JP2001204997A - Iron - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the generation of waterdrops that causes a stain for cloth by emitting mist from the ironing surface of an iron body. SOLUTION: Since a mist being generated from a mist emission nozzle 56 is guided to an opening 54 from a mist guide 52 and is emitted from the ironing surface of an iron body 1 to cloth, the iron can be handled with the same feeling as a steam iron for ease of use. Also, dew condensation water that comes into contact with and adheres to the inner-wall surface of the mist guide 52 is received by a water recovery reception part 71, thus preventing the dew condensation water from being unloaded from the opening 54 through the ironing surface of the iron body 1 and hence suppressing the generation of waterdrops that causes a stain on the cloth.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an iron provided with a humidifying device for stretching wrinkles of clothes or the like.

[0002]

Heretofore, as a means for improving wrinkle elongation efficiency of clothes, there has been known a steam iron in which steam is spouted sequentially from spout holes formed in the lower surface of a base. Due to the material orientation, many clothes using natural fibers, especially cotton and hemp, have come to be seen. However, natural fibers are characterized in that wrinkles are easily generated and wrinkles are hardly removed once. Therefore, during ironing work, it is known that by increasing the amount of water supplied to clothing, the efficiency of wrinkle elongation is improved, and it is known to use a mist generator separate from the iron and a mist generator recently. Irons are also popular.

[0003] Such an iron with a mist function is provided with a cylinder for introducing water in a water tank, a piston slidably provided to the cylinder, and a nozzle for jetting water in the cylinder as a mist. By pressing down the piston, the water in the water introduction chamber surrounded by the piston and the cylinder is pumped and supplied to the nozzle.

However, most irons provided with a mist generating device require a separate operation, such as the above-described manual pump using a piston and a cylinder, to generate mist. In most cases, causing a troublesome problem as an actual ironing operation. For this reason, the appearance of an iron that can spray mist from the hooking surface of the iron body facing the fabric and suppresses the generation of water droplets that tend to cause stains on the fabric is desired, similar to the feeling of a conventional steam iron. I was

An object of the present invention is to provide an iron capable of spraying mist from a hooking surface of an iron body and suppressing generation of water droplets which are likely to cause stains on a cloth. With that purpose.

[0006]

According to the iron of the present invention, when water in a water tank is supplied to a boiler and vaporized in a vaporization chamber, steam for mist spray is generated, and steam pressure from the boiler is generated. As a result, the water in the water tank is atomized, and mist is generated from the mist spray nozzle. The generated mist is guided to the mist outlet from the mist guide tube,
It is sprayed on the fabric from the hanging surface of the iron body. As described above, since the mist can be sprayed from the hanging surface of the iron body facing the cloth, it can be handled with the same feeling as a steam iron, and is convenient.

Further, a part of the mist generated from the mist spray nozzle contacts the inner wall surface of the mist guide tube, and the dew condensation water adheres. Therefore, dew water is not discharged from the mist outlet through the hanging surface of the iron body. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of water droplets that easily cause stains on the fabric.

[0008] With the iron according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the dew water adhering to the inner wall surface of the mist guide tube flows between the water recovery receiving portion and the base, the condensed water is made hydrophilic by the hydrophilic paint formed on the water receiving surface. By the action, it is quickly diffused to the water receiving surface without stopping there, and is steamed by the base heated by the heating means. Therefore, the dew condensation water does not stay in the water collection reception part, and it is possible to prevent the dew condensation water from overflowing from the water recovery reception part.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the condensed water that has reached the water recovery receiving portion is steamed by the base heated by the heating means, passes through the steam passage, and is provided on the base plate of the base. It is discharged from the outlet in a timely manner. Therefore, the dew water adhering to the mist guide cylinder can be effectively sprayed as steam on the fabric.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the iron according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 5, reference numeral 1 denotes an iron main body, and the iron main body 1 includes a base 3 in which a first heater 2 is embedded as a heating means at a lower portion. On the bottom surface of the base 3, a detachable base back plate 5 that forms a hanging surface of the iron body 1 facing the fabric together with the base 3 is provided. The upper surface of the base 3 is covered with a base cover 6, and a handle 7 is attached above the base cover 6. A water tank 8 corresponding to a first water tank for storing water is provided on the iron body 1 in front of the handle 7 and on the upper surface of the base cover 6.
It is provided detachably with respect to.

The water tank 8 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.
The shape seen from the upper surface is substantially U-shaped, and both sides are arranged so as to straddle from the front end to the rear end of the handle 7. Reference numeral 9 denotes an openable and closable water inlet cap provided at a front part of the water tank 8, from which water is stored in the water tank 8 and unnecessary water in the water tank 8 can be discarded. A lock mechanism for the water tank 8 is provided with a tank lock button 10 slightly protruding from one side of the handle 7, a lock body 11 which moves up and down in accordance with the operation of the tank lock button 10, and a lock body. A spring 12 for constantly urging the lower part 11 is provided on the iron main body 1. And
A lock portion 13 protruding from a lower portion of the locking body 11 is configured to be locked in a concave portion 14 formed on an inclined upper surface of the water tank 8. In this embodiment, the detachable water tank 8 is described. However, a fixed water tank 8 not having the lock mechanism may be used.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a water flow joint provided at a lower portion of the water tank 8 for storing water from the water tank 8. Water fitting 16
A water receiving port 18 communicating with a water supply port 17 formed at the bottom of the water tank 8 is provided at an upper portion of the water tank 8. Also, 19 is a water fitting
This is a first water conduit provided downstream of 16 and leading to a second water tank 20 separate from the water tank 8. This first headrace 19
Is a water supply fitting 16 and a second water tank 20 corresponding to a boiler.
To connect the water stored in the water tank 8 and thus the water passage coupling 16 to the vaporizer 21 below the second water tank 20. The first heater is located near the vaporizer 21. A second heater 22, which is another heating means, is provided. In the middle of the first water conduit 19, a check valve 23 is provided as a check valve for preventing a backflow of steam generated in the vaporizer 21.

Here, the structure of the check valve 23 is shown in FIGS.
It will be described based on. In the figure, the outer shell of the check valve 23 is
The case 24 includes a bottomed cylindrical case 24 and a case lid 25 that covers an upper opening of the case 24.
Is fitted watertight with the packing 26 interposed. The inside of the check valve 23 has a rolling surface formed inside the case 24.
A sphere or ball 29 movable along 28 is provided. On the front side of the rolling surface 28, a connection port 30 that fits into the first water conduit 19 on the side of the water flow joint 16 is formed.
On the rear side of 28, another connection port 31 that fits into the first water conduit 19 on the vaporizer 21 side is formed. At the base end side of the connection port 30, a valve body 32 that can be in close contact with the outer surface of the ball 29 is provided.

Although not shown, the rolling surface 28 of the ball 29 has a guide groove on the center line connecting the connection ports 30 and 31, and regulates the movement of the ball 29 particularly in the left-right direction. In addition, the rolling surface 28 is in the state of ironing shown in FIG.
In a substantially horizontal state), there is provided a slope of about 10 ° which is lowered toward the front, that is, toward the connection port 30 having the valve body 32, and when ironing, the outer surface of the ball 29 comes into close contact with the valve body 32, The mounting table shown in FIG.
When the ball 101 (see FIG. 3) is placed, the ball 29 moves to the connection port 31 side to open the valve body 32.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 to 5, the vaporizer 21 heated by the second heater 22 and the base 3 heated by the first heater 2 are each composed of separate members. A space 35 serving as a heat shield layer is formed. The vaporizer 21 has a bottomed vaporization chamber 37 that communicates with a nozzle 36 provided at the bottom of the second water tank 20. As a base temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the base 3, a thermistor 38 is provided here, and upon receiving a detection signal of the thermistor 38, a first temperature control device 39 provided inside the handle 7 is used for the base 3. It is designed to control the temperature. Separately, a second temperature control device 40 for controlling the temperature of the vaporizer 21 is provided inside the iron main body 1. The first temperature control device 39 and the second temperature control device 40 correspond to temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the base 3 and the vaporizer 21 independently. Reference numeral 41 denotes an overheating prevention device attached to the base 3, which is
When the temperature rises excessively, the power supply to the iron body 1 is forcibly shut off.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a steam opening / closing rod serving as an opening / closing rod for opening / closing the nozzle 36 corresponding to an outlet. The steam opening / closing rod 42 is operated by a spring 43 as an opening / closing rod urging member.
It is always urged in the opening direction of 36. Reference numeral 44 denotes an operation body slidably provided in the front-rear direction of the iron body 1. The front side of the operation body 44, that is, one end side, is formed with an inclined surface that can contact the head of the steam opening / closing rod 42, while the rear side, that is, the other end side of the operation body 44 projects from the rear part of the iron body 1. Accordingly, the operation body is always urged rearward by the urging force of a spring 45 as an urging member. Reference numeral 46 denotes a manual operation member which can also be brought into contact with the head of the steam opening / closing rod 42, which is interlocked with manual operation of a steam button 47 corresponding to a steam / dry switching button protruding from the upper portion of the iron body 1. The nozzle 36 is opened and closed via a steam opening and closing rod 42. Thereby, the water from the water flow joint 16 can be supplied to or stopped from the second water tank 20. Numeral 48 is a cylindrical steam feedback pipe which communicates the vaporization chamber 37 with the second water tank 20, and an opening 49 is formed on the upper side of the steam feedback pipe 48. The steam generated in the vaporization chamber 37 is stored in a second water tank 20, which is a boiler chamber, and is sent to a mist chamber 51 through a steam passage 50 communicating with the second water tank 20.

Reference numeral 52 denotes a mist guide attached to the base 3, which has a conical shape with an open bottom, and the mist chamber 51 is located inside the hollow of the mist guide 52. A mist nozzle portion 53 for injecting mist using the flow rate of steam generated in the vaporization chamber 37 is attached to an upper part of the mist chamber 51, that is, an upper part of the mist guide 52. An opening 54 is formed in the mounting surface. Further, a slit-shaped mist outlet is provided on the base plate 5 so as to face the opening 54 of the base 3.
55 are formed. The mist nozzle part 53 is connected to the steam passage 50
A steam jet nozzle 56 having a conical inner surface communicating with the nozzle,
Second water conduit connecting the water fitting 16 and the mist nozzle 53
A mist spray nozzle 58 as a mist spray nozzle communicating with 57 is provided, and the tip of the mist spray nozzle 58 is located near the steam spray nozzle 56 in the upper part of the mist chamber 51. Then, utilizing the flow velocity of the steam injected from the steam ejection nozzle 56, the water stored in the water flow joint 16 is converted into mist from the mist ejection nozzle 58 through the second water passage 57, and this is mist from the upper part of the mist chamber 51. The mist is spouted outside from the mist spout 55 through the opening 54. Note that the base 3 is located between the water-permeable joint 16 and the base 3.
A heat shield plate 59 is provided to block heat from the outside.

Reference numeral 61 denotes a valve body for changing the opening area of the steam passage 50. In this embodiment, the valve body 61 is provided at the tip end of the steam passage 50 near the steam ejection nozzle 56 so as to be vertically movable.
May be provided in the middle or at the base end side. Here, the steam passage 50 refers to a portion from the second water tank 20 to the steam jet nozzle 56. The movable mechanism of the valve element 61 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
Are manually operated, and are provided so as to protrude from the upper surface of the iron main body 1 and be capable of being pushed. Reference numeral 63 denotes a rotor as an opening / closing control unit that opens and closes according to the operation of the operation button 62. Below the rotor 63, a valve body 61 is provided.
A joint 64 is provided which abuts on the upper end of the iron body 1 and moves up and down inside the iron main body 1 in accordance with the pressing position of the operation button 62.
The rotor 63 is formed in a concave shape with an open lower surface, and the upright portion 65 of the joint 64 is inserted into the concave portion. A flange ring 66 is attached and fixed to the upright portion 65. A spring 68 as a joint urging member for urging the joint 64 upward is provided between the flange ring 66 and a support member 67 forming the water tank 8.
And, between the flange ring 66 and the rotor 63,
A spring 69 is provided as a rotor urging body for urging the rotor 63 and the operation button 62 in contact therewith upward. Further, another spring 70 is provided as a valve element urging member for urging the valve element 61 upward.

The rotator 63 transmits the pressing force of the operation button 62 to the joint 64 and the valve body 61 in conjunction with the operation button 62, and when the operation button 62 is pushed down to its operation lower end position,
It is engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) formed in the water tank 8 to be in a locked state, and holds the joint 64 and the valve body 61 at that position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the valve body 61 is held at a position where the steam passage 50 is closed, but the valve body 61 does not completely close the steam passage 50, and the outer surface of the valve body 61 and the steam passage 50 are not closed. A slight gap is formed between the inner surface and the inner surface. Therefore, a small amount of steam that has passed through the gap is jetted from the steam jet nozzle 56 into the mist chamber 51. On the other hand, when the operation button 62 is further pushed downward from the locked state of the rotor 63 shown in FIG. 9, the engaged state between the rotor 63 and the engaging portion is released, and the urging force of each of the springs 68 to 70 is released. As a result, the valve body 61 and thus the operation button 62, the rotor 63 and the joint 64 are pushed up, and return to the position shown in FIG. At this time, the valve body 61
Is a steam jet nozzle to open the steam passage 50
The amount of steam injected into the mist chamber 51 from 56 also increases.
As described above, by the pressing operation of the operation button 62, the amount of steam injected from the steam ejection nozzle 56 to the mist chamber 51 is increased or decreased, and the mist amount finally ejected from the mist outlet 55 is variably controlled. Make up.

When the steam passage 50 is closed,
As a means for forming a gap between the valve body 61 and the steam passage 50, for example, a slit may be formed in the valve body 61 or the steam passage 50, and a small amount of steam may pass through the slit. Further, the steam ejection nozzle 56 may be closed or opened by the valve body 61 instead of the steam passage 50. Also in this case, the valve body 61 is formed in a needle shape, for example, and a small gap is formed between the valve body 61 and the steam ejection nozzle 56 when the steam ejection nozzle 56 is closed.

As described above, the mist guide 52 that guides the mist generated in the mist chamber 51 to the opening 54, which is the mist discharge port of the base 3, is formed in a conical shape with the lower part opened. Mist guide over the entire circumference of the opening 54
A predetermined distance (for example, 1 mm) is provided from the inner wall surface of the lower end of 52, and a water recovery receiving portion 71 formed in a protruding shape extending upward on the base 3 is provided. The water recovery receiving section 71 is configured to receive the water. Further, a gap 72 formed between the mist guide 52 and the water recovery receiving portion 71 and a steam discharge port 73 provided in the base back plate 5 serve as a steam passage between the base 3 and the base back plate 5. They are connected to each other by a steam hole 74. Further, a hydrophilic paint is formed on the water receiving surface 76 of the water recovery receiving portion 71 facing the gap 72 into which the condensed water enters. Is formed at a height (for example, 5 mm or more) so as not to overflow even if it is boiled by the heat.

The handle 7 is used to insert a hand between the abdomen 82 of the iron body 1 located below the handle 81 and the handle 81, in addition to the handle 81 corresponding to the grip. A cavity 83 is formed. Here, the abdomen 82 refers to the flat central upper surface of the iron main body 1 facing the handle 81 except for both sides of the water tank 8, and the abdomen 82 is located on both sides of the water tank 8. It is formed at a position lower than the end face. The lower surface of the cavity 83 from the upper end surface on both sides to the abdomen 82 is formed in a gentle concave shape along the back of the hand so that the hand can be easily inserted.

An operation panel 84 is provided above the handle 7. Here, a setting button 85 corresponding to an operation means for changing the set temperature of the base 3 and a temperature display section 87 for displaying a current set temperature by a plurality of light emitting diodes, ie, LEDs 86, are provided.

As described above, the first temperature control device 39 for controlling the base 3 to a predetermined temperature by appropriately turning off and on the power of the first heater 2 is provided inside the handle 7.
This first temperature control device 39 is, specifically, the setting button 85
In addition to the switch unit 88 and the LED 86, a buzzer 89 as a notifying unit for notifying the user of a temperature setting change or an inappropriate temperature state, and a current set temperature are stored and held, and a setting button 85 can be received. A power storage device 90 such as a secondary battery or a capacitor is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 91.
Reference numeral 93 denotes a substrate supporting portion formed behind the substrate 91. Another substrate 94 is provided at the rear of the iron main body 1 supported by the substrate supporting portion 93. Reference numeral 95 denotes a rear cover that forms a rear outer shell of the iron main body 1. A pair of power supply terminals 97 for supplying electric power to the iron main body 1 project from a recess 96 formed below the rear cover 95. Installed.

On the other hand, 101 is a mounting table on which the iron main body 1 can be mounted, which is a mounting section whose upper surface is inclined in one direction.
A receiving portion 103 protrudes from the lower end side of the inclined portion 102. The receiving portion 103 has a leaf spring-shaped power contact 104 corresponding to the power supply terminal 97.
When the iron main body 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 102 of the mounting table 101, the power supply terminal 97 contacts the power contact 104, and the power cord 105 connected to an outlet (not shown) is provided.
Power is supplied to the iron body 1 as needed. When the iron main body 1 is mounted on the mounting table 101, the iron main body 1 is held in a state of being inclined downward by about 20 ° toward the rear.

Next, the electrical configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The first temperature control device 39 is specifically composed of a microcomputer, for example, and performs a series of operations according to a control sequence of a program stored in a storage device (not shown) of the microcomputer. It is composed. On the input side of the first temperature control device 39, in addition to the setting button 85, a temperature detecting means 107 such as a thermistor 38 for detecting the temperature of the base 3 and the iron body 1 are mounted on the mounting table 101. Iron placement detecting means 108 for determining whether or not the operation has been performed is connected. The output side of the first temperature control device 39 is connected to the first heater 2, the temperature display section 87, the buzzer 89, and the like. The first temperature control device 39 receives an operation signal from the setting button 85 regardless of whether or not the iron main body 1 is mounted on the mounting table 101, and sets the set temperature of the base 3 to, for example, low temperature. Temperature setting means 109 for switching between three stages of "low", "medium" meaning a medium temperature, and "high" meaning a high temperature, and the iron main body 1 is mounted on the mounting table 101. It includes an off state setting means 110 for receiving an operation signal from the setting button 85 and setting the iron body 1 to an off state regardless of whether or not the iron button is on. And in this embodiment,
Each time the setting button 85 is pressed once, each setting mode in the temperature setting means 109 or the off state setting means 110 is
The temperature setting is switched in steps of "off" → "low" → "medium" → "high" → "off" one by one (however,
If the temperature is set to a high temperature, the setting button 85 is operated to enter a setting mode of an OFF state.) In addition, as in this embodiment,
The temperature setting means 109 may be configured so that the set temperature of the base 3 can be continuously and variably set instead of stepwise. In this case, the operation means is not a push button type, and for example, a slide type switch may be used. Further, an operating means for switching the set temperature of the base 3 and an operating means for instructing an off state may be provided separately. In other words, the iron body 1
It is sufficient that the first temperature control device 39 is provided with a temperature setting means 109 that can receive an operation signal from the operation means and switch and set the set temperature of the base 3 even during the separation (lift). The setting mode once set by the temperature setting means 109 or the off-state setting means 110 is retained and stored for a predetermined time by the backup power storage device 90 while the iron body 1 is detached.

The first temperature control device 39 detects the temperature of the base 3 detected by the temperature detecting means 107 when the iron mounting detecting means 108 detects that the iron main body 1 is mounted on the mounting table 101. The first heater 2 serving as a heating means of the base 3 is cut off and controlled so as to match the set temperature set by the temperature setting means 109. Further, the first temperature control device 39 includes a notification / display control unit 111 for controlling the temperature display unit 87 and the buzzer 89.
When the temperature of the base 3 detected by the temperature detecting means 107 is in an appropriate temperature range near the set temperature at the time of mounting, the LED 86 of the temperature display section 87 corresponding to the set temperature is turned on, and the buzzer 89 While giving information by
When the temperature of the base 3 is out of the appropriate temperature range, the LED 86 of the temperature display section 87 corresponding to the set temperature is made to blink, and the buzzer 89 is not informed.

On the other hand, when the iron main body 1 is detached from the mounting table 101, the power supply from the mounting table 101 to the iron main body 1 is cut off, so that the first heater 2 is turned off. At this time, the first temperature control device 39
It continues to operate by the power supply from, monitors the temperature of the base 3 detected by the temperature detecting means 107, and receives an operation signal from the setting button 85. Then, when the temperature of the base 3 falls below an appropriate temperature range near the set temperature set by the temperature setting means 109, or
When the temperature set in the temperature setting means 109 is switched to a higher temperature than before by operating the
111 is configured to use the buzzer 89 or the LED 86 of the temperature display unit 87 to perform power supply notification or display for prompting mounting of the iron main body 1 on the mounting table 101.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Filling mouth lid 9 in advance
When the water tank 8 is stored in the water tank 8 and the water tank 8 is inserted from the front of the handle 7, the upper surface of the water tank 8 pushes up the lock portion 13 against the spring 12, and finally enters the recess 14. The locking of the lock portion 13 sets the water tank 8 at a predetermined position of the iron main body 1. Then, in step S1 of FIG. 11, when the power cord 105 is inserted into an outlet (not shown) with the iron main body 1 mounted on the mounting base 101, the power contact 104 of the mounting base 101 and the power supply terminal 97 of the iron main body 1 are connected. By being electrically connected, power is supplied to the first temperature control device 39, the second temperature control device 40, and the power storage device 90 in the iron main body 1. In the first temperature control device 39, an off state setting mode is first set by the off state setting means 110 as an initial state, and the notification / display control means 111 controls the operation panel 84.
The LED 88 corresponding to “OFF” is turned on. In this off state, power is not supplied to the first heater 2 for safety. Thereafter, when the setting button 85 is pushed and operated in step S2, the setting mode is changed from “off” to “low”, “medium”,
Switching is performed in the order of “high”, and the corresponding LED 86 is turned on. When the mode is switched to the setting mode of the temperature setting unit 109 other than “OFF” in step S3, the first heater 2 is energized by the first temperature control device 39.

The first temperature controller 39 performs the following step S
In 4, the iron placement detecting means 108 detects whether the iron main body 1 is being placed or removed. In a state where the iron body 1 is continuously mounted on the mounting table 101, the first heater 2 heats the base 3 until the temperature of the base 3 reaches the temperature set by the temperature setting means 59. At this time, the first temperature control device 39
Is within the appropriate temperature range close to the set temperature, based on the detection output from the temperature detection means 107 (step S
5). When the temperature of the base 3 is out of the appropriate temperature range, the process proceeds to the next step S6, where the LED 86 of the temperature display section 87 corresponding to the set temperature is made to blink, and the buzzer is sounded.
The user is notified that the base 3 is in an unsuitable temperature state without performing the notification by 89. On the other hand, when the temperature of the base 3 is within the appropriate temperature range in step S5, the process proceeds to step S7, where the LED 86 of the temperature display section 87 corresponding to the set temperature is turned on, and the buzzer 89 sounds for a predetermined time. Then, the user is notified that ironing is possible. Then, the first temperature control device 39
As long as the iron body 1 is mounted on the mounting table 101, so that the temperature of the base 3 is maintained within an appropriate temperature range,
The first heater 2 is controlled to be turned off, and the process returns to step S4 irrespective of whether the temperature of the base 3 is appropriate or inappropriate.

Then, in step S4, when the iron main body 1 is detached from the mounting table 101 for ironing, the power supply from the mounting table 101 to the iron main body 1 side is cut off, and the first heater 2 is turned off. Becomes The first temperature control device 39 continues to operate by power supply from the power storage device 90, but in the next step S8, when the temperature of the base 3 falls below the appropriate temperature range, or by operating the setting button 85. When the set temperature in the temperature setting means 109 is switched to a higher temperature than before, the buzzer 89 or the LED 86 is used to set the mounting table 10 of the iron body 1.
Notification or display of power supply for prompting placement on 1 is performed. Then, the process returns to step S4.

When ironing, after inserting a hand through the cavity 83 of the iron body 1, the handle 81 of the handle 7 is inserted.
And hold it in your palm. At this time, the abdomen 82 of the iron main body 1 below the handle 81 is located at a position lower than both sides of the water tank 8 provided along both sides of the iron main body 1, and is located between the handle 81 and the abdomen 82. Has a wide cavity 83, so that the back of the hand, that is, the back of the hand, does not easily hit the abdomen 82 of the iron body 1 when the handle 81 is grasped, and the handle 7 can be easily held.
In addition, in order to make the leading end of the base 3 easily visible, the front end surface of the water tank 8 is inclined so as to relatively largely fall toward the rear side of the iron main body 1. Since both sides of the tank 8 are secured high enough to accommodate a sufficient amount of water, it is possible to solve the conventional shortage of capacity of the water tank.

As described above, when the setting button 85 is operated to set the base 3 to a desired temperature, the first temperature controller 39 turns on the power to the first heater 2 based on the output signal of the thermistor 38. Control to maintain the base 3 at the set temperature. When the setting button 85 is set to a value other than "OFF", the second temperature control device 40 controls the energization of the second heater 22, and sets the vaporizer 21 to a preset temperature (about 180 to 240 ° C). To maintain. Thus, the temperature of the base 3 and the vaporizer 21 are independently controlled by the separate temperature controllers 39 and 40, respectively. On the other hand, the iron body 1 as shown in FIG.
In a state where the iron body 1 is placed on the iron body 1, the iron body 1 is held in a state of being inclined backward by about 20 °. In this state,
As shown in FIG. 7, a rolling surface 28 inside the check valve 23 is provided.
Is lowered by about 10 ° toward the connection port 31 side, and the ball 29 moves to the connection port 31 side to open the valve element 32. For this reason, the water in the water tank 8 flows into the second water tank 20 from the water flow joint 16 through the first water conduit 19. But iron body 1
Is placed on the mounting table 101, the rear end of the operating body 44 protruding from the rear cover 95 is pressed into contact with the receiving portion 103 of the mounting table 101, and the inclined body formed on the front side of the operating body 44 is The surface comes into contact with the head of the steam opening / closing rod 42 and moves the steam opening / closing rod 42 downward so as to close the nozzle 36.
No water flows into 37. By moving the steam opening / closing rod 42 in a direction in which the operating body 44 in contact with the mounting table 101 closes the nozzle 36, when the iron main body 1 without ironing is mounted, useless steam is generated by the vaporization chamber 37. Can be prevented.

Next, in order to perform ironing, when the iron main body 1 is lifted from the mounting table 101, the operating body 4 is lifted.
Since the rear end of 4 is separated from the receiving portion 103 of the mounting table 101, the operating body 44 moves backward by the urging force of the spring 45, and the contact state between the operating body 44 and the steam opening / closing rod 42 is released. In this state, operate the steam button 47 to the steam side,
When the manual operation body 46 is moved upward, the contact state between the manual operation body 46 and the steam opening / closing bar 42 is also released, and the steam opening / closing bar 42 is pushed up in a direction to open the nozzle 36 by the elastic force of the spring 43. When this happens, the water stored in the second water tank 20 until then passes through the nozzle 36 and evaporates into the vaporization chamber 37.
And heated by the vaporizer 21 maintained at a preset temperature, and rapidly becomes steam. This vaporization chamber 37
Steam generated in the steam feedback tube 48
Through the opening 49 and stored in the second water tank 20. The opening 49 formed in the steam feedback tube 48 is
The steam is provided at a position higher than the liquid level of the second water tank 20 when the nozzle 36 is opened, and the steam returned to the second water tank 20 is directly sent to the water stored therein to form a foam. Is prevented. The steam button
When the manual operation body 46 is moved downward by operating the 47 on the dry side, the manual operation body 46 comes into contact with the head of the steam opening / closing rod 42, and the steam opening / closing rod 42 Is moved downward, so that water does not flow into the vaporization chamber 37. Therefore, in this case, steam is not generated from the vaporization chamber 37 regardless of whether the iron main body 1 is mounted on the mounting table 101 or not.

When the iron main body 1 is lifted from the mounting table 101 and the steam button 47 is operated to the steam side, when the iron main body 1 is set to a substantially horizontal state (ironing state), as shown in FIG. The rolling surface 28 inside the check valve 23 is lowered by about 10 ° toward the connection port 30 side, and the ball 29 moves to the connection port 30 side and the valve body 32
In close contact. When this happens, the valve body 32 closes and shuts off the flow between the water-flow coupling 16 and the second water tank 20, so that
The steam discharged from the vaporization chamber 37 to the second water tank 20 does not flow backward from the first water conduit 19 to the water-flow joint 16 side.

The steam stored in the second water tank 20 passes through the steam passage 50 and gushes from the steam ejection nozzle 56 of the mist nozzle 53 to the mist chamber 51 in the mist guide 52. Along with this, the mist ejection nozzle 58
Of the water tank 8 is sucked from the water flow joint 16 through the second water conduit 57 and crushed into a fine mist at the mist jet nozzle 58. The mist spouting from the mist spout nozzle 58 is sent out along the flow of steam from the steam spout nozzle 56 toward the opening 54 in the mist chamber 51,
Mist spout 55 of base back plate 5 attached to base 3
More sprayed on the fabric. By performing ironing in this state, it is possible to give sufficient moisture to the fabric facing the lower surfaces of the base 3 and the base back plate 5, and it is possible to obtain a good finished state.

Even when the heat of the base 3 is taken away by the fabric by the ironing operation and the temperature of the base 3 is lowered, or when the temperature of the base 3 is set to a low temperature such as synthetic fiber (about 110 ° C.), The vaporizer 21 is provided with a second heater 22 separately from the base 3 and is independently temperature-controlled, so that a temperature sufficient to obtain a steam pressure required for mist generation can be maintained and stable. The mist can be sprayed from the mist outlet 55 onto the fabric. Further, since the base 3 and the vaporizer 21 are separate members, and a space 35 for thermal insulation is provided between them, the temperature of the base 3 and the vaporizer 21 which are individually controlled independently is controlled. Can be maintained at the set temperatures without being significantly affected by each other.

The amount of mist injected from the mist outlet 55 is
It can be adjusted by operating the operation button 62. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when the operation button 62 is pushed down to its operation lower end position, the operation button 62 and the rotor 63 are both locked by the rotor 63 below the operation button 62,
The joint 64 and the valve body 61 are also held at the pushed-in positions against the biases of the springs 68 to 70. Then, the steam stored in the second water tank 20 passes through a small gap between the outer surface of the valve body 61 and the inner surface of the steam passage 50, and a small amount of steam is supplied from the steam ejection nozzle 56 to the mist chamber 51. Is injected. Therefore, in this case, the amount of water sucked from the water tank 8 to the mist ejection nozzle 58 also decreases, and a small amount of mist is ejected from the mist ejection port 55 to the fabric.

On the other hand, when the operation button 62 is further pushed downward from this state, the locked state of the rotor 63 is released, and the urging force of each of the springs 68 to 70 causes the valve body 61 and thus the operation button 6 to move.
2. The rotor 63 and the joint 64 are pushed up and return to the position shown in FIG. At this time, since the valve element 61 opens the steam passage 50, a large amount of steam is injected from the steam jet nozzle 56 into the mist chamber 51. Therefore, in this case, the amount of water sucked from the water tank 8 to the mist ejection nozzle 58 also increases, and a large amount of mist is ejected from the mist ejection port 55 to the fabric. By simply operating the operation button 62, the amount of mist sprayed from the mist outlet 55 can be easily controlled, so that an iron that is excellent in usability can be provided.

When a part of the mist generated from the mist jet nozzle 58 touches a part of the inner wall surface of the mist guide 52, the mist is cooled by this part and dew forms. The water droplets flow down along, and are discharged from the opening 54 through the mist outlet 55, and may cause the fabric to stain. However, in the present embodiment, when dew condensation water adheres to the inner wall surface of the mist guide 52 and flows down along the inner wall surface of the mist guide 52, a gap 72 formed between the mist guide 52 and the water recovery receiving portion 71 is formed. The water enters the water collecting surface 71 of the water collecting and receiving portion 71 on which the hydrophilic paint is applied, and diffuses.

As described above, the dew water adhering to the inner wall surface of the mist guide 52 is received by the water recovery receiving portion 71 provided over the front circumference of the opening 54 of the base 3.
No dew water is discharged from the mist outlet 55 through the mist outlet 55. Further, the dew water that has reached the gap 72 does not stop there, but is quickly diffused by the hydrophilic action of the water receiving surface 76 and is steamed by the heated base 3. At this time, even if the collected dew condensation water boils due to the heat of the base 3, the water collection receiving section
Since the projections 71 are formed so as not to overflow the dew condensation water, there is no danger that the projections 71 will get over the water recovery receiving portion 71 and scatter from the opening 54 to the mist outlet 55 and eventually to the fabric. The condensed water diffused to the water receiving surface 76 is timely discharged from a steam discharge port 73 provided in the base back plate 5 through a steam hole 74 while being steamed by the heat of the base 3. Since the steam hole 74 is provided to face the fabric to be ironed, there is an advantage that the dew water adhering to the mist guide 52 can be effectively sprayed as steam on the fabric. The condensed water thus collected can be discharged to the outside of the iron main body 1 through the steam hole 74 without staying inside the iron main body 1, and the opening 54 serving as a mist outlet is formed on the base surface of the iron main body 1. , The workability of ironing can be improved.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the base 3 having the first heater 2 as the heating means, the water tank 8 for storing water, and the steam in the water tank 8 for vaporizing mist A second water tank 20 as a boiler having a vaporization chamber 37 for generating water, a mist spray nozzle 56 serving as a mist spray nozzle for atomizing water in the water tank 8 by steam pressure in the second water tank 20, , Mist jet nozzle 56
A mist guide 52 serving as a mist guide tube for guiding the mist generated from the mist to an opening 54 which is a mist discharge port of the base 3 and spraying the mist from the hanging surface of the iron body 1, and provided inside the mist guide 52 around the entire circumference of the opening 54. And a water recovery receiving section 71.

With such a configuration, when the water in the water tank 8 is supplied to the second water tank 20 and vaporized in the vaporization chamber 37, steam for spraying mist is generated.
The water in the water tank 8 is atomized by the steam pressure from
Mist is generated from the mist ejection nozzle 56. The generated mist is guided to the opening 54 from the mist guide 52 and is sprayed from the hanging surface of the iron body 1 onto the fabric. As described above, since the mist can be sprayed from the hanging surface of the iron body 1 facing the cloth, the mist can be handled with the same feeling as the steam iron, and the usability is good.

A part of the mist generated from the mist ejection nozzle 56 touches the inner wall surface of the mist guide 52 and the dew condensation water adheres. Since it is received, the dew water is not discharged from the opening 54 through the hanging surface of the iron body 1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of water droplets that easily cause stains on the fabric.

In this embodiment, the water receiving surface of the water collecting
A hydrophilic paint is formed on 76, and the water recovery receiving part 71 is mist guide
A certain interval (gap 72) is provided from 52. With such a configuration, when dew water adhering to the inner wall surface of the mist guide 52 flows into the gap 72 between the water recovery receiving portion 71 and the base 3, the hydrophilic action of the hydrophilic paint formed on the water receiving surface 76 Accordingly, the water is quickly diffused to the water receiving surface 76 without stopping there, and is steamed by the base 3 heated by the first heater 2. Accordingly, the dew condensation water does not stay in the water recovery receiving portion 71, and the dew water can be prevented from overflowing from the water recovery receiving portion 71. In this case, if the condensed water collected in the water recovery receiving portion 71 is formed so as not to overflow even if it boils due to the heat of the base 3, it is possible to prevent water from jumping from the water recovery receiving portion 71 and scattering to the fabric. .

Further, in the present embodiment, the base back cover 5 having the steam discharge port 73 is provided on the base 3, and the water recovered by the water recovery receiving section 71 is steamed to form the steam discharge port 73.
A steam hole 74 is formed between the base 3 and the base back cover 4 as a steam passage for discharging to the base. With this configuration, the condensed water that has reached the water recovery receiving section 71 is steamed by the base 3 heated by the first heater 2, passes through the steam hole 74, and is provided on the base back plate 5. It is discharged from the outlet 73 in a timely manner. Therefore, the dew water adhering to the mist guide 52 can be effectively sprayed as steam on the fabric.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the present embodiment, the mist outlet 55 is provided on the base back plate 5, but may be provided on the base 3.

[0049]

According to the iron of claim 1 of the present invention,
Mist can be sprayed from the hooking surface of the iron body, and the generation of water droplets that tend to cause stains on the fabric can be suppressed.

According to the iron of the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the dew water from staying in the water recovery receiving portion and prevent the dew water from overflowing from the water recovery receiving portion.

According to the iron of the third aspect of the present invention, the dew water adhering to the mist guide tube can be effectively sprayed as steam on the fabric.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an iron body according to an embodiment of the present invention with a base cover removed.

FIG. 2 is an overall sectional view of the same iron body.

FIG. 3 is an overall sectional view showing a state where the iron main body is mounted on a mounting table.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the same iron body.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the iron main body.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the check valve at the time of ironing.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the check valve in a state where the iron main body is mounted on a mounting table.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a main part when the mist amount is large.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a main part when the mist amount is small.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the same.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the above.

[Description of Signs] 1 Iron main body 2 First heater (heating means) 3 Base 5 Base back lid 8 Water tank 20 Second water tank (boiler) 37 Vaporization chamber 50 Steam passage 52 Mist guide (Mist guide cylinder) 54 Opening 56 Mist jet nozzle (mist jet nozzle) 71 Water recovery receiving part 72 Crevice (constant interval) 73 Steam outlet 74 Steam hole (steam passage) 76 Water receiving surface

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yukihisa Kobayashi 2570-1 Gosuda, Kamo-shi, Niigata F-term in Toshiba Home Techno Co., Ltd. 4L029 DA02 DA09 DC03

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A boiler having a base having a heating means, a water tank for storing water, and a vaporization chamber for vaporizing water in the water tank to generate steam for spraying mist.
A mist spray nozzle for atomizing water in the water tank by steam pressure in the boiler, and a mist guide for guiding mist generated from the mist spray nozzle to the mist discharge port of the base and jetting the mist from a hooking surface of the iron body. An iron comprising: a tube; and a water recovery receiving portion provided inside the mist guide tube all around the mist discharge port. 2. The water recovery receiving part is formed with a hydrophilic paint on a water receiving surface thereof, and the water recovery receiving part is provided at a predetermined interval from the mist guide cylinder. Iron. 3. A base back cover having a steam discharge port is provided on the base, and a steam passage through which water collected by the water recovery receiving section is steamed and discharged to the steam discharge hole is provided between the base and the base back. 2. The iron according to claim 1, wherein the iron is formed between the lid and the cover.