ES2396373A1 - Steam iron with automatic cleaning and decalcification system - Google Patents

Abstract

The iron has a control device provided with a control program for activating a micro pump (8) during a preset time period such that preset amount of water is guided into a cold steam chamber (10). The program activates a heating system (H) during the time period for heating the chamber to a preset temperature. The water in the chamber is brought for cooking such that the water together with produced steam releases calcium carbonate residues/storages from the chamber, where the residues/storages are guided outward via steam outlet openings (4). The program is terminated.

Description

STEAM IRON WITH CLEANING SYSTEM AND AUTOMATIC DECALCIFICATION

FIELD OF THE TECHNIQUE

The invention fits in the field of slabs with steam irons with cleaning and descaling system 1 automatic descaling that have a soleplate with a steam chamber with openings for steam exit for ironing, a micropump with a first inlet port of water from a water tank and a water outlet port to the steam chamber, a heating system and a control device connected, at least, with the micropump and the iron heating system.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Steam irons are known, including steam irons with a conventional electric micropump, which are provided with a cleaning and descaling system. Such systems are usually functionally directly coupled with the ironing temperature adjustment knob and the steam button (steam ironing button to perform a normal steam ironing function) of the iron.

To perform a cleaning, descaling or descaling function, the user must carry out several operations. For example, first, the user has to turn the ironing temperature adjustment handle to a "cleaning and descaling position" that regulates a cold or low temperature, insufficient to generate steam so the steam chamber it's cold; Then, the user has to press / activate the steam button for a certain time. In this way, the micropump is activated, and a greater amount of water from the water tank is injected into the cold steam chamber; and then, the user has to turn the ironing temperature adjustment handle to hot, in order to quickly boil the cold water that is in the steam chamber causing a rapid change in temperature at which the steam and the boiling water starts the calcifications / deposits existing in the walls of the steam chamber, which will be dragged outside through the openings of the steam chamber in the sole of the iron.

Conventional steam irons with a conventional cleaning and descaling system are quite complex and difficult for a user to handle.

In addition, the user has to fully understand the various technical functions and buttons of the iron as it has to operate various buttons of the iron, and has to perform the cleaning and descaling operation in a certain order. Otherwise, cleaning and descaling will not work, or will not work properly. Likewise, the result of the cleaning and descaling operation depends largely on the individual way in which each user operates the iron. For example, the user may not turn the temperature adjustment knob to an appropriate high temperature to quickly heat cold water, or the user may not press the steam button for a sufficient period of time to enter a quantity of sufficient water in the steam chamber. In addition, other user handling errors may occur. Therefore, the cleaning and descaling results of different users will vary greatly, or the desired result will not even be achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a steam iron 1 steam ironing device with an improved and simpler, but very effective cleaning and descaling function.

The objective is solved by means of a steam iron 1 steam ironing device with an automatic cleaning and descaling system that has a soleplate with a steam chamber with openings for steam exit for ironing, a micropump with a first water inlet port of a water tank and a water outlet port towards the steam chamber, a heating system and a control device connected, at least, with the micropump and the iron heating system; The control device has an integrated control program to automatically control and perform the following functions:

a) activate the micropump for a predetermined period of time,

thereby introducing a predetermined amount of water into the

cold steam chamber;

b) activate the iron heating system for a period of

predetermined time and with a predetermined temperature, in order to heat the steam chamber to a predetermined temperature,

bringing the water to a boil and that together with the steam produced, tear off

calcifications / deposits of the steam chamber, which will be

dragged outward through the openings in the soleplate and,

e) completion of the automatic program.

Thus, in a simple way, a completely automatic, simple and effective cleaning and descaling system is available.

The iron also has a cleaning button connected to the control device and which is user-operated to activate the cleaning control program and automatically descaled. The steam iron 1 steam ironing device according to the invention has a fully automatic cleaning and descaling system: only one button has to be pressed once and the complete cleaning and descaling function is carried out completely and automatically.

During the control program, the control device preferably deactivates all other functions of the steam iron, for example, the steam generation function and / or the steam jet function and / or spray functions , etc., to avoid any interference and handling errors by the user.

In addition, the micropump has a second inlet port for the entry of descaling liquid from a tank of descaling liquid that improves the cleaning function of the lime.

The control device has security means to prevent unwanted activation of the automatic cleaning and descaling function by the user, where the security means are made as a timer of pressing the cleaning button to start the cleaning process, for example , after three seconds of pressure. Another way of carrying out the safety means is to provide the cleaning button of a pivoting cover that the user has to open before the button can be pressed; by means of spring means, the cover returns to its closed position or, to provide the cleaning button of certain mechanical resistance, or to define an extensive distance by which the button has to be pressed down.

The iron has at least one sensor coupled with the control device to prevent malfunctions of the system, where the sensor is made as a heat sensor to detect the temperature in the steam chamber and if the steam chamber is above a pre-defined temperature, the control device deactivates the cleaning and descaling process since the introduction of a greater amount of water in the hot steam chamber would cancel out the desired cleaning result and / or generate an undesirable amount of steam.

In another embodiment, the sensor is made as a level sensor to detect the level of water in the water tank and / or in the descaling liquid tank and if the water tank and / or the descaling liquid tank are Below a pre-defined level, the control device deactivates the cleaning and descaling system to prevent the micropump from running dry and the heating device is activated. This sensor is preferably combined with acoustic and / or optical signal to inform the user about the empty tank (s).

The plate has a user information system that the fully automatic cleaning and descaling function is running, for example, by means of an optical signal, for example, through a LEO, or a display, or an acoustic signal , for example, through an electronic alarm or loudspeaker or by a combination of the aforementioned signals. The same signal means can be used to indicate system malfunctions.

The control device has a timer that can comprise a means / countdown function to initiate the automatic cleaning and descaling function. During the countdown (for example, 3 seconds), the user will be informed through an acoustic or optical signal that the countdown is in progress, and that the cleaning and descaling function will be initiated shortly. During the countdown, the user may have the opportunity to stop the operation started, for example, by an emergency lock function to interrupt the fully automatic self-cleaning operation started, or already running, if necessary or as desired by the user . This can, for example, be done as follows:

using the same cleaning button: press it several times, or press it for a predetermined period of time, for example, 5 seconds, it will signal the control device to stop the fully automatic cleaning function or, by means of an "emergency lock button" auxiliary to avoid unwanted or unintentional activation of this button, the button may be provided with a greater mechanical resistance against the pressure exerted by a user, or it may have to be pressed deeply or for a specific period of time, etc.

As a preference, the iron has a memory and / or reminder function that

a) stores the time since the user has performed the last cleaning function, or

b) After the last cleaning function, start a countdown using the timer (T) for a predetermined period of time programmed for the next cleaning.

In case of b), for example, when the countdown is finished, a "reminder" is issued to the user by means of an acoustic or optical signal, for example. The steam iron according to the invention has the following considerable advantages:

The entire construction of the cleaning and descaling system is greatly simplified; At the same time, the cleaning and descaling system becomes very reliable;

The cleaning program according to the invention can be carried out, in particular, by means of integrated circuits, implementing the program functions required in this hardware; software solutions are also possible;

The operation and operation of the iron to carry out the cleaning and descaling function are extremely simple and handling errors can be effectively avoided;

The user only has to activate a control element (for example, a BCL button) once, and nothing else; the handling is extremely simple since the user does not need to study extensively and fully understand a plurality of technical functions and control means of the plate to carry out the cleaning and descaling function since the operation of several buttons is not necessary. In the same way, there is no need to operate several control means of the iron in a certain order and then the result of the cleaning and descaling operation no longer depends on the individual way in which a respective user is operating the iron.

Cleaning and descaling will therefore not vary, but rather will be largely reproducible.

Consequently, better cleaning and descaling results will be obtained and the user will be more satisfied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of components

essentials of a steam iron according to a first form of

Embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of essential components of a steam iron according to a second embodiment of the invention and, Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of components

essentials of a steam iron according to a third form of

embodiment of the invention.

EXAMPLES OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of essential components of a steam iron according to a first, very simple embodiment of the invention. The iron has a soleplate 2, with a steam chamber 1 O, steam openings 4, and a heating device H. Also, a micropump 8 is provided, which has an inlet port E connected to a water tank. 6, and an outlet port B connected to the steam chamber to introduce water into the steam chamber in a position P. The heating device H and the micropump 8 are each connected to an electric power source (not shown) .

The iron further comprises a steam button BT1 for activating and deactivating a steam ironing function, and a temperature adjustment knob BH for setting a predetermined ironing temperature of the heating device H and, consequently, for setting a temperature

Default steam chamber. Also, a button is provided

descaling and cleaning BCL. The BT1 and BCL buttons, as well as the handle

BH temperature setting, are connected to a control device 18 a

through control lines L 1, L3 and L2. The control device 18 is connected to

5

through an LP control line with micropump 8 and, with a control line

LH, with the heating device H.

To perform a normal steam ironing operation, a user can

activate the steam ironing function by pressing and holding the

BT1 steam button. In this way, the micropump 8 is activated, and water from the tank

1 o

of water 6 is injected into the P position in the steam chamber, where it is

vaporized The steam leaves the steam chamber through the openings of

steam 4 of the sole plate 2.

To perform a cleaning and descaling operation completely

automatic, when the soleplate and steam chamber are cold, the user

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press the "cleaning button" BCL once, thus entering a start signal

corresponding through the control line L3 in the control device 18, the

which, based on this start signal, triggers and starts the cleaning function

and fully automatic descaling. For this purpose, the control device

18 activates the micropump 8 through the LP control line, and keeps it activated

twenty

for a first predetermined period of time, for example, from 5 to 8

seconds. In the present example, this is achieved by means of a timer

T, which is integrated in the control device 18. In this way, it is injected

a predetermined amount of water in the cold steam chamber 1 O. One time

after the first predetermined period of time, the control device 18

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deactivates the micropump 8, and activates the heating device H through the

control line LH, setting the heating temperature, preferably, in the

higher permissible or safe heating temperature. The device of

control 18 keeps the heating device activated for a second

predetermined period of time, for example, between 1 O to 30 seconds. This is

30

performed by means of the T timer. Thus, the steam chamber is

quickly heated to a predetermined boiling temperature, and water,

initially cold, in the steam chamber it is boiled quickly. All this causes

a rapid change of temperature in the steam chamber, and boiling water and the

steam start calcifications / deposits in the steam chamber, which

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   they will be dragged out through the openings 4 in the soleplate 2. A

once the second predetermined period of time has ended, the control device 18 deactivates the heating device H.

In this way, a completely automatic cleaning and descaling operation has been carried out.

It should be noted that the actuation of the BCL button is primarily used to trigger the fully automatic cleaning and descaling function, that is, to introduce a kind of start signal into the control device 18. Therefore, the BCL button and its function of Connection should preferably be designed in such a way that, even if the user keeps the BCL button pressed (or presses it again after the first drive), this does not continue to influence the process or serve to cancel the process.

Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a steam iron according to a second embodiment of the invention. Only the differences with respect to the first embodiment according to Figure 1 will be explained.

As can be extracted from Figure 2, the micropump 8 of this version has at least two input ports E1 and E2. The first inlet port E1 is associated with, or connected to the water tank 6a, while the second inlet port E2 is associated with, or connected to a tank of descaling liquid 6b. Tanks 6a, 6b may be designed as individual tanks, or they may be integrated into a common tank unit with different compartments.

During the fully automatic cleaning and descaling operation, water from the water tank 6a and descaling liquid from the descaling liquid tank 6b are sucked into the micropump 8 through the inlet ports E1 and E2, and mixed into a mixer 8a in the micropump 8. The resulting mixture is then ejected through the outlet port B, and is injected into the steam chamber 1O. By means of the descaling liquid, a better cleaning and descaling result can be obtained. Since the descaling liquid can be corrosive, and can negatively affect the fabrics to be ironed during a normal steam ironing operation, it is desired that the descaling liquid is only introduced into the steam chamber during the cleaning and descaling operation. fully automatic

For this purpose, an intake valve (not shown) may be disposed next to the inlet port E2; such an inlet valve only opens when the suction level of the micropump 8 exceeds a certain threshold value, as is the case, or is intended to be, during the fully automatic cleaning and descaling function. Alternatively, the intake valve may be a control valve (not shown), which can be actively opened and closed, based on a control signal, for example, of the control device 18. Consequently, such The control valve could be opened during the automatic cleaning and descaling process, to allow the descaling liquid from the tank 6b to flow into the micropump 8, and be injected along with the water from the tank 6a into the steam chamber 1 O.

Alternatively, the micropump 8 itself may be equipped with a controllable multidirectional intake valve, as indicated by the reference symbol 8a in Figure 2. This multidirectional intake valve 8a contains (or is connected to) the ports input E1 and E2, and is controllable by means of a control signal from the control device 18. In this way, it is possible to close the input port E2 during normal steam ironing (or other ironing) functions, and open the input port E2 during the automatic cleaning and descaling process, to allow descaling liquid from the tank 6b to flow into the micropump 8, and be injected along with the water from the tank 6a into the steam chamber 1 O.

The micropump 8 is preferably an adjustable micropump, whose pumping capacity or flow rate can be regulated. This is due to the fact that, during normal steam ironing operations, a lower amount of water is usually required to generate steam, while, during the fully automatic cleaning and descaling process, a larger amount of water / liquid has to be injected into the steam chamber for a fairly short period of time.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the control device 18 may contain "post-cleaning program" and / or may be adapted to control a "post-cleaning operation", for example, to remove residual residues from the (corrosive ) Steam chamber descaling liquid 1 O. For this purpose, by means of the control device 18, the automatic "post-cleaning program" can be executed, during which the input port E2 is closed, the port

input E1 is open, micropump 8 is activated and is kept activated

for a predetermined period of time (for example, for 5 seconds).

In this way, water is simply injected (hot, still warm or even

cold) from tank 6a in steam chamber 1 O, in order to eliminate waste

5

remaining of the descaling liquid (which could be corrosive to depending on what type

of clothing) of the steam chamber 1O. At the end of the period of time

By default, the control device 18 deactivates the micropump 8 and,

preferably, close all input ports E1, E2, thus carrying out a

drip function

1 o

Please note that timer T and / or control device 18,

as regards the operation of the micropump 8 (and / or its valve

multidirectional admission) for cleaning and descaling operation

fully automatic, can also be designed as a device

mechanic. Such a mechanical device can be, for example, a rotating handle, the

fifteen

which, starting from a neutral position, can be turned against the

prestressing forces of a tensioning element to a "ready" position, in which

open the input ports E1 and E2, and activate the micropump 8. From this

"ready" position, the rotating handle is, due to the prestressing forces of the

tension element, slowly returned to the neutral position, where it deactivates the

twenty

Micropump 8 and close the input ports E1 and E2. The slow return can

achieved, for example, by providing a shock absorber or mechanical resistance in the

swivel handle path. This ensures that the rotating handle will require certain

Time to return to its neutral position. In this way, the

"predetermined period of time" described above to operate the

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iron according to the invention suitably, during the cleaning operation

and descaled.

The fully automatic cleaning and descaling system according to this

invention may be incorporated in a steam iron or device

steam ironing according to patent application ES_ 2336519_A 1, as

30

You can see in Figure 3. This embodiment is similar to that according to

Figure 1, but has a micropump 8 with a multidirectional outlet valve

12 controllable and a BT2 steam jet button. This version could be completed.

also with a spray system and a spray button, which

is also connected to, or associated with the control device 18 and the

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   micropump 8.

List of reference symbols

2

Sole plate

4

Steam outlet openings

6

Water tank

6th

Water tank

6b

Descaling liquid tank

8

Micropump

1 o

Steam chamber

12

8-way or multi-way outlet valve 8

14

Conduit

16

Conduit

18

Control device

TO

First exit port

B

(Second) port of departure

BCL

Cleaning and descaling button

BT1

Steam ironing button

BT2

Steam jet button

Bh

temperature adjustment handle

AND

input port

E1

First port of entry

E2

Second entrance door

H

Heating device

L1

Cable / control line

L2

Cable / control line

L3

Cable / control line

L4

Cable / control line

Lh

AH cable / control line

LP

Cable / control line to the micropump 8

p

Position

P1

First position of the water inlet

P2

Second position of the water inlet

   T

Timer / Timer System

Claims (3)

1.-Steam iron with an automatic cleaning and descaling system that has a soleplate (2) with a steam chamber (10) with openings (4) for steam output for ironing, a micropump (8) with a first water inlet port (E, E1) of a water tank (6, 6a) and a water outlet port (B) towards the steam chamber (1 0), a heating system (H) and a control device connected, at least, with the micropump and the iron heating system; characterized in that, the control device has an integrated control program to automatically control and perform the following functions: a) activate the micropump for a predetermined period of time, thereby introducing a predetermined amount of water into the steam chamber cold b) activate the iron heating system for a predetermined period of time and with a predetermined temperature, in order to heat the steam chamber to a predetermined temperature, bringing the water to a boil and that together with the steam produced, start the calcifications / deposits of the steam chamber, which will be dragged outside through the openings (4) in the soleplate and, e) completion of the automatic program. 2. Steam iron according to claim 1 characterized in that it has a cleaning button (BCL) in connection with the control device (18) and which is user-operated to activate the cleaning control program and automatically descaled. 3. Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the control program, the control device preferably deactivates all other functions of the steam iron, for example, the steam generation function of ironing and / or the function of

steam jet and / or spray functions, etc., interference and handling errors by the user.

for avoid any

5

4. Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the micropump has a second inlet port (E2) for the entry of descaling liquid from a tank of descaling liquid (6b).

1 o

5. Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the control device (18) has safety means to prevent unwanted activation of the automatic cleaning and descaling function by the user, where the safety means are made as a timer for pressing the cleaning button to start the cleaning process.

15 20

6. Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one sensor coupled with the control device to avoid malfunctions of the system, where the sensor is made as a heat sensor to detect the temperature in the chamber of steam and if the steam chamber is above a pre-defined temperature, the control device deactivates the cleaning and descaling process.

25

7. Steam iron according to claim 6 characterized in that the sensor is made as a level sensor to detect the level of water in the water tank (6, 6a) and / or in the tank of descaling liquid (6b) and if the water tank and / or the descaling liquid tank are below a pre-defined level, the control device deactivates the cleaning and descaling system to prevent the micropump (8) from running dry and the device from heating is activated.

30 35

   8.-Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it has a user information system that the fully automatic cleaning and descaling function is in progress, for example, by means of an optical signal, for example, through of a LEO, or a display, or an acoustic signal, for example, through an electronic alarm or loudspeaker or by a combination of the aforementioned signals.

5

9.-Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the control device has a timer (T) that can comprise a means / countdown function to start the automatic cleaning and descaling function.

1 o

10.- Steam iron according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an emergency blocking means for interrupting the fully automatic self-cleaning operation started, or already underway, if necessary or desired by the user.

fifteen

   eleven.- Steam iron according to claim 9 or 1 characterized in that it has a memory and / or reminder function that a) stores the time since the user has performed the last cleaning function, or b) after the last cleaning function, starts a countdown by timer (T) for a predetermined period of time programmed for the next cleaning.