GB2276811A

GB2276811A - Steam vacuum cleaner

Info

Publication number: GB2276811A
Application number: GB9400166A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cheol Hwang; Yoon Seok Lee; Seong Soo Kang
Original assignee: Gold Star Co Ltd
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 1993-03-31
Filing date: 1994-01-06
Publication date: 1994-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 2014-01-06
Also published as: GB9400166D0; GB2276811B

Abstract

A steam vacuum cleaner comprises a motor (4), a dirt collection chamber (5), a roller-type cleaning means (10) mounted on the nozzle (2), and a steam generating unit (3) mounted on a side of the dirt collection chamber and generating high temperature and high pressure steam. The cleaning method comprises the steps of spraying steam of a high temperature not less than 100 DEG C and a high pressure not less than 2 bar on a cleaning object, thus to sterilize the cleaning object and instantaneously soak the smudged dirt of the cleaning object, wiping the cleaning object by a rolling cleaning member of a nozzle, and sucking the dirt of the cleaning object into the dirt collection chamber by vacuum pressure. The water tank and heater may be mounted on the wand section (Fig. 14). <IMAGE>

Description

STEAM VACUUM CLEANER AND CLEANING METHOD THEREOF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates in general to a vacuum cleaner and, more particularly, to a steam vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaning method thereof for sterilizing a cleaning object and soaking smudged dirt of the cleaning object by spraying steam onto the cleaning object.

Description of the Prior Art With reference to Fig. 1, there is shown a typical vacuum cleaner. The cleaner includes a power cord 6a which is wound on a winder at the upper section of a main container. This cleaner also includes a motor 4a at a middle section of the main container and is coupled to a nozzle 24a at the lower end of the main container. The nozzle 24a includes a micro motor lia, a belt 12a and a rotatable cleaning member 10a. This nozzle 24a communicates with a dirt collection chamber of the main container through a suction conduit 13a.

In operation of the above cleaner, the motor 4a of the main container is turned on and the micro motor ila of the nozzle 24a is selectively rotated. The selective operation of the micro motor lia of the nozzle 24a is influenced by condition of a cleaning object and rotates the cleaning member 10a, thus to suck the dirt through the suction conduit 13a into a dirt collection chamber 5a of the main container.

As described above, the typical vacuum cleaner selectively rotates the cleaning member 10a of the nozzle 24a and sucks the dirt into the dirt collection chamber 5a of the main container. However, the above vacuum cleaner has a problem that its cleaning member lOa can not effectively suck the dirt when the cleaning object has no fuzz, while it effectively sucks the dirt when the cleaning object is a fuzzy material, such as a carpet. Particularly, the above cleaner shows bad cleaning effect when the cleaning object is smudged with dirt and stained with spots. Another problem of the typical vacuum cleaner is resided in that it shows no sterilizing effect for bacteria of the cleaning object, so that it does not improve the sanitary condition of the room.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a steam vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaning method thereof which spray a high temperature and high pressure steam on a cleaning object in order to sterilize the cleaning object and to achieve a desired sanitary condition.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a steam vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaning method thereof which soak smudged dirt and spots and stains of the cleaning object in order to easily remove the dirt, thus to improve the cleaning effect.

In an aspect, the present invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprises a motor mounted in a middle section of a main container of the cleaner and generating a suction force, a dirt collection chamber mounted in a lower section of the main container and collecting the dirt sucked thereinto through a nozzle by the suction force, a power cord mounted on the motor in order to supply electric power, a roller-type cleaning means rotatably mounted on the nozzle and connected to a micro motor by a belt, and a steam generating unit mounted on a side of the dirt collection chamber and generating a high temperature and high pressure steam.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning method comprising the steps of spraying steam of a high temperature not less than 100 C and a high pressure not less than 2 bar on a cleaning object, thus to sterilize the cleaning object and instantaneously soak smudged dirt of the cleaning object, wiping the cleaning object by a rolling cleaning member of a nozzle, and sucking the dirt of the cleaning object into a dirt collection chamber by vacuum pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 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: Fig. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a typical vacuum cleaner; Fig. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of a steam vacuum cleaner in accordance with a primary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a side view of a steam generator of the cleaner of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a front view of the steam generator of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the steam generator taken along the section line A-A of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the steam genertor taken along the section line B-B of Fig. ; Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram cf the cleaner of Fig. 2; Fig. 8 shows a nozzle cover of a steam spray nozzle of the cleaner o the present invention Fig. 3 shows a nozzle base of the steam spray nozzle of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a partially enlarged side sectional view of a steam vacuum cleaner in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a plan view of a drive mechanism of a rollertype cleaning member the cleaner of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a view showing a suction nozzle of a steam vacuum cleaner in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 13A is a perspective view of the suction nozzle of Fig. 12 ! from which a water tank is separated; Fig. 13B is an exploded perspective view of the water tank of Fig. 13A; Fig. 14 is a perspective viw of a steam vacuum cleaner in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present i nvent i on Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a construction of steam generating means of the cleaner of Fig. 14; Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the steam generating means of the cleaner of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a side sectional view of a suction nozzle having a steam spray nozzle of the cleaner of Fig. 14; and Fig. is is a bottom view of the suction nozzle of Fig.

17.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In a steam vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaning method of the present invention, high pressure and high temperature steam which is not less than 100 C and 2 bar is sprayed on a cleaning object in order to sterilize i ze bacteria and exterminate vermin and to instantaneously soak smudged dirt and spots and stains of the cleaning object. Thereafter, a roller-type cleaning member of the cleaner is rotated on the cleaning object in order to wipe the cleaning object and suck the dirt by vacuum pressure.

With reference to Figs. 2 to 9, there is shown a steam vacuum cleaner in accordance with a primary embodiment of the present invention. The cleaner comprises a main container 1 and a nozzle 2 connected to the lower end of the main container 1. The main container 1 also includes a steam generating unit 3.

The main container 1 of the cleaner further includes a drive motor 4 which is placed in the middle section of the main container 1. This motor 4 generates a suction force. A dirt collection chamber 5 is provided under the drive motor 4 and collects varieties of dirts sucked thereinto through a suction port 2 by the suction force of the motor 4. A power cord 6 is wound on a winder provided in the upper section of the main container 1. A handle 7 is provided at the back of the main container 1.

The nozzle 2 has wheels 8 and 9, having different sizes, at its front and rear sections. A roller-type cleaning member 10 is included in the nozzle 2 and connected to a micro motor 11 by a belt 12. The cleaning member 10 of the nozzle 2 also communicates with the dirt collection chamber 5 of the main container 1 through a duct 13, so that the dirt sucked into the nozzle 2 by the suction force of the drive motor 4 is introduced into the dirt collection chamber 5 through the duct 13 in order to be collected by the chamber 5.

The steam generating unit 3 comprises a casing 21 fixed to the back of the main container 1 and a steam generator 22 received in the casing 21. A steam pipe 23 is connected between the steam generator 22 and the nozzle 2 in order to supply the steam of the steam generator 22 to the lower section of the nozzle 2. The steam generating unit 3 also includes a steam spray nozzle 24 coupled to an end of the steam pipe 23 in order to spray the steam to the cleaning object.

The steam generator 22 comprises upper and lower reservoirs 33 and 34 charged with water and fixed to each other by a plurality of bolts 31 and nuts 32 as shown in Figs.

3 to 6. A sheath pipe heater 35 is mounted on the lower section of the lower reservoir 34 such that its opposed ends protrude out of a side wall of the lower reservoir 34. A pair of packings 36 are provided on the side wall of the lower reservoir 34 from which the opposed ends of the heater 35 protrude, thereby achieving a desired air tight condition of the connection parts of the side wall and the heater 35. The packings 26 are surrounded by individual guiders 37 to each of which a set screw 38 is threaded. At this time, the opposed ends of the heater 35 protrude out of the front surfaces of the set screws 38. Each of the protruding ends of the heater 35 is sequentially coupled to a porcelain insulator 39, a washer 40 and a nut 41 which are adapted for insulation and electric power connection. The steam generator 22 also includes a cap mounted on the upper top of the upper reservoir 33 and a solenoid valve 43 mounted on the upper reservoir 33.

This solenoid valve 43 controls the steam supply from the steam generator 22.

Here, it is preferred to use an elastic material having spring hardness of 10 - SO as the packings 36.

Each of the upper and lower reservoirs 33 and 34 is provided with at least one reinforcing rib 44 or 45 in order for achieving inner reinforcement. In addition, the steam generating unit 3 has a pair of opposed wheels 46.

In the drawings, the reference numeral 60 denotes a nipple.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the steam spray nozzle 24 comprises a nozzle cover 24a and a nozzle base 24b which are integrated into the nozzle 24. The nozzle cover 24a is provided at its center with a nipple connector 24al for connecting the nipple 60 to this nozzle cover 24a. In order to achieve an effective steam spraying operation and to prevent change of the steam into water, this nozzle cover 24a has such curved shape that its sectional area is gradually reduced from its center to its opposed ends as shown in Fig.

8. In addition, in order to achieve the same object, the nozzle base 24b has such curved shape that its sectional area is gradually reduced from its center to its opposed ends as shown in Fig. 9. This nozzle base 24b has a plurality of conical-shaped spray perforations 24b which are spaced out at regular intervals. In each of the spray perforations 24b1, the upper outer diameter is ranged from 1.0 mm to 1.2 mm while the lower outer diameter is ranged from 3 mm to 4 mm.

In order to operate the above steam vacuum cleaner according to the primary embodiment, a power switch 52 and a heat switch 53 are switched on, so that the electric power of a power source 51 is applied to the sheath pipe heater 35 of the steam generator 22 of the steam generating unit 3 and heats the water charged in the upper and lower reservoirs 33 and 34 of the steam generator 22.

After a predetermined time has been elapsed, the water in the reservoirs 33 and 34 is boiled in order to be changed into steam. This steam is charged in the reservoirs 33 and 34.

In order to clean using the steam, a solenoid switch 54 is switched on in order to open the solenoid valve 43. Hence, the steam in the upper and lower reservoirs 33 and 34 is introduced to the steam spray nozzle 24 of the nozzle 2 through the steam pipe 23. The steam is, thereafter, sprayed to the cleaning object by the steam spray nozzle 24 at a high temperature and a high pressure.

At this time, the steam sprayed from the steam spray nozzle 24 shows a high temperature not less than 100 C as well as a high pressure not less than 2 bar, so that it sterilizes the cleaning object and soaks the smudged dirt and spots and stains of the cleaning object.

Thereafter, a speed control switch 55 and a cleaning member drive switch 56 are switched on in order to drive the motor 4 of the main container 1 and to drive the micro motor 11 of the roller-type cleaning member 10, respectively. The rotation of the micro motor 11 causes rotation of the cleaning member 10, thus to wipe the soaked dirt. The dirt is sucked into the dirt collection chamber 5 of the main container 1 through the duct 13 by the suction force generated by rotation of the motor 4.

In order to charge the water in the upper and lower reservoirs 33 and 34 of the steam generator 22, the cap 42 is separated from the upper reservoir 33.

In the present invention, the steam spray nozzle 3 is detachably mounted on the main container 1 and, in this regard, this steam spray nozzle 3 can be used in steam ironing.

Turning to Figs. 10 and 11, there is shown a steam vacuum cleaner in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, the construction of the main container remains the same as in the primary embodiment and further explanation for this main container 1 is thus not deemed necessary.

In the second embodiment, a nozzle 2 is provided with a cleaning roll 65 which is rotated by drive means. A steam spray nozzle 24 is coupled to the nozzle at the front of the cleaning roll 65. The steam spray nozzle 24 is connected to the steam generator 22 of the main container 1 in the same mariner as the primary embodiment as shown in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 11, the cleaning roll 65 comprises a cloth mounting roll 65b mounted on a support shaft 65a and a brush mounting cloth 65c wrapped on the cloth mounting roll 65b.

The drive means of the cleaning roll 65 comprises a micro motor 11 mounted on the nozzle 2, a motor pulley 64 fixed to an end of the rotating shaft of the motor 11, and a pulley 65d fixed to the shaft of the cleaning roll 65. A belt 12 is wrapped on the pulleys 64 and 65d.

In Fig. 11, the reference numeral 70 denotes an electric wire.

In operation of the above vacuum cleaner of the second embodiment, the motor 4 is applied with electric power and, at the same time, the micro motor 11 is applied with electric power in order to rotate the cleaning roll 65. While biasing the nozzle 2 onto the cleaning object and rotating the cleaning roll 65, the main container 1 is pushed in order to clean the cleaning object. In order to remove the smudged dirt and spots and stains of the cleaning object, the steam generator 22 is applied with electric power, so that the water in the upper and reservoirs 33 and 34 is heated in order to be vaporized. The high temperature steam is, thereafter, introduced into the steam spray nozzle 24 through the steam pipe 23 and sprayed from the nozzle 24 te the cleaning object.

Hence, the smudged dirt and spots and stains of the cleaning object, which can not be removed by a conventional vacuum cleaner, are soaked by the steam and easily cleaned.

At this time, the cleaning roll 65 is rotated by the rotational force of the micro motor 11 which is transmitted to the roll 65 through the motor pulley 64, the belt 12 and the roller. pulley 65d.

Turning to Figs. 12, 13A and 13B, there is shown a steam vacuum cleaner in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. In this third embodiment, the construction of the main container remains the same as in the primary and second embodiments and further explanation for this main container 1 is thus not deemed necessary.

In the third embodiment, a nozzle of the cleaner includes a water tank 81 containing the water to be changed into the steam during the cleaning operation. A heater tank 83 is provided in the nozzle in order to receive the water of the water tank 81 supplied thereto through a connection pipe 82.

The nozzle also includes a heater 84 which heats the water of the heater tank 83 and vaporizes the water. The steam generated by the heater 84 is discharged from a nozzle base 85. In order to detachably mount the water tank 81 to the nozzle, this nozzle further includes detachable mounting means.

The mounting means comprises an inner threaded part 86 formed in the water tank 81 and an outer threaded part 87 of the connection pipe 82 engaged with the inner threaded part 86. A compression spring 88 is provided in the mounting means in order to be compressed when the outer threaded part 87 is engaged with the inner threaded part 86. The mounting means further includes a guide plate 89 which defines a gap for allowing the water of the water tank 81 to flow out of the tank 81 when the compression spring 88 is compressed.

The nozzle is also provided with wheels 90 and wheel caps 91 at its opposed sides.

In Fig. 12, the reference numeral 92 denotes a safety cap which is opened when the water should be charged in the water tank 81.

The operational effect of the cleaner of the third embodiment will be described hereinbelow.

The water tank 81 having the safety cap 92 is separated from the nozzle base 85 and, thereafter, the cap 92 is opened in order to charge the water in the water tank 81.

The safety cap 92, thereafter, closes the water tank 81 and the water tank 81 is mounted on about the wheels 90.

At this time, the water tank 81 is slowly connected to the connection pipe 82. The compression spring 88 placed between the connection pipe 82 and the water tank 81 biases the guide plate 89, thus to define the gap and to allow the water of the water tank 81 to flow through the gap in order to be introduced to the heater tank 83.

In accordance, the water levels of the water tank 81, the connection pipe 82 and the heater tank 83 are equal to each other, thus to achieve a steam generating condition under which the steam can be generated.

In the third embodiment of present invention, the water tank 81 is detachably mounted on the nozzle as described above, so that water supply for the water tank can be easily achieved.

In addition, the heater tank 83 and the water tank 81 are mounted on the nozzle base 85 in order to lower the center of gravity of the cleaner, thus to cause the user to be easily handle the cleaner. Furthermore, since the water tank 81 can be removed from the nozzle when the cleaner is used without addition of the steam, the weight of the nozzle is more reduced and, as a result, handlinu of the cleaner is more facilitated.

Turning to Figs. 14 to 18, there is shown a steam vacuum cleaner in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this fourth embodiment, a nozzle 102 is connected to a main body 101 through a connection hose 103 and a connection pipe 104. In the nozzle 102, a roller-type cleaning member 10 is connected to and cooperates with a micro motor 11 through a belt 12.

The cleaner of the fourth embodiment further includes steam generating means 100 and a steam spray nozzle 24. The steam spraying nozzle 24 sprays the steam generated by the steam generating means on the cleaning object. The high temperature and high pressure steam sprayed by the spray nozzle 24 sterilizes the cleaning object and soaks the smudged dirt and spots and stains of the cleaning object.

The steam generating means 100 is mounted on a side of the connection pipe 104. The steam spray nozzle 24 is mounted on the front of the roller-type cleaning member 10 of the nozzle 102. The steam generating means 100 is connected to the steam spray nozzle 24 through a steam conduit 130 of the connection pipe 104.

Here, the steam generating means is mounted on the cleaner such that it covers a side of the connection pipe 104.

This steam generating means comprises a steam generating cylinder 111. This cylinder 111 includes a water suppiy port illa at an end thereof and a steam output port 111b at the other end thereof. The steam output port ilib is connected to the steam conduit 130. A heater 112 is included in the steam generati ng cylinder 1 1 l and heats the water in the cyl i nder 111 in order to change the water into a high temperature and high pressure steam. The water supply port 11 lea is normally closed by a cap 113. When it is required to supply the water in the cylinder 111, the cap 113 should be removed from the water supply port lila of the cylinder 111.

The steam spray nozzle 24 is longitudinal ly mounted on the nozzle 102 at the front of the cleaning member 10 and provided with a plurality of steam spraying perforations 20a through which the high temperature and high pressure steam is sprayed onto the cleaning object.

That is. the steam vacuum cleaner of the fourth embodiment sprays the high temperature and high pressure steam onto the cleaning object from the steam spray nozzle 24 in order to sterilize the cleaning object and soaks the smudged dirt and spots and stains of the cleaning object. The soaked dirt is, thereafter, wiped by the rolling cleaning member 10 of the nozzle 102 and sucked into the dirt collection chamber of the main container 101.

The operational effect of the steam vacuum cleaner of the fourth embodiment will be described hereinafter.

Both the power switch and the heater switch are switched on, so that the heater 112 of the steam generating means 100 is applied with the electric power and heats the water iri the steam generating cylinder 111.

After a predetermined time has been elapsed, the heated water is vaporized in order to generate the steam. The steam is introduced to the steam spray nozzle 24 of the nozzle 102 through the steam conduit 130. This steam is, thereafter, sprayed to the cleaning object by the steam spray nozzle 24 at a high temperature and a high pressure.

If brief described the cleaning operation of the cleaner of the fourth embodiment, most of the dirt of the cleaning object is sucked into the dirt collection chamber of the main container 101 by a primary nozzle part 2a of the nozzle 102 and, at the same time, the steam sprayed from the steam spray nozzle 24 sterilizes the cleaning object and soaks the smudged dirt and spots and stains of the cleaning object. The rollertype cleaning member 10 of the nozzle 102, thereafter, wipes the soaked dirt. The wiped dirt is sucked into the dirt collection chamber of the main container 101 through the connection hose 103 and the connection pipe 104 by the suction force generated by rotation of the motor.

The cap 113 of the water supply port lila of the steam generating cylinder 111 is opened when it is required to supply the water in the steam generating cylinder 111.

As described above, a steam vacuum cleaner of the present invention generates and sprays a high temperature and high pressure steam onto a cleaning object from a steam spray nozzle, thus to sterilize the cleaning object and to soak the smudged dirt and spots and stains. The cleaner, thereafter, wipes the soaked dirt by rolling cleaning member of its nozzle and sucks the dirt into its dirt collection chamber. In this regard, the cleaner easily remove the smudged dirt and spots and stains of the cleaning object, thus to improve the cleaning effect. Furthermore, since the cleaner sterilizes the cleaning object by the steam, it achieves a desired sanitary condition.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for i 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.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A steam cleaning method cclllprisirlg the steos of: spraying steam of a high temperature not less than 100 C and a high pressure not less than 2 bar on a cleaning object, thus to sterilize said cleaning object and instantaneously soak smudged dirt of said cleaning object; wiping said cleaning object by a roiling cleaning member; and sucking the dirt of said cleaning ng object by vacuum pressure.

2. A steam vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor mounted in a middle section of a main container of said cleaner and generating a suction force; a dirt collection chamber provided in a lower section of said main container and collecting dirt sucked thereinto through a suction nozzle by the suction force of said motor; a power cord provided on said motor in order to supply electric power; a roller-type cleaning member rotatably mounted on said nozzle and connected to a micro motor by a belt; and a steam generating unit mounted on a side of said dirt collection chamber and generating high temperature and high pressure steam.

3. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein said steam generating unit comprises: a casing fixed to the back of said main container; a steam generator received in said casing; a steam pipe connected between said steam generator and said suction nozzle in order to supply the steam of said steam generator to a lower section of said nozzle; a steam spray nozzle coupled to an end of said steam pipe in order to spray the steam to the cleaning object.

4. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein said steam generator comprises: upper and lower reservoirs charged with water; a sheath pipe heater mounted on a lower section of said lower reservoir such that its opposed ends protrude out of a side wall of said lower reservoir; a pair of packings provided on said side wall of the lower reservoir in order to achieve air tight condition of connection parts of said side wall and said sheath pipe heater; a pair of guiders surrounding said packings; a set screw threaded to each of said guiders; a porcelain insulator, a washer and a nut sequentially mounted on each of said opposed ends of the sheath pipe heater protruding out of the front surfaces of said set screws in order for achieving insulation and electric power supply; and a cap mounted on an upper top of said upper reservoir.

5. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein said steam generator is controlled by a solenoid valve, said valve being mounted on said upper reservoir and connected to said steam pipe.

6. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim l, wherein each of said upper and lower reservoirs is provided with at least one rei nforci ng rib -i n order for achieving inner reinForcement.

7. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein said steam generating unit has a pair of opposed wheels.

8. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim 3, wherein said steam spray nozzle comprises: a nozzle cover provided at its center with a nipple connector for connecting a nipple to this nozzle cover, said nozzle cover having such curved shape that its sectional area is gradually reduced from its center to its opposed ends in order to achieve an effective steam spraying operation and to prevent change of stearn into water; and a nozzle base coupled to sad nozzle cover, said nozzle base having such curved shape that its sectional area is gradually reduced from its center to its opposed ends in order to achieve the effective steam spraying operation and to prevent change of steam into water.

9. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein said nozzle base has a plurality of conical-shaped spray perforations spaced out at regular intervals, each of said conical-shaped spray perforations having an upper outer diameter ranged from

1.0 mm to 1.2 mm and a lower outer diameter ranged from 3 mm to 4 mm.

1G. A steam vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor mounted in a middle section of a main container of said cleaner and generating a suction force; a dirt collection chamber provided in a lower section of said main container and collecting dirt sucked thereinto through a suction nozzle by the suction force of the motor; a power cord provided on said motor in order to supply electric power; a roller-type cleaning member rotatably mounted on said suction nozzle and connected to a micro motor by a belt; a steam generating unit mounted on a side of said dirt collection chamber and generating high temperature and high pressure steam; a steam spray nozzle and a cleaning roll mounted on said suction nozzle; a steam pipe connecting said steam generating unit to said steam spray nozzle; and drive means for rotating said cleaning roll.

11. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein said cleaning roll comprises: a cloth mounting roll mounted on a support shaft; and a brush mounting cloth wrapped on said cloth mounting roll.

12. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein said drive means comprises: a micro motor mounted on said suction nozzle; a motor pulley fixed to an end of a rotating shaft of said micro motor; a roll pulley fixed to a shaft of said cleaning roil; and a belt connected between said motor pulley and said roll pulley.

13. A steam vacuum cleaner comprising: a water tank for containing water therein; a heater tank for receiving the water of said water tank supplied thereto through a connection pipe; a heater for heating the water of said heater tank and vaporizing said water; a nozzle base for discharging the steam generated by said heater; and detachable mounting means for detachably mounting said water tank on a suction nozzle of said cleaner.

14. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, wherein said detachable mounting means comprises: an inner threaded part formed in said water tank; an outer threaded part of a connection pipe, said outer threaded part being engaged with said inner threaded part; a compression spring being selectively compressed when said outer threaded part is engaged with said inner threaded part; and a guide plate defining a gap for allowing the water of said water tank to flow out of said tank when said compression spring is compressed.

15. A steam vacuum cleaner comprising: a main container; a suction nozzle connected to said main container through a connection hose and a connection pipe and having a roller type cleaning member; steam generati ng means mounted on a side of said connection pipe and generating high temperature and high pressure steam; a steam spray nozzle for spraying said steam onto a cleaning object, said steam spray nozzle being mounted on said suction nozzle at the front of said roller-type cleaning member and having a plurality of steam spraying perforations; and a steam conduit connected between said steam generating means and said steam spray nozzle.

16. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, wherein said steam generating means covers a side of said connection pipe and comprises: a steam generating cylinder, said cylinder having a water supply port at an end thereof and a steam output port at the other end thereof, said steam output port being connected to said steam conduit; and a heater included in said steam generating cylinder in order to heat water in said cylinder, thus to change said water into high temperature and high pressure steam.

17. The steam vacuum cleaner according to claim 15, wherein said steam conduit is included in the connection pipe.

18. A steam vacuum cleaner substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 2 to 9, Figures 10 and 11, Figures 12 and 13, or Figures 14 to 18 of the accompanying drawings.

19. A steam cleaning method substantially as hereinbefore described.