EP1421892A1

EP1421892A1 - Regulation device to regulate the delivery of steam in a steam cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1421892A1
Application number: EP03104235A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luciano Scian; Gabriele Missio
Original assignee: De Longhi SpA
Current assignee: De Longhi SpA
Priority date: 2002-11-18
Filing date: 2003-11-17
Publication date: 2004-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2023-11-17
Also published as: ATE469594T1; EP1421892B1; ITUD20020241A1; DE60332803D1; ES2345143T3

Abstract

Device (10) to regulate the delivery of steam in a steam cleaning apparatus (11) comprising a steam generator unit (12), a connection pipe (13) that connects the generator unit (12) to a functional accessory (14), a gripper element (15) that allows to maneuver the pipe (13) and the functional accessory (14), and regulation members (17) to regulate the delivery of steam associated with the gripper element (15). The regulation members (17) comprise a first part (20, 120) solid with the gripper element (15), and a second part (21, 121) rotatable axially and reciprocally with respect to the first part (20, 120), and associated with the pipe (13). The first part (20, 120) comprises a female element (23, 123) with an outlet aperture (24, 124). The second part (21, 121) comprises a male element (22, 122) inserted into the female element (23, 123) and has an inlet aperture (25, 125) for the steam. The reciprocal rotation of the second part (21, 121) with respect to the first part (20, 120) determines an angular positioning of the inlet aperture (25, 125) with respect to the outlet aperture (24, 124) in order to define a plurality of reciprocal angular positions of the first part (20, 120) and the second part (21, 121), to which different deliveries of the steam through the outlet aperture (24, 124) correspond.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a regulation device to regulate the delivery of steam in a steam cleaning apparatus, such as for example a vacuum cleaner, an electric brush or similar, wherein a steam generator sends the steam generated, through a pipe, to a functional accessory for cleaning objects and/or surfaces.
To be more exact, the invention concerns a gripper element of the pipe, wherein both activation means to activate the generator and also regulation means to regulate the quantity of steam emerging from the functional accessory are positioned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that in steam cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum cleaners, electric brushes or suchlike, there is a steam generator unit to which a functional accessory is connected by means of a connection pipe, normally articulated. Such accessory, such as a brush, a window washer or suchlike, delivers the steam and comprises a gripper element to move the connection pipe easily.
Such known apparatuses have the disadvantage however that they have the regulation mechanism to regulate the delivery of steam arranged in proximity with the generator unit, which normally is not near at hand for the user, so that, if he needs to vary the quantity of steam delivered, he is obliged to momentarily interrupt the cleaning operations in order to act on the regulation mechanism.
Such operation causes not only an increase in the times required to do the cleaning, but also a physical effort on the part of the user, who is obliged to bend over to reach the generator unit, with consequent fatigue, which should be avoided, instead, especially in the case of elderly people.
This disadvantage has been partly resolved in the state of the art by arranging on the gripper element a regulation device to regulate the delivery of steam, which acts directly on a flexible and deformable segment of the pipe through which the steam passes, occluding the section. This known device not only does not guarantee a perfect regulation of the steam delivered, but it is also easily subject to the risk of breakage in its flexible segment, due to the continuous stress to which this is subjected.
The Applicant has devised and embodied the present invention to overcome such shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain other advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other innovative characteristics of the invention.
One purpose of the present invention is to achieve a regulation device to regulate the delivery of steam which does not oblige the user to momentarily interrupt the cleaning operations in order to act on the regulation means to regulate the delivery, and thus allows to reduce the times required to perform the cleaning operations, and avoids physical effort on the part of the user.
Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve a regulation device that regulates the quantity of steam delivered without the pipe through which the steam passes being occluded.
The present invention is applied advantageously, though not exclusively, to a steam cleaning apparatus comprising at least a steam generator unit and a connection pipe that connects the generator unit to a functional accessory for delivering steam.
The apparatus also comprises a gripper element that allows the user to maneuver the pipe and the functional accessory. Regulation means to regulate the delivery of steam are provided on such gripper element.
In accordance with the above purposes, the regulation means comprise a first part solid with the gripper element, and a second part able to be associated with said pipe. The first and second part are mounted reciprocally rotatable axially with respect to each other.
The first part comprises a female element provided with an outlet aperture, while the second part comprises a male element inserted into the female element and provided with at least a inlet aperture for the steam.
The reciprocal rotation of the second part with respect to the first part is able to determine an angular positioning of the inlet aperture with respect to the outlet aperture so as to define a plurality of reciprocal angular positions of the first part and the second part, to which different deliveries of steam through the outlet aperture correspond.
In a first form of embodiment of the present invention, the inlet aperture comprises an axial hole, a radial through hole communicating with the axial hole, and a circumferential seating made on a segment of an outer surface of the male element, and able to connect the radial through hole with the outlet aperture of the female element. The outlet aperture is made radially with respect to the axial hole of the male element, so that the reciprocal rotation of the two parts defines a first angular position for a minimum delivery of steam, wherein only the circumferential seating cooperates with the outlet aperture, a second angular position for a medium delivery of steam, wherein a part of the circumferential seating and a part of the radial hole cooperate with the outlet aperture, and a third angular position for maximum delivery, wherein only the radial hole cooperates completely with the outlet aperture.
In a second form of embodiment, the inlet aperture comprises three through holes, of which a first hole is arranged coaxial to the male element, and two other holes are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the first hole. The outlet aperture comprises an eyelet large enough to coincide always with the first hole and selectively with the two other holes.
In both these forms of embodiment, it is provided that the first part comprises an elastic stop element that cooperates with respective positioning seatings made on the second part. Each positioning seating defines a precise angular position of the second part with respect to the first part, so that the various regulations of the steam are pre-determined and easily repeatable.
With the present invention it is therefore possible for the user to activate and regulate the delivery of steam directly from the gripper element, thus avoiding the need to interrupt the cleaning operations in order to move in proximity with the steam generator unit, and thus avoiding physical effort and consequent fatigue.
Moreover, with the device according to the present invention it is possible to regulate the quantity of steam delivered without occluding the pipe through which the steam passes, which can therefore be made of strong material, thus limiting risks of breakages and malfunctions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some preferential forms of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a steam cleaning apparatus provided with the regulation device to regulate the delivery of steam according to the present invention;
fig. 2 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of a first form of embodiment of the regulation device in fig. 1;
fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the regulation device in fig. 2;
fig. 4 shows an enlarged detail of fig. 3;
fig. 5 shows a section from V to V of the regulation device in fig. 3, in a first operating condition;
fig. 6 shows a section from VI to VI of the regulation device in fig. 3, in a second operating condition;
fig. 7 shows a section from VII to VII of the regulation device in fig. 3, in a third operating condition;
fig. 8 shows an enlarged detail of fig. 5;
fig. 9 shows a cross section from IX to IX of fig. 3;
fig. 10 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of a second form of embodiment of the regulation device in fig. 1;
fig. 11 shows a longitudinal section of the regulation device in fig. 10;
fig. 12 is a schematic view of a first operating condition of a detail of the regulation device in fig. 10;
fig. 13 is a schematic view of a second operating condition of the detail in fig. 12;
fig. 14 is a schematic view of a third operating condition of the detail in fig. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERENTIAL FORMS OF EMBODIMENT

With reference to fig. 1, a regulation device 10 to regulate the delivery of steam according to the present invention is applied to a steam vacuum cleaner 11 of the type comprising a steam generator 12, a connection pipe 13, connected at one end to the generator 12, and a functional accessory, such as for example a brush 14, connected to the free end of the pipe 13, in order to direct the delivery of steam with precision and subsequently suck in the dirt.
The regulation device 10 comprises a gripper element 15, interposed between the pipe 13 and the brush 14 to allow a user to maneuver the pipe 13 and the brush 14 with extreme ease. Both a command button 16 to drive the generator 12 and also a regulation mechanism 17 to regulate the delivery of steam are associated with the gripper element 15 (figs. 3 and 9).
In accordance with a first, preferential form of embodiment, shown in figs. 2 to 8, the mechanism 17 comprises a first part 20 and a second part 21 mounted coaxially with each other and free to rotate one with respect to the other.
The first part 20 is substantially tubular in shape, is attached to the brush 14 and supports the command button 16, while the second part 21 is also substantially tubular in shape and is connected to the pipe 13.
The command button 16 is able to be taken selectively into contact with a switch 18 arranged inside the first part 20 and electrically connected to the generator 12.
The mechanism 17 also comprises a male element 22 and a female element 23, associated rotatably with each other. To be more exact, the female element 23 is mounted on the first part 20 and is provided with an outlet aperture 24 (figs. 3 to 8), which is cylindrical in shape and is arranged substantially vertical, so as to allow the steam to exit.
The male element 22 is substantially cylindrical in shape, is mounted on the second part 21 and is provided with an inlet aperture 25.
To be more exact, the inlet aperture 25 comprises a first cylindrical hole 25a made axially on the male element 22, a second through cylindrical hole 25b, with a cross section equivalent to that of the outlet aperture 24, made radially on the male element 22 and communicating with the first cylindrical hole 25a, and a circumferential seating 25c made on an arc of the outer circular surface of the male element 22, and able to put the second cylindrical hole 25b in communication with the outlet aperture 24.
The circumferential seating 25c (figs. 4 and 8) has a substantially rectangular cross section and a height "h" of some tenths of a millimeter. Such height "h" gradually reduces, until it becomes zero, as the distance from the radial through hole 25b increases angularly, so that the circumferential seating 25c has a variable profile section.
In this way, by reciprocally rotating the second part 21 with respect to the first part 20, an angular displacement is determined (figs. 5, 6 and 7) of the second cylindrical hole 25b and the circumferential seating 25c with respect to the outlet aperture 24, thus entailing a progressive increase in the delivery of steam exiting from the latter.
The second part 21 also comprises, in correspondence with one front end 21a, an elastic stop element 26 (fig. 9), substantially consisting of a pair of balls 27 thrust from opposite sides by a spring 28, and able to cooperate with respective positioning seatings 30 made on an inner surface of the first part 20. Each of these positioning seatings 30 defines a precise angular position of the second part 21 with respect to the first part 20.
On the outer surface of the second part 21 there are reference notches 31 which cooperate with a fixed indicator 33 made on the first part 20, which are able to signal visually to a user the reciprocal position of the cylindrical hole 25b and the circumferential seating 25c, with respect to the outlet aperture 24, and hence the quantity of steam able to be delivered.
To guarantee an airtight seal of the whole regulation device 10, there are washers 32 provided, of a known type and not described in detail, arranged in proximity with the zones of connection between the first part 20 and the second part 21, and between the female element 23 and the male element 22.
The regulation device 10 as described heretofore functions as follows.
First of all the generator 12 is activated by means of the command button 16. Such action on the button 16 and all the other regulation actions which will be described hereafter are performed without ever interrupting the cleaning operations and with a simple manual action on the gripper element 15.
After the generator 12 has been switched on, it is possible to rotate the second part 21 with respect to the first part 20, so as to determine the angular position of the cylindrical hole 25b and the circumferential seating 25c with respect to the outlet aperture 24.
As shown in figs. 5 to 7, it can be seen how in a first angular position of the second part 21 with respect to the first part 20, only the circumferential seating 25c cooperates with the outlet aperture 24, thus allowing the passage of a minimum quantity of steam.
By rotating in this case the second part 21 by an angle α (fig. 6), defined by the angular position of the positioning seatings 30, apart from the circumferential seating 25c, part of the second cylindrical hole 25b is also taken into cooperation with the outlet aperture 24, thus increasing the steam passage area, and hence allowing an intermediate delivery of steam.
By rotating further the second part 21 by an angle α (fig. 7), the cylindrical hole 25b is taken to an angular position of substantial coincidence with the outlet aperture 24, so as to allow maximum delivery of steam through the brush 14.
According to the variant shown in figs. 10 to 14, where elements equivalent to the first form of embodiment are indicated with the same numbers, the mechanism 17 comprises a first part 120 and a second part 121 mounted coaxially with each other and free to rotate one with respect to the other.
The first part 120 is substantially tubular in shape, is attached to the brush 14 and supports the command button 16, while the second part 121 is also substantially tubular in shape and is connected to the pipe 13.
The mechanism 17 also comprises a male element 122 and a female element 123, associated rotatably with each other. To be more exact, the female element 123 is mounted on the first part 120 and is provided with an outlet aperture 124 (figs. 12-14) for the delivery of steam.
The male element 122 is mounted on the second part 121 and is provided with three through holes 125, respectively a central hole 125b and two diametrically opposite lateral holes 125a, 125c, arranged so as to selectively cooperate with the outlet aperture 124.
The outlet aperture 124 has an elongated form and is shaped so that, in a determinate angular position of the three holes 125a, 125b and 125c, it will coincide with them.
In this way, by rotating the second part 121 with respect to the first part 120, the maximum, intermediate or minimum overlap of the holes 125 with the outlet aperture 124 is determined, and it is thus possible to regulate the area of passage of the steam and hence the quantity delivered.
The first part 120 also comprises (fig. 11), in correspondence with a front surface 120a of the end that cooperates with the second part 121, an elastic stop element 126, substantially consisting of a ball 127 thrust by a spring 128 and able to cooperate with respective positioning seatings 130 made on a front surface 121a of the second part 121. Each of these positioning seatings 130 defines a precise angular position of the second part 121 with respect to the first part 120.
This second form of embodiment of the regulation device 10 according to the invention functions as follows.
After the generator 12 has been switched on, it is possible to rotate the second part 121 with respect to the first part 120, so as to determine the angular position of the holes 125 with respect to the outlet aperture 124.
As shown in figs. 12 to 14, it can be seen how in a first angular position of the second part 121 with respect to the first part 120, only the central hole 125b of the through holes 125 cooperates with the outlet aperture 124, thus allowing the passage of a minimum quantity of steam.
By rotating the second part 121 by an angle α (fig. 13), apart from the central hole 125b, part of the lateral holes 125a and 125c is also taken into cooperation with the outlet aperture 124, thus increasing the steam passage area, and hence allowing an intermediate delivery of steam.
By rotating further the second part 121 by an angle α (fig. 14), the through holes 125 are taken to an angular position of perfect coincidence with the outlet aperture 124, so as to allow maximum delivery of steam through the brush 14.
It is clear, however, that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the regulation device 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.
For example, according to a variant, the angle of rotation of the second part 21 or 121 with respect to the first part 20 or 120 is not constrained by any positioning seating 30 or 130, thus allowing a user a wider range of positionings and hence of regulations of the delivery of steam.
According to another variant, between the gripper element 15 and the brush 14 a rigid extension of a known type, not shown in the drawings, may be provided.
It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of the regulation device to regulate the delivery of steam in a steam cleaning apparatus, all of which shall come within the field and scope of the present invention.

Claims

Device to regulate the delivery of steam in a steam cleaning apparatus (11) comprising at least a steam generator unit (12), a connection pipe (13) able to connect said generator unit (12) to a functional accessory (14) to deliver steam, a gripper element (15) able to allow a user to maneuver said pipe (13) and said functional accessory (14), and regulation means (17) to regulate the delivery of steam associated with said gripper element (15), characterized in that said regulation means (17) comprise a first part (20, 120) solid with said gripper element (15), and a second part (21, 121) rotatable axially and reciprocally with respect to said first part (20, 120), and able to be associated with said pipe (13), in that said first part (20, 120) comprises a female element (23, 123) provided with an outlet aperture (24, 124), in that said second part (21, 121) comprises a male element (22, 122) inserted into said female element (23, 123) and provided with at least an inlet aperture (25, 125) for said steam, and in that the reciprocal rotation of said second part (21, 121) with respect to said first part (20, 120) is able to determine an angular positioning of said at least one inlet aperture (25, 125) with respect to said outlet aperture (24, 124) in order to define a plurality of reciprocal angular positions of said first part (20, 120) and said second part (21, 121), to which different deliveries of said steam through said outlet aperture (24, 124) correspond.
Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said inlet aperture (25) comprises an axial hole (25a), a radial through hole (25b) communicating with said axial hole (25a), and a circumferential seating (25c) made on a segment of an outer surface of said male element (22) and able to connect said radial through hole (25b) with said outlet aperture (24) of said female element (23), and in that said outlet aperture (24) is made radially with respect to said axial hole (25a) of said male element (22).
Device as in claim 2, characterized in that said circumferential seating (25c) has a determinate height (h) in correspondence with said radial through hole (25b) and in that said height reduces gradually, until it becomes zero, as the distance from said radial through hole (25b) increases angularly, so that said circumferential seating 25c has a variable profile section.
Device as in claim 2, characterized in that, in a first angular position, with a minimum delivery of said steam, said male element (22) is angularly positioned with respect to said female element (23) so that only said circumferential seating (25c) cooperates with said outlet aperture (24), in that in a second angular position, with a medium delivery of said steam, said male element (22) is angularly positioned with respect to said female element (23) so that a part of said circumferential seating (25c) and a part of said radial hole (25b) cooperate with said outlet aperture (24), and in that in a third angular position, with maximum delivery of said steam, said male element (22) is angularly positioned with respect to said female element (23) so that only said radial hole (25b) cooperates with said outlet aperture (24).
Device as in claim 4, characterized in that the cross section of said radial hole (25b) is substantially equal to that of said outlet aperture (24).
Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said at least one inlet aperture (125) comprises three through holes (125a, 125b, 125c) made in said male element (122), of which a first hole (125b) is arranged in a central position and coaxial to said male element (122), and two further holes (125a, 125c) are arranged on diametrically opposite sides with respect to said first hole (125b), and in that said outlet aperture (124) comprises an eyelet large enough to always coincide with said first hole and, selectively, also with said two further holes (125a, 125c).
Device as in claim 6, characterized in that said three through holes (125a, 125b, 125c) are able to be positioned angularly, by means of the reciprocal rotation of said male element (122) with respect to said female element (123) in a first position of minimum opening wherein only said first hole (125b) coincides with said outlet aperture (124), in a second position of intermediate opening wherein apart from said first hole (125b), said two further holes (125a, 125c) also coincide, although only partly, with said outlet aperture (124), and a third position of maximum opening wherein both said first hole (125b) and also said two further holes (125a, 125c) completely coincide with said outlet aperture (124).
Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said first part (20, 120) comprises an elastic stop element (26, 126) able to cooperate with respective positioning seatings (30, 130) made on said second part (21, 121), each of said positioning seatings (30, 130) defining a precise angular position of said second part (21, 121) with respect to said first part (20, 120).
Device as in claim 8, characterized in that said elastic stop element (26, 126) comprises at least a ball (27, 127) cooperating with a spring (28, 128).
Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that on the outer surface of said second part (21, 121) there are reference notches (31) cooperating with a respective fixed indicator (33) made on said first part (20, 120), and able to signal visually to a user the reciprocal position of said outlet aperture (24, 124) with respect to said inlet aperture (25, 125).
Device as in any claim hereinbefore, wherein said gripper element (15) is provided with activation means (16) for said generator unit (12), characterized in that said activation means comprise a command button (16) able to selectively command an electric switch (18) connected with said generator unit (12) in order to determine the activation thereof.
Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it also comprises washers (32) arranged in proximity with the zones of connection between said first part (20, 120) and said second part (21, 121), and between said female element (23, 123) and said male element (22, 122), in order to guarantee an airtight seal of the reciprocally rotatable parts.