KR100862580B1 - Steam cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

A steam cleaner is provided to preclude damage to a vacuum cleaning part due to moisture, absorb dust easily, and prevent a vacuum passage from being clogged by preventing the steam from being sucked to a vacuum suction passage, using a blocking member. A steam cleaner comprises a vacuum generating unit, a reservoir(12a), a control switch(12b), a water feeding unit, a heating unit having a heater housing, a heater, and an insulator, and a blocking member which is formed between a vacuum suction end of a steam cleaner body and a steam discharging end of a steam cleaning surface. The control switch includes a water storage space(S) having inlet and outlet ends, a lead switch(SW) vertically inserted in the center of the space and reacting to a magnet(M) floating by a water level change to be switched, and an air flow passage(A) for discharging air to the outside when vacuum is created by operating a pump(12c) while water is not supplied at an upper side of the space.

Description

Steam cleaner {STEAM CLEANER}

1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 is an internal perspective view schematically showing the overall configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention,

3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a water supply means according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an operating state of the water supply means according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the steam generating means according to an embodiment of the present invention;

6 and 7 are cross-sectional views showing the operating state of the steam generating means according to an embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a plan view showing a state in which the center of gravity is located on the steam cleaning surface according to an embodiment of the present invention,

9 is a side view showing a vacuum suction and steam discharge state according to an embodiment of the present invention,

10 is a partially enlarged view illustrating an enlarged state of vacuum suction and steam discharge according to an embodiment of the present invention;

11 is a partially enlarged view illustrating an enlarged state of vacuum suction and steam discharge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

* Symbol description for main part of drawing *

10: steam cleaner 11: steam cleaner

12: water supply means 12a: storage body

12b: control switch 12c: pump

13: heating means 13a: heater housing

13b: path switching valve 13c: heater

13d: insulation 14: steam cleaning surface

14a: steam discharge plate 16: vacuum cleaner

17: dust collecting means 17a: vacuum suction end

18: vacuum generating means 19: blocking member

S: Reservoir M: Magnet

SW: Reed switch A: Air flow path

I: Inlet O: Outlet

H: opening

The present invention relates to a steam cleaner.

In general, the steam cleaner for cleaning by generating steam is configured to wipe the floor by a mop plate (steam cleaning surface) while releasing steam generated by heating water to the surface to be cleaned.

Looking at the steam generating structure of the conventional steam cleaner, it is composed of a water supply means for supplying water for generating steam, and a steam generating means for heating the water to generate steam.

The water supply means has a storage tank for storing water to store a certain amount of water, the water stored in the storage unit is supplied to the steam generating unit through the water supply port, the supplied water is heated by the heating port to steam Generates.

The generated steam flows along the steam flow guide as the pressure increases. As a result, the steam reaches the steam discharge plate and is discharged to the external steam cleaning surface through the steam discharge hole.

Recently, a combination of a vacuum cleaner and a vacuum cleaner combined with a vacuum cleaner (a vacuum cleaner in which a vacuum cleaner is combined with a vacuum cleaner is also the same technology category) has been published, among which, a number of domestic patent registration No. 470320 ( Steam cleaners having a vacuum cleaning function) can be exemplified.

The steam cleaner having a conventional vacuum cleaning function including the registered patent has a vacuum cleaner including a dust collecting means and a vacuum generating means in front and a steam cleaner including a water supply means and a heating means in the rear.

In this case, the motor (relative weight is heavy) for generating the vacuum is located in the front, the center of gravity is biased forward or distributed, so the steam cleaning surface of the steam cleaner located in the center or rear apply a strong force Unless pushing while pushing, there is a problem that can not be pressed while applying pressure to the ground.

In addition, the steam cleaner having a conventional vacuum cleaning function is located in the front of the center of gravity, there is a problem that the front is difficult to move forward, especially when pressed on the floor, the caster portion is lifted from the ground is not smoothly rotated operation of the caster This is also a problem that acts as a difficulty of movement.

Furthermore, when a vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaner are simultaneously vacuumed, steam is sucked in the vacuum suction process, thereby damaging the vacuum cleaner, in particular, a motor that can be applied as a vacuum generating means due to moisture. There is a problem of losing the function of the dust collecting filter, and moisture is deposited on the vacuum suction path, thereby adsorbing on the vacuum suction path in the process of inhaling dust, causing contamination or clogging.

According to the present invention, the center of gravity is concentrated on the steam cleaning surface for mopping, and when the vacuum and steam cleaning are performed in parallel, the steam cleaner which prevents the blocking member from being sucked into the vacuum suction path from the steam discharged during the vacuum suction process. The technical challenge is to provide.

In order to achieve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a steam cleaner having a steam cleaning structure and a vacuum cleaning structure, wherein the vacuum generating means and the steam cleaning unit are disposed above the steam cleaning surface so that the center of gravity is concentrated on the steam cleaning surface for mopping. It is characterized in that it is configured to further provide a blocking member between the vacuum suction end and the steam discharge end of the outside of the steam cleaner main body so as to be concentrated and prevent the suction of the steam during the vacuum suction.

The present invention is thus concentrated on the steam cleaning surface to mop the center of gravity, so that a clean mop is made without applying excessive force, and the center of gravity is located close to the caster to provide mobility, easy to move the center Left and right mobility is improved.

In addition, when the vacuum cleaning and steam cleaning in parallel, the blocking member prevents the steam discharged during the vacuum suction process is sucked into the vacuum suction path, thereby preventing damage to the vacuum cleaner due to moisture, vacuum suction path Due to the moisture deposited on the dust, the adsorption of dust can prevent the vacuum path from being contaminated or blocked.

Prior to the description of the present invention, the accompanying drawings presenting for reference to the description of the present invention Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an embodiment of the present invention 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a water supply means according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is an operating state of the water supply means according to an embodiment of the present invention 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the steam generating means according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figures 6 and 7 show the operating state of the steam generating means according to an embodiment of the present invention 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the center of gravity is located on the steam cleaning surface according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 illustrates a vacuum suction and steam discharge state according to an embodiment of the present invention. Side view 10 is an enlarged view illustrating a vacuum suction and steam discharge state according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged view illustrating a vacuum suction and steam discharge state according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is an enlarged view.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings presented as above.

First, the present invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2, the vacuum cleaning structure to inhale the outside air by making a vacuum state through the rotation of the steam cleaning structure and the motor to generate steam by heating the water supplied through the heater In the steam cleaner 10 having the structure, the vacuum generating means 18 and the steam cleaner 11 of the vacuum cleaner 16 are concentrated above the steam cleaning surface so that the center of gravity is concentrated on the steam cleaning surface 14 for mopping. In order to prevent the suction of steam during the vacuum suction, a blocking member 19 is further provided between the vacuum suction end 17a of the steam cleaner main body 1 and the steam discharge end of the steam cleaning surface 14 Can be configured.

Here, the steam cleaner 11 of the present invention is a storage 12a for supplying the stored water and the control switch 12b for controlling the heating and pumping operation by detecting the inflow state of the water supplied from the storage 12a Water supply means (12) including a pump (12c) for introducing the water supplied via the control switch (12b) to the heating means (13); Heater (13a) having a path switching valve (13b) for receiving the water supplied through the inlet from the pump, and switching the discharge path of the heat generated steam, and a heater inserted into the heater (13a) 13c) and heating means (13) surrounding the outer surface of the heater housing (13a) and including a heat insulator (13d) to prevent heat from conducting to the surrounding components.

On the other hand, the water supply means 12 constituting the steam cleaner 11 is as shown in FIG.

First, the reservoir 12a included in the water supply means 12 may be a reservoir for receiving a liquid.

In addition, the control switch 12b included in the water supply means 12 includes a storage space S having an inflow / outflow end; A reed switch SW inserted into a center portion of the water storage space S to switch in response to the floating magnet M according to a change in the low water level; When the pump 12c operates in a state in which water does not flow above the storage space S, a vacuum state may occur, and may be a plot switch including an air flow path A for discharging air to the outside.

At this time, the end of the air outlet path (A) is preferably located at least higher than the height of the reservoir (12a). Only then will it be possible to prevent the water from overflowing to the outside.

The magnet M is preferably fixed to a buoy having a specific gravity lower than that of water, and the reed switch SW is preferably isolated from water stored in the storage space S, that is, inserted into a separate insert space. Do.

At this time, one side contact of the reed switch (SW) is connected to the power supply line for supplying power, the other contact point may be connected to one side power supply line of the pump 12c and the heater (13c), it is provided as a microcomputer It may be connected to a signal input terminal for controlling the operation of the pump 12c and the heater 13c.

In addition, the pump 12c included in the water supply means 12 circulates water forcibly by an internal pumping operation.

Each component of the water supply means 12 configured as described above may be connected through a pipe (hose).

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the water supply means 12 configured as described above has a reed switch SW when water flows into the control switch 12b from the reservoir 12a by a pumping operation of the pump 12c. Contact is brought into a connected state by the magnetic force of the magnet M, and supplies power to the heater 13c. At this time, of course, the water introduced by the pumping operation of the pump 12c flows into the heater housing 13a.

However, as shown in FIG. 4, when the water stored in the storage body 12a is completely consumed and does not flow into the control switch 12b, the odor of the magnet M is lowered and the contact point of the reed switch SW is reduced. In this non-contact state, the power supplied to the heater 13c is cut off to prevent overheating of the heating means 13.

In addition, when the pump 12c is continuously operated in the state in which the heater 13c is stopped as described above, the air in the reservoir 12a may be discharged to become a vacuum state, in which case, the air flow path A ) Keeps the air pressure inside and outside the same to prevent the occurrence of vacuum.

On the other hand, the heating means 12 constituting the steam cleaner 11 is as shown in FIG.

First, the heater housing 13a included in the heating means 13 has a discharge end O connected to a steam discharge plate 14a through which steam is discharged above the inlet end I connected to the pump 12c. This is formed, and the path switching valve 13b for blocking the discharge end (O) to flow out to the outside through the opening (H) while being deformed by the external pressure can be provided.

At this time, the discharge end (O) may be formed on both sides of the heater housing (13a) above the pair.

In addition, the opening portion (H) is fixed to the path switching valve (13b) on the inner circumferential surface, the path switching valve (13b) is opened to both sides when the end of the connection cap (C) for inserting the steam to the outside is inserted It may be made of a flexible heat-resistant barrier to block the discharge end (O).

In addition, the heater 13c included in the heating means 13 may be fixed by the heater housing 13a and the insert injection.

In addition, the heat insulator 13d included in the heating means 13 is a housing shape that is spaced apart from the heater housing 13a and surrounds the outside, and may be fixed by being bolted to both ends of the heater housing 13a.

When the heater 13c operates in a state in which water is supplied from the pump 12c to the inlet stage I, the heating means 13 configured as described above generates steam, and the generated steam is discharged through the outlet stage O. It is discharged to the outside through the steam discharge hole of the steam discharge plate (14a), at this time, the outside of the steam discharge plate (14a) is covered with a steam cleaning mop is made.

At this time, the opening portion (H), as shown in the accompanying drawings, Figure 5, is normally blocked by the safety cap (C1), withdraw steam through the opening portion (H) to sterilize or iron through a separate path When it is heated as shown in Figure 6, the end is extended to be used to fasten the connection cap (C) penetrated while extending downward.

In this way, when the connection cap (C) is coupled to the opening (H), as shown in Figure 7, the downwardly extending portion pushes the inner circumferential surface of the path switching valve (13b) to push both sides, this In the process, the path switching valve 13b blocks the discharge end O, and discharges steam through the connection cap C fastened to the opening portion H to be used as a sterilization or an iron.

On the other hand, the vacuum cleaner 16 of the present invention is a dust collecting bag for collecting foreign matters such as dust in the air sucked through the vacuum suction end (17a), and the dust collecting means (17) provided with a filter for filtering out fine foreign matters and passing only the air. ); It can be configured to include; vacuum generating means 18 for making a vacuum state through the high-speed rotation of the motor, the suction and discharge of the outside air through the dust collecting means (17).

At this time, the vacuum generating means 18 is disposed in parallel to one side of the rear steam cleaner 11 of the dust collecting means 17, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the center of gravity of the steam cleaner main body 1 The rear caster (R) is located.

In this case, the center of gravity of the steam cleaner 10, that is, the main body of the steam cleaner 1 is concentrated on the steam cleaning surface 14 for mopping, and the center of gravity is positioned near the caster R providing mobility.

On the other hand, the blocking member 19 of the present invention by forming a partition between the vacuum suction end (17a) and the steam cleaning surface 14 of the outside of the steam cleaner main body 1, as shown in Figures 9 and 10 As described above, when the vacuum and the steam cleaning are performed in parallel, the steam discharged from the separate steam cleaner 11 may be prevented from being sucked into the vacuum suction path during the vacuum suction process of the vacuum cleaner 16.

This will provide a blocking member 19 between the vapor discharge port 14c and the vacuum suction end 17a even in the circular vapor discharge plate 14b (both fixed and rotating type) as shown in the accompanying drawings. It may also be included within the scope of the present invention.

According to the present invention, the storage body 12a is hinged to the rear upper end of the steam cleaner main body 1, and the storage body 12a has a separate removable shaft 3 and a power supply ON / OFF and cleaning function. A handle equipped with an operation button for selection and an electric circuit for driving the same may be detachably coupled.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with a preferred embodiment for illustrating the principles of the invention, the invention is not limited to the configuration and operation as such is shown and described. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Accordingly, all such suitable changes and modifications and equivalents should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is to control the operation of the heater or the operation of the pump by detecting the inflow state of the water in the control switch unit to prevent overheating of the heating means, to prevent unnecessary operation of the pump, to prevent the compression damage of the storage body by the vacuum state Can be.

In addition, in the present invention, even if the pump malfunctions in the state that no water is supplied, the outside and the air flows through the air flow path of the control switch, thereby maintaining the same air pressure in the outside and the reservoir, the vacuum state It is possible to prevent the compression damage of the storage body by.

In addition, the present invention is to isolate the heating means 13 that generates high heat from the surrounding components, it is possible to prevent damage to the components due to high heat.

In addition, since the center of gravity of the present invention is concentrated on the steam cleaning surface for mopping, clean mopping is performed without applying excessive force, and the center of gravity is located close to the caster providing mobility, so that the center of gravity is easily moved. Left and right mobility is improved.

In addition, when the vacuum cleaning and steam cleaning in parallel, the blocking member prevents the steam discharged during the vacuum suction process is sucked into the vacuum suction path, thereby preventing damage to the vacuum cleaner due to moisture, vacuum suction path Due to the moisture deposited on the dust, the adsorption of dust can prevent the vacuum path from being contaminated or blocked.

Claims (5)

The heating and pumping operation is controlled by sensing the vacuum generating means above the steam cleaning surface, the reservoir for supplying the stored water, and the inflow state of the water supplied from the reservoir so that the center of gravity is concentrated on the steam cleaning surface for mopping. A water supply means including a control switch, and a pump for introducing the water supplied through the control switch into the heating means, and receiving the water supplied through the inflow end from the pump, and switching a discharge path of the generated steam. A steam cleaning unit comprising a heater housing having a path switching valve, a heater inserted into the heater housing, and a heat insulator surrounding an outer surface of the heater housing to prevent heat from being conducted to surrounding components. The vacuum suction on the outside of the steam cleaner main body so that steam In the configuration as a steam cleaner which shut-off member is provided between the steam discharge end of the steam cleaning surface, The control switch 12b included in the water supply means 12 includes a storage space S having an inflow / outflow end; A reed switch SW inserted into a center portion of the water storage space S to switch in response to the floating magnet M according to a change in the low water level; Steam cleaner comprising a air flow path (A) for discharging air to the outside when the pump 12c operates in a state in which water does not flow above the water storage space (S) when a vacuum occurs . delete delete The method of claim 1, wherein the heater housing (13a) included in the heating means 13 is connected to the steam discharge plate (14a) is discharged steam above the inlet end I is connected to the pump 12c Discharge end (O) is formed, the steam is characterized in that the path switching valve (13b) is provided to block the discharge end (O) to flow out to the outside through the opening (H) while the shape deformation by the external pressure is provided. vacuum cleaner. The heat insulator 13d included in the heating means 13 is an enclosure shape that is spaced apart from the heater housing 13a and surrounds the outside, and is bolted and fixed to both ends of the heater housing 13a. Steam cleaner characterized in that.

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