JPH04272800A - Steam iron - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To supply the steam quantity corresponding to a temperature of the base surface by providing a steam quantity control means for supplying water contained in a tank to a vaporizing chamber and controlling the steam quantity, and a steam quantity determining means for determining the correct steam quantity corresponding to a temperature of the base surface. CONSTITUTION:At the time of using as a steam iron, first of all, a temperature of a base 1 is set to a steamable temperature by using a temperature setting means 7. As a result by a temperature detecting means 5 and a temperature setting means 6, a heater is subjected to electric conduction control, and the base 1 is heated. When the base 1 reaches a set temperature, when the iron is set to a steamable state, water in a tank 3 is vaporized in a vaporizing chamber 2, and exhausted from a steam hole on the lower face of the base 1. In this case, the steam quantity is determined by a steam quantity determining means 8 for inputting the temperature determining means 7 and the temperature detecting means 5, and by an operation of a steam quantity control means 4, the vaporization quantity in the vaporizing chamber 2 is controlled, and steam of the proper quantity corresponding to a temperature of the base 1 is generated.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steam iron for general household use.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, this type of steam iron drips a certain amount of water from a tank into a vaporizing chamber formed on the base surface of the iron, and the steam generated there is ejected from a steam outlet hole on the bottom of the base. It was common to use As the water supply dripping means, there have been proposed methods such as one in which a nozzle is opened by operating a steam button to allow the water to drip naturally, and one in which water is dripped under pressure using a pump using an electric device such as a solenoid.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, with this type of configuration, a constant amount of steam is generated regardless of the temperature of the base surface of the iron, so if the temperature of the base surface decreases due to the use of steam, This further accelerates the decrease in the temperature of the base surface, causing the problem that the temperature of the base surface further decreases. Furthermore, this makes it difficult to use steam at low temperatures, and there is also the problem that the materials of cloth that can be steam-finished are limited.

The present invention is an attempt to solve these conventional problems, and its primary purpose is to provide a steam iron that can supply an appropriate amount of steam depending on the temperature of the base surface. be.

[0005] A second object of the present invention is to provide a first concrete means for achieving the first object.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a second concrete means for achieving the first object.

Furthermore, a fourth object is to provide a third specific means for achieving the first object.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a steam iron having a steam amount determining means configured to determine an appropriate amount of steam by fuzzy reasoning.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the first object, the first invention provides a base heated by a heater, a vaporization chamber formed on the base, and a vaporization chamber disposed above the vaporization chamber. a tank; a steam amount control means for supplying water in the tank to the vaporization chamber to control the amount of steam;
temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the base; temperature control means for controlling energization to the heater based on temperature information from the temperature detection means; and temperature setting means for setting temperatures in multiple stages according to the material of clothing or the like. and steam amount determining means for determining an appropriate amount of steam corresponding to the temperature of the base surface.

[0010] Also, in order to achieve the second object, a second invention provides a steam iron having steam amount control means equipped with a pump for adjusting the amount of dripping from the tank to the vaporization chamber. be.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the third object, a third invention provides a steam amount control means constituted by a nozzle diameter adjustment mechanism that adjusts the nozzle diameter to adjust the amount of dripping from the tank to the vaporization chamber. It is a steam iron with a

Furthermore, in order to achieve the fourth object, a fourth invention provides a steam amount determination method that uniquely determines the steam amount corresponding to each set temperature by inputting the set temperature from the temperature setting means. It is a steam iron equipped with means.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the fifth object, the fifth invention inputs the set temperature from the temperature setting means and the current temperature of the iron base from the temperature detection means, and calculates the appropriate amount of steam by fuzzy reasoning. The steam iron is equipped with a steam amount determining means for determining the amount of steam.

[0014]

[Operation] According to the configuration of the first invention, the steam amount is determined by the steam amount determining means, the steam amount is controlled by the steam amount control means, and an appropriate amount of steam is supplied corresponding to the temperature of the base surface. can do.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the configuration of the second invention, the base surface is It is possible to supply an appropriate amount of steam corresponding to the temperature.

Furthermore, according to the configuration of the third aspect of the invention, the nozzle diameter adjustment mechanism that adjusts the nozzle diameter is used to control the amount of steam by adjusting the amount of dripping from the tank to the vaporization chamber. It is possible to supply an appropriate amount of steam corresponding to the temperature.

Furthermore, according to the configuration of the fourth invention, by inputting the set temperature from the temperature setting means and uniquely determining the amount of steam corresponding to each set temperature, the temperature of the base surface can be adjusted. A suitable amount of steam can be supplied.

Furthermore, according to the configuration of the fifth invention, the set temperature from the temperature setting means and the current temperature of the iron base from the temperature detection means are input, and the appropriate amount of steam is determined by fuzzy reasoning. An appropriate amount of steam can be supplied depending on the temperature of the base surface.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, 1 is a base heated by a heater, 2 is a vaporization chamber formed in the base 1, 3 is a tank placed above the vaporization chamber 2, and 4 is a steam tank that supplies water in the tank 3 to the vaporization chamber 2. 5 is a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the base 1;
Reference numeral 6 indicates a temperature control means for controlling the energization of the heater based on temperature information from the temperature detection means 5; 7 indicates a temperature setting means for setting the temperature in multiple stages according to the material of clothing, etc.; 8 corresponds to the temperature of the base 1. This is a steam amount determining means for determining the appropriate amount of steam.

Next, the operation of this configuration will be explained. When used as a steam iron, the temperature of the base 1 is first set using the temperature setting means 7 to a temperature that allows steam. Then, the temperature detection means 5 and the temperature control means 6 control the energization of the heater to heat the base 1. When the base 1 reaches the set temperature and the iron is set to steam, the water in the tank 3 will be transferred to the vaporization chamber 2.
It vaporizes and is ejected from the steam hole on the bottom of base 1. At this time, the amount of steam is determined by the temperature setting means 7 and the temperature detection means 5.
The amount of steam is determined by the steam amount determining means 8 which receives as input, and the amount of vaporization in the vaporization chamber 2 is controlled by the action of the steam amount control means 4, so that an appropriate amount of steam corresponding to the temperature of the base 1 is generated.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the second invention, in which 9 is a water conduit that serves as a passage for water from the tank 3 to the vaporization chamber 2, and 10 is a water conduit through which water is dripped from the water conduit 9 to the vaporization chamber 2. 11 is a pump that adjusts the amount of dripping water by opening and closing the nozzle 10; 12 is a solenoid that constitutes an electric device that controls the drive of the pump 11; It is composed of a solenoid 12.

The operation of this configuration is as follows. That is, when the base 1 of the iron becomes ready for steaming, water from the tank 3 reaches the nozzle 10 via the conduit 9. In order to generate steam, the user
When an input is given through an input means such as a steam button, the solenoid 12 is energized and the pump 11 is driven, causing the nozzle 1
Controls opening and closing of 0. In this way, the amount of steam can be controlled by adjusting the amount of water dripping from the water conduit 9 to the vaporization chamber 2.

Here, the nozzle 10 is driven by the pump 11.
Here is a supplementary explanation of the opening/closing mechanism. solenoid 1
When current flows through the pump 2, the pump 11 is pulled upward, and when the current is cut off, the pump 11 is pushed downward by a spring or the like that urges the pump 11 downward. This pump 1
A valve that operates in response to the vertical movement of the water conduit 9 and the vaporization chamber 2
What is necessary is just to provide it in the nozzle 10 which connects.

FIG. 3 explains an embodiment of the third invention, in which 13 is a nozzle for dropping water from the water conduit 9 to the vaporization chamber 2, and 14 is a nozzle diameter adjustment for adjusting the opening area of the nozzle 13. The steam amount control means 4 is constituted by these nozzles 13 and a nozzle diameter adjustment mechanism 14.

The operation of this configuration is as follows. That is, when the base 1 of the iron is ready for steaming, water from the tank 3 flows through the water conduit 9 to the nozzle 1.
Reach 0. When a user inputs an input using an input means such as a steam button to generate steam, the opening area of the nozzle 13 is adjusted by the action of the nozzle diameter adjustment mechanism 14. In this way, the amount of steam can be controlled by adjusting the amount of water dripping from the water conduit 9 to the vaporization chamber 2.

Here, the nozzle diameter adjustment mechanism 14 may be configured such that a wedge-shaped valve facing the opening of the nozzle 13 can be moved up and down, and locked at any position.

FIG. 4 explains an embodiment of the fourth invention, in which the amount of steam corresponding to the temperature is uniquely determined based on the input from the temperature setting means 7, and the information is transmitted to the steam amount control means 4. By transmitting the information, the steam amount control means 4 controls the amount of vaporization in the vaporization chamber 2, and generates an appropriate amount of steam corresponding to the temperature of the base 1. Therefore, the steam amount control means 4 also plays the role of the steam amount determination means 8.

FIG. 5 shows, in the fourth invention, the relationship between the amount of steam and the amount of steam assigned to each temperature setting when the temperature setting means 7 has three settings of "high", "medium" and "low" as an example. This is a diagram. In other words, the temperature setting is
When the temperature setting is set to ``High'', the steam amount is set to ``High'' to maximize the steam effect, when set to ``Medium'', the steam amount is set to ``Normal'', and when the temperature setting is ``Low'', the steam amount is set to ``Low''. '', the amount of steam is set to a level that minimizes the temperature drop in the base and still produces the steam effect.

FIG. 6 explains an embodiment of the fifth invention, in which the set temperature from the temperature setting means 7 and the detected temperature of the base 1 from the temperature detection means 5 are input, and the fuzzy inference device 1
5 determines the amount of steam.

[0030] The following description will be made assuming a steam iron in which the temperature setting means 7 can be set steplessly by a volume or the like, but there is no problem if the temperature setting means 7 can be set in several steps by a tact switch or the like. Here, the inference rule is, for example, ``If the temperature setting is high and the temperature gradient is medium, increase the amount of steam a little.''
It consists of individual rules. Also, "the temperature setting is high"
Qualitative concepts such as "temperature gradient is medium" are shown in Figure 8.
and is expressed quantitatively by the membership function shown in FIG. These membership functions are processed by the fuzzy inference unit 15 to determine the amount of steam. At this time, the inference rules and membership functions can be designed empirically or experimentally.

[0031]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the effects of the present invention are as follows.

That is, as in the first invention, there is provided a base heated by a heater, a vaporization chamber formed in the base, a tank disposed above the vaporization chamber, and water in the tank transferred to the vaporization chamber. a steam amount control means for controlling the amount of steam supplied to the base; a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the base; a temperature control means for controlling energization to the heater based on temperature information from the temperature detection means; Temperature setting means that performs multiple temperature settings according to the material,
By having a configuration including a steam amount determining means for determining an appropriate amount of steam corresponding to the temperature of the base surface, it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of steam corresponding to the temperature of the base surface.

In addition, as in the second invention, the steam amount control means is constituted by a pump using an electric device such as a solenoid for adjusting the amount of dripping from the tank to the vaporization chamber, thereby achieving good controllability. A steam iron having steam amount control means can be provided.

Furthermore, as in the third invention, the steam amount control means is constructed with a nozzle diameter adjustment mechanism that adjusts the nozzle diameter to adjust the amount of dripping from the tank to the vaporization chamber, thereby improving the structure. A steam iron having a simple steam amount control means can be provided.

Furthermore, as in the fourth invention, the steam amount determining means receives the set temperature from the temperature setting means,
By configuring the steam iron to uniquely determine the steam amount corresponding to each set temperature, it is possible to provide a steam iron having a steam amount determining means with a simple configuration.

Furthermore, as in the fifth invention, the steam amount determination is configured such that the set temperature from the temperature setting means and the current temperature of the iron base from the temperature detection means are input, and the appropriate amount of steam is determined by fuzzy reasoning. A steam iron having means can be provided.

[0037] In this way, it is possible to provide a steam iron in which the drop in base temperature is kept to a minimum by using steam, and furthermore, it is possible to use steam at low temperatures, and its industrial value is great. It is.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

[Fig. 1] Block diagram showing an embodiment of the first invention

[Figure 2
] A block diagram showing an embodiment of the steam amount control means in the second invention.

[Fig. 3] A block diagram showing an embodiment of the steam amount control means in the third invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the steam amount determining means in the fourth invention.

[Fig. 5] A diagram showing an example of the relationship between temperature setting and steam amount in the fourth invention.

[Fig. 6] A block diagram showing an embodiment of the steam amount determining means in the fifth invention.

[Fig. 7] A diagram showing an example of a control rule in the fifth invention.

[Fig. 8] A diagram showing an example of a membership function representing temperature setting and its grade in the fifth invention.

[Fig. 9] A diagram showing an example of a membership function representing a temperature gradient and its grade in the fifth invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 Steam amount control means 5 Temperature detection means 7 Temperature setting means 8 Steam amount determining means 11 Pump 12 Solenoid 14 Nozzle diameter adjustment mechanism 15 Fuzzy reasoner

Claims (5)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A base heated by a heater, a vaporization chamber formed on the base, a tank disposed above the vaporization chamber, and water in the tank supplied to the vaporization chamber to control the amount of steam. a steam amount control means; a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the base; a temperature control means for controlling energization to the heater based on temperature information from the temperature detection means; A steam iron comprising a temperature setting means for setting a temperature, and a steam amount determining means for determining an appropriate amount of steam corresponding to the temperature of a base surface. 2. The steam iron according to claim 1, wherein the steam amount control means includes a pump for adjusting the amount of dripping from the tank to the vaporizing chamber. 3. The steam iron according to claim 1, wherein the steam amount control means comprises a nozzle diameter adjustment mechanism that adjusts a nozzle diameter for adjusting the amount of dripping from the tank to the vaporizing chamber. 4. The steam amount determining means is configured to input the set temperature from the temperature setting means and uniquely determine the steam amount corresponding to each set temperature.
Steam iron as described. 5. The steam amount determination means is configured to receive the set temperature from the temperature setting means and the current temperature of the iron base from the temperature detection means and determine the appropriate amount of steam by fuzzy reasoning. Or the steam iron described in 3.