EP2276882A1

EP2276882A1 - Steam iron and ironing method at a constant ironing temperature

Info

Publication number: EP2276882A1
Application number: EP07802991A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carmelo Albandoz Ruiz De Ocenda
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2006-09-21
Filing date: 2007-08-29
Publication date: 2011-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2027-08-29
Also published as: EP2290155B1; CN101563498B; CN101563498A; ES2767250T3; RU2009114322A; ES2317759A1; ES2317759B1; EP2290155A1; EP2276882B1; WO2008034693A1; RU2447215C2

Abstract

Steam iron (2) comprising: a heatable iron base (6) which is provided with steam outlet openings (8); a heatable steam generation chamber (10) which can be connected to the steam outlet openings (8) such that it communicates with them; a water tank (12) which can be connected to the steam generation chamber (10) such that it communicates with it; a heating device (20) for heating the iron base (6) and the steam generation chamber (10); and an integrated automatic temperature control device (24) which is coupled to the heating device (20) and is designed to keep the ironing temperature of the iron base (6) exclusively in a fixedly preset, manually nonchangeable, constant ironing temperature range from 180°C to 190°C during operation of the steam iron (2).

Description

Steam irons and ironing with constant ironing temperature

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a steam iron and a method for ironing textiles by means of a steam iron.

STATE OF THE ART

Conventional steam irons include a heatable soleplate provided with steam outlets; a heatable steam generating chamber communicably communicable with the steam outlets; a water tank communicably connectable to the steam generating chamber; a heating means for heating the soleplate and / or the steam generating chamber; and setting a manually operable Bügeltemperatur- adjusting means coupled to the heating means and adapted during operation of the steam iron, the ironing temperature of the soleplate within an ironing temperature range of about 70 to 260 ^Q C ^Q C manually. The ironing temperature adjusting device is usually designed as a provided with a knob, button or the like thermostat.

For ironing or steam ironing of textiles by means of such a conventional steam iron, a user must know the thermal properties of the textiles or the textile type exactly and adjust the corresponding ironing temperature manually precise, so that a good ironing result is achieved and the textiles are not thermally damaged during ironing be burned or melted, for example. This is right for the user consuming and user-unfriendly and also requires more detailed knowledge or prior checks of the textiles concerned. Even users who iron more often therefore often set an inappropriate ironing temperature. Particularly in the case of textiles made of synthetic fibers or textiles which contain a blend of natural fibers and synthetic fibers (eg 60% cotton and 40% polyester), this increases the risk of thermal damage. In addition, the production of such steam irons with manual ironing temperature adjustment is relatively complex and expensive.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is therefore based on the object or the technical problem of providing a novel steam iron and a corresponding novel steam ironing method, which makes it possible to iron textiles with different thermal properties in a simple and effective manner safe and reliable or steam ironing.

This object is achieved by an inventive steam iron with the features of claim 1. This steam iron comprises: a heatable soleplate, which is provided with steam outlet openings; a heatable steam generating chamber communicably communicable with the steam outlets; a water tank communicably connectable to the steam generating chamber; a heating means for heating the soleplate and the steam generating chamber; and an integrated automatic temperature control device which is coupled to the heating means and adapted to keep the ironing temperature of the soleplate exclusively in a fixed preset, manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C during operation of the steam iron.

The steam iron according to the invention can be both as a compact handset with an integrated water tank and an integrated heating device as be designed as a so-called steam ironing station. The latter has a water tank and / or an additional heating device for generating steam, which is housed in a separate housing and connected via a connecting line with a handset, which itself has no water tank. The heating device is preferably an electrical heating device. The integrated automatic temperature control device is not manually adjustable or manipulated by a user of the steam iron, in contrast to ironing temperature adjustment of conventional steam irons. And there are no corresponding controls or the like provided in a basic version of the steam iron according to the invention for this purpose (see also below). The integrated automatic temperature control device can be designed to handle not only the control of the manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^° C to 190 ^° C, but also other temperature-based control functions for other or additional detailed components of the steam iron.

The inventors have found that it is possible to iron all textiles (ie, in particular items of clothing and household textiles) that are normally ironed in a household or in semi-professional applications and that are not special industrial textiles in said constant ironing temperature range very good ironing results are achieved. This also applies to textiles which are made of synthetic fibers or textiles which have a blend of natural fibers and synthetic fibers. The bow in the said constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^° C. to 190 ^° C. works well even without steam, but steam can achieve consistently better ironing results. Therefore, the steam iron may be constructed to have a steam selector (eg, a corresponding switch or the like), so that the water vapor can be optionally used. However, in at least one embodiment of the invention, it is also contemplated that, as long as a supply of water is present, a permanent supply of steam - A - exists, which the user can not influence or switch off manually. In this case, it is useful if the steam iron has a control and safety device that monitors the presence of water in the water tank and / or steam in the steam generating chamber and prevents heating of the soleplate or shuts off the heater if no water more in the tank or no more steam is present in the steam generating chamber. The control and securing device can be coupled to an information device which informs the user visually and / or acoustically and / or in another suitable manner about the corresponding state of the steam iron.

In both of the previously described variants, the steam iron can also be equipped with a steam selector switch and / or a steam quantity adjuster and / or a steam quantity control device (eg by regulating or controlling the amount of water entering the steam generating chamber) and / or a steam impulse Taste and / or be coupled to a spray nozzle water spray button.

The basic version of the steam iron according to the invention can therefore be easily switched on (eg only by connecting a cable supplying the heating device with electrical energy with an electric current or voltage source or by pressing an ON / OFF switch), automatically adjusts to said unchangeable , constant ironing temperature range from 180 ^° C to 190 ^° C, and maintains the ironing temperature in this ironing temperature range. This applies both in the case of the use of steam during ironing and in the case of Bügeins without water vapor. As a result, the user always has a constant ironing temperature for all textiles. The user does not have to manually adjust the ironing temperature for ironing or steam ironing textiles. It is also not necessary for the user to know or check the thermal properties of the respective textiles or the type of textile exactly and then to set the corresponding ironing temperature manually precisely. By realizable with the steam iron according to the invention Constant temperature ironing will always give the user a good ironing result, regardless of the type of textile, and will not thermally damage the textiles when ironing. The use of the steam iron according to the invention is therefore extremely simple, uncomplicated and very user-friendly even for inexperienced users.

In addition, the production of the steam iron according to the invention in comparison to conventional steam irons is easier and less expensive, because it is possible to dispense with manually operated ironing temperature adjusting devices or corresponding operating elements as well as conventional thermostats. The solution according to the invention thus provides a steam iron, which makes it possible to iron textiles with different thermal properties in a simple and effective manner safe and reliable or steam ironing.

Further preferred and advantageous design features of the steam iron according to the invention are the subject of the associated dependent claims.

Accordingly, in a first preferred embodiment of the steam iron according to the invention, the automatic

Temperature control device to an electro-mechanical temperature control element, for example in the form of a bimetallic switch, which controls the supply of electrical energy to an electric heating device or regulates. In this case, the bimetal of the switch simultaneously constitutes a temperature sensor. According to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the automatic temperature control device is provided with an electronic temperature control element (eg an electronic circuit coupled to a temperature sensor) which supplies the supply of electrical energy to an electrical heating device controls or regulates. In this way, the automatic temperature control device is particularly easy to design and produce, and can ensure said constant ironing temperature range. A further preferred embodiment of the steam iron according to the invention provides that the automatic temperature control device is associated with a thermal overload protection device which, upon reaching a predetermined soleplate threshold temperature greater than 190 ^Q C (plus an allowable tolerance of approximately 5%), deactivated the heating device. This ensures that, regardless of the type of textiles being ironed, there is never any thermal damage to the textiles. This is particularly important if it is synthetic textiles or textiles with a blended fabric. The safety device expediently has a temperature sensor or is functionally coupled with such a temperature sensor. The securing means may be set or programmed to control one or more predetermined soleplate threshold temperatures. So it is possible, for example, that a) the safety device at a first soleplate threshold temperature, which is only slightly greater than 190 ^Q C, the heater only temporarily disabled, so that the sole plate can cool sufficiently again, so that the ironing temperature then back in the said constant ironing temperature range is from 180 ^° C to 190 ^° C; and b) at a second soleplate threshold temperature which is substantially greater than 190 ^Q C (in particular greater than 200 ^Q C, in particular greater than 240 ^Q C, in particular greater than 240 ^Q C, in particular greater than 240 ^Q C, in particular greater than 260 ^Q ) and either cause thermal damage to the iron or steam iron and its components itself, the heater permanently or completely disabled, so that a renewed operation can be recorded only after replacement of a complete fuse element or after replacement of a possibly defective component of the iron. This also serves the operational safety of the steam iron and the safety of the user and the textiles to be ironed.

Preferably, the automatic temperature control means is arranged to maintain the ironing temperature within the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^° C to 190 ^° C at a single predetermined constant ironing temperature (eg only 180 ^° C or 185 ^° C or 190 ^° C, etc.). It is accurate a single constant ironing temperature for all textiles to be ironed, resulting in good ironing results can be achieved. However, for certain applications, it may also be advantageous that the automatic temperature control device is designed in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the ironing temperature within the constant iron temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C between several (ie two or more) different ironing temperatures to vary to achieve an improved ironing result. This functionality can be realized quite simply by electronic components.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the steam iron according to the invention further comprises: a manually operated ironing temperature setting device, which is coupled to the heating device and with which a desired ironing temperature of the soleplate is manually adjustable during operation of the steam iron; and a manually operable constant ironing temperature preselector coupled to the integrated automatic temperature control device and the manually operable iron temperature setting device and configured to bypass the manual iron temperature adjusting device and the integrated automatic temperature control device in an activated state so that it automatically maintains the ironing temperature in the fixed, manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^° C to 190 ^° C.

The manually operated ironing temperature adjusting device can basically be configured as in a conventional steam iron, for example as a knob or the like. As a result, the user has the additional option of manually setting the ironing temperature of the steam iron according to the invention as needed in a conventional steam iron and in this case also selecting ironing temperatures greater than 190 ^° C. For example, in operation of the steam iron, the ironing temperature can be manually adjusted within a total ironing temperature range of about 70 ^° C. to about 210 ^° C. or even to 240 ^° C. or 260 ^° C. The manually operable constant ironing temperature preselector, in turn, may be configured, for example, as a preselection element, button, switch, touch screen, voice control, and the like. It allows the user to place the steam iron in an automatic ironing operation mode with a (preferably single) operation by automatically re-setting the ironing sole ironing temperature in the fixed, manually unchangeable, constant iron temperature range of 180 ^° C to 190 ^° C holds. In the event that was pressed with a temperature greater than 190 ⁵ C prior to pressing the constant-iron temperature selection device, the integrated automatic temperature control device is preferably designed so that it (initially) downshifts the temperature to the said constant ironing temperature range.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the steam iron according to the invention, the manually operated ironing temperature setting device and the manually operable constant ironing temperature preselecting device are coupled to the integrated automatic temperature control device. And the manually operable constant ironing temperature preselector has a first state in which it activates a first operating state of the automatic temperature control device, in which this the ironing temperature of the soleplate exclusively in the fixed preset, manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C holds. Furthermore, the manually operable constant-iron temperature selection device has a second state in which it activates a second operating state of the automatic temperature control device, in which this on the basis of an input signal of the manually operated ironing temperature setting device, which represents a manually set ironing temperature, the ironing temperature of the soleplate within a predetermined total ironing temperature range at the manually set ironing temperature. In this way, it is possible to switch over between the two different control states of the temperature control device by means of the constant ironing temperature preselection device. And the

Temperature control device performs an advantageous multiple function, since they In addition, also process the inputs of the manually operated ironing temperature setting device and thus also control and maintain ironing temperatures of the soleplate outside the constant ironing temperature range. The said functionality of the temperature control device is circuitry, for example via an integrated circuit or a circuit board, very easy to implement.

It has also been found in this context to be advantageous that in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, conversely, the manually operated ironing temperature adjustment is designed to disable the manually operable constant ironing temperature preselector, as soon as a manually operated ironing temperature adjustment temperature is outside the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^° C to 190 ^° C. If the integrated automatic temperature control device, in addition to the control of the manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range from 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C, assumes further control functions based on the evaluation of a temperature for other or additional detailed components of the steam iron, a "deactivation" is here To understand that the integrated automatic temperature control device is not completely disabled in this case, but only that part of the function, which is responsible for the control of the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C. Conversely, this then applies expediently also in the case of Activation The construction method described above thus allows the user to determine the ironing temperature of the steam iron either by an AUTOMATIC function ("constant ironing temperature" for all textiles) or purely manually and thereby to choose between two different operating modes.

The manual ironing temperature setting device and the manually operable constant ironing temperature preselecting device can be integrated according to the invention in a uniform operating element or in at least two different operating elements. By a uniform operating element, an advantageous multiple function can be realized while the design allows for at least two different controls separate functions and for the user an even clearer differentiation.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the steam iron according to the invention this has a coupled with the manually operable constant ironing temperature selection device

Display device, which indicates the activated state upon activation of the manually operable constant ironing temperature preselection device (and vice versa, of course, when deactivated their deactivated state). In this way, the respective ironing temperature state or operating state of the steam iron can be brought to the user's knowledge easier. The display device may be formed separately from the constant ironing temperature selection device or integrated into it, and vice versa.

Finally, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the steam iron according to the invention, it is provided that it has no (ie not at all) manually operated ironing temperature setting device. The steam iron according to this variant thus has neither a temperature setting element or temperature selector or temperature selector button or a similar control. In this way, a "simplest Dampfbügeleisen" is realized, which works exclusively and automatically in the said unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C and is extremely easy to handle by the user and yet achieves good ironing results for all textiles.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a method according to the invention with the features of claim 14. This method for ironing textiles by means of a steam iron is characterized in that the ironing regardless of the type of textiles always preset in a fixed, manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range from 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C is done. The method according to the invention offers substantially the same technical advantages which have already been explained above in connection with the method according to the invention.

Further preferred and advantageous embodiment features of the method according to the invention are the subject of the associated dependent claims.

Accordingly, the method according to the invention in a first preferred embodiment is characterized by a maximum permissible deviation from the constant ironing temperature range or the constant ironing temperature within a tolerance range of +/- 5%. The inventors have found that within the scope of this tolerance range, good ironing results can still be achieved for all textiles. If the mentioned preferred tolerance range is only slightly exceeded, the results are still largely acceptable, but it already shows a deterioration of the ironing results for some textiles or textile types. Further deviations have proven to be no longer sufficient for a constant temperature ironing process, with which all textiles can be ironed with reasonably good results.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the ironing temperature is kept within a constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^° C. to 190 ^° C. at a single predetermined ironing temperature. It is thus exactly a single, constant ironing temperature for all textiles to be ironed available, which can be achieved good ironing results. Also for this single, constant ironing temperature can be provided in practice, in particular for regulatory reasons, an allowable tolerance, preferably to about +/- to 5%.

According to another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the ironing temperature is varied within the constant ironing temperature range from 180 ^° C. to 190 ^° C. between several different ironing temperatures. It has been shown that in the context of the can achieve improved ironing results for certain textiles or types of text.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, this is characterized in that the textiles are textiles selected from a group of textiles comprising: clothing (including workwear which is not special clothing with protective surfaces against thermal or chemical agents, such as Fire-resistant clothing, or textiles largely coated with a synthetic material) and household textiles. These textiles have proven to be particularly suitable for achieving good ironing results by means of the method according to the invention.

Preferably, the textiles used in the process of the invention are textiles made from textile fibers selected from a group of textile fibers comprising: natural textile fibers, natural textile fibers, synthetic textile fibers, in particular textile fibers of cotton, linen, wool, Hemp, silk, viscose, cupro, modal fibers, Tencel® fibers, lyocell fibers, acrylic including polyacrylic, acetate, lycra ™, spandex, elastane, nylon, polyester, polyamide, triacetate, as well as blends and combinations of the aforementioned textile fibers.

It is preferred that in the method according to the invention the ironing takes place under the action of water vapor. Although it has been shown that the process according to the invention still works well even without steam, by means of steam it is possible to achieve consistently better ironing results. The use of water vapor can also be optional.

And finally, the method of the invention is characterized in still another preferred embodiment, in that the fabrics have a fabric material having a maximum ironing temperature of 160 ^Q C according to standard EN 60311, and which, notwithstanding this maximum ironing temperature within the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C is ironed under steam. Such materials include in particular cupro, polyester, silk, theta-acetate, viscose and wool. It has unexpectedly been found that even for such textiles, which in practice can not prove to be problematic when ironing, can achieve good ironing results with the method according to the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention with additional design details and other advantages are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It shows:

Figure 1 is a schematic, greatly simplified, not to scale, partially sectioned side view of a steam iron according to the invention according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view through an essential

Part of a region provided with a thermal safety device according to the invention Dampfbügeleisens according to a second embodiment in a first state;

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view through the inventive

Steam iron of Figure 2 in a second state.

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view through the inventive

Steam iron of Figure 2 in a third state.

5 is a schematic sectional view through a portion of a steam iron according to the invention according to a third embodiment; and Fig. 6 is a schematic, greatly simplified, not to scale

Side view of a steam iron according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment;

PRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description and in the figures, the same components and components are also identified by the same reference numerals to avoid repetition, unless further differentiation is required for reasons of clarity.

In Fig. 1 is a schematic, greatly simplified, not to scale, partially sectioned side view of an inventive steam iron 2 according to a first embodiment shown.

This steam iron 2 has inter alia a housing 4, a heatable soleplate 6, which is provided with steam outlet openings 8, a heatable steam generating chamber 10 communicating with the steam outlet openings 8, and a water tank 12 communicating via a drip channel 14 with the steam generating chamber 10 is connected. In the drip channel 14 is sitting in the drawing for better clarity not shown, needle-shaped element, by means of which the amount of water dripped into the steam generating chamber 10 can be adjusted. This needle-shaped element can be actuated via a likewise not shown operating element and thus acts as a steam quantity adjusting device. Moreover, a steam selector switch 16 and a steam amount adjusting knob 18 are provided. The steam iron 2 may also be equipped with a water spray nozzle and a water spray button operatively coupled thereto (not shown in the drawings). Further, the steam iron 2 is provided with an electric heater 20 for heating the soleplate 6 and the steam generating chamber 10. The heating device 20 can via a cable 22, the means of a plug on an electrical current or voltage source can be connected, are supplied with electrical energy.

The steam iron 2 further has an integrated automatic electronic temperature control device 24 which is operatively coupled to the heater 20 and energized via the cable 22. The temperature control device 24 is designed, during operation of the steam iron 2 or in an operating state described in more detail below, the ironing temperature of the soleplate 6 in a corresponding operating mode exclusively in a fixed preset, manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range from 180 ^° C. to 190 ^° C. to keep. In the present case, the temperature control device 24 (in addition to other functions described below in detail) is designed to keep the ironing temperature constant at a value of about 185 ^° C.

One of the soleplate 6 associated temperature sensor 26 is connected via a signal line 27 (or wirelessly) to the temperature control device 24 and supplies the operation of the steam iron 2 signals to the temperature control device 24, which represent the respective ironing temperature of the sole plate 6.

The steam iron 2 is further equipped with a manual iron temperature adjustment 28, which is designed here as a knob 28 with a temperature scale. This knob 28 is coupled via an interface adapter 24a with the temperature control device 24 and indirectly via this with the heating device 20 and its function, so that during operation of the steam iron 2 by means of the knob 28 and in a FIRST operating state of the temperature control device 24, a desired ironing temperature of the soleplate 6 within a total ironing temperature range of about 70 ^Q C to 240 ^Q C is manually adjustable in the present case. For this purpose, the temperature control device 24 regulates the ironing temperature to the manually set ironing temperature on the basis of the selected rotational position of the rotary knob 28. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the steam iron also has a manually operable constant ironing temperature preselector 30, which is designed here as a pressure switch 30. This pressure switch 30 has two states or switch positions (ON and OFF) and is coupled via a control line 32 with the integrated automatic temperature control device 24 and indirectly via this with the knob 28 and its function.

The pressure switch 30 is designed, in a switched on, activated state (AN) by means of the temperature control device 24, the knob 28 or predetermined by this predetermined function of the manual ironing temperature setting and disable the FIRST operating state of the temperature control device 24 and a SECOND operating state of the To activate the temperature control device 24, in which the ironing temperature automatically and exclusively in the fixed preset, manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C holds. If the pressure switch 30 is again deactivated (OFF), then the temperature control device 24 is again switched to the above-described FIRST operating state, in which the ironing temperature can be set manually freely by means of the rotary knob 28 in the above-mentioned total ironing temperature range.

The knob 28 and the pressure switch 30 represent in this embodiment, two different controls with different functions.

In the present example, the temperature control device 24 regulates the respective ironing temperature or said constant ironing temperature range by turning on and off the electrical power to the heating device 20. Basically, it would also be possible to regulate the electrical power supply elsewhere, for example by changing the current or Level of electrical voltage or the like. The knob 28, the pressure switch 30 and the temperature control device 24 are further designed and matched in this example that the knob 28 when actuated the pressure switch 30 is deactivated and the temperature control device switches back to the FIRST operating state as soon as manually by the knob 28 temperature is outside the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^° C to 190 ^° C. The pressure switch 30 then automatically jumps to the OFF position.

As can be seen in Fig. 1, the steam iron 2 has a coupled to the pressure switch 30 visual display device 34 (here: in the form of a LCD light), which lights up in the ON state of the pressure switch 30 and thereby indicates its activated state and in the OFF state of the pressure switch 30 goes out. The display device 34 is connected via the control line 32 to the pressure switch 30 and the temperature control device and directly or indirectly (e.g., via an intermediate electrical or electronic device) to its power supply.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the automatic temperature control device 24 is assigned a multifunctional safety device 36 against thermal overloading. The safety device 36 receives signals from the temperature sensor 26 via the temperature control device 24. Upon reaching a predetermined first soleplate threshold temperature which is greater than 190 ^Q C + 5% tolerance, the safety device 36 temporarily deactivates the heating device 20. In the present example, the safety device 36 is configured such that the aforementioned safety function is activated only if the pressure switch 30 is in the ON state and the temperature control device 24 is consequently in the abovementioned SECOND operating state. At a second soleplate threshold temperature, which in the present case is greater than 260 ^Q C + 10% tolerance, the safety device 36 switches off the heating device 20 permanently, so that a renewed operation only after replacement of a complete fuse element (eg a fuse) or be taken after replacement of a possibly defective component of the steam iron 2 can. This last-mentioned safety function is always activated and can additionally monitor eg the current intensity in the cable 22 (or corresponding internal electric power lines) connected to the heating device 20. An inadmissibly high current strength also indicates a thermal overload.

The above-described functional properties of the integrated automatic electronic temperature control device 24 and the safety device 36 are realized by means of a circuit board with corresponding electronic components including integrated circuits.

There will now be described the function of the steam iron 2 according to the invention according to the first embodiment, with which a method according to the invention for (steam) ironing of textiles can be carried out.

To bracket the steam iron filled with water 2 is connected via the cable 22 and its plug to an electrical power source. The pressure switch 30 is turned on, so that the internal temperature control device 24 always the temperature of the soleplate 6 automatically in the fixed preset, manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C, ie constant here to about 185 ^Q C. holds. The steam selector switch 16 is turned on in this example, so that the ironing takes place under the action of steam.

With these settings of the steam iron 2 now all possible in the household or in the semi-professional field customarily garnished textiles were ironed, especially clothing and household textiles. For example, pants made of cotton, a silk blouse, a tablecloth made of a 100% synthetic textile matehal and a shirt made of a textile blend of 60% natural fibers and 40% synthetic fibers, always with the aforementioned ironing temperature of a constant 185 ^Q C Ironed under steam. Furthermore, textiles were steam-ironed in this way, which consist essentially or completely of textile fibers selected from a group of textile fibers comprising: natural textile fibers, natural textile fibers, synthetic textile fibers, in particular textile fibers of cotton, linen, wool, hemp, silk, viscose, cupro, modal fibers, tencel fibers, lyocell fibers, acrylic including polyacrylic, acetate , Lycra ™, spandex, elastane, nylon, polyester, polyamide, triacetate, as well as hybrids and combinations of the aforementioned textile fibers. Cupro, polyester, silk, triacetate, viscose and wool are textile materials that have a maximum ironing temperature of 160 ^° C. according to standard EN 6031 1. Notwithstanding this maximum ironing temperature, however, they are ironed in the context of the process according to the invention within the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^° C. to 190 ^° C. under the action of steam. In all these textiles, good ironing results were achieved with the (steam) ironing method according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an essential portion of a steam iron according to the invention in accordance with a second embodiment

Embodiment shown. Unlike the variant of FIG. 1, this embodiment has an electro-mechanical automatic

Temperature control device 38, which also acts as a thermal safety device. This temperature control device 38 has an electrical switch 40 which is adapted to connect a switch contact 40a, which is electrically connected to a first end 42a of a wire of an electrical line 42, which supplies the electric heating device 20 with a line contact 42c of a second End 42b of the line 42 to connect, ie to close this contact and open. The switch 40 has a switch lever 40b connected to a disk-shaped bimetallic element 44. This bimetallic element 44 serves as an automatic actuator for the switch 40. The bimetallic element 44 is disposed on one or more fuses 46 which are placed on top of an upper wall 10a of the steam generating chamber 10 and have a predetermined melting temperature. The switch 40, the bimetallic element 44 and the one or more fusible elements 46 are mounted in a holder 48, which is arranged on the upper side of the wall 10a. At the Holder 48, the two ends 42 a, 42 b of the cable 42 are fixed. The holder 48 with said components is designed here as a mounting unit.

The bimetallic element 44 is designed by its bimetallic material, its dimensions and shapes as well as its arrangement forth that at a temperature or reference temperature corresponding to a temperature of the soleplate 6, which is less than or equal to one in the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C is up to 190 ^Q C temperature, the contacts 40a, 42c closes or keeps closed. Fig. 2 shows the steam iron and the automatic temperature control device 38 in a first state in which the switch 40 is closed and an electric current flows to the electric heating device 20 and heats it. As a result, in turn, the soleplate 6 and the steam generating chamber 10 are heated.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view through the steam iron according to the invention of Fig. 2 in a second state in which the soleplate 6 has reached an ironing temperature (working temperature) in the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C and preferably in a upper range of the same or within the permissible tolerance range (see above) in the short term slightly exceeds (here: by about + 5%). At this moment, the bimetallic element deforms 44 in the manner outlined in Fig. 3 and opens the switch 40 and the contacts 40a, 42c. The soleplate 6 cools again until its temperature is in a lower range of the constant ironing temperature range or falls short of this within the permissible tolerance range (here: by about -5%). Then, the bimetallic element 44 closes the switch 40 or the contacts 40a, 42c again (see Fig. 2), so that the sole plate 6 is heated again in the manner described above. Thus, the ironing temperature is always maintained in the constant iron temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C +/- about 5%.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view through the steam iron according to the invention of Fig. 2 in a third state, in which the temperature of For example, due to a malfunction or external damage of a component of the iron, the soleplate 6 has reached a critical value (here: greater or substantially greater than 260 ^Q C), which requires a permanent shutdown of the power supply or the steam iron. By this critical temperature of the soleplate 6, the fusible elements 46 reach their melting temperature. Depending on the position and spacing of the fusible elements 46, this melting temperature may be selected for the soleplate 6 and / or for the steam generating chamber 10 such that it is equal to or less than the critical temperature of the soleplate 6. It is only important that the melting temperature corresponding to the critical temperature of the soleplate 6, so that the melting elements 46 melt in time. In Fig. 4, the fusible elements 46 are shown in a state in which they are melted and deformed. As a result, the bimetal element 44 is pulled into a position remote from the switch 40. And the switch 40 is or the contacts 40a, 42c are opened independently of the respective actuation or switching state of the bimetallic element 44, so that the electrical power supply is interrupted and the sole plate 6 can cool. In the present case, the fusible elements 46 are made of a material which solidifies again after melting and deformation, as soon as the critical temperature or melting temperature is reached. The fuses 46 then hold the bimetallic element 44 in a position in which the switch 40 remains permanently open. To be able to put the iron back into operation, then the entire unit must be replaced for safety reasons, which should be done by a specialist.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic sectional view through a substantial portion of a steam iron according to the invention according to a third

Embodiment. In order to hold the bimetallic element 44 and the switch 40 in a safe, open position after melting of the fusible elements 46, in this variant between the underside of an upper wall 48a of the holder 48 and the top of a support element 50 on which the bimetal Element 44, a biasing member 52 (eg, a helical compression spring) is provided. Melt the fusible elements 46, so Pressing the biasing member 52, the disc-shaped bimetallic element 44 together with its support member 50 is actively in a remote position from the switch 40 and holds it in this position. Also, the contacts 40a, 42c and thus the electrical connection to the heating device 20 are separated safely and quickly. And the switch 40 remains securely in the open position even when the iron is turned upside down or severely shaken (eg accidentally dropping the iron or shaking vigorously).

6 shows a schematic, greatly simplified, not to scale side view of a steam iron 2 according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment. This variant is similar to the basic structure forth of FIG. 1, in contrast to this, however, has no manual ironing temperature adjustment device. The steam iron 2 has an ON / OFF switch 54 for turning on and off the electric power for the electric heater. The switch 54 has an integrated light-emitting diode which lights up in the ON state of the switch 54 and thus indicates this operating state. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the switch 54 can even be dispensed with if the power connection takes place only via the plug of the cable 22. The steam iron 2 of Fig. 6 is thus a "Einfachst- steam iron, which works after turning on with the help of its integrated automatic temperature control device 24 only in the single, fixed preset, manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of the appended claims, the steam iron according to the invention may, on the contrary, also assume other than the concretely described embodiment. In particular, the number, type, arrangement and design of controls may differ from the above embodiments. It is also possible, for example, that the integrated automatic temperature control device operates without a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the soleplate directly or via a component adjacent to the soleplate. Instead, one can indirect temperature measurement or temperature control are carried out, for example, by the voltage applied to the electrical heating device voltage and / or the electrical current supplied to this device controlled and manipulated and / or the supply of electrical energy is controlled in time. For the soleplate and the steam generating chamber also different heating devices can be provided.

Reference signs in the claims, the description and the drawings are only for the better understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

steam iron

casing

soleplate

Steam vents

Steam generating chamber a Upper wall

water tank

Drip channel

Steam selector

Steam quantity adjustment

Electric heating device

electric wire

Integrated electronic automatic temperature control devicea interface adapter

temperature sensor

signal line

Rotary knob / manually operated ironing temperature adjustment device

Pressure switch / manually operated constant iron temperature

preselection device

control line

Visual display device

safety device

Integrated electro-mechanical automatic temperature control device

Switch a Switch contact b Switch lever

Electric line a First end b Second end c Line contact of 42b Bimetallic element Melting elements Bracket Wall Supporting element Biasing element ON / OFF switch

Claims

claims

A steam iron (2) comprising a heatable soleplate (6) provided with steam outlets (8); a heatable steam generating chamber (10) communicably communicating with the steam outlet openings (8); a water tank (12) communicating with the

Steam generating chamber (10) is connectable; a heating device (20) for heating the soleplate (6) and the steam generating chamber (10); and an integrated automatic temperature control device (24; 38) coupled to the heating device (20) and adapted for, during operation of the steam iron (2), the ironing temperature of the

Soleplate (6) only in a fixed preset, manually unchangeable, constant iron temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C to keep.

2. steam iron (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the automatic temperature control device (38) has an electro-mechanical temperature control element (38; 40, 40b, 44).

3. steam iron (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the automatic temperature control device comprises an electronic temperature control element (24; 26).

4. steam iron (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automatic temperature control device (24) is associated with a safety device (36) against thermal overload, which upon reaching a predetermined soleplate threshold temperature, which is greater than 190 ^Q C, the heating device (20) deactivated.

5. steam iron (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automatic temperature control device (24; 38) is adapted to the ironing temperature within the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C +/- 5% to 190 ^Q C. +/- 5% at a single predetermined constant ironing temperature.

6. steam iron (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automatic temperature control device (24; 38) is adapted to the ironing temperature within the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C between several different ironing temperatures vary.

7. steam iron (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises: a manually operated ironing temperature adjusting device (28) which is coupled to the heating device (20) (24, 24 a) and with which in the operation of the steam iron (2) a desired ironing temperature of the soleplate (6) is manually adjustable; and a manually operable constant ironing temperature

Preselection device (30) which is coupled (24) to the integrated automatic temperature control device (24) and the manually operable ironing temperature adjusting device (28) and is adapted, in an activated state, the manually operable ironing temperature To bridge adjusting device (28) and to activate the integrated automatic temperature control device (24) so that this automatically keeps the ironing temperature in the fixed preset, manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C.

8. steam iron (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manually operated ironing temperature setting device (28) and the manually operable constant ironing temperature preselector (30) with the integrated automatic temperature control device (24) are coupled ; and the manually operable constant-ironing temperature selector (30) has a first state in which it activates a first operating state of the automatic temperature control device (24) in which the ironing temperature of the soleplate (6) exclusively in the fixed preset, manually unchangeable , constant ironing temperature range from 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C holds; and the manually operable constant-ironing temperature selector (30) has a second state in which it activates a second operating state of the automatic temperature control device (24) based on an input signal from the manually operated iron temperature setting device (28) which controls a manually set ironing temperature represents, keeps the ironing temperature of the soleplate (6) within a predetermined total ironing temperature range on the manually set ironing temperature.

9. steam iron (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manually operated ironing temperature adjusting device (28) is adapted to the manually operable constant iron temperature Preselection device (30) to deactivate as soon as a set by the manually operated ironing temperature setting device (28) temperature outside the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C is.

10. steam iron (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manually operated ironing temperature adjustment device (28) and the manually operable constant ironing temperature selection device (30) are integrated in a single control element.

11. steam iron (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manually operated ironing temperature adjustment device and the manually operable constant ironing temperature preselection device in two different operating elements (28; 30) are integrated.

12. steam iron (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a with the manually operable constant ironing temperature-selection device (30) coupled display device (34) which upon activation of the manually operable constant iron temperature Preselection device (30) indicates its activated state.

13. Iron according to (2) claim 1, characterized in that it has no manual ironing temperature adjustment device.

14. A method for ironing textiles by means of a steam iron (2), characterized in that the ironing regardless of the type of textiles always in a fixed preset, manually unchangeable, constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized by a maximum allowable deviation from the constant ironing temperature range within a tolerance width of +/- 5%.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the ironing temperature is maintained within the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C at a single predetermined ironing temperature.

17. The method according to one or more of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the ironing temperature is varied within the constant ironing temperature range of 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C between several different ironing temperatures.

18. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the textiles are textiles selected from a group of textiles comprising: clothing and household textiles.

19. The method according to one or more of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the textiles are made of textile fibers which are selected from a group of textile fibers comprising: natural textile fibers, natural Textile fibers, synthetic textile fibers, in particular textile fibers of cotton, linen, wool, hemp, silk, viscose, cupro, modal fibers, tencelΘ fibers, lyocell fibers, acrylic including polyacryl, acetate, lycra, spandex, elastane, nylon, polyester, polyamide, triacetate, as well as mixed forms and combinations of the aforementioned textile fibers.

20. The method according to one or more of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the ironing takes place under the action of water vapor.

21. The method according to one or more of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that the textiles have a textile material which has a maximum ironing temperature of 160 ^Q C according to standard EN 6031 1, and which deviates from this maximum ironing temperature within the constant ironing temperature range from 180 ^Q C to 190 ^Q C is ironed under steam.