JP3375210B2 - Electric iron - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric iron for use in spreading wrinkles of fabric.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A relatively small electric iron to be carried on a trip or used for simple sewing uses a planar heater having a heating wire sandwiched between a pair of mica plates (insulating plates) as a heat source. The planar heater is mounted on a base. A metal fixing plate is provided on the planar heater, and the planar heater is fixed by the fixing plate so as to be in close contact with the base.

[0003] A thermostat is provided above the fixed plate for controlling the energization of the planar heater to turn on and off the current to maintain the base temperature at a set temperature. In addition, a thermal fuse is mounted on the upper surface of the fixing plate as a thermo-responsive overheating prevention element. When the planar heater rises to an abnormal temperature due to failure of the thermostat, this thermal fuse is blown by the heat. To cut off the power to the planar heater,
It is designed to be safe.

[0004]

However, in this conventional electric iron, a thermal fuse is mounted on the upper surface of a metal fixing plate that comes into contact with the planar heater. Even when the sheet heater receives heat sensitively and the temperature of the sheet heater changes within a normal temperature range, the temperature fuse may be erroneously blown and malfunction.

Therefore, it is conceivable to provide the thermal fuse at a part of a synthetic resin handle provided on the upper portion of the base. In this case, heat conduction from the planar heater to the thermal fuse is not performed. When the temperature of the planar heater rises to an abnormal temperature, the timing of melting of the thermal fuse is delayed, and the safety may be reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point. It is an object of the present invention to reliably prevent a malfunction of an overheat prevention element in a normal state and to provide a planar heater. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric iron capable of appropriately operating an excessive temperature rise prevention element when the temperature rises to an abnormal temperature.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a sheet heater mounted on a base is covered with a metal cover with a certain space therebetween.
Attach a thermo-responsive overheat prevention element to this cover,
When the temperature of the planar heater rises to an abnormal temperature, the current is cut off by the overheat prevention element. A fixing plate is provided on the planar heater, and the fixing plate
Is pressed downward by the holding piece provided on the base
The heater is brought into close contact with the upper surface of the base . Preferably, an opening window is formed in the metal cover to connect the space inside the opening to the outside, and an overheating prevention element is provided opposite the opening window.

[0008]

The overheat prevention element is mounted on a metal cover that covers the sheet heater, so that the overheat prevention element does not directly receive the heat of the sheet heater. The sensitivity to temperature is moderately reduced,
Therefore, when the planar heater changes at a temperature within the normal temperature range, the overheat prevention element does not malfunction. When the planar heater is continuously energized and rises to an abnormal temperature due to, for example, a failure of the thermostat, the heat is quickly transmitted from the base to the overheating prevention element via the metal cover, and therefore, the overheating prevention element. Operates reliably and the energization of the planar heater is cut off.

[0009]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 1 shown in the figure is a metal base,
A planar heater 2 is mounted on the base 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet heater 2 has a heating wire 3
Is sandwiched between a pair of mica plates 4 and 5.

A metal fixing plate 6 is provided on the planar heater 2, and the fixing plate 6 is pressed downward by a pressing piece 7 provided on the base 1. The heater 2 is fixed so as to be in close contact with the upper surface of the base 1.

A thermostat 1 is provided above the planar heater 2.
The thermostat 10 includes a support 11 fixed to the base 1, and a contact mechanism 12 supported by the support 11 and opening and closing in accordance with the temperature of the base 1. 12 opening and closing operation, the sheet heater 2
Is turned on and off, and the temperature of the base 1 is maintained at the set temperature by the on / off control.

An adjustment screw 13 for setting the temperature of the base 1 by operating the contact mechanism 12 is incorporated in the thermostat 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a terminal plate 14 extending substantially horizontally is attached to the column 11 as shown in FIG.

A metal cover 17 is provided on the base 1 to cover the sheet heater 2 and the thermostat 10 with a certain space therebetween. The cover 17 is attached to the base 1 via the support 11 of the thermostat 10. Fixed.
The upper end of the column 11 penetrates through the cover 17 as a threaded portion 11a and projects upward. Further, an opening 18 is formed in the upper end surface of the cover 17, and the upper part of the adjusting screw 14 protrudes upward through the opening 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a stepped portion 20 is formed in the upper portion of one side surface of the cover 17 by recessing the wall surface of the cover 17 in an approximately L shape. A first opening window 21 and a second opening window 22 are formed in the step portion 20 along the longitudinal direction of the cover 17. The first opening window 21 is formed in a substantially vertical side wall portion of the step portion 20,
The opening window 22 is formed from a substantially vertical side wall portion of the step portion 20 to a substantially horizontal bottom wall portion.

A temperature fuse 24 is provided on the stepped portion 20 at a portion facing the first opening window 21 as an overheating prevention element. The thermal fuse 24 is housed in a protective tube 23 made of silicon rubber having heat resistance and insulation.

A locking tongue 25 extending downward from the middle of the upper edge of the first opening window 21 is integrally formed with the locking tongue 25 and the bottom of the step 20. The insulating tube 23 accommodating the thermal fuse 24 is held between the wall and the wall to prevent the insulating tube 23 from falling off.

The distal end of the terminal plate 14 extending from the support 11 of the thermostat 10 is disposed below the horizontal opening surface of the second opening window 22. One lead wire 24a led out of the thermal fuse 24 is connected and fixed to the end of the terminal plate 14 via a set screw 26. The other lead wire 24b led out of the thermal fuse 24 is connected to a terminal (not shown) on one end of the planar heater 2.

A handle 30 made of synthetic resin is provided on the cover 17, and the handle 30 covers most of the outer surface of the cover 17. The handle 30 integrally has an L-shaped grip portion 31 protruding upward, and an opening at the rear end of the grip portion 31 is closed by a handle cap 32.

The handle 30 has a pair of mounting holes 33, 34.
Is formed, and the support 11 is inserted into one of the mounting holes 33.
The threaded portion 11a at the upper end of the
A nut 35 is screwed into the upper end of the mounting screw 36, and a mounting screw 36 is inserted into the other mounting hole 34.
Is screwed into the upper surface of the cover 17, and the handle 30 is fixed to the cover 17 by tightening the mounting screw 36 and the nut 35.

A through hole 37 is formed in the handle 30, and the upper end of the adjusting screw 13 passes through the through hole 37 and protrudes upward. And this adjusting screw 13
The operation dial 3 is located on the upper end of the
The operation dial 38 is used to operate the adjusting screw 13 to set the temperature of the base 1 and turn off the power.

In the electric iron configured as described above, when the temperature is set by operating the operation dial 38, the sheet heater 2 is energized to generate heat, and the base 1 is heated. Then, the energization is controlled on / off by the thermostat 10, and the temperature of the base 1 is maintained at the set temperature by the on / off control. In this state, the user holds the grip portion 31 of the handle 30 and presses the lower surface of the base 1 against the fabric to perform the ironing operation.

The thermal fuse 24 is mounted on the metal cover 17 covering the planar heater 2 at a fixed distance from the planar heater 2. Sensitivity is moderately moderated,
Therefore, when the planar heater 2 changes at a temperature within the normal temperature range, the thermal fuse 24 is not erroneously blown. When the planar heater 2 is continuously energized and rises to an abnormal temperature due to, for example, a failure of the thermostat 10, the heat is quickly transmitted from the base 1 to the thermal fuse 24 via the metal cover 17. Is surely blown, and the current cuts off the planar heater 2 to ensure safety.

In this embodiment, since the first opening window 21 is formed in the cover 17 and the temperature fuse 24 is disposed so as to face the opening window 21, convection due to radiation of the planar heater 2 is achieved. When the heat reaches the temperature fuse 24 through the opening window 21 and thus rises to an abnormal temperature due to the continuous energization of the sheet heater 2, the heat is transmitted to the temperature fuse 24 more quickly, and the temperature fuse 24 is more reliably. Blow.

The terminal plate 1 of the thermostat 10
4 is a second opening window 2 of the cover 17 as shown in FIG.
2 is connected to the horizontal opening surface in FIG. 2, so that when connecting the lead wire 24 a of the thermal fuse 24 to the terminal plate 14, the operation can be easily and finely performed through the opening window 22. There is.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show an electric iron in which the structure of the handle 30 is different. The handle 30 of the electric iron is formed such that the grip portion 31 extends rearward of the base 1. And this handle 30
Is open, and a handle cap 32 is attached to the opening.

The handle cap 32 has a concave portion 40 on the upper surface on the distal end side thereof, and a display nameplate 41 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the concave portion 40. The display nameplate 41 indicates high, medium, and low as temperature display. , And the indication of turning off the current are given. Further, on the bottom surface of the concave portion 40, an elongated through-hole 42 is formed adjacent to one end of the display nameplate 41. The through hole 42 is provided inside the handle 30.
A neon lamp 43 for energization display is provided opposite to.

A transparent cover 4 is provided at the opening on the upper surface of the concave portion 40.
The display nameplate 41 and the through-hole 42 are covered by the transparent cover 44 with a sufficient space between the display nameplate 41 and the transparent cover 44.

In this electric iron, the upper end of the adjusting screw 13 of the thermostat 10 is
And a gear 46 is attached to the protruding end. A rack 47 that meshes with the gear 46 is provided inside the handle 30 so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the handle 30, and an operation knob 48 and a display plate 49 are integrally attached to the rack 47. And the operation knob 48 is the handle 30
The display plate 49 is exposed to the outside on one side by way of a slide groove 50, and the display plate 49 is
1, and the exposed display plate 49 is disposed so as to overlap the display nameplate 41. The display plate 49 is partially transparent, so that the temperature display of the display nameplate 41 can be viewed from above the transparent cover 44 through the transparent portion. In addition, 52 shown in the figure is a partition plate that partitions between the arrangement part of the rack 47 and the arrangement part of the neon lamp 43.

In such a configuration, the operation knob 4
When the rack 47 is slid through the rack 8, the adjustment screw 13 meshed with the rack 47 rotates to operate the thermostat 10, and the display plate 49 moves integrally with the rack 47. Then, the display plate 49 is displayed on the display nameplate 41 as "high", "medium",
When the base 1 is set to the “low” position, the temperature of the base 1 is set to the corresponding high, medium, and low temperatures. Then, at this time, the neon lamp 43 is turned on to display the energization.

When the display plate 49 is set to the position of "OFF" displayed on the display nameplate 41, the sheet heater 2 is turned off.
Is turned off, and the neon lamp 43 is turned off, indicating that the power is turned off.

As shown in FIG. 8, a thin portion 40a is formed in the bottom wall of the concave portion 40 in place of the through hole 42, and a neon lamp 43 is provided below the thin portion 40a. The light of the lamp 43 is emitted to the upper surface side of the concave portion 40 through the thin portion 40a, or, as shown in FIG. 9, is relatively far away from the position where the display nameplate 41 is provided, and is higher than the display nameplate 41. It is also possible to form a through hole 42 at a level position, dispose a neon lamp 43 below the through hole 42, and emit light from the neon lamp 43 through the through hole 42. is there.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The sheet heater mounted on the base is covered with a metal cover with a certain space, and a heat-responsive overheat prevention element is attached to this cover. The malfunction of the prevention element can be reliably prevented, and when the planar heater rises to an abnormal temperature, the overheat prevention element can be properly operated to ensure safety.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an electric iron according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electric iron with a handle removed.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a sheet heater in the electric iron.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cover of the electric iron.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an electric iron having a different handle structure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the electric iron.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the arrangement structure of the neon lamp for displaying electricity.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another modified example of the arrangement structure of the neon lamp for displaying electricity.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Base 2 ... Planar heater 17 ... Cover 21 ... Opening window 24 ... Temperature fuse (overheating prevention element)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Ishiwata 2570-1, Gosuda, Oaza, Kamo-shi, Niigata Prefecture Inside (72) Inventor Hiroaki Sakai 2570-1, Gosuda, Oaza, Kamo-shi, Niigata Toshiba Inside Home Techno Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Junichi Shibano 2570-1, Gosuda, Oaza, Kamo-shi, Niigata Toshiba Home Techno Co., Ltd. Tetsuya Imai 2570-1, Gosuda, Kamo, Kamo-shi, Niigata Higashishiba Home Techno Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hitoshi Takagi 2570-1, Gosuda, Kamo, Niigata Pref. Toshiba Home Techno Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-4-122392 (JP, A) JP-A-3-268798 ( JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Showa 57-155797 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 75/26

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A base, a planar heater mounted on the base, a metal cover covering the planar heater with a space therebetween, and when the planar heater rises to an abnormal temperature. A heat-responsive overheating prevention element for interrupting the current supply, and a fixed plate provided on the planar heater,
The fixing plate is pressed downward by the holding piece provided on the base.
An electric iron wherein the sheet heater is brought into close contact with the upper surface of the base by applying pressure, and the overheating prevention element is attached to the metal cover. 2. The metal cover is provided with an opening for communicating an inner space with the outside, and an overheating prevention element is provided opposite to the opening. Item 2. An electric iron according to item 1.