JP3210300B2 - Steam cleaner - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steam cleaner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a method of cleaning furniture, kitchen units, cars, etc., dirt is removed by wiping with a cloth or sponge containing water or hot water. .

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional cleaning method, dirt containing oil, dirt that has passed for a long time after being adhered, and the like, such as a rag, sponge, etc. simply containing water or hot water are used. Cannot be used to remove dirt. In addition, it is conceivable to remove dirt by using a rag, sponge, or the like containing a chemical detergent, but in this case, not only the skin becomes rough, but also the environment is polluted by the waste liquid after removing the dirt. .

[0004] In view of the above, a steam cleaner has been proposed in which water is heated to generate steam and the steam is used to remove dirt. In this case, since the steam is generated at a high temperature, it is possible to easily remove dirt containing oil, dirt that has passed since attachment, and the like. Moreover, since no chemical detergent is used, the skin is not roughened and the environment is not polluted.

However, in order to generate steam, it is necessary to heat water by a heating element such as a heater, so that much heat is dissipated and transmitted to the case of the steam cleaner. As a result, not only does the case overheat and the durability of the steam cleaner is reduced, but also the handle becomes so hot that it cannot be gripped and the operability of the steam cleaner is reduced.

[0006] The present invention solves the problems of the conventional cleaning method, and can easily remove dirt containing oil, dirt that has elapsed after adhering, and rough skin. An object of the present invention is to provide a steam cleaner capable of improving durability and operability without polluting the environment.

[0007]

For this purpose, a steam cleaner according to the present invention has a steam cleaner body having a substantially "U" shape, a handle provided with a handle, and a heating element. Steam generating means for heating water to generate steam, a tank arranged at the rear end of the steam cleaner main body for containing the water, and sucking water in the tank to supply the water to the steam generating means Water supply means;
A nozzle formed at the front end of the steam cleaner main body, to which steam generated by the steam generating means is supplied; and a nozzle provided detachably with respect to the steam cleaner main body to discharge the steam supplied to the nozzle. And a handle removably disposed on the steam cleaner main body. In another steam cleaner of the present invention, an insertion opening is further formed in the steam cleaner main body. Then, the handle is selectively inserted into the insertion opening. In still another steam cleaner of the present invention, the handle is formed of metal, dissipates heat transmitted from the heating element to the atmosphere, has a cylindrical shape, and has a front end opened. A rear end is provided with a ventilation hole, and the high-temperature air in the steam cleaner main body is discharged to the atmosphere.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a steam cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a steam cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a steam cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a water absorption system of the steam cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a nozzle portion of the steam cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention. .

In the drawing, reference numeral 11 denotes a steam cleaner main body having a substantially "U" shape, 11a denotes a case of the steam cleaner main body 11, and the case 11a is AB.
It is formed by S resin. Numeral 12 is disposed at the front end (the left end in FIGS. 1 to 3) of the steam cleaner main body 11 so as to be detachable from the steam cleaner main body 11, injects steam, and cleans furniture, kitchen units, cars and the like. Brush for rubbing off 1
3 is a rear end of the steam cleaner main body 11 (FIGS. 1 to 3).
At the right end), a tank which is detachably provided to the steam cleaner main body 11 and stores water, 14 is a filter having a half-moon shape, 15 is a power cord for taking power from a commercial power supply, and 15a is This is a plug formed at the end of the power cord 15. The steam cleaner main body 11 has a handle 18 at a position adjacent to the filter 14, and a switch 19 as a switching means for switching the steam discharge capacity is provided at a front end of the handle 18. Note that the switch 19 may have a function of turning on and off the power. In the tank 13,
0.5 [liter] of water is stored.

In the steam cleaner main body 11, an electromagnetic pump 20 as water supply means, a tubular heater 21 as steam generation means, and the heater 21
A control device (not shown) for performing on / off control of the power supply is provided. The electromagnetic pump 20 is controlled by the control device.
Is driven, water in the tank 13 is sucked, and the water is
After being filtered through the filter 14, it is sent into the steam cleaner main body 11 and supplied into the heater 21.
A heating element such as a heater (not shown) is embedded in the heater 21, and the heater 21 is heated to a high temperature when the heating element is energized. Therefore, the water supplied into the heater 21 becomes steam, and the steam is supplied to a nozzle 31 formed at the front end of the steam cleaner main body 11, and is discharged from the nozzle 31 to the brush 12.

The brush 12 has an inlet pipe 32 for receiving the steam discharged from the nozzle 31 and a front end of the inlet pipe 32 (FIG. 5).
And a brush unit 34 attached to the introduction pipe 32.
Is provided. The introduction tube 32 includes a fitting portion 36 fitted (canned) into the nozzle 31, and a spherical portion 37 for swingably supporting the brush case 33 in all directions.
The brush case 33 includes a receiving portion 38 that receives the spherical portion 37. In the brush unit 34, brush bristles 35 are implanted along the periphery, and the brush bristles 35 can wipe off dirt.

In addition, not only can the steam cleaner be used with the brush 12 attached to the steam cleaner main body 11, but also the steam cleaner can be used with the brush 12 removed from the steam cleaner main body 11. In that case, the steam is delivered directly to nozzle 3
Injected from 1.

Therefore, when the dirt is rubbed while jetting steam with the brush 12, the components such as oil in the dirt are easily melted by the high-temperature steam, so that the dirt containing oil has passed since the adhesion. Dirt and the like can be easily removed. Further, since no chemical detergent is used, the skin is not roughened and the environment is not polluted.

Further, sterilization by steam, flea,
It is sanitary because it can exterminate mites and the like.

At the rear end of the handle 18, a cylindrical hollow handle 16 made of a metal having high thermal conductivity, for example, stainless steel, is detachably mounted on the steam cleaner body 11. You. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 2, an insertion opening 41 for selectively inserting the handle 16 is formed at the rear end of the steam cleaner main body 11, and a cylindrical holding member for holding the inserted handle 16 is provided. The part 51 (FIG. 3) is formed integrally with the case 11a and protruded inward. In addition, the holding part 51 may be formed of metal separately from the case 11a. Further, in the present embodiment, the front end of the handle 16 is fitted into the holding portion 51, but a male screw and a female screw (not shown) are formed on the front end of the handle 16 and the holding portion 51, respectively.
6 and the holding portion 51 can be screwed together.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
6 is inserted into the insertion slot 41 to form a mop-type steam cleaner for gripping the handle 16, or as shown in FIG. 2, the handle 16 is removed from the insertion slot 41 and a handy-type steam cleaner for gripping the handle 18 is formed. Or you can.

In this embodiment, the locking pieces 43 and 44 are located adjacent to the switch 19 and the insertion opening 41.
Are formed to protrude. Therefore, the locking pieces 43, 4
By locking the strap 45 with 4, the steam cleaner can be used with the strap 45 hanging on the shoulder. In addition, the said handle 16 is a 1st, 2nd
The first and second cylindrical portions 16a, 16b are relatively rotated to tighten or loosen, thereby adjusting the handle 16 to an arbitrary length. it can.

The heat generated by energizing the heating element is mainly used to generate steam, but a large amount of heat is radiated around the heater 21 and transmitted to the case 11a. Case 11
The air in a is heated to a high temperature. Therefore, a heat insulating material 46 is wound around the outer periphery of the heater 21 so as to suppress heat dissipation. Further, a strip-shaped heat transfer body 48 made of a metal having high thermal conductivity, for example, stainless steel, is disposed between the case 11a and the heat insulating material 46. To this end, a stud 49 is integrally formed at a predetermined position of the case 11a so as to protrude inward, and the heat transfer body 48 is fixed to the stud 49. The heat transfer body 48 prevents the heat radiated from the heater 21 from being transmitted to the case 11a by radiation.

Therefore, the case 11a can be prevented from being overheated, so that the durability of the steam cleaner can be improved. Further, since the handle 18 does not become hot, the handle 18 can be easily grasped, and the operability of the steam cleaner can be improved. In this embodiment, the heat transfer member 48
Has a band shape and surrounds only above the heater 21, but may have a tubular shape and surround the entire heater 21.

The rear end of the heat transfer body 48 is brought into contact with the front end of the holding portion 51. Therefore, the pattern 16
When the steam cleaner is used in a state in which the heat transfer member 48 is inserted into the insertion port 41, the rear end of the heat transfer member 48 comes into contact with the handle 16, so that the heat radiated from the heater 21 and transferred to the heat transfer member 48 is transferred to the handle. 16 and can be released from the handle 16 to the atmosphere. In this case, since the heat transfer body 48 and the handle 16 are formed of a metal having high thermal conductivity, the heat in the case 11a can be sufficiently discharged to the outside of the case 11a and can be radiated to the atmosphere. Therefore, case 11
a can be further prevented from overheating. Note that the rear end of the heat transfer body 48 may be formed in a cylindrical shape to surround the handle 16 inserted into the insertion port 41. In that case,
At the rear end of the heat transfer body 48, much heat can be transferred to the handle 16.

Further, the front end of the handle 16 is opened,
The inside of the handle 16 is communicated with the inside of the case 11a. Then, a non-slip strip 52 is wound around the rear end of the handle 16,
The rear end of the handle 16 is closed by the band-like body 52 except for the ventilation hole 53. Therefore, the high-temperature air in the case 11a passes through the inside of the handle 16 and is discharged into the atmosphere through the ventilation holes 53, and accordingly, the low-temperature air is sucked into the case 11a. Heat can be dissipated into the atmosphere. As a result, the temperature inside the case 11a can be lowered, and the case 11a can be further prevented from overheating.

When the steam cleaner is used with the handle 16 pulled out from the insertion port 41, the insertion port 41 is opened, so that the high-temperature air in the case 11a flows into the atmosphere through the insertion port 41. And the low-temperature air is sucked into the case 11a.
The heat in the case 11a can be dissipated into the atmosphere.
As a result, the temperature inside the case 11a can be lowered, and the case 11a can be further prevented from overheating.

When the steam cleaner is used with the handle 16 pulled out of the insertion opening 41, the insertion opening 41 can be covered with a cap (not shown). In that case, a vent is formed in the cap. Note that an air suction port for sucking low-temperature air can be formed at a predetermined location of the case 11a. The holding unit 51
A fan for forcibly sending the air in the case 11a to the handle 16 or the insertion port 41 can be provided in the vicinity of.

A pair of projections 71 are formed on the lower part of the tank 13 as support means. Therefore, when the steam cleaner is not used temporarily, or when the steam cleaner is stored, the steam cleaner can be supported at three points by the protrusion 71 and the brush 12.

In this embodiment, a heat transfer member 48 is provided above the heater 21, and the heat radiated from the heater 21 is transferred to the atmosphere through the heat transfer member 48 and the handle 16. Or the upper surface of the case 11a can be sufficiently cooled, while the side surface and the lower surface of the case 11a can be sufficiently cooled. Results in a relatively high temperature. However, the steam cleaner body 11
Has a substantially "U" shape and is supported at three points, so that even if the steam cleaner is placed on a support member such as a table (not shown), the side and lower surfaces of the case 11a are There is no contact with the support member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the support member from being heated and damaged. In addition, when the steam cleaner is temporarily placed on the support member, the heating element can be maintained in the energized state, so that the operability of the steam cleaner can be improved.

Next, the circuit of the steam cleaner will be described.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a steam cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 19 is a switch, 20 is an electromagnetic pump (M), and 70 is a thermal fuse for preventing the case 11a (FIG. 3) from overheating.
Is attached to a predetermined location in the case 11a, for example, the heat transfer member 48, and is blown at 180 ° C. Also,
Numerals 72 and 74 are thermostats attached to the heater 21. The thermostat 72 is
When the temperature of the heater 21 becomes lower than 170 ° C., it is turned on to supply a current to the heating element 73, and the temperature of the heater 21 becomes 1
When the temperature reaches 80 ° C. or higher, the heating element 73 is turned off to stop supplying current to the heating element 73. On the other hand, the thermostat 74 is turned on when the temperature of the heater 21 becomes lower than 90 ° C. to turn on the lamp 75 and the heater 21
The lamp 7 is turned off when the temperature of the
5 is turned off.

By switching the switch 19, the rotation speed of the electromagnetic pump 20 is changed,
The amount of water supplied to the heater 21 is changed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0032]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the steam cleaner has a substantially "U" shape, a steam cleaner body provided with a handle, and a heating element. A steam generating means for heating the water by the heating element to generate steam, a tank arranged at a rear end of the steam cleaner main body for containing the water, and a suction unit for sucking water in the tank to generate the steam Water supply means for supplying to the means, formed at the front end of the steam cleaner body,
A nozzle to which the steam generated by the steam generating means is supplied, a brush which is detachably provided to the steam cleaner main body, and which discharges the steam supplied to the nozzle, and a steam cleaner main body. And a handle that is removably disposed on the opposite side. In this case, the water in the tank is sucked by the water supply means and supplied to the steam generation means, heated by the steam generation means to become steam, and the steam is supplied to the nozzle and discharged from the brush.

Therefore, when the dirt is rubbed while jetting steam from the brush, the components such as oil in the dirt are easily melted by the high-temperature steam. Etc. can be easily dropped. Further, since no chemical detergent is used, the skin is not roughened and the environment is not polluted. Furthermore, it is sanitary because it can be sterilized by steam or exterminate fleas, mites and the like. Further, a mop type steam cleaner for gripping a handle or a handy type steam cleaner for gripping a handle can be used.

In another steam cleaner of the present invention, an insertion opening is further formed in the steam cleaner main body. Then, the handle is selectively inserted into the insertion opening.

In this case, a mop type steam cleaner which inserts the handle into the insertion opening and grips the handle or a handy type steam cleaner which pulls out the handle from the insertion opening and holds the handle can be used. When the handle is removed from the insertion port and the handle is used to hold the steam cleaner, the insertion port is opened, so that the high-temperature air in the steam cleaner main body is discharged into the atmosphere through the insertion port. Therefore, the heat radiated from the steam generating means is radiated to the atmosphere through the insertion port. As a result, the steam cleaner main body can be prevented from being overheated, so that the durability of the steam cleaner can be improved. Furthermore, because the handle does not become hot,
The handle can be easily gripped, and the operability of the steam cleaner can be improved.

[0036] In still another steam cleaner of the present invention, the handle is formed of metal, dissipates heat transmitted from the heating element to the atmosphere, has a cylindrical shape, and has a front end. Is opened, and a vent hole is provided at the rear end, and the high-temperature air in the steam cleaner main body is discharged to the atmosphere.

In this case, when the handle is inserted into the insertion opening, the handle is gripped and the steam cleaner is used, the heat radiated from the steam generating means is transmitted to the handle and radiated into the atmosphere. Further, the high-temperature air in the steam cleaner main body passes through the inside of the handle, and is discharged into the atmosphere through the ventilation holes. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the steam cleaner main body from being overheated, so that the durability of the steam cleaner can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first mode of a steam cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second mode of the steam cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a steam cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a water absorption system of the steam cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a nozzle portion of the steam cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the steam cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11a case 13 tank 16 handle 18 handle 20 electromagnetic pump 21 heater 31 nozzle 41 insertion port 53 ventilation hole 73 heating element

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. (a) It has a substantially U-shaped shape, and
A steam cleaner body with hands, (b) a steam generating means comprising a heating element, and heating water to generate steam by the heating element; and (c) a steam cleaner body disposed at a rear end of the steam cleaner body. A tank for storing the water, (d) a water supply means for sucking water in the tank and supplying the water to the steam generation means, and (e) a water supply means formed at a front end of the steam cleaner main body . A nozzle to which the generated steam is supplied ; and (f) a nozzle which is detachably provided to the steam cleaner main body.
A nozzle for discharging steam supplied to the nozzle.
And (g) a handle detachably mounted on the steam cleaner main body . 2. The steam cleaner according to claim 1, wherein (a) an insertion opening is formed in the steam cleaner main body , and (b) the handle is selectively inserted into the insertion opening. 3. The handle is formed of metal , and
Dissipates heat transferred from the heating element into the atmosphere
A high-temperature air inside the steam cleaner main body, which has a cylindrical shape, has a front end opened, and has a vent at the rear end.
The steam cleaner of claim 2 discharged into the atmosphere.