FR2626901A1 - STEAM IRON COMPRISING AN IMPROVED WATER SUPPLY DEVICE OF THE VAPORIZATION CHAMBER - Google Patents

Abstract

The steam iron comprises a water reservoir (1), an evaporation chamber (3) heated by the electrical resistor (4) of the sole (5) of the iron, and a water distribution chamber (6) communicating with the reservoir (1) and having means (7) for allowing the water of this chamber (6) to flow into the evaporation chamber (3). This iron possesses a device (10) sensitive to the pressure of the steam contained in the evaporation chamber (3) and acting on the pressure of the water contained in the distribution chamber (6). The invention is used especially for increasing the flow of steam during ironing.

Description

The present invention relates to a steam iron. we know

  irons, in which the water contained in a reservoir flows into a vaporization chamber heated by the electrical resistance incorporated in the soleplate of the iron; the steam produced in the vaporization chamber escapes from it. openings made through the sole of the iron, and will moisten the fabric to iron. The water of the tank flows into the gravitational spray chamber through an orifice controlled by a "drip" needle whose position is controlled by the user: in the "closed" position, it is returned to dryness; in the "open" position, steam is re-used, and in some appliances, the water flow can be adjusted in a discontinuous manner (multi-position needle), or continuously. In these devices, when the soleplate of the iron is applied to the fabric, the latter closes the orifices and hinders the escape of steam, and all the more so as we press the iron more strongly on the fabric. Thus, the pressure of the steam in the vaporization chamber increases, which reduces the flow of water through the needle, reducing the flow of steam moistening the tissue. This

  reduction is notable, of the order of -25% to -50.

  At this known disadvantage of back pressure, we have

already brought some remedies.

  According to the French patent 2,471,435, the water of the reservoir does not flow directly into the vaporization chamber, but first flows into an intermediate chamber, where it will then pass only through the needle to the chamber Spraying. The vaporization chamber is placed in permanent communication by an ascending pipe with the upper part of the intermediate chamber, called "vapor dome". Thus, the pressure of the steam is exerted permanently on the surface of the water present in the intermediate chamber. There is compensation

  the vapor pressure on both sides of the needle.

  The water therefore continues to flow under the sole effect of the gravity of the water level present in the intermediate chamber, so that the flow of water flowing through the needle is no longer influenced by the Vapor pressure Of course, a valve system prevents backflow to the main water tank, which is at atmospheric pressure. Another example is described in French Patent 2,569,21. The device described in this patent also comprises an intermediate chamber, called a "pressure chamber" or steam under pressure from

  vaporization chamber is introduced by a check valve

  return. Another check valve prevents backflow to

the main tank.

  All of these devices have actually made improvements to the simplest prior devices, where water flowed directly from the tank to the chamber of

* 20 vaporization.

  Nevertheless, these devices can not provide, in theory and at best, only the compensation between the vapor pressure in the vaporization chamber and the pressure on the surface of the water in the intermediate chamber. So, in

  theory and at best, the-flow of water would remain constant, that.

  the iron is cleared or applied to the fabric. But in practice,

  the flow rate still drops a little, of the order of - 10% i - 20%.

  Indeed, the steam that enters the intermediate chamber

  It cools and condenses, reducing its pressure.

  In addition, this rise of steam has

others. disadvantages.

  It heats the upper part of the iron, so the

  handle, which is not desirable.

  Finally, the valves or check valves, which operate in two-phase water-viper, are very sensitive to scaling. This requires the use of demineralized water, or the addition of an "anti-scale" device of which there are known examples. In any case, this; complicates the construction and the instructions for use, and

additional costs.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of known embodiments by creating a steam iron which not only maintains the steam flow rate, but even increases it when the iron is applied to the fabric; this iron is more construction

  simple and can work with tap water.

  The steam iron according to the invention comprises a water tank, a vaporization chamber heated by the electric resistance of the soleplate of the iron, and a water distribution chamber communicating with the reservoir and comprising means for allow the water to

  this chamber to flow into the vaporization chamber.

  the soleplate having steam passage holes

  produced in the vaporization chamber.

  According to the invention, this iron is

  characterized in that it comprises a device sensitive to

  pressure of the vapor contained in the chamber of.

  vaporization and acting on the pressure of the water contained

in the distribution chamber.

  Thus, when the openings of the sole are partially closed by the fabric being ironed, the increase in the pressure generated in the vaporization chamber causes, due to the device sensitive to this pressure, an increase in the pressure of the water contained in the distribution chamber, which causes an increase in the flow rate of the flow of water in the vaporization chamber. This gives an improvement

  considerable amount of iron working and ironing.

  The merit of the present invention is to utilize the increase in vapor pressure which has hitherto been a disadvantage, as a source of energy useful for increasing the flow rate of water in the vaporization chamber. According to an advantageous version of the invention, the pressure-sensitive device comprises a mobile member under the effect of an increase in the pressure of the vapor formed in the vaporization chamber, this member being mounted movably in a compartment filled with water

  communicates with the water distribution chamber.

  As a result of the increase of the vapor pressure, the body moves into the water compartment, which has the effect of increasing the water pressure and the flow rate of this water. water to the vaporization chamber. According to a preferred version of the invention, the compartment filled with water is located between the water tank

  and the vaporization chamber, this water tank -

  communicating with said compartment via a

check valve.

  This non-return valve avoids any risk of water returning to the tank because of the increase in

  pressure of the water contained in the compartment.

  Other features and advantages of the invention

  will still appear in the description below.

  In the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting example: FIG. 1 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of an iron according to the invention, in

rest position, -

  FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, the iron being in the operating position, FIG. 3 is a sectional view.

III-II of Figure 1.

  In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the iron & steam comprises a water tank 1 opening out through an opening 2, a vaporization chamber 3 heated by an electrical resistance 4 incorporated in the sole 5 of the iron and a water distribution chamber 6 communicating with the reservoir 1 and having a needle 7 adjustable in translation to allow the water of this chamber 6 to flow into the vaporization chamber 3 when the needle 7 is put into operation. position "steam" by action -on its button. 8. The soleplate 5 has openings 9 for the passage of

  the vapor produced in the vaporization chamber 3.

  According to the invention, this iron comprises a device designated by the general reference 10 sensitive to the pressure of the vapor contained in the vaporization chamber 3 and acting on the pressure of the water contained in the distribution chamber 6, as we are going

describe in more detail below.

  The pressure-sensitive device 10 comprises a movable member 11 under the effect of an increase in the pressure of the vapor formed in the vaporization chamber 3, this member 1i being movably mounted in a compartment 12 filled with water. who communicates with the room

  This compartment filled with water 12 is-

  located between the water tank 1 and the vaporization chamber 3. This water tank 1 communicates with the compartment 12 through closed openings 13

by a non-return valve 14.

  The member 11 and the water compartment 12 are dimensioned such that the displacement of the member 21 generates inside the water compartment 12 a water pressure greater than the pressure of the vapor formed in the water.

vaporization chamber 3.

  In the embodiment shown in the figures, the upper wall 15 of the vaporization chamber 3 comprises an opening 16 in which a resilient membrane 17 is sealingly attached. The lower wall 18 of the water compartment 12 has an opening 19 placed thereon. opposite the elastic membrane 17, in which is fixed in a sealed manner the upper edge Ila of a bellows il of elastic material which constitutes the abovementioned member and whose ltb edge opposite the lower opening 19 of the compatibly 12 is This diaphragm 17 and the bellows 1 are, for example, made of silicone elastomer. The surface of

  the membrane 17 is greater than the section of the bellows 11.

  FIGS. 1 to 3 show also that

  rigid element 20 for example a metal sheet.

  stamped, substantially cup-shaped is interposed

  between the bottom l1b of the bellows 1I and the elastic membrane 17.

  It can be seen further that the edge of the opening 16 of the upper wall 15 of the vaporization chamber 3 comprises a rolled rim 16a to which the edge 17a is hooked.

of the membrane.

  Moreover, the cup-shaped element 20 has a peripheral flange 20a which bears on the edge of the membrane 17, so that a void space is created between this membrane and the element 20 when the

  device 10 is at rest as shown in FIG.

  The device just described works as follows:

  - The tank 1 is filled with water. The needle 7 is.

  placed in "closed" position. Water flows through the anti-flap

  back 14, and fully fills compartment 12, y -

  Of course, the volume of the bellows 11 and the distribution chamber 6 are included. In the pressure of the water column (a few centimeters), the bellows 11 is stretched downwards, and the membrane 17 is in the lowest position. that allows the movement of the rigid element 20, as shown in Figure 1. In this position can be ironed

Dried up.

  To steam iron, the needle 7 is set to the "open" position. Water from the distribution chamber 6

  flows into the vaporization chamber 3 and vaporizes therein.

  As soon as the iron is applied to the fabric, the pressure of the steam increases. This pressure raises the membrane 17 and the element 20, which compresses the bellows 11, which increases the pressure of the water in the distribution chamber 6, which results in an increase in the flow rate of the water. flowing through the needle 7 in the vaporization chamber 3. As the surface of the membrane 17 is greater than that of the bottom of the bellows 11, the water pressure in the distribution chamber 6 increases more than the vapor pressure in

  the vaporization chamber 3. There is thus a multiplication of

pressure.

  When one raises the iron above the fabric, the steam escapes freely through. the openings 9 of the sole 5, the membrane 17 goes down, and the non-return valve 14 immediately admits the additional water necessary to fill

  fully the dispensing chamber 6.

  The practical realization of this device is simple-

  The only specific parts are the membrane 17-

  and the bellows 11 which must be made of a sufficiently elastic material to allow deformation

  corresponding & pressures of a few centimeters of water.

  By way of example, numerical values are given below illustrating an embodiment of the device according to

the invention.

  Diameter of the opening & in the upper wall 15 of the spray chamber 3: 40 mm Inner diameter of the bellows bottom I1: 16 mm Height of the bellows stretched (rest position): 13 mm Height of the compressed bellows (pressure position ). 7 mm Deflection of the bellows 11 - 6 mm Pressure multiplication ratio: P water = P vapor x 40x / 16a = P vapor x 6.24 In this embodiment, the steam flow rate with the iron applied to the fabric is greater than + 30% to +404 at the steam flow with the iron released (compare with the

reductions mentioned above).

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the example just described and can be made to it many changes without departing from the scope of 1'invention. Thus, the assembly constituted by the membrane 17 and the bellows 11 can be replaced by any device such as a piston displaceable under the effect of the pressure of the steam.

  way to increase the pressure of the water contained in the -

room 6.

62669, O l

Claims (9)

CLAIMS.   1. Steam iron comprising a water tank <1), a vaporization chamber (3) heated by the electric resistance (4) of the soleplate (5) of the iron, and a distribution chamber (6) of water communicating with the reservoir (1) and comprising means (7> to allow the water of this chamber (6) to flow into the vaporization chamber (3), the sole (5) comprising orifices (9) for passing the steam produced in the vaporization chamber, characterized in that it comprises a device (10) sensitive to the pressure of the vapor contained in the   vaporization chamber {3} and acting on the pressure of   the water contained in the distribution chamber (6).   2. Iron according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (10) sensitive to pressure comprises a member (11) movable under the effect of an increase in the pressure of the vapor formed in the steam chamber (3), this member (11) being movably mounted in a compartment (12) filled with water which   communicates with the water distribution chamber (6).   3. iron & ironing board according to claim 2, characterized in that the compartment (12) filled with water is located between the water tank (1) and the steam chamber (3), the water reservoir communicating with said compartment (12) via a non-return valve (14). 4. Iron according to one of the   2 or 3, characterized in that the member (10) and   the water compartment (12) are dimensioned in such a way   that the displacement of the organ (10) generates inside the.   water compartment (12) a higher water pressure & the pressure of the vapor formed in the vaporization chamber <3). 5. Iron to comply with one of the   Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the wall   upper portion (15) of the vaporization chamber (3) comprises an opening (16) in which a resilient membrane (17) is sealingly secured, in that the lower wall (18) of the water compartment (12) has an opening (19) placed opposite the elastic membrane (17), in which the upper edge of a bellows (11) of elastic material and whose edge opposite the opening (19) of the compartment is sealed. (12) bears on the membrane (17).   6. Iron according to claim e, characterized in that the surface of the membrane (17) is   upper & bellows section (11).   7. Iron & iron conform to one of the   claims 5 or 6, characterized in that a rigid element   (20) substantially cup-shaped is interposed between the   bottom of the bellows (11) and the elastic membrane (17).   8. Iron according to one of the   Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the edge of   the opening of the upper wall (15) of the vaporization chamber (3) comprises a rolled rim (16a), to which is   hung the edge of the membrane (17).   9. Iron ironing in accordance with one of the   Claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the element (20)   cup-shaped has a peripheral collar   (20a) which bears on the edge of the membrane (17).