JP3160930U - Electric steam iron with low temperature steam control system - Google Patents

Abstract

A low-temperature steam control system for an electric steam iron having a low-temperature water discharge valve and a high-temperature water discharge valve is provided. A low temperature water discharge valve and a high temperature water discharge valve can be controlled by a low temperature bimetal plate and a high temperature bimetal plate, respectively. Each bimetal plate can have two coated metal plates with different coefficients of thermal expansion. When the bottom plate 28 is heated by the heating element to the first temperature, the low temperature bimetal plate can flex and open the low temperature water discharge valve, thereby allowing water to flow from the water tank 24 to the vaporization chamber 26. . When the bottom plate is further heated by the heating element to the second temperature, the hot bimetal plate can deflect and open the hot water discharge valve, thereby allowing additional water to flow from the water tank to the vaporization chamber 26. . [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  This application claims priority from US Provisional Application No. 61 / 167,864, filed Apr. 8, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

  This utility model application relates to an electric steam iron having a low temperature steam control system.

  A conventional electric steam iron has a water reservoir, a water discharge valve, and a vaporization chamber. Water flows from the water reservoir, through the water drain valve, and into the vaporization chamber. In the vaporization chamber, water evaporates from the bottom plate with heat. When the bottom plate is at a high temperature, steam is generated and discharged through a steam hole on the bottom plate. However, at low temperatures, as the temperature decreases, the water remaining in the vaporization chamber tends to fall undesirably from the steam hole when ironing.

  There is a need to provide an improved electric steam iron with a low temperature steam control system that prevents undesirable leakage of water from the steam hall at low temperatures.

  The above description of the background art is intended to assist in understanding the electric steam iron having the low temperature steam control system disclosed in this utility model application, and is not admitted to describe or constitute reasonable prior art. .

  In one aspect, the provided steam iron includes a bottom plate, a vaporization chamber, a water tank, first and second valves, a first bimetal plate, and a second bimetal plate. The bottom plate has a plurality of steam vents. The vaporization chamber is disposed on the bottom plate. The water tank supplies water to the vaporization chamber. Water flows from the water tank to the vaporization chamber through the first and second valves. When the bottom plate is heated to the first temperature by the heating element, the first bimetal plate bends toward the first valve and pushes the first valve to open. As a result, the first volume of water flows from the water tank into the vaporization chamber, and the first volume of steam is generated through the steam vent, so that the delicate clothes can be steam ironed. When the bottom plate is further heated to the second temperature by the heating element, the second bimetal plate bends toward the second valve and opens the second valve. This allows an additional volume of water to flow from the water tank into the vaporization chamber, generating an additional volume of steam through the steam vent, allowing steam ironing of non-delicate clothing.

  In one aspect, when the temperature of the bottom plate decreases to a temperature lower than the second temperature, the second bimetal plate bends away from the second valve, closes the second valve, and the temperature of the bottom plate decreases to a temperature lower than the first temperature. When doing so, the first bimetal plate bends away from the first valve and closes the first valve.

  In one aspect, each of the first and second bimetal plates comprises two coated metal plates having different coefficients of thermal expansion.

  In one aspect, the steam iron is further secured to the first and second bimetal plates and extends from the first and second bimetal plates, respectively, to push the first and second valves. Has 2 arms.

  In one aspect, each of the first and second valves has a spring that biases the valve to a closed position.

  In one aspect, the first and second valves are installed on a platform that is mounted between the water tank and the vaporization chamber.

  In one aspect, the first and second valves are operable at first and second valve openings, respectively, in a platform mounted to the vaporization chamber, and the platform vaporizes from the first and second valve openings. First and second passages are disposed through which water flows to the chamber.

  In one aspect, the steam iron is further aligned with the first opening and the first and second valve openings, respectively, through which water flows from the water tank to the water compartment, and the first and second from the water compartment. A water compartment having a second and a third opening through which water flows to the two passages and to the vaporization chamber.

  In one aspect, the first and second bimetal plates are supported on the vaporization chamber.

  In one aspect, the first temperature is about 100 ° C.

  In one aspect, the second temperature is about 140 ° C.

  In one aspect, when the bottom plate temperature decreases to about 130 ° C., the second bimetal plate flexes away from the second valve and closes the second valve.

  In one aspect, when the bottom plate temperature decreases to about 95 ° C., the first bimetal plate flexes away from the first valve and closes the first valve.

  In one aspect, when the bottom plate temperature reaches about 120 ° C., the first volume of steam is generated at a rate of about 2-7 g / min.

  In another aspect, the provided steam iron includes a first valve assembly adapted to allow water to flow from the water tank to the vaporization chamber when the bottom plate is heated to a first temperature; A second valve assembly adapted to allow additional water to flow from the water tank to the vaporization chamber when further heated to two temperatures.

  In one aspect, the first and second valve assemblies include first and second valves, a first bimetal plate, and a second bimetal plate. Water flows from the water tank to the vaporization chamber through the first and second valves, respectively. When the bottom plate is heated to the first temperature by the heating element for steam ironing of the delicate garment, the first bimetal plate bends toward the first valve and pushes the first valve, thereby opening the first bimetal plate. A volume of water is configured to flow from the water tank into the vaporization chamber to allow a first volume of steam to be generated through a plurality of steam vents in the bottom plate. The second bimetal plate deflects toward the second valve and pushes the second valve open when the bottom plate is further heated to the second temperature by the heating element for steam ironing of non-sensitive clothing, thereby further opening the second plate. A volume of water is configured to flow from the water tank into the vaporization chamber to allow additional volume of steam to be generated through the steam vent.

  In one aspect, when the temperature of the bottom plate decreases to a temperature lower than the second temperature, the second bimetal plate bends away from the second valve, closes the second valve, and the temperature of the bottom plate decreases to a temperature lower than the first temperature. When doing so, the first bimetal plate bends away from the first valve and closes the first valve.

  In one aspect, each of the first and second bimetal plates has two coated metal plates having different coefficients of thermal expansion.

  In one aspect, the steam iron is further secured to the first and second bimetal plates and extends from the first and second bimetal plates, respectively, to push the first and second valves. Has 2 arms.

  In one aspect, each of the first and second valves has a spring that biases the valve to a closed position.

  In one aspect, the first and second valves are installed on a platform that is mounted between the water tank and the vaporization chamber.

  In one aspect, the first and second valves are operable at first and second valve openings, respectively, in a platform mounted to the vaporization chamber, and the platform vaporizes from the first and second valve openings. First and second passages are disposed through which water flows to the chamber.

  In one aspect, the steam iron is further aligned with a first opening and a second valve opening, respectively, with an upper opening through which water flows from the water tank to the water compartment, and the first and second from the water compartment. A water compartment having first and second lower openings through which water flows into the passage and into the vaporization chamber.

  In one aspect, the first and second bimetal plates are supported on the vaporization chamber.

  In one aspect, the first temperature is about 100 ° C.

  In one aspect, the second temperature is about 140 ° C.

  In one aspect, the second bimetal plate bends away from the second valve when the bottom plate temperature decreases to about 130 ° C.

  In one aspect, the first bimetal plate deflects away from the first valve when the temperature of the bottom plate drops to about 95 ° C.

  In one aspect, when the bottom plate temperature reaches about 120 ° C., the first volume of steam is generated at a rate of about 2-7 g / min.

  Certain aspects of an electric steam iron having a low temperature steam control system as disclosed in the present utility model application will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric steam iron having a low temperature steam control system. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a low temperature steam control system having two water inlets according to an embodiment disclosed in the present utility model application. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a low temperature steam control system similar to FIG. 2 with one water inlet open. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a low temperature steam control system similar to FIG. 2 with both water inlets open. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom plate showing the mounting of the heating element. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of two valves and two bimetal plates of a low temperature steam control system. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of two valves and two bimetal plates. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the steam shaft portion of the low temperature steam control system. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the water reservoir of the low temperature steam control system. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water reservoir similar to FIG. 9 with the water reservoir cap removed. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bottom plate showing the mounting of two bimetal plates.

  Next, a description will be given in detail of a preferred form of the electric steam iron having the low-temperature steam control system disclosed in the utility model application. Examples of preferred forms are also described below. An exemplary embodiment of an electric steam iron with a low temperature steam control system disclosed in this utility model application will be described in detail, but several features not particularly important for understanding the modular tool system are shown for clarity. One skilled in the art will appreciate that this may not be the case.

  Furthermore, the electric steam iron having the low-temperature steam control system disclosed in the utility model application is not limited to the detailed embodiments described below, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims. It will be understood that this can be done by a person skilled in the art. For example, elements and / or features of different exemplary embodiments may be combined with each other and / or replaced with each other within the scope of the appended claims.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric steam iron having a low temperature steam control system. 2, 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of an electric steam iron cryogenic steam control system according to an embodiment disclosed in the present utility model application. The low temperature steam control system may have a low temperature water discharge valve 12 and a high temperature water discharge valve 14. The cold and hot water discharge valves 12, 14 can be actuated by a cold bimetallic plate and a hot bimetallic plate generally indicated by reference numerals 16 and 18, respectively.

  Low and high temperature bimetal plates 16, 18 can be supported on the top wall of the vaporization chamber 26 located on the bottom plate 28. Each bimetal plate 16, 18 can have two coated metal plates with different coefficients of thermal expansion. When the low temperature and high temperature bimetal plates 16, 18 are heated by the heating element 20 mounted on the bottom plate 28 shown in FIG. 5, they can be deflected in two different directions due to differences in thermal expansion characteristics.

  As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the low temperature bimetal plate 16 can have two coated metal plates 16a and 16b, and the high temperature bimetal plate 18 can have two coated metal plates 18a and 18b. . The arm 17 can be fixed to the metal plate 16 a and can be extended from the metal plate 16 a, so that the low temperature water discharge valve 12 can be pushed up while being in contact with the low temperature water discharge valve 12. Similarly, the arm 19 can be fixed to the metal plate 18a and can be extended from the metal plate 18a, so that the arm 19 can be brought into contact with the high-temperature water discharge valve 14 and can be pushed up.

  In the embodiments disclosed herein, the low and high temperature water discharge valves 12, 14 can be installed on a platform 50 that can be mounted between the main water tank 24 and the vaporization chamber 26. Each water discharge valve 12, 14 can be biased by a spring 40 to a normal closed position.

  The cold and hot water discharge valves 12, 14 are operable in first and second valve openings 56, 58 disposed on the platform 50, respectively. The platform 50 may be provided with first and second passages 52, 54 through which water can flow from the first and second valve openings 56, 58 into the vaporization chamber 26.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the intermediate water compartment 60 can be disposed under the main water tank 24. The intermediate water compartment 60 has an upper opening 62 through which water can flow from the water tank 24 to the water compartment 60 when the steam shaft 30 is lifted, and first and second valve openings 56, 58, respectively. First and second lower openings 64, 66 that are aligned and allow water to flow from the water compartment 60 to the first and second passages 52, 54 and to the vaporization chamber 26. . First and second lower openings 64, 66 can be formed in the horizontal partition wall 72 attached to the bottom plate 28.

  There are two valve assemblies in an electric steam iron: a cold valve assembly and a hot valve assembly. The cryogenic valve assembly can have a cryogenic water discharge valve 12 and a cryogenic bimetal plate 16. The high temperature valve assembly may have a high temperature water discharge valve 14 and a high temperature bimetal plate 18.

  It will be appreciated that the two valve assemblies are activated by heat. The low temperature bimetal plate 16 bends upward when the temperature of the bottom plate 28 reaches about 100 ° C., and pushes the low temperature water discharge valve 12 to open. When the temperature of the bottom plate 28 decreases to about 95 ° C., the low temperature bimetal plate 16 It is adapted to close the discharge valve 12.

  The high temperature bimetal plate 18 is bent upward when the temperature of the bottom plate 28 reaches about 140 ° C., and is pushed downward when the temperature of the bottom plate 28 is lowered to about 130 ° C. It is adapted to close the hot water discharge valve 14.

  Next, details of the operation of the low temperature and high temperature water discharge valves 12, 14 and the low 16 and high temperature bimetal plates 16 and 18 of the low temperature control system in the electric steam iron will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the temperature of the bottom plate 28 is lower than 95 ° C. or when the power is off, both the low temperature and high temperature bimetal plates 16, 18 are deflected downward and the low temperature and high temperature water discharge valves 12, 14 Close each one. Even when the steam shaft 30 is lifted, the water W in the water tank 24 cannot flow toward the vaporization chamber 26.

  In FIG. 3, when power is supplied to the heating element 20 and the temperature of the bottom plate 28 reaches about 100 ° C., the cold bimetal plate 18 bends upward and pushes the cold water discharge valve 12 open as indicated by the arrow. The hot bimetal plate 18 is still in the down position and the hot water discharge valve 14 is still closed. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 3, when the steam shaft 30 is lifted, the water W can flow from the water tank 24 through the gap 42 and the cold water discharge valve 12 to the vaporization chamber 26 as shown by the arrows. As water enters the vaporization chamber 26, the water is evaporated to steam by the heating element 20 on the bottom plate 28. Since only one of the two water discharge valves 12, 14 is open, only a relatively small amount of water can flow into the vaporization chamber 26. At this relatively low temperature, water will not be undesirably discharged from the steam vent 27 (FIG. 5) of the bottom plate 28.

  When the temperature of the bottom plate 28 continues to rise and reaches about 120 ° C., a small amount of steam (7-12 g / min) will be discharged from the steam vent 27 of the bottom plate 28. This small amount of steam is suitable for ironing delicate clothing made of silk and the like.

  In FIG. 4, when the temperature of the bottom plate 28 reaches about 140 ° C., the high temperature bimetal plate 18 also deflects upward and pushes the hot water discharge valve 14 open as indicated by the arrow. When the steam shaft 30 is lifted, water W can flow from the water tank 24 through the gap 42 and the low and high temperature water discharge valves 12, 14 to the vaporization chamber 26 as indicated by the arrows.

  As water enters the vaporization chamber 26, the water is evaporated to steam by the heating element 20 on the bottom plate 28. Since both the cold and hot water discharge valves 12, 14 are open, a relatively large amount of water can flow into the vaporization chamber 26. At a relatively high temperature, a relatively large amount of steam suitable for ironing non-sensitive clothing made of cotton or the like can be discharged from the steam vent 27 of the bottom plate 28.

  When the heating element 20 is turned off and the temperature of the bottom plate 28 drops to about 100-120 ° C., the hot bimetal plate 18 deflects downward and closes the hot water discharge valve 14. The low temperature bimetal plate 18 is still deflected upward, thereby allowing a small amount of water W in the water tank 24 to flow to the vaporization chamber 26. This can prevent excessive water from accumulating in the vaporization chamber 26 and prevent unwanted drainage or leakage of water from the steam vent 27 of the bottom plate 28 at low temperatures.

  If the temperature of the bottom plate 28 continues to drop to about 95 ° C., the low temperature bimetal plate 18 will also bend downward. Both the low temperature and high temperature water discharge valves 12, 14 are closed and no steam or water exits from the steam vent 27 in the bottom plate 28.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the temperature of the bottom plate 28 can be measured by a temperature sensor 70 located at the center of the bottom plate 28. The temperature of the bottom plate 28 can be displayed on a display 72 electrically connected to the temperature sensor 70.

  Although it has been shown and described that the bimetal plates 16 and 18 are used to push the valves 12 and 14 open, other suitable thermally actuated valve actuation means such as a combination of temperature sensing means and electromechanical valve actuation means may be used. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this is possible.

  While the electric steam iron having the low temperature steam control system disclosed in this utility model application has been shown and described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the appended claims. Let me add that I can do it.

12 Low temperature water discharge valve 14 High temperature water discharge valve 16 Low temperature bimetal plate 16a, 16b Cover metal plate 17 Arm 18 High temperature bimetal plate 18a, 18b Cover metal plate 20 Heating element 24 Main water tank 26 Vaporization chamber 27 Steam vent 28 Bottom plate 30 Steam shaft 50 platform 52 first passage 54 second passage 56 first valve opening 58 second valve opening 60 intermediate water compartment 62 upper opening 64 first lower opening 66 second lower opening 70 temperature sensor 72 horizontal partition wall W water

Claims (15)

A bottom plate having a plurality of steam vents;
A vaporization chamber disposed on the bottom plate;
A water tank for supplying water to the vaporization chamber;
First and second valves through which water flows from the water tank to the vaporization chamber;
A first bimetal plate, wherein when the bottom plate is heated to the first temperature by the heating element, the first bimetal plate is arranged to bend toward the first valve and push open the first valve, so that the first volume of water is drawn from the water tank; The first volume of steam flows through the vaporization chamber and through the steam vent, and is capable of steam ironing delicate clothing;
A second bimetal plate, which is arranged to bend toward the second valve and push open the second valve when the bottom plate is further heated to the second temperature by the heating element, so that an additional volume of water is drawn from the water tank A further volume of steam flowing into the vaporization chamber is generated through the steam vent, and steam ironing of non-sensitive clothing
Steam iron equipped with.   2. The steam iron according to claim 1, wherein when the temperature of the bottom plate drops to a temperature lower than the second temperature, the second bimetal plate bends away from the second valve to close the second valve, and the temperature of the bottom plate is The steam iron closes the first valve when the first bimetal plate flexes away from the first valve when the temperature drops below one temperature.   The steam iron according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second bimetal plates includes two coated metal plates having different coefficients of thermal expansion.   4. The steam iron according to claim 3, further comprising first and second bimetal plates fixed to the first and second bimetal plates and extending from the first and second bimetal plates, respectively, for pushing the first and second valves. A steam iron comprising a first arm and a second arm.   The steam iron according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second valves includes a spring that biases the valve to a closed position.   2. The steam iron according to claim 1, wherein the first and second valves are installed on a platform mounted between the water tank and the vaporization chamber.   2. The steam iron according to claim 1, wherein the first and second valves are operable at first and second valve openings, respectively, in a platform mounted in the vaporization chamber, the platform including the first and second valves. A steam iron in which first and second passages through which water flows from the second valve opening to the vaporization chamber are disposed.   8. The steam iron according to claim 7, further comprising a water compartment, wherein the first opening through which water flows from the water tank to the water compartment, and the first and second valve openings are respectively aligned. A steam iron comprising a water compartment having second and third openings through which water flows from the water compartment to the first and second passages and to the vaporization chamber.   The steam iron according to claim 1, wherein the first temperature is about 100 ° C and the second temperature is about 140 ° C.   The steam iron according to claim 2, wherein when the temperature of the bottom plate is lowered to about 130 ° C, the second bimetal plate is bent away from the second valve to close the second valve, and the temperature of the bottom plate is about 95 ° C. When lowering, the first bimetal plate bends away from the first valve and the steam iron closes the first valve. A first valve assembly adapted to allow water to flow from the water tank to the vaporization chamber when the bottom plate is heated to a first temperature;
A second valve assembly adapted to allow additional water to flow from the water tank to the vaporization chamber when the bottom plate is further heated to a second temperature;
Steam iron equipped with. The steam iron according to claim 12,
A first valve assembly,
A first valve through which water flows from the water tank to the vaporization chamber;
For steam ironing of delicate garments, when the bottom plate is heated to the first temperature by the heating element, it bends towards the first valve and pushes the first valve open, so that the first volume of water is transferred to the water tank. A first bimetal plate configured to allow a first volume of steam to flow from into the vaporization chamber;
With
A second valve assembly,
A second valve through which water flows from the water tank to the vaporization chamber;
For steam ironing of non-sensitive clothing, when the bottom plate is further heated to the second temperature by the heating element, it bends towards the second valve and pushes the second valve open, thereby allowing a further volume of water to flow into the water tank A second bimetal plate configured to allow a further volume of steam to flow from into the vaporization chamber;
Equipped with a steam iron.   13. The steam iron according to claim 12, wherein when the temperature of the bottom plate drops to a temperature lower than the second temperature, the second bimetal plate bends away from the second valve, closes the second valve, and the temperature of the bottom plate is the first temperature. The steam iron closes the first valve when the first bimetal plate flexes away from the first valve when the temperature drops below one temperature.   13. A steam iron according to claim 12, wherein each of the first and second bimetal plates comprises two coated metal plates having different coefficients of thermal expansion.   15. The steam iron according to claim 14, further comprising first and second bimetal plates fixed to the first and second bimetal plates and extending from the first and second bimetal plates to push the first and second valves, respectively. A steam iron comprising a first arm and a second arm.

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