EP0566440B1 - Method of making a functional plate for a hand iron, plate thus obtained and hand iron comprising such a plate - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a functional plate for a steam iron, carrying the water intake members, for adjusting the water flow rate, the temperature adjustment members, the connection members. electric and the fixing elements of the plate to the iron.

The invention also relates to the functional plate for iron, obtained in particular by the aforementioned method.

The invention further relates to a steam iron comprising such a functional plate.

Such a functional plate has been described in French patent application FR-A-2 664 916 in the name of the applicant.

This plate carries the major part of the intake and water flow adjustment members as well as a part of the temperature adjustment members.

Such a plate considerably simplifies the mounting of a steam iron, since it constitutes a prefabricated and preset module, ready to be mounted in the iron, with a minimum of mechanical fixing operations and electrical connections.

The functional plate described in the aforementioned patent application as well as the members which it carries are entirely molded from plastic.

This plastic plate thus constitutes a mechanical support for the members and an insulating support making it possible to isolate therebetween the various electrical connections as well as the electrical members for adjusting the temperature and for safety against overheating.

After the molding of the plastic parts, it was necessary to mount on the plate of the electrical conductors to establish the connections with the heating resistance of the soleplate of the iron and with electrical temperature regulation and overheating safety devices.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a functional plate for a steam iron which makes it possible to lower still further the manufacturing and assembly costs.

The invention thus relates to a method of manufacturing a functional plate for a steam iron, carrying the water intake members, for adjusting the water flow rate, the temperature adjustment members, the electrical connection and the fixing elements of the plate to the iron.

• a) on réalise par découpage une plaque métallique comportant des ouvertures, des trous et des bandes métalliques reliées les unes aux autres et avec la partie principale de la plaque;
• b) on surmoule, en une seule opération, sur lesdites ouvertures, trous et bandes métalliques les éléments en matière plastique nécessaires pour constituer les organes d'admission et de réglage du débit d'eau, les organes de réglage de la température et les organes destinés à isoler électriquement les connexions électriques;
• c) on découpe certaines parties métalliques reliant les bandes métalliques entre elles et avec la partie principale de la plaque, pour constituer des connexions électriques isolées électriquement.

According to the invention, this process is characterized by the following stages:

• a) a metal plate is produced by cutting comprising openings, holes and metal strips connected to each other and with the main part of the plate;
• b) the plastic elements necessary to constitute the admission and water flow control members, the temperature control members and the members are overmolded, in a single operation, on said openings, holes and metal strips. intended to electrically isolate electrical connections;
• c) cutting certain metal parts connecting the metal strips together and with the main part of the plate, to form electrically isolated electrical connections.

The plate thus obtained consists on the one hand of a metal and on the other hand of molded plastic parts. Since the major part of this plate is a stamped and cut metal, the manufacturing cost of the plate is very reduced.

In addition, the use of a metal plate makes it possible to make it during the operation of cutting, conductive strips making it possible to establish the electrical connections, it being understood that the necessary electrical insulation can be produced easily during the overmolding of the plastic material.

A functional plate is thus obtained ready to be fixed in the iron.

According to a preferred version of the invention, the ends of said strips are shaped to be able to receive by interlocking electrical connection lugs and are folded substantially at right angles to the rest of the strip.

The invention also relates to a functional plate for a steam iron, carrying the water intake members, for adjusting the water flow rate, the temperature adjustment members, the electrical connection members and the fixing the plate to the iron.

According to the invention, this plate comprises a stamped and cut metal plate comprising openings, holes and metal strips cut from said plate, on said openings, holes and strips, are overmolded plastic elements constituting at least part of the water flow intake and adjustment members, at least part of the iron heating temperature adjustment members, and at least part of the electrical connection insulation members.

The plate can be of an inexpensive metal such as zinc coated steel.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective de la plaque métallique découpée et emboutie constituant la base de la platine fonctionnelle selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective des parties en matière plastique destinées à être surmoulées sur la plaque métallique;
• la figure 3 représente les parties en matière plastique surmoulées sur la plaque métallique de la figure 1;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective analogue à la figure 3, mais après découpage de certaines parties de la platine métallique;
• la figure 5 montre la platine après repliage des extrémités des bandes et les différents organes destinés à être fixés sur cette platine;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective de la semelle du fer à repasser sur laquelle la platine doit être fixée.

In the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the cut and stamped metal plate constituting the base of the functional plate according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the plastic parts intended to be molded onto the metal plate;
• Figure 3 shows the plastic parts overmolded on the metal plate of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 3, but after cutting of certain parts of the metal plate;
• Figure 5 shows the plate after folding the ends of the strips and the various members intended to be fixed on this plate;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of the soleplate of the iron on which the plate must be fixed.

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate the successive stages of the manufacturing process of a functional plate 1 for a steam iron. This plate 1 (see FIG. 5) carries the organs 2 for water admission and for adjusting the water flow, the organs 3 for adjusting the temperature, the organs 4 for electrical connection and the organs 5, 6, 7 fixing plate 1 to the iron.

In a first step, a metal plate 8 is formed (see FIG. 1), by stamping and cutting, having openings such as 9, 10, 11, holes such as 12 and metal strips 13, 14, 15, 16 connected together. to each other by bridges such as 16a and with the main part of the plate 8.

In a second operation (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the necessary plastic elements such as 17 are overmolded, in a single operation, on said openings 9, 10, 11, holes and metal strips 13, 14, 15, 16 , 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 to constitute the organs for admission and regulation of the water flow, the temperature adjusting members and members intended to electrically isolate the electrical connections 13, 14, 15.

In a third step (see Figure 3), certain metal parts are cut such as 23, 24, 25 connecting the metal strips 13, 14, 15, 16 to each other and to the main part of the plate 8, to form electrical connections electrically isolated.

In the example shown in the figures, one 16 of the metal strips is connected to one side 8a of the plate 8, different from the side 8b to which the other strips 13, 14, 15 are connected. In this example, after the cutting operation of the parts 24, 25, the strip 16 is separated from the plate 8 to be placed in another place.

Figures 2 and 3 also show that the members such as 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 are molded onto the plate 8 so as to be fixed thereto around the edges of the openings or holes such as 9 , 10, 11, 11a cut from the plate 8. The overmolded members are thus perfectly fixed to the plate 8.

We see on the other hand in Figure 5, that the ends 13a, 14a, 15a, 17a of the strips 13, 14, 15, 16 are shaped to be able to receive by interlocking electrical connection lugs and are folded substantially at an angle right relative to the rest of the tape.

We will now describe in detail, with reference to FIG. 5, the functional plate obtained by the method according to the invention. This plate 1 carries the organs 2 for water admission and for adjusting the water flow, the organs 3 for adjusting the temperature, the organs 4 for electrical connection and the organs 5, 6, 7 for fixing the plate. 1 with the sole of an iron.

According to the invention, the plate 1 comprises a stamped and cut metal plate 8 comprising (see FIG. 1) openings 9, 10, 11, holes 12 and metal strips 13, 14, 15, 16 cut from said plate 8 .

On said openings, holes and strips are overmolded elements 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 of plastic material constituting at least a part of the organs 17 for admission and adjustment of the water flow, at least a part of the organs 3 for adjusting the heating temperature of the iron, and at least a part of the organs for isolating the electrical connections 4.

The plate 8 can be made for example of zinc coated steel sheet, of thickness equal to approximately 0.5 mm.

In the example shown, on one of the openings cut in the plate 9 is overmolded the sleeve 17 receiving the plug 30 of the intake device and adjusting the water flow rate. To this sleeve 17 are associated an upper seal 31 and a lower seal 32 for sealing with the inlet opening 33 (see FIG. 6) of the water in the vaporization chamber of the soleplate of the iron.

As shown in Figure 1, the plate 8 has two slots 10, 11 parallel extending towards the opening 9 carrying the sleeve 17. In each slot 10, 11 is molded (see Figures 3 or 5) a slide 18, 19 These two slides 18, 19 serve to guide a slide 36 cooperating with the plug 30 and with the temperature adjustment device 3 to control the flow of water with the temperature. A more detailed description of this control is given in French patent application FR-A-2 664 916 in the name of the applicant.

Next to the slot 11 is formed a hole 37 in which is molded a bearing receiving the axis 38a a rotary pinion 38 which can mesh with a rack 39 formed on the slide 36. This axis 38a of the pinion 38 can cooperate with the device 3 for adjusting the temperature. Thus when the user moves the drawer 36, he rotates the pinion 38 and modifies the setting of the device 3 for adjusting the temperature. The movement of the drawer 36, the end 40 of which engages in an opening 41 in the sleeve 17, determines the position of the plug 30 which regulates the rate of admission of water into the vaporization chamber. The plug 30 cooperates with a cam 42 which is engaged on a finger 43 fixed relative to the molded sleeve 17 and connected to a finger 44 of the plug 30.

Furthermore, the plate carries on its side 8b, three metal strips 13, 14, 15 whose ends 13a, 14a, 15a opposite to the plate 8 are folded and shaped to receive an electrical connection terminal. These three metal strips 13, 14, 15 are connected to each other by a strip 22 of plastic material overmolded on these strips and electrically insulating them from each other.

The plate also includes a fourth metal strip 16 which is free relative to the other three, one of the ends 17a of which is also folded back and shaped to receive an electrical connection terminal.

The other end of this strip 16 has a hole 45 in which an insulating washer 46 is overmolded enabling it to be fixed to the thermostat for adjusting the temperature of the iron.

The plate 8 has on its periphery folded legs 5, 6, 7 each provided with a hole 12 allowing the passage of a fixing means.

FIG. 6 represents a heating sole 50 of the iron on top of which the plate 1 can be fixed by means of the tabs 5, 6, 7 and holes of fixing these.

The metal connection strips 13, 14, 15 protrude from the side 8b of the plate 8 adjacent to the rear part 51 of the sole 50 where the ends 52 of the electrical heating resistance come out. The metal connection strips 13 and 15 are electrically connected (see dotted lines in FIGS. 5 and 6) at said ends of the electrical resistance.

The main advantages of the functional stage which have just been described are the following:

The fact that this plate is produced from a cut steel sheet and by overmolding of plastic elements makes it possible to obtain a plate at low cost.

The metal base of this plate gives it good mechanical resistance and good temperature resistance, given the proximity of the heating resistance of the sole.

On the other hand, the use of a metal base makes it possible to produce directly in the latter, by cutting and folding, conductive strips allowing the electrical connections.

The electrical insulations necessary for this purpose can be carried out without difficulty and at the same time as the overmolding of the other functional elements of the plate.

These electrical insulations participate in the rigidity of the whole of the plate and thus make it possible to obtain an assembly practically in one piece which can be fixed directly on the top of the sole by means of a few screws for example.

Once the plate is fixed on the sole, it is enough to establish some electrical connections.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described and many modifications can be made to it without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. A method of making a functional plate (1) for a steam hand iron, carrying the water admission (2), the water flow rate adjustment and temperature adjustment (3) devices, the electrical connection devices (4) and the fastening brackets (5, 6, 7) of the plate (1) to the hand iron, characterised by the following stages :

   a) a metal plate (8) is cut to exhibit apertures (9, 10, 11), holes (12) and metal bands (13, 14, 15, 16) linked to one another and with the main section of the plate (8);

   b) the elements made of plastic material (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) necessary to constitute the water admission and flow rate adjustment devices (2), the temperature adjustment devices (3) and the devices (22) designed for electrical insulation of the electrical connections, are compound-filled on the said apertures (8, 9, 10), holes and metal bands (13, 14, 15, 16) in one passage;

   c) certain metal parts (16a, 24, 25) linking the metal bands (13, 14, 15, 16) to one another and with the main section of the plate (8) in order to constitute electrically isolated electrical connections, are cut.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one (16) of the metal bands is linked to a side (8a) of the plate (8), a side differing from that (8b) to which the other bands (13, 14, 15) are linked, and in that, after the operation c), the said band (16) is removed from the plate (8) to be placed in another location.
3. A method according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the said devices made of plastic materials (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22) are compound-filled on the said plate (8) in order to be fastened to that around the rims of the apertures (9, 10, 11) or holes cut-out in the plate (8).
4. A method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the ends (13a, 14a, 15a, 17a) of the said metal bands (13, 14, 15, 16) are brought into due form in order to accommodate electrical connection lugs by an embedding process and are linked more or less at right angle with respect to the rest of the band.
5. A functional plate for a steam hand iron, carrying the water admission (2), the water flow rate adjustment and temperature adjustment (3) devices, the electrical connection devices (4) and the fastening brackets (5, 6, 7) of the plate (1) to the hand iron, characterised in that it contains a metal plate (8) embossed and cut, comprising apertures (9, 10, 11), holes and metal bands (13, 14, 15, 16) cut out in the said plate, in that the said apertures (9, 10, 11), holes and bands (13, 14, 15, 16) are compound-filled in a single operation, whereby elements (17, 18, 19, 20, 21) made of plastic material constituting at least a number of the water admission and flow rate adjustment devices (2), at least a number of the iron heating temperature adjustment devices (3) and at least a number of the insulation devices for the electrical connections.
6. A functional plate according to claim 5, characterised in that the plate (8) is made of zinc-coated steel.
7. A plate according to one of the claims 5 or 6, characterised in that on one (9) of the apertures cut-out in the plate (8) is compound-filled the sleeve (17) accommodating the bushel (30) of the water admission and flow rate adjustment device.
8. A plate according to claim 7, characterised in that the plate (8) comprises two parallel slots (10, 11) stretching forth to the aperture (9) carrying the sleeve (17) and in that in each slot (10, 11) a slide (18, 19) is compound-filled, whereas both slides serve to guide a register (36) working together with the bushel (30) and with the temperature adjustment device (3) in order to bring under control the water flow rate with the temperature.
9. A plate according to claim 8, characterised in that, near to one of the slots, a hole (37) has been arranged, in which a bearing is compound-filled, accommodating the axle (38a) of a rotary pinion (38) capable of engaging into a rack (39) located on the register (36), whereby this axle of the pinion (38) works together with the temperature adjustment device (3).
10. A plate according to one of the claims 5 to 9, characterised in that the plate (8) contains on one (8b) of its sides, three metal bands (13, 14, 15) whose ends (13a, 14a, 15a) opposite to the plate (8) are folded and brought into due form to accommodate an electrical connection lug, whereby these three metal bands (13, 14, 15) are linked to one another by a strip (22) made of plastic material compound-filled on these bands to secure their electrical insulation from one another.
11. A plate according to claim 10, characterised in that it contains a fourth band metal (16), free with respect to the other three, one (17a) of whose ends is also folded and brought into due form to accommodate an electrical connection lug and the other.end comprises a hole (45) on which is compound-filled an insulating washer (46) enabling fastening to the iron temperature adjustment thermostat.
12. A plate according to one of the claims 5 to 11, characterised in that the plate (8) comprises, on its periphery, folded tabs (4, 5, 6), each provided with a hole (12) enabling the passage of a fastening means.
13. A steam hand iron, comprising a functional plate (1) according to one of the claims 5 to 12.
14. A hand iron according to claim 13, comprising a heating sole plate (50), characterised in that the functional plate (1) is fixed on the upper section of the sole plate (50).
15. A hand iron according to claim 14, characterised in that the connection metal bands (13, 14, 15, 16) are cantilever on one side (8a) of the plate adjoining to the rear section (51) of the sole plate (50) out of which protrude the ends (52) of the electrical heating resistor, whereas two (13, 15) of the said connection metal bands are electrically linked to the said ends (52) of the electric resistor.

Images