EP2347049A1

EP2347049A1 - Steam iron

Info

Publication number: EP2347049A1
Application number: EP09747857A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carmelo Albandoz Ruiz De Ocenda; Jesus Maria Nogueira Moraza
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2008-11-13
Filing date: 2009-11-06
Publication date: 2011-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2029-11-06
Also published as: WO2010054995A1; ES2357818B1; ES2357818A1; EP2347049B1; ES2398690T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a steam iron comprising a water tank (30), which can be hydraulically connected to a steam chamber (40) through an inlet port (50), a movable control rod (60) for adjusting the water amount that flows from the water tank (30) through the inlet port (50) into the steam chamber (40), and a rod control device (70) that can be actuated by a user. The rod control device (70) has an elastic element (72) that moves the movable control rod (60) into a closed position (A), wherein the water flow through the inlet port (50) is blocked, and an actuator (74) that can be actuated by the user in order to move the movable control rod (60) into an open position (B, B'), which permits the water flow from the water tank (30) through the inlet port (50) into the steam chamber (40), and in order to hold the movable control rod in the open position (B, B') while the actuator is actuated by the user.

Description

STEAM IRON

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a steam iron comprising a water tank hydraulically connectable through an inlet port to a steam chamber, a movable control rod for adjusting the amount of water flowing from the water tank through the inlet port into the steam chamber, and a user operable one

Rod control device.

STATE OF THE ART

In general, known steam irons consist of a steam iron base with a steam chamber heated with electrical resistance and a water tank from which water is supplied to the steam chamber to generate steam. It is desired that the amount of water flowing into the steam chamber be selected in an adjustable manner relative to the correct bottom temperature of the iron adapted to the corresponding material to be ironed. For this purpose, water is passed through an inlet port into the steam chamber, the opening space of which is variable, whereby the flow rate of the draining water circulating through it can be adjusted and thus the amount of steam generated can be changed. To adjust the opening space or cross-section usually a movable control rod is used, which has a tapered conical valve, which is guided adjustable in height in the opening of the inlet port. By completely dropping the control rod into a closed position, the valve shuts off the flow of water through the inlet port, and in the open position, the water circulation is released.

From the German patent document DE 39 42 969 a steam iron is known in which the control rod has a control device, wherein the rod is supported by means of its pin on a fixed path curvy cam. By rotation of a connected to the control rod control operation by the user is the

Control rod in the vertical direction raised or lowered, wobbe the opening of the Inlet port is adjusted to the steam chamber. This has the disadvantage that the rod control device consists of different parts, where it is expensive. Additionally, the iron requires an anti-drip system while the control rod is in an open position.

According to the document GB 951 532 a steam iron is known in which a temperature-controlled adjusting element for closing the water inlet port to the steam chamber, as soon as the temperature of the iron floor is not sufficient for complete water evaporation, is installed. In this case, the adjusting element has a bimetallic bending spring, which, when the temperature for water evaporation is high, acting on a closure element which is acted upon by a spring force and arranged in the closing direction next to a valve sleeve such that the closure element leaves open the opening of the valve sleeve , Although this adjustment prevents the water from entering the evaporation chamber, but still does not protect against the entrance water, so that the bimetallic spiral spring can cool down before a sufficient amount of water has penetrated into the evaporation chamber.

According to the document EP 866 162, the regulation of the dripping into the evaporation chamber water flow rate only by the adjustment of the control rod and its drip valve is possible. This iron has a bimetallic element which opens the flow of water through an anti-drip valve to an intermediate chamber which is in hydraulic communication with the inlet port to the steam chamber and is controlled by the drip valve of the control rod. If the iron tray is not warm enough to evaporate water, the bimetallic element closes the flow of water through the anti-drip valve to the intermediate chamber, stopping the supply of water to the steam chamber, regardless of whether the control rod is closed or open. This system requires a high number of parts, because it is expensive.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in particular the object of providing a steam iron with a more precise and convenient for the user control. This object is achieved with a steam iron comprising a water tank hydraulically connectable to a steam chamber through an inlet port, a movable control rod for adjusting the amount of water flowing from the water tank through the inlet port into the steam chamber, and a user operable rod. The control means comprises which rod control means has an elastic member which pushes the movable control rod to a closed position, the water flow through the inlet port being blocked, and a user operable actuator to move the control rod to an open position, comprising Water flow from the water tank through the inlet port opens into the steam chamber, and keep it in the open position, while the actuator is actuated by the user.

A steam iron of such features provides the user with a more precise control of the flow of water from the water tank to the steam chamber, as by an actuator as in the iron according to the invention, the user can act directly on the opening of the inlet port as water flow from the water tank to the steam chamber, and only if the user stops acting on the actuator, the water flow from the water tank to the steam chamber due to the pressure exerted by the elastic member on the movable control rod and this exerts on the inlet port, close tightly.

In addition, this gives the user a higher comfort, since he does not have to move the rod to a closed position after the completion of the Bügeins, because the elastic element of the control device does it automatically. This acquires particular importance at the time when the steam iron is to be stored after use at a position where, when water remains in the tank and the steam iron has no control device according to the invention, water will pass into and out of the steam chamber could escape through the soleplate, in the event that the user had not acted on the closure of the water flow. Even when ironing, the automatic closure is an advantage to avoid the water drop when the soleplate is so cold that all the water that is introduced into it, are not evaporated - A -

can, since the user should just stop to operate the actuator, so that the water flow is blocked.

The elastic member may be a helical spring or leaf spring, a metallic spring or a spring made of plastic, which resumes its original position, the movable control rod returning to the closed position.

The end of the rod closest to the inlet port has a plug so that it remains plugged into the inlet port at the closed position of the movable control rod, sealing the flow of water tightly. The rod plug may have a conical or cylindrical grooved seat or any other shape which, in the closed position, blocks the flow of water from the water tank into the vapor chamber through the inlet port.

Particularly advantageous is a plug having a bottom connected to the rod, a wall extending from the bottom periphery and contactable with the edge of the inlet port and the wall having a groove with a variable width which is closest to the bottom Part of the groove enlarged. When the rod is in the closed position, the whole wall is in abutment with the edge of the inlet port, blocking the flow of water from the water tank into the steam chamber, and when the control rod is in an open position, only part of the wall is in contact with it the rim of the inlet port as the groove leaves the flow of water from the inlet port into the steam chamber open. In the most open position, it is desirable that the entire plug is outside of the inlet port, and therefore the wall does not or only slightly touch the edge to guide the plug into the interior of the inlet port when it returns to closure. To bring the plug to its most open position, an additional restrictor may be arranged which must be actuated to permit the displacement of the rod to this position, which is the most suitable position for cleaning the steam chamber. It is desirable that the shape of the plug bottom be circular, as the contact between the wall and the edge of the inlet port would be better, although not required, as more polygonal or oval shapes are possible, whenever the rim of the inlet port is of the same shape , The open position of the bar is any position of the bar that allows water to flow from the water tank into the steam chamber through the inlet port regardless of the flow. This will vary from a partial opening of the inlet port for minimum steam generation to a full opening of the inlet port, for example to carry out the cleaning of the steam chamber. This is achieved with the movement of the control rod relative to the inlet port as it is actuated by the actuator.

It is also anticipated that the iron also includes a handle connected to an iron body and that the actuator is located on the handle. In this way, the actuator can be operated by the hand with which the user grips the handle of the steam iron.

In a preferred embodiment, the handle joins the iron body at a front zone of the iron and the actuator is located at the part of the handle facing the iron body. Thereby, the actuator can be operated with the fingers of the user's hand, and if the actuator is designed as a trigger button, it can be operated and controlled with a single finger. Moreover, it is anticipated that the thrust exerted by the elastic member will be sufficient to close the inlet port, but the user may with a single finger overcome the thrust applied to the rod by the resilient member and move the control rod to open the inlet port ,

The simplest way is that the actuation of the actuator is mechanical, ie that the actuator is moved by the pressure of the user's hand on the same. The actuator is provided in direct contact or in contact by means of bridged intermediate parts with the movable control rod, therefore, the user chains the movement of the control rod when pressing on the actuator, displacing the control rod and opening the water flow through the inlet port. When the actuator is in the form of a trigger, it is intended to rotate about a shaft and that its opposite end directly contacts the control rod or the intermediate member which chains the movement. It is also envisaged that the rod control device also a

Limiting device has to limit the movement of the control rod. It is very advantageous because the displacement of the rod can be limited by the user and this can always press on the actuator to the end, without worrying that the opening of the inlet port will be too large and more water is introduced as desired , In a simpler design of the iron, the limiting device limits the longitudinal displacement of the control rod to the open position. The limiting device has a wheel, which is rotatable with at least one contactable by the control rod stop by the user. This is a simple way of controlling the displacement of the control rod, since the contact profile of the wheel may have a profile in the form of a cam which, the farther away from the wheel's apex, the less allowed the rod to shift as it is before acting as a stop, and the smaller the distance between the axis and the surface of the wheel, the greater the displacement of the rod allows. Further embodiments, instead of a wheel, are possible in such a way that the movement of the control rod displaced by the actuator is blocked.

It is also possible that the iron is provided with the rod control device with an activatable during actuation of the actuator warning device. In this way, the user is warned that he is currently operating the control rod and the water is entering the steam chamber. In one embodiment of the warning device, this emits a light signal. This could also be a sound signal or a combination of both. For example, a light bulb placed in a location well visible by the user is continuously illuminated while operating the actuator and the steam chamber is warm enough to evaporate all the water that is being introduced. In the event that the steam chamber is not warm enough to evaporate all of the water, the warning device emits a sound signal, such as a bip sequence, while the user is holding the actuator pressed or the light of the light bulb is flashing. In this way, the user is warned that if he continues to operate, the water may leak through the soleplate without evaporating and wet the laundry.

In detail, it is anticipated that the rod control device has a locking device for fixing the position of the control rod in an open position, without the need for the actuator to be depressed. In this way, the user can be given comfort, so that he should not press continenuously on the actuator. This locking device can be very simple, such as a slidable wedge, which blocks the movement of the actuator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. In the

Figures show an embodiment of the invention. The figures, the

Description and claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of the front side of a steam iron according to the invention with the movable control rod in the closed position.

Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the front side of a steam iron according to the invention with the movable control rod in the open position.

Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of the front of a steam iron according to the invention with a limiting device, wherein the movable control rod is in a closed position.

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the front side of a steam iron according to the invention with a limiting device which limits the movement of the movable control rod to an open intermediate position, and

Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the front side of a steam iron according to the invention with a limiting device which allows the movement of the movable control rod in the maximum opening position. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In Figure 1 is shown in a schematic sectional view of the front part of a steam iron according to the invention with a iron body 20, where the water tank 30 is integrated. In the lower part of the iron body 20 is the steam chamber 40, which is hydraulically connected to the water tank 30 through the inlet port 50. The steam chamber 40 is heated by means of a heating element 42, which extends inside thereof, heated. The steam chamber has an external sole 44 which contacts the laundry to be ironed. This is a steam iron that works by gravity, i. the water of the water tank 30 falls by its own weight through the inlet port 50 into the steam chamber 40 and is evaporated in the steam chamber when the temperature of the steam chamber is high enough to vaporize it.

The water flow rate introduced into the steam chamber is regulated by a drip system having a movable control rod 60. The

Control rod can be made of metal or plastic and has one at its end

Plug 62 to close the inlet port 50. The control rod 60 can only between a closed position A and an open position B in the

Be moved longitudinally of the rod, since it is guided by the own structure of the iron body 20. In Figure 1, the rod is in the closed position A, in which the plug 62 of the rod is completely seated at the inlet port 50, the water flow is prevented from the water tank 30 into the steam chamber 40.

The iron has a rod control device 70, which is an elastic element

72 includes. The elastic member, which in this case is a helical spring, is compressed between a seat 22 of the iron body and a ring 64 associated with the rod, always exerting a force in the direction of the closed position A on the rod. At the opposite end of the plug 62 is the head 66 of the rod on the seat 22 next area. The rod controller 70 also includes an actuator 74 that is integrated with the lower part of the handle 10, facing the iron body 20. The actuator is designed as a trigger button, which is easily operated by the user with his index finger, which user the iron on the handle holds, without needing to let this, although he does not operate the actuator further. At one end, the actuator rotates about an actuating shaft 76 and at its opposite end it has a lifting arm 78. The end of the lifting arm 78 is sandwiched between the seat 22 and the head 66 of the rod. The force of the elastic member pushes the head against the lift arm 78, with the button 75 of the actuator 74 being kept completely outside the handle 10. For this purpose, the rod has the exact length, so that the head in the closed position A presses the lifting arm 78 against the seat 22.

The lifting arm 78 is formed as a rail which is penetrated by the axis of the control rod 60 and where the head 64 is supported so that the head can slide freely on the lifting arm 78.

To notify the user that the inlet port is open and that he holds the actuator 74 depressed, the iron has a warning device, such as an LED lamp 92. The lamp is illuminated at the time the button 75 is lit to a minimum is pressed, since the actuator is connected to a switch 95, which closes the electrical circuit where the lamp 92 is connected. In the case of Figure 1, the circle is opened and the lamp is turned off.

Figure 2 shows the same steam iron of Figure 1 except for the actuator, which is rotated about its actuating shaft 76 and has moved by its lifting arm 78, the movable control rod 60 in an open position B, which is why the inlet port 50 is open and water from the water tank 30th can flow into the steam chamber 40. The warning device 90 is activated by the closed switch 94, which causes the lamp 92 to be illuminated. The terminals of the switch are flexible to allow complete actuation of the actuator and maintain contact therebetween during pressing.

Figure 3 shows an iron according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The iron is the same as in the previous figures except for a limiting device 80, which it has, which limits the longitudinal movement of the rod 60. The lifting arm 78 is formed as a groove or groove, in the projecting

Hook axles of the head 64 of the rod so that they can rotate and slide freely on the groove or groove.

The limiting device 80 is designed as a wheel 84 which is arranged on the head 64 of the rod and is rotatable by the user about a wheel axle 86 fixedly arranged on the iron housing. The wheel has a profile in the form of a cam with at least two stops 82 where the head 64 is contactable when the rod is moved by the actuator 74 until it abuts this stop. This allows the user to control the opening of the inlet port while limiting the displacement of the rod to the desired stop. The wheel 76, which can be moved by the user from the outside, may have indications that indicate the degree of impact with respect to the opening of the inlet port or the raising of the rod 60. For example, an increasing numbering indicates a larger opening of the inlet port 50.

As seen in Figure 4, the head of the rod is at a higher position with the control rod 60 in an open position B, which allows the water to enter the steam chamber 40. This is an advantage over the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 in that the user sets the amount of water he wishes to introduce into the steam chamber and manually pushes the actuator to the selected stop 82, without needing to manually index the finger to regulate. It is particularly advantageous if the user desires very low vapor levels, since a smaller pressure on the actuator is needed when there is no restriction device 80.

In Figure 5, the same iron as shown in Fig. 3 and 4, wherein the

Wheel 84 is rotated to the stop 82 of maximum opening of the inlet port 50, wherein the control rod 60 is in an open position B '. Between the closed position A and the open position B 'a plurality of stops 82 may be formed, which limit the opening of the control rod 60 to various open intermediate positions B. The open position B 'is particularly useful for the maximum water supply flow rate into the steam chamber when the user wants to clean the steam chamber. It is contemplated that the lamp 92 is illuminated whenever the actuator 74 is actuated. In addition, especially for the self-cleaning of the steam chamber, and for this particular case, an additional warning device is provided. When the wheel 84 is positioned at the stopper 82 of the maximum open position B ', the warning device 90 may be formed to emit a light other than that emitted from the lamp 92, that is, another or more brilliant one Color or emit an audible signal warning the user that he is in the cleaning mode of the steam chamber.

It is well known that in areas of hard water, a limestone layer (usually calcium carbonate) accumulates on the inner surfaces of the steam chamber 40. The limestone layers affect the heat transfer to the steam chamber. Therefore, it is useful that a user is able to remove the limestone layer. Preferably, the iron is a so-called system system cleaning the steam chamber. For this purpose, known irons include a water supply parallel to the movable drip control rod 60 for supplying water directly into the steam chamber without flowing on the rod. Normally, the self-cleaning is achieved by introducing a large amount of water into the interior of the steam chamber at a low temperature so that the steam chamber can not vaporize when it is introduced, and with a subsequent rise in the temperature of the steam chamber a sudden evaporation takes place, within the Steam chamber crusted lime demolished and entrained by the outlet openings of the steam chamber to the outside. With this construction, it is possible for the user to introduce a large amount of water into the steam chamber, thereby performing a self-cleaning on warm walls of the steam chamber, so that the large amount of cold water leads to a kind of thermal shock effect on the walls, which Breakage of the limestone layers results, and these break into small particles, which can escape later through the steam outlet ports of the steam chamber. This cleaning operation can be repeated several times, which necessitates reheating the steam chamber because of the drop in temperature of the wall of the steam chamber due to the introduction of a large amount of cold water into the steam chamber. Therefore, the warning device 90 will be configured such that when the

Temperature of the steam chamber 40 is not suitable because it is too high, it will emit a signal that just water for cleaning the steam chamber can not be introduced.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 handle

20 iron body

22 seat

30 water tank

40 steam chamber

42 heating element

44 sole

50 inlet port

60 movable control rod

62 plugs

64 ring

66 head

70 rod control device

72 elastic element

74 actuator

75 button

76 actuating shaft

78 lifting arm

A closed position

B, B 'open position

80 Limiting device

82 stop

84 cogs

86 wheel axle

90 warning device

92 lamp

94 switch

Claims

A steam iron comprising a water tank (30) hydraulically connectable to a steam chamber (40) through an inlet port (50), a movable control rod (60) for adjusting the amount of water flowing from the water tank (30) through the inlet port (30). 50) flows into the steam chamber (40), and a user operable rod control device (70), characterized in that - the rod control device (70) comprises an elastic element (72) which engages the movable control rod (60) in pushing a closed position (A), blocking the flow of water through the inlet port (50), and a user-operable actuator (74) to move the movable control rod (60) to an open position (B, B '), which allows the flow of water from the water tank (30) through the inlet port (50) into the steam chamber (40) and keeping it in the open position (B, B ') while the actuator is being operated by the user.

2. steam iron according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a with the iron body (20) connected to the handle (10), and that the actuator (74) is arranged on the handle.

A steam iron according to claim 2, characterized in that the handle adjoins the iron body at a front zone of the iron, and the actuator (74) is disposed at the part of the handle (10) facing the iron body.

4. Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (74) is designed as a trigger button.

A steam iron according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod control means (70) further includes limiting means (80) for limiting movement of the control rod (60).

6. steam iron according to claim 5, characterized in that the limiting means (80) limits the longitudinal displacement of the control rod (60) to the open position (B, B ').

7. steam iron according to claim 6, characterized in that the

Limiter (80) has a wheel (84) which is rotatable with at least one of the control rod (60) contactable stop (82) by the user.

8. Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod control device (70) has an activatable during actuation of the actuator (74) warning device (90).

9. steam iron according to claim 8, characterized in that the warning device (90) emits a light signal.

10. Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod control device (70) has a locking device for fixing the position of the control rod (60) in an open position (B, B '), without the need for the actuator (74 ) is pressed.