JP3266140B2 - Steam iron - Google Patents

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 to smooth wrinkles of clothes and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of steam iron has been configured as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

As shown in the figure, a base 2 heated by a heater 1 and a water tank 3 are arranged above the base 2. The vaporization chamber 4 vaporizes the water in the water tank 3 to generate steam. The pump device 5 includes the water tank 3
The pump device 5 supplies the water inside to the vaporization chamber 4.
Of the discharge pipe 6 is closed by a check valve 7. In addition, the discharge pipe 6 is sealed to the water tank bottom member 8 by a seal member 9.

[0004] The lid 10 sandwiches the check valve 7 with the bottom of the discharge pipe 6 of the pump device 5 and shuts off the passage to the water tank 3 by the seal member 9, so that the water is below the water tank 3. A passage 11 is formed, and the water guide 12 is connected to the inflow port 1.
3 and connection packing 14 formed of a flexible material such as rubber
A water passage to the vaporization chamber 4 is formed by the opening 15 which is connected in a watertight manner. Reference numeral 16 denotes a thermally responsive on-off valve device for controlling the supply of water to the vaporization chamber 4 based on the temperature of the base 2.

When the vaporization chamber 4 is heated to a temperature higher than the vaporization temperature of water, the heat responsive member 17 senses the heat of the base 2 and reverses upward when the vaporization chamber 4 is heated. 16 is pushed up to open the inlet 13. In this state, when the operation unit 18 of the pump device 5 is moved up and down,
The water in the pump device 5 pushes down the check valve 7 against the urging force thereof, and is pushed out from the discharge pipe 6 of the opened pump device 5 into the water passage 11 vigorously. The extruded water is supplied to the vaporization chamber 4 through a water channel formed in the water guide 12 to be vaporized, whereby the increased steam can be ejected. In the figure, 19 is an iron main body, 20 is a cover plate disposed on the bottom surface of the base 2, and 21 is an ejection hole provided on the cover plate 20 and through which steam passes.

[0006]

In such a conventional structure, when the pump device 5 is operated to continuously eject the increased amount of steam, the heat of the base 2 is taken away and the temperature becomes lower than the vaporization temperature of water. Responsive to the heat of the base 2, the heat responsive member 17 reverses downward, and the heat responsive on-off valve device 16
Goes down to close the water passage 11. At this time, the water passage 11
Since the water supplied by the pump device 5 is filled therein and the pressure is increased, the heat of the base 2 becomes higher than the vaporization temperature of water again, and the heat responsive member 17 senses the heat of the base 2 again. However, even if it is turned upside down, there is a problem that the thermally responsive on-off valve device 16 is not pushed up due to the pressure in the water passage 11, so that the increased steam cannot be ejected.

In addition, when the operation section 18 of the pump device 5 is moved up and down with the thermally responsive on-off valve device 16 being lowered and the water passage 11 being closed as described above, the increased steam is continuously discharged. When the sealing pressure of the connection packing 14 between the opening 15 of the water passage 11 and the inlet 13 of the water guide 12 is weak, the opening 15 of the water passage 11 and the inlet 13 of the water guide 12 are increased. However, there is a problem that water leaks from the connecting portion of the above and soils clothing and the like.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and operates the pump device in a state where the thermally responsive on-off valve device is closed to reduce the water in the water guide even if the water in the water guide is pressurized. The purpose of the present invention is to open and close a thermally responsive on-off valve device according to the heat of a base, and to discharge a stable increased amount of steam.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a heat-operated on-off valve device which operates a pump device when a water guide is closed to increase the pressure in the water guide. In this case, a pressure valve device for causing water discharged from the pump device to flow into the water tank when the pump device is disposed upstream of the thermally responsive on-off valve device.

[0010] With this, the pump device is operated with the thermally responsive on-off valve device closed, and even if the water in the water conduit is pressurized, the water in the water conduit can be depressurized, and the heat in the base can be reduced. By opening and closing the thermally responsive on-off valve device, a stable increased amount of steam can be ejected.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized in that a base heated by a heater, a vaporization chamber formed in the base, a water tank for storing water supplied to the vaporization chamber, A pump device that supplies water in the water tank to the vaporization chamber to generate steam, a water guide that guides the water in the water tank to the vaporization chamber, and a water medium that is interposed between the water guides, and the vaporization chamber evaporates water. A thermally responsive on-off valve device that holds the water guide in an open state only when it is heated to a temperature or higher, and allows water to pass therethrough, when the water-conducting body is closed by the heat responsive on-off valve device When the pump device is operated, and when the pressure in the water guide is pressurized, the water discharged from the pump device is discharged into the water tank by a pressure valve device on the upstream side of the thermally responsive on-off valve device. The thermo-responsive opening Even if the valve device is closed and the water in the water passage is pressurized, the water in the water passage can be depressurized by returning the water from the pressure valve device into the water tank, and the heat in accordance with the heat of the base can be reduced. The responsive on-off valve device is opened and closed, and the stable increase in the amount of steam is constantly spouted, so that the usability can be improved and water leakage from the joint to the outside can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the pressure valve device comprises a discharge pipe of the pump device and a water tank bottom member forming a bottom surface of the water tank. It has a sealing member formed of a flexible material or the like to be connected, and is performed by utilizing the limit of the sealing pressure of the sealing portion connecting the sealing portion and the material discharge pipe or the water tank bottom member, A pressure valve device can be configured by the seal member, and the pressurized water in the water conduit can be returned to the water tank to prevent water leakage from the joint to the outside.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Components having the same configuration as the conventional example are assigned the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG. 1, an iron main body 19 generates a base 2 provided below, and steam spouting from a spout hole 21 formed in a base plate 2 and formed in a cover plate 20. A vaporization chamber 4; a water tank 3 disposed above the base 2 for storing water; and a pump device 5 for supplying water in the water tank 3 to the vaporization chamber 4.
The discharge pipe 6 is connected to the water tank bottom member 8 in a watertight manner by a seal member 9, and the opening at the end of the discharge pipe 6 is closed by a check valve 7.

Lid 1 located below water tank bottom member 8
Reference numeral 0 denotes the non-return valve 7 sandwiched by the bottom of the discharge pipe 6 of the pump device 5 and a water passage 11 formed. Water guide 12
A water path to the vaporization chamber 4 is formed by an opening 13 which is connected to an inflow port 13 and a connection packing 14 formed of a flexible material such as rubber in a watertight manner. Thermal responsive on-off valve device 16
Controls the supply of water to the vaporization chamber 4 based on the temperature of the base 2. Reference numeral 22 denotes the pressurized water in the water passage 11 provided in the water tank bottom member 8,
The pressure valve device is configured by a sphere 23 and a spring 24.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. First, when the heater 1 is energized and the vaporization chamber 4 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the vaporization temperature of water, the heat responsive member 17 reverses upward,
By displacing the thermally responsive on-off valve device 16 upward, the water guide 12
And the water channel of the vaporization chamber 4.

When the pump device 5 is operated by moving the operating portion 18 up and down, the water in the pump device 5 resists the urging force of the check valve 7 closing the outlet of the discharge pipe 6. Then, the check valve 7 is depressed to flow into the vaporization chamber 4 from the inflow port 13 of the opened water guide 12 through the thermoresponsive on-off valve device 16 to generate steam, and the steam is ejected from the ejection hole 21. Let it. This steam can be continued for a predetermined time by operating the operation unit 18 in association with the temperature decrease of the vaporization chamber 4.

When the temperature of the vaporization chamber 4 becomes equal to or lower than the vaporization temperature of water, the thermally responsive member 17 senses the temperature and inverts downward, and the thermally responsive on-off valve device 16 is shut off. In this state, even if the pump device 5 is operated, the water remains in the vaporization chamber 4.
The water in the water passage 11 is pressurized. At this time, the pressure in the water tank 3 is maintained at the atmospheric pressure, and due to the pressure difference with the water passage 11, the pressurized water causes the sphere 23 provided in the pressure valve device 22 to move to the spring 24. It is moved upward against the urging force, so that the pressure in the water passage 11 can be reduced.

At this time, if the operating pressure of the pressure valve device 22 is set to be equal to or lower than the seal pressure of the thermally responsive on-off valve device 16, water in the water passage 11 is added with the thermally responsive on-off valve device 16 closed. Even if it is pressurized, the water in the water passage 11 can be depressurized by returning the water from the pressure valve device 22 into the water tank 3, and the heat responsive on-off valve device 16 according to the heat of the base 2 is operated. It stabilizes the opening and closing and constantly ejects a stable amount of increased steam, thereby improving usability and eliminating leakage of water from the joint to the outside.

(Embodiment 2) As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure valve device 25 is a flexible member for sealingly connecting the discharge pipe 6 of the pump device 5 and the water tank bottom member 8 forming the bottom surface of the water tank 3. A sealing member 9a made of a material is provided.
a and the sealing pressure of the sealing portion between the discharge pipe 6 and the water tank bottom member 8 are set to be higher than the sealing pressure of the check valve 7, and the connecting portion between the inflow port 13 and the opening 15, etc.
It is set to be weaker than the sealing pressure of the other sealing portions. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

According to the above configuration, the thermally responsive on-off valve device 16
In the open state, the water in the pump device 5 resists the urging force of the check valve 7 closing the outlet of the discharge pipe 6, and this check valve 7
Is maintained in a sealed state with respect to the pressure for depressing the pressure, but when the thermally responsive on-off valve device 16 is closed, the pressure in the water passage 11 depends on the seal member 9a and the discharge pipe 6 or the water tank bottom member 8 The pressurized water passes through the seal portion of the seal member 9a constituting the pressure valve device 25, is returned to the water tank 3, and the pressure in the water passage 11 is reduced. The pressure is reduced.

At this time, since the sealing pressure of the seal member 9a is set to be lower than the sealing pressure of the check valve 7 and the sealing pressures of the other sealing portions, as described above, the operation of the thermally responsive on-off valve device 16 is reduced. There is no hindrance, and no water leaks from each seal to the outside.

[0023]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the base heated by the heater, the vaporization chamber formed in the base, and the water for storing the water to be supplied to the vaporization chamber are provided. A tank, a pump device that supplies water in the water tank to the vaporization chamber to generate steam, a water guide that guides the water in the water tank to the vaporization chamber, and a water body that is interposed between the water bodies and the vaporization chamber. A heat-responsive on-off valve device that holds the water guide in an open state only when the water is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the water vaporization temperature, and allows water to pass therethrough. When the pump device is operated, the pressure valve device that causes the water discharged from the pump device to flow into the water tank when the pressure in the water guide is pressurized is changed to the thermally responsive on-off valve. Because it is located upstream of the device, When the water guide is closed by the dynamic on-off valve device, the discharged water can flow into the water tank even when the pump device is operated, and the thermally responsive on-off valve device can be accurately adjusted according to the heat of the base. It can be operated to eject a stable amount of increased steam.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the pressure valve device is formed of a flexible material or the like that connects the discharge pipe of the pump device and a water tank bottom member forming the bottom surface of the water tank. It has a seal member, and the seal member is connected to the material discharge pipe or the water tank bottom member by using the limit of the sealing pressure of the seal part. Therefore, the seal member between the discharge pipe and the water tank bottom member is used. Accordingly, the pressure valve device can be configured with a simple configuration, and the pressurized water in the headrace can be returned to the water tank to prevent water leakage from the joint to the outside.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view of a steam iron according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a steam iron according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway sectional view of a conventional steam iron.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 heater 2 base 3 water tank 4 vaporization chamber 12 water guide 16 thermally responsive on-off valve device 18 pump device 22 pressure valve device

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Ikeshima ▲ E ▼ 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-4-97799 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 75/18 D06F 75/14

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A base heated by a heater, a vaporization chamber formed in the base, a water tank for storing water to be supplied to the vaporization chamber, and water in the water tank supplied to the vaporization chamber to generate steam. A pump device for generating, a water guide for guiding water in the water tank to the vaporization chamber, and a water guide interposed between the water guides, and the water guide only when the vaporization chamber is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the vaporization temperature of water. A heat-responsive on-off valve device for holding in an open state and allowing water to pass therethrough, wherein when the water-conducting body is closed by the thermally-responsive on-off valve device, the pump device is operated, and the pressure in the water body is reduced. A steam iron, wherein a pressure valve device that causes water discharged from the pump device to flow into the water tank when pressurized is disposed upstream of the thermally responsive on-off valve device. 2. A pressure valve device comprising: a discharge pipe of a pump device;
It has a seal member formed of a flexible material or the like that connects the water tank bottom member that forms the bottom surface of the water tank, and the seal pressure of the seal portion that connects this seal portion to the material discharge pipe or the water tank bottom member. 2. The steam iron according to claim 1, wherein the process is performed using a limit.