ES2445271A2 - Steam ironing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an iron sole (4) having a sole plate (2) that is traversed by steam outlet openings (6), a side wall (13) and a cover (15) that define an evaporation chamber (10) through the top (2a) of the sole plate. The chamber is in communication with the steam outlet openings. Steam and/or evaporating fluid (W) such as water, is introduced into a liquid introduction port (14). A portion of the side wall is made as one-piece with the cover. A cover assembly (12) has a cover assembly edge (12a) that lies on the top of the sole plate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a steam ironing device, especially a steam iron or a steam ironing station, comprising an ironing sole having a sole plate pierced by steam outlet openings, a side wall and a cover delimiting a vaporization chamber that is in connection with the steam outlet openings on the upper side of the soleplate and into which steam and / or vaporization liquid is optionally introduced through an introduction opening arranged in the lid.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Steam ironing devices are known, especially steam irons or steam ironing stations, comprising: an ironing sole having a sole plate pierced by steam outlet openings; and a steam generation system, with a vaporization chamber that is in connection with the steam outlet openings, which is configured on the upper side of the soleplate and into which vaporization liquid is optionally introduced through An introduction opening.

For the simplification of the construction and for the reduction of manufacturing costs, the sole plate is normally made by injection molding of aluminum in one piece. In the most economical steam ironing devices, the bottom side of such a sole plate acts directly as a contact surface for the ironing article. In fact, the bottom side of the soleplate can also be specially coated for the improvement of its sliding properties, as well as the optical appearance, or it can be additionally provided with a thin metal plate, although this increases the complexity of Manufacturing and production costs. In general, the sole plate has approximately the shape of an isosceles triangle on the horizontal floor. The steam chamber is enclosed by a side wall and an upper wall. The introduction opening for the vaporization liquid in the vaporization chamber is located in the upper wall of the steam chamber in a front area, that is, pointing towards the tip of the soleplate, usually in the front third of the sole plate.

The steam outlet openings are configured in these simpler steam ironing devices mainly in an arrangement of one or several rows with an arc or horseshoe shape in the lateral areas of the soleplate near the side wall.

Since the sole plate is made by aluminum injection, it is easy to inject the side wall vertically from the upper side of the sole plate. In this way, the soleplate can be closed with a relatively simple upper wall in its construction made of stainless steel sheet enclosing the vaporization chamber. Then, the vaporization chamber is limited in its perimeter by the side wall that rises from the upper side of the soleplate vertically and it is there where it supports the upper wall and is sealed with a silicone cord along the perimeter of Union. Sometimes the union of the upper wall with the vertical wall has some small steam leak due to a defect in the closure with the silicone and the steam escapes into the apparatus causing electrical failures.

GB 2176505 A shows a steam iron having an ironing sole with steam outlet openings, and a vaporization chamber, where the water to be vaporized is introduced. The steam chamber is delimited by a sole plate forming part of the ironing sole, a side wall, and a top plate. A part of the side wall is made of a piece with the top plate forming a cover assembly. With this configuration, the problem of steam leaks entering the interior of the device is not resolved.

In addition, the vertical wall is normally arranged as close to the perimeter of the sole plate to make a more spacious steam chamber possible.

The rest of the components of the iron are fixed on the ironing sole and covered by a plastic housing that in the area near the ironing sole must be kept at a remote distance to avoid contact since the high temperatures of the sole They could damage it. Therefore, the shape of the housing is limited by the shape of the ironing sole.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to make available a steam ironing device with a simple sole plate, which improves the electrical safety of the device.

This task is solved by a steam ironing device, especially a steam iron or a steam ironing station comprising an ironing sole having a sole plate (or a

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corresponding base body) crossed by steam outlet openings, a side wall and a cover that delimit a vaporization chamber that is in connection with the steam outlet openings on the upper side of the soleplate and into which it is introducible optionally steam and / or vaporizing liquid through an introduction opening arranged in the lid, where at least part of the side wall is made of a piece with the lid forming a lid assembly and the lid assembly has a seating edge on the upper side of the sole plate.

In a clothes iron with a water tank incorporated through the introduction opening, vaporization liquid is introduced while in the ironing stations steam or steam mixture with vaporization liquid is introduced. The steam ironing device according to the invention is provided in a known manner with a reservoir for vaporizing liquid, especially water, or is connectable with one of such type. In addition, it has a preferably electric heating device for heating the ironing sole and / or the vaporization chamber and / or a steam distribution system; an ironing temperature adjustment element (optional); as well as a control element for the optional activation and deactivation of the steam generation system, for example in the form of a so-called steam switch.

The sole plate itself can be basically one or more pieces. It is preferably configured in an essentially flat piece, for example as a metal injection molding construction, preferably aluminum or zamak in one piece. The underside of the sole plate may also be coated or provided with an additional thin metal plate. The thickness or thickness of the soleplate is essentially constant and can vary locally depending on the constructive embodiment in which it is necessary to lift a steam chamber wall on the upper side of the soleplate. In the sense of the invention, the "upper side" of the sole plate should be understood as that upper surface or the level of the sole plate that is facing upward facing the rest of the ironing device at a level above or by below but close to that of the upper outlet of a respective steam outlet opening from the plate itself. A "level above or below but close" should be understood as a step in which you can support or fit the edge but not rise more than a third of the height of it. The side wall extends upwards from the upper side of the sole plate at the perimeter of the sole and is connected from above with the cover forming the cover assembly. The cover assembly is attached to the upper side of the sole plate by simple contact but a tight seal can be made. The level at which the edge joins the upper side of the plate is preferably that of the upper outlet of the openings or below it, so that the upper plate surface does not rise and the joint line with the cover assembly stay as low as possible. Thus, if there is any escape of steam or water, this will occur near the sole plate through the area where the device housing does not close and thus, steam will not be introduced into it. To direct the eventual vapor escape that could occur in the direction of the groove between the carcass and the soleplate, the cover assembly has an overhang that approaches the edge of the carcass closing the space.

The liquid and vapor tight seal, that is, a corresponding seal, can be an integral component of the soleplate. However, separate or additional sealing elements are also possible that are directly or indirectly joined with the soleplate (for example, through an intermediate element). The seal, that is, the sealing element, must be resistant to the ironing temperature. That means that these elements have to be configured resistant to the temperature in such a way that at the temperatures that occur when ironing, that is, steam ironing (generally, approximately 70º C - 190º C, although under certain circumstances also up to approximately 260º C), the liquid and vapor tightness. As a separate or additional sealing element it can be used, for example also in combination with other mechanical components, especially a pourable, hardenable sealing mass, for example a silicone mass. However, the invention is not limited to a separate sealing element of such type.

From the upper side of the soleplate, interior walls of the vaporization chamber are raised, which will form the internal steam distribution channels for the correct evaporation of the liquid inside it, such as the water pipe of the common super-steam system on many ironing devices. The interior walls are also made of a piece of aluminum (or another metal such as zamak) by injection process. The internal walls face each other and in tight contact with the lid of the lid assembly when the steam chamber is closed. You can have a sealing product like silicone in the upper part of the wall so that the tightness is guaranteed. Airtightness can also be guaranteed with a correct drag-on closure between the lid and the upper part of the inner wall.

In another embodiment, in the case that the lid assembly is made of injected metal, all or some of the interior walls of the vaporization chamber are projected from the bottom face of the lid forming the internal steam distribution channels. Then, the interior walls are also made of a piece of aluminum (or another metal such as zamak) by injection process either in the lid or in the sole plate. The internal walls are facing each other and in tight contact with the soleplate or with the lid assembly cover respectively when the steam chamber is closed. You can have a sealing product like silicone in the upper part of the wall so that the tightness is guaranteed.

Preferably the upper side of the soleplate has a register to position the edge by closing the evaporation chamber that can be made as a groove where the edge or a protruding cord fits

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which surrounds the perimeter of the junction or parts of these where an edge that has a crenellated shape fits. Thus, the connection between the cover assembly and the sole plate can achieve a desirable tightness.

In order to prevent the steam coming out of the joint between the cover and the soleplate, steam outlets are provided very close to the joint, preferably adjacent and most preferably the edge is supported at least partially on said steam outlets without get to close them completely.

In a simplified joint form, the cover assembly can be fixed to the soleplate by means of a threaded joint where in one way the threaded joint has at least one screw that passes through the through hole the soleplate and is screwed to the face inside the cover assembly or vice versa, the threaded joint has at least one screw that passes through a through hole in the cover and is screwed to the upper side of the sole plate. In the joint line between the two, sealant material can be added or not.

In a simplified embodiment, the cover and the side wall are made in one piece by a metal molding process, preferably injected aluminum or zamak forming the cover assembly, in the same way in which the sole plate is made, avoiding the different expansion coefficients if they were of different material. Although it could also be made of sheet metal that had a degree of flexibility that fits the established joint line.

It is also possible to make the cover assembly on a stamped metal sheet, preferably of aluminum, which in the case of an injected aluminum sole plate will have similar expansion coefficients.

In order to give greater flexibility to the construction of the plastic housing that covers the outside of the ironing device by the area of the ironing sole, it is provided that at least the interior or the entire side wall is inclined at least partly inwards of the evaporation chamber in at least part of the perimeter of the cover assembly being able to give a configuration to the outside of the side wall in the most convenient way such as for example curved or smooth and that the housing can be configured close to it but without touching it. This also gives the advantage of having steam outlet openings closer to the perimeter of the soleplate since by lowering the height of the cover assembly and not contacting the plastic of the housing, the chamber surface can be enlarged evaporation on the soleplate, bringing steam to places on the underside of the soleplate where the state-of-the-art ironing devices do not reach and thus improve the quality of the ironing. It should be mentioned that a cover assembly with an inclined side wall like that of the invention is very simple to manufacture by the aluminum injection molding system since the mold does not need complicated slides or injection systems that would be needed in the If you try to make these sloping walls in one piece with the sole plate.

Next, preferred embodiments of the invention are described and explained in more detail with additional configuration details and other advantages with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It shows:

Fig. 1 a schematic top view on an essential partial area of an upper side of a sole plate of a steam iron according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of an ironing sole along lines II-II of the sole plate of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of an ironing sole along lines II-II in Figure 1; Y

Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of an ironing sole along lines II-II in Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description and in the figures, equal parts and components with equal reference symbols are also indicated for the avoidance of repetition, provided that no other differentiation is necessary or reasonable.

A schematic top view on an essential partial area of the front half of an upper side of a sole plate 2 of a steam iron according to the invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view through the sole plate 2 along lines II-II in the figure

1. The sole plate 2, which forms a part of an ironing sole 4, is made in this example as a one-piece aluminum injection molding construction and is traversed by steam outlet openings 6. The steam iron it has a vaporization chamber 10 that is connected to the steam outlet openings 6 through a steam distribution system, which has steam distribution channels 8, which is configured on the upper side 2a of the plate of soleplate 2. More accurately said, in this embodiment an inferior part of the vaporization chamber 10 and a lower part of the steam distribution channels 8 are formed through upper concave areas of the soleplate 2. These concave areas are formed essentially through interior walls 11, that is, walls

4

separators, which are formed on the upper side 2a of the soleplate 2. The vaporization chamber 10 and the steam distribution channels 8 are tightly closed to water and steam by a cover assembly 12 (see Figure 2 ) that fits into the register 9. The sole plate 2 and the cover assembly 12 form the main components of the ironing sole 4.

As just described, from the upper side 2a of the soleplate 2 the inner walls 11 of the vaporization chamber are raised, which will form the internal steam distribution channels 8 for the correct evaporation of the liquid within it, as the water pipeline of the common super-steam system in many ironing devices. The inner walls 11 are also made of a piece of aluminum (or another metal such as zamak) by injection process with the soleplate 2. The upper part of the inner walls 11 face and in tight contact with the lid 15 of the lid assembly 12 when the evaporation chamber is closed 10. It can have a sealing product such as silicone in the upper part of the inner wall 11 so that the tightness is guaranteed. Airtightness can also be guaranteed with a correct drag-on closure between the cover 15 and the upper part of the inner wall 11.

The steam iron is also provided with a reservoir for vaporization liquid (here: water W). Water W is optionally introduced into the vaporization chamber 10 through an introduction opening 14.

The introduction opening 14 is in this example an outlet opening of a metering valve 16, which is arranged in the lid 15. Water W is introduced through this introduction opening 14 located above in the vaporization chamber 10 ( for example, through the effect of the force of gravity) or injected (for example, by a micropump). In Figures 1 and 2, the point at which the introduction opening 14 is located through that partial area of the soleplate 2 that forms a part of the vaporization chamber is indicated by the reference symbol E.

The steam iron is also provided with an electric heating device 18 for heating the ironing sole 4, that is, here especially the soleplate 2 and the steam chamber 10. The electric heating device 18 is integrated in the soleplate 2. Also, the iron has an ironing temperature adjustment element (optional), as well as a control element for the optional activation and deactivation of the steam generation system, for example, a so-called switch steam. In the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2, the water vapor generated in the vaporization chamber 10 flows in a hollow space of the vaporization chamber 10, which is located in a rear area of the soleplate 2, that is , of the ironing sole 4 (not shown in Figure 1) and, from there, to the steam distribution channels 8. Also, if necessary, other steam passages can also be provided to the channels 8, which are for example placed on the walls 11.

In Figure 2 it can also be seen that the interior walls 11 are completely integrated with the soleplate 2. These lateral walls 11 extend from an upper area 2a of the soleplate, to the cover 15. There , the upper edges of the side walls 11 are connected with the lid 15 in a liquid tight and vapor tight manner. This occurs by compression of the cover 15 with the upper edges of the side walls 11. In this case, both the cover 15 and the side walls 11 can be plastically deformed. Also, the cover 15 and the side walls 11 can have areas that guarantee a gear in form drag between these elements. The cover 15 is also joined in one piece with a side wall 13 forming the cover assembly 12 with its edge 12a embedded in the register 9 disposed on the upper side 2a of the sole plate 2 in a water and liquid tight manner of the sole plate 2 or of its steam conducting areas; for this, a water and liquid tight seal 24, for example, a silicone mass resistant to the ironing temperature, hardenable, is additionally applied on the joint area. In the plate according to the invention, the cover assembly 12 does not then close only the sole plate 2 as such forming the evaporation chamber, but also acts as a liquid-tight and vapor-tight seal for the hollow space between walls interior 11, which is associated with steam distribution channels 8 or super steam. In this case, the register 9 is made as a groove made in a raised rib of the upper side 2a of the soleplate 2 and the edge of the cover assembly 12a fits into it. To ensure greater tightness, the entire joint has been sealed with a silicone mass

24. The cover assembly 12 has a curved side wall 13 with which the edge is avoided if the side panel is vertical and softens the outer shape of the ironing sole 4 to be able to mount a housing 24 of smaller device volume. The housing then mounted adjusted to the minimum allowable distance for the type of plastic of the apparatus, is mounted distanced from the ironing plate by means of a slot 23.

Depending on the embodiment of the sole plate 2, partial areas of the inner walls 11 together with the side wall 13 may also form partial areas of walls of the steam distribution system or other partial areas of the sole plate 2 The hollow space can also be subdivided through separating elements, ribs, walls, or the like.

In Fig. 3 another embodiment of the invention is shown where the ironing sole 4 has a soleplate 2 with a channel-shaped register 9 where the edge 12a fits and just in the area of the register steam outlet openings are arranged 6 on which the edge is supported by partially closing them. In this way, the steam that reaches the interior of the side wall 13 will easily exit through these openings and not through the joint between the plate 2 and the cover assembly 12. In addition, the side wall 13 has a protruding flange 21 that directs the steam that can

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escape through the joint between plate 2 and cover assembly 12 towards the groove 23 between the housing 24 and the sole plate

2. In this case, it is not necessary to add any additional sealing element of the silicon type.

In addition, for the connection between the plate and the cover assembly, a threaded connection 19 is provided with a through screw through a through hole 20 of the plate 2 and screwed into the inner face of the cover 15.

5 Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the invention where the ironing sole 4 has a soleplate 2 with a projection 9 in the form of a protruding wall in which the edge 12a fits. In this embodiment, the side wall 13 of the cover assembly 12 has an inclined shape which makes it possible for the evaporation chamber 10 to use more surface of the sole plate 2 and adjust the housing 24 of the device to the shape of the sole 4.

In addition, for the connection between the plate 2 and the cover assembly 12, a threaded connection 19 is provided with a screw 10 through a through hole 17 of the cover 15 and screwed on the upper side 2a of the plate.

The invention is not limited to the previous embodiments. Within the scope of the protection, the steam ironing device according to the invention may also adopt different configuration forms than those specifically described above. In particular, they can also be combined with other features of the individual embodiments of the side wall 13 with joining shapes thereof with the

15 soleplate 2. The reference symbols in the claims, description and drawings serve only the best compression of the invention and should not limit the scope of protection.

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List of reference symbols

2

 Sole plate

2nd

Upper side of 2

2b

2 lower side

4

Ironing sole

6

Steam outlet opening (s)

8

Steam distribution channels

9

Registry

10

Vaporization chamber

eleven

 Inner wall

12

 Cover set

12th

 12 edge

13

 Side wall

14

Introductory Opening

fifteen

 Top

16

Metering valve

17

 Through hole

18

Electric heating device

19

 Screw connection

twenty

 Through hole

twenty-one

 Outgoing flange

22

 Case

2. 3

groove

24

Silicone sealing / dough

AND

Point above which it is 14

W

Water

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Claims (11)

1. Steam ironing device, especially a steam iron or a steam ironing station, comprising: an ironing sole (4) having a soleplate (2) crossed by steam outlet openings (6 ), a side wall (13) and a cover (15) delimiting a vaporization chamber (10) that is in connection with the steam outlet openings (6) on the upper side (2a) of the soleplate ( 2) and in which steam and / or vaporization liquid (W) is optionally introduced through an introduction opening (14) disposed in the lid; where at least part of the side wall (13) is made of a piece with the cover (15) forming a cover assembly (12), characterized in that the cover assembly (12) has an edge (12a) that sits on the side upper (2a) of the sole plate (2). 2. Steam ironing device according to claim 1, characterized because The upper side (2a) of the soleplate (2) has a register (9) to position the edge (12a) by closing the evaporation chamber (10). 3. Steam ironing device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized because the edge (12a) rests at least partially on steam outlet openings (6) without closing them completely. 4. Steam ironing device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized because The cover assembly (12) is fixed to the soleplate (2) by means of a threaded joint (19). 5. Steam ironing device according to claim 4, characterized because The threaded joint (19) has at least one screw that passes through a through hole (20) in the soleplate (2) and is screwed to the inner face of the cover assembly (12). 6. Ironing device according to claim 4, characterized because The threaded joint (19) has at least one screw that passes through a through hole (17) in the cover (15) and is screwed to the upper side (2a) of the soleplate (2). 7. Steam ironing device according to claims 1 to 6, characterized because The cover (15) and the side wall (13) are made in one piece by an injected metal molding process, preferably aluminum or zamak, forming the cover assembly (12). 8. Steam ironing device according to claims 1 to 6, characterized because The cover (15) and the side wall (13) are made of a piece of stamped sheet, preferably aluminum sheet. 9. Steam ironing device according to claims 1 to 8, characterized because the side wall (13) is inclined at least partly towards the inside of the evaporation chamber (10) at least part of the perimeter of the cover assembly (12). 10. Steam ironing device according to claims 1 to 9, characterized because The side wall (13) is curved into the evaporation chamber (10) at least part of the perimeter of the cover assembly (12). 11. Steam ironing device according to claims 1 to 10, characterized because at least part of the perimeter of the side wall (13) on its face opposite the evaporation chamber (10) has a protruding flange (21) that projects outwards to direct the vapor that can seep between the joint of the cover assembly (12) to the upper side (2a) of the soleplate (2). 8