EP2740836A1 - Steam ironing device, steam iron and ironing station - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an ironing soleplate (4) provided with steam outlet openings (6). A vaporization chamber (10) is arranged with a forming part of an ironing sole. A side wall (13) and a top plate (15) are provided for steaming and/or vaporizing liquid (W) entering through an entry opening (14a). The side wall is arranged with the top plate for forming a cover assembly (12). The perimeter side (13a) of the side wall is arranged closer to the ironing soleplate. The side wall extends outwardly from the vaporization chamber for forming a wing (20).

Description

Technical area

The invention is in the field of steam ironing apparatuses, particularly the steam iron or steam ironing station, comprising a soleplate having steam outlets and an evaporation chamber bounded by a sole plate forming part of the soleplate, a side wall and a top plate and into which optional vapor and / or vaporization liquid may be introduced via at least one first introduction port; wherein the sidewall is integral with the top plate and forms a lid assembly.

State of the art

Steam ironing devices are known, in particular steam irons or steam ironing stations, comprising: a soleplate having a soleplate traversed by steam outlets; and a steam generating system having an evaporation chamber communicating with the steam exit openings provided on the upper surface of the sole plate, and into which optional evaporation liquid can be introduced via an introduction opening.

To simplify construction and reduce manufacturing costs, the soleplate is normally made in one piece by means of aluminum injection molding. In the cheaper steam ironing devices, the underside of a soleplate of this type acts directly as a contact surface for ironing. In fact, the underside of the soleplate may also be specially coated to improve its sliding properties as well as the appearance, or it may additionally be provided with a thin metal plate, although this adds to manufacturing complexity and manufacturing costs. In general, the sole plate in plan view has approximately the shape of an isosceles triangle. The evaporation chamber is enclosed by a side wall and an upper wall. The introduction opening for the evaporation liquid in the evaporation chamber is located in the upper wall of the evaporation chamber in a front, that is, to the tip-facing portion of the sole plate, usually in the front third of the sole plate.

The steam outlets in these simpler steam ironing devices are designed primarily in an array of one or more rows of bow or horseshoe shape in the lateral regions of the soleplate near the side wall. Since the soleplate is made by aluminum injection molding, it is easy to spray the sidewall vertically from the top of the soleplate. In this way, the soleplate can be closed with a top wall of relatively simple stainless steel sheet construction which closes off the vaporization chamber. Then, the evaporation chamber is bounded in its circumference by the side wall which rises vertically from the top of the sole plate, and the upper wall is seated thereon and sealed with a silicone cord along the connecting periphery. Sometimes, the connection of the upper wall to the vertical wall due to faulty sealing with the silicone has a small steam leak, and the vapor escapes to the interior of the device and generates electrical failures.

In the document GB 2176505 A a steam iron is shown having a soleplate with steam outlet openings and an evaporation chamber into which the water to be evaporated is introduced. The vaporization chamber is defined by a soleplate forming part of the soleplate, a side wall and an upper plate. A portion of the sidewall is integral with the top panel and forms a lid assembly. With this design, the problem is not solved that steam leaks penetrate into the interior of the device and cause electrical failure.

In addition, the vertical wall is normally as close as possible to the perimeter of the soleplate to allow for a more spacious evaporation chamber. On the soleplate, the rest of the components of the iron is fixed and is covered with a plastic housing, which must keep in a safe construction of the device in the area near the soleplate at a distance from the side wall of the evaporation chamber in order to avoid contact since the high temperatures of the sole could damage the housing. Therefore, the shape of the Housing, and in particular the aesthetics of the device, limited by the shape of the sole plate.

Description of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a steam ironing device with a structurally safe evaporation chamber, which increases the electrical safety of the device.

This object is achieved by means of a steam ironing device according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

A steam ironing apparatus, in particular a steam iron or a steam ironing station, comprising a soleplate having steam outlets and an evaporation chamber bounded by a soleplate forming part of the soleplate, a side wall and a top plate, and optionally steam and / or or evaporation liquid can be introduced via at least one first introduction opening; wherein the sidewall is integral with the top plate and forms a lid assembly, the periphery of the sidewall closer to the soleplate extending outwardly of the vaporization chamber and forming a brim.

The steam ironing device according to the invention is equipped in a known manner with a container for evaporation liquid, in particular water, or can be connected to such. In addition, it comprises: a preferably electric heating device for heating the soleplate and / or the evaporation chamber and / or a steam distribution system; an ironing temperature setting element (optional); and a control for optionally activating and deactivating the steam generating system, for example in the form of a so-called steam switch.

The cover assembly formed by the top wall, the side wall and the rim is preferably formed in one piece, for example as a metal injection molding construction, preferably aluminum. The cavity formed is by means of the soleplate closed, whereby the evaporation chamber is formed. The soleplate may include on its upper side interior walls that rise to the interior of the vaporization chamber and may or may not touch the upper wall, thereby circumscribing subchambers or water retention paths that prevent water from escaping the chamber without being vaporized. The outer surface of the sole may also be coated or an additional thin metal plate may be provided thereon. The coating may be a thin sheet of aluminum, rolled to a thickness of less than 1 mm, attached to the sole by bending its periphery at the edge of the sole. The metal plate may be an aluminum plate of more than 1 mm, preferably more than 1.5 mm, more preferably more than 2 mm, which is attached to the sole by gluing with silicone or the like.

Since the plate thickness or thickness of the soleplate, depending on the structural embodiment, may vary locally, in the sense of the invention "upper surface" of the soleplate is to be understood as the upper surface or the level of the soleplate which is facing upward it faces the rest of the ironing device. That the perimeter of the sidewall extends outside the vaporization chamber and forms a brim is understood to mean that the brim makes an angle of 90 ° or less with the perpendicular to the soleplate outwardly of the vapor chamber. Preferably, it extends in the plane of the soleplate and forms a larger area soleplate although, if the angle is smaller or curved upwardly, it may form a soleplate with curved edges.

The soleplate is seated on the perimeter of the sidewall so that the lid assembly bonds to the soleplate by simple contact, but a tight silicone seal may be made. In this configuration of the evaporation chamber according to the invention, the vapor losses through the connection line between the cover assembly and the soleplate are less relevant because they are not directed towards the interior of the device. The tight seal against liquid and vapor or a corresponding closure may be an integral part of the sole plate. Of course, separate or additional sealing elements are also possible, which may be connected directly or indirectly (for example via an intermediate element) to the soleplate. The closure or the Sealing element must be resistant to the ironing temperature. This means that these elements must be designed to be temperature resistant so that at the temperatures encountered during ironing (generally about 70 ° C - 190 ° C, although in some circumstances up to 260 ° C), the liquid - And steam-tightness is maintained. As a separate or additional sealing element, for example, in combination with other mechanical components, in particular a castable, hardenable sealing compound, for example a silicone composition, can be used. Of course, the invention is not limited to such a separate sealing element.

The heating element is preferably a tube resistor embedded in the lid assembly in an area near the periphery of the side wall where it is connected to the rim. In this way it transfers the heat by contact with the soleplate and facilitates the evaporation of the ironing fluid.

In various embodiments of the invention, the steam outlet openings may be arranged in the sole plate and / or between the sole plate and the circumference of the side wall and / or in the brim.

And in the embodiments in which the soleplate is covered with a sole cover with steam outlet mouths, they can be directly on the sole plate with the evaporation chamber in conjunction, or between the soleplate and the sole cover a first vapor distribution chamber is formed with the steam outlet and the mouth Evaporation chamber is connected via the steam outlet openings.

It is also envisaged that between the soleplate and the sole cover, a second steam distribution chamber is formed, which is connected to the steam outlet and a second filling opening. In this case, it is particularly advantageous, since it is possible to set up what is called the "super-vapor" function, since the water does not enter the evaporation chamber, but is directed directly to the second distribution chamber, which is at least partially below the Heating element runs. In this way, a large amount of water evaporates in a short time.

And in another embodiment, a third steam distribution chamber is formed between the soleplate and the sole cover, which is connected to the steam exit orifices and to an outlet of the evaporation chamber. In this embodiment, the vaporization chamber does not have any vapor outlets because all of the vapor exits through the outlet and is connected to the distribution chamber, which is below the rim and partially the heating element.

In a simplified form of connection, the cover assembly may be secured to the soleplate by means of a threaded connection, in one form the threaded connection having at least one screw passing through the soleplate through a through-opening and screwed into the inside of the cover assembly, or conversely at least the threaded connection a screw penetrating a hole in the cover and screwed into the top of the sole plate. In the connecting line between the two sealing material may be inserted or not.

In a simplified embodiment, the top wall, the side wall and the rim are integrally formed by means of an aluminum injection molding process, whereby the cover assembly is formed in the same shape as the sole plate is made, whereby the different expansion coefficients are avoided if they were made of different materials ,

In order to give greater flexibility to the construction of the plastic housing covering the exterior of the ironing device around the area of the soleplate, it is contemplated that at least the interior or the entire sidewall at least partially sloped towards the interior of the evaporation chamber at least on a portion of the periphery of the cover assembly is, whereby the exterior of the side wall can be given a design of more appropriate shape, such as curved or flat, and that the housing can be made close to her, but without touching it. This also provides the advantage of having steam vents nearer the perimeter of the soleplate, as reducing the height of the lid assembly without contacting the plastic of the housing can increase the surface area of the vaporizing chamber on the soleplate, thereby providing steam to the underside of the soleplate can be brought to which the ironing devices of the prior art do not arrive, and thus the ironing quality can be improved. It should be noted that a lid assembly having a sloping sidewall, such as that of the invention, is very easy to manufacture by the aluminum injection molding system, since the mold does not require the complicated slide or spray systems that would be required if these inclined walls were to be used in one piece to manufacture the sole plate.

Also, an object of the invention is a steam ironing device, in particular a steam iron or a steam ironing station comprising a heatable with a heating element and having a sole cover, the steam outlet mouths, covered soleplate, wherein between the soleplate and the sole cover, a fourth steam distribution chamber is formed with the steam outlet orifices is connected, wherein in the fourth steam distribution chamber optionally steam and / or evaporation liquid can be introduced via at least one second introduction opening. In this form, a steam distribution and production chamber with a particularly high steam generation can be designed in a simple form.

Description of the drawing

Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. In the figures, an embodiment of the invention is shown. The figures, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The skilled person will also consider the properties advantageous individually and combine them in other meaningful combinations.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht der Unterseite einer Deckelbaugruppe einer Bügelsohle ohne Sohlenplatte,

Fig. 2

eine Sohlenplatte, die die Deckelbaugruppe der Fig. 1 verschließt und so die Verdampfungskammer bildet,

Fig. 3

eine Schnittansicht einer Bügelsohle gemäß den Figuren 1 und 2,

Fig. 4

eine Schnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Bügelsohle nach der Erfindung,

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht der Unterseite einer Deckelbaugruppe einer weiteren Bügelsohle ohne Sohlenplatte,

Fig. 6

eine Sohlenplatte, die die Deckelbaugruppe der Fig. 5 verschließt und so die Verdampfungskammer bildet, und

Fig. 7

eine Schnittansicht einer Bügelsohle gemäß den Figuren 5 und 6.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a top view of the underside of a cover assembly of a sole plate without sole plate,

Fig. 2

a soleplate containing the lid assembly of the Fig. 1 closes and so forms the evaporation chamber,

Fig. 3

a sectional view of a soleplate according to the Figures 1 and 2 .

Fig. 4

a sectional view of another embodiment of the sole plate according to the invention,

Fig. 5

a top view of the underside of a cover assembly of another sole plate without sole plate,

Fig. 6

a soleplate containing the lid assembly of the Fig. 5 closes and so forms the evaporation chamber, and

Fig. 7

a sectional view of a soleplate according to the FIGS. 5 and 6 ,

Description of the preferred embodiment

In Fig. 1 is a plan view of the underside of a cover assembly 12 of a soleplate 4 is shown. The lid assembly 12 is made of cast aluminum, in which the tubular, U-shaped heating element 22 is embedded, which faces the interior of the steam ironing device. The interior of the device is enclosed by a housing (not shown in the figures) which has a handle with which the user can manipulate the device by sliding it on the clothing or garment to be ironed. In the steam iron type steam ironing apparatuses, inside is the water tank disposed above the soleplate and supplying vaporization liquid W to the evaporation chamber 10 through a first introduction opening 14a provided in the upper plate 15 of the chamber 10.

The upper plate 15 is connected to the brim 20 in another plane via the side wall 13 at its periphery 13a. The evaporation chamber is with a sole plate 2 as that of the Fig. 2 locked. They can be connected by means of a screw 19 with a screw which passes through a through hole 17 in the upper plate 15 and is screwed into the upper surface 2a of the sole plate 2, as in Fig. 3 or the soleplate may also be adhered to the lid assembly 12 with a temperature resistant adhesive such as silicone, or both forms simultaneously.

In the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 to 3 For example, the soleplate 4 formed by the lid assembly 12 with the sole plate 2 closing the vaporization chamber 10 is covered by a sole cover 24, and preferably bonded to it with temperature-resistant adhesive. In this embodiment, the soleplate has two steam distribution chambers 28b and 28c. One of them, the third steam distribution chamber into which the steam passes from the evaporation chamber 10, is located on the underside of the brim 20 of the soleplate 4 and is covered by the sole cover 24. The vaporization chamber 10 has a first introduction port 14a through which the vaporization liquid or vapor W enters, and an outlet 30 through which the vapor exits through a conduit (not shown) corresponding to the broken line of FIG Fig. 3 follows and is connected by a steam outlet opening 6 with the third steam distribution chamber 28c. The steam exits the third steam distribution chamber 28c through the steam exit orifices 26 that traverse the sole cover.

The other chamber, the second steam distribution chamber 28b, is recessed in the top 2b of the sole plate 2 and channeled by closing against the bottom of the lid assembly 12. In this chamber, evaporation liquid W is introduced through the second introduction opening 14b via the cover assembly 12, which opens directly into the distribution chamber 28b. This chamber extends through the circumference of the sole plate 2 just below the heating element 22 to the steam outlet opening 6 of the sole plate 2, where the steam outlet orifices 26 are located. With this second steam distribution chamber 28b, a particularly large vapor flow can be generated in a short period of time. In the same shape as the second chamber recessed into the top of the soleplate and channeled through the bottom of the lid assembly, it could be opposite, that is, recessed into the bottom of the lid assembly and channeled through the top of the soleplate.

Another way to produce this vapor stream in similar form is in the FIGS. 5 to 7 4, where the fourth steam distribution chamber 28d is recessed into the underside of the cover assembly 12 and is covered and channeled by the sole cover 24 in the same manner as in the previous embodiment and extends below the heating element 22 to the steam exit orifices 26. To her the evaporation liquid or vapor W passes directly through the second introduction opening 14b, which is directly connected to the fourth steam chamber 28d in contrast to the previous embodiment.

In Fig. 4 a further soleplate 4 according to the invention is shown in the sectional view, in which the upper plate 15 is connected to the brim 20 in another plane via the side wall 13 at its periphery 13a. The evaporation chamber is closed with a sole plate 2; they may be connected by means of a screw 19 with a screw which passes through a through hole 121 in the sole plate 2 and is screwed into the top of the upper plate 15 of the evaporation chamber 10. In the embodiment of the Fig. 4 For example, the soleplate 4 formed by the lid assembly 12 with the sole plate 2 closing the vaporization chamber 10 is covered by a sole cover 24 and preferably bonded to it with temperature-resistant adhesive. In this embodiment, the soleplate has a steam distribution chamber 28a. The evaporation chamber 10 has a first introduction opening 14a through which the evaporation liquid or vapor W enters, and a plurality of steam exit openings 6 in the form of channels formed between the sole plate 2 and the lid assembly 12 just below the heating element 22 and through which the steam rises to the first steam distribution chamber 28a. The chamber 28a extends to the rear of the soleplate 2 below the heating element, and from it branch channels that bring the steam to steam exit orifices 26 that traverse the sole cover. This design of the soleplate does not necessarily have to be clad with the sole cover, since the steam outlet openings 6 can distribute the steam correctly through the soleplate.

In each of the embodiments, the vaporization chamber 10 may include interior walls 18 for directing the vaporization liquid and / or vapor through the interior of the chamber and facilitating its vaporization.

Each of the vapor distribution chambers 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d may be zigzagged or labyrinthed to increase the distance of the water or vapor W and to ensure that it remains vaporized or vaporous, especially when below of the heating element 22 extends. This is easy to manufacture since the soleplate 2 and the lid assembly 12 are fabricated by a metal casting process.

The support of the sole plate 2 in the lid assembly 12, which forms the evaporation chamber, may be stepped, as in FIG Fig. 3 to see, or not, as in Fig. 7 see, depending on the design of the steam distribution chambers. The great advantage of an ironing device with a soleplate of this type is that no tight seal is required in the upper plate of the steam chamber as in the prior art irons.

Each of the steam distribution chambers applies to steam irons with built-in water tank or for ironing stations, where the steam generation takes place in a separate boiler storage. With the steam iron, the heating element must be sufficiently powerful to vaporize all of the water entering the vaporization chamber and vapor distribution chambers, and the ironing stations, to vaporize all of the vapor entering these chambers.

reference numeral

4

soleplate

2

soleplate

2a

top

6

Vapor outlet opening (s)

10

Evaporation chamber

12

lid assembly

13

Side wall

13a

scope

14a

first introduction opening

14b

second introduction opening

15

upper plate

17

Through Hole

18

inner wall

19

screw

21

Through opening

20

brim

22

heating element

24

sole cover

26

Steam vents

28a

first steam distribution chamber

28b

second steam distribution chamber

28c

third steam distribution chamber

28d

fourth steam distribution chamber

30

Outlet of the evaporation chamber

W

Evaporating liquid

Claims (16)

Steam ironing apparatus, in particular a steam iron or a steam ironing station, comprising: a soleplate (4) having the steam outlet openings (6), and an evaporation chamber (10) limited by a soleplate (2) forming part of the soleplate (4), a side wall (13), and an upper plate (15), and into which optional vapor and / or vaporization liquid (W) may be introduced via at least one first introduction port (14a); the side wall (13) being integral with the top panel (15) and forming a lid assembly (12),
characterized in that the circumference (13a) of the side wall (13) extends closer to the soleplate (4) to the outside of the evaporation chamber (10) and forms a brim (20). Steam ironing device according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the brim (20) extends outside the evaporation chamber in the plane of the soleplate (2) as part of the soleplate (4). Steam ironing device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the sole plate (2) is seated on the circumference (13a) of the side wall (13) so as to close the evaporation chamber (10). Steam ironing device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
a heating element (22) is disposed in the lid assembly (12). Steam ironing device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the soleplate (4) is covered with a sole cover (24) having steam exit orifices (26). Steam ironing device according to claim 5,
characterized in that
between the soleplate (4) and the sole cover (24) a first steam distribution chamber (28a) is formed, which is connected to the steam outlet openings (26) and the evaporation chamber (10) via steam outlet openings (6). Steam ironing device according to claim 5 or 6,
characterized in that
between the soleplate (4) and the sole cover (24) a second steam distribution chamber (28b) is formed, which is connected to the steam outlet orifices (26) and to a second filling opening (14b). Steam ironing device according to one of claims 5 to 7,
characterized in that
between the soleplate (4) and the sole cover (24) is formed a third steam distribution chamber (28c) connected to the steam exit orifices (26) and to an outlet of the evaporation chamber (30). Steam ironing device according to claim 4 and one of claims 6 to 8,
characterized in that
the steam distribution chamber (28a, 28b, 28c) extends at least partially below the heating element (22). Steam ironing device according to one of claims 6 to 9,
characterized in that
the steam distribution chamber (28a, 28b, 28c) is at least partially formed in the brim (20). Steam ironing device according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the cover assembly (12) on the sole plate (2), in particular by means of a screw connection (19) is fixed. Steam ironing device according to claim 11,
characterized in that
the screw connection (19) has at least one screw which passes through a passage opening (21) in the sole plate (2) and is screwed into the inside of the cover assembly (12), and / or the screw connection (19) has at least one screw which through a through hole (17) in the upper plate (15) and screwed into the upper surface (2a) of the sole plate (2). Steam ironing device according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the side wall (13), the top plate (15) and the brim (20) are integrally formed by means of an aluminum injection molding process and form the lid assembly (12). A steam ironing apparatus, in particular a steam iron or steam ironing station, comprising a soleplate (4) heatable with a heating element (22) and having a sole cover (24) having steam exit mouths (26), between the soleplate (4) and the sole cover (24) a fourth steam distribution chamber (28d) is formed, which is connected to the steam exit orifices (26),
characterized in that
in the fourth steam distribution chamber (28d) optionally steam and / or evaporation liquid (W) via at least the second insertion opening (14b) can be introduced. Steam iron with an ironing device according to one of the preceding claims. Ironing station with an ironing device according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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