JP2003265898A - Steam iron - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam iron whose holding part is so easy to hold that it is easy to use and whose handle is strong. <P>SOLUTION: The holding part 12 has a shape of opening backward, and the front side of the holding part 12 is covered with a part of a cassette tank 14. A temperature display part 51 is visible through a part of the cassette tank 14. The temperature display part 51 comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes 50, which are arrayed in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of an iron main body. Further, a handle cover 10 and a water filling port cover 15 are made of transparent material. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steam iron used for press-finishing clothes and the like.

[0002]

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 and 10 (A), the conventional steam iron of this type has a handle with which the iron is gripped, whose rear part has a closed shape. It has an annular structure with cavities. Further, in recent years, irons having a more compact and lighter shape have been popularized for the purpose of improving the usability, and accordingly, the grip portion of the handle has become small and it has become difficult to grip. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10 (A), the angle at which the wrist bends when gripped becomes large, and the angle between the thumb and the wrist becomes narrow, which puts a strain on the wrist.

On the other hand, if the handle is formed so as to open rearward from the cavity, the wrist becomes relatively straight when grasped,
Although such a burden on the wrist can be reduced and usability can be improved, in this case, when mechanical force such as external force is applied to the grip portion, the grip may be deformed or damaged. There was a problem.

When wrinkles are stretched on clothes or the like, the clothes or the like are spread on an ironing board and pressed by applying force from above the iron body. If only such a usage method is used, it is sufficient to slide the iron body over clothes or the like. However, recent iron bodies are provided with a function of straightening a large amount of steam by operating a pump device, that is, a function of stretching wrinkles of clothes or the like by so-called shots. At the time of this shot, the iron body is lifted vertically, and the button of the pump device is operated with the iron base pointed at the hung clothes and the like, causing a large amount of steam to be ejected and the wrinkles to be extended. With the shape, there was a problem that it was difficult to lift the iron vertically and the usability was poor.

Further, since the shapes of the irons are very similar to each other, it is required to propose an iron having a unique and unique design shape.

As a solution to such a problem, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a handle and a water tank are integrally provided to secure the strength of the handle, and the handle is opened rearward. Are known. However, with such a structure, the iron body must be carried for water supply, and the iron body may be de-energized during water supply, which is not convenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and an object thereof is to provide a steam iron in which the grip portion is easy to grip and is easy to use, and the strength of the grip is improved. To do.

[0008]

According to the steam iron of the invention of claim 1, since the part of the water tank is configured to cover the front of the grip portion, the base of the handle can be formed large. The strength of the handle can be improved.

According to the steam iron of the invention of claim 2,
The temperature display part that displays the temperature of the base is provided, and this temperature display part is configured to be visible through a part of the water tank, so that there is no restriction due to covering the front of the grip part with a part of the water tank. The temperature indicator can be provided on the grip.

According to the steam iron of the invention of claim 3,
The temperature indicator is composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes, and by arranging the plurality of light emitting diodes in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the iron body, compared with the case where the light emitting diodes are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the iron body, The area occupied by the light emitting diode can be reduced.

According to the steam iron of the invention of claim 4,
By forming the handle cover and the water inlet cover provided on the water tank from a transparent material, internal members such as light emitting diodes can be visually recognized through the handle cover and the water inlet cover.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a steam iron according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the overall structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. 1 is an iron body, and this iron body 1 is provided with a base 3 in which a heater 2 is embedded as a heating means in a lower portion. On the bottom surface of the base 3, a screw 4 as a fixing member is provided.
Thus, the base back plate 5 is detachably fixed.
Inside the base 3, a steam chamber, that is, a vaporization chamber 6 is formed in the vicinity of the heater 2, and a plurality of ejection holes 7 communicating with the vaporization chamber 6 are provided on the lower surface of the base 3. Also,
Reference numeral 8 is a heat shield cover provided above the base 3, and 9 is a handle provided above the heat shield cover 8.

The upper side of the handle 9 is covered with a handle cover 10, and a cavity 11 is formed in the handle 9 for inserting a hand when gripping the iron body 1. Further, the upper portion of the handle 9 and the handle cover 10 form a grip portion 12 for gripping the iron body 1. Then, the grip portion 12 has a cavity 11
Has a shape that opens rearward through the opening 13 so that a hand can be inserted into the cavity 11 from the rear of the grip 12.

The cavity 11 is formed between the belly portion 25 and the grip portion 12 of the iron body 1 located below the handle 9. The handle cover 10 is attached so as to extend from the rear end of the grip portion 12 to the front lower end of the handle 9, and the handle cover 10 is fixed to the handle 9 by a screw 23 at a substantially central portion of the handle 9. Then, the handle 9 and the handle cover 10 are integrated by being firmly fixed by the screw 23, and the strength of the grip portion 12 can be improved. On the other hand, on the front end side and the rear end side of the grip portion 12, claws 24a, 24b provided to project from the handle cover 10 are provided.
The handle cover 10 is fixed on the handle 9.
Further, at least one of the handle 9 and the handle cover 10 is formed of a polycarbonate resin or a polyethylene terephthalate resin that is rigid and is not easily affected by the strength reduction due to heat, and can prevent the grip portion 12 from being deformed or damaged. Is configured.

A cassette tank 14, which is a container corresponding to a water tank, is detachably attached to the iron body 1 under the handle 9. The cassette tank 14 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin, has a substantially U-shape when viewed from the upper surface, and is configured such that both sides thereof extend from the front end side to the rear end side of the handle 9.

A water inlet cover 15 is provided on the upper front portion of the cassette tank 14, and the water inlet cover 15 is provided with a water inlet 16. And from this water injection port 16 the cassette tank
Water is stored in the cassette 14 and unnecessary water in the cassette tank 14 can be discarded. In addition, 17 is a water injection port
It is a water injection port lid that covers 16 and can be opened and closed freely.

As a locking mechanism of the cassette tank 14, as shown in FIG. 2, a tank lock button 18 is provided on one side of the handle 9 so as to project slightly, and the tank lock button 18 moves up and down in conjunction with the operation of the tank lock button 18. The elevating body 19 is constantly urged downward by a spring 20 which is an elastic member. And
A lock portion 21 that protrudes to the lower portion of the elevating body 19 is configured to engage with a recess 22 that is formed upward on the rear surface of the cassette tank 14.

A valve device 27 corresponding to a drip portion is provided inside the cassette tank 14, and a water passage joint 28, which is a water conduit communicating with the vaporization chamber 6, is provided below the valve device 27. There is. The valve device 27 is provided on the lower surface of the cassette tank 14, and includes a steam opening / closing rod 30 supported by a support body 29 in an upright state and slidably up and down, and a packing provided on the concave bottom surface of the support body 29. 31 and this packing 31 always support
29 is provided with a spring 32 as an urging member that urges the concave bottom surface of 29 to maintain a close contact state. Is provided so as to face the central portion of the outlet 33 which is a valve hole formed on the bottom surface of the. Further, the steam opening / closing bar 30 has a lower end facing the outlet 33 and an upper end facing the cassette tank.
It is projected above 14. And the steam opening and closing bar
The valve body 76 can be opened and closed by the vertical movement of 30.

Further, between the water passage joint 28 and the base 3,
A heat shield plate 34 for blocking heat from the base 3 is interposed.
A cover plate 35 is provided below the heat shield plate 34 so as to cover the upper opening of the vaporization chamber 6. Further, the lower portion of the outlet 33 communicates with the vaporization chamber 6 via the water joint 28.

Reference numeral 36 is a nozzle provided in the middle of the water passage joint 28, and an opening / closing valve 37 for opening and closing the nozzle 36 is mounted. Further, the lower end of the on-off valve 37 is constantly urged downward by the spring 40, and projects downward toward the recess 43 of the base 3 from the opening 42 provided in common to the heat shield plate 34 and the cover plate 35. ing. The recess 43 of the base 3 accommodates a reversible bimetal 44 corresponding to a heat-responsive body, and the lower end of the on-off valve 37 is located so as to face the upper surface of the bimetal 44. Then, the vaporization chamber 6 near the recess 43
When the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the bimetal 44 reverses inside the recess 43 and pushes up the opening / closing valve 37 against the bias of the spring 40 to open the nozzle 36.

An operating panel 48 is provided above the handle 9, and a setting button 49 corresponding to operating means for changing the set temperature of the base 3 is provided. A plurality of light emitting diodes 50 as a temperature display device constitute a temperature display section 51 for displaying the current set temperature at a portion slightly lower than the uppermost surface of the handle 9. The plurality of light emitting diodes 50 are arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the iron main body, and the gripping portion having a limited volume is provided.
It is possible to secure a sufficient space for accommodating a temperature control device described later in the 12 spaces and to provide a temperature display portion 51 having a sufficient size.

Also, the rear end of the cassette tank 14 is mounted so as to overlap from the both side surfaces of the front end portion of the handle 9 to the upper portion. That is, the handle 9 is partly fitted in the cassette tank 14. The handle cover 10 and the water inlet cover 15 that covers the upper surface of the cassette tank 14 are made of a transparent material, and the light of the light emitting diode 50 passes through the handle cover and the water inlet cover 15 to use the current set temperature. It is configured to be visible to a person. Further, by mounting the cassette tank 14 so as to overlap a part of the handle 9, the base of the handle 9 can be formed large, and the grip 12 can be prevented from being deformed or damaged.

Inside the handle 9, there is provided a temperature control device 52 for controlling the base 3 to a predetermined temperature by appropriately turning on and off the heater 2. This temperature control device 52 is, specifically, a buzzer 54 as a notifying means for notifying the user of a temperature setting switching time or an unsuitable temperature state in addition to the switch section 53 of the setting button 49 and the light emitting diode 50. Also, a power storage device 55 such as a secondary battery or a capacitor that stores and holds the current set temperature and can receive the setting button 49 is provided on the substrate 56.
It is configured by mounting on the top surface. Reference numeral 57 denotes a substrate supporting portion formed on the rear side of the substrate 56, and another substrate 58 supported by the substrate supporting portion 57 is provided at a rear portion of the iron body 1. Reference numeral 59 denotes a rear cover that forms a rear outer shell of the iron body 1, and a recess 60 is formed below the rear cover 59 behind the iron body 1, and the recess 60 is electrically connected to the heater 2. Then, a pair of power supply terminals 61 that supply power to the iron body 1 are housed and attached in a state of protruding rearward.

On the other hand, reference numeral 62 denotes a mounting table on which the iron body 1 can be mounted, and a receiving portion 64 is provided so as to project on the lower inclined side of a mounting portion 63 whose upper surface is inclined in one direction. A power contact 65, which is a leaf spring-shaped power source, is provided in the receiving portion 64 corresponding to the power supply terminal 61, and the iron body 1 is placed on the placing portion 63 of the placing table 62.
When it is mounted on the iron body 1, the power supply terminal 61 comes into contact with the power supply contact 65, and power is supplied from the power cord 66 connected to an outlet (not shown) to the iron body 1 as needed.

Next, the electrical configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The temperature control device 52 is specifically configured by a microcomputer and the like, and is configured to perform a series of operations according to a control sequence of a program stored in a storage device (not shown) of the microcomputer. On the input side of the temperature control device 52, in addition to the setting button 49, a temperature detecting means 67 such as a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the base 3 and whether or not the iron body 1 is placed on the placing table 62 are displayed. The iron placement detection means 68 and the like for determination are connected to each. The heater 2, the temperature display unit 51, the buzzer 54, etc. are connected to the output side of the temperature control device 52.

The temperature control device 52 receives an operation signal from the setting button 49 regardless of whether the iron body 1 is placed on the placing table 62 or not, and sets the temperature of the base 3 to, for example, low temperature. “Low”, “Medium”, which means moderate temperature,
Also, regardless of whether the iron main body 1 is placed on the placing table 62 or not, the operation signal from the setting button 49 is set regardless of whether the iron main body 1 is placed on the placing table 62. A cutting state setting means 70 for receiving and setting the iron body 1 to the cutting state is provided. Then, in this embodiment, each time the setting button 49 is operated once, each setting mode in the temperature setting means 69 or the OFF state setting means 70 is set to "OFF" → "LOW" →
The temperature setting is switched step by step in the order of “medium” → “high” → “off”. However, when the temperature is set to a high temperature, when the setting button 49 is operated, the setting mode in the off state is set.

The temperature setting means 69 may be configured so that the set temperature of the base 3 can be continuously and variably set as in the present embodiment. In this case, for example, a slide type switch may be used as the operating means instead of the push button type setting button 49. Further, the operating means for switching the temperature setting of the base 3 and the operating means for instructing the off state may be separately provided. That is, the iron body 1 is a mounting table.
It is sufficient if the temperature control add-on 52 is equipped with the temperature setting means 69 that can receive the operation signal from the operation means and switch and set the set temperature of the base 3 even when the temperature control equipment 52 is separated from the 62. . The setting mode once set by the temperature setting means 69 or the off state setting means 70 is retained and stored for a predetermined time by the backup power storage device 55 when the iron body 1 is detached from the mounting table 62. It is like this.

The temperature control device 52 is an iron placement detecting means.
When it is detected by the 68 that the iron body 1 is placed on the placing table 62, the temperature of the base 3 detected by the temperature detecting means 67 matches the set temperature set by the temperature setting means 69. The heater 2 as a heating means is energized.
When the iron placement detecting means 68 detects that the iron body 1 is placed on the placing table, the temperature control device 52 detects that the temperature of the base 3 detected by the temperature detecting means 67 is the temperature setting means 69. The heater 2 serving as a heating unit is energized and controlled so as to match the set temperature set in step 2.

Further, the temperature control device 52 is provided with a notification / display control means 71 for controlling the temperature display portion 51 and the buzzer 54, and is detected by the temperature detection means 67 when the iron body 1 is placed. When the temperature of the base 3 is within an appropriate temperature range near the set temperature, the light emitting diode 50 of the temperature display section 51 corresponding to the set temperature is turned on, and the buzzer is turned on.
On the other hand, when the temperature of the base 3 is out of the appropriate temperature range, the temperature display section 51 corresponding to the set temperature is displayed.
The light emitting diode 50 is turned on and off, and the buzzer 54 is not informed.

On the other hand, when the iron body 1 is detached from the mounting table 62, the power supply from the mounting table 62 to the iron body 1 side is cut off, so that the heater 2 is turned off. At this time, the temperature control device 52 continues to operate by the power supply from the power storage device 55, and the base 3 detected by the temperature detection stage 67 is operated.
The temperature is monitored, and an operation signal from the setting button 49 is received. Then, when the temperature of the base 3 falls below the optimum temperature range near the set temperature set by the temperature setting means 69, or the setting button 49 is operated, the set temperature in the temperature setting means 69 becomes higher than before. Even when the temperature is switched to a high temperature, the notification / display control means 71 uses the buzzer 54 or the light emitting diode 50 of the temperature display unit 51 to perform power supply notification or display for prompting the mounting of the iron body 1 on the mounting table 62. It is configured.

Here, the cassette tank in this embodiment
The structure of 14 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 11. Inside the cassette tank 14, a pump device 72 for temporarily pumping a large amount of water from the cassette tank 14 toward the vaporization chamber 6 is provided. Pump device 72
Is a cylindrical cylinder formed near the rear of the support 29.
A piston provided slidably along the vertical direction in 73
74 and an operation button 75 for manually operating the piston 74, and are configured to eject normal steam or increased steam from the ejection holes 7 communicating with the vaporization chamber 6. The operation button 75 is provided so as to project from the upper surface of the operation panel 48 and can be pushed and operated.
A rotor as an opening / closing control unit that opens / closes a valve body 76 provided in a water passage extending from 14 to the vaporization chamber 6 according to an operation of an operation button 75.
77 and the steam opening / closing bar below the rotor 77
A joint 78 is provided which is connected to the upper portion of 30 and moves up and down inside the cassette tank 14 in accordance with the pushing position of the operation button 75.

The rotor 77 is formed in a concave shape whose lower surface is opened, and in this concave portion, a rod body 90 formed on the piston 74 is formed.
The upper end of is abutted and inserted. The flange portion 91 formed in the lower portion of the piston 74 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 73, and is surrounded by the bottom surface and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 73 and the lower surface of the piston 74. At 92,
A spring 79 is provided as a piston biasing body that biases the piston 94 up and down. Further, a spring 80 is provided between the upper surface of the cylinder 73 and the joint 78 as a joint urging body for urging the joint 78 and thus the steam opening / closing member 30 upward.

The rotor 77 interlocks with the operation button 75, and the operation button 75
When the pushing force of the operation button 75 is transmitted to the piston 74 and the operation button 75 is pushed down to the lower end of its operation, the operation button 75 is engaged with an engagement portion (not shown) formed in the cassette tank 14, and the operation button 75 and the piston 74 Is configured to hold in position. At this time, joint 78 and joint 78
The steam opening / closing rod 30 connected to the valve moves downward against the bias of the spring 80, the valve body 76 at the lower end of the steam opening / closing rod 30 closes the outflow hole 33, and the cassette tank 14 moves to the vaporization chamber 6 It is designed to cut off the supply of water to.

On the other hand, when the operation button 75 is pushed further downward from the locked state of the rotor 77, the engaged state between the rotor 77 and the engaging portion in the cassette tank 14 is released, and the cylinder
Due to the elastic repulsion of the spring 79 inside 73, the piston
The rotors 74 and 77 are then pushed up and returned to their original positions. In the middle of this operation, the elastic repulsive force of the spring 80 pushes up the weft 78, and the valve body 76 at the lower end of the steam opening / closing rod 30 flows out.
33 is opened so that water can be supplied from the cassette tank 14 to the vaporization chamber 6. In this way, the operation button
The push-out operation of 75 is configured to open / close the outflow hole 33 by the valve element 76, that is, to switch between dry and steam.

Below the pump device 72, an inflow port 93 and an outflow port 94 respectively communicating with the water introducing chamber 92 are formed.
A check valve 81 with a spring is provided in an inlet 93 for taking the water in the cassette tank 14 into the cylinder 73, and another outlet 94 for sending water from the cylinder 73 to the vaporization chamber 6 is provided with another valve. A check valve 95 with a spring is provided.

When the operation button 75 is pushed halfway within the range where the rotor 77 is not locked, the inlet port
Instead of closing check valve 81 in 93, check valve in outlet 94
95 opens, and the water in the water introduction chamber 92 flows from the outlet 94 to the vaporization chamber 6
On the other hand, when the finger is released from the operation button 95, the elastic repulsive force of the spring 79 acts to push up the piston 74 and thus the rotor 77 and the operation button 75, and the check valve 95 in the outlet 94 is closed. Instead, the check valve 81 in the outflow port 93 is opened so that the water in the cassette tank 14 is stored in the water introduction chamber 92 via the inflow port 93.

As described above, while the operation button 75 is operated within the range in which the rotor 77 is not locked, so-called increased steam can be provided by which the pump device 72 temporarily sends a large amount of water to the vaporization chamber 6. Has been done. The spring 80 has a larger load than the spring 69 in order to prevent erroneous operation between increased steam and normal steam / dry switching.

Next, the operation of the steam iron having the above structure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Water is previously stored in the cassette tank 14 from the water inlet 16, and when this cassette tank 14 is inserted into the iron body 1 from the front of the handle 9, the cassette tank 14 pushes up the lock portion 21 against the spring 20, Finally, when the lock portion 21 is locked in the recess 22, the cassette tank 14
Is set at a predetermined position on the iron body 1.

Then, in step S1 of FIG.
Power cord with the iron body 1 mounted on the mounting table 62
When 66 is inserted into an outlet not shown, power is supplied from the power contact 65 of the mounting table 62 to the temperature control device 52 and the power storage device 55 in the iron body 1. In the temperature control device 52, as the initial state, the setting mode of the OFF state is first set by the OFF state setting means 70, and the light emitting diode 50 corresponding to "OFF" of the operation panel 48 is set by the notification / display control means 71.
Lights up. In this state, for safety, the heater 2 is not energized.

After that, when the setting button 49 is pushed in step S2, the setting mode changes from "OFF" to "LOW".
The mode is switched between “medium” and “high”, and the light emitting diode 50 corresponding to this is turned on. Then, when the mode is switched to the setting mode of the temperature setting means 69 other than "OFF" in step S3, the heater 2 is energized by the temperature control device 52.

In the next step S4, the temperature control device 52 detects whether the iron body 1 is being placed or is being detached by the iron placement detecting means 68. When the iron body 1 is continuously placed on the placing table 62, the heater 2 heats the base 3 until the base 3 reaches the temperature set by the temperature setting means 69. Then, in step S5, the temperature control device 52
Whether or not 3 is within an appropriate temperature range close to the set temperature is determined by the detection output from the temperature detection means 67.

When the temperature of the base 3 is out of the appropriate temperature range, the process proceeds to the next step S6, the light emitting diode 50 of the temperature display section 51 corresponding to the set temperature is made to blink, and the buzzer 54 gives an alarm. Is not performed, and the user is informed that Pace 3 is in an inappropriate temperature state. On the other hand, in step S5, when the temperature of the base 3 is within the appropriate temperature range, the process proceeds to step S7 to turn on the light emitting diode 50 of the temperature display unit 51 corresponding to the set temperature and keep the buzzer 54 constant. Let it ring for hours
Inform the user that ironing is possible. Then, as long as the iron body 1 is placed on the placing table 62, the temperature control device 52 controls the heater 2 to turn on and off so that the temperature of the base 3 is maintained within an appropriate temperature range, and also the base 3 Irrespective of whether the temperature is appropriate temperature or inappropriate temperature, the procedure returns to the step S4.

Then, in step S4, when the iron body 1 is detached from the mounting table 62, the power supply from the mounting table 62 to the iron body 1 side is cut off, and the heater 2 is turned off. The temperature control device 52 continues to operate by the power supply from the power storage device 55, but when the temperature of the pace 3 falls below the appropriate temperature range in the next step S8, or
By operating the setting button 49, when the set temperature in the temperature setting means 69 is switched to a higher temperature than before,
By the buzzer 54 or the light emitting diode 50, power supply notification or display prompting the mounting of the iron body 1 on the mounting table 62 is performed. And after that, it returns to the procedure of step S4 again.

When ironing, the iron body 1
After inserting the hand through the cavity 11, the grip portion 12 of the grip 9 is held by the palm. At this time, since the grip portion 12 has a shape that is opened rearward from the cavity 11, even if the iron body 1 is made compact, the length of the grip portion 12 can be sufficiently secured,
The grip portion 12 is easy to grip when gripping the iron body 1.
Moreover, since the hand can be inserted also from the rear part of the iron body 1, it has excellent mountability and is easy to use. Further, the front end surface of the cassette tank 14 is inclined so as to relatively incline toward the rear side of the iron body 1, the visibility of the tip portion of the base 3 is good, and the cassette tank in this embodiment is also provided. Since both sides of 14 have a height sufficient to accommodate a sufficient amount of water, the conventional lack of capacity of the water tank can be solved.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, in order to perform the dry operation during ironing, the rotor 77 engages with the engaging portion in the cassette tank 14 against the elasticity of the springs 79 and 80. The operation button 75 in front of the operation panel 48 is pushed down to the position. Then, the operation button 75 is locked by the rotor 77 at the operation lower end of the operation button 75, and the rotor 77, the joint 78, the piston 74, etc. are held at the position pushed by the operation button 75.

When the joint 78 contacts the lower part of the rotor 77 and the joint 78 moves downward during the operation of pushing down the operation button 75, the steam opening / closing rod 30 connected to the joint 78 also moves downward, and the steam opening / closing rod 30 moves. The lower end of the valve body 76 at the lower end of 30 closes the outflow hole 33, and the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 76 is closed by the outflow hole 33.
The conical surface that spreads more radially is closed in close contact. As a result, the vaporization chamber 6 passes from the cassette tank 14 through the valve device 27.
The passage of water supplied to is surely cut off.

When the operation button 75 is locked by the rotor 77, the piston 74 in the cassette tank 14 also stops moving, so that the supply of water to the vaporization chamber 6 by the pump device 72 is also cut off. In this way, the supply of water from the cassette tank 14 to the vaporization chamber 6 is completely shut off, and a dry operation is performed in which steam is not jetted from the jet holes 7.

On the other hand, in order to switch from the dry operation to the normal steam operation, the operation button 75 is pushed down again to release the locked state of the operation button 75 by the rotor 77. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the elastic repulsive force of the spring 79 in the cylinder 73 acts to push up the piston 74 and simultaneously push up the rotor 77 and the operation button 75. Along with the release of the locked state by the rotor 77, the spring 80 below the joint 78 lifts the joint 78, and the valve element 66 and the steam opening / closing rod 30 move in the direction to open the outflow hole 33. As a result, although the pump device 72 does not operate, a passage for water supplied from the cassette tank 14 to the vaporization chamber 6 via the valve device 27 is secured, and the water heated in the vaporization chamber 6 by the heater 2 is discharged from the ejection hole 7 Erupt as steam. The amount of steam at this time is a normal amount defined by the amount of water passing through the valve device 27.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, the increasing steam operation for temporarily ejecting a larger amount of steam than usual from the ejection hole 7 is operated by the operation button 75 within a range where the rotor 77 is not locked. This is performed by slidably operating the piston 74 in the cylinder 73 via the child 77 using the elastic repulsive force of the spring 79. Specifically, if the operation button 75 is pushed halfway within the range where the rotor 77 is not locked, the check valve 81 in the inflow port 93 closes and the check valve 95 in the outflow port 94 opens. The water in the water introduction chamber 92
It is exhaled from the vaporization chamber 6 from 94. After that, when the finger is released from the operation button 75, the elastic repulsive force of the spring 79 acts to push up the piston 74 and thus the rotor 77 and the operation button 75, and instead of closing the check valve 95 in the outflow port 94, Inlet 93
The check valve 95 therein is opened, and the water in the cassette tank 14 is stored in the water introducing chamber 92 through the inflow port 93. This operation button 75
By repeating the above operation, a large amount of water can be temporarily sent to the vaporization chamber 6 using the pump device 72.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the iron body 1, the base 3 having the heater 2 as a heating means provided at the lower portion of the iron body 1, and the vaporizing chamber 6 formed in the base 3 are provided. A handle 9 provided on the base 3, a handle cover 10 for covering the upper surface of the handle 9, and a cassette tank 14 which is a water tank detachably provided on the iron main body 1. To form a cavity 11, and the handle 9 and the handle cover 10 to form a grip portion 12,
The grip portion 12 has a shape that opens rearward, and a part of the cassette tank 14 is configured to cover the front of the grip portion 12.

In this case, since a part of the cassette tank 14 is formed so as to cover the front of the grip portion 12, the base of the grip 9 can be formed large, so that the grip portion 12 has a shape opened rearward. As shown in FIG. 10 (B), the angle at which the wrist bends when gripped is reduced,
It is possible to reduce the burden on the wrist and improve the usability, and at the same time, it is possible to improve the strength of the handle 9 and thus the grip portion 12.

Further, a temperature display section 51 for displaying the set temperature of the base 3 is provided, and the temperature display section 51 is configured to be visible through a part of the cassette tank 14, and the front side of the grip section 12 can be seen. The grip portion 12 can be provided with a temperature display portion 51 of a sufficient size without being restricted by being covered with a part of the cassette tank 14, and the temperature control device 52 can be provided in the limited space of the grip portion 12. Can be accommodated.

The temperature indicator 51 is composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes 50, and the plurality of light emitting diodes 50 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the iron body 1, and the light emitting diodes 50 are ironed. The area occupied by the light emitting diodes 50 can be made smaller than in the case where they are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the main body 1, and the temperature control device 52 can be housed in the limited space of the grip portion 12.

Further, the handle cover 10 and the water inlet cover 15 provided in the cassette tank 14 are made of a transparent material. For example, an internal member such as the light emitting diode 50 is formed by the handle cover 10 or the water inlet. The temperature can be visually recognized through the cover 15, and the visibility of the temperature display unit 51 including the light emitting diode 50 can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0056]

According to the steam iron of the invention of claim 1, since the part of the water tank is configured to cover the front of the grip portion, the base of the grip can be formed large, so that the strength of the grip can be increased. Can be improved.

According to the steam iron of the invention of claim 2,
The temperature display part that displays the temperature of the base is provided, and this temperature display part is configured to be visible through a part of the water tank, so that there is no restriction due to covering the front of the grip part with a part of the water tank. The temperature indicator can be provided on the grip.

According to the steam iron of the invention of claim 3,
The temperature indicator is composed of a plurality of light emitting diodes, and by arranging the plurality of light emitting diodes in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the iron body, compared with the case where the light emitting diodes are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the iron body, The area occupied by the light emitting diode can be reduced.

According to the steam iron of the invention of claim 4,
By forming the handle cover and the water inlet cover provided on the water tank from a transparent material, internal members such as light emitting diodes can be visually recognized through the handle cover and the water inlet cover.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the front-rear direction of an iron body showing an embodiment of a steam iron of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the above iron body.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the above iron body.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the front-rear direction of the iron body mounted on the mounting table.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the iron body showing a structure in which a conventional handle and a water tank are integrally provided and the handle is opened rearward from the cavity.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the above iron body.

FIG. 7 is a top view of an iron body showing a structure in which a conventional handle has a closed shape and an annular shape.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the same iron body as above.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the front-rear direction showing the iron body with the same tank removed.

FIG. 10 is a comparative view of the iron body of the conventional example and the iron body of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view in the front-rear direction showing a main part of the iron body showing an embodiment of the steam iron of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the front-rear direction showing a main part of the iron body when the above dry setting is performed.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the front-rear direction showing a main part of the iron body when steam is set in the same as above.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the front-rear direction showing a main part of the iron body during the same amount increasing steam.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the same.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the same as above.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Iron body 2 heaters (heating means) 3 base 6 Vaporization chamber 9 handle 10 Handle cover 11 hollow 12 grip 14 Cassette tank (water tank) 15 Water inlet cover 50 light emitting diode 51 Temperature display

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yukihisa Kobayashi             1570 2570 Gosuda, Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture Toshiba             Home Techno Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Takagi             1570 2570 Gosuda, Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture Toshiba             Home Techno Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuya Imai             1570 2570 Gosuda, Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture Toshiba             Home Techno Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4L029 GB07 JA07

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An iron main body, a base provided under the iron main body and having a heating means, a vaporization chamber formed in the base, a handle provided on the base, and a handle cover for covering the handle. And a water tank detachably attached to the iron body, a cavity is formed in the handle, a grip portion is formed by the handle and the handle cover, and the grip portion is opened to one side. With
A steam iron, wherein a part of the water tank is configured to cover the front of the grip portion. 2. The steam iron according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature display unit for displaying the temperature of the base, the temperature display unit being configured to be visible through a part of the water tank. 3. The steam iron according to claim 2, wherein the temperature indicating portion comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, and the plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the iron body. 4. The steam iron according to claim 1, wherein the handle cover and the water inlet cover provided in the water tank are made of a transparent material.