EP2235251B1 - Ironing device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical device for ironing laundry, comprising at least a soleplate having at least one opening for steam outlet, a heating element for heating the soleplate, a water tank, a drip valve, a steam chamber, a water passage by means of which water from the water tank on the Drip valve for generating steam in the steam chamber can be converted, a steam flow setting part, by means of which the amount dripping on the drip valve via an actuation of a valve stem is controllable.

Electric devices for ironing laundry are known in the art. These partially have devices for rinsing. These devices serve the purpose of flushing a larger amount of cold water in the hot steam chamber, so that loose lime particles and lint are washed out. At the same time resulting limescale layers are blown up by the sudden onset of temperature shock resulting from the temperature difference between the heated steam chamber and the incoming cold water, and the particles are then rinsed out. In this regard, for example, on the DE 34 05 465 A1 directed.

Another part of electrical devices for ironing laundry comprises a drip stop valve, which is located in the water passage and opens above a defined temperature and closes below a defined temperature and a separate means for rinsing, which is located outside the water passage, and through the Water is directly transferable from the water tank into the steam chamber. In this regard, for example, on the WO 99/45190 A1 directed.

Other electrical devices for ironing laundry are finally out of the EP 1 764 438 A1 , of the DE 103 57 454 A1 or the US 3,747,241 A known.

However, these known devices have a number of disadvantages.

Such are the devices in which - as in the WO 99/45190 A1 - A separate device for purging is controlled by a separate actuator, in production relatively complicated and expensive. This, in turn, often results in these devices being susceptible to frequent maintenance. In addition, the consumer can easily be irritated by too many controls. Finally, some of the available devices have a very low capacity, so that only small amounts of water can flow into the steam chamber, and thus the rinsing effect is only weak.

Based on this, the present invention has the object to provide a device for cleaning the steam chamber available, which causes effective cleaning, easy to use and can be manufactured inexpensively.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

• eine Bügelsohle, welche wenigstens eine Öffnung zum Dampfaustritt aufweist,
• ein Heizelement zum Beheizen der Bügelsohle,
• einen Wassertank,
• ein Tropfventil,
• eine Dampfkammer,
• eine Wasserdurchführung, mittels derer Wasser aus dem Wassertank über das Tropfventil zur Dampferzeugung in die Dampfkammer überführbar ist,
• ein Dampfmengenstellteil, mithilfe dessen über eine Betätigung einer Ventilstange die über das Tropfventil eintropfende Wassermenge steuerbar ist,
• ein Tropfstoppventil, welches sich in der Wasserdurchführung befindet, und sich oberhalb einer definierten Temperatur öffnet und unterhalb einer definierten Temperatur schließt,
• sowie ein separates Mittel zum Spülen, welches sich außerhalb der Wasserdurchführung befindet, und durch die Wasser direkt aus dem Wassertank in die Dampfkammer überführbar ist,

und zeichnet sich insbesondere dadurch aus,

• dass über ein Anheben der Ventilstange ein Verschluss des Mittels zum Spülen geöffnet werden kann, so dass durch dieses Mittel zum Spülen eine größere Menge Wasser direkt in die Dampfkammer überführbar ist.

The electric device for ironing laundry according to the invention comprises at least:

• a soleplate, which has at least one opening for steam outlet,
• a heating element for heating the soleplate,
• a water tank,
• a drip valve,
• a steam chamber,
• a water passage, by means of which water from the water tank via the drip valve for generating steam in the steam chamber is convertible,
• a Dampfmengenstellteil, by means of which via an actuation of a valve rod, the amount of water dripping over the drip valve is controllable,
• a drip stop valve, which is located in the water passage, and opens above a defined temperature and closes below a defined temperature,
• and a separate means for rinsing, which is located outside the water passage, and is transferred by the water directly from the water tank in the steam chamber,

and is characterized in particular by

• a closure of the flushing means can be opened by raising the valve rod, so that a larger amount of water can be transferred directly into the steam chamber by means of this flushing means.

As a result, a considerably improved operating comfort is achieved compared with devices known from the prior art which comprise a drip-stop valve for ironing. The fact that a separate means for rinsing can be opened by lifting the valve stem, a technically simple, inexpensive and effective way of cleaning is provided. The number of operating elements on the surface of the ironing device remains limited, so that the user can not be irritated by another operating element for triggering the rinsing function. Since the means for rinsing is configured separately from the dripping device, it can be carried out with greater freedom of design, both with regard to the size of the opening through which water passes and the distance between the dripping device and the rinsing device.

Characterized that the water, which serves to rinse the steam chamber for limescale, enters at a different location in the steam chamber as the water, which passes to generate steam in the chamber, it is possible to bring a larger amount for flushing in the chamber and thus to make the flushing of the chamber more effective.

It has proved to be advantageous if the separate means for rinsing comprises a spring.

It has proved to be particularly advantageous if a closure of the separate means for rinsing via the spring takes place, and / or a return of the means for rinsing from an open to a closed state via the spring is executable. This ensures that in regular ironing operation, the separate means closes reliably and will prevent inadvertent ingress of water. At the same time it is ensured that after completion of the rinsing function, the separate means also reliably closes again.

It has also proven to be advantageous if the valve rod can be raised via a wheel-shaped actuating part. This allows the operation of the flushing function in a simple manner the regulation of the steam function will be integrated. This allows the user to initiate the flushing function with a simple operation of the wheel-shaped actuating part. It can also be completed with an actuation of the wheel-shaped actuator, the rinse function again.

It has proved to be advantageous if the electric ironing device has an indicating means which informs the user when it is necessary to carry out a rinsing function. This can ensure that the user receives reliable information as to when it is necessary to carry out a wash program. Damage to the ironing device can be effectively avoided.

It is of particular advantage in this case if the indication to the user that a rinsing function is required is carried out visually and / or acoustically. This can e.g. via a signal lamp, which may be an LED light for the purpose of energy saving, done or via a distinctive beep.

It is of very particular advantage in this case if the determination as to when a rinsing function is required takes place as a function of a measured time span and / or measured technical parameters of the device. This can e.g. in that the ironing device has a means for determining the operating time, and after a defined operating time, e.g. After 100 hours of operation, inform the user that a purge function is required. However, the determination as to whether it is necessary to carry out a rinsing function can also be carried out particularly advantageously as a function of measured technical parameters. This means that the device for ironing technical values parameters which change in the presence of a Kalkschicht, e.g. the electrical conductivity or the thermal conductivity.

In a preferred embodiment, the device for ironing on an electrically operated pump, by means of which the rinsing function can be amplified. This makes it possible to run the rinse function even faster and more effective.

The electrically operated pump can also flush the water through the steam chamber at intervals.

The present invention, in an ironing apparatus, effectively and inexpensively provides a scavenging function for removing scale.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will be explained below with reference to various embodiments, to which the present invention is not limited, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

eine seitliche Querschnittszeichnung einer Vorrichtung zum Bügeln;

Fig. 2

eine zweite Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung zum Bügeln, wobei diese Ausführungsform ein radförmiges Stellteil aufweist;

Fig. 3

eine Ausführungsform mit radförmigem Stellteil, wobei das Stellteil im Uhrzeigersinn weiter gedreht wurde; sowie

Fig. 4

eine weitere Arbeitsstellung der Vorrichtung zum Bügeln.

In it show schematically:

Fig. 1

a side cross-sectional drawing of a device for ironing;

Fig. 2

a second embodiment of the device for ironing, this embodiment having a wheel-shaped actuating part;

Fig. 3

an embodiment with Radförmigem actuator, wherein the actuator was rotated further in a clockwise direction; such as

Fig. 4

another working position of the device for ironing.

In the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components.

Fig. 1 shows in a cross-sectional side view of a device 1 for ironing laundry. This comprises a sole plate 2 with heating elements 3a; 3b heat the soleplate 2 and thereby evaporate the dripping water. Above the soleplate 2 is a drip valve 5, through which water, which is located in a water tank 4, the course of a water passage 7, via a drip stop valve 10 to a drip valve 5, from which it enters the steam chamber 6 and evaporates and through outlet openings 15 gets to be treated on the laundry. The amount of steam can be controlled by a Dampfmengenstellteil 8. When this steam amount adjusting member 8 is moved upward, the valve rod 9 releases the drip valve 5, so that water drips into the steam chamber 5. On the left side of the Fig. 1 is a separate means for rinsing 11. About this passes water directly from the water tank 4 in the steam chamber 6. The separate means for rinsing 11 has at its top a closure 12, by means of which it is closed. The closure 12 is secured by a spring 13. If the valve rod 9 is raised over a defined distance, it raises the closure 12 of the separate flushing means 11 so that a larger amount of water can enter the steam chamber. By a larger amount is meant a quantity of water which is greater than such an amount that completely evaporates at maximum heat output. This means that this unevaporated part of water flooding and rinsing the steam chamber 5 in the course of the rinsing process.

Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of the invention. In contrast to Fig. 1 In this embodiment, a Dampfmengenstellteil 8 is guided over a wheel-shaped actuating part 14. This wheel-shaped adjusting part 14 has on its inner side an inner radius 17, over which the steam quantity adjusting part 8 is guided. The inner radius 17 narrows with increasing rotational angle of the wheel-shaped actuating part 14. Fig. 2 shows a starting position in which both pot valve 5 and separate means for flushing 11 are closed.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment as in Fig. 2 , In this Fig. The wheel-shaped actuator 14 is rotated counterclockwise. As the inner radius 17 becomes narrower, the steam amount adjusting part 8 guided by it is also narrowed, and therefore it is raised relative to the steam chamber. As a result, the drip valve is released, so that water enters the steam chamber 6. By raising the valve rod 9, the shutter 12 of the separate flushing means 11 is raised by means of an actuating unit 16, whereby a large amount of water passes through the separate flushing means 11 into the steam chamber 6.

Fig. 4 shows a further working position of the device 1 for ironing. By turning the wheel-shaped actuating part 14, the steam flow control part 8 guided by it is also guided and raised more tightly. Since it has not yet been raised to the maximum, the drip valve 5 is released, while the closure 12 of the separate means for rinsing 11 remains closed. A spring 13 additionally ensures a tight closure of the separate means for flushing 11. The working position shown here is a working position, which is suitable for ironing, since all the water entering the steam chamber 6 evaporates.

The present invention, in an ironing apparatus, effectively and inexpensively provides a scavenging function for removing scale.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Electric ironing device

2

soleplate

3a; 3b

heating element

4

water tank

5

drip valve

6

steam chamber

7

Water passage

8th

Steam amount adjusting part

9

valve rod

10

Drip-stop valve

11

Separate means for rinsing the steam chamber

12

shutter

13

feather

14

Radial control part

15a; 15b; 15c; 15d

outlet opening

16

operating unit

17

inner radius

Claims (9)

1. Electric device for ironing (1) laundry, at least comprising

   - an iron sole plate (2) which has at least one opening (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d) for steam discharge,

   - a heating element (3) for heating the iron sole plate,

   - a water tank (4),

   - a drip valve (5),

   - a steam chamber (6)

   - a water feed-through (7), by means of which water can be transferred from the water tank (4) to the steam chamber (6) via the drip valve (5) for steam generation,

   - a steam quantity adjustment part (8), by means of which the quantity of water dripping in via the drip valve (5) can be controlled by actuation of a valve rod (9),

   - a drip-stop valve (10) which is located in the water feed-through (7) and opens above a defined temperature and closes below a defined temperature and separate means for rinsing (11) which is located outside the water feed-through (7) and through which water can be transferred directly from the water tank (4) into the steam chamber (6),

   characterised in that,

   - by lifting the valve rod (9), a closure (12) of the means for rinsing (11) can be opened so that a larger quantity of water is able to be transferred directly into the steam chamber (6) through this means for rinsing (11).
2. Electrical device for ironing (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the separate means for rinsing (11) includes a spring (13).
3. Electrical device for ironing according to claim 2, characterised in that a closure of the separate means for rinsing (11) is affected by the spring (13) and for a return of the means (11) for rinsing from an opened into a closed state is able to be carried out via the spring (13).
4. Electrical device (1) for ironing according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the valve rod (9) is able to be raised via a wheel-like adjustment part (14).
5. Electrical device (1) for ironing according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that this features an indicator which indicates to the user when it is necessary to carry out a rinsing function.
6. Electrical device (1) for ironing according to claim 5, characterised in that the indication to the user as to when a rinsing function is required is able to be provided optically or acoustically.
7. Electrical device (1) for ironing according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that a determination of when a rinsing function is necessary can be undertaken depending on a measured period of time and/or measured technical parameters of the device.
8. Electrical device (1) for ironing according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device for ironing features an electrically-driven pump by means of which its rinsing function is able to be boosted.
9. Electrical device (1) for ironing according to claim 8, characterised in that the electrically-driven pump rinses the water through the steam chamber (6) at intervals.

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