US20130327759A1

US20130327759A1 - Iron

Info

Publication number: US20130327759A1
Application number: US13/981,877
Authority: US
Inventors: Yasuharu Otsuka; Kiichi Shimosaka
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-03-24
Filing date: 2012-03-13
Publication date: 2013-12-12
Also published as: CN105568652A; EP2690215A4; TW201245537A; WO2012127813A1; CN103380244A; EP2690215A1; CN105568652B; CN103380244B; EP2690215B1; JP2012210401A; JP5974274B2; RU2013136044A

Abstract

An iron according to the present invention includes an excessive temperature-rise preventing device coupled in series with a circuit of a heater, and an excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part for attaching the excessive temperature-rise preventing device to a base. The base is disposed to be heatable by the heater with a different heating capacity. The excessive temperature-rise preventing device with a different operation temperature for breaking the circuit of the heater is selectively attached to the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part, in accordance with the heating capacity of the heater.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to irons used for smoothing out creases on clothes and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, this type of iron is equipped with a thermal fuse to prevent thermal damage in such a manner that the thermal fuse operates (a eutectic alloy melts) when temperature of its base heated by a heater rises to exceed a normal service temperature. The surface of the thermal fuse is a live part. In order to provide an electrical insulation configuration of the surface of the thermal fuse, the thermal fuse is held with a spatial distance from the base that serves as a heating part. Moreover, the surface of the thermal fuse is in contact with the surface of the base via an electrical insulator (see Patent Literature 1, for example).
The thermal fuse is generally cheap, but its usable temperature is relatively low (commonly approximately 226° C.). When used in a device which is heated to high temperatures such as an iron, the thermal fuse requires the electrical insulation configuration and an adjustment to its heat-sensing characteristics based on the configuration.
On the other hand, as an excessive temperature-rise preventing device which features relatively-high usable temperatures (commonly approximately 270° C.), a bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing device has been considered (see Patent Literature 2, for example).
FIG. 9 is a top view of a principal part of a conventional iron. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an excessive temperature-rise preventing device of the conventional iron. In the iron described in Patent Literature 2, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, excessive temperature-rise preventing device 153 is connected in series with a circuit of heater 152 buried in base 151. Excessive temperature-rise preventing device 153 includes a heat-sensing part which is formed by covering the bottom of the device with bottom cover 154 formed of a metal member with a good thermal conductivity, such as an aluminum one. In addition, over bottom cover 154, there are disposed reverse bimetal 155, insulator 156, and conductive metal part 158 with spring properties, the end of which is provided with contact point 157.
Then, when excessive temperature-rise preventing device 153 reaches a predetermined temperature, reverse bimetal 155 reverses upward to push and lift conductive metal part 158 via insulator 156. As a result, contact point 157 disposed in the end portion of conductive metal part 158 is opened to break the circuit of heater 152. Excessive temperature-rise preventing device 153 is held, by conductive metal members 159, to terminal block 160 composed of an electrical insulator. When terminal block 160 is secured to base 151 with a securing part such as a screw, preventing device 153 as well is secured to base 151. With this configuration, preventing device 153 is configured to come in contact or pressure-contact with the upper surface of base 151. Accordingly, the temperature of base 151 is reliably transferred to preventing device 153. As a result, excessive temperature-rise preventing device 153 can provide improved thermal responsiveness and reduced variations in its operation temperature.
However, the conventional configuration described above has posed a problem that, when the heater buried in the base has a different heating capacity, the excessive temperature-rise preventing device is unable to appropriately break the circuit of the heater. In general, the base of an iron is formed by aluminum die-casting. Therefore, the heater is buried during the die-casting of the base, which can improve the thermal conductivity to the base, resulting in effective heating of the base. The heating capacity of the heater used in the iron is commonly 600 W to 1 kW. A large amount of heat is consumed when the base is heated up to a setting temperature in a shorter period of time or when water is instantly vaporized to increase an amount of steam generation. Accordingly, in order to maintain a vaporization chamber at a proper temperature for vaporization, a high heating-capacity heater of 2 kW, for example, is employed.
With the base heated by the high heating-capacity heater, a temperature controller is cooled due to a large amount of the steam generation, resulting in a longer current-carrying period of the heater. This causes overheating of a portion which does not undergo the cooling due to the vaporization, which leads to a greater temperature difference from a portion which undergoes the cooling, resulting in a large nonuniformity in the temperature over the base. Consequently, when using a thermal fuse with a low operation temperature, this configuration has a defect where the nonuniform local overheating of the base causes the thermal fuse to reach its rated operation temperature under usual service conditions. As a result, there has been a problem that the circuit of the heater is accidentally broken.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literatures

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. S59-46999
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H09-192400

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An iron according to the present invention includes a base heated by a heater, a vaporization chamber formed in the base, steam jetting holes for jetting steam generated in the vaporization chamber, a temperature controller for controlling the base to be maintained at a predetermined temperature, an excessive temperature-rise preventing device which is coupled in series with a circuit of the heater, and an excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part for attaching the excessive temperature-rise preventing device to the base. The base is disposed to be heatable by the heater with different heating capacities. The excessive temperature-rise preventing device is configured to be attached to the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part, in a selective manner. That is, the preventing device is configured to selectively have a different operation temperature for breaking the circuit of the heater, in accordance with the heating capacity of the heater.
With this configuration, even in the case where the base is heated by a high heating-capacity heater, the excessive temperature-rise preventing device is prevented from reaching its rated operation temperature because of nonuniform overheating under usual service conditions. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a defect where the circuit of the heater is accidentally broken during use. Moreover, in the case where the base is heated by the heater with a usual heating capacity, the excessive temperature-rise preventing device with a different configuration can be attached to the base that is formed in an identical shape. As a result, it is possible to achieve compatibility between the prevention of the defect described above and greater ease of manufacturing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a base of an iron according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the base of the iron according to the first embodiment of the invention, with an excessive temperature-rise preventing device being attached to the base.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the base of the iron according to the first embodiment of the invention, with a thermal fuse being attached to the base.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a principal part of a conventional iron.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an excessive temperature-rise preventing device of the conventional iron.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, descriptions of embodiments of the present invention will be made, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note, however, that it should be understood that the present invention are not limited to the descriptions.

First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a top view of a base of an iron according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of the base of the iron according to the first embodiment of the invention, in which an excessive temperature-rise preventing device is attached to the base. FIG. 3 is a top view of the base of the iron according to the first embodiment of the invention, in which a thermal fuse is attached to the base. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6.
In FIGS. 1 to 8, base 101 is formed by die-casting with an aluminum alloy or the like. Base 101 is heated by heater 102 that is buried during the die-casting of the base. Heater 102 is configured with a sheathed heater which is bent in an approximately U-shape. In the lower surface side of base 101, ironing surface member 101 a is attached. In the front and rear end portions of ironing surface member 101 a, front end part 101 b and rear end part 101 c are respectively formed in a pointed shape with approximately the same angle. With this configuration, a user can move the iron forward and backward during ironing, without changing the holding direction of the iron. End part 102 a and end part 102 b of heater 102 formed in the approximately U-shape are exposed from the upper surface side in the rear end part 101 c side of base 101.
In the upper surface side of base 101, vaporization chamber 103 is disposed which generates steam by vaporizing water supplied from a water tank (not shown). Vaporization chamber 103 is disposed in the inside surrounded by heater 102 buried in base 101. The steam generated in vaporization chamber 103 passes through steam passage 104 a to jet from a large number of steam jetting holes 105 disposed in ironing surface member 101 a.
The steam, generated by vaporizing the water which is supplied to front part 103 a of vaporization chamber 103, flows in the arrow A direction toward rear end part 101 c of base 101. The steam passes through steam passage 104 a formed in the upper surface side of base 101, communication part 106 a disposed outside heater 102 buried in base 101, and steam passage 104 b formed in the lower surface side of base 101, and then reaches steam jetting holes 105.
Steam passage 104 b is formed in an oval shape such that the front part and the rear part thereof communicate with each other in the upper surface side of ironing surface member 101 a. Moreover, in steam passage 104 a, extended part 104 c is formed from end parts 102 a and 102 b of heater 102 toward rear end part 101 c of base 101. Extended part 104 c is formed in both sides of base 101, i.e., the upper surface side and the lower surface side.
Temperature controller 107 senses the temperature of base 101 heated by heater 102 so as to control base 101 to be maintained at a predetermined temperature. Temperature controller 107 is coupled in series with a circuit of heater 102, and turns ON and OFF heater 102 to control the base to be maintained at a setting temperature set by the user. Temperature controller 107 is secured to temperature-controller securing part 108 formed in base 101.
Excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 breaks the circuit of heater 102 when the temperature of base 101 heated by heater 102 rises to exceed a range of normal service temperature, which prevents thermal damage to base 101. Excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 is secured to excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110 that is formed in base 101.
Base 101 is disposed to be heatable by heater 102 (600 W to 1 kW for common use, or 2 kW for use where a large amount of steam is generated, for example). Base 101 of the iron is manufactured in an identical shape with a desired heating capacity by using a commonly-usable metal mold in such a manner that: One heater 102 that is selected from the heaters formed in an identical shape with different heating capacities is buried in the base during the formation of the base.
Excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 is selected to have a different operation temperature at which the circuit of heater 102 is broken, in accordance with the heating capacity of heater 102 buried in base 101. Preventing device 109 is secured to excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110. Preventing device 109 is selected from thermal fuse 109 a and bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus 109 b.
Thermal fuse 109 a is such that a eutectic alloy melts to break the circuit. Thermal fuse 109 a has a low operation temperature, and is cheap. In contrast, bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus 109 b has a high operation temperature, but it is expensive compared with thermal fuse 109 a. Whichever one is selected as excessive temperature-rise preventing devices 109 in accordance with the heating capacity of heater 102 buried in base 101, the preventing device can be attached and secured to excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110 formed in base 101.
Thermal fuse 109 a is disposed, for example, in the inside of heat-resistant electrical insulator 111 that is cylindrically formed of a ceramic or the like. One end of thermal fuse 109 a is supported from below by heat conductive body 112 with good thermal conductivity that is secured to excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110. Heat conductive body 112 is formed of a good thermal-conductive metal such as aluminum, for example. Heat conductive body 112 is such that holding part 112 a fits with and secures, from the outside, electrical insulator 111 that accommodates thermal fuse 109 a. With this configuration, heat of base 101 is transferred to thermal fuse 109 a via heat conductive body 112. Heat conductive body 112 is secured to excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110, with such as screw 112 b.
Bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus 109 b is configured such that, when the preventing apparatus reaches a predetermined temperature, a reverse bimetal reverses upward to push and lift a conductive metal part via an insulator. This opens a contact point disposed at the end portion of the conductive metal part so as to break the circuit of heater 102. Consequently, the operation temperature of bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus 109 b is high (commonly approximately 270° C.). A specific configuration of preventing apparatus 109 b is the same as that described in FIG. 10; therefore, the detailed description thereof in FIG. 10 is incorporated herein by reference.
Excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110 for securing excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 and temperature-controller securing part 108 for securing temperature controller 107, are disposed to be located along vaporization chamber 103 that generates the steam, and along a passage of steam through which the steam generated in vaporization chamber 103 flows toward steam jetting holes 105. Securing part 108 is disposed in a more downstream side of the passage of steam than securing part 110. Then, securing part 108 and securing part 110 are close to each other with an approximately equal height, and are consecutively formed in base 101.
Moreover, temperature-controller securing part 108 is surrounded by vaporization chamber 103 and by steam passage 104 a through which the steam flows from vaporization chamber 103 toward steam jetting holes 105, which renders the securing part susceptible to heat removal.
Second vaporization chamber 113 that is formed adjacent to vaporization chamber 103 in base 101 so as to generate an extra steam in addition to the usual steam generated in vaporization chamber 103. Second vaporization chamber 113 is capable of generating the extra steam by using a large amount of water temporarily supplied from a water tank (not shown) with a pump device (not shown) or the like.
The extra steam generated in second vaporization chamber 113 passes through steam passage 104 d formed in the upper surface side of base 101, communication part 106 b disposed outside heater 102 buried in base 101, and steam passage 104 b formed in the lower surface side of base 101, and then reaches steam jetting holes 105. Excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110 is adjacent to second vaporization chamber 113, and also to steam passage 104 d. Securing part 110 is deprived of heat by the extra steam generated temporarily in a large amount.
Lid body 114 covers, from the upper surface side of base 101, and demarcates vaporization chamber 103 formed in the upper surface side of base 101, steam passage 104 a, extended part 104 c formed in the upper surface side of base 101, steam passage 104 d, and second vaporization chamber 113. Temperature controller 107 and excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109, which are attached to base 101, are disposed above lid body 114.
Temperature controller 107 and excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 are coupled in series with heater 102 by means of conductive metal body 115. One end part 102 a of heater 102 and one end of preventing device 109 (109 a, 109 b) are coupled with each other by means of first conductive metal body 115 a. Then, the other end of preventing device 109 (109 a, 109 b) and one end of temperature controller 107 are coupled with each other by means of second conductive metal body 115 b. The other end of third conductive metal body 115 c that is coupled with the other end of temperature controller 107, is extended backward to reach the vicinity of the other end part 102 b of heater 102. Moreover, the other end part 102 b of heater 102 is coupled with fourth conductive metal body 115 d. Both third conductive metal body 115 c and fourth conductive metal body 115 d are coupled with a power cord (not shown).
Conductive metal body 115 (115 a to 115 d) employs the same configuration regardless of whether excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 is coupled with thermal fuse 109 a or with bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus 109 b. In either case, the conductive metal body employs the bodies, i.e. from first conductive metal body 115 a to fourth conductive metal body 115 d.
Hereinafter, operations and functions of the thus-configured iron will be described. Selected from among the heaters formed in the identical shape with different heating capacities, one heater 102 is buried in base 101 during the formation of base 101. As a result, base 101 is formed in the identical shape in which heater 102 with a different heating capacity is buried. In the case where heater 102 with a high heating capacity (e.g. 2 kW) is buried in base 101, base 101 is heated by high heating-capacity heater 102, so that the temperature of base 101 rapidly rises up to a setting temperature in a short period of time. Moreover, during ironing, even when the amount of the steam generation is increased to enhance the effect of smoothing out creases, the temperature of vaporization chamber 103 can be maintained at a proper temperature for vaporization.
When used with the usual steam generation, base 101 offers a smaller nonuniformity in temperature. However, when used with an increased amount of the steam generation using a large amount of water supplied to second vaporization chamber 113 with such as a pump device, the temperature in the vicinity of second vaporization chamber 113 decreases. Temperature-controller securing part 108, to which temperature controller 107 is secured, is disposed adjacent to second vaporization chamber 113 and also to steam passage 104 d through which the steam generated in second vaporization chamber 113 flows toward steam jetting holes 105. This causes temperature-controller securing part 108 to cool down, which allows temperature controller 107 to appropriately sense such a temperature decrease of the vicinity of second vaporization chamber 113.
When the temperature of the vicinity of second vaporization chamber 113 decreases, temperature controller 107 lengthens a current-carrying period of heater 102 so as to maintain the vicinity of second vaporization chamber 113 at the proper temperature for vaporization. However, when base 101 is being heated by high heating-capacity heater 102, a portion, not undergoing the cooling due to vaporization, of base 101 will be overheated, resulting in an increase in the temperature difference from a portion undergoing the cooling due to vaporization. This causes a greater nonuniformity by location in the temperature of base 101. Even in this case, securing part 110 can be effectively cooled because excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110 is adjacent to both second vaporization chamber 113 and steam passage 104 d. Moreover, if excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 is configured selectively with bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus 109 b that features the high operation temperature, preventing device 109 does not reach its rated operation temperature, which can prevent a defect where the circuit of heater 102 is accidentally broken during use.
Furthermore, because base 101 is formed in the identical shape, when heater 102 with a usual heating capacity (e.g. 1 kW) is buried in base 101, the same excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110 can be attached with thermal fuse 109 a that is an excessive temperature-rise preventing device featuring a low price and a low operation temperature in accordance with the heating capacity of the heater.
As described above, the iron according to the embodiment includes excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 (109 a, 109 b) that is coupled in series with the circuit of heater 102, and excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110 with which preventing device 109 (109 a, 109 b) is attached to base 101. Base 101 is disposed to be heatable by heater 102 with a different heating capacity. Moreover, preventing device 109 (109 a, 109 b) with a different operation temperature for breaking the circuit of heater 102, is selectively attached to securing part 110 in accordance with the heating capacity of heater 102. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the defect where the circuit of heater 102 is accidentally broken during use due to nonuniform overheating by high heating-capacity heater 102. Furthermore, excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 (109 a, 109 b) even with the different configuration can be attached easily and rationally. This brings about the compatibility between greater ease of manufacturing and the prevention of the defect where the temperature of preventing device 109 (109 a, 109 b) reaches its rated operation temperature to break the circuit of heater 102.
Moreover, the iron according to the embodiment includes extended part 104 c formed in the rear end part 101 c side of base 101. The formation of extended part 104 c in both the upper surface side and the lower surface side of base 101 can prevent rear end part 101 c from overheating. In general, vaporization chamber 103 is disposed in the front part of base 101, which decreases the temperature of base 101 due to the steam generation.
On the other hand, in the rear part of base 101, the temperature decrease of base 101 due to the steam generation is so small that the temperature rises through the current-currying of heater 102. The formation of extended part 104 c from end parts 102 a and 102 b of heater 102 toward rear end part 101 c of base 101, allows the steam to suppress the temperature rise at the rear part of base 101 and also to prevent the overheating of rear end part 101 c efficiently from both the upper and lower surface sides of base 101. In addition, rear end part 101 c is formed in the same pointed shape as front end part 101 b, which can prevent a possible operating error where the iron makes undesirable creases in ironing when it is moved backward. As a result, it is possible to configure the iron with ease of use.
Note that the passage of steam is a path through which the steam generated in vaporization chamber 103 flows to reach steam jetting holes 105. Both temperature-controller securing part 108 and excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110 are configured to be surrounded by vaporization chamber 103, steam passages 104 a and 104 d, second vaporization chamber 113, and the like. With this configuration, the decrease in the temperature of base 101 can be appropriately sensed in accordance with the steam generation.
As described above, the iron according to the present invention includes the base heated by the heater, the vaporization chamber formed in the base, the steam jetting holes for jetting steam generated in the vaporization chamber, the temperature controller for controlling the base to be maintained at a predetermined temperature, the excessive temperature-rise preventing device which is coupled in series with the circuit of the heater, and the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part for attaching the excessive temperature-rise preventing device to the base. The base is disposed to be heatable by the heater with a different heating capacity. It is configured that the excessive temperature-rise preventing device with a different operation temperature for breaking the circuit of the heater is selectively attached to the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part in accordance with the heating capacity of the heater.
With this configuration, even in the case where the base is heated by the high heating-capacity heater, the excessive temperature-rise preventing device is prevented from reaching its rated operation temperature because of the nonuniform overheating under usual service conditions.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the defect where the circuit of the heater is broken accidentally during use. Moreover, in the case where the base is heated by the heater with a usual heating capacity, the excessive temperature-rise preventing device with a different configuration can be attached to the base that is formed in the identical shape. Consequently, it is possible to manufacture the iron easily and rationally.
Moreover, in the iron according to the present invention, both the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part and the temperature-controller securing part for securing the temperature controller are disposed adjacent to the passage of steam through which the steam generated in the vaporization chamber flows toward the steam jetting holes. The temperature-controller securing part is disposed in the more downstream side of the passage of steam than the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part. With this configuration, the temperature of the base is decreased due to the steam generation in the vaporization chamber, which suppresses the temperature rise of the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part. Keeping a balance between the suppression of the temperature rise and the heating by the heater allows the securing part to be prevented from excessive temperature-rising.
Furthermore, in the iron according to the invention, the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part and the temperature-controller securing part are formed close to each other such that both the securing parts are disposed consecutively. With this configuration, it is possible to cause the heat-sensing temperature of the excessive temperature-rise preventing device to become closer to that of the temperature controller, which allows both the device and the controller to operate optimally and reliably.
In addition, in the iron according to the invention, the temperature-controller securing part is configured to be surrounded by the passage of steam through which the steam flows from the vaporization chamber toward the steam jetting holes. With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently deprive the temperature-controller securing part of heat by means of the steam flowing through the steam passages. This allows appropriate control of the current-carrying period of the heater in accordance with the amount of the steam generated in the vaporization chamber.
Moreover, in the iron according to the present invention, the rear end part of the base is formed in the pointed shape, and both ends of the heater formed in the approximately U-shape are exposed from the upper surface side in the rear end part side of the base. Moreover, the passage of steam through which the steam flows from the vaporization chamber toward the steam jetting holes includes the extended part that is formed to extend from the end parts of the heater toward the rear end part of the base. The extended part is formed in both the upper and lower surface sides of the base.
With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the overheating of the rear end part of the base. In general, the vaporization chamber is disposed in the front part of the base, which decreases the temperature of the base due to the steam generation. On the other hand, in the rear part of the base, the decrease in the temperature of the base due to the steam generation is so small that the temperature rises through the current-currying of the heater. The formation of the extended part, from the end parts of the heater toward the rear end part of the base, allows the steam to suppress the temperature rise at the rear part of the base. In addition, the formation allows the efficient prevention of the overheating of the rear end part of the base, from both the upper and lower surface sides of the base. Moreover, the rear end part of the base is formed in the same pointed shape as the front end part, which can prevent a possible operating error where the iron makes undesirable creases in ironing when it is moved backward. This provides the iron with ease of use.
Moreover, in the iron according to the present invention, the excessive temperature-rise preventing device is either the thermal fuse or the bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus.
With this configuration, it is possible to optimize both manufacturing costs and the operation temperature of the excessive temperature-rise preventing device, in accordance with the heating capacity of the heater for heating the base.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the iron according to the present invention, when heated by the heater with a high heating capacity, is capable of preventing the defect where the circuit of its heater is accidentally broken during use due to the nonuniform overheating. Also, the iron allows the excessive temperature-rise preventing device with a different configuration to be easily attached thereto. These advantages make it useful as an iron.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

101 base
101 c rear end part
102 heater
102 a, 102 b end part
103 vaporization chamber
104 a, 104 b, 104 d steam passage
104 c extended part
105 steam jetting hole
106 a, 106 b communication part
107 temperature controller
108 temperature-controller securing part
109 excessive temperature-rise preventing device
109 a thermal fuse
109 b bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus
110 excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part
111 electrical insulator
112 heat conductive body
113 second vaporization chamber
114 lid body
115, 115 a, 115 b, 115 c, 115 d conductive metal body

Claims

1. An iron, comprising:

a base heated by a heater;

a vaporization chamber formed in the base;

steam jetting holes for jetting steam generated in the vaporization chamber;

a temperature controller for controlling the base to be maintained at a predetermined temperature;

an excessive temperature-rise preventing device coupled in series with a circuit of the heater; and

an excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part for attaching the excessive temperature-rise preventing device to the base, wherein

the base is disposed to be heatable by the heater with a different heating capacity, and

the excessive temperature-rise preventing device with a different operation temperature for breaking the circuit of the heater is selectively attached to the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part in accordance with the heating capacity of the heater.

2. The iron according to claim 1, wherein

the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part and a temperature-controller securing part for securing the temperature controller are disposed adjacent to a passage of the steam, the passage through which the steam generated in the vaporization chamber flows toward the steam jetting holes, and

the temperature-controller securing part is disposed in a more downstream side of the passage of the steam than the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part.

3. The iron according to claim 2, wherein

the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part and the temperature-controller securing part are formed close to each other, and

the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part and the temperature-controller securing part are consecutively disposed.

4. The iron according to claim 2, wherein the temperature-controller securing part is surrounded by the passage of the steam, the passage through which the steam flows from the vaporization chamber toward the steam jetting holes.

5. The iron according to claim 2, wherein

a rear end part of the base is formed in a pointed shape,

both ends of the heater formed in an approximately U-shape are exposed from an upper surface side of a rear end part side of the base, and

the passage of the steam through which the steam flows from the vaporization chamber toward the steam jetting holes includes an extended part formed from the ends of the heater toward the rear end part side of the base, with the extended part being formed in both the upper surface side and a lower surface side of the base.

6. The iron according to claim 1, wherein the excessive temperature-rise preventing device is any one of a thermal fuse and a bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus.

7. The iron according to claim 2, wherein the excessive temperature-rise preventing device is any one of a thermal fuse and a bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus.

8. The iron according to claim 3, wherein the excessive temperature-rise preventing device is any one of a thermal fuse and a bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus.

9. The iron according to claim 4, wherein the excessive temperature-rise preventing device is any one of a thermal fuse and a bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus.

10. The iron according to claim 5, wherein the excessive temperature-rise preventing device is any one of a thermal fuse and a bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus.