[DESCRIPTION]

[invention Title]

SILVER COLLOIDAL SOLUTION STEAM CLEANER

[Technical Field] The present invention relates, in general, to vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to a silver colloidal suspension steam cleaner, which discharges high-temperature silver colloidal suspension steam onto an object surface during a cleaning operation, thus eliminating bacteria from an object surface, and imparting a bactericidal property to the object surface that lasts even after the cleaning process has been completed.

[Background Art]

Generally, a vacuum cleaner sucks dirt along with air through a suction hole thereinto using suction force generated by a drive motor installed in a main body thereof. The dirt is collected by sucked air into a dust chamber of the main body via an extension pipe and a connection hose. The sucked air, having passed through the dust chamber, is discharged outside the main body.

However, the typical vacuum cleaner having the above- mentioned construction can merely collect dirt using suction force of the drive motor, and does not sterilize

the object surface. Therefore, a satisfactory sanitary condition cannot be realized.

To solve the above problem, a steam vacuum cleaner, which discharges high-temperature steam onto an object surface to sterilize the object surface, has been developed and used. However, in the case of the conventional steam vacuum cleaner, the object surface can be sterilized by steam during a cleaning process, but the object surface cannot continuously maintain a bactericidal property.

[Disclosure]

[Technical Problem]

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a silver colloidal suspension steam cleaner, which produces a silver colloidal suspension through the ionization of silver, which has superior antibacterial activity and sterilizing ability, using an electrolytic method, and discharges the produced silver colloidal suspension in a high-temperature steam phase during a cleaning process, thus sterilizing an object surface during the cleaning process and imparting a lasting bactericidal property to the object surface .

[Technical Solution]

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a silver colloidal suspension steam cleaner, including: a cleaner body including a vacuum suction port body, to which a steam nozzle is mounted, and conducting a vacuum suction operation; and a silver colloidal suspension steam generating unit provided on a rear surface of the cleaner body and generating silver colloidal suspension steam to be sprayed outside through the steam nozzle.

The silver colloidal suspension steam generating unit may include: a casing fastened to the rear surface of the cleaner body; a silver colloidal suspension steam generating device provided in the casing; and a steam hose to supply steam, generated in the silver colloidal suspension steam generating device, to the steam nozzle.

The silver colloidal suspension steam generating device may include: a water tank having in an upper surface thereof a stopper for water supply and a solenoid valve to control supply of the silver colloidal suspension steam, the water tank containing water therein; a silver colloidal suspension-producing device to change the water, contained in the water tank, into a silver colloidal suspension; a pump unit sucking the silver colloidal suspension through an inlet pipe adjacent to a bottom of the water tank and compressing the silver colloidal suspension at a high

pressure; and a heating unit connected between an outlet pipe of the pump unit and the solenoid valve through a hose and heating the high-pressure silver colloidal suspension supplied from the pump, thus changing the high-pressure silver colloidal suspension into high-pressure silver colloidal suspension steam.

The silver colloidal suspension steam cleaner may further include a high water level sensor and a low water level sensor provided on an inner surface of the water tank to detect a water level in the water tank.

The silver colloidal suspension-producing device may include: a positive terminal and a negative terminal fastened to the inner surface of the water tank and respectively forming an anode and a cathode when power is applied thereto; a pair of electrode plates electrically connected to the negative terminal; a silver foam support connected to the positive terminal; and a piece of silver foam seated in and electrically connected to the silver foam support . Furthermore, each of the electrode plates may be made of conductive material, and a plurality of through holes may be formed through each electrode plate.

As well, silver foam support slots may be formed in respective opposite ends of the positive terminal so that the silver foam support is removably inserted into the silver foam support slots, and electrode plate slots may be

formed in respective opposite ends of the negative terminal so that the electrode plates are removably inserted into the respective electrode plate slots. Preferably, a distance between the electrode plate slots is greater than a distance between the silver foam support slots .

The silver foam support may include: a pair of support plates made of conductive material and supporting opposite surfaces of the piece of silver foam; and a connection plate coupling edges of the support plates to each other and defining a silver foam seat, into which the piece of silver foam is seated, along with the support plates, the connection plate being made of conductive material .

Furthermore, each of the support plates may have a lattice shape, which has a plurality of lattice holes.

The piece of silver foam may have a sponge shape, and have a plurality of pores therein.

The silver foam support and the electrode plates may be made of titanium dioxide. In a process of cleaning an object surface using the silver colloidal suspension steam cleaner, the cleaner sucks dirt from the object surface using vacuum pressure and, simultaneously, discharges silver colloidal suspension steam onto the object surface, thus killing various kinds of bacteria and pests. After the cleaning process has been completed, thanks to the silver component of the silver

colloidal suspension which remains on the object surface, the object surface can retain a bactericidal property.

[Advantageous Effects]

The silver colloidal suspension steam cleaner of the present invention sterilizes and washes an object surface using high-temperature silver colloidal suspension steam during a cleaning process. After the cleaning process has been completed, silver ingredients that remain on the object surface impart a bactericidal property to the object surface, thus markedly improving sanitary conditions around the user.

[Description of Drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a silver colloidal suspension steam cleaner, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the silver colloidal suspension steam generating device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the construction of a heating unit of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the silver colloidal suspension steam cleaner of FIG. 2.

^■ ^Description of the elements in the drawings 1 : cleaner body 2 : suction port body

3: steam generating unit 21: casing

22: silver colloidal suspension steam generating device

23: steam hose 24: steam nozzle

33: water tank 35: heating coil 36: packing 37: guide protrusion

38: coupling nut 39: electric insulator

40: washer 41: nut

42: stopper 43: solenoid valve

44: reinforcing rib 46: wheel 100: silver colloidal suspension-producing device

101: silver foam 102: silver foam support

103: support plate 104: lattice hole

105: connection plate 107: electrode plate

108: through hole 110: negative terminal 111: electrode plate slot 120: positive terminal 121: silver foam support slot

[Best Mode]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a silver colloidal suspension steam cleaner, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a silver colloidal suspension steam generating device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a view showing the construction of a heating unit of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an

exploded perspective view of the silver colloidal suspension steam cleaner of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the silver colloidal suspension steam cleaner (hereinafter, referred to simply as "vacuum cleaner") of the present invention includes a cleaner body

1, which sucks dirt using vacuum force, a suction port body

2, which is provided below the cleaner body 1 to suck dirt, and to which a steam nozzle 24 is coupled, and a silver colloidal suspension steam generating unit 3, which is integrated with the cleaner body 1.

The cleaner body 1 has therein an electromotor 4 for generating the suction force, and a dust chamber 5, into which dirt, which is sucked into the cleaner body 1 through the suction port body 2 by the operation of the electromotor 4, is collected through a duct 13. The cleaner body 1 further has wires 6 for supplying power, and a handle 7, which is provided with a power switch 53 for controlling power supply, a drive switch 53, which controls operation of the electromotor and adjusts the driving speed of the electromotor, and a solenoid switch 54, which controls a solenoid valve 43 to spray silver colloidal suspension steam.

Wheels 8 and 9 are respectively provided at front and rear positions of the suction port body 2. In the suction port body 2, a cleaning roller 10 is coupled to a motor 11 through a belt 12 and is coupled to the dust chamber 5 through the duct 13, so that dirt, which is sucked into the

suction port body 2 by the operation of the electromotor 4, is collected in the dust chamber 5 through the duct 13.

The steam generating unit 3 includes a casing 21, which is fastened to the rear surface of the cleaner body 1, a silver colloidal suspension steam generating device 22

(hereinafter, referred as "steam generating device 22") , which is provided in the casing 21, a steam hose 23, which supplies steam, generated by the steam generating device 22, to the lower surface of the suction port body 2, and the steam nozzle 24, which is coupled to an end of the steam hose 23 and sprays steam onto an object surface.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the steam generating device 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the steam generating device 22 includes a water tank 33, which contains therein water to be used for generating steam, a pump unit (P) , which sucks a silver colloidal suspension through an inlet pipe adjacent to the water tank 33 and compresses the silver colloidal suspension at high pressure, and a heating unit 40, which is connected between an outlet pipe of the pump unit (P) and the solenoid valve 43 by connection hoses. The heating unit 40 heats the high-pressure silver colloidal suspension of the pump unit (P) , thus changing it into high-pressure silver colloidal suspension steam. For this, a flow pipe, through which the silver colloidal suspension flows, is provided in the heating unit 40, and an electric heating

coil is wound around the circumferential outer surface of the flow pipe to instantaneously heat the silver colloidal suspension, which passes through the flow pipe, and to change it into steam. The steam generating device 22 further includes a stopper 42, which is coupled to the upper surface of the water tank 33, and the solenoid valve 43, which is provided on the upper surface of the water tank 33 to control the supply of steam.

In the above description, the pump unit (P) has the inlet pipe, which is positioned adjacent to the bottom of the water tank 33, and through which a silver colloidal suspension is sucked into the pump unit (P) . Around the part of the inlet pipe that protrudes outside the water tank, a packing 36 is provided on the circumferential inner surface of the hole of the water tank, through which the inlet pipe is inserted, to seal the gap between the water tank and the inlet pipe, and a coupling nut 38 is screwed to a guide protrusion 37, which is provided around the packing 36. The outlet pipe of the pump unit (P) is coupled to the heating unit 40. An outlet of the heating unit 40 is connected to the solenoid valve 43.

The heating unit 40 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 3. The heating unit 40 is coupled at an inlet thereof to the outlet pipe of the pump unit (P) , so that a high-pressure silver colloidal suspension is drawn from the pump unit (P) into the heating unit 40. The outlet

of the heating unit 40 is connected to the solenoid valve 43. The heating unit 40 includes at an inner position thereof the flow pipe, along which the high-pressure silver colloidal suspension flows, and in which the high-pressure silver colloidal suspension is changed into high-pressure silver colloidal suspension steam by being heated at a high temperature, and the heating coil 35, which is wound around the flow pipe. That is, while a silver colloidal suspension, which has been compressed by the pump unit (P) at a high pressure, flows through the flow pipe, the silver colloidal suspension is heated by the heating coil 35 and is changed into steam. At this time, silver ions are contained by the high pressure, thus silver colloidal suspension steam is produced. In FIG. 3, the flow pipe, around which the heating coil 35 is wound, is bent at an angle of 90°, but the flow pipe may have a spiral or zigzag shape such that the time during which the silver colloidal suspension passes through the heating coil is increased, thus enhancing the efficiency with which the silver colloidal suspension steam is generated. Furthermore, the flow pipe of the heating unit 40 may be formed in a high- pressure storage tank shape. As well, the water tank 33 has at least one reinforcing rib therein to reinforce the strength thereof. Furthermore, wheels 46 are provided at opposite sides on the steam generating unit 3 such that a user can

conveniently move the vacuum cleaner.

A silver colloidal suspension-producing device 100 produces silver ions through an electrolytic method and thus makes a silver colloidal suspension from water, which is contained in the water tank 33. The silver colloidal suspension-producing device 100 will be explained herein below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the silver colloidal suspension-producing device 100 includes a positive terminal 120 and a negative terminal 110, which respectively form the anode and the cathode when power is applied thereto, a plurality of electrode plates 107, which are electrically connected to the negative terminal 110, a silver foam support 102, which is connected to the positive terminal 120, and a piece of silver foam 101, which is seated in and is electrically connected to the silver foam support 102.

Here, the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 110 are mounted to the inner surface of the casing of the steam generating device 22 using bolts 130, which are made of conductive material, at positions spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

Two silver foam support slots 121, which removably hold the silver foam support 102, which will be explained later herein, are formed in respective opposite ends of the positive terminal 120. Two electrode plate slots 111, into

which the respective electrode plates 107 are removably inserted, are formed in respective opposite ends of the negative terminal 110.

The distance between the two electrode plate slots 111 is greater than the distance between the silver foam support slots 121, such that the silver foam support 102 can be placed between the electrode plates 107.

The piece of silver foam 101 has a sponge shape, which has a plurality of pores 108 for ensuring the flow of water in the water tank. The piece of silver foam 101 is seated in and supported by a silver foam seat 69 of the silver foam support 102, which will be explained later herein.

The silver foam support 102 is made of conductive material and includes a pair of support plates 103, which support the opposite surfaces of the silver foam 101, and a connection plate 105, which couples edges of the support plates 103 to each other and defines the silver foam seat, into which the piece of silver foam 101 is seated, along with the support plates 103.

Each support plate 103 has a lattice shape having a plurality of lattice holes 104, so that the silver colloidal suspension created by the silver foam 101 can be readily mixed with water in the water tank through the lattice holes 104 of the support plates 103.

Furthermore, the silver foam support 102 is removably

fitted into the silver foam support slots 121 of the positive terminal 120. Thus, when the piece of silver foam 101 is exhausted after use for a long period, the piece of silver foam 101 can be easily replaced with a new one. Because the silver foam support 102 is connected to the silver foam support slots 121 of the positive terminal 120, it becomes a (+) electrode, and the piece of silver foam 101, which is supported in the silver foam support 102, also becomes a (+) electrode. In the present invention, the one pair of electrode plates 107, which are made of conductive material, is provided. The silver foam 101 is placed between the electrode plates 107. The electrode plates 107 are fitted into respective electrode plate slots 111 of the negative terminal 110 such that the surfaces thereof face the upper surface and the bottom of the water tank 33. Thus, the electrode plates 107 become the (-) electrodes. A plurality of through holes 108 is formed through each electrode plate 107 to ensure the flow of water in the water tank. It is preferable that the silver foam support 102 and the electrode plates 107 be made of titanium dioxide, having superior corrosion resistance and electric conductivity.

The electrode plates 107 and the piece of silver foam 101 electrically reciprocally act. The silver foam 101 is electrolyzed, so that silver ions are created and mixed

with water in the water tank. Thereby, the water in the water tank is changed into silver colloidal suspension water. Here, a separate heating device may be provided in the water tank 33 to heat the silver colloidal suspension water so that it circulates in the water tank by convection, and thus silver ions are more readily mixed with the water in the water tank.

The operation and effect of the vacuum cleaner of the present invention having the above-mentioned construction will be described herein below.

In the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, after power is applied to the cleaner body 1, the power switch 53 and the drive switch 53, which controls operation of the electromotor and adjusts the driving speed of the electromotor, are turned on. Then, electricity is applied to the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 110 of the silver colloidal suspension-producing device 100, so that the silver foam 101 becomes the anode while the electrode plates 107 become the cathode. At this time, due to reciprocal action between the silver foam 101 and the electrode plates 107, the silver foam 101 is ionized and silver ions are discharged into water in the water tank 33. Thereby, the water in the water tank 33 is changed into silver colloidal suspension water. Thereafter, the pump unit 40 is operated, thus the silver colloidal suspension is drawn into the heating unit 40

at a high pressure. The silver colloidal suspension, which is drawn into the heating unit 40, is heated by the heating coil 35 and thus changed into high-pressure steam in the heating unit 40. Here, silver ions are contained in the steam by the high temperature and high pressure. As a result, silver colloidal suspension steam is created.

When the user desires to conduct cleaning using silver colloidal suspension steam, the solenoid switch 55 is turned on. Then, the solenoid valve 43 is opened, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure silver colloidal suspension steam is supplied from the heating unit 40 to the steam nozzle 24, which is provided in the end of the suction port body 2, through the steam hose 23 and is then discharged outside from the steam nozzle 24 at high temperature and high pressure.

Some of the silver colloidal suspension, which is sprayed onto the object surface, is sucked along with dirt into the dust chamber 5 of the cleaner body 1 through the duct 13 by the suction force generated by the operation of the electromotor 4.

Here, because steam is discharged from the steam nozzle 24 at at least 100°C and at high pressure, bacteria are removed from the object surface. Some of the silver colloidal suspension, which is not sucked into the cleaner but remains on the object surface, imparts a bactericidal property to the object surface.

During such a cleaning process, a high water level sensor 33b and a low water level sensor 33c detect a water level in the water tank, such that the user can adjust the amount of water in the water tank by, for example, replenishing the water. Here, when the lower water level sensor 33c detects that the water lever is relatively low during the cleaning process and the user then desires to replenish the water tank with water, the user stops the operation of the vacuum cleaner and, thereafter, supplies water into the water tank after removing the stopper 42 from the water tank.

As described above, the cleaning method and vacuum cleaner using steam according to the present invention can sterilize an object surface using steam discharged at high temperature and at high pressure, thus creating sanitary conditions. Furthermore, because the present invention slightly wets dirt when sucking it, the cleaning efficiency is increased.

In the present invention, the silver foam has a three-dimensional net shape having an open cell structure. For example, the silver foam can be obtained by applying a silver-plated layer to the surface of a three-dimensional net shaped body, such as a polyurethane or synthetic resin sponge. In detail, a three-dimensional net shaped body having an open cell structure is coated with a conductive layer through a dry plating method. As such, when the

three-dimensional net shaped body has been coated with the conductive layer, it has conductivity. Subsequently, the three-dimensional net shaped body having conductivity is washed and is then plated with silver. At this time, the silver plating process is conducted through a wet plating method. Furthermore, the silver plating processes are conducted several times such that the silver-plated layer is formed to a desired thickness.

As such, a piece of silver foam having a three- dimensional net structure is manufactured by plating the three-dimensional net shaped body, having conductivity, with silver. Because the silver foam manufactured by the above-mentioned method has many pores therein, it has a very large surface area compared to other structures . Therefore, a piece of silver foam having a large surface area can be manufactured merely using a relatively small amount of silver. Thus, a product having superior sterilizing ability can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.