DE102011081375A1 - Electric steam ironing device has tactile sensor that sends tactile signal to control unit when user touches iron, and controllable drop valve for passing water into evaporation chamber, which is opened when tactile signal is sent - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an evaporation chamber (6) with a heating device (H) for generating steam for ironing. A temperature controller (14) controls the starting of heating device. An automatic anti-drop system comprises a controllable drop valve (8) for passing water into evaporation chamber from water tank (4) by water pipeline, which is operated by user. A tactile sensor (2) sends tactile signal to control unit (10) when the user touches the iron. The controllable drop valve is opened when the tactile signal is sent, and is closed when the tactile signal is not sent.

Description

field of use

The invention relates to the field of electric ironing apparatus, in particular electric steam iron or electric steam ironing stations, comprising: a housing with a handle that a user can grasp; an evaporation chamber having a heater for generating steam for ironing; a temperature controller having a thermal sensor that regulates in the evaporation chamber the starting of the heater (H); and a water tank having a hydraulic connection to the evaporation chamber formed by a water conduit which can be closed by a controllable drop valve comprising an evaporation regulator which can be actuated by the user.

State of the art

It is already known to provide steam irons with an adjustment device for steam regulation. Often a drop valve is used, which connects the water tank with the evaporation chamber. Depending on the position of the drop valve is more or less water in the evaporation chamber. The user controls the drop valve, which usually contains a dispensing needle to set the desired amount of steam, by means of an externally palpable regulator. Sliders are known that allow the user to move a slider axially to the iron handle, which translates into an axial movement of the dispensing needle.

This conventional iron can cause a problem in its horizontal ironing direction if it is not yet hot enough, because the water droplets in the evaporation chamber do not properly evaporate and then water droplets can escape from the iron. For this problem, there is the solution of the anti-drop systems, which are based on valves of a temperature sensitive to the temperature of the evaporation chamber bimetallic strip.

For example, when the user has finished ironing, he places the steam iron on the shelf, for example, in a horizontal position, so that the steam usually exits through the steam holes.

The already mentioned conventional steam irons with automatic locking system made of bimetal have the disadvantage that they do not function reliably or that they close with considerable delay.

This results in a significantly greater water consumption, even though in fact this water is not used for the ironing action. In addition, the higher water consumption leads to increased calcification, which is a disadvantage for the life of the device. In addition, if you have turned off the water supply, it is quite difficult for some iron constructions to turn them back on. For example, if the user wants to restart the water supply for steam generation, the user must overturn / shake the iron. In addition, the late closure may cause injury in steam generation, for example, if one is struck unnoticed by the steam exiting the steam holes.

Subject of the invention

The present invention addresses the problem or the technical problem of developing an electric ironing device, which manages with a low water consumption and still has a high ironing performance.

This object is achieved by an electric ironing apparatus, in particular by an electric steam iron or an electric steam ironing station, comprising the following components: a housing with a handle for the user to grasp; an evaporation chamber having a heater (H) for generating steam for ironing; a temperature controller with a thermal sensor for the purpose of controlling in the evaporation chamber the starting of the heater (H); and a water tank hydraulically communicating with the steam chamber through a water conduit, such conduit being closable by a controllable drop valve having a vaporization regulator which the user himself can actuate; the steam ironing apparatus according to the invention further comprising: an automatic anti-drip system consisting of a closing valve designed to close and open the water pipe and a tactile sensor provided in the handle and intended for automatically closing and opening the shut-off valve; the automatic anti-drip system being designed and adapted to open the closure valve as soon as it receives the tactile signal from the tactile sensor and closes the closure valve as soon as it receives the tactile signal from the tactile sensor.

With such an ironing device, the user can more conveniently leave the iron of the device in a horizontal position on the tray, without having to tilt it to the vertical position, with the aim that the water does not drip by gravity into the evaporation chamber, since if you do not change its position, the closing valve will not allow the flow of water into the evaporation chamber.

The tactile sensor is preferably designed as a hand sensor or finger sensor and preferably has a number of different distributed on the handle controls or display elements.

In this way you can reduce the water consumption; it is made available water for steam generation, only if absolutely necessary. This will also cause the time until the next refilling of the water tank to be longer. This will also avoid injuries that occur when the steam is emitted at moments when you did not expect it. This solution may also be beneficial in addition to irons which have anti-drop systems with automatic bimetallic shut-off valves and which only generate steam when the user grasps them by the handle and the temperature in the vaporization chamber is correct for steam generation.

In addition, the water supply and steam generation will reduce the calcification or prolong the time required for the user to reach a certain calcification. This can also extend the time until the next cleaning of the evaporation chamber.

In one embodiment of the invention, the drop valve is a bung bar that can close the water line. The bung bar controls by gravity the water entering the evaporation chamber through the entrance port into the evaporation chamber, which can be closed with the bung bar. In a simple embodiment of the invention, the closing valve may close the entry port or any part of the water conduit.

The ironing device also consists of a controller to which at least one of the following components is connected: the drop valve, the steam control, the temperature control and the anti-drip system. The controller is preferably an electronic controller. In this way, even though the steam control opens the goblet valve and allows water into the vaporizing chamber, the closing valve remains closed if the tactile sensor has not informed the controller with a tactile signal and does not let water into the vaporizing chamber; In this way, only steam is generated when the tactile sensor outputs a tactile signal.

Preferably, the thermal sensor of the temperature control outputs a thermal signal about the temperature of the vaporization chamber to the controller so that when the temperature is below a predetermined temperature threshold, the controller keeps the valve closed even if the tactile sensor outputs a tactile signal. Such temperature-dependent control is more reliable and immediate than the bimetallic valve automatic system.

The heater may be actuated with the tactile sensor to immediately turn on the heater when the tactile sensor outputs a tactile signal and immediately shuts off the heater when there is no tactile signal from the tactile sensor. This reduces energy consumption during times when the user does not touch the iron.

It can also be provided that the opening of the closing valve is delayed until the temperature has reached the value indicated by the temperature controller.

Brief description of the figure

Subsequently, an example of a preferred embodiment of the ironing apparatus according to the invention, with advantages and details, with reference to the attached figure, is shown, in which the following is shown:

The 1 is a schematic view of an ironing device according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

According to the 1 For example, the ironing apparatus, in particular a steam iron or a steam station, according to the invention, comprises an automatic steam closure system which is operated by a tactile sensor [in particular an ASSS (Application Specific Sensor Systems)]. 2 , which is actuated by a signal from the tactile sensor 2 (So a "tactile signal") conveying water from the water tank 4 in the evaporation chamber 6 is controlled, ie it is controlled by the steam generation, namely: the ON and OFF switching of the evaporation.

The steam iron covered by the ironing apparatus according to the invention has a drop valve 8th to drip water needed for steam production into the interior of the evaporation chamber 6 (and / or in any chamber for steam injection). The iron also consists of a controller 10 to which the drop valve 8th , the tactile sensor 2 and the steam regulator 12 are connected.

When the user holds the iron of the ironing device in his hand, the tactile sensor gives 2 a tactile signal coming from the controller 10 is introduced. Likewise, if the steam regulator gets 12 is turned on, the controller 10 a second control signal from the steam regulator 12 , which indicates the status ON or OFF of the steam regulator 12 and (possibly) the connection position of the steam regulator 12 indicates with the purpose to regulate the amount of steam. When the steam regulator 12 It is ON and the user holds the iron in his hand, then gets the control 10 an ON signal from the steam controller 12 and an ON signal (tactile signal) from the tactile sensor 2 , Get the control 10 BOTH ON signals, then the drop valve is activated 8th (or opens its control valve) and gets water inside the evaporation chamber 6 injected, and in this way steam is generated.

When the user finishes his ironing action and lets go of the iron, the tactile sensor sends it 2 no tactile signal to the controller 10 (the tactile sensor signal is OFF). The control 10 So it will be the drop valve 8th preferably immediately stop, it will also water injection into the interior of the evaporation chamber 6 stop, regardless of whether the signal of the steam regulator 12 ON or OFF. When the user holds the iron in his hand and the steam regulator 12 Turned off, then get the control 10 an ON signal (tactile signal) from the tactile sensor 2 , but also an OFF signal from the steam regulator 12 , Therefore, in this case, the controller 10 the care of the evaporation chamber 6 with water through the drop valve 8th interrupt and thus prevent steam generation.

If the user touches the iron again and the steam regulator 12 is turned on, not only the steam regulator 12 but also the tactile sensor 12 an ON signal to the controller 10 Send and in this way will the drop valve 8th the water passage into the evaporation chamber 6 open and thus start steam generation.

You can use the tactile sensor 2 combine with a position sensor that detects the position of the iron (for example, vertically or horizontally).

You can use other buttons or controls, for example, a temperature knob 14 , with the controller 10 combine (in this case to adjust and control the temperature of the heater H in the soleplate).

It is possible to combine the sensor ASSS according to the invention with an automatic closing system for the heating device H, which is also provided by a signal from the tactile sensor 2 can be set in motion.

If not only the steam regulator 12 but also the tactile sensor 2 emits an ON signal, one can delay the opening of a valve (for example, from 5 to 30 seconds), with the aim of heating the soleplate and also the evaporation chamber by the heater H, if the sole is cold.

You can provide a sensor that detects whether there is still water in the container or not. If there is no more water, then the drop valve 8th turned off.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

Tactile sensor

4

water tank

6

Evaporation chamber

8th

drip valve

10

control

12

steam control

14

thermostat

H

heater

Claims (7)

Electric ironing apparatus, in particular electric steam iron or electric steam ironing station, comprising: - a housing with a handle that a user can grasp; An evaporation chamber ( 6 ) with a heater (H) for generating steam for ironing; - a temperature controller ( 14 ) with a thermal sensor in the evaporation chamber ( 6 ) controls the starting of the heater (H); and - a water tank ( 4 ) with a hydraulic connection to the evaporation chamber ( 6 ), formed by - a water pipe that can be closed by - a controllable drop valve ( 8th ) comprising an evaporation regulator ( 12 ) which can be actuated by the user, characterized in that the ironing device further comprises: - an automatic anti-drip system, - containing a closing valve for opening and closing the water passage through the water pipe, and - a tactile sensor ( 2 ), which is introduced in the handle and emits a tactile signal in the event of contact for an automatic opening and closing of the closing valve, wherein the automatic anti-drip system is designed and adapted such that the closing valve is opened as soon as the tactile sensor ( 2 ) emits a tactile signal; and the closing valve is closed as soon as no tactile signal from the tactile sensor ( 2 ) is available. Electric ironing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tactile sensor ( 2 ) designed as a hand or finger sensor and preferably has a number of different distributed on the handle controls or display elements. Electric ironing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drop valve ( 8th ) is a bung bar that can close the water pipe. Electric ironing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a control ( 10 ) to which at least one of the following components is connected: the drop valve ( 8th ), the evaporation regulator ( 12 ), the temperature controller ( 14 ) and / or the automatic anti-drip system. Electric ironing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the thermal sensor of the temperature controller ( 14 ) a thermal signal of temperature in the evaporation chamber ( 6 ) to the controller ( 10 ), so that when the temperature is below the predetermined temperature threshold, the controller ( 10 ) keeps the closing valve closed, even if the tactile sensor ( 2 ) outputs a tactile signal. Electric ironing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating device (H) is actuated by the tactile sensor ( 2 ) can be switched on, so that the heater (H) turns on immediately when the tactile sensor ( 2 ) outputs a tactile signal; and this the heating device (H) immediately turns off when the tactile signal from the tactile sensor ( 2 ) is no longer available. Electric ironing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening of the closing valve can be delayed until the temperature regulator ( 14 ) indicated temperature has been reached.

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