EP4650511A1

EP4650511A1 - Garment steaming device and control method thereof

Info

Publication number: EP4650511A1
Application number: EP24175412.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Udayappan Praveen KANNAN; Sudhakar SIVANESAN
Original assignee: Versuni Holding BV
Current assignee: Versuni Holding BV
Priority date: 2024-05-13
Filing date: 2024-05-13
Publication date: 2025-11-19
Also published as: WO2025237651A1

Abstract

Provided is a garment steaming device (100) comprising a steam chamber (104) and an electrical heater (105) for heating the steam chamber. The garment steaming device also comprises a controller (120) adapted to determine when the heater is powered-on, measure a duration during which the heater is continuously powered-on, and power-off the heater when the duration exceeds a given threshold duration. Further provided is a method and a related computer program for operating a garment steaming device comprising a steam chamber and an electrical heater for heating the steam chamber.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a garment steaming device having a heater and a controller adapted to control the heater.
The invention further relates to a method and related computer program for operating such a garment steaming device.
The invention may be used in the field of garment care.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garment steaming devices may be used for treating and refreshing fabric or garments. Various types of garment steaming devices are known. Some garment steaming devices have a labyrinth-type steam chamber design in which fluid is required to follow a winding fluid path towards the steam chamber's outlet. Such a labyrinth-type design can benefit from being relatively robust with respect to changing orientation of the steam chamber during use.
However, labyrinth-type designs may be susceptible to lime scale clogging, resulting in reduced operational lifespan and suboptimal steam performance, especially in terms of inconsistent steam generation as well as start and stop delays, in other words delays to delivery and cessation of delivery of steam.
Another type of steam chamber has a heated steaming surface with no labyrinth. In this case, water dosed into the steam chamber is spread on the steaming surface, and the thus distributed water is vaporized. No defined fluid flow path may be provided with this type of steam chamber: water is free to move in an open steam chamber in order to be vaporized. The robustness of this design with respect to lime scale build-up and handling surplus water being dosed into the steam chamber, as well as relatively consistent steam generation and minimal start and stop delays, represent advantages over the labyrinth-type design.
However, challenges remain with steam chambers having no labyrinth, in terms of managing so-called "spitting", in other words non-vaporized water exiting the steam chamber, and more particularly ensuring uniformity of temperature. Regarding the latter, hot spots, in which the temperature is higher than in other areas, can risk causing damage to the garment steaming device.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been found that functioning of garment steaming devices that have been used over a relatively long period can deteriorate, for example by lime scale build-up in the steam chamber causing water to not spread properly on the steaming surface. More specifically, water can accumulate in the steam chamber around a temperature sensing point due to this lime scale build-up in the steam chamber.
During operation, the heater that heats the steam chamber tends to be powered-on/powered-off at intervals based on a given set temperature, power rating of the heater and rate of water dosing to the steam chamber, as well as the design of the steam chamber.
When the condition of the garment steaming device has deteriorated, due, for example, to lime scale build-up and concomitant water accumulation around a sensing point at which a thermal sensor is arranged, it can take a relatively long time for the given set temperature to be reached, or in some cases the given set temperature may not be reached at all. Consequently, the heater can remain powered-on, and this can result in overheating of parts of, in other words cause hot spots in, the steam chamber. Formation of such hot spots can risk causing damage to the garment steaming device.
It is an object of the invention to propose a garment steaming device that avoids or mitigates one or more of the above-mentioned problems.
The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.
To this end, the garment steaming device according to a first aspect of the invention comprises:

a steam chamber,
an electrical heater for heating the steam chamber,
a steaming front plate, and
a controller adapted to:
1. i- determine when the heater is powered-on,
2. ii- measure a duration during which the heater is continuously powered-on, and
3. iii- power-off the heater when the duration exceeds a given threshold duration.

This control over the heater can assist to minimize the risk of formation of the hot spots described above, since the controller sets a limit, via the given threshold duration, on how long the heater is continuously powered-on.
It is noted that the term "duration during which the heater is continuously powered-on" is used interchangeably herein with the term "continuous powered-on duration."
In some embodiments, the given threshold duration has a fixed value. The fixed value of the given threshold duration can, for example, be calculated based on power consumption, water dosing rate and other source(s) of energy loss during ironing/steaming using the garment steaming device.
In some embodiments, the garment steaming device comprises a thermal sensor for sensing a temperature of the steam chamber.
The thermal sensor enables, for example, real-time monitoring of the temperature of the steam chamber, e.g. as well as a temperature of the steaming front plate.
In such embodiments, the heater can be arranged to be powered-on, subject to the heater not being powered-off in response to the given threshold duration being exceeded, when the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor is lower than a given set temperature. This means that the heater is controllable based on the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor while the continuous powered-on duration of the heater does not exceed the given threshold duration, but when the continuous powered-on duration exceeds the given threshold duration, the heater is forced by the controller to power-off, even if the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor is below the given set temperature.
In some embodiments, the controller is adapted to prevent the heater being powered-on during a given time period during which the heater is continuously powered-off in response to the given threshold duration having been exceeded. The given time period can enable heat to dissipate in any hotter areas of the steam chamber that have formed as a result of the continuous powered-on duration exceeding the given threshold duration.
In some embodiments, the given time period, during which the heater is continuously powered-off in response to the given threshold duration having been exceeded, has a fixed value. The fixed value of the given time period can, for example, be calculated based on power consumption, water dosing rate and other source(s) of energy loss during ironing/steaming using the garment steaming device.
In some embodiments, the garment steaming device comprises a sensor for detecting an orientation and/or motion of the steaming front plate.
Inclusion of the sensor for detecting orientation and/or motion can offer substantial benefits, in terms of assessing ironing-related energy losses.
In particular, the sensor for detecting motion can enable differentiation between active garment ironing/steaming, indicated by movement of the steaming front plate, and periods of inactivity where no ironing/steaming occurs.
In some embodiments, the controller is adapted to adjust at least one working parameter of the garment steaming device based on the orientation and/or motion detected by the sensor.
For example, the working parameter(s) comprise(s) a rate of steam delivery from the garment steaming device 100 and/or the given set temperature used to control the heater.
In such embodiments, the rate of steam delivery can be increased and/or the given set temperature used to control the heater can be increased when the sensor detects motion of the steaming front plate compared to when the sensor detects that the steaming front plate is at rest.
Alternatively or additionally, the rate of steam delivery can be adjusted and/or the given set temperature used to control the heater can be adjusted when the sensor detects change of orientation of the steaming front plate, e.g. between a horizontal and a vertical orientation of the steaming front plate.
In some embodiments, the controller is adapted to implement the steps (i) to (iii) subject to a vertical orientation of the steaming front plate being detected by the sensor. In other words, the control logic provided by the steps (i) to (iii) can be implemented exclusively when the steaming front plate is vertically orientated.
This reflects the usefulness of the control logic when the steaming front plate, e.g. together with the steam chamber, is vertically orientated.
It is noted that the horizontal orientation of the steaming front plate can correspond to orientations within a range of +/-15 degrees from the horizontal, with the label "vertical orientation" being used for any angles beyond this range.
Alternatively, the vertical orientation of the steaming front plate can correspond to the steaming front plate being 90 degrees compared to horizontal, +/- 15 degrees.
The sensor can be of any suitable type provided that the sensor is capable of detecting motion and/or orientation. For example, the sensor comprises one or more accelerometers.
In some embodiments, the sensor, e.g. accelerometer(s)-comprising sensor, comprises a micro-electromechanical system, MEMS, sensor.
Such a MEMS sensor can, for instance, detect the vertical orientation of the steaming front plate.
In some embodiments, the garment steaming device comprises a steamer head that includes the steam chamber and the steaming front plate.
Alternatively or additionally, the steaming front plate can extend in a plane that is parallel to a plane of the steam chamber, for example parallel to a plane of a steaming surface on which water is dosed to generate steam.
In some embodiments, the garment steaming device comprises a base unit comprising a water tank, and a hose cord for fluidly connecting the steamer head to the base unit.
According to a second aspect there is provided a method of operating a garment steaming device, the garment steaming device comprising:

a steam chamber,
an electrical heater for heating the steam chamber, and
a steaming front plate, the method comprising:
1. i- determining when the heater is powered-on,
2. ii- measuring a duration during which the heater is continuously powered-on, and
3. iii- powering-off the heater when the duration exceeds a given threshold duration.

In some embodiments, and as previously described in relation to the first aspect, the given threshold duration, in the context of step iii of the method, has a fixed value.
In some embodiments, the garment steaming device operated in the method comprises a thermal sensor for sensing a temperature of the steam chamber, with the heater being arranged to be powered-on, subject to the heater not being powered-off in response to the given threshold duration being exceeded, when the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor is lower than a given set temperature.
In some embodiments, the method comprises preventing the heater from being powered-on during a given time period during which the heater is continuously powered-off in response to the given threshold duration having been exceeded, with the given time period preferably having a fixed value.
In embodiments in which the garment steaming device comprises a sensor for detecting an orientation of the steaming front plate, the steps (i) to (iii) of the method can be implemented subject to a vertical orientation of the steaming front plate being detected by the sensor. According to a third aspect there is provided a computer program comprising instructions codes which, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to implement the method according to any of the embodiments described herein.
According to an additional aspect, one or more non-transitory computer readable media is/are provided, the non-transitory computer readable media having a computer program comprising instructions codes stored thereon, and the instructions codes are configured, when the computer program is run on a controller, to cause the controller to implement the method according to any of the embodiments described herein.
Detailed explanations and other aspects of the invention will be given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Particular aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts or sub-steps are designated in the same manner:

Fig. 1 schematically depicts a garment steaming device according to an example,
Fig.2 provides an interior plan view of a steamer head according to an example,
Fig.3A provides a schematic cross-sectional view showing optimal water distribution in a steam chamber,
Fig.3B provides a schematic plan view of the optimal water distribution shown in Fig.3A,
Fig.4A provides a schematic cross-sectional view showing suboptimal water distribution in a steam chamber,
Fig.4B provides a schematic plan view of the suboptimal water distribution shown in Fig.4A,
Fig.5 provides a flowchart of a method according to an example, and
Fig.6 provides a flowchart of control logic according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Provided is a garment steaming device comprising a steam chamber and an electrical heater for heating the steam chamber. The garment steaming device also comprises a controller adapted to determine when the heater is powered-on, measure a duration during which the heater is continuously powered-on, and power-off the heater when the duration exceeds a given threshold duration. Further provided is a method and a related computer program for operating a garment steaming device comprising a steam chamber and an electrical heater for heating the steam chamber.
Fig.1 schematically depicts a garment steaming device 100 according to an example. The garment steaming device 100 is suitable for steaming a garment. As shown in Fig.1, the garment steaming device 100 comprises a steaming front plate 101. The steaming front plate 101 can delimit at least one steam vent 102 through which steam is deliverable from the garment steaming device 100.
It is noted that the steaming front plate 101 can be alternatively termed a "treatment plate" or "soleplate".
The steaming front plate 101 can be formed from any suitable material. In some embodiments, the steaming front plate 101 comprises a metal alloy and/or a metal, e.g. aluminum. For example, the metal alloy- and/or metal-comprising steaming front plate 101 can be coated with a coating, such as a metal oxide coating.
In some embodiments, such as shown in Fig. 1, the garment steaming device 100 comprises a steamer head 103, which steamer head 103 is moveable by a user over the garment being steamed using the garment steaming device 100.
For example, the steaming front plate 101 is included in the steamer head 103.
The garment steaming device 100 comprises a steam chamber 104. The steam chamber 104 is heated by an electrical heater 105. Heating of the steam chamber 104 by the heater 105 enables water in the steam chamber 104 to be vaporized.
Preferably, the heater 105 is arranged to heat the steaming front plate 101, as well as being arranged to heat the steam chamber 104.
The heater 105 can have any suitable design. In at least some embodiments, the heater 105 comprises a tubular heating element. For example, the heater 105 comprises a tubular heating element arranged to heat the steam chamber 104 as well as being arranged to heat the steaming front plate 101.
In some embodiments, and still referring to Fig. 1, the garment steaming device 100 includes a thermal sensor 106 for sensing a temperature of the steam chamber 104. In such embodiments, the heater 105 can, subject to fulfilment of certain condition(s) as described in more detail herein below, be powered-on to heat the steam chamber 104 when the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor 106 is lower than a given set temperature.
The thermal sensor 106 enables, for example, real-time monitoring of the temperature of the steam chamber 104, e.g. as well as a temperature of the steaming front plate 101.
The thermal sensor 106 can therefore help to ensure efficient operation of the garment steaming device 100.
In some embodiments, such as shown in Fig.1, the garment steaming device 100 comprises a pump 107 for pumping water to the steam chamber 104. In other words, the garment steaming device 100 comprises the pump 107 and a hydraulic pathway for delivering water to the steam chamber 104.
Controlling how much water is pumped by the pump 107 to the steam chamber 104 can provide a convenient way of controlling how much steam is generated, and thus the amount of steam delivered, e.g. a rate of steam delivery, by the garment steaming device 100.
In some embodiments, such as shown in Fig.1, the steamer head 103 comprises a steam trigger 108 for controlling steam delivery from the steamer head 103. Thus, user-actuation of the steam trigger 108 can enable the user to adjust steam delivery from the garment steaming device 100.
Such a steam trigger 108 can provide a convenient and intuitive way for the user to control the steaming device's 100 steam delivery.
In embodiments in which the garment steaming device 100 comprises the pump 107, the steam trigger 108 can be arranged to control the pump 107. For example, the steam trigger 108 is actuatable to control a flow rate of water to the steam chamber 104, and thus a rate of steam delivery from the garment steaming device 100.
The steam trigger 108 can, for instance, be arranged to initiate steam delivery or manage pump on/off cycles of the pump 107.
Irrespective of the precise manner in which the pump 107 is controlled, the pump 107 can be arranged to pump water from a water tank 109 to the steam chamber 104.
The water tank 109 can accordingly store the water to be used for generating steam. When steam delivery is required, the pump 107 can be controlled, e.g. via user-actuation of the steam trigger 108, to pump the water from the water tank 109 to the steam chamber 104.
In some embodiments, such as shown in Fig.1, the garment steaming device 100 comprises a base unit 110, which base unit 110 comprises the water tank 109. The base unit 110 preferably includes the pump 107.
In such embodiments, a hose cord 111 can fluidly connect the base unit 110 to the steamer head 103. By incorporating the water tank 109 in the base unit 110, rather than in the steamer head 103, a capacity of the water tank 109 can be increased without compromising maneuverability of the steamer head 103. Such a higher capacity water tank 109 can enable the user to operate the garment steaming device 100 for longer before having to refill the water tank 109.
It is generally noted that the thermal sensor 106 can be strategically positioned to detect incoming water used for steam generation and to provide an input signal for controlling the heater 105. The input signal can be provided to a controller 120 that controls the powered-on or powered-off status of the heater 105. In this case, the controller 120 is configured to compare the sensed temperature of the steam chamber 104, as indicated by the input signal, with the given set temperature and to control the heater 105, e.g. by controlling a relay for managing the heater's 105 powered-on/powered-off state, to be powered-on if the sensed temperature is lower than the given set temperature or to be powered-off if the sensed temperature is higher than or at the given set temperature. The controller 120 can therefore monitor the powered-on/powered-off status of the heater 105.
Despite the strategic positioning of the thermal sensor 106, and referring now to Fig.2, a fixed location of the thermal sensor 106 can present challenges, particularly in a steam chamber 104 having a heated steaming surface 112 with no labyrinth, in other words an open steam chamber 104. Such challenges primarily relate to inadequate water distribution on the steaming surface 112.
Several factors can contribute to this issue, including relatively high flow resistance in the hydraulic pathway, obstructions that can cause reduced water stream distance on the steaming surface 112, contamination of a steam promoter coating provided on the steaming surface 112, and contamination of the water being dosed into the steam chamber 104.
When the condition of the garment steaming device 100 has deteriorated, due, for example, to lime scale build-up and concomitant water accumulation around a sensing point at which the thermal sensor 106 is arranged, it can take a relatively long time for the given set temperature to be reached, or in some cases the given set temperature may not be reached at all. Consequently, the heater 105 can remain powered-on, and this can result in overheating of parts of, in other words cause hot spots in, the steam chamber 104.
In particular, when the steam chamber 104, e.g. the steaming surface 112 thereof, is vertically orientated, elevated temperatures may result proximal to the top 113 of the vertically orientated steam chamber 104.
Elevated temperatures caused by the heater 105 remaining powered-on for longer due to inadequate water distribution on the steaming surface 112 can lead to various issues, such as degradation and leaking of sealing paste used to seal the steam chamber 104, cracks in wall(s) delimiting the steam chamber 104 due to thermal fatigue, as well as deformation of any plastic components arranged proximal to the hot spots, for example arranged proximal to the top 113 of the vertically orientated steam chamber 104.
Figs.3A and 3B schematically illustrate a favourable operating condition of the garment steaming device 100, in which water is dosed via a dosing point 114 onto the vertically orientated steaming surface 112 and the water spreads relatively evenly on the steaming surface 112, including to the thermal sensor 106 (see the water spreading denoted in Figs.3A and 3B by the dotted lines 115). The water does not, however, accumulate at the thermal sensor 106.
By contrast, Figs.4A and 4B schematically illustrate an unfavourable operating condition of the garment steaming device 100, in which water dosed via the dosing point 114 on the vertically orientated steaming surface 112 spreads unevenly on the steaming surface 112 so as to accumulate in the vicinity of the thermal sensor 106 (see the water spreading denoted in Figs.4A and 4B by the dotted lines 116). In this scenario, the water accumulation around the thermal sensor 106 can cause the heater 105 to remain powered-on for longer because this accumulated water provides a cold spot in the steam chamber 104 that prolongs the time taken for, or even prevents, the given set temperature being detected by the thermal sensor 106 to be reached. Hot spot(s) 117 in the steam chamber 104 can accordingly be formed where the water has not accumulated, in particular proximal to the top 113 of the vertically orientated steam chamber 104, as previously described.
Referring again to Fig.1, the garment steaming device 100 according to the present disclosure correspondingly comprises a controller 120, e.g. a controller 120 comprising one or more microcontroller(s), adapted to: i-determine when the heater 105 is powered-on, ii-measure a duration during which the heater 105 is continuously powered-on, and iii-power-off the heater 105 when the duration exceeds a given threshold duration.
This control over the heater 105 can assist to minimize the risk of formation of the hot spots described above, since the controller 120 sets a limit, via the given threshold duration, on how long the heater 105 is continuously powered-on.
The heater control according to the present disclosure can enhance robustness of energy control in the garment steaming device 100, as well as helping to ensure that hot spot temperatures are effectively managed and affected/exacerbated as little as possible by external factors, such as water flow resistance in the garment steaming device's 100 hydraulic pathway, e.g. tubing, contamination of the above-mentioned steam promoter coating, and/or influx of contaminated water into the steam chamber 104.
The controller 120 can be implemented in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the controller 120, e.g. the microcontroller(s) thereof, is included in a printed circuit board assembly. For instance, the controller 120 may be in the form of a software control system integrated into such a printed circuit board assembly.
The powering-on and powering-off of the heater 105 can be implemented using any suitable approach. In some embodiments, the garment steaming device 100 includes a relay for managing the heater's 105 powered-on/powered-off state.
The relay can, for example, be included in the printed circuit board assembly.
The way in which measurement of the duration (during which the heater 105 is continuously powered-on) is implemented is not particularly limited. The controller 120 can, for example, include a timer that is started to monitor the powered-on time of the heater 105 upon powering-on of the heater 105 being detected, with the controller 120 being adapted to compare the powered-on time with the given threshold duration, and to force the heater 105 to power-off once the powered-on time goes beyond the given threshold duration.
The timer that monitors the powered-on time of the heater 105 can reset whenever the heater 105 is powered-off, e.g. powered-off due to the given set temperature being reached or forced to power-off should the powered-on time exceed the given threshold duration. In this way, the duration during which the heater 105 is continuously powered-on is measured, and this duration is used to power-off the heater 105 should the given threshold duration be exceeded.
In embodiments in which the garment steaming device 100 includes the thermal sensor 106, the heater 105 can be arranged to be powered-on, subject to the heater 105 not being powered-off in response to the given threshold duration being exceeded, when the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor 106 is lower than the given set temperature. This means that the heater 105 is controllable based on the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor 106 while the continuous powered-on duration of the heater 105 does not exceed the given threshold duration, but when the continuous powered-on duration exceeds the given threshold duration, the heater 105 is forced by the controller 120 to power-off, even if the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor 106 is below the given set temperature.
In some embodiments, the controller 120 is adapted to prevent the heater 105 being powered-on during a given time period during which the heater 105 is continuously powered-off in response to the threshold duration having been exceeded. The given time period can enable heat to dissipate in any hotter areas of the steam chamber 104 that have formed as a result of the continuous powered-on duration exceeding the given threshold duration.
For example, the controller 120 includes a timer to monitor the continuous, in other words forced, powered-off time of the heater 105 so that the given time period is complete prior to the heater 105 being once again permitted to be powered-on.
In some embodiments, and referring again to Fig.1, the garment steaming device 100 comprises a sensor 121 for detecting an orientation and/or motion of the steaming front plate 101.
Inclusion of the sensor 121 for detecting orientation and/or motion can offer substantial benefits, in terms of assessing ironing-related energy losses. In particular, the sensor 121 for detecting motion can enable differentiation between active garment ironing/steaming, indicated by movement of at least part of the garment steaming device 100, e.g. the steamer head 103, and periods of inactivity where no ironing/steaming occurs.
In some embodiments, the controller 120 is adapted to adjust at least one working parameter of the garment steaming device 100 based on the orientation and/or motion detected by the sensor 121.
For example, the working parameter(s) comprise(s) the rate of steam delivery from the garment steaming device 100 and/or the given set temperature.
In such embodiments, the rate of steam delivery can be increased and/or the given set temperature used to control the heater 105 can be increased when the sensor 121 detects motion of the steaming front plate 101 compared to when the sensor 121 detects that the steaming front plate 101 is at rest.
Alternatively or additionally, the rate of steam delivery can be adjusted and/or the given set temperature used to control the heater 105 can be adjusted when the sensor 121 detects change of orientation of the steaming front plate 101, e.g. between a horizontal and a vertical orientation of the steaming front plate 101.
It is noted that the horizontal orientation of the steaming front plate 101 can correspond to orientations within a range of +/-15 degrees from the horizontal, with the label "vertical orientation" being used for any angles beyond this range.
Alternatively, the vertical orientation of the steaming front plate 101 can correspond to the steaming front plate 101 being 90 degrees compared to horizontal, +/- 15 degrees.
It is noted that in some embodiments, such as shown in Figs.1 and 2, the steaming front plate 101 extends in a plane that is parallel to a plane of the steam chamber 104, for example parallel to a plane of the steaming surface 112.
A vertically orientated steaming front plate 101 can thus be associated with a vertically orientated steam chamber 104, e.g. a vertically orientated steaming surface 112 thereof, with a horizontally orientated steaming front plate 101 correspondingly being associated with a horizontally orientated steam chamber 104, e.g. a horizontally orientated steaming surface 112 thereof.
In some embodiments, the controller is adapted to implement the steps (i) to (iii) subject to the vertical orientation of the steaming front plate 101 being detected by the sensor 121. In other words, the control logic provided by the steps (i) to (iii) can be implemented exclusively when the steaming front plate 101 is vertically orientated.
This reflects the usefulness of the control logic when the steaming front plate 101, e.g. together with the steam chamber 104/steaming surface 112 (or the steamer head 103 as a whole), is vertically orientated.
More generally, the sensor 121 can be of any suitable type provided that the sensor 121 is capable of detecting motion and/or orientation. For example, the sensor 121 comprises one or more accelerometers.
In some embodiments, the sensor 121, e.g. accelerometer(s)-comprising sensor 121, comprises a micro-electromechanical system, MEMS, sensor. Such a MEMS sensor can, for instance, detect the vertical orientation of the steaming front plate 101.
It is noted at this point that in at least some embodiments, the given threshold duration has a fixed value. Alternatively or additionally, the given time period (during which the heater 105 is continuously powered-off) can have a fixed value.
The given threshold duration and/or the given time period can be calculated thresholds, e.g. based on power consumption, water dosing rate and other source(s) of energy loss.
In some embodiments, the fixed value(s) of the given threshold duration and/or the given time period is/are calculated via an energy calculation that considers an input steam rate, power of the heater 105, ironing loss, ambient convection loss, and either a standard steam triggering pattern or a customized pattern for each triggering cycle.
In a non-limiting illustrative example, the fixed value of the given threshold duration is calculated using the following equation 1: Given threshold duration = (steam rate x 43 x steam trigger on time + ironing power loss x steam trigger on time + convection power loss x steam trigger off time) / rated input power where steam rate is equal to a water dosing rate in g/minute; the value 43 is the power in W required to convert 1 g/minute of water at 25°C to 100°C steam; steam trigger on time is the time in seconds for which the steaming is activated via the steam trigger 108 and is assumed as useful time for ironing; the steam trigger off time is the time in seconds for which the steaming is not activated and is assumed as the time of not ironing (note that the steam trigger off time can, for instance, be predefined based on the 90th percentile user triggering pattern data, for example 17 seconds on/3 seconds off for vertical steaming with the steaming front plate 101 in the vertical orientation); ironing power loss is the power in W required for ironing a garment; convection power loss is power loss in W to ambient; and rated input power is power in W delivered by the heater 105.
Alternatively or additionally, the fixed value of the given time period, in other words forced heater 105 off time, can be calculated using the following equation 2: Given time period = steam trigger on time + steam trigger off time - given threshold duration where the steam trigger on time and the steam trigger off time have the meanings provided above, and the given threshold duration is calculated using equation 1.
For example, if the steam rate = 25 g/minute; the steam trigger on time = 17 s; the steam trigger off time = 3 s; the ironing power loss = 140 W; the convection power loss = 60 W; and the rated input power = 1600 W, the given threshold duration = (25 g/minute x 43 W x 17 s + 140 W x 17 s + 60 W x 3 s) / 1600 W = 13 s; and the given time period = 17 s + 3 s - 13 s = 7 s.
It is noted that in some embodiments, the garment steaming device 100 comprises a sensor or electronic component for measuring a resistance of the heater 104, e.g. a heating element thereof, based on the garment steaming device's 100 current flow.
This data can aid in the precise calculation of input power, improving overall energy management.
Alternatively or additionally, the garment steaming device 100 can include a sensor or electronic component for determining water dosing to the steam chamber 104, e.g. by monitoring the steam trigger 108 and/or a pump status of the pump 107.
This can enable accurate calculation of energy loss attributed to steaming.
Fig.5 provides a simplified flowchart of a method 200 of controlling a garment steaming device 100, which garment steaming device 100 comprises a steam chamber 104, and an electrical heater 105 for heating the steam chamber 104. The garment steaming device 100 can be according to any of the embodiments described herein.
The method 200 comprises i-determining 202 when the heater 105 is powered-on, ii-measuring 204 a duration during which the heater 105 is continuously powered-on, and iii-powering-off 206 the heater 105 when the duration exceeds a given threshold duration.
The controller 120 of the garment steaming device 100 can be adapted to implement the method 200 according to any of the embodiments described herein.
Further provided is a computer program comprising instructions codes which, when executed by a controller 120, cause the controller 120 to implement the method 200 according to any of the embodiments described herein.
Fig.6 provides a flowchart of control logic 300 according to an example that can be used to control the garment steaming device 100. The control logic 300 can be regarded as software control logic 300, e.g. implemented by the printed circuit board assembly of the garment steaming device 100.
The start 302 of the control logic 300 is shown in Fig.6. Decision box 304 corresponds to a yes/no assessment of whether the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor 106 is lower than the given set temperature. A "no" response to decision box 304 leads to operation box 306, in which the heater 105 is powered-off. A "yes" response to decision box 304 leads to decision box 308.
Decision box 308 corresponds to a yes/no assessment of whether the duration during which the heater 105 is continuously powered-on is shorter than the given threshold duration. A "yes" response to decision box 308 leads to operation box 310, in which the heater 105 is powered-on, and the control logic 300 then passes from operation box 310 back to decision box 304. A "no" response to decision box 308 leads to operation box 312 in which the heater 105 is powered-off, e.g. is forced-off during the given time period. The control logic 300 then passes from operation box 312 back to decision box 304.
By implementing the method 200 according to the present disclosure, e.g. the above-described control logic 300, enhanced energy management of the garment steaming device 100 can be achieved, thereby optimizing energy loss. This is particularly advantageous when the steam chamber 104 is capable of being orientated over a full 360 degrees range of orientations, since the method 200 allows for varying water distribution on the steaming surface 112 of an open steam chamber 104.
The above embodiments as described are only illustrative, and not intended to limit the technique approaches of the present invention. Although the present invention is described in details referring to the preferable embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the technique approaches of the present invention can be modified or equally displaced without departing from the protective scope of the claims of the present invention. Although the disclosure is explained in the context of a garment steaming device, the disclosure is applicable more generally to an apparatus, e.g. a household apparatus, comprising a steam chamber and an electrical heater for heating the steam chamber. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

A garment steaming device (100) comprising:
- a steam chamber (104),

- an electrical heater (105) for heating the steam chamber,

- a steaming front plate (101), and

- a controller (120) adapted to:
i- determine when the heater is powered-on,

ii- measure a duration during which the heater is continuously powered-on, and

iii- power-off the heater when the duration exceeds a given threshold duration.
The garment steaming device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the given threshold duration has a fixed value.
The garment steaming device (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a thermal sensor (106) for sensing a temperature of the steam chamber (104), the heater (105) being arranged to be powered-on, subject to the heater not being powered-off in response to the given threshold duration being exceeded, when the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor is lower than a given set temperature.
The garment steaming device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller (120) is adapted to prevent the heater (105) being powered-on during a given time period during which the heater is continuously powered-off in response to the given threshold duration having been exceeded.
The garment steaming device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the given time period has a fixed value.
The garment steaming device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a sensor (121) for detecting an orientation and/or motion of the steaming front plate (101).
The garment steaming device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the controller (120) is adapted to implement the steps (i) to (iii) subject to a vertical orientation of the steaming front plate (101) being detected by the sensor (121).
The garment steaming device (100) according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the controller (120) is adapted to adjust at least one working parameter of the garment steaming device based on the orientation and/or motion detected by the sensor (121).
The garment steaming device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:
- a steamer head (103) including the steam chamber (104) and the steaming front plate (101),

- a base unit (110) comprising a water tank (109), and

- a hose cord (111) for fluidly connecting the steamer head to the base unit.
A method (200) of operating a garment steaming device (100), the garment steaming device comprising:
- a steam chamber (104),

- an electrical heater (105) for heating the steam chamber, and

- a steaming front plate (101), the method comprising:
i- determining (202) when the heater is powered-on,

ii- measuring (204) a duration during which the heater is continuously powered-on, and

iii- powering-off (206) the heater when the duration exceeds a given threshold duration.
The method (200) according to claim 10, wherein the given threshold duration has a fixed value.
The method (200) according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the garment steaming device (100) comprises a thermal sensor (106) for sensing a temperature of the steam chamber (104), the heater (105) being arranged to be powered-on, subject to the heater not being powered-off in response to the given threshold duration being exceeded, when the temperature sensed by the thermal sensor is lower than a given set temperature.
The method (200) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, comprising preventing the heater (105) from being powered-on during a given time period during which the heater is continuously powered-off in response to the given threshold duration having been exceeded, preferably wherein the given time period has a fixed value.
The method (200) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the garment steaming device (100) comprises a sensor (121) for detecting an orientation of the steaming front plate (101), wherein the steps (i) to (iii) are implemented subject to a vertical orientation of the steaming front plate being detected by the sensor.
Computer program comprising instructions codes which, when executed by a controller (120), cause the controller to implement the method (200) as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14.