LAUNDRY MACHINE WITH MEANS FOR REGENERATING FILTER OF STEAM GENERATOR THEREIN AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME

摘要

A washing machine capable of regenerating a filter for a steam generator and a method of operating the washing machine are provided to prevent accumulation of deposits in the steam generator by installing a purification filter on a water supply channel, and to allow for semi-permanent use of the purification filter by feeding regenerative material into a regenerative channel, thereby removing the deposits accumulated on the purification filter. A washing machine capable of regenerating a steam generator filter has a first valve(440) installed on a water supply channel(410) between a regenerative channel(430) and a steam generator(300). A second valve(450) is installed in the regenerative channel except for a filter channel(420). A water container(310), which is installed on the regenerative channel, supplies the water to the steam generator through the water supply channel, and a pump(490) is installed on the filter channel. A regenerative material supply device(480) is installed on the regenerative channel, and supplies the regenerative material needed for regenerating a purification filter. The purification filter includes an ion exchange resin(460). A salinity measuring sensor(470) is installed on the regenerative channel. A method of operating the washing machine comprises the steps of: closing the first valve to close off the water supply channel, and opening the second valve to open the regenerative channel; driving the pump to circulate the water in the regenerative channel; operating the regenerative supply device to feed the regenerative material into the regenerative channel for regenerating the purification filter, wherein the operation of the regenerative supply device is controlled depending on the salinity of the water circulated in the regeneration channel measured by the salinity measuring washing machine.