JPH01268599A - Steam iron - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the situation of using, by interlocking a circular-column-formed shaft with the plunger of a first solenoid, to change the opening area of the drain slot of a cylindrical vessel side wall, and by switching a water channel switch with the operation of a second solenoid. CONSTITUTION:By a running water quantity regulator 16, according to the position of a circular-column-formed shaft 20, the opening area of the drain slot 18 of the side wall of a cylindrical vessel 19 is changed, and by a first solenoid 21, the circular- column-formed shaft 20 is operated. A water channel switch 22 is vertically moved by the working of a second solenoid 23. In a steam state, the first solenoid 21 is turned OFF, and the second solenoid 23 is turned ON, and the water channel switch 22 is released, and the opening area of the running water quantity regulator 16 is minimized, and the quantity of water dropped into an evaporation chamber 3 through a nozzle 9 is reduced, and from an air jetting slot 4, normal steam is jetted. By power shot, the first and second solenoids 21, 23 are turned ON, and from the nozzle 9, a large quantity of water flows to the evaporation chamber 3, and from the air jetting slot 4, steam is strongly jetted, and the state of the power shot is set. When the first and second solenoids 21, 23 are turned OFF, then by the energizing force of a spring, a water channel is perfectly closed, and a dry state is realized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a steam iron with a power shot mechanism for general household use.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of steam iron has generally been as shown in FIG. 3, and its construction will be explained based on the drawing.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a base of the iron, in which a heater 2 is embedded, a vaporizing chamber 3 is formed for instantaneously evaporating water, and a blowhole 4 is provided for blowing out steam. Reference numeral 5 denotes a water tank, which is removably attached to the main body 6 of the iron. A faucet 7 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 5, and is configured to be pushed up when the water tank 5 is attached to the main body 6, allowing the water inside to flow out. Reference numeral 8 denotes a water guiding case, which communicates between the faucet 7 and the nozzle 9 provided at the top of the vaporizing chamber 3, and has the role of a water flow path that guides water in the water tank 5 to the vaporizing chamber 3 in the base 1. There is. Reference numeral 10 denotes a bimetal type waterway switch installed in a part of the water guide case 8. When the heater 2 starts to be energized and the temperature of the bimetal 11 attached to the base 1 rises, the axis is moved upward by the reversal action caused by this. The structure is such that the water is pushed up and the water flow path is opened. Reference numeral 12 denotes a water flow rate adjusting ball, which can freely move in the space created between it and the upper ball biasing spring 13 in the state shown in the figure during steam operation. 14 is a pump shaft for pumping water;
It is linked to the steam button 15 attached to the top.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. When the base 1 is heated by energizing the heater 2 and reaches a predetermined temperature or higher, the bimetal 11 is reversed and the bimetal type waterway switch 10 is opened. At this time, when the steam button 15 is in the state shown in FIG. and flows into the water guiding case 8,
The water flow rate adjusting ball 12 is pushed up, passes through the opening of the bimetallic waterway switch 10, and drips into the vaporization chamber 3 via the nozzle 9 in the form of water droplets. Then, the dripped water is in the vaporization chamber 3.
It evaporates instantly inside the tank and is ejected as steam from the fumarole 4.

Further, when the steam button 15 is pushed in in this state, the water flow rate adjustment ball 12 is pressed downward by the ball biasing spring 13, and the water supply from the water tank 5 is cut off. The water that has accumulated during this period is pumped through the nozzle 9 by the pumping action of the pump shaft 14.
Since a larger amount of water than usual flows into the vaporization chamber 3 at once, explosive evaporation occurs, and more powerful steam than usual is ejected from the fumarole 4. This is a power shot.

Furthermore, when the steam button 15 is pushed all the way down and latched by a latch mechanism (not shown), the water flow rate adjustment ball 12 remains pressed downward by the ball biasing spring 13, and the water from the water tank 5 is The water supply is completely shut off and no steam is created. This state is the dry state.

In this way, conventional steam irons can create three states: steam, power shot, and dry. Furthermore, the temperature of the base 1 decreases, making it difficult for water to evaporate in the vaporization chamber 3. The bimetal type waterway switch 10 is operated by the action of the bimetal 11 to close the flow channel and prevent water from flowing into the vaporization chamber 3.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In such a conventional configuration, in order to switch between the three states of steam, power shot, and dry, the user must press the steam button deeply with his/her finger each time. In particular, when generating a power shot, it is necessary to push it in forcefully to increase the pump effect, and since only one power shot can be generated with a -degree push, it is necessary to push it in force many times like under normal usage conditions. When using Power Shot repeatedly, a considerable amount of finger strength is required to use it, such as having to press the steam button many times every time, which is quite hard work for a weak housewife. It was extremely difficult to use.

Furthermore, the bimetal used to open and close the waterway to prevent water leakage at low temperatures has to be structurally attached to the top of the base, which makes the base structure complicated, and the bimetal's reversal action. There is considerable variation in temperature, and due to the design, the opening/closing mechanism has to be set to operate at a fairly high temperature, resulting in problems such as no steam coming out even though the base temperature is still high enough. Ta.

The present invention solves these problems, and replaces the conventional manual switching operation between steam, power shot, and dry with an electrical switching operation using a first solenoid, and furthermore, it replaces the conventional manual switching operation with an electrical switching operation using a first solenoid. By replacing the opening/closing operation of the passage with opening/closing by a second solenoid, a steam iron that is extremely easy to use is provided.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a base with a built-in heater and a vaporization chamber, a water tank provided at the top of the base, and a faucet at the bottom of the water tank. A water guide case is provided, which communicates from the vaporization chamber to the nozzle at the upper part of the vaporization chamber, and has a water flow regulator in the middle thereof that controls the flow rate of water and a water channel switch that opens and closes the water channel. consists of a cylindrical container with a water supply hole in the base and a vertical slit-shaped drainage hole in the flIII wall, and a cylindrical shaft inserted slidably along the inner surface of the cylindrical container. The opening area of the drainage hole in the side wall of the cylindrical container can be changed by interlocking with the plunger of a first solenoid provided in the main body of the iron, and the waterway switch is configured to be able to change the opening area of the drain hole in the side wall of the cylindrical container, and the waterway switch is connected to a plunger of a first solenoid provided in the body of the iron. This steam iron is constructed so that it can be opened and closed by the operation of a solenoid.

action This configuration allows for steam and power shots.

Since the 3-stage dry switching is changed to electrical switching using a solenoid, the switching operation itself is simply a switch operation (for example, a touch switch), which greatly reduces the burden on housewives who use it. Furthermore, once the power shot repetition operation is set, it can be automatically generated over and over again every few seconds. moreover,
By using a solenoid to open and close the flow channel to prevent water leakage, there is no need to use a bimetal with large variations in base temperature detection, and a highly accurate thermistor can be used, allowing the steam to flow smoothly. This makes it possible to widen the range of temperature conditions under which this phenomenon can occur.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that the same parts as in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals, detailed explanations are omitted, and the explanation will focus on the differences. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 16 denotes a water flow rate regulator, with water supply holes 17. Cylindrical container 1 having a drainage hole 18 in the form of a vertical slit in the side wall
9 and a cylindrical shaft 20 that slides along its inner surface, and the opening area of the drainage hole 18 in the side wall of the cylindrical container 19 changes depending on the position of the cylindrical shaft 20. That is, when the cylindrical shaft 20 reaches the highest point, the drainage hole 18 has the maximum opening area as shown in FIG. 2(a), and the amount of water flowing is also the maximum. Also, the same figure (b)
As shown in FIG. 2, when the cylindrical shaft 20 reaches the lowest point, the opening of the drain hole 18 is regulated by the cylindrical shaft 20 and has the minimum opening area, and the amount of water flowing is also minimized. 2
1 is a first solenoid that operates the cylindrical shaft 20. 22 is a waterway switch, which is moved up and down by the operation of a second solenoid 23, and when pulled upward by this second solenoid 23, the waterway switch 22
), the waterway is open, and when it is pushed downward, the waterway is closed, as shown in (c) of the same figure. The plungers of both the first and second solenoids 21 and 23 are urged downward by spring force.
In the non-energized state, the flow rate regulator 16 and the waterway switch 22
is in a state as shown in FIG. 2(c). Note that even if the cylindrical shaft 20 and the shaft of the waterway switch 22 are used in common with the plungers of the first and second solenoids 21 and 23, I don't mind.

The operation of each part when realizing the three states of steam, power shot, and dry with the above configuration will be explained.

That is, the steam state is the state shown in FIG. 2(b), and the first solenoid 21 is kept OFF and the second solenoid 23 is kept ON.

In this state, the channel switch 22 is opened to ensure a water flow path, and the opening area of the water flow regulator 16 is minimized, so the amount of water dripping into the vaporization chamber 3 through the nozzle 9 is small. Normal steam is ejected from the fumarole 4.

Next, perform the power shot with the first and second power shots in the state shown in Figure 2(a).
Solenoids 21 and 23 are both in the ON state. In this case, the water channel opening/closing 322 is opened, and the cylindrical shaft 20 of the flow rate regulator 16 is pulled up to the highest point, so that the opening area of the water channel is maximized. Therefore nozzle 9
A large amount of water flows out into the vaporization chamber 3, and steam is ejected from the fumarole 4 more powerfully than usual (power shot state).

Finally, the first. If both the second solenoids 21 and 23 are turned off, the biasing force of the spring will cause the
), the waterway is completely closed and a dry state can be achieved.

Also, when the temperature of the base 1 drops and steam cannot be generated, this is detected by a separately provided thermistor (not shown), and the first and second solenoid 21
．． 23 are both turned off to forcibly create the dry state.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the adjustment of the flow rate and the opening and closing of the water channel are both driven by a solenoid, so that users (mainly housewives) can use force with their fingertips, unlike in the past. You can now easily switch between the three states of steam, power shot, and dry with a simple operation without having to press buttons or the like, and you can also use the power shot repeatedly by setting it. This makes it possible to provide a steam iron that is extremely easy to use.

Furthermore, in terms of preventing water leakage, there is no need to use conventional bimetals (this makes the structure simpler, which has great advantages in terms of manufacturing, and it also makes it possible to accurately detect the temperature at which steam can be generated). , which is extremely practical.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a steam iron according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing details of a water flow rate regulator and a waterway switch, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a conventional steam iron. l...base, 2...heater, 3...vaporization chamber, 5
...Water tank, 6...Main body, 7...Water faucet, 8...
- Water guide case, 9... Nozzle, 16... Water flow rate regulator, 17... Water supply hole. 18... Drain hole, 19... Cylindrical container, 20...
Cylindrical shaft, 21... first solenoid, 22.
... Waterway switch, 23... Second solenoid. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and one other person f-base/6-i ice t tll i! + 62 ・-・ Heater 1ri - m,
KJL? -...) Fork z3--Second solenoid Figure 1 M2 Figure 3 (~)

Claims (1)

[Claims] A base with a built-in heater and a vaporization chamber, a water tank provided at the top of this base, and a water faucet at the bottom of this water tank to a nozzle at the top of the vaporization chamber are connected, and there is a connection between the water tank and the water tank installed at the top of the base. It is equipped with a water guide case having a flow rate regulator that adjusts the flow rate and a channel switch that opens and closes the water channel, and the flow rate regulator is a cylinder having a water supply hole in the base and a vertical slit-shaped drainage hole in the side wall. It consists of a cylindrical container and a cylindrical shaft slidably inserted along the inner surface of the cylindrical container,
The shaft is linked to a plunger of a first solenoid provided in the main body of the iron to change the opening area of the drainage hole in the side wall of the cylindrical container, and the waterway switch is separately provided. A steam iron configured to be opened and closed by the operation of a second solenoid.