ES2323897T3 - ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE THAT INCLUDES A VAPOR GENERATOR UNITED TO VARIOUS CORDS WITH DIFFERENT ACCESSORIES. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a household appliance comprising a steam generator connected by several cords (20, 30) to different accessories (2, 3), such as an iron and a travel steamer, characterized in that at least one of the accessories (2, 3) comprises a heating element (21, 31) provided with a vaporizing chamber (22, 32) enabling condensates possibly present in the supply cord (20, 30) of the accessory to vaporized and in that the appliance includes a control module (100) which prevents steam from being emitted towards said accessory (2, 3) when the vaporizing chamber (22, 32) of the accessory is at a temperature insufficient to vaporize the condensates present in the cord (20, 30).

Description

Household appliance comprising a steam generator attached to several cords with different accessories.

The present invention relates to an apparatus appliance comprising a steam generator attached to several cords with different accessories, such as an iron or a smoothing brush

It is known, from document FR 2 714 401 registered by the applicant, an ironing apparatus comprising a steam generator attached by a first cord to an accessory constituted by an iron, the generator also comprising steam bypass means, mounted in the orifice of water filling of the generator tank, and can be connected with a second cord to another accessory, such as a brush smoothing It is revealed that one such device is very practical to use. since the two accessories can be stably attached to the generator tank, which allows you to use them alternately without waiting time, or complex maneuver.

However, while these accessories are occasionally fed with steam, condensates may form in the power cords during the cooling phases that accompany the periods of non-use of the accessory. Of this mode, with one such device that easily allows a alternative use of accessories, there is a risk important that the condensates, after a previous session of use of the accessory, be carried by the new flow of steam and projected by the steam outlet holes of the accessory with risk of burns for the user.

Also, an object of the present invention is remedy this problem by proposing an appliance comprising a steam generator linked by several cords to different accessories in which the safety of use is very improved

For this purpose, the object of the invention is an household appliance comprising a steam generator attached to several cords to different accessories, such as an iron and a smoothing brush, characterized in that at least one of the accessories comprises a hot body provided with a vaporization chamber that allows vaporizing any condensates present in the accessory power cord and because the apparatus comprises a control module that prevents the emission of steam in the direction of said accessory when the accessory's vaporization chamber is at an insufficient temperature to ensure evaporation of condensates present in the cord.

According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the control module authorizes the emission of steam towards the accessory only after a certain operating time of the hot body that varies depending on the time of cumulative operation of the hot body after putting on operation of the device and the time since the end of the previous session of use of said accessory.

According to another feature of the invention, the control module authorizes the emission of vapors to the brush smoothing only when the accumulated operating time of the hot body after the completion of the device has passed of a predetermined threshold.

Such a feature allows to take into account the preheating time required for the chamber to accessory vaporization has reached a temperature enough to ensure evaporation of condensates.

According to another feature of the invention, when the user wishes to use an accessory that has been used  Previously after the start-up of the device, the module control only authorizes the emission of steam after a period Ts of supplementary heating that is a function of the past tense after the end of the previous session of using the accessory.

Such characteristic allows to compensate the cooling of the accessory vaporization chamber when this The last one is disabled.

According to another feature of the invention, the apparatus comprises a steam switching device and of electricity that allows selectively power the different accessories.

Such a feature allows it to be avoided. demanded excessive electrical power by the device preventing the simultaneous operation of the accessories.

According to another feature of the invention, the switching device comprises a manual selector that allows To the user indicate the accessory you want to use.

According to another feature of the invention, the control module comprises a microprocessor that manages the opening of a solenoid valve disposed upstream of a valve of steam distribution that allows the steam to be oriented towards one of the accessories, piloting the microprocessor the feeding electric heating bodies of accessories depending of the information received from the selector that allows the user Indicate which accessory you want to use.

According to another feature of the invention, there are a viewer that is active during the prohibition phase of the steam emission by the control module to notify the Username.

According to another feature of the invention, the apparatus is an ironing apparatus comprising a first accessory  constituted by an iron and a second accessory constituted by A smoothing brush.

According to another feature of the invention, the straightening brush cord is mounted on a winder.

Such a feature allows to greatly improve the ergonomics and safety of use of the device preventing the drag cord and run the risk of causing a fall if careless hooking.

The objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention after the description given to continuation of a particular embodiment of the invention presented as a non-limiting example, referring to the attached drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ironing apparatus according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 represents a view in partially exploded perspective of the appliance iron figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view partially exploded of the apparatus of figure 1, being mounted the cord reel of the base smoothing brush of the device,

- Figure 4 represents a view in partially exploded perspective of the smoothing brush apparatus of figure 1;

- Figures 5a and 5b are respectively seen in perspective of the steam generator of figure 1 during the use of the iron and the smoothing brush;

- Figures 6a and 6b are respectively perspective views of the switching device during the steam feeding of the smoothing brush and the iron;

- Figures 7a and 7b are respectively longitudinal section views of the feed valve of the Figures 6a and 6b;

- Figure 8 represents the algorithm of operation of the steam generator control module apparatus.

Only the elements have been represented necessary for the understanding of the invention. To facilitate the reading the drawings the same elements carry the same references from one figure to the other.

Figure 1 represents an ironing apparatus comprising a steam generator classically constituted by a tank for the production of steam under pressure, not represented in the figures, integrated in a portable base 1, being fed the tank for a removable tank 10 arranged at the rear of base 1.

The base 1 is advantageously fed electrically by a cable 12 mounted on a winder arranged  behind the front face of the base 1, opening the cable 12 in a cavity 13 of the front face of the base 1 and curled up automatically when the user presses on a button 14 arranged near the cavity. There is also a planned main switch 15 on the front face of the base 1 for order the start-up or stop of the device.

The steam generator integrated in base 1 is permanently attached to a plate 2 by a first cord of junction 20 advantageously having a length of the order of 1.8 m and comprises an inclined plane 11 to place the plate 2.

According to figure 2, the iron is provided with a heating sole 21 comprising a chamber of 22 vaporization and steam overheating, disposed waters above the steam outlet holes of the sole, which allows 22 vaporization and steam overheating, disposed waters above the steam outlet holes of the sole, allowing the vaporization of any condensates present in the cord of connection 20. In a manner known per se, the connection cord 20 integrates a conduit that allows the iron 2 to be fed with the steam under pressure from the generator tank as well as a cable electrical that allows to feed the electrical resistance of heating of the heating sole 21 of the iron. The iron 2 also includes a trigger 23 which allows the shipment of steam through the outlet holes of the heating sole twenty-one.

The base 1 steam generator is also permanently attached to a smoothing brush 3 by a second cord 30 advantageously presenting an order length 1.6 m, integrating the cord 30 a conduit that allows feeding the smoothing brush 3 with the steam under pressure from the generator and integrating an electric cable that allows feeding electrically smoothing brush 3.

According to figure 3, the second cord 30 is preferably mounted on a winding device of cord that is placed in a cavity intended for this purpose under the base 1, behind the electric cable reel 12. This cord winding device 4 comprises means of recoil that allows automatic winding of cord 30 in the inside of a drum when the user presses on a button 41 arranged laterally on the winder. This winder of Cord 4 is identical to that described in the FR patent application 0503125 registered by the applicant and will no longer be described in detail in the present patent application.

Advantageously, the base 1 comprises, a one from its sides, a clamp 16 in which it can be inserted the body of the smoothing brush 3, allowing such provision have a smoothing brush 3 that is very accessible once placed although a compact device.

The clamp 16 is preferably arranged on the side of the base 1 where the cord 30 leaves the winder 4, so that the length of cord 30 is left out of the winder 4 when the smoothing brush 3 is placed in the clamp 16, is very limited, of the order of 20 cm, allowing such feature reduce the risks of cord hooking 30.

In order to allow evaporation of any condensates present in cord 30, the brush smoothing 3, represented in more detail in figure 4, encloses a heater body 31 comprising a vaporization chamber 32 and of steam overheating closed by a lid 31 ', being heated this vaporization chamber 32 by a resistor electric arranged under the heater body 31 and powered by the  electrical cable integrated in the connection cord 30. The camera vaporization 32 flows into steam outlet holes 32 ', visible only in figure 5b, allowing obtaining powerful steam jets for vertical smoothing of clothes. He smoothing brush 3 is provided with a trigger 33 that drives the steam delivery to the smoothing brush 3.

Preferably, the front face of the base 1 of the generator is provided with a rotary selector 17 which the user can maneuver between a first position, illustrated in Figure 5a, corresponding to the use of plate 2 and a second position, illustrated in Figure 5b, corresponding to the use of the smoothing brush 3.

According to figures 6a and 6b, the selector 17 is connected by a triangle 5 to a switching device of steam and electricity comprising a distribution valve 6 of steam carrying a steam inlet 60 connected upstream to a solenoid valve 7 arranged at the outlet of the generator tank and two steam outlets 61, 62 connected respectively to the conduits of the cords 20, 30 of feeding of the iron 2 and of the smoothing brush 3.

The valve 6 comprises a dragged sleeve 63 in rotation by triangle 5 and attached to the valve body 6 by a screw type joint, bearing the outer surface of the valve body a helical nerve 64 entering a helical groove formed inside the sleeve 63, so that the rotation of the sleeve 63 is accompanied by a movement in translation of the latter.

The switching device comprises also two switches 66a, 66b actuated by projections 65a, 65b which are arranged on the outer surface of the sleeve 63, the projections 65a, 65b being arranged such so that the first switch 66a is operated only when the first selector 17 is in the position of use of the plate 2 illustrated in figure 6a while the second switch 66b is activated only when selector 17 is in the use position of the smoothing brush 3 illustrated in figure 6b.

These two switches 66a, 66b are attached to a control module 100, schematically represented in these Figures 6a and 6b, comprising a microprocessor that deduces from operating status of switches 66a, 66b position of valve 6 and therefore of selector 17.

According to figure 7a, which represents a sectional view of valve 6 when selector 17 is in the operating position of the plate 2, the entrance hole 60 of the valve flows into a steam distribution chamber 67 cylindrical that extends in each of its extremities by a boring 68a, 68b of smaller diameter, the first boring being 68a in communication with the outlet hole 61, connected to the cord 20 for joining the plate, and the second boring being in communication with outlet hole 62, connected to cord 30 of the smoothing brush 3.

The sleeve 63 is integral with a piston 69 which slides comprising a first lip seal 69a that is found in the distribution chamber 67 when the sleeve 63 is in the position of use of the plate 2, so that the steam can pass to the perimeter of the joint 69a and escape to the iron, and a second joint 69b that is then inserted inside the second boring 68b to prevent the passage of steam towards the smoothing brush 3. The piston 69 is also provided with a third joint 69c arranged in the first boring 68a downstream of the outlet opening to prevent steam leaks through the hole in the body crossed by the shaft of the piston 69.

In accordance with Figure 7b, when the selector 17 is turned to the position corresponding to the use of the smoothing brush 3, sleeve 63 rotates backward on the valve body 6, thereby causing displacement of the piston 69 and the penetration of the first seal 69a through the first bore 68a so that steam can no longer pass in plate direction 2. On the contrary, the second joint 69b is is then displaced in the distribution chamber 67 of larger diameter so that steam can pass to the perimeter of the second gasket 69b and escape through hole 62 towards the brush smoothing 3.

More particularly according to the invention, the control module 100 pilots solenoid valve 7 arranged to the Generator tank outlet to prevent feeding with grilled steam 2 or smoothing brush 3 for a certain time depending on the duration during which the accessory selected, namely plate 2 or straightening brush 3, not It has been powered by electric current. Such security allows avoid any projection of condensates by ensuring that the chamber of vaporization 22 of the iron or vaporization chamber 32 of the smoothing brush is at a temperature sufficient to allow the evaporation of any condensates present in the cords 20, 30.

As an example, the microprocessor of the control module 100 can control the authorization of the opening  of solenoid valve 7 of the generator tank following the algorithm illustrated in figure 8.

According to this figure, the module control 100 detects in a first stage E1 which accessory is selected by the user between plate 2 and the brush smoothing 3. This determination of the selected accessory is made simply from the information communicated by the switches 66a, 66b.

The control module 100 then measures, in a second stage E2, the time Tm that passes from the end of the session previous use of the selected accessory 2, 3. By session of use of the accessory, it is understood a session in the that the ironing device is running and selector 17 is on the position corresponding to the accessory.

In a third stage E3, the control module 100 checks if preheating time Tc_ {s-1} accumulated during some sessions Accessory use of the accessory has been sufficient to allow preheating of the accessory for a total time 120 seconds

If preheating time Tc_ {s-1} accumulated during some sessions precedents is less than 120 seconds, then the module control 100 completes the preheating of the accessory in one stage E3 'during which the accessory is heated for a time Tc corresponding to the preheating time remaining for reach the total of 120 seconds of preheating. During this preheat time Tc, a diode 18 flashes on the face front of the base 1 to signify the user that the accessory selected is in warm-up period. When this expires complementary preheating term, control module 100 Go to stage E4.

On the contrary, if the preheating time 120 seconds has already been reached during a few sessions precedents of using the accessory, then the module control 100 goes directly to step E4 in which it compares the Tm time since the previous session of the accessory with a threshold that is set to 5 minutes in the illustrated example.

If the time Tm is less than 5 minutes, the control module authorizes the immediate opening of the control solenoid valve authorizes the immediate opening of the solenoid valve in step E5 when it receives the command signal from the trigger 23, 33 of accessory 2, 3.

On the contrary, if the accumulated time Tm is more than 5 minutes, then the control module goes to a stage E4 'of supplementary heating of the cassowary to compensate the cooling of the accessory due to thermal losses during period of non-use of the accessory.

During this stage E4 'the accessory is heated for an additional time Ts which is equal to a number of minutes Tm beyond the 5 minute threshold multiplied by a coefficient K_ {A} corresponding to the number of seconds of supplementary heating to be carried out for each minute of stop of the 5 minute threshold accessory.

However, if the Ts time obtained by this calculation is greater than 120 seconds, then the time of supplementary heating will be limited to Ts = 120 s corresponding to the initial preheating time required When the accessory is cold. During this period of complementary heating, diode 18 present in the face front of the base 1 flashes to signify to the user that the Selected accessory is in warm-up period. To expiration of this supplementary heating period, the module of control 100 goes to step E5 in which it authorizes the opening of the solenoid valve 7 by the trigger drive 23, 33 of the accessory.

Of course, the coefficient K_ {A} depends on the thermal mass and the heating power of the selected accessory. As an example, the coefficient K_ {A} will have the value K_ {A} = 1 s / min. for the smoothing brush 3 and
K_ {A} = 1.25 s / min. for the iron 2.

Thus, if the selected accessory is the smoothing brush 3 and the time Tm spent since the session Use of the smoothing brush 3 is 9 minutes, then the additional preheating time Ts will be 4 seconds before the control module 100 authorizes the sending of the steam through the cord 30.

The ironing apparatus performed in this way It has the advantage of having an emission control module for steam that greatly improves the safety of use of the device significantly reducing the risks of burns of the user by projection of scorching condensates through the holes of steam outlet of the sole of the iron or the smoothing brush. Indeed, the generator control module prevents the sending of steam through the newly selected accessory since the vaporization chamber of this accessory has not had time to reach a temperature sufficient to ensure evaporation of the condensates present in the joint cord. In this way, yes the user rests on the trigger of the selected accessory, the control module will cancel the opening order of the solenoid valve until the expiration of the supplementary heating period calculated by the control module and the diode will flash on the basis to warn the user that a time of wait.

On the contrary, if the accessory has been recently used, for less than 5 minutes in the example  described above, then the control module opens immediately the solenoid valve for sending steam while the trigger.

Finally, the device also presents the advantage of a great ease of use of the accessories constituted by the iron and the smoothing brush, these being last constantly attached to the base of the generator and being able to therefore be used without complex manipulation. The presence of an iron roller can then improve the safety and ergonomics of using the device preventing the drag and snag cord during the ironing session or device transport.

Of course, the invention is not in any way. case limited to the embodiment described and illustrated more than It has been given by way of example only. Modifications are possible, especially from the point of view of the constitution of various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without therefore leaving the protective field of the invention.

Thus, the preheating algorithm and warming has not been given as an example. This algorithm may especially be modified to take into account The advantages of the parameters.

Claims (11)

1. Household appliance comprising a steam generator connected by several cords (20, 30) to different accessories (2, 3), such as an iron and a smoothing brush, characterized in that at least one of the accessories (2, 3 ) comprises a heating body (21, 31) provided with a vaporization chamber (22, 32) that allows vaporizing any condensates present in the supply cord (20, 30) of the accessory and because the apparatus comprises a control module ( 100) prohibiting the emission of steam in the direction of said accessory (2, 3) when the vaporization chamber (22, 32) of the accessory is at an insufficient temperature to ensure evaporation of condensates present in the cord (20, 30 ). 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control module (100) authorizes the emission of steam towards the accessory (2, 3) which after a certain operating time of the heater body (21, 31) varies depending on of the accumulated operating time of the heating body (21, 31) since the start-up of the apparatus and of the time elapsed since the end of the previous session of use of said accessory. 3. Ironing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the control module (100) authorizes the emission of steam to the smoothing brush (3) only when the accumulated operating time of the heating body (21, 31) since the setting When the device is running, it has exceeded a certain threshold. 4. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that, when the user wishes to use an accessory (2, 3) that has been previously used since the start-up of the apparatus, the control module (100) authorizes the emission of steam only after a period Ts of supplementary heating that is a function of the time since the end of the previous session of use of the accessory (2, 3). 5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a steam and electricity switching device that allows selectively feeding the different accessories (2, 3). 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said switching device comprises a manual selector (17) that allows the user to indicate the accessory (2, 3) he wishes to use. 7. Ironing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the control module (100) comprises a microprocessor that manages the opening of an electrovalve (7) disposed upstream of a steam distribution valve (6) which allows the steam to be oriented towards one of the accessories (2, 3), said microprocessor piloting the power supply of the heating bodies (21, 31) of the accessories (2, 3) based on the information received from the selector (17) that allows the user to indicate which accessory (2, 3) you want to use. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a sight glass (18) is activated during the phase of prohibition of steam emission by the control module (100) to notify the user. 9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the apparatus is an ironing apparatus comprising a first accessory (2) consisting of an iron and a second accessory (3) consisting of a smoothing brush. 10. Ironing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the cord (30) of the smoothing brush (3) is mounted on a roller (4). 11. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a clamp (16) for placing the smoothing brush (3).