RU2799308C1 - Clothing steamer with laser sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: clothing.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a garment steamer comprising a steam generator for generating steam and a steamer head (100) comprising a laser sensor (104) for measuring the distance between the steamer head (100) and a garment located in front of the laser sensor (104). The garment steamer further comprises a control means configured to control, based on the measured distance, the supply of steam from the steam generator.

EFFECT: increased usability of the steamer and reduced water and energy consumption.

15 cl, 30 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to a garment steamer comprising a steam generator and a control means for controlling the steam output from the steam generator.

The invention can be applied in the field of clothing care.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Garment steamers typically include a steam generator to generate steam and a steam head having steam holes from which the generated steam passes from the steam head towards the garment to be treated. Garment steamers are typically used for steaming garments, fabric-like materials hung on a steaming board or placed on a hard surface, or for steaming hanging drapes, curtains, and the like. Such a steam treatment may be for the purpose of removing wrinkles, refreshing or straightening the fabric, and the like.

Such garment steamers may include a trigger in the form of one or more resiliently loaded push buttons to control the process of releasing steam or generating steam in response to when steam is needed to treat the garment. Thus, the push button(s) can provide the user with trigger control to release steam from the steam head as needed.

The push button(s) are usually built into the handle of the garment steamer, providing a convenient location for the user. However, the pushbutton(s) may vary in size, shape and location on different steamer models.

In one example, pressing a push button causes a signal to be sent directly to the controller controlling the water pump. In response to said push button signal, the controller controls the water pump to pump a suitable amount of water from the water tank into the steam generator to generate steam. Depending on the model, the steam generator is enclosed in the base of the garment steamer on a stand or installed in the steam head itself.

In another example, a garment steamer includes a steam generator and an electronic valve for controlling the release of steam from the steam generator. In this design, the push button controls the electronic valve through the controller.

Although the start control provided by the push button(s) has advantages such as saving energy and water, there are also certain disadvantages. For example, the user may experience physical fatigue due to the requirement to maintain pressure on a push button to maintain steam. The requirement to press the button also adds an additional step that the user must perform in order to steam the garment or fabric.

Some garment steamers may not have this trigger control so that steam output is continuous when the unit is turned on. In these designs, there are water tanks in the steam generator, which results in continuous steam production. Users of such garment steamers may therefore not experience the disadvantages of the push button described above, but the control of the steam release/generation process itself is limited. Such devices may also have inherent disadvantages associated with higher water and energy consumption.

CN 104862941 discloses a garment steamer for treating a garment. This garment steamer has a steam release device to generate steam.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a garment steamer that eliminates or alleviates the problems mentioned above.

The present invention is defined by independent claims. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments.

To this end, the garment steamer according to the invention comprises:

- steam generator for generating steam;

- a steam head containing a laser sensor for measuring the distance between the steam head and a piece of clothing located in front of the laser sensor;

a control means for controlling, based on distance, the supply of steam from the steam generator.

By controlling the supply of steam from the steam generator according to the distance between the steam head and the garment, steam can be supplied to the garment as needed with corresponding water and energy consumption benefits. In addition, the requirement for the user, for example, to maintain pressure on the push button, so that steam is supplied to the garment, is eliminated.

Preferably, the steam head comprises a front plate having steam holes for releasing steam, with a laser sensor located on the front plate.

This means that steam is released towards the garment from which the distance to the steam head is measured.

Preferably, the laser sensor is mounted in a housing having a front surface, the front surface being:

- made flush with the front plate, or

- made with a recess in the front plate.

Installing the laser sensor in this way helps ensure that the distance measured and the distance between the garment and the area of the steam head from which steam is emitted matches. In addition, if said front surface is provided with a recess in the front plate 106, it prevents the raised edge from being caught on the garment and also allows the front plate to make good contact with the garment being processed.

In one example, the control means is configured to stop steam from the steam generator if said distance is greater than a predetermined threshold distance and allow steam to be supplied from the steam generator if said distance is less than a predetermined threshold distance.

Thus, steam is only supplied when the steam head is within reach of the garment.

Alternatively or additionally, the control means is configured to allow steam supply with the first steam flow rate from the steam generator if the specified distance is within the first distance range, and allow steam supply with the second steam flow rate from the steam generator if the specified distance is within the second distance range. The first steam flow in this example is different from the second steam flow.

This provides improved control of the amount of steam supplied to the garment.

Preferably, the control means is configured to cut off the power supply to the steam generator if the specified distance remains unchanged for a certain period of time.

Thus, a laser sensor can be used to determine when the garment steamer is not working and should be turned off to save water and energy.

Preferably, the control means is configured to generate visual and/or audio information based on the specified distance.

Such visual and/or audible information may guide the user in the safe and efficient use of the garment steamer.

In one embodiment of the invention, the control means comprises a pump for supplying water from the water source to the steam generator and a microcontroller for actuating the pump based on a specified distance.

Thus, the control means controls the steam generation of the steam generator based on the distance measured by the laser sensor.

In yet another embodiment, the control means comprises an electronic valve for controlling the flow of steam from the steam generator and a microcontroller for actuating the electronic valve based on a specified distance.

When the garment steamer comprises a housing, the housing preferably comprises a protective window.

The protective window can act as a barrier to protect the laser sensor against, for example, dust and condensed water.

Preferably, the protective window has a thickness that is less than 2.0 mm, and more preferably equal to or less than 1.5 mm.

This maximum protective window thickness limits the attenuation of light passing from/to the laser sensor. In addition, by limiting the thickness of the protective window, the reflection/refraction of the interior light can be minimized and thus interference or false perception can be reduced.

Preferably, the laser sensor comprises an optical sensing element, an air gap located between the optical sensing element and the protective window.

This air gap prevents any contact between the optical sensor and the protective window, making it easier to install the protective window in the steam head.

Preferably, the air gap is equal to or less than 0.5 mm, and more preferably equal to or less than 0.3 mm.

This relatively small air gap helps to minimize the internal reflection of laser light from the protective window itself, which can otherwise occur with a larger air gap.

Preferably, a rubber gasket is disposed between the housing and the front plate, or between the front plate holder of the steam head and the front plate.

This rubber pad helps insulate the laser sensor from the heat of the front plate while using the garment steamer. This can reduce the risk of laser sensor desensitization due to elevated temperatures in the steam head, as well as reduce the risk of thermal damage to the laser sensor.

Preferably, the laser sensor is a time-of-flight laser sensor.

Such a TOF laser sensor can be easily assembled in a steam head and is less susceptible to interference from ambient light. In addition, such a TOF laser sensor can benefit from relative insensitivity to different colors and reflective properties of different types of fabrics.

Detailed explanations and other aspects of the invention will be given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described below and discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts or sub-steps are identified in the same way:

in FIG. 1A-1D are views of the steam head of a garment steamer according to one example;

in FIG. 2A-2J depict the sequence of assembly steps used to manufacture the steam head shown in FIG. 1A-1D;

in FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the steam head shown in FIG. 1A-1D;

in FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the steam head shown in FIG. 1A-1D;

in FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a portion of the steam head shown in FIG. 4;

in FIG. 5B shows an alternative implementation of FIG. 5A;

in FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a garment steamer according to one example;

in FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a garment steamer according to yet another example;

in FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a garment steamer according to another example;

in FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a steam generator control method according to one example;

in FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing of a garment steamer sensor approaching a fabric to illustrate the control method of FIG. 9;

in FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a steam generator control method according to another example;

in FIG. 12A and 12B schematically show the garment steamer sensor approaching a fabric to illustrate the control method of FIG. eleven;

in FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a steam generator control method according to another example;

in FIG. 14A and 14B schematically show the garment steamer sensor approaching a fabric to illustrate the control method of FIG. 13; And

in FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a steam generator control method according to another example.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

A garment steamer is proposed, comprising a steam generator for generating steam and a steaming head containing a laser sensor for measuring the distance between the steaming head and a garment located in front of the laser sensor. The garment steamer further comprises a control means configured to control, based on the measured distance, the supply of steam from the steam generator.

FIG. 1A-1D show the steam head 100 of a (manual) garment steamer for treating a garment. The garment steamer also includes a steam generator 102 for generating steam.

In this example, a steam generator 102 is included in the steam head 100. Water can be pumped into the steam head 100 from a water reservoir located in the steam head, or alternatively from a water source (not shown) in a base unit that is separate from the steam head 100, and the steam generator 102 vaporizes the water supplied to it to generate steam for processing garments. In this example, water may be supplied to the steam head 100 through a tube between the water source and the steam head 100.

In another example, the steam generator 102 is included in a garment steamer mainframe which is separate from the steamer head 100. In this case, the garment steamer corresponds to a so-called stand-on garment steamer. The steam generated by the steam generator 102 is supplied through a suitable heat resistant hose to the steam head 100. In addition to the steam generator in the base, the garment steamer may also include a second steam generator in the steam head.

The steam head 100 includes a laser sensor 104 for measuring the distance between the steam head 100 and a garment located in front of the laser sensor 104.

Any suitable laser sensor 104 may be used. The laser sensor 104 may operate on the basis of the reflection of light from a garment. In this case, the optical element included in the laser sensor 104 includes a laser light source such as a laser diode that emits light in the direction of the garment. The sensing element also includes a light sensor for detecting light reflected from the garment.

The laser light transmitted and received by the laser sensor 104 may be of any suitable wavelength. Infrared wavelengths in the range of 700 nm to 1 mm, for example about 940 nm, are preferred because the range provided by the laser sensor 104 is less sensitive to the color of visible light and the reflective properties of various types of fabrics in the visible light region.

Preferably, the laser sensor 104 is a time-of-flight laser sensor 104. This type of laser sensor 104 operates by transmitting light pulses in the direction of a target, such as a piece of clothing or fabric, which light pulses are reflected from the target back to the laser sensor 104. Target Proximity relative to the laser sensor 104 can be determined by calculating the propagation time of the light pulses.

Such a TOF laser sensor 104 can also be conveniently assembled in the steam head 100, is minimally affected by ambient light interference, and has the advantage of being relatively insensitive to different colors and reflective properties of various types of fabrics.

An example of a suitable time-of-flight laser sensor 104 is the VL53L0X time-of-flight laser sensor from ST Micro-electronics. This TOF laser sensor 104 includes a vertical cavity surface emitting laser as a laser diode laser light source.

Preferably, the steam head 100 is configured to maintain the operating temperature of the laser sensor 104 from 50°C to 70°C, such as 60°C. This may provide optimum performance for the laser sensor 104, such as the time-of-flight laser sensor 104.

The garment steamer also includes a control means (not seen in FIGS. 1A-1D) for controlling, based on the measured distance, the supply of steam from the steam generator 102. The control means will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 6-15.

In the example shown in FIG. 1A-1D, the steam head 100 includes a front plate 106 having steam holes 108 for releasing steam.

Front plate 106 may be made of any suitable material such as metal or metal alloy. Such a metal front plate 106 may be coated, for example, with a sol-gel coating, if necessary. Therefore, the working surface of the front plate 106 that comes into contact with the tissue to be treated can be determined by the surface of such a coating.

The laser sensor 104 is located on or within the front plate 106. By positioning the laser sensor 104 on the front plate 106 or inside the front plate 106 in which the steam holes 108 are provided, steam is predominantly emitted in the direction of the garment from which the distance to the steam head 100 is measured. In addition, this configuration avoids that the sensitive area of the laser sensor 104 no longer faces the garment and senses the garment when the user positions the steam head 100 to steam the ends of the garment.

As shown in FIG. 1A, 1C, and 1D, front plate 106 (at least partially) defines opening 110 in which laser sensor 104 is located.

The laser sensor 104 is preferably mounted in a housing 112, 114 having a front surface, the front surface being:

- made flush with the front plate 106 or

- made with a recess in the front plate 106. For example, the recess is on the order of a millimeter.

Installing the laser sensor 104 in this way makes it possible to match the measured distance and the distance between the garment and the area of the steam head 100 from which steam is emitted. In addition, if said front surface is provided with a recess in the front plate 106, it prevents the raised edge from being caught on the garment and also allows the front plate to make good contact with the garment being processed.

In the example shown in FIG. 1A-1D, housing 112, 114 includes a sensor holder 112 and a protective window 114. A laser sensor 104 is mounted in the sensor holder 112, and a protective window 114 is positioned over the sensor holder 112. In this case, the outer surface of the protective window 114 is flush with the working surface of the front plate 106.

At least a portion of the protective window 114 is optically transparent to the wavelengths of light transmitted and received by the laser sensor 104 for measuring the distance between the steam head 100 and the garment. For example, the protective window 114 has an optical transmittance greater than 80%, and more preferably greater than 90%, at such light wavelengths. This minimizes distortion of the photon beams transmitted from the laser sensor 104/reflected to the laser sensor 104.

To maximize the transmission capacity of the protective window 114, its thickness is minimized, preferably equal to or less than 2.0 mm, more preferably equal to or less than 1.5 mm, for example, in the range from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, for example, about 1.0 mm. In addition, by limiting the thickness of the protective window, the reflection/refraction of the interior light can be minimized and thus interference or false perception can be reduced.

The protective window 114 is preferably a glass protective window 114. The glass for the glass protective window 114 is selected according to its strength, in particular at the temperatures of the front plate 106 during use of the garment steamer, and optical transmission. For example, Gorilla® glass from Corning, Inc. has been found to be suitable for such a glass protective window 114.

Preferably, between the body 112, 114 and the front plate 106 or between the holder 122 of the front plate of the steam head and the front plate 106 is a rubber gasket 116.

This rubber pad 116 can help insulate the laser sensor 104 from the heat of the front plate 106, which may be in excess of 100°C, such as about 130°C for example, during use of the garment steamer. This may reduce the risk of the laser sensor 104 being desensitized by elevated temperatures within the steam head 100, and may also reduce the risk of thermal damage to the laser sensor 104.

In the example shown in FIG. 1A-1D, the rubber gasket 116 serves the additional purpose of isolating the body assembly 118A, 118b of the steam head 100 from the front plate 106 during use of the garment steamer. This thermal insulation minimizes the transfer of heat from the front plate 106 to the handle portion 120 of the housing assembly 118A, 118B, which is held by the user. In this example, the rubber gasket for isolating the laser sensor and the steam head body from the front plate is made as one piece. In another example, two separate rubber pads may be used.

The rubber gasket 116 also serves to seal the steam head 100 to minimize water leakage between the front plate 106 and the body assembly 118A, 118B.

The rubber gasket 116 may be made from any suitable heat resistant elastomeric material such as silicone rubber.

The material from which the body assembly 118A, 118b can be made is not specifically limited. The body assembly 118A, 118b is preferably made of a plastic material such as polypropylene or polybutylene terephthalate, which makes the steam head 100 lighter.

As shown in FIG. 1A and 1B, the housing assembly 118A, 118B is defined in this example by the first housing portion 118A and the second housing portion 118B. The internal components of the steam head 100, and in particular the steam generator 102, are enclosed in the first body portion 118A and the second body portion 118B of the body assembly 118A, 118b together with the front plate 106.

The front plate 106 together with the rubber pad 116 is assembled on the housing assembly 118A, 118b by the front plate holder 122. In this example, the sensor holder 112 is also mounted on the front plate holder 122.

FIG. 1D shows a view of the individual components of the steam head 100. The front plate holder 122 includes a recessed region 124 in which the sensor holder 112 is placed during the assembly of the steam head 100. As shown in FIG. 1D, recessed region 124 is shaped and sized to complement the profile of sensor holder 112.

FIG. 1D shows a portion of the steam generator 102, and in particular the steam distribution plate 126 of the steam generator 102, in which the steam channels 128 are defined.

In the example shown in FIG. 1A-1D, the steam head 100 includes a user interface 130, in this case in the form of a push button. The control means and the laser sensor 104 control the steam supplied by the steam generator 102 without the need to continuously press such a push button 130 when steam is required. But the additional provision of the user interface 130 provides additional options for controlling the garment steamer.

For example, the control may be triggered to initiate (automatic) control of the steam supply from the steam generator 102 based on a measured distance via a user input entered via the user interface 130, such as pressing and releasing push button 130 once.

This can improve the safety of the garment steamer because the automatic steam control is only activated after the user has entered an input signal through the user interface 130. This can help reduce the risk that a part of the user's body, such as the hand in front of the front plate 106, will inadvertently cause steam to be delivered. to the specified part of the body.

In another example, the garment steamer is configured to manually control the steam output from the steam generator 102 in the first mode, for example, by continuously pressing the push button 130 and the steam control mode described above, in which the control means controls the steam output from the steam generator 102 based on the measured distance. in the second mode.

The user interface 130 may be configured for the user to select either the first mode or the second mode.

As shown in FIG. 1A-1D, electrical connection 132, such as electrical wiring, extends from laser sensor 104. This electrical connection 132 carries sensor signals from laser sensor 104 to a control, such as a microcontroller, included in the control.

FIG. 2A-2J show the sequence of assembly steps used to manufacture the steam head 100 described above.

FIG. 2A shows the installation of the laser sensor 104 in the sensor holder 112. In this example, sensor holder 112 defines opening 134 that is aligned with optical sensor 136 contained in laser sensor 104. Optical sensor 136 transmits light towards the garment and receives light returning from the garment. The presence of the opening 134 in the sensor holder 112 allows the sensor holder 112 to minimize blocking or attenuation of light passing through or within the sensor 136 .

The optical sensor 136 is preferably mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 138. As shown in FIG. 2A, sensor holder 112 includes a cavity 140 in which a printed circuit board 138 is received.

Once the laser sensor 104 has been placed in the cavity 140, the remaining space in the cavity 140 is preferably filled with a suitable thermal pad to minimize the risk of desensitizing the laser sensor 104 due to elevated temperatures within the steam head 100. Such a thermal pad can also protect the laser sensor 104 from thermal damage.

Such thermal padding may be provided by a resin, such as silicone paste, and may also assist in fixing the laser sensor 104 into the cavity 140.

Also in FIG. 2A shows holes 142 that allow the sensor holder 112 to be attached to the front plate holder 122 using suitable fasteners 144 such as screws. This attachment is shown in FIG. 2b. Thus, the sensor holder 112, while holding the laser sensor 104, is attached to the front plate holder 122. The result is a front plate holder assembly shown to the right of the arrow in FIG. 2b.

FIG. 2C shows the covering of the optical sensing element 136 of the laser sensor 104 with a protective window 114. The arrows in FIG. 2D indicate the attachment of the protective window 114 over the optical sensor 136 by filling the groove or grooves 146 around the protective window 114 with a suitable adhesive or resin such as silicone paste or epoxy.

Preferably, the protective window 114, as shown in FIG. 2E has an optically transparent region 148 that is aligned with the optical sensor 136 when the protective window 114 is secured over the laser sensor 104, and an opaque region 150 surrounding the optically transparent region 148. The opaque region 150 can help improve the performance of the laser sensor 104 by blocking foreign light that otherwise interferes with the perception of reflected light returning to the optical sensor 136 from the garment.

The opaque region 150 can be provided, for example, by painting the protective window 114, with the exception of the optically transparent region 148, with an opaque, eg black, paint.

FIG. 2F shows a protective window 114 mounted on the front plate holder assembly.

FIG. 2G shows a rubber pad 116 mounted on a front plate holder 122. The rubber gasket 116 (at least partially) defines the open area 152 in which the protective window 114 is placed. Thus, the rubber gasket 116 does not block the light from exiting and entering the optical sensing element 136 of the laser sensor 104.

FIG. 2H shows the front plate 106 assembled on the rubber gasket 116. The protective window 114 is placed in the hole 110 made in the front plate 106, as described above.

The steam generator 102 is attached to the front plate holder 122 as shown in FIG. 2I resulting in a steam generator assembly. Then, the steam generator assembly is placed between the first body portion 118A and the second body portion 118b of the body assembly 118A, 118b as shown in FIG. 2J.

Preferably, there is no direct contact between the steam generator 102 and the laser sensor 104 so that heat transfer is primarily by radiation rather than conduction. Maximizing the distance between the laser sensor 104 and the steam generator 102 allows such heat transfer to be minimized.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of part of the steam head 100. The steam generator 102 in this example has a steam generator cover 154. With this arrangement, only a relatively small amount of thermal radiation is transmitted from the steam generator 102 to the laser sensor 104, represented by dashed arrow 156 in FIG. 4. This may facilitate the operation of the laser sensor 104 in a given/specific temperature range.

As shown in FIG. 4 and 5B, areas 158A, 158B, for example made of resin, such as silicone paste or epoxy, are used to attach the protective window 114 to the front plate holder 122. In other examples, the protective window 114 is directly attached to the holder 112 of the sensor.

Preferably, between the front plate 106 and the protective window 114 there is a gap 160 from 0.5 mm to 1 mm. It can help prevent thermal expansion of the front plate 106 from affecting or damaging the protective window 114.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view (rotated 90 degrees) of a portion of the steam head shown in FIG. 4.

An air gap 162 is located between the (top) optical sensor 136 and the protective window 114. Preferably, the (thickness) of the air gap is equal to or less than 0.5 mm, more preferably equal to or less than 0.3 mm. Elements 158A and 158B are located between the front plate holder 122 and the protective window 114. The air gap is determined, in particular, by the following parameters:

- the distance 164 between the holder 122 of the front plate and the protective window 114, determined by the thickness of the elements 158A and 158B;

- the total thickness of the printed circuit board 138 and the optical sensing element 136.

The thickness 166 of the protective window 114 is also preferably less than 2.0 mm, and more preferably equal to or less than 1.5 mm, as described above.

Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the combined depth 164, 166 of the air gap and the protective window 114 is less than 2.0 mm. This can minimize internal reflection and attenuation of light passing from and into the optical sensor 136 of the laser sensor 104.

FIG. 5B shows an alternative implementation of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5B is different from FIG. 5A in that elements 158A and 158B are located between sensor holder 112 and protective window 114.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a garment steamer 200 according to one example. The garment steamer 200 includes a laser sensor 104 and a control means 202A, 204A.

The laser sensor 104 is designed to measure the distance between the steam head 100 and the garment located in front of the laser sensor 104, as described above. The control means 202A, 204A is configured to control, based on the measured distance, the supply of steam from the steam generator 102.

In the example of FIG. 6, the control means 202A, 204A includes a pump 204A for supplying water from a water source to the steam generator 102, and a microcontroller 202A configured to drive the pump 204A based on the measured distance.

The pump 204A and the water source in this example are preferably located in a base unit that is separate from the steam head 100. In this case, a cable carrying a water tube connects the base unit to the steam head 100. The cable can also carry an electrical wire between the steam head 100 and the base unit. block. In a handheld steamer, the pump and water source (such as a water tank) are built into the steam head.

Such an electrical wire may, for example, carry sensor signals from the laser sensor 104 to the microcontroller 202A when the microcontroller 202A is included in the base unit.

An arrow between the block 104 corresponding to the laser sensor and the block 202A representing the microcontroller indicates the transmission of sensor signals or data from the laser sensor 104 to the microcontroller 202A.

Similarly, the arrow between block 202A corresponding to the microcontroller and block 204A representing the pump indicates control signals that control the actuation of the pump 204A. Controlling the supply of water pumped to the steam generator 102 by the pump 204A based on the distance measured between the steam head 100 and the garment provides convenient control of the supply of steam from the steam generator 102.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative example in which the control means 202B, 204B comprises an electronic valve 204B configured to control the flow of steam from the steam generator 102 and a microcontroller 202B to actuate the electronic valve 204B based on the measured distance.

Thus, in this example, the steam supply from the steam generator 102 is controlled by the electronic valve 204B controlling the flow of steam from the steam generator 102, in contrast to the steam generation control described above with respect to the example of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary garment steamer 200. In this example, the steam head 100 of the garment steamer 200 includes a first power supply 206 that supplies power to the laser sensor 104, the auxiliary controller 208, and the first communication module 210.

The garment steamer 200 shown in FIG. 7 also includes a base unit 212. The base unit 212 includes a second power supply 214 that supplies power to the main controller 216, the steam generator drive and control circuit 218, and the second communications module 220.

The first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220 communicate with each other as shown in FIG. 7 with a double-headed arrow between them so that the sensor signals or data from the laser sensor 104 of the steam head 100 are transmitted to the main controller 216 and the steam generator drive and control circuit 218. The latter may then supply control signals to control the supply of steam to the steam generator 102 in accordance with the measured distance between the steam head 100 and the garment, as described above.

Thus, at least some of the sensor data processing is performed in the main controller 216 and the steam generator drive and control circuit 218 in the base unit 212. thus data to the main controller 216 in the base unit 212, interference can be reduced compared to the scenario in which all sensor data processing is performed in the base unit 212.

The following describes exemplary methods for controlling the supply of steam by the steam generator 102 with reference to FIG. 9-15. Such methods may be implemented by a suitably configured controller, such as microcontrollers 202A, 202B, described above with reference to FIG. 6 and 7.

In other words, the controller may be pre-programmed with a suitable algorithm to control the above-described pump 204A or electronic valve 204B in accordance with the measured distance of the steam head 100 from the garment in reference to one or more predetermined threshold distances.

When, for example, the garment steamer 200 is turned on, a proximity sensor, such as the laser sensor 104, can automatically calculate the target distance between the steamer head 100 and the garment/cloth up to a distance of 2 meters in less than 30 ms.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a control method 300 according to the first example. At operation step 302, the distance between the steam head 100 and the garment is obtained by means of a proximity sensor, such as the laser sensor 104 described above.

At decision block 304, it is determined if the distance is greater than a predetermined threshold distance, such as in the range of 35 mm to 40 mm, for example. If yes, then steam is stopped or not supplied from the steam generator 102 at operation 306. If not, then steam from the steam generator 102 is allowed at operation 308.

This is shown schematically in FIG. 10. The laser sensor 104 approaches the garment 310, and the distance D between the laser sensor 104 and the fabric 310 is determined by the reflection of the transmitted light 312 from the garment 310. The reflected light 314 is reflected back to the laser sensor 104.

FIG. 10 also shows the predetermined threshold distance D1. If the measured distance D is greater than the predetermined threshold distance D1, the steam supply is stopped. But if the measured distance D is not greater than, in other words, equal to or less than the predetermined threshold distance D1, the steam supply is allowed.

Thus, steam is supplied only when the steam head 100 is within a predetermined distance from the garment 310.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of yet another control method 316. Similar to the control method 300 shown in FIG. 9, at operation step 302, the distance D between the steam head 100 and the garment 310 is obtained by means of a proximity sensor, such as the laser sensor 104 described above. At decision step 304, it is determined whether the distance D is greater than a predetermined threshold distance D1, such as 40 mm. If so, then steam is stopped or not supplied from the steam generator 102 at operation step 306. If not, then at decision step 318, it is determined whether the distance D is greater than the second predetermined threshold distance, which is less than the predetermined threshold distance D1.

If the distance D is greater than the second predetermined threshold distance, the steam supply from the steam generator 102 is carried out at the first steam flow rate R1 in the operation step 320. steam flow R2, which is different from the first steam flow R1.

For example, the predetermined threshold distance D1 is 40 mm and the second predetermined threshold distance is 10 mm.

Preferably, the second steam flow R2 is less than the first steam flow R1 to reduce the risk that more steam is supplied relatively close to the garment 310 causing damage to the garment 310.

More generally, the steam in this example is delivered from the steam generator 102 with a first steam flow R1 if the distance D is within the first distance range and with a second steam flow R2 if the distance D is within the second distance range. This allows improved control of the amount of steam supplied to the garment 310 .

The control method 316 of FIG. 11 is shown schematically in FIG. 12A and 12B. When the measured distance D is larger than the predetermined threshold distance D1, the steam supply from the steam generator 102 is stopped. When the measured distance D is less than or equal to D1, steam is allowed to be supplied from the steam generator 102.

The first distance range is defined between the predetermined threshold distance D1 and the second predetermined threshold distance D2. When the measured distance D is within this first distance range, steam is supplied with the first steam flow rate R1.

When the measured distance D is smaller than D2, in other words, when the measured distance is within the second distance range, steam is supplied with the second steam flow rate R2.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of yet another control method 324. Similar to the control method 300 shown in FIG. 9 and 11, at operation step 302, the distance D between the steam head 100 and the garment 310 is obtained by means of a proximity sensor, such as the laser sensor 104 described above. such as 40 mm. If so, then steam is stopped or not supplied from the steam generator 102 at operation 306. If not, steam is initiated at operation 308.

At decision block 326, it is determined if the distance D is greater than the third predetermined threshold distance. If so, at operation step 328, the first visual and/or audible information is provided to the user via a suitable (optional) user interface, eg, green light on and red light off. If not, the second visual and/or audible information is provided to the user by means of an additional user interface, for example by turning off the above green light and turning on the above red light. The first and second visual and/or audio information are different from each other.

Thus, visual and/or audible information is provided based on the measured distance D. It may indicate to the user that the garment steamer 200 is being used safely and effectively, for example, by indicating to the user when the steam head 100 is too close to the fabric 310.

The control method 324 of FIG. 13 is shown schematically in FIG. 14A and 14B. FIG. 14A and 14B, steam is allowed to flow from the steam generator 102 because the steam head 100 is within a predetermined threshold distance D from the garment 310.

FIG. 14A, the distance D is greater than the third predetermined threshold distance D3 such that the secondary user interface 332A outputs the first visual and/or audio information.

FIG. 14B, the distance D is less than the third predetermined threshold distance D3 such that the secondary user interface 332B provides second visual and/or audio information.

FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of yet another control method 334. Similar to the control method 300 shown in FIG. 9, 11 and 13, at operation step 302, the distance D between the steam head 100 and garment 310 is obtained by means of a proximity sensor, such as the laser sensor 104 described above. At decision step 304, it is determined whether the distance D is greater than a predetermined threshold distance. D1, such as 40mm. If not, at operation step 308 steam is initiated.

If so, at run step 306 steam is stopped or not supplied from steam generator 102, and at decision step 336 it is determined whether the steam supply has been stopped for a certain time, for example, 10 minutes.

Thus, a proximity sensor, such as the laser sensor 104, can be used to determine when the garment steamer 200 is in standby mode and should be turned off to conserve water and energy.

Thus, the control methods described above, such as the control methods 300, 316, 324, and 334 respectively depicted in FIG. 9, 11, 13, and 15 can be effectively implemented using a laser sensor 104, such as the time-of-flight laser sensor 104 described above. Such methods may use alternative proximity sensors such as ultrasonic proximity sensors.

The embodiments described above are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the technical aspects of the present invention. While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical approaches of the present invention may be modified or substituted equally without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention. In particular, although the invention has been described in terms of a garment steamer, it can be applied to any household appliance that can be brought into close proximity to the surface to which steam is to be supplied by the household appliance. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps, and singular grammatical indicators do not exclude plurality. No reference positions in the claims should be construed as limiting its scope.

Claims (29)

1. A garment steamer (200) for treating a garment, comprising: - a steam generator (102) for generating steam, characterized in that the garment steamer (200) comprises: - a steaming head (100) containing a laser sensor (104) for measuring the distance (D) between the steaming head (100) and a piece of clothing located in front of the laser sensor (104); And - control means (202A, 204A; 202B, 204B) for controlling, on the basis of a specified distance (D), the supply of steam from the steam generator (102). 2. Garment steamer (200) according to claim 1, wherein said steam head (100) comprises a front plate (106) having steam holes (108) to release steam, said laser sensor (104) being located on said front plate (106). 3. A garment steamer (200) according to claim 2, wherein said laser sensor (104) is installed in a housing (112, 114) having a front surface, said front surface: - flush with said front plate (106) or - made with a recess in the specified front plate (106). 4. Garment steamer (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said control means (202A, 204A; 202B, 204B) is configured to: - stopping the supply of steam from the steam generator (102) if the specified distance (D) is greater than the specified threshold distance (D1), - permission to supply steam from the steam generator (102) if the specified distance (D) is less than the specified predetermined threshold distance (D1). 5. Garment steamer (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said control means (202A, 204A; 202B, 204B) is configured to: - permission to supply steam with the first steam flow from the steam generator (102), if the specified distance (D) is within the first range of distances; - permission to supply steam with a second steam flow from the steam generator (102), if the specified distance (D) is within the second range of distances, wherein said first steam flow is different from said second steam flow. 6. Garment steamer (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control means (202) is configured to cut off power supply to said steam generator (102) if distance (D) remains unchanged for a certain period of time. 7. Garment steamer (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control means (202A, 204A; 202B, 204B) is configured to generate visual and/or audible information based on said distance (D). 8. Garment steamer (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said control means (202A, 204A; 202B, 204B) comprises: - a pump (204A) for supplying water from the water source to the steam generator (102) and - a microcontroller (202A) for actuating said pump (204A) based on said distance (D). 9. Garment steamer (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said control means (202A, 204A; 202B, 204B) comprises: - an electronic valve (204B) to control the flow of steam from said steam generator (102) and - a microcontroller (202B) for actuating said electronic valve (204B) based on said distance (D). 10. Garment steamer (200) according to claim 3, wherein said housing (112, 114) comprises a protective window (114). 11. Garment steamer (200) according to claim 10, wherein the protective window (114) has a thickness equal to or less than 1.5 mm. 12. Steamer (200) for clothes according to claim 10 or 11, in which the laser sensor (104) contains an optical sensing element (136), an air gap (162) located between the optical sensing element (136) and the protective window (114) . 13. Garment steamer (200) according to claim 12, wherein the air gap (162) is equal to or less than 0.5 mm. 14. Garment steamer (200) according to any one of claims 10-13, wherein between the body (112, 114) and the front plate (106) or between the holder (122) of the front plate of the steam head and the front plate (106) is a rubber gasket (116). 15. A garment steamer (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the laser sensor (104) is a time-of-flight laser sensor (104).

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