# US 7,610,778 B2 · Washing machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,610,778 B2 - Document ID: US7610778B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/699,970 - Filed: 2007-01-31 - Published: 2007-06-07 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2003-08-13 - Assignees: LG Electronics Inc. - Inventors: Soo Young Oh; Kyung Chul Woo; Jin Woong Kim; Si Moon Jeon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7610778B2 ## CPC - D06F 39/40: Steam generating arrangements - B24B 49/105: {using eddy currents} - D06F 39/04: Heating arrangements - D06F 39/088: {Liquid supply arrangements} - F22B 1/281: {other than by electrical resistances or electrodes} - D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES - B24B: MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING (grinding of gear teeth B23F, of screw-threads B23G1/36; by electro-erosion B23H; abrasive or related blasting B24C; tools for grinding, buffing or sharpening B24D; polishing compositions C09G1/00; abrasives C09K3/14; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F3/00; grinding arrangements for use on assembled railway tracks E01B31/17); DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS - F22B: METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS ## Abstract A washing machine includes a tub disposed inside a cabinet, for storing water; a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, for washing laundry; and a steam generating apparatus disposed at the cabinet, for generating steam supplied to the inside of the drum, by using high-frequency induction heating. Accordingly, by generating steam using high-frequency induction heating, a structure of the steam generating apparatus can be simplified, and performance of generating steam can be improved. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A laundry machine comprising: a drum configured to rotate about a horizontal axis; a tub located outside the drum; a steam generating apparatus configured to generate steam by heating water, the steam generating apparatus including: a tubular member; and a heating system, at least a portion of the heating system being located outside the tubular member; a steam supply line configured to provide a passage to the steam generated by the steam generating apparatus such that the steam can be supplied inside the drum of the laundry machine; a water supply line configured to provide a passage to the water to be supplied to the steam generating apparatus; a water supply valve configured to open/close the water supply line; and a water supply tube configured to supply washing water into the tub separately from the water supply line. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the steam generator includes a housing having a water inlet and a steam outlet, the water inlet being in communication with the water supply line, and the steam outlet being in communication with the steam supply line, wherein the heating system includes a heating material located inside of the housing to generate heat, and wherein water supplied into the housing passes through the heating material and becomes steam while flowing from the water inlet through the housing toward the steam outlet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The laundry machine of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a water supply pipe in flow communication with the water supply line and a steam discharge pipe in flow communication with the steam supply line. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The laundry machine of claim 3, wherein a part of the housing between the water supply pipe and the steam discharge pipe has a bigger cross-section than a cross-section of at least one of the water supply pipe and the steam discharge pipe. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The laundry machine of claim 2, wherein the water supply valve is closed when the temperature in the tub reaches a certain temperature, thereby preventing water from being supplied to the steam generating apparatus. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The laundry machine of claim 2, wherein the operation of the steam generating apparatus is stopped when the temperature in the tub reaches a certain temperature. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The laundry machine of claim 2, further comprising: a discharge pipe configured to discharge water stored in the tub; a circulation pump configured to pump the discharged water; and a circulation line configured to supply the discharged water into the drum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The laundry machine of claim 7, further comprising: a dividing unit connected with the circulation line and the steam supply line, respectively; and a spray nozzle configured to spray the discharged water and the steam directly into the drum. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The laundry machine of claim 2, further comprising a steam wash operating button. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The laundry machine of claim 2, wherein the drum has a substantially cylindrical sidewall with opposing ends, one of the opposing ends having an opening adapted so that clothes are put in the drum through the opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the heating system includes a coil located around the outer circumference of the tubular member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the heating system includes a heating material located inside of the tubular member to generate heat. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein a part of the tubular member between the water supply line and the steam supply line has a bigger cross-section than a cross-section of at least one of the water supply line and the steam supply line. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein: the tubular member has a water inlet and a steam outlet, the heating system is configured to convert water flowed to the steam generator to steam as the water progresses through the tubular member from the water inlet to the steam outlet. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The laundry machine of claim 14, wherein a part of the tubular member between the water supply line and the steam supply line has a bigger cross-section than a cross-section of at least one of the water supply line and the steam supply line ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The laundry machine of claim 14, wherein the drum has a substantially cylindrical sidewall with opposing ends, one of the opposing ends having an opening adapted so that clothes are put in the drum through the opening. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The laundry machine of claim 14, further comprising a steam wash operating button. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the water supply valve is closed when the temperature in the tub reaches a certain temperature, thereby preventing water from being supplied to the steam generating apparatus. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the operation of the steam generating apparatus is stopped when the temperature in the tub reaches a certain temperature. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The laundry machine of claim 1, further comprising: a discharge pipe configured to discharge water stored in the tub; a circulation pump configured to pump the discharged water; and a circulation line configured to supply the discharged water into the drum. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The laundry machine of claim 20, further comprising: a dividing unit connected with the circulation line and the steam supply line, respectively; and a spray nozzle configured to the spray the discharged water and the steam into the drum. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The laundry machine of claim 1, further comprising a steam wash operating button. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The laundry machine of claim 1, wherein the drum has a substantially cylindrical sidewall with opposing ends, one of the opposing ends having an opening adapted so that clothes are put in the drum through the opening. ### Claim 24 A laundry machine comprising: a drum configured to rotate about a horizontal axis; a steam generating apparatus configured to generate steam by heating water, the steam generating apparatus including: a tubular member; and a heating system, at least a portion of the heating system being located outside the tubular member, the heating system including a coil located around the outer circumference of the tubular member so as not to contact the water used to generate steam; and a steam supply line configured to provide a passage to the steam generated by the steam generating apparatus such that the steam can be supplied inside the drum of the laundry machine. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The laundry machine of claim 24, wherein the drum has a substantially cylindrical sidewall with opposing ends, one of the opposing ends having an opening adapted so that clothes are put in the drum through the opening. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The laundry machine of claim 24, wherein: the tubular member has a water inlet and a steam outlet, and the heating system is configured to convert water flowed to the steam generator to steam as the water progresses through the tubular member from the water inlet to the steam outlet. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The laundry machine of claim 24, further comprising a steam wash operating button.