EP2516723B1 - Steam station comprising a steam generator - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a steam station for steaming a Bedampfungsguts with a steam generator for generating a steam ejection, and an actuating element.

Background of the invention

For example, from the German patent specification DE 196 145 11 a steam ironing station with a steam station and a steam iron, the steam station having a steam generator. The steam generated in the steam generator is passed through a steam line in the steam iron. Inside the steam iron, the steam is routed through steam guides in the iron soleplate heated by a heater. In a water pipe, a feed pump is provided, which promotes water from a water tank directly into the steam line, whereby it is achieved that the exiting at the soleplate steam has a high humidity.

Next is from the US patent application US 5307440 A a steam generator with a first and a second valve known. The first and second valves are connected in parallel to control the flow of vapor in a conduit. When the first valve is switched on, a lower vapor rate is emitted than when the second valve is switched on. When both valves are switched on simultaneously, the steam rate is increased even further. By controlling the first and second valves so three different steam rates are adjustable, namely by only the first, only the second or both valves are turned on.

Next is from the European patent application EP 0 645 488 A1 a method for ironing a piece of textile and an ironing device for performing the method known. By the ironing device, a steam discharge can be delivered, wherein alternated between steam cycles and drying cycles. In the method, at the beginning of a ironing cycle, a program of pre-set programs for controlling the steam output is selected. Thereafter, steam ejection is automatically controlled during the ironing cycle without user intervention according to the selected program. To start or stop the steam ejection, the ironing device has a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the user by contact.

From the patent US 5,010,664 For example, there is known a steam iron having a switch for an "extra steam mode" in which additional steam is ejected at intervals whose speed is controlled by an electronic circuit. By pressing the switch, the extra steam mode can also be stopped. In addition, another steam iron is proposed in which the additional steam is automatically stopped after a set number of cycles or time.

The problem underlying the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved steam station. In particular, a steam station is to be provided in which a steam discharge with the highest possible pressure can be achieved. Next, the steam discharge rate of a steam ejection should be increased. Furthermore, a steam station is to be provided, through which a reduction in energy consumption is possible.

Inventive solution

The reference numbers in all claims have no limiting effect, but are only intended to improve their readability.

The solution of the problem is achieved by a steam station with the features of claim 1. A time-unlimited sequence of steam surges is a consequence that advantageously runs after starting so long until the actuator again is operated to end the series of steam discharges. A time-limited sequence is understood to mean a sequence which ends after a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the steam generator no longer gives off a series of steam discharges after the predetermined time has elapsed. However, this does not mean that the steam generator does not give off any steam after passing through the time-limited sequence. Of course, after passing through the temporally limited sequence, that is after the expiration of the predetermined time, still a constant output of steam can be delivered. Advantageously, the operation of the steam generator can be simplified by a time-limited sequence of steam discharges, since the user during use, eg during a ironing operation, the time-limited sequence can start by operating the actuator without having to end this by re-operating again since this ends advantageously after the expiration of the predetermined time. Thus, the user can concentrate better on the actual work process, such as an ironing or cleaning process.

A steam station is to be understood as a system for providing and / or delivering steam in order to be able to treat a material to be steamed. For this purpose, the steam generator can generate at least one steam output. The steam station can be used, for example, for the care of clothing, and be designed for this purpose, for example, as ironing, ironing station, steam straightener, so-called steam brush or steam brush. A steam station according to the invention can also be used for cleaning purposes, and be designed, for example, as a steam cleaner. A series of steam ejections is a sequence in which phases alternate with higher steam ejection rates and phases with lower or no steam ejection rates. The phases with a higher steam discharge rate are considered as steam discharges from the series of steam discharges. A series of steam bursts may also be referred to as a result of steam pulses. A steam discharge rate is the amount of steam that is released in a given time unit. Usually, the steam discharge rate is measured in grams per minute (g / min). By starting and / or stopping the sequence of steam discharges, the sequence of the sequence, ie the change of phases with higher and phases with lower or no steam discharge rate, as well as the duration of the phases, is not affected. That the sequence of steam discharges is startable and / or terminable, while the steam station for processing the Bedampfungsguts means that a user does not have to interrupt the handling in order to start and / or end the sequence. By handling is here to be understood the activity of a user that the user carries out in order to process the material to be steamed. This can be, for example, the guiding of an iron or a cleaning device.

It is an achievable advantage of the invention that the steam ejection rate of the steam ejections can be increased by the sequence of steam ejections. For in a series of steam bursts, the duration of each steam ejection may advantageously be so short that a pressure drop during steam ejection can be minimized, and thus a higher amount of steam can be transported during steam ejection. Advantageously, the vapor pressure dropped off during a steam discharge between the steam discharges can be regenerated again, that is, increased to the initial pressure value. The initial pressure value is the value of the vapor pressure prevailing at the beginning of a steam discharge, ie before the beginning of a pressure drop. Usually, the initial pressure value is the highest vapor pressure of a vapor ejection. By regenerating the vapor pressure between the steam ejections, the greatest possible pressure can be achieved for each steam ejection of a succession of steam ejections. Advantageously, this can prevent a continuous pressure drop during the course of the sequence. Advantageously, it can thereby be achieved that each steam ejection of a sequence has the same temporal vapor pressure profile, and thus an equally high steam ejection rate.

Further, an improvement of the working results can be achieved by the invention, since in the sequence of steam ejections, a higher steam discharge rate of the steam ejections can be achieved. As a result, the vapor may e.g. better penetrate the material to be ironed, or remove dirt from a surface better. Furthermore, due to the succession of steam discharges, an improved sliding of an iron on the ironing material can be achieved due to the constantly high vapor pressure of the steam ejections of the sequence.

It is an achievable advantage of the actuator according to the invention that the user can select at any time during handling for processing the Bedampfungsguts, eg during ironing or cleaning process, whether he wants to operate the steam station with or without dispensing a series of steam discharges.

Typically, an ironing or cleaning operation begins by engaging a portion of the steam station, e.g. an iron or a cleaning device, and ends with the release of the same. Advantageously, this energy can be saved, since the steam station can be operated without dispensing a series of steam discharges.

It is another achievable advantage that by generating a train of steam bursts, effective operation of the steam station and thus a reduction in steam station energy consumption can be achieved. In fact, by delivering a series of steam discharges, the amount of steam delivered can be reduced because advantageously less steam can be dispensed in the phases of lower or no steam discharge rate.

Advantageously, the sequence of steam discharges can be started and / or terminated by the user via an operation of the actuating element, so that the user can start and / or terminate the sequence as required. Furthermore, it is advantageously achievable that the user does not have to control the sequence of the sequence, and thus is better able to concentrate on the working process, e.g. can concentrate a ironing or cleaning process.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

Particularly preferably, the duration of steam ejection of the series of steam ejections is so short that the pressure drop during steam ejection does not exceed 15%, more preferably 10%, most preferably 5%. In a particularly preferred sequence of steam ejections, the time period between successive steam ejections is at least 0.5 seconds, more preferably at least 1.0 seconds. Particularly preferably, each steam ejection has a maximum duration of 1.0 second, particularly preferably of 0.5 second maximum.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the actuating element is operated by a tactile movement, wherein the actuating element can be brought by the tactile movement of a first switching state in a second switching state, and after completion of the tactile movement of the second in the first switching state. Particularly preferably, the actuating element has an elastic element, by means of which the actuating element can be brought from the second to the first switching state after the end of the scanning movement. The tactile movement may e.g. be a tap, press or pull and then release the actuator. Advantageously, the sequence of steam discharges can be started and / or terminated by the touch movement. Thus, the series of steam discharges, e.g. started by a first touch movement, and terminated by a first following the second touch movement. Advantageously, no additional interaction of the user with the actuator is required to run the sequence of steam discharges. This may facilitate the ironing operation, since during the ironing operation, the user can start the series of steam discharges by a simple operation of the operating member, and concentrate on the actual ironing operation during the delivery of the steam discharges. Advantageously, the user can end the sequence of steam discharges at any time by re-operation of the actuating element.

In another particularly preferred embodiment, the actuator is brought by operation from a first switching state to a second switching state to start the series of steam discharges, and brought from the second to the first switching state to terminate the series of steam discharges. Here, the actuator may be pushed or pulled to be brought from the first to the second state, and released to be brought from the second to the first state. In this case, while the user is in contact with the actuator during delivery of the train of vapor ejections, the user does not affect the course of the phases of the sequence through its interaction with the actuator. This may advantageously allow simplification of the operation for controlling the sequence of steam discharges, since the steam discharges are delivered only in the time in which the user interacts with the actuating element, for example by holding or pulling it. In addition, can an improvement of the ironing results are possible because the user with uneven wrinkling of the ironing the delivery of the steam ejections does not have to activate during the entire ironing process, but can selectively switch on and off.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the actuating element is brought by a tactile movement in the first and / or second state, wherein the actuating element by a latching device in the respective position remains, and does not return to the previous state. Particularly preferably, a part of the actuating element is displaced during the operation of the actuating element in order to change the switching state of the actuating element between the first and second switching state. Such an actuator may e.g. be designed as a slide switch. Most preferably, the operation of the actuator is against a force, e.g. a spring force of an elastically deformable element, whereby accidental operation of the actuating element can be avoided.

The sequence of steam discharges can be started and / or terminated by a first operating sequence of the actuating element. Under an operating sequence of the actuating element are caused by an operation to be understood, temporally successive, divergent states of the actuating element. Particularly preferably, the first operating sequence consists of a single touch movement. This means that the actuating element is operated by a tactile movement in order to start and / or end the series of steam ejections. This tactile movement can be compared with a "single click" when operating a computer mouse.

Particularly preferably, the actuating element can be brought by operation in a third switching state to start the temporally limited sequence of steam ejections and / or to end. Advantageously, the time-limited sequence can also be terminated before the expiry of the predetermined time by operating the actuating element. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the time-limited sequence has a fixed number of steam bursts. In other words, the predetermined time of the time-limited sequence is dimensioned in this embodiment so that after this time a fixed number of steam bursts was delivered. By Operating the actuating element is thus a series of steam discharges with a limited number of steam discharges can be started and / or terminated. Particularly preferably, the time-limited sequence comprises five, particularly preferably three bursts of steam.

However, the user may also, if he has operated the actuator incorrectly, or no longer requires the steam ejections, terminate the time-limited sequence of steam ejections prematurely by re-operating the actuator.

According to the invention, it is preferably provided that a time-limited sequence of steam discharges can be started and / or terminated by a second operating sequence of the actuating element. Under an operating sequence of the actuating element are caused by an operation to be understood, temporally successive, divergent states of the actuating element. Particularly preferably, the second operating sequence of two scanning movements of the actuating element, wherein the time interval between the touch movements does not exceed a predetermined period of time. This means that the actuating element is operated by a double touch movement in order to start and / or end the time-limited sequence of steam discharges. The time between the two tactile movements may not exceed a fixed period of time. This two-time tactile movement can be compared with a "double-click" when operating a computer mouse. The time interval between the individual scanning movements of the second operating sequence is particularly preferably a maximum of only one second, particularly preferably a maximum of only half a second. The two-time touch movement of the second sequence of operation, a simple operation can be made possible because the user of such a sequence can already be known from the operation of a computer with a mouse. Advantageously, can be achieved by the first and / or the second sequence of operation that a time-unlimited and / or temporally limited sequence of steam discharges can be controlled by a single element, namely by the actuator. As a result, components can be saved, resulting in a

lower cost steam station can lead. Furthermore, a simplified operation of the steam station via an actuating element can be made possible.

According to the invention, the steam station has a control unit for controlling the steam output. In one embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is designed as a switch. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the actuating element is designed as a push-button. The key switch may e.g. be pressed or pulled during an operation. The key switch can also be designed as a sensor switch, which is touched during operation. This touching can also be considered as a tactile movement. Particularly preferably, the key switch can be brought by operation in a first and second switching position. Advantageously, the first and / or second sequence of operations on an operating element designed as a push-button switch is easy to carry out, wherein the push-button switch can be operated by one-time or by two operations briefly in quick succession. Advantageously, such a key switch is also during a work operation, e.g. easy to operate during ironing or cleaning.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the actuating element is designed as a slide switch. The slide switch may e.g. two switching states, a first and a second switching state, wherein e.g. no steam output or a constant steam output is selected by the first switching state, and the delivery of a series of steam discharges can be selected by the second switching state. The operation of the steam station selected by the second switching state may also be referred to as steam pulse operation. Particularly preferably, the actuating element designed as a slide switch has a third switching state, by means of which a time-limited sequence of steam discharges can be started and / or terminated. Particularly preferably, the third position is a tactile position. This means that the actuator returns to the previous position after operation, e.g. changes to the first or second position. Particularly preferably, the operating element designed as a slide switch has all three switching states, first, second and third switching state.

In a preferred embodiment, the control unit is arranged on the steam generator. Particularly preferably, the control unit is connected to the actuating element. Particularly preferably, the control unit is connected via a line to the actuating element.

In a further preferred embodiment, the steam station has a valve, by means of which the sequence of steam discharges can be generated. Particularly preferably, the valve is arranged on the steam generator. Particularly preferably, the valve is connectable to the line of an iron. Advantageously, by opening and closing the valve, vapor pressure can be controlled through the hose to the iron, so as to be able to produce a steam output and / or a series of steam discharges. Particularly preferably, the valve can be brought into a position between the open and the closed position, so that through the valve and the exiting amount of steam can be controlled. Advantageously, the valve can produce any desired series of steam discharges, in which phases alternate with higher steam discharge rates and phases with lower steam discharge rates. Particularly preferably, the steam generator to a steam boiler for generating a vapor pressure, which is connectable via the valve with the hose of an iron. Particularly preferably, the valve is controllable via the control unit. This makes it achievable that any sequence of steam discharges can be generated. Particularly preferably, the valve is designed as an electrovalve.

The invention further development is preferably provided that the steam station comprises an iron on which the actuating element is arranged. Particularly preferably, the steam station is designed as an ironing station. Particularly preferably, the iron is connected via a line, particularly preferably via a hose to the steam generator in order to supply the iron with steam for ironing can. This makes it possible for the user to easily start and / or terminate the sequence of steam discharges during the ironing process, so that an improved operation of the steam station can be achieved. Typically, ironing begins with the touch of the iron, and ends with the release of the iron. Advantageously, by operating the actuating element, a series of steam discharges can be started and / or terminated during a pressing operation during normal operation of the steam station. Of course, the sequence of steam discharges can also be started and / or terminated before or after an ironing process. Advantageously, the sequence of steam discharges does not start with the touch of the iron and is not terminated with the release of the iron, so that the user can be enabled during the ironing of Ironing material as needed, eg to smooth out heavily wrinkled areas of the ironing stock, to start and / or end the sequence of steam ejections.

Particularly preferably, the actuating element can be connected by lines to the steam generator. Particularly preferably, the confirmation element can be connected by lines to the control unit. Through the lines, a transmission of the switching state of the actuating element to the steam generator and / or the control unit can be achieved.

In one embodiment of the invention, the steam station has an adjusting element for setting the sequence of the sequence of steam discharges. The adjustment element allows the user to start and / or during a work operation, e.g. during an ironing or cleaning operation, adjust the sequence of the sequence of steam discharges to make them e.g. to be able to adapt to the ironing or a surface to be cleaned. Particularly preferably, the frequency of the sequence of steam ejections can be set by the adjusting element. Here, the period of the sequence of steam ejections is variable by the setting element, wherein the period corresponds to the time interval between the beginning of two successive steam ejections. By adjusting the frequency, it is possible to control which amount of steam is consumed, so that a reduction of the energy consumption can be made possible. A particularly preferred adjustment is designed as a rotary switch. Particularly preferably, the frequency of the sequence of steam discharges via the rotation of the rotary switch is adjustable.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the period between successive steam ejections, so the duration of a phase with low or no steam discharge rate, adjustable by the adjustment. Particularly preferably, the duration of the individual steam ejections of the sequence of steam ejections is constant. However, the invention also includes embodiments in which by the adjusting the time duration of a steam ejection and the time duration between successive steam ejections are changed by the adjusting element in a fixed ratio. Particularly preferably, the ratio between the duration of a steam ejection and the time duration between successive steam ejections is 0.5.

According to the invention, it is preferably provided that the steam station has a steam switch for starting and / or stopping a continuous steam ejection. By operating the steam switch, the user can start and / or stop the delivery of a continuous steam discharge, with the same possibilities for operating the steam switch as for operating the operating element. Most preferably, the steam ejection rate of a continuous steam ejection is selectable by the steam switch. Particularly preferably, the steam switch can be brought into at least one position deviating from the zero position by operation of a zero position, in which no continuous steam emission is emitted. By deviating from the zero position, the steam ejection rate of the continuous steam ejection can be selected. Particularly preferably, such a steam switch is designed as a rotary switch. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the delivery of the continuous steam discharge by operating the actuating element can be terminated. In other words, when the actuator is operated during the delivery of continuous steam discharge, the continuous steam discharge is stopped and the sequence of steam discharges is started. Particularly preferably, after the episode of steam discharges is completed, e.g. due to an operation of the actuator or the expiration of the time-limited sequence, the continuous steam discharge continues. However, the invention also includes embodiments in which the continuous discharge of steam is not continued after completion of the sequence of steam discharges.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the steam generator to a steam boiler. The steam boiler can be used to generate the steam pressure necessary to produce a steam output. Particularly preferably, the steam boiler has an interior whose volume is between 250ml and 1000ml. Particularly preferably, the steam generator to a refill system. Advantageously, the boiler can be filled by the refill system with a liquid, for example with water. Particularly preferably, the refill system has a reservoir. Advantageously, the liquid to be replenished can be stored in the storage container. Particularly preferably, the Refill a pump on. Advantageously, the liquid to be replenished can be pumped into the boiler by the pump.

Particularly preferably, the steam generator has a heating element for heating the steam boiler. Particularly preferably, the heating element is designed as an electric heating element. To heat the boiler, the electrical heating element can be supplied with electricity, which can heat the boiler and its contents. The invention also includes embodiments in which the steam boiler is e.g. can be heated by microwaves or inductively.

The present invention makes it possible to provide a steam station by means of which the greatest possible pressure of a steam ejection can be achieved with simple structural and cost-effective means. In particular, a high rate of vaporization can be achieved thereby, whereby the work results, such as e.g. Ironing or cleaning results can be improved. Further, by the invention, an effective operation of the steam station, and thus a reduction in energy consumption can be achieved. By the invention, both the total amount of discharged steam can be reduced, and thus energy can be saved, as well as a higher steam discharge rate and thus an improved penetration of the steam can be achieved in the ironing.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantageous embodiments are described below with reference to two illustrated in the drawings embodiment, to which the invention is not limited, described in more detail.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Dampfstation mit Dampferzeuger und Bügeleisen;

Fig. 2

ein Diagramm einer Folge von Dampfausstößen; und schließlich

Fig. 3

ein Betätigungselement.

They show schematically:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a steam station with steam generator and iron;

Fig. 2

a diagram of a sequence of steam bursts; and finally

Fig. 3

an actuator.

Detailed description based on two embodiments

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

The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG Fig. 1 and 2 explained. In Fig. 1 an illustrated as ironing station steam station 10 for steam treatment of a Bedampfungsguts with an iron 20 and a steam generator 11 for generating a steam ejection. The iron 20 is connected via a hose 21 and a line 22 to the steam generator 11. The steam generated by the steam generator 11 is conducted through the hose 21 to the iron 20. The steam station 10 further has an actuating element 30, which is designed as a push-button switch. The actuator 30 is disposed on the iron 20, and connected by the line 22 to the steam generator 11. The hose 21 and the pipe 22 are detachably connected to the steam generator 11, so that the iron 20 can be stored separately from the steam station 10.

The steam generator 11 has a steam boiler 14 with an interior volume of 800 ml for generating a vapor pressure and an electric heating element 15 for heating the steam boiler 14. By the heating element 15, the water contained in the steam boiler 14 is heated, so that steam is generated at a certain pressure, wherein pressure and temperature in the interior of the boiler 14 correspond to each other. The steam boiler 14 is connected via a designed as an electric valve valve 13 to the hose 21 so that by opening and closing the valve 13, a portion of the pressurized steam from the boiler 14 escape, and as a steam discharge through the hose 21 to the iron 20th can be performed. The steam discharge rate of the steam discharge, that is, the amount of steam which is discharged from the steam generator 11 to the iron 20 in a certain time unit, is controlled by the pressure in the interior of the steam boiler 14 controlled. The steam discharge rate of the steam output thus corresponds to the pressure in the interior of the steam boiler 14.

The steam generator 11 further has a refilling system with a reservoir 16 for filling the steam boiler 14. The refill system has a pump 17 through which the water contained in the reservoir 16 can be pumped into the boiler 14. This ensures that there is always sufficient water in the steam boiler 14 to generate the steam output. Next, the steam generator 11, and thus the steam station 10, a control unit 12 through which the pump 17 is controlled. The control unit 12 is connected to the valve 13 to control the steam discharges.

By a tactile movement, ie by pressing and then releasing the actuator 30, a time-unlimited sequence of steam discharges is started. Part of such a sequence is in Fig. 2 shown. Fig. 2 shows a diagram of a sequence of steam discharges, wherein on one axis the steam discharge rate, marked R, and on the other axis, the time, marked with t, is shown. Here, the steam ejection rate is the steam amount of a steam ejected in a certain time unit. How out Fig. 2 As can be seen, in the sequence of steam discharges, phases 41 with higher steam discharge rates and phases 42 with no steam discharge rates, ie with a lower steam discharge rate, alternate. The period of time 43 between successive bursts of steam is 1.5 seconds, with each burst of steam having a steam ejection duration 44 of 0.5 seconds. At the beginning of a steam discharge, there is an initial pressure value which corresponds to the in Fig. 2 represented initial value 45 of the steam discharge rate corresponds. In the series of steam bursts, the steam ejection duration 44 of each steam ejection is so short that a pressure drop during steam ejection can be minimized. Here, the duration of a steam ejection is so short that the pressure drop during the steam surge does not exceed 5%. This pressure drop corresponds to the drop 46 of the steam discharge rate of a steam discharge. A series of steam ejections, as in Fig. 2 can also be referred to as a series of steam pulses.

By a second touch movement, the time-unlimited sequence of steam discharges can be stopped again, so that by operating the

Actuator 30 is an unrestricted sequence of steam discharges can be started and / or terminated. The user can operate the actuating element during the ironing process, so that a series of steam ejections during the ironing process can be started and / or terminated by operating the actuating element 30. In particular, the user does not need to release the iron 20, and thus does not interrupt the ironing process, but may continue to hold the iron 20 in order to start and / or end the series of steam discharges. The user therefore does not have to interrupt the handling in order to start and / or end the sequence, so that a sequence of steam ejections can be started and / or terminated by manipulation of the actuating element 30 during handling for processing the steam material. As a result, the user can save energy, since he can operate the steam station 10 without dispensing a series of steam discharges.

In the operation of the actuating element 30 by the touch movement (pressing and then releasing), the actuating element 30 is brought from a first switching state to a second switching state, to then change again from the second to the first switching state. These two switching states of the operating element 30 designed as a pushbutton switch are not shown in the figures for reasons of illustration. The change from the second to the first switching state takes place here by an elastic element which is arranged on the actuating element 30. This elastic element is also not shown in the figures for purposes of illustration. This single tactile movement, by which the time-unlimited sequence of vapor ejections can be started and / or stopped, can be compared with a single-click of a computer mouse, and is referred to as the first sequence of operation of the actuator 30. Thus, therefore, the sequence of steam discharges can be started or stopped by the first sequence of operation of the actuating element 30.

By pressing the actuating element 30 twice, that is to say by means of two scanning movements whose time interval does not exceed half a second, a time-limited series of steam discharges consisting of three steam discharges is started. The two-time scanning movement can be compared with a double-click of a computer mouse, and is referred to as a second sequence of operation of the actuating element 30. The user can by the two-time tactile movement of the time-limited series of steam ejections by renewed Cancel twice tactile movement prematurely, so that by the second sequence of operation of the actuator 30, a time-limited sequence of steam ejections can be started or terminated. Thus, by operating the actuating element 30, the user can start or end an unlimited time and / or a chronologically limited series of steam discharges, whereby he / she makes the selection as to whether the chronologically limited or unlimited sequence is to be started by the respective operating sequence of the actuating element 30.

The sequence of the sequence of steam ejections, ie the change between the phases 41 with higher and the phases 42 with no steam ejection rate is controlled by the valve 13, which is connected to the control unit 12, so that the valve 13, the sequence of steam ejections can be generated , The steam station 10 has an adjusting element 34 for setting the sequence of the sequence of steam discharges, which is arranged on the steam generator 11. By the setting element 34, which is designed as a rotary switch, the frequency of the sequence of steam ejections is adjustable, wherein the adjustment period of the period 34 of the sequence of steam ejections is variable. The period duration corresponds to the time interval between the beginning of two successive steam ejections, ie the sum of the steam ejection duration 44 and the time period 43 between successive steam ejections. If the period duration of the sequence of steam discharges is changed by the adjusting element 34, the duration of the individual steam discharges, ie the steam discharge duration 44, remains constant, and only the time period 43 between successive steam discharges is changed.

The steam station 10 further includes a rotary switch designed as a steam switch 35 for starting and / or stopping a continuous steam discharge. The steam switch can be brought by operation into a zero position, and in other deviating from the zero position positions, wherein in the zero position no continuous steam discharge from the steam generator 11 to the iron 20 is discharged. In a position deviating from the zero position, the steam discharge rate of the continuous steam discharge is selected via the rotation degree of the steam switch 35 designed as a rotary switch. By operating the steam switch 35, the user can thus start the delivery of a continuous steam discharge by bringing the steam switch 35 in a position deviating from the zero position, and terminate by putting the steam switch in the Zeroing brings. If the actuator 30 is operated during the delivery of continuous steam discharge, thereby starting the sequence of steam discharges, the continuous steam discharge is interrupted until the sequence of dam discharges is completed.

In a second embodiment, shown in FIG Fig. 3 which otherwise does not differ from the second embodiment, the actuator 30 is designed as a slide switch. The actuator 30 has three switching states, wherein in a first switching state 31 no steam ejection is selected. The first switching state 31 here is the in Fig. 3 shown middle switching state. To start the sequence of steam discharges, the actuator 30 is brought by operation of the first switching state 31 in the second switching state 32. To end the sequence of steam discharges again, the actuating element 30 is brought from the second switching state 32 back into the first switching state 31. The second switching state 32 here is the in Fig. 3 shown left switching state. This in Fig. 3 illustrated actuator 30 is in the second switching state 32, in which the sequence of steam discharges is delivered until the actuator 30 is brought back into the first switching state 31. The shifting of the actuating element 30 from the first 31 to the second switching state 32, as well as the displacement of the actuating element 30 from the second 32 to the first switching state 31, is the first operating sequence.

The actuating element further has a third switching state 33. By a sliding movement, ie by an operator, the user can bring the actuating element in the third switching state 33, wherein the actuating element when released from the third switches to the first switching state 31. Such an operation can also be referred to as a touch movement. By moving the actuating element 30 from the first 31 to the third switching state 33, a time-limited sequence of steam ejections, which has three steam pulses, is started. After the three steam pulses, this series of steam discharges ends. However, the user can prematurely end this time-limited sequence of steam discharges by a further displacement of the actuating element 30 from the first 31 to the third switching state 33. The displacement of the actuating element 30 from the first 31 to the third switching state 33, that is to say the touch movement, is the second operating sequence in this case.

The present invention makes it possible to provide a steam station by means of which the greatest possible pressure of a steam ejection can be achieved with simple structural and cost-effective means. In particular, a high rate of vaporization can be achieved thereby, whereby the work results, such as e.g. Ironing or cleaning results can be improved. Further, by the invention, an effective operation of the steam station, and thus a reduction in energy consumption can be achieved. By the invention, both the total amount of discharged steam can be reduced, and thus energy can be saved, as well as a higher steam discharge rate and thus an improved penetration of the steam into the ironing material can be achieved.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

steam station

11

steam generator

12

control unit

13

Valve

14

steam boiler

15

heating element

16

reservoir

17

pump

20

Iron

21

tube

22

management

30

actuator

31

first switching state

32

second switching state

33

third switching state

34

adjustment

35

steam switch

41

Phases with high steam discharge rate

42

Phases with no steam output rate

43

Duration between successive steam bursts

44

Steam jet time

45

Initial value of the steam discharge rate

46

Drop in steam output rate

Claims (7)

1. Steam station (10) for the steam treatment of an evaporation product with a steam generator (11) for generating a steam output, and an actuation element (30), wherein while the steam station is operated in order to process the evaporation product, by operating the actuation element (30) a series of steam outputs, which proceeds after the start process until the actuation element (30) is operated again, can be started and/or ended, characterised in that the steam station (10) has a control unit (12) for controlling the steam output, which is adjusted thereto, by operating the actuation element (30), so as to start and/or end a series of steam outputs, which ends after a predetermined time has elapsed.
2. Steam station (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the control unit is adjusted to start and/or end the series of steam outputs, which proceeds after the start process until the actuation element (30) is operated again, by means of a first control series of the actuation element (30) and to start and/or end the sequence of steam outputs, which ends after a predetermined time has elapsed, by means of a second control sequence of the actuation element (30).
3. Steam station (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the actuation element (30) is embodied as a switch.
4. Steam station (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the steam station (10) has a valve (13), by means of which the series of steam outputs can be generated.
5. Steam station (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the steam station (10) has an electric iron (20), on which the actuation element (30) is arranged.
6. Steam station (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steam station (10) has a setting element (34) for setting the sequence of the series of steam outputs.
7. Steam station (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the steam station (10) has a steam switch (35) for starting and/or ending a continuous steam output.

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