EP2527732B1 - Steam unit for an ironing system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a steam generator for an ironing station, comprising a water tank, a boiler with a radiator for evaporating the water in the boiler, a water supply means for metered supply of water from the tank into a boiling chamber of the boiler, wherein the boiler has a steam outlet for connection of a Steam line, to which a hand-held device can be connected, and an outlet means for discharging the water from the boiling chamber for their complete emptying comprises.

In general, it is known that calcification is a major problem in steam generation systems. This brings an extremely high manual maintenance with it, because on the one hand, the life of the entire system is limited and on the other hand, the original steam capacity of the device can not be achieved. In addition, e.g. a calcification of the pressure relief valve u. U. also lead to a security risk of the operator. Therefore, in the ironing station steam systems currently available on the market, the use of certain types of water is required to reduce the problem of calcification. Furthermore, common decalcifying and cleaning agents available on the market are often not permitted, and the calcification problem is often only to be reduced by simple, regular rinsing. Experience shows that especially in regions with high water hardness, this measure is not sufficient, so that the device fails within a very short time. It is also known from experience that the operators often do not perform or forget the cumbersome manual maintenance for various reasons.

From the document DE 697 06 105 T2 For example, there is known a steam generator for an ironing station comprising a boiler having a boiler attached to a boiling chamber for generating steam communicating with a water tank. From the water tank, the water is metered into the boiling chamber by means of a pump as feeder. The boiler has a steam outlet to which a steam pipe is connected for connection to an iron. For maintenance, a closable outlet opening is arranged in the lower region of the boiling chamber, which is positioned so that an at least almost complete emptying of residual water from the chamber is provided. The emptying must, however, be carried out manually after a predetermined operating time of the steam generator. For convenience or technical ignorance, such maintenance tasks are often not performed regularly or not at all. This can lead to corrosion or limescale or dirt deposits in the boiling chamber, which can reach the ironed at a later stage of operation. Furthermore, excessive corrosion can cause Destruction of the boiler or the radiator lead, if this is inside the boiling chamber.

From the WO 2007/007241 A1 a corresponding steam generator for an ironing station is known, in which additionally a flushing of the boiling chamber is provided in the boiler. In this case, water is pumped from the tank into the boiling chamber by means of a control device in the course of programmed maintenance intervals, which is then heated without opening the steam outlet. Then the bottom outlet is automatically opened to drain the pressurized water. Due to turbulence occurring protective particles are kept floating in the water and flushed out accordingly.

From the GB 2 419 607 A is a steam generator with a boiler known, in which the water is conveyed from a reservoir into the boiling chamber of the boiler or can flow into it due to gravity. At the outlet of the reservoir, a filter device is mounted to retain particles and debris. Substances dissolved in the water are not retained.

In the known steam generators, however, it is disadvantageous that deposits due to calcification are not reliably removed from the boiling chamber or from the inside of the boiler wall.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a steam tractors, which is easy to maintain in terms of lime and desmutting in the boiling chamber.

According to the invention the object is achieved by a steam generator having the features of independent claim 1 and by a method according to independent claim 12.

Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the respective following dependent claims.

The advantages attainable with the invention are that maintenance intersections adapted to the water properties used by the user are provided. Thus, for example, when using so-called soft water, the descaling is carried out at greater intervals than when using hard water. Furthermore, it is ensured that all time requirements that must be met during the execution of the descaling process, are automatically met by the controller, so that the user is exempt from this burden. Furthermore, it is ensured by a user guidance that actually all measures to be initiated by the user for the decalcification process are actually carried out. The present automatic descaling concept for a steam system thus relieves the operator of these troublesome maintenance tasks. The device also can not without regular decalcification be operated, so that early failures and dangers, which are due to lack of maintenance, are prevented. Furthermore, there are no long waiting times and annoying manual additional work for the operator.

For this purpose, it is proposed according to the invention that the control device is set up to activate the water supply device, the heating element and the outlet means in such a way that an automatic descaling with a descaling solution for the boiling chamber takes place. Furthermore, the valves are controlled so that the boiling chamber is descaled without pressure, so it is built up within the chamber during the decalcifying no pressure.

In an advantageous embodiment, the controller is further configured to activate the heater for a predetermined time to perform the descaling cycle. Thus, an added descaling agent is stimulated to react with the attached to the insides of the boiler walls Kalkbelag so that it can be quickly and completely detached.

In an overall expedient embodiment, the outlet means comprises an electromagnetically or electromotively operable valve. Such a valve is particularly easy to control and has a permanently reliable pressure resistance to provide the tightness at high pressure in the boiling chamber.

In an expedient embodiment, the control device is configured to activate the water supply device and the outlet means and / or the radiator after a predetermined period of operation of the radiator. The active times of the radiator can be easily added by a microcontroller, there are no further detection means or sensors necessary.

In another advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to activate the water supply device and the outlet means and / or the heating element after a predetermined amount of water introduced into the boiling chamber. In this case, the amount of water supplied to the boiling chamber must be recorded with a detection means and recorded for several operating cycles in order to arrive at the total amount of water supplied. Here, the actual amount of water, which has gradually led to calcification in the boiling chamber, taken into account. The decalcification cycles are thus carried out very effectively and economically. The normal operation of the steam generator is thus hardly affected due to the needs-based descaling.

In an advantageous embodiment of the steam generator comprises an input means for entering a degree of water hardness in a non-volatile memory, which can take into account the control device for assessing a possible calcification of the boiling chamber. This is the controller is configured to perform the decalcification cycle only if, due to the water hardness associated with the operating time or the amount of water processed, calculated from the most recent decalcification cycle, limescale is expected to be impermissibly thick or obstruct proper steam generation , The controller calculates the lime quantity in the boiler from the two parameters water flow and water hardness and uses this value to determine the time for the next descaling process. The degree of hardness of the water used before the device is set once by the operator via an operating handle, such as a potentiometer or a digital input by means of a keyboard set. The set degree of hardness is stored as a code or parameter in a non-volatile memory, which is assigned to the controller and can be read by the microcontroller of the controller. For example, the limit for the calcification is reached when the boiling chamber has been filled a predetermined number. For example, the limit is reached when the boiling chamber was filled 10 to 20, each with a predetermined amount of water, for example in the range of 1 to 2 liters.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the steam generator comprises an output means for indicating a possible calcification in the boiling chamber and an output means for issuing instructions to the user for carrying out the descaling process. As a means of issuing the instructions is particularly well a light display or a display. For example, an LED can be used as a light indicator for the display of the descaling time. This is signaled by the LED in the control panel of the steam generator or the ironing system to the operator during operation, when the Entkalkungszeitpunkt moves closer. The initially extinguished LED starts at a certain time initially to flash slowly, which is later alternated by a faster flashing. During this time, the operator has the opportunity to start the descaling process. If the operator does not respond to this graded warning, the device will be disabled the next time it is switched on and will only be released again after the descaling process has been carried out.

To detect the amount of water supplied to the boiling chamber for the decalcification cycle, it is expedient to arrange a detection means in the boiling chamber. The detection means comprises a filling level sensor mounted in the boiling chamber, which in conjunction with the duration of the activity of the water supply device forms a measure of the amount of water supplied. Thus, based on the times when the water supply is activated and the sensor signal indicating the level in the boiling chamber, the microcontroller can perform a very accurate calculation or determination of the amount of water supplied, and time behavior for the level rise in the boiling chamber Take in increased amount of water in the boiling chamber, as for a Descaling is needed. The microcontroller measures in this embodiment or in an advantageous development at each filling the empty boiler, the time until the level in the boiler reaches the level sensor. In order to provide overfilling during the decalcification cycle, the filling time is determined in the next decalcification cycle by increasing the previously measured time by a factor greater than 1 and less than 2, preferably approximately by a factor of 1.75.

In an overall advantageous embodiment, the steam generator comprises a collecting container for collecting the drained from the boiling chamber water, which can be pulled out for its emptying from a housing of the steam generator or the ironing station. To increase safety and reliability of the steam generator further comprises a sensor for detecting a container introduced in the collecting container and another sensor for detecting at least one water level in the collecting container. Since in the decalcification process at the end of the actual decalcification an increased amount of water must be drained from the boiling chamber, this is only carried out when the collecting container is previously completely empty. Thus, water damage in the installation area of the steam generator or the ironing system during descaling be reliably avoided

• Erfassen der Einschaltdauer des Heizkörpers über mehrere Betriebszyklen,
• Aktivieren des Auslassmittels, wenn ein vorbestimmter Grenzwert für die Einschaltdauer überschritten ist.

A possible embodiment is further a method for operating a steam generator, as described above, with the steps

• Detecting the operating time of the radiator over several operating cycles,
• Activating the exhaust means when a predetermined threshold for the duty cycle is exceeded.

• Erfassen der Einschaltdauer des Heizkörpers über mehrere Betriebszyklen,
• Durchführen eines Entkalkungszyklus, wenn ein vorbestimmter Grenzwert für die Einschaltdauer überschritten ist, wobei im Entkalkungszyklus eine vorbestimmte Wassermenge in die Siedekammer eingelassen wird, die größer ist, als die eingelassene Wassermenge für einen Betriebszyklus.

A possible embodiment is further a method for operating a steam generator, as described above, with the steps

• Detecting the operating time of the radiator over several operating cycles,
• Performing a descaling cycle when a predetermined limit value for the duty cycle is exceeded, wherein in the descaling cycle, a predetermined amount of water is admitted into the boiling chamber, which is greater than the amount of water introduced for one operating cycle.

• Erfassen der in die Siedekammer zugeführten Wassermenge für mehrere Betriebszyklen,
• Durchführen eines Entkalkungszyklus, wenn ein vorbestimmter Grenzwert für die Einschaltdauer überschritten ist, wobei im Entkalkungszyklus eine vorbestimmte Wassermenge in die Siedekammer eingelassen wird, die größer ist, als die eingelassene Wassermenge für einen Betriebszyklus.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a steam generator, as described above, with the steps

• Detecting the amount of water supplied into the boiling chamber for a plurality of operating cycles,
• Performing a descaling cycle when a predetermined limit value for the duty cycle is exceeded, wherein in the descaling cycle, a predetermined amount of water is admitted into the boiling chamber, which is greater than the amount of water introduced for one operating cycle.

After the descaling cycle, the outlet means is deactivated again, the boiling chamber is thus closed again and the control device is set to the initial state, so that the detection of the quantity of water supplied to the boiling chamber or the counting of the operating cycles can start anew. Thus, the descaling cycle is performed automatically and cyclically without the user having to think about it.

In an overall advantageous embodiment, the outlet means is activated in the presence of the collecting container and falls below a predetermined water level in the collecting container to ensure that the discharged residual water does not leak from the device and causes water damage.

In an advantageous development of the method, instructions for the execution of the decalcification cycle are displayed to the user by means of a dispensing means in order to cause the descaling agent to be introduced into the tank and the collecting container to be emptied. An example of the interaction between controller and user is described in a later section below.

Overall, it is expedient that after a number of operating cycles in the range of 10 to 20, the outlet means for complete emptying of the boiling chamber is activated. This number has been found in household normal operating cycles, in each of which an amount of water in the range of 0.5 l to 2 l is evaporated, found to be particularly advantageous as protection against excessive calcification in the boiling chamber.

In a further advantageous further development, a parameter written as in a memory is taken into account as a measure of the water hardness for carrying out a decalcification cycle.

In an overall expedient embodiment, the amount of water to be introduced into the boiling chamber by means of a detection means comprising a mounted in the boiling chamber level sensor, the duration of the activity of the water supply device is detected from the beginning of the water inlet to reach the water level of the level sensor and taking into account this rise time the water level, the water supply is activated for a further period until the increased level for the increased amount of water for a decalcification cycle is reached. This means that no additional sensor is required to detect the increased water level during decalcification. With this simple plausibility check, the exact amount of water required for descaling is reliably and precisely supplied to the boiling chamber. The microcontroller measures in this embodiment or in an advantageous development at each filling the empty boiler, the time until the level in the boiler reaches the level sensor. In order to provide overfilling during the descaling cycle, the filling time is determined by the next descaling cycle, the time measured so far is increased by a factor greater than 1 and less than 2, preferably approximately by a factor of 1.75. Due to the fact that the time for overfilling is always set up to date, changed delivery volumes of the pump are taken into account. For example, the delivery volume may gradually decrease over the course of the operating time. At a fixed preset time for the overfilling of the boiling chamber, it may happen that too little decalcifying liquid is pumped into the boiling chamber. The currently determined filling time up to the normal level or until the probe touches ensures that the desired overfilling is always achieved.

Overall, the controller or a microcontroller providing the controller is programmed to perform the above method.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Bügelstation in betriebsbereitem Zustand;

Fig. 2

ein schematisches Schaltbild des Dampferzeugers;

Fig. 3

den Boiler in einer skizzierten Schnittdarstellung und

Fig. 4a,4b

ein Diagramm für den Betrieb des Dampferzeugers.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows:

Fig. 1

a side view of an ironing station in an operational state;

Fig. 2

a schematic diagram of the steam generator;

Fig. 3

the boiler in a sketched sectional view and

Fig. 4a, 4b

a diagram for the operation of the steam generator.

The FIG. 1 shows an ironing station 1, which comprises an ironing board 2 with a folding frame 3. The frame 3 is in this case arranged on a pillar standing device 4 with a steam generator 6 for an iron 21. As can also be seen, a removable water tank 5 for the steam generator 6 is arranged in the column of the floor unit 4. As further from the FIG. 1 can be seen in an implied manner, the water tank 5 is arranged in an open-access pocket arranged on the column of the standing device 4, which is arranged on the rear wall of the floor unit 4 or on another accessible housing wall.

Within the column-shaped floor unit 4, the steam generator 6 is housed. Here, the boiler 7 is arranged below the tank 5, to which a steam line 12 is connected to produce a steam connection to the iron 21 The boiler 7 comprises a radiator 8 for heating and evaporating the water located in the boiling chamber 9. The boiler 7 further comprises an outlet means 13 for discharging water or decalcifying liquid from the boiling chamber 9 into a trough-shaped collecting container 16. The control device 14 is adapted to the radiator 8 and the valves of the outlet 13 and the steam supply and the water supply means 10 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) to control. The collecting container 16 can be removed from the housing of the standing device 4 in order to empty it conveniently. On the stand unit 4, an operating handle 18 and a display means 19 are further arranged.

• S1 - Wassertankfüllstand 1 ("Tank leer" und "Tank vorhanden")
• S2 - Wassertankfüllstand 2 (Mindestfüllstand für Entkalkungsprogramm)
• S3 - Wasserfüllstand Boiler
• S4 - Wasserfüllstand Abwassertank
• S5 - Abwassertankkontrolle
• S6 - Dampftaste
• SP - Drucksensor mit Schalter (Regelung)
• T1 - Temperaturgrenzschalter für Normalbetrieb
• T2 - Temperaturgrenzschalter für Entkalkungsprozess

Fig. 2 shows a circuit diagram of the steam generator 6. The sensor signals are designated as follows:

• S1 - water tank level 1 ("tank empty" and "tank available")
• S2 - water tank level 2 (minimum level for descaling program)
• S3 - Water level boiler
• S4 - Water level waste water tank
• S5 - Waste water tank control
• S6 - steam button
• SP - pressure sensor with switch (control)
• T1 - Temperature limit switch for normal operation
• T2 - Temperature limit switch for descaling process

From the storage tank 5, the water is pumped by means of a pump 10, which provides the water supply means in the boiling chamber 9 in the boiler 7. The supply takes place dosed so that no overfilling in the boiling chamber 9 takes place. With the heater 8 mounted in or on the boiling chamber 9, the water is heated and evaporated. A steam valve 11a releases the passage to the steam outlet 11, so that the steam can then pass through the steam line 12 to the handset 21. The user controls the steam demand by means of the steam button S6, which is guided as a signal to the microcontroller uC. The control of the radiator 8 is carried out by a microcontroller uC of the control device 14, wherein temperature signals are supplied to the microprocessor with a temperature sensor T1, T2, so that it can control the radiator 8 on and off or stage or continuously depending on the sensor signals the radiator. Depending on the sensor signal provided by the pressure sensor SP, the steam valve 11a is controlled. Once a predetermined pressure in the boiling chamber 9 is present, for example in the range of 2 to 6 bar, the valve 11 a is released, so that the activation of the valve 11 a can be done by the mounted on the handset 21 steam button S6 to steam to the steam line 12th or release to the handset 21. A pressure relief valve 17 is used for safe pressure reduction when an error occurs and is too high pressure in the boiling chamber 9. The steam generator further comprises an outlet means 13 for discharging residual water from the boiling chamber 9. The outlet means 13 comprises a valve 15 which is actuated electromagnetically or by an electric motor. The microcontroller μC is configured to control this valve 15. In this case, a driver stage can be used, which amplifies the output signals of the microcontroller uC accordingly. Below the boiler 7, the collecting container 16 is arranged, in which the drained water is collected. The collecting container 16 is then removed from the device housing 4 and can then be emptied at a suitable location. The sensor S4 is provided to detect the empty state of the collecting container 16 and to supply the microcontroller μC as a signal. The sensor S5 detects the proper position of the collecting container 16 in the housing 4 and performs this information as a signal to the microcontroller uC too. The microcontroller μC is set up or programmed such that the outlet means 13 and the valve 15 are only actuated when the collecting container 16 is in its predetermined position and is empty. Otherwise, an additional warning message can be issued. The sensors S1 and S2 in the storage tank 5 serve to sense the water level in the tank 5. The microcontroller uC all sensor signals, as outlined with the arrows, fed. Furthermore, the microcontroller uC comprises a programmable, non-volatile memory MEM in which the value for the water hardness to be used is stored or written in by virtue of an actuation of the operating device 18. The microcontroller uC is further associated with an operating device 18, so that the user can enter into this water hardness value for his water. Furthermore, the microcontroller μC communicates with a display means 19, which signals the user the descaling time and provides user guidance during the descaling cycle.

Fig. 3 shows in a sectional detail view of the boiler 7. In the boiling chamber 9 protrudes an electrode S3, which serves as a sensor for the level in the boiling chamber 9. The boiling chamber 9 has an outlet 11 and a rim at the top of the chamber. Furthermore, the pressure relief valve 17 can be seen. In normal operation, the water level in the boiling chamber 9 varies between H1 and H2, with the electrode S3 giving a signal to the microcontroller μC as soon as the water surface at level H1 touches the electrode. As soon as the water surface touches the electrode, the resistance between the electrode and the boiler wall changes, or this distance is virtually short-circuited by the water. This changed resistance can be evaluated as a signal from the microcontroller uC.

The timing of the descaling cycle EK is as follows:

The descaling cycle EK is started as a program by pressing a key or an actuation of the operating handle 18. At the same time, the steam generator 6 or the ironing system 1 is locked for normal operation and only released again for normal operation when the complete decalcification EK has expired. The optical displays 19 on the ironing system 1 help the operator through the entire program. This is always stopped if an action is expected by the operator for the respective program step and only then continued again if the program step or the user action was carried out correctly.

In Fig. 4a and 4b the sequence of the normal operating cycles BZ and a decalcification cycle EK is sketched as a diagram. Between time t = 0 and t = 1, normal operating cycles BZ are activated. The Kalkbelag KG in the boiling chamber 9 is steadily increasing. In an operating cycle BZ water is introduced into the boiling chamber 9 from the time t = 0, up to the level H2. During evaporation, the level drops, and when falling below the H1 level water is refilled again. By way of example, two operating cycles BZ are outlined here, but more operating cycles BZ may follow until a decalcification cycle EK has to be carried out. From time t = 1, the decalcification cycle EK is performed. In this case, first water is discharged from the boiling chamber 9, also in the tank 5 as a descaling agent, a so-called descaling tablet is filled, which dissolves up to the time t = 5. From time t = 5, the water added with the descaling agent is now admitted to the boiling chamber 9 up to the level H2. After a residence time until time t = 7 water is further pumped from the tank 5 in the boiling chamber 9, the total intake time is about 1.75 times, as the period between t = 5 to t = 6 for filling to H2. From letting in the descaling solution at time t = 5, lime detachment begins from the inner walls of the boiling chamber. Until the time t = 9, the decalcifying solution can act on the covering. It can be seen from the curve KL that the limescale dissolves until the time t = 9. The lime particles or lime is now dissolved in the descaling solution, as in Fig. 4b is shown. Subsequently, from the time t = 9, the lime particles mixed with water from the boiling chamber 9 is drained. From the time t = 10, the boiling chamber 9 is empty and is now filled to rinse with fresh water to the level H3, which is then discharged again from the time t = 15. From time t = 17, the steam generator is ready for normal operating cycles BZ again. Additional rinsing steps or, as described below, also subsets can be introduced into the boiling chamber 9 in order to improve the rinsing.

At the beginning of the decalcification cycle EK the operator is signaled that the water tank 5 has to be filled to the defined level S2 and equipped with a descaling tablet. After inserting the tank 5, the device 1 waits for a certain time, so that the tablet is completely dissolved. A small fraction of this descaler solution is then pumped into the cold boiler 7 or into the boiling chamber 9, where it mixes with the residual water. After closing the bottom opening 11 descaling solution is again pumped into the boiler 7 and heated there to a temperature just below the threshold value T2 to accelerate the reaction process. The required level in the boiler 7 is composed of the level up to the level sensor S3 and the level, which results from a defined fraction of the pump running time, which is necessary to reach the first level. After a defined exposure time, the used solution is discharged via the valve 15 into the collecting container 16. The operator is now asked to fill the water tank 5 with clear water, which then the boiler 7 is rinsed after the filling process already described to remove the remaining solid and liquid residues. This water is also passed into the collecting container 16 at the end, which must be emptied by the operator. After insertion of the emptied collection container 16, the counter is set back for the Entkalkungszeitpunkt and the device independently switched off. The operator must turn the decalcified device 1 back on to operate it in normal operation.

Claims (16)

1. Steam generator (6) for an ironing station (1), comprising a water reservoir (5), a boiler (7) having a heating member (8) for evaporating the water located in the boiler (7), a water supply device (10) for metered supply of the water from the reservoir (5) into a boiling chamber (9) of the boiler (7), the boiler (7) comprising a steam outlet (11) for connecting a steam line (12), to which a handheld device (21) can be connected, and an outlet means (13) for draining the water from the boiling chamber (9) until it is completely drained, it being possible to automatically activate the outlet means (13) and the water supply device by means of a control device (14),
   characterised in that
   the reservoir (5) is filled with water mixed with descaling agent and in that the control device (14) is designed to activate the water supply device (10) and the outlet means (13), in order to admit the water mixed with descaling agent into the boiling chamber (9) up to a predetermined level (H3) and, after a predetermined dwell time (t7) to allow the descaling solution to act on a limescale deposit on the inner walls, to drain said water from the boiling chamber (9), such that an automatic descaling cycle (EK) comprising a descaling solution for the boiling chamber (9) takes place.
2. Steam generator according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the control device (14) is further designed to activate the heating member (8) for a predetermined time for carrying out the descaling cycle (EK).
3. Steam generator according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the outlet means (13) comprises an electromagnetically or an electromotively operable valve (15).
4. Steam generator according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the control device (14) is further designed to control the valve (15) such that pressureless descaling takes place for the boiling chamber.
5. Steam generator according to either claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the control device (14) is designed to activate the water supply device (10) and the outlet means (13) and/or the heating member (8) in accordance with a predetermined operating time of the heating member (8).
6. Steam generator according to either claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the control device (14) is designed to activate the water supply device (10) and the outlet means (13) and/or the heating member (8) after a predetermined amount of water has been admitted into the boiling chamber (9).
7. Steam generator according to either claim 5 or claim 6,
   characterised by
   input means (18) for inputting a water hardness into a non-volatile memory (MEM), which the control device (14) can take into account for the assessment of a possible limescale build-up in the boiling chamber (9).
8. Steam generator according to claim 1,
   characterised by
   output means (19) for indicating a possible limescale build-up in the boiling chamber (9) and output means (19) for outputting instructions to the user for carrying out the descaling process.
9. Steam generator according to claim 1,
   characterised by
   detection means (S1, S2, S3) for detecting the amount of water supplied to the boiling chamber (9).
10. Steam generator according to claim 9,
    characterised in that
    the detection means comprises a filling level sensor (S3) positioned in the boiling chamber (7), which sensor, in conjunction with the activity duration of the water supply device (10), provides a measurement for the supplied water amount for a descaling cycle (EK).
11. Steam generator according to claim 1,
    characterised by
    a collecting vessel (16) for collecting the water drained from the boiling chamber (9), which water can be removed from a housing (4) of the steam generator (6) or of the ironing station (1) until it is drained, and, in addition, a sensor (S5) for detecting a collecting vessel (16) inserted in the housing (4) and an additional sensor (S4) for detecting at least one water filling level in the collecting vessel (16).
12. Method for operating a steam generator according to any of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of:

    - detecting the amount of water supplied to the boiling chamber (9) for a plurality of operating cycles (BZ),

    - carrying out a descaling cycle (EK) if a predetermined threshold value for an operating time of the heating member (8) is exceeded, a predetermined amount of water (H3) being admitted into the boiling chamber (9) in the descaling cycle (EK) which is greater than the amount of water (H1, H2) admitted for an operating cycle (BZ),

    characterised in that
    the water mixed with the descaling agent is admitted into the boiling chamber (9) up to a predetermined level (H3) and drained from the boiling chamber (9) after a dwell time (t9).
13. Method according to claim 12,
    wherein, for carrying out the descaling cycle (EK), instructions are displayed to the user by means of a display means (19), in order to prompt the filling of the reservoir (5) with the descaling agent and the draining of the collecting vessel (16).
14. Method according to claim 12,
    wherein a parameter written in a memory (MEM) is also taken into account as the measurement for the water hardness for carrying out a descaling cycle (EK).
15. Method according to claim 12,
    wherein the amount of water (H3) to be admitted into the boiling chamber (9) takes place by means of a detection means (S3), which comprises a filling level sensor (S3) positioned in the boiling chamber (9), wherein the activity duration of the water supply device (10) is measured from the start of the water admission until the water level (H1) of the filling level sensor (S3) is achieved and, taking into account this rising time of the water level, the water supply device (10) is activated for another period, until the increased level (H3) for the increased amount of water for a descaling cycle (EK) is achieved.
16. Method according to claim 12,
    characterised in that
    the boiling chamber (9) is descaled without pressure, no pressure building up inside the chamber during the descaling.

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