DK2565325T3 - Steam Station with Steam Unit - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

IRONING STATION WITH A STEAM UNIT i FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an ironing station comprising an ironing board having a fold-able frame that is arranged on a stand unit designed as a column comprising a steam generator for an iron, a removable water tank for supplying the steam generator being ) arranged in the column, and at least one valve body that is movable counter to the force of a spring being arranged in the base of the water tank, which valve body interacts with a docking connection piece arranged on the steam generator such that the valve body closes when the water tank is removed and opens when the water tank is inserted, a water filter being integrated in the docking connection piece upstream of i the steam generator (see patent document GB-A-2 397 072). Patent document DE 21 2008 000 021 U1 discloses a steam ironing device having a water tank and an ebullition chamber directly interconnected therewith. Said chamber is envisaged for generating steam and to actuate a steam ironing device. In this respect, the known steam ironing device has a water tank that is integrated in the ironing station or in the device. ) The water tank can be removed from the device, the opening situation of the water tank then being closed autonomously due to self-closing valves on the base in order to then fill the water tank again. If the water tank is then filled, it can thus be used again so that as a consequence of the docking connection of the water tank the interconnection to the steam generator is created again by the valve being autonomously opened. » In this known removable water tank a water filter is arranged upstream of the steam generator, which water filter is particularly in charge of protecting the steam generator against depositions or contamination. In this known water filter it is considered disadvantageous for it to be removed by the operator even for inspection purposes, it being often possible that after disassembling the water filter it is not inserted again so that ) the steam ironing device is then operated without a filter.

Patent document GB 2 397 072 A discloses an ironing station comprising an ironing board having a foldable frame that is further designed as a column-like stand unit. The steam generator having a water lank for supplying the steam generator is arranged in the column.

Patent document DE 200 20 600 U1 discloses a steam iron that comprises an evaporation chamber and a fixedly incorporated water tank. In this respect, the water tank contains an opening, in which a sieving part with decalcifier is inserted. The insertion part protrudes into the water of the tank in order to cause a chemical reaction in the water for decalcifying same.

Patent document EP 2287393 A1 discloses a water filter part that pushes a valve body counter to the force of a spring into the open position in the docked state. However, the water filter does not directly actuate the valve body.

The invention is therefore based on the objective of improving an ironing station having a water tank for supplying the steam generator in such a way that operation and cleaning of the water supply system can be provided in a simple and reliable manner.

According to the invention the objective is solved by means of an ironing station with the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous configurations and improvements of the invention are obtained from the following dependent claims.

The advantages obtained with the invention consist of it being hereby ensured that operation of the ironing station is exclusively possible using a water filter.

According to the invention it is now proposed to envisage a water filter in the ironing station that is removably designed, on one hand, an opening of the water tank to the steam generator being brought about only in the inserted state. In this respect, the water filter is designed as a separate part that can be removed from the docking connection piece that pushes the valve body counter to the force of the spring into the open position when the water tank is inserted and docked. For this purpose, the water filter is dome shaped and can be inserted in a docking connection piece designed as a shaft sleeve. The shaft sleeve forms an annular space around the water filter in order to form a flow channel.

In this respect, according to an advantageous configuration of the invention, the water filter is in the shape of a cylinder piston. In this respect, the cylinder piston has an open front face that covers the steam generator channel in the inserted state, the cylinder piston having a base that forms a contact surface for the valve body in the docked state. It goes without saying that the cylinder piston designed as a cup has in the shaft sleeve of the steam generator enough stability in order to push the valve body, which is mounted counter to the force of a spring, upwards so that the flow path for the further flowing water is cleared. In this respect, the cylinder piston forms with the circumferential surface thereof the inflow surface for the water. Thus, the further flowing water enters the channel of the steam generator through the side walls of the cylinder piston.

In an improvement of the invention, an O-ring seal is arranged on the edge region of the open front face of the cylinder piston. It seals in particular the inserted cylinder piston with respect to the shaft sleeve. According to a special configuration of the invention, the shaft sleeve occupies an annular space around the inserted cylinder piston. A portion of the valve body sleeve reaches into the annular space of the shaft sleeve in the docked state. A form-fitted docking connection of the water tank to the steam generator is thereby achieved, which in particular supports the actuation of the valve piston by means of the inserted water filter. According to a special configuration of the invention, a valve piston is integrated in the valve body sleeve so as to be movable counter to the force of a spiral spring arranged around the valve piston. In this respect, an O-ring seal is arranged on the valve piston below the spiral spring. For a stable movable arrangement of the valve piston on the water tank, the valve piston is movably mounted or integrated on an opening arranged in the base of the water tank, on one hand, and on a narrowing moulded in the valve body sleeve, on the other hand. An upper and a lower mounting is thereby achieved which enables a safe movement of the valve piston in the valve body sleeve. In this respect, the moulded narrowing forms in particular the sealing seat for the piston, it being operatively connected when the water tank is lifted. According to an especially advantageous configuration of the invention, the valve body sleeve can be inserted under the effect of a seal arranged in the shaft sleeve. It then lies against the valve body sleeve in the inserted state.

An embodiment of the invention is depicted in the drawings in a merely schematic manner and is described in further detail below.

Figure 1 shows a side view of an ironing station in the ready-to-operate state;

Figure 2 shows a further side view of the ironing station in the folded situation, it being possible to see a cut-out portion of the removable water tank;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the water tank in a detail depiction;

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the water tank according to Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a sectioned detail depiction of the valve body in the operating position with the water filter being inserted; and

Figure 6 shows a further detail depiction in a sectioned depiction of the valve body in the closed depiction with the water filter not being inserted.

Figure 1 shows a side view of an ironing station 1 in the unfolded open position that comprises an ironing board 2 having a foldable frame 3. In this respect, the iron frame 3 is arranged on a stand unit that is designed as a column 4 and comprises a steam generator 5 for an iron, not depicted in further detail. Figure 2 depicts the folded situation of the ironing station 1, a removable water tank 6 for supplying the steam generator 5 being arranged below the water tank 6 in the column 4. In this respect, Figure 3 shows in particular again a detail view of the water tank 6, it having on its front cover side a gripping element 7 that extends over a depression 8 in a bridge-like fashion. In this respect, the water tank 6 has a base 9, it being shown in particular in Figure 4 in the bottom view of the water tank 6. At least one valve body 11 that is movable counter to the force of a spring 10 is arranged in the base 9. The valve body 11 as such can be seen in further detail in the sectioned detail views of Figures 5 and 6. In this re sped, Figure 4 shows a base view of two valve bodies 11, one of the valve bodies being intended for ventilation when the water tank 6 is placed on the steam generator 5, so the water tank 6 is ventilated for a further flow of the water provided in the water tank 6 to be ensured. In this respect, the valve body 11 cooperates with a docking connection piece 12 arranged on the steam generator 5, as shown in further detail in Figures 5 and 6, such that removal of the water tank 6 closes the valve body 11 and opens same when inserting the water tank 6, a water filter 13 upstream of the steam generator 5 being integrated in the docking connection piece 12 for the water supply, as can be seen in Figure 5.

In this respect, as can be particularly seen in Figure 5, the water filter 13 is designed as an independent part that can be removed from the docking connection piece 12 which, when the water tank 6 is inserted and docked - Figure 5 - pushes the valve body 11 counter to the force of the spring 10 into the open position. The concept according to the invention becomes clear when viewing Figures 5 and 6 together, the movement of the valve body 11 into the open position being brought about in this respect by the water filter 13. In other words, when the filter part is not inserted, the valve body 11 closes automatically.

For this purpose, the water filter 13 is dome shaped and can be inserted in a docking connection piece 12 designed as a shaft sleeve 14. The shaft sleeve 14 that forms an annular space 15 around the water filter 13 thus represents a flow channel for the water flowing to the water tank 6. In this respect, as can he particularly seen in Figure 5, the water filter 13 is in the shape of a cylinder piston. The cylinder piston has an open front face 16 that covers the channel 17 to the steam generator 5 in the inserted state. In this respect, it becomes clear that the water filter 13 is put as a cup-like container over the steam generator channel 17 for the water supply, the water filter 13 being stable enough to counteract the spring force of the valve body 11. Thus, the base 18 of the cylinder piston forms a contact surface for actuating or contacting the corresponding contact surface 19 on the valve body 11, when the water tank 6 is in the docked state. In this respect, the circumferential surface of the cylinder piston forms the inflow surface for the water that further flows out of the water tank 6.

As can be seen in Figures 5 and 6, an O-ring seal 20 is arranged on the edge region of the open front face 16 of the cylinder piston. In this respect, the shaft sleeve 14 occupies an annular space 15 around the inserted cylinder piston. As can be particularly seen in both situations of Figures 5 and 6, a portion 21 of the valve body sleeve 22 reaches into the annular space 15 of the shaft sleeve 14 in the docked state. A form fit is thereby achieved, which in particular brings about that the water filter 13 designed as a cup experiences here a stable situation in the shaft sleeve 14, when the water tank 6 is placed. In an improvement of the invention, the valve piston 23 is integrated in the valve body sleeve 22 so as to be movable counter to the force of a spiral spring 24 arranged around the valve piston 23. An O-ring seal 25 is arranged on the valve piston 23 below the spiral spring 24. For the guidance of the valve piston 23 in the valve body sleeve 22 an opening 26 is arranged in the base 9, on one hand, there being a moulded narrowing 27 in the valve body sleeve 22, on the other hand, so that there exists an upper and lower mounting or integration of the valve piston 23. In this respect, according to a special configuration the moulded narrowing 27 is designed as a sealing seat for the valve piston 23. It goes without saying that when the water filter 13 is not inserted, as depicted in Figure 6, the valve piston 23 is pushed downwards on the narrowing 27 by means of the spring force so that the O-ring seal 25 is pushed against the moulded narrowing 27 and thus occupies a sealing position.

In an improvement of the invention, the valve body sleeve 22 is inserted under the effect of a seal 28 arranged in the shaft sleeve 14. It gets into an operating position when the water tank 6 is placed, the seal 28 lying on the outer perimeter of the valve body sleeve 22 by means of the form fit of the valve body sleeve 22 and the shaft sleeve 14.

Claims (15)

An ironing station (1) consisting of an ironing board (2) with a foldable frame (3), positioned on one foot, designed as a column (4) with a steam generator (5) for an iron, a removable water tank (6), supplying the steam generator (5) located in the column (4) and at least one valve housing (11) movable opposite the force of a spring (10) located in the base (9) of the water tank (9), which valve housing interacts with a charging base connector (12) located on the steam generator (5) such that the valve housing (11) closes when the water tank (6) is removed and opens, when the water tank (6) is inserted, a water filter (13) integrated into the charging base connection piece ( 12) above the steam generator (5), characterized in that the water filter (13) is designed as a separate part which can be removed from the charging base connector (12) and which pushes the valve housing (11) opposite the force of the spring (10) into the open position when the water tank is (6) inserted and inserted into the charging base, with the movement of the valve body (11) to the position open in this case produced by the water filter (13). The ironing station according to claim 1, characterized in that the water filter (13) is dome-shaped and can therefore be inserted into the charging base connector (12), designed as a sleeve (14). The ironing station according to claim 2, characterized in that the sleeve (14) forms an annular space (15) around the water filter (13) to create a water channel. The ironing station according to claim 2, characterized in that the water filter (13) is shaped as a cylinder piston. The ironing station according to claim 4, characterized in that the cylinder piston has an open front face (16) which covers the steam generator channel (17) in the inserted state. The ironing station according to claim 5, characterized in that the cylinder piston has a base (18) for contact with a contact surface (19) of the valve housing (11) when inserted into the charging base. 7. The stretcher lion is according to claim 6, characterized in that the cylinder piston has a peripheral surface which constitutes the influence surface of the water. The ironing station according to claim 5, characterized in that an O-ring seal (20) is applied to the edge of the open front face (16) of the cylinder piston. 9. The ironing station is according to claim 2, characterized in that the sleeve (14) occupies an annular space (15) around the inserted cylinder piston. The ironing station according to claim 9, characterized in that a portion of the (21) valve housing sleeve (22) contacts the annular space (15) of the sleeve (14) when inserted into the charging base. 11. The ironing station is according to claim 10, characterized in that a valve piston (23) is integrated in the valve housing sleeve (22) so that it can be moved opposite the force of a coil spring (24) located around the valve piston (23). 12. The ironing station is, according to claim 11, characterized in that an O-ring seal (25) is located on the valve piston (23) under the coil spring (24). The ironing station according to claim 12, characterized in that the valve piston (23) can be moved integrally by means of an opening (26) located in the base (9) of the water tank (6) at one end and by means of a molded constriction (27). ) in the valve body sleeve (22) at the other end. According to claim 13, the ironing station is characterized in that the molded constriction (27) is designed as a seal of the valve piston (23). The ironing station according to claim 10, characterized in that the valve housing sleeve (22) can be inserted by means of a seal (28) located in the sleeve (14).