, the wash water filled in the heater mounting part  6   a  of the tub  6  is not used to wash the clothes. Consequently, wash water and electric energy are uselessly wasted. In addition, the detergent is left with the wash water in the heater mounting part  6   a  of the tub  6 , by which the washing efficiency of the drum washing machine is decreased.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0018]    Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a steam jet drum washing machine which is capable of heating wash water and spraying the heated wash water into a tub and a drum of the washing machine in a phase of high-temperature steam, thereby rapidly soaking clothes in the wash water, reducing waste of the wash water and electric energy, and improving sterilizing and washing efficiencies of the drum washing machine.  
           [0019]    In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a steam jet drum washing machine comprising: a tub disposed in a casing and adapted so that wash water is supplied into the tub; a drum rotatably mounted in the tub and adapted so that clothes are put in the drum and the wash water is supplied into the drum; a water-supply unit disposed at one side of the tub for supplying the wash water into the tub; and a steam generator for heating the wash water to generate high-temperature steam and supplying the generated high-temperature steam into the tub and the drum, the steam generator comprising:—an airtight container connected to the water-supply unit for storing the wash water;—a heater mounted in the container for heating the wash water stored in the container;—an inlet valve disposed between the water-supply unit and the container for supplying the wash water into the container; and—an outlet tube having the upper end disposed in the upper part of the container and the lower end disposed outside the container for guiding steam into the steam tube. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional drum washing machine;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a side view, in cross section, of the conventional drum washing machine;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a steam jet drum washing machine according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a side view, in cross section, of the steam jet drum washing machine according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a steam generator of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 5; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a steam jet drum washing machine according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a steam jet drum washing machine according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a side view, in cross section, of the steam jet drum washing machine according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a steam generator of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 5.  
         [0030]    As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the steam jet drum washing machine according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a casing  52  forming the exterior of the drum washing machine; a tub  56  disposed in the casing  52  in such a manner that the tub  56  is suspended by means of springs  54  and simultaneously supported by means of damper assemblies  55 ; a drum  58  rotatably mounted in the tub  56 , in which clothes are put and into which wash water is supplied; a plurality of vanes  58   a  provided on the inner circumference of the drum  58  for lifting the clothes in the drum  58  as the drum  58  is rotated, the vanes  58   a  being longitudinally extended parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum  58  and inwardly protruded to a predetermined height while the vanes  58   a  are uniformly spaced apart from each other; a motor  60  connected to the drum  58  in the rear of the tub  56  for rotating the drum  58 ; and a steam generator  70  disposed above the tub  56  for heating the wash water to obtain high-temperature steam, which is supplied to the tub  56  and the drum  58 .  
         [0031]    The steam jet drum washing machine further comprises: a water-supply unit  62  mounted above the tub  56  for supplying wash water into the tub  56  and the drum  58 ; and a drainage pump assembly  66  mounted below the tub  56  for draining the wash water from the tub  56  and the drum  58 . The steam generator  70  is connected to the water-supply unit  62 .  
         [0032]    The water-supply unit  62  comprises: a water-supply valve assembly  62   a  including a water-supply valve mounted to the rear of the casing  52  for supplying wash water; a detergent box assembly  62   b  mounted between the water-supply valve assembly  62   a  and the tub  56  for storing a detergent; a water-supply supply tube  62   c  connected between the water-supply valve assembly  62   a  and the steam generator  70 ; an auxiliary water-supply supply tube  62   c ′ connected between the water-supply valve assembly  62   a  and the detergent box assembly  62   b ; and a steam tube  62   d  having one end connected to the steam generator  70  and the other end  62   d ′ disposed in the tub  56  and the drum  58  for supplying the steam into the tub  56  and the drum  58 .  
         [0033]    Alternatively, the water-supply unit  62  may comprise the water-supply valve assembly  62   a , the water-supply tube  62   c , and the steam tube  62   d  so that the wash water is supplied into the tub  56  and the drum  58  via only the steam generator  70 .  
         [0034]    The drum  58  is provided at the inner circumference thereof with a plurality of through-holes  58   h , through which the wash water flows between the drum  58  and the tub  56 . When the drum  58  is rotated to dewater the clothes, the wash water contained in the clothes is separated from the clothes by means of the centrifugal force of the drum  58 . At this time, the wash water separated from the clothes is discharged through the through-holes  58   h . The water-supply valve assembly  62  includes a water-supply valve. (not shown) so that the water-supply valve assembly  62  supplies wash water into the tub  56  and the drum  58  when the water-supply valve is opened. Similarly, the drainage pump assembly  66  includes a drainage pump (not shown) so that the drainage pump assembly  66  discharges the wash water from the tub  56  and the drum  58  when the drainage pump is operated.  
         [0035]    The water-supply tube  62   c  is connected between the water-supply valve assembly  62   a  and the steam generator  70  so that the wash water is supplied into the steam generator  70 . The auxiliary water-supply tube  62   c ′ is connected between the water-supply valve assembly  62   a  and the detergent box assembly  62   b  so that the wash water is supplied into the detergent box assembly  62   b.  The supply of the wash water into the water-supply tube  62   c  or the auxiliary water-supply tube  62   c ′ is controlled by the water-supply valve.  
         [0036]    Alternatively, an additional auxiliary water-supply valve (not shown) may be mounted in the auxiliary water-supply tube  62   c ′ so that the supply of the wash water into the water-supply tube  62   c  and the auxiliary water-supply tube  62   c ′ is separately controlled.  
         [0037]    The end  62   d ′ of the steam tube  62   d  is formed in the shape of a nozzle so that steam is sprayed at a high speed from the end  62   d ′. The end  62   d ′ of the steam tube  62   d  penetrates through the upper end of a gasket  57  mounted for preventing leakage of water between the tub  56  and the casing  52 . Consequently, the steam guided along the steam tube  62   d  is downwardly sprayed through the end  62   d ′ of the steam tube  62   d  into the tub  56  and the drum  58 .  
         [0038]    The water-supply tube  62   c  and the steam tube  62   d  are relatively short by the provision of the steam generator  70 . The steam generator  70  is disposed above the tub  56  between the tub  56  and the casing  52  so that repair and inspection of the stem generator  70  can be easily and conveniently conducted. For example, the steam generator  70  may be securely mounted to the tub  56  or the casing  52  by means of fixing members (not shown).  
         [0039]    As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the steam generator  70  comprises: a container  72  connected at the top end thereof to the water-supply tube  62   c  and the steam tube  62   d  and having an inner space for storing wash water defined therein; a heater  74  mounted in the container  72  for heating the wash water stored in the container  72 ; an inlet valve  76  disposed between the water-supply tube  62   c  and the container  72  for supplying the wash water into the container  72 ; and an outlet tube  78  penetrating through the bottom of the container  72 , the outlet tube  78  having the upper end disposed in the upper part of the container  72  and the lower end connected to the steam tube  62   d  for guiding steam into the steam tube  62   d.    
         [0040]    The container  72  comprises an upper container part  72   a  forming the upper part of the container  72 , and a lower container part  72   b  forming the lower part of the container  72 . The upper container part  72   a  and the lower container part  72   b  are preferably attached at the edges thereof to each other by means of bolts B. The upper container part  72   a  is provided at the center thereof with a steam storing space  72   a ′, which is upwardly protruded for temporarily storing steam.  
         [0041]    The heater  74  is horizontally disposed in the lower container part  72   b  so that heater  74  can be submerged under the wash water even when the wash water is supplied into the container  72  to the minimum water level. Preferably, the heater  74  is an electric heater formed in the shape of a curved pipe so that the heating surface area is increased.  
         [0042]    The steam generator  70  further comprises a temperature sensor  79  for sensing the temperature inside the container  72  to control the operation of the heater  74  on the basis of the temperature inside the container  72 . The temperature sensor  79  also serves as a safety switch, such as a thermostat, for cutting off the supply of electric current to the heater  74  to stop the operation of the heater  74 .  
         [0043]    The inlet valve  76  is preferably a solenoid valve whose opening or closing operation is electronically controlled, which can be used at a low temperature as well as at a low pressure, and can be economically used.  
         [0044]    Opening or closing the inlet valve  76  is controlled by means of a water-level sensor (not shown) for sensing the level of the wash water supplied into the tub  56  or an auxiliary water-level sensor (not shown) for sensing the level of the wash water supplied into the container  72 . The auxiliary water-level sensor senses the level of the wash water on the basis of the movement of a float on the wash water. Alternatively, the auxiliary water-level sensor may sense the level of the wash water on the basis of the change in inside pressure of the container  72  when the wash water is supplied into the container  72 .  
         [0045]    The steam generator  70  further comprises a wash-water flow restraining unit  75  mounted in the container  72  for restraining the wash water from flowing toward the upper end of the outlet tube  78  to maintain uniform water level in the container  72 , whereby the inflow of the wash water into the tub  56  and the drum  58  via the outlet tube  78  is prevented.  
         [0046]    The wash-water flow restraining unit  75  comprises: a first partition  75   a  downwardly extended from the top of the upper container part  72   a  around the steam storing space  72   a ′; and a second partition  75   b  upwardly extended from the bottom of the lower container part  72   b  around the first partition  75   a . The first and second partitions  75   a  and  75   b  are provided at the lower parts thereof with through-holes (not shown), respectively, through which the wash water flows.  
         [0047]    Specifically, the first partition  75   a  and the second partition  75   b  overlap with each other while the first and second partitions  75   a  and  75   b  are spaced apart from each other around the steam storing space  72   a ′. As a result, the wash water cannot flow toward the steam storing space  72   a ′, and thus the inflow of the wash water into the tub  56  and the drum  58  via the outlet tube  78  is prevented.  
         [0048]    The outlet tube  78  is preferably formed in the shape of a straight cylindrical pipe and connected integrally to the lower container part  72   b . The upper end  78   a  of the outlet tube  78  is disposed inside the steam storing space  72   a ′, and the lower end  78   b  of the outlet tube  78  is disposed outside the lower container part  72   b  in such a manner that the lower end  78   b  of the outlet tube  78  is connected to the steam tube  62   d . The outlet tube  78  is vertically disposed as shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0049]    In the steam generator  70  with the above-stated construction, the wash water supplied in the container  72  is simply heated to generate steam. The steam generated in the container  72  is temporarily stored in the steam storing space  72   a ′, and then supplied into the steam tube  62   d  via the outlet tube  78 . At this time, the pressure of the steam guided along the outlet tube  78  is not higher than the atmospheric pressure with the result that the steam does not smoothly flow.  
         [0050]    To this end, the steam generator  70  may further comprise a blowing fan (not shown) mounted in the outlet tube  78  or the steam tube  62   d  for blowing the steam into the tub  56  and the drum  58 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a steam jet drum washing machine according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0052]    As shown in FIG. 7, the steam jet drum washing machine according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is identical to the steam jet drum washing machine according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention except that the steam generator  70  is disposed below the tub  56  between the tub  56  and the casing  52 , for example, the steam generator is securely mounted to the tub  56  or the casing  52  by means of fixing members (not shown).  
         [0053]    Consequently, the water-supply tube  63   c  connected between the steam generator  70  and the water-supply valve assembly (not shown) is disposed between one side of the tub  56  and the casing  52 . Similarly, the steam tube  63   d  connected between the steam generator  70  and the tub  56  is disposed between one side of the tub  56  and the casing  52 .  
         [0054]    When the steam generator  70  is disposed below the tub  56  as described above, the steam generator  70  may be installed in an empty space defined below the tub  56  between the tub  56  and the casing  52 . Consequently, the total size of the drum washing machine is not increased even though the steam generator  70  is mounted in the drum washing machine.  
         [0055]    The operation of the steam jet drum washing machine with the above-stated construction according to the present invention will now be described.  
         [0056]    When a washing process is performed while clothes are put in the drum  58 , the water-supply valve and the auxiliary water-supply valve are opened so that a proper amount of wash water is supplied into the tub  56  and the drum  58  depending upon the amount of the clothes. The wash water passes through the auxiliary water-supply tube  62   c ′, and then passes through the detergent box assembly  62   b . The wash water having passed through the detergent box assembly  62   b  is supplied into the tub  56  together with a detergent.  
         [0057]    When the wash water is supplied into the tub  56 , the water-level sensor senses the level of the wash water supplied into the tub  56 . After a proper amount of wash water is supplied into the tub  56 , the auxiliary water-supply valve is closed. Consequently, the wash water is no longer supplied into the tub  56  and the drum  58  via the auxiliary water-supply tube  62   c′.    
         [0058]    When the wash water is to be sprayed in a phase of steam according to a user&#39;s selection, the water-supply valve and the inlet valve  76  are opened so that the wash water passes through the water-supply tube  62   c , and is then supplied into the steam generator  70  where the wash water is heated to obtain high-temperature steam. The high-temperature steam generated in the steam generator  70  is sprayed into the tub  56  and the drum  58  via the steam tube  62   d.    
         [0059]    Specifically, when the inlet valve  76  is opened, the wash water is supplied into the container  72 . After the wash water is supplied into the container  72  to a predetermined water level, the inlet valve  76  is closed. The level of the wash water supplied into the container  72  is either directly sensed by the auxiliary water-level sensor or indirectly sensed by the water-level sensor.  
         [0060]    Sensing the level of the wash water supplied into the container  72  by the water-level sensor will be hereinafter described in detail. When the wash water is continuously supplied into the container  72  over the capacity of the container  72 , the wash water is guided into the tub  56  and the drum  58  via the outlet tube  78  and the steam tube  62   d . At this time, the fluctuation in level of the wash water in the tub  56  and the  58  is sensed by the water-level sensor, by which it is indirectly sensed that the wash water is supplied into the container  72  to the full capacity of the container  72 .  
         [0061]    Thereafter, the inlet valve  76  is closed, and the heater  74  is operated. As the heater  74  is operated, the wash water is heated to generate high-temperature steam, which is temporarily stored in the steam storing space  72   a′.    
         [0062]    At this time, the temperature sensor  79  senses the temperature of the interior of the container  72 , and the operation of the heater  74  is controlled on the basis of the sensed temperature so that the heater  74  is not overheated.  
         [0063]    As the steam is stored in the steam storing space  72   a ′ to the extent that the pressure in the container  74  is over a predetermined pressure, the steam is supplied into the tub  56  and the drum  58  via the outlet tube  78  and the steam tube  62 d so that the clothes are rapidly soaked.  
         [0064]    At this time, the steam is sprayed into the tub  56  and the drum  58  through the end  62   d ′ of the steam tube  62   d , which is formed in the shape of a nozzle. As a result, the clothes are rapidly soaked.  
         [0065]    The blowing fan mounted in the outlet tube  78  or the steam tube  62   d  is preferably operated so that the steam is rapidly supplied into the tub  56  and the drum  58 .  
         [0066]    When a proper amount of the wash water is supplied into the tub  56  and the drum  58 , the water-supply valve is closed, and the motor  60  is operated. When the drum  58  is rotated by operation of the motor  60 , the clothes are lifted to a predetermined height by the vanes  58   a  and then dropped from the vanes  58   a . In this way, a washing process is performed.  
         [0067]    After the washing process is finished, the drainage pump is operated so that the wash water is discharged. Subsequently, the motor  60  is rotated at a high speed, and thus the drum  58  is also rotated at a high speed. When the drum  58  is rotated, the wash water contained in the clothes is separated from the clothes by means of the centrifugal force of the drum  58 . In this way, an intermittent dewatering process is performed. The water-supply valve and the auxiliary water-supply valve are opened again so that wash water is supplied into the tub  56  and the drum  58  to a predetermined level via the auxiliary water-supply tube  62   c ′. Thereafter, the drum  58  is rotated so that a rinsing process is performed.  
         [0068]    The aforementioned rinsing and intermittent dewatering processes are alternately and repeatedly carried out, and finally a dewatering process is performed. In this way, a process for cleaning the clothes is completed.  
         [0069]    It should be noted that the wash water may be supplied into the steam generator  70  where the wash water is heated to obtain high-temperature steam, and the high-temperature steam may be sprayed into the tub  56  and the drum  58  even when the clothes are washed or rinsed as well as when the wash water is initially supplied into the tub  56  and the drum  58 , in order to improve sterilizing and washing efficiencies of the drum washing machine.  
         [0070]    When the drum  58  is rotated to wash or rinse the clothes, vibration caused by the rotation of the drum  58  is transmitted to the entire drum washing machine with the result that the wash water is fluctuated in the container  72 . When the wash water flows toward the steam storing space  72   a ′ in the container  72 , the flow of the wash water is restrained by the first and second partitions  75   a  and  75   b . Consequently, the inflow of the wash water into the tub  56  and the drum  58  via the outlet tube  78  is prevented.  
         [0071]    As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a steam jet drum washing machine characterized in that wash water is supplied into a steam generator where the wash water is heated to obtain high-temperature temperature steam, and the steam is sprayed into a tub and a drum of the drum washing machine, thereby rapidly soaking clothes in the wash water when the wash water is initially supplied into the tub and the drum, saving wash water and electric energy. In addition, the wash water is supplied in a phase of high-temperature steam when clothes are washed and rinsed, whereby sterilizing and washing efficiencies of the drum washing machine are improved.  
         [0072]    Furthermore, the steam jet drum washing machine is characterized in that the wash water is heated in a container of the steam generator to generate steam, the generated stem is temporarily stored in a steam storing space defined in the container, which is then directly supplied into the tub and drum via an outlet tube. Consequently, the size of the container in which the wash water is heated can be reduced, and thus the total size of the drum washing machine can also be reduced. In addition, the steam jet drum washing machine does not require an additional outlet valve, whereby costs of manufacturing the drum washing machine are reduced.  
         [0073]    Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3