EP1801281A1 - Steam iron - Google Patents

Abstract

A steam iron has steam outlets (19) in the sole, augmented by additional outlets (47) near the tip of the sole and a steam jet (32) spraying ahead of the iron. The distribution can be altered by the setting of a control knob (14) and a plastic membrane valve (34). The steam for the tip outlets (47) and the jet (32) is generated in a common secondary chamber (26) and fed through distribution branches (29, 36). Water is supplied from the main tank (16) by a manually operated pump (24). The steam for the sole outlets (19) is generated in a main chamber (45), with a continuous water supply from a drip valve, optionally augmented by a push button valve. The secondary chamber (26) contains labyrinth passages to generate a higher pressure. About 75 % of the steam generated there is fed to the tip outlets (47).

Description

The present invention relates to a steam iron according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

It is known to provide steam irons with a wide variety of humidifying functions. These steam irons have in addition to the usual spray function, by which no steam, but a water mist is distributable to the ironing, also provided steam outlet openings in the soleplate. From the EP-0 908 551 A1 It is also known, in addition to the steam outlet openings form steam channels in the soleplate, which forward the steam in the area surrounding the soleplate and are in pressure-balancing with the steam outlet openings in communication. The steam for these two steam outlet paths is generated in a common steam generating chamber, which is continuously supplied with water by means of a drip valve. It is thus set in this prior art by a Dampfmengeneinstellrad durchlassbare through the drip valve amount of water, which thus equally the amount of steam for the formed in the soleplate steam outlet openings and in the opening end of the steam channels of the soleplate is forwarded. The steam that hits outside of the soleplate on the possibly not yet ironed and thus heated ironing, has a higher wrinkle smoothing effect, since the temperature difference between steam and ironing is greater than normally, when the ironed by the soleplate is already heated and in addition Steam outlet openings in the soleplate with steam is applied.

From the DE-41 33 295 A1 is a steam iron with two separate steam generating chambers known. In this case, a first steam generating chamber is connected to a drip valve for continuous water supply. The second steam generating chamber communicates with a water pump, so that water can be injected into the second evaporating chamber upon manual operation. The steam generated via the second evaporation chamber is passed via a steam guide channel to a jet steam outlet opening. This jet steam outlet is located above the ironing tip and allows in this way a preconditioning of the material to be ironed or a Dampfbefeuchten in certain areas, such as the breast pocket of a shirt.

From the WO-9606970 is a to DE-41 33 295 A1 comparable steam iron, but in which it is stated that the steam generating chamber for the jet function is formed labyrinth-like, to provide a narrowed, elongated space for steam generation over which the steam outlet speed in conjunction with the injection of water via a pump in this second steam generating chamber is significantly increased, so that the jet function provides a shot of steam.

Trial tests have shown that it is desirable, especially in the area of the iron tip even more steam than shown in the above examples - with simultaneous ease of use - provide.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a steam iron of the above type, the steam application possibilities are further optimized without affecting the handling of the iron thereby.

This object is achieved by a steam iron with the features of claim 1. Thus, for the jet steam outlet opening and the steam outlet openings in the soleplate, the same steam guide area with the same steam generating chamber is used to a large extent. Thus, the function is extended to the extent that by injected water into the second steam generating chamber, a steam pulse is generated, which can serve both for preconditioning of the ironing with steam above the ironing tip and for steam injection below the soleplate. Handling is also simplified insofar as the same actuating button can be used for both functions. In addition, the use of a common steam generating chamber for reasons of space economy advantageous.

In a further advantageous embodiment, this function is provided parallel to the normal steaming function via steam outlet openings in the soleplate, since this is a separate steam generating chamber is provided.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the first steam guide region via a drip valve is continuously supplied with water for a correspondingly continuous generation of steam. Thus, depending on the opening setting of the drip valve, water is continuously dripped into the first steam generation chamber via the first steam guide region, which water is continuously converted into steam and carried out via the steam outlet openings in the soleplate.

In an advantageous embodiment, a first steam actuation button is provided, via the actuation of which an increased amount of water can be fed to the first steam generating chamber. In this case, the first actuating button is mechanically coupled to the drip valve, such that an axial displacement of the drip valve leads to an increased water supply to the first steam generating chamber. Thus, the function key for the first steam guide region is designed to be two-functional: On the one hand, by pressing the first actuation key, an abruptly increased amount of water can be fed via the drip valve into the first steam generating chamber, so that over all the steam outlet openings of the soleplate a leaps and bounds increased amount of steam emerges.

In addition to this first button and the usual spray button for water mist a second actuator button is provided in an advantageous development, which is coupled to a water pump, wherein the water pump is in communication with the second steam generating chamber, so that by actuating the second steam control button water via the water pump is pumpable to the second steam generating chamber. Thus, an abruptly increased amount of water in the second steam generating chamber can be injected via the second steam actuation button, so that in a short time sufficient water is available to produce a steam burst with increased steam velocity in the second and third steam guide region.

In an advantageous embodiment, the first and second steam generating chamber is separated from each other by partitions, so that over narrowed labyrinth passages in the second steam generating chamber, an increased steam propagation speed can be generated. This also provides an important factor for the generation of a steam pulse. Due to the injection of water and the labyrinthine design of the second steam generating chamber, the steam pressure on actuation of the second steam control button is significantly higher than after the operation of the first steam control button.

In an advantageous development, the first steam duct is connected to all the steam outlet openings of the soleplate. This has the consequence that the steam outlet openings in the ironing tip area are also supplied with steam when the second steam control button remains unactuated.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the second steam guide region has a specific steam feed opening, which is immediately adjacent to a plurality of steam outlet openings in the front soleplate tip area. Thus, steam can be supplied to the steam outlet openings in the ironing tip region via the second steam control button, wherein the steam outlet from the remaining steam outlet openings is significantly reduced due to the much longer path to be covered. Advantageously, the steam blast thus takes place precisely in a region in which an increased demand for steam is usually provided for regions of the ironing material which are difficult to be ironed over.

Due to the immediately adjacent arrangement of the specific steam supply opening to the steam outlet openings in the soleplate in the region of the iron tip is at least 60%, in particular more than 75% of the total steam, which rests against the steam outlet openings of the sole plate, feasible to steam outlet openings arranged in the region of the soleplate is. Thus escapes by pressing the second steam control button of the most part in the front quarter, especially in the front fifth of the soleplate, based on the total length of the soleplate of the ironing tip to the rear end of the soleplate.

In an advantageous development, the second steam guide channel has a vapor intermediate collecting area, which is provided on the one hand with the specific steam outlet opening and on the other hand with the branch to the third steam guide channel. Since the vapor pressure in the second and third steam guide regions is not so high despite the steam-escape, it is important that the steam be led and accumulated to the location in the steam channel body which is in close proximity to the specific steam inlet and branch and on the other hand Steam outlet openings in the temple tip area and the jet steam outlet opening is located. Advantageously, the specific steam supply opening and the branch are arranged directly adjacent, so that the steam is divided into not too different proportions at the branch to the various steam outlet openings.

In an advantageous embodiment of the third steam guide channel is provided with a steam pressure controllable valve, wherein the valve is designed such that it releases the steam to the jet steam outlet opening vapor pressure dependent. The valve is designed such that the threshold pressure for opening the valve is higher than the vapor pressure which can be generated via the first steam generating chamber. This ensures that no vapor escapes from the jet steam outlet opening in the continuous steaming operation.

Advantageously, the valve is designed as a plastic diaphragm valve. Accordingly, no coil spring with ball, but a vapor pressure-dependent elastically deformable plastic cloth is provided, which is deformed by the vapor pressure such that the steam path is releasable.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a steam chamber body is provided in which the first and second Dampfführungsbereich are provided, wherein the steam chamber body is formed as Aluminiumgußdruckteil and wherein in the soleplate tip area a recess is provided in the steam chamber body in which a boundary wall formed parallel to the soleplate and to limit the intermediate steam collecting area is. This boundary wall is advantageously only a metal plate which is inserted into the recess in Aiuminiumdruckgußteii from below, so that in the casting - apart from the inlet and outlet openings - in a cavity steam is collectable.

Other features, applications and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated in the figures of the drawing. All described or illustrated features, alone or in any combination form the subject of the invention - regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency and regardless of their formulation or representation in the description or in the drawing.

FIG. 1, 3, 5 und 7:

je eine räumliche Darstellung eines Dampfbügeleisens nach der Erfindung in verschiedenen Benutzungszuständen;

FIG. 2, 4, 6 und 8:

je eine Draufsicht auf das Bedienfeld des Dampfbügeleisens nach FIG. 1;

FIG. 9:

einen teils schematischen Längsschnitt durch das Dampfbügeleisen nach FIG. 1;

FIG. 10:

einen Längsschnitt durch eine schematische Ansicht der unteren Baugruppe des Dampfbügeleisens nach FIG. 1 in einem Benutzungszustand, bei dem Dampf nur durch die Betätigung der zweiten Dampfbetätigungstaste austritt;

FIG. 11:

eine Darstellung wie in FIG. 10, bei der jedoch der Benutzungszustand dargestellt ist, bei dem nur Dampf aus dem ersten Dampfführungsbereich erzeugt wird;

FIG. 12:

eine Draufsicht auf einen Dampfkammerkörper eines Dampfbügeleisens nach FIG. 1 und

FIG. 13:

eine räumliche Explosionsdarstellung der unteren Baugruppe des Dampfbügeieisens nach FIG. 1.

The figures show:

FIG. 1, 3, 5 and 7:

each a spatial representation of a steam iron according to the invention in different conditions of use;

FIG. 2, 4, 6 and 8:

each a plan view of the control panel of the steam iron according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 9:

a partially schematic longitudinal section through the steam iron of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10:

a longitudinal section through a schematic view of the lower assembly of the steam iron according to FIG. 1 in a use state, in which steam exits only by the actuation of the second steam control button;

FIG. 11:

a representation as in FIG. 10, but showing the use state in which only steam is generated from the first steam guide region;

FIG. 12:

a plan view of a steam chamber body of a steam iron of FIG. 1 and

FIG. 13:

a spatial exploded view of the lower assembly of Dampfbügeieisens of FIG. 1.

Figures 1, 3, 5 and 7 show the steam iron in a different state of use with respect to the activation of a steam ejection or a water spray. Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8 show a section of a plan view of the steam iron in the region of the handle, in particular the control panel 14 and its for the respective steam or spray function to be operated device.

FIG. 1 shows the steam iron in the so-called "normal steam function", in which steam is emitted from all the steam outlet openings of the steam iron sole plate (in one variant not all steam outlet openings of the steam iron sole plate can be supplied with steam in a normal steam function). In the figure, therefore, evenly below the soleplate, steam clouds 1 of the same size are shown symbolically relative to each other. This normal steam is produced by dripping water from a water tank in the steam iron via a drip valve - depending on its open position - in a first steam generating chamber. All steam guide portions are arranged in a cast aluminum steam chamber body, said cast body is electrically heated. The steam generated in the first steam generating chamber is passed via first steam guide channels above the soleplate to the steam outlet openings in the soleplate. There, the steam then exits. This steam is supplied continuously so there is no steam button to press it.

To regulate the amount of steam that drips via the drip valve into the first steam generating chamber, the steam quantity regulator 2 in FIG. 2 in the specified regulatory area 3 rotatable between a closed position and a maximum water supply point.

FIG. 3 shows the steam iron in a use state in which, compared to the steam quantity 1 in FIG. 1 an increased amount of steam 4 emerges from all steam outlet openings of the sole plate. To generate this about the sole plate surface uniformly increased amount of steam is the first steam control button 5 according to the arrow 6 shown in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 3 depress approximately vertically. By this operation, the drip valve is transferred to an operating state in which an increased water supply is introduced into the first steam generating chamber, so that as a result a larger amount of steam is available.

FIG. 5 shows the steam iron in a use state without the continuous steam of FIG. 1 or the increased amount of steam according to FIG. 3, where a burst of steam takes place in two different directions. Via a second steam guide region in the steam chamber body, the steam is carried out from all the steam outlet openings of the steam iron, 80% of this steam is ejected in the foremost tip region in a portion of about 1/5 relative to the total axial length of the soleplate and starting from the ironing tip. The burst of steam, which is in the second vapor direction, is directed via a third steam delivery area to a jet steam exit located just above (i.e., about 0.5 to 1 or at most 2 cm above the soleplate or toe). To actuate this combination steam function, in which two different steam functions are combined with each other, the second steam control button 9 according to the arrow 10 in FIG. 5 and 6 depress. The second steam actuation button 9 is in communication with a water pump, so that water is pumped from the water tank by the actuation of this button and injected into the second steam generating chamber.

The FIG. 7 finally shows the steam iron with activated water spray function. In this case, water is pumped from the water tank to the spray 60 by actuating the spray button 12 (see FIG. 8) in the direction of the arrow 13 so that a water jet 11 or cold water mist exits in front of the ironing iron tip.

Of course, all of the above separately shown usage states may also be used simultaneously depending on the user's request.

FIG. 9 shows the steam iron in a side view, wherein the lower assembly is shown schematically in longitudinal section. At the front region of the iron handle 15, the actuating portion 14 is arranged, in which the actuating controller and keys of FIG. 2, 4, 6, and 8 are arranged. Inside the housing of the steam iron a water tank 16 is arranged. Below the water tank, a steam chamber body 17 is provided which is formed as Aluminiumdruckgußteil and in which the various steam guide portions are added. In the steam chamber body 17, an electric heater is cast with, which supplies the steam chamber body and the sole plate 18, which adjoins below the steam chamber body, with heat. In the soleplate 18 a plurality of steam outlet openings 19 are provided distributed over the entire longitudinal extent. As particularly shown in FIG. 13, distributed over the entire Bügeisohienfiäche the steam outlet openings 19, which is adjacent to the soleplate tip 21 over a longitudinal extension of about 1/5 of the soleplate viewed from the longitudinal section with a group of steam outlet openings 20, which supplies the soleplate tip area with a particularly large amount of steam , Of the steam outlet openings 20 in the soleplate tip region at least 10, preferably more than 15 steam outlet openings are provided.

The water in the tank 16 is shown in FIG. 9 via two outlets 22 and 23 conveyed away. At the outlet 22, the water is sucked in by the preferably manual pump 24. Via the pumping channel 25, the water is injected into the second steam generating chamber 26. To actuate the pump, press the second steam control button 9 by the user. The second steam generating chamber is a constituent part of the second and third steam conveying regions 27 and 28. The steam generated in the second steam generating chamber 26 enters the intermediate vapor collecting region 29. In the intermediate vapor collecting region 29, there is provided a branch 30 where the steam enters the second and third steam ducts 35 and 33 divides. The vapor intermediate collecting area 29 is delimited downward by a boundary wall 36. The wall 36, which according to FIG. 13 is formed as a metal plate is inserted into a cavity of the steam chamber body 17 from below. The boundary wall 36 has a specific steam supply opening 37, via which the steam is conducted further in the second steam guide channel 35 to all steam outlet openings 19, but especially to the steam outlet openings 20 in the tip region. Characterized in that the specific steam supply opening 37 is disposed immediately adjacent to the steam outlet openings 20 in the ironing iron tip area, 70 to 80% of the total steam exiting the soleplate 18 in this steaming function exits through the steam outlet openings 20 in the soleplate tip region.

In the schematic sectional view of FIG. 9, a shoulder is also formed in the steam chamber body, which delimits the second steam guide region somewhat from the first steam guide region 40, but does not completely separate them from each other, since a passage 39 is provided, albeit as a constriction. The passage 39 ensures that the steam in the normal, continuous steam operation, in which steam exits the steam outlet openings 19 via the first steam guide region, also passes steam to the steam outlet openings 20 in the soleplate tip region.

In the upper direction, the steam generated in the second steam generating chamber 26 and passed to the intermediate vapor collecting area 29 may branch not only down to the second steam duct, but also up to the third steam duct. However, in order for the steam to reach the third steam delivery channel 33, the applied vapor pressure must be sufficient to open the valve 34 due to the vapor pressure. The valve 34 is a part of the wall intermediate the steam intermediate collecting area. The valve 34 is - as shown in FIG. 13 - formed as an elastomeric plastic part, which is glued into the opening 41 of the steam chamber body 17. In the valve 34, a membrane is included, which has a longitudinal or cross recess. The thickness of the membrane is so dimensioned that a vapor generated by the first steam guide region can not open the membrane with its corresponding pressure. After passing the steam in the third steam guide channel 33, the steam in the jet steam outlet opening 32 exits. The jet steam outlet 32 and the third steam duct 33 are, as shown in FIG. 13 - formed in a plastic tip insert part 42 which is plugged into the lower assembly of the steam iron in the region of the steam chamber body front of the bow tip region 21. This part 42 is made of heat-resistant plastic.

A drip valve, not shown in the figures, establishes the second connection between the tank and the steam chamber body 18. For this purpose, an opening 23 is formed in the steam chamber cover 43 in which the drip valve is inserted, surrounded by a drop valve seal 44 (see FIG. In an opening position of the drip valve, water of the tank 16 drips into the first steam guide area 45. The first steam guide region 45 is formed by a first steam generating chamber 46, in which the dripping water evaporates, and a first steam guide channel 40, which forwards this generated steam to the steam outlet openings 19 and 20 of the soleplate.

The arrows 47 in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 illustrate the water and steam path for producing the combined steam function, in which steam is provided in the ironing tip region 21 below the soleplate and above the soleplate in two different steaming directions.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are schematic sectional views of the lower assembly of the steam iron. FIG. 10 shows through the arrows 47, which show the steam path, the use state in which, according to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the second steam control button 9 has been pressed. FIG. 11 shows the state of use of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, in which the steam passes via the first steam guide region 45 to the steam outlet openings 19 and 20 in the soleplate, but not to the jet steam outlet opening 32. The steam path is shown in FIG. 11 illustrated by the steam arrows 48 according to this state of use. The arrow 49 in FIG. 11 is intended to schematically illustrate the water supply via the drip valve. As shown in FIG. 11 is shown by the steam arrow 48 at the point 50, steam also penetrates into the intermediate vapor collecting region 29, which, however, does not overcome the diaphragm valve 34 due to the lower vapor pressure.

FIG. 12 shows the steam chamber body 17 without the steam chamber lid 43 attached in the plan view. In the middle, the larger, first steam generating chamber 46 is arranged, which causes no increased steam velocity in the steam generation due to their training. The second steam generating chamber 26, which is completely separate from the first steam generating chamber 46, has labyrinth passages through which the steam - as shown in FIG WO-9606970 known - initially following the directional arrows 52 against the direction of the ironing tip wanders and then passes according to the drawn steam arrows 53 in a direction back to the bow tip and thus to the passage opening 51. The passage opening 51 is in communication with the vapor intermediate collecting area 29, so that the steam can then be forwarded there. The labyrinth passages of the second steam generating chamber lead to an increased steam propagation velocity, so that in combination with the water to be injected a steam pulse is generated, which propagates with increased pressure and which in any case is far enough to enable the diaphragm valve 34 in the open position.

FIG. Figure 13 is an exploded view of the lower assembly of the steam iron. The boundary wall 36 is clamped in the front tip portion in a cavity, and then the steam chamber body 17 can be secured to the sole plate 18. In the steam chamber body 17, the valve 34 is glued into the opening 41 and the plastic tip is used for the third steam guide region in the temple tip region 21. The steam chamber lid 43 closes the steam generating chambers upwards. In the steam chamber lid 43 is an opening for the seal 44 for the drip valve and a second opening 54 for the seal 55, to which the channel 25 connects, is provided. On this assembly, a metallic heat protector 56 is screwed with the screws 57, which protects the upper assemblies from the heat dissipation of the lower assembly.

Claims (13)

Steam iron with a first steam guide region (45) having a first steam generation chamber (46) and first steam guide channels (40), the (48) generated in the first steam generating chamber (46) steam outlet openings (19, 20) in the soleplate (18 ), with a second steam guide region (26, 27, 29) having a second steam generating chamber (26) and second steam guide channels (27, 29) which directs the steam (47) generated in the second steam generating chamber (26) to the steam exit orifices (26). 20, 19) in the soleplate (18) and with a third steam guide region (47, 26, 29) having a third steam guide channel (47), the steam to a jet steam outlet opening (32) which passes above an iron ( 21) and above the soleplate (18) is arranged for preconditioning of the ironed with steam, characterized in that the steam (47) for the third steam guide region (47, 2 6, 29) in the second steam generating chamber (26) is producible and the second steam duct (29) has a branch (36) to the third steam duct (47). Steam iron according to claim 1, characterized in that the first steam guide region (45) via a drip valve continuously with water for a correspondingly continuous generation of steam can be supplied. Steam iron according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a first steam actuation button (5) is provided, via the actuation of which an increased amount of water can be supplied to the first steam generating chamber (46). A steam iron according to claim 3, characterized in that the first steam actuating button (5) is mechanically coupled to the dripping valve such that axial displacement of the drip valve results in increased water supply to the first steam generating chamber (46). Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second steam actuation button (9) is provided which is coupled to a water pump (24) and that the water pump (24) is in communication with the second steam generating chamber (26) an operation the second steam control button (9) is pumpable via the water pump (26) to the second steam generating chamber (26). Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first of the second steam generating chamber (46, 26) is separated and that the second steam generating chamber (26) labyrinth passages, so that an increased steam propagation speed in the second steam generating chamber (26) can be generated. Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first steam duct (40) communicates with all the steam outlet openings (19, 20) of the soleplate (18), so that the steam generated in the first steam duct region (45) is continuously discharged from all the steam outlet openings ( 19, 20) of the soleplate (18) can be fed. Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second steam guide region has a specific steam supply opening (37) which is immediately adjacent to a plurality of steam outlet openings (20) in the front soleplate tip region (21). Steam iron according to claim 8, characterized in that the second steam guide channel (29, 27) is designed and arranged such that at least 60%, in particular more than 75% of the steam generated via the second steam generating chamber (26), via steam outlet openings (19, 20) of the soleplate (18) escapes, escapes from the steam outlet openings (20), which are arranged in the region of the soleplate tip (21). A steam iron according to claim 9, characterized in that the second steam duct (29, 27) has a vapor intermediate collecting portion (29) provided with the specific steam supply port (37) and with the branch (36) to the third steam duct (47) is. Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third steam duct (47) is provided with a steam-pressure controllable valve (34), the valve (34) being designed such that it Releases steam to the jet steam exit port (32) as soon as there is an increased vapor pressure that is producible by the second steam actuation button (9). Steam iron according to claim 11, characterized in that the valve (34) is designed as a plastic membrane. Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a steam chamber body (17) is provided, in which the first and second steam guide region is provided, that the steam chamber body (17) is formed as Aluminiumdruckgußteil and that in the soleplate tip region (21) has a recess in the steam chamber body (17) is provided, in which a boundary wall (36) is provided parallel to the soleplate (18) and for limiting the vapor intermediate collecting area (29).

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