WO2002034997A1

WO2002034997A1 - Drip-feed valve with adjustable flow rate for iron

Info

Publication number: WO2002034997A1
Application number: PCT/IB2001/002540
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulrich Demuth
Original assignee: Rowenta Werke Gmbh
Priority date: 2000-10-02
Filing date: 2001-09-27
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: FR2814762A1; DE20180390U1; AU2002232031A1; FR2814762B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a drip-feed valve comprising a seal (1) having a cylindrical nozzle wherein a valve pin (5) can rotate or slide, the seal (1) having locally around the sliding gate (5) a cavity (11), communicating with the nozzle and open in the water reservoir (2), the valve pin (5) having at its lower end a first zone (51) along an axis for adjusting the drip-feed flow by rotation. The invention is characterised in that the valve pin (5) comprises a groove (511) parallel to the axis of the valve pin (5) emerging downwards and the cavity (11) of the seal (1) has a depth and/or a width gradually flaring from a closed angular position of the valve up to a completely opened position.

Description

ADJUSTABLE FLOW DRIP VALVE FOR IRON

The present invention relates to steam irons which comprise a water tank integrated into the iron communicating with a vaporization chamber by a seal having a nozzle with a vertical axis, and a device for adjusting the water intake rate. in the vaporization chamber.

We are particularly interested in devices for adjusting the water intake flow rate, such as those comprising a vertical plug, the lower end of which moves in rotation on their axis in the nozzle in order to obtain a flow of water during the vaporization of the iron, and the upper end of which is secured to a manual control button.

The patent US2427521 is thus known in which the adjustment device is a tap whose plug has semi-circular grooves in a diametrical plane, the grooves flowing in front of the water inlet and outlet orifices when the knob is pivoted. ordered.

However, this complicated construction is not suitable for mass production, among other things because the plug with its groove is not easily obtained by injecting material into a simple mold. In addition, the device does not make it possible to obtain a very large and sudden flow of water for a self-cleaning operation inside the iron.

Patent FR2337780 shows a hollow bushel rotating in a seal having a cavity drowned by the water in the tank. Radial holes connect the interior of the plug facing the spray chamber to the exterior surface of the plug. During the rotation of the manual control, one, and then several holes are present in the cavity, ensuring a variable flow of the device. In another embodiment, the full bushel has a milling which provides, in cooperation with a notch in the joint, a gradually adjustable opening. However, these arrangements include plug shapes which are ill-suited to mass production and do not allow the nozzle to be fully opened for F self-cleaning of the iron.

Patent FR2695658 shows an adjustment device, a flat seat of which has a variable section groove and the rotary plug has a head with a flat front face which is applied in a sealed manner to the seat. The head has a flow passage suitable for moving above the groove as a function of the angular position.

However, this device is suitable for feeding under pressure external to the iron.

The patent US5531037 shows a plug rotating in a seal having a cavity drowned by the water in the tank. The rotary plug has a vertical groove extended by a circular transverse groove of decreasing section from the vertical groove. From a closed position, the grooves are progressively presented in front of the cavity with an increasingly large passage section until a maximum opening. A second vertical groove closed at its lower end can be placed in communication with the vaporization chamber to obtain a surplus of steam, or to carry out a self-cleaning of the iron. To do this, the user presses the control button and slides the plug rod down in translation.

But these possibilities are obtained by a great complexity of the bushel. The passage of water to carry out the self-cleaning is reduced and does not allow good development of the transverse groove of the plug, which limits the progressiveness of the adjustment.

The object of the invention is a drip valve with adjustable flow rate for an iron, allowing on the one hand good progressiveness of the adjustment and a large maximum flow rate of the iron in vaporization, on the other hand a maximum passage of l water through the nozzle during the self-cleaning of the iron, and which is easy and economical to manufacture.

The object of the invention is achieved by a drip valve comprising a seal having a cylindrical nozzle in which a plug can rotate or slide, the seal having locally around the plug a cavity in connection with the nozzle and open in the water tank, the plug having at its lower end a first zone along the axis allowing the adjustment of the flow drop by drop by rotation, remarkable in that the plug has a groove parallel to the axis of the plug opening downwards and in that the seal cavity has a progressive depth and / or width from a closed angular position of the valve to a fully open position.

The cavity of the joint extending around the plug, its width is understood in a direction radial to the axis of the plug, while its depth is understood in a direction parallel to the axis of the plug.

These provisions allow molding in large series and demolding along the axis of the parts of the plug and the seal requiring the most precision. There are no traces of parting line on these parts and this gives great stability in manufacturing precision.

Advantageously, the cavity of the seal has a bottom of helical shape.

The water flow is controlled by the smallest section of the path it travels. The variation in depth of the cavity allows water to be supplied to the plug groove along a lateral surface of this groove, the length of which is measured axially, depends on the angular position of the plug relative to the cavity. The propeller-shaped bottom allows a progressive flow substantially proportional to the rotation of the plug. This first way of obtaining progressive adjustment is easy to manufacture.

Advantageously, the cavity, one edge of which adjoins the nozzle, has the opposite edge in the form of a spiral.

The width of the cavity is then substantially proportional to the angle measured from the closed position of the valve. This arrangement ensures correct feeding of the cavity and enhances the effect due to the variation in depth.

In a first version the width and the depth of the groove are constant.

The water flow obtained is then substantially proportional to the angle measured from the closed position of the valve. In another version, the plug groove is of progressive section from top to bottom.

When the cross section of the groove at the bottom of the cavity is smaller than the lateral entry of water into the groove, this section controls the flow. The progressiveness of the adjustment is then obtained by the progressiveness of the section of the groove.

In another version the width of the groove increases from the top to the end.

This arrangement makes it possible to vary the progressiveness of the entry of water into the groove. The shape of the groove seen from the side can for example be triangular, point at the top. It facilitates obtaining large drip rates in the maximum position of the plug, while controlling the low rates. By its release form it facilitates the realization of a progressive section of the groove. Preferably, the plug comprises a second zone along the axis allowing an excess of steam or the self-cleaning of the iron, distinct from the first zone and put into service by a translation of the plug.

The zones used for vaporization on the one hand and for excess steam and self-cleaning on the other hand being distinct, they can be optimized for each function. In particular, the cavity of variable depth of the seal can develop at a wide angle around the plug, thus allowing good progressiveness of the adjustment. The area used for self-cleaning can be optimized to clear the passage through the seal opening as much as possible.

Advantageously, the rotary control button has a part that can move in translation.

The button combines several controls which simplifies both the use and the construction of the device, the translation control can be a push-shaped part above the button. This translation ensures self-cleaning control of the iron and possibly of excess steam. Advantageously, the translational travel of the control button is in two parts, the first part making it possible to obtain an excess of steam, the second allowing self-cleaning of the iron.

Usefully, the control button has provisions so that the second part of the travel cannot be obtained accidentally. The second part of the stroke can for example be obtained against the action of a spring whose hardening increases suddenly or by different ergonomic arrangements which avoid errors in use.

The invention will be better understood on the basis of the examples below and the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic section of a drip valve according to a version of the invention.

Figure 2 is a diagram of the valve in the spray position.

Figure 3 is a diagram of the valve in the self-cleaning position of the iron.

Figure 4 is a diagram of the valve in the iron's excess steam position. Figure 5 is a partial top view of the valve, the plug being cut.

Figure 6 is a schematic section of a drip valve according to another version of the invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a valve according to the invention.

In a preferred version of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the valve comprises an elastomer body 1 serving as a seal between a lower orifice of a water tank 2 and an upper orifice of the vaporization chamber 3 of the iron , aligned with the previous one. The vaporization chamber 3 is closed by a plate 4. The seal 1 has a cylindrical nozzle in which moves a plug 5 secured to a drive rod 6, itself connected to a button 7 for manual control of the valve.

The body 1 has on its upper part a cavity 11 open in the tank 2 and on the nozzle around which it is deployed. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the width of the cavity 11 is progressive from an angular position

Ad starting to a maximum angular position Am. Similarly, the depth of the cavity increases from the angular starting position Ad up to the maximum angular position Am where the section of the cavity 11 is maximum. Preferably the bottom of the cavity 11 is in a helix. The cavity 11 is deployed at a large angle A around the plug 5, which allows good precision of the adjustment. The plug 5 has at its lower end a cylindrical part 51 whose length from 4 to 5 millimeters is of the same order of magnitude as that of the nozzle of the joint and preferably slightly longer. This cylindrical part 51 has a groove 511 parallel to the axis of the plug, closed upwards, and open towards the vaporization chamber 3 at the lower end. In a version shown in Figure 1, the section of the groove 511 is constant. The groove is then substantially parallelepiped, an edge which may be in the form of a gutter.

In another version shown in Figure 6, the section of the groove 511 increases from the upper end to the lower end, the groove widening in the same direction. The shape of the groove is then substantially pyramidal or semi-conical.

In a normal position for using the iron, dry or sprayed, the cylindrical part 51 of the plug faces the wall of the nozzle of the body 1 and the groove 511 does not communicate with the tank 2 depending on the position shown in FIG. 5, or communicates with this reservoir via the cavity 11 of the body 1, with a passage depending on the angular position of the plug 5.

Above the cylindrical part 51, the plug has a part 52 with a ribbed section preferably in cross which ensures the guiding of the plug, when it slides axially in the nozzle of the body 1. The section of this part of the plug is low compared to that of the nozzle. When it is introduced into the nozzle by frankly projecting it downwards as illustrated in FIG. 3, the part 52 of the plug lets water pass from the reservoir to the vaporization chamber allowing a self cleaning of the iron with the full opening of the nozzle.

In a preferred version, the nozzle of the seal 1 is extended downwards by a recess 12 of diameter greater than that of the plug. The plug 5 can be moved downwards which introduces the part 52 into the nozzle, without the part 51 having released the recess 12, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The difference in diameter between the plug and the recess 12 provides a passage of cross section greater than the maximum of that of the groove 511 of the plug, but less than that of the nozzle. This passage controls the water flow when the user causes excess steam.

In one version of the invention, the control button 7 comprises a part 71 which can be moved only in rotation by the user. In the axis, and driven in rotation by this part, slides another part 72 secured to the rod 6 of the valve. The assembly is returned to the normal position of use of the iron when dry or in vaporization by a spring 73. The part 72 exceeds the part 71 by a value equal to the translational stroke of the plug necessary for obtaining a excess steam. The diameter of the part 72 is sufficient so that a finger can be inserted into its housing on the part 71.

To use her iron, the user places the button 7 in a position where the groove 511 is completely closed laterally by the seal 1. When the iron is hot, she adjusts the button by turning it as indicated by the arrows in Figure 2 The groove 511 of the plug 5 is then in relation to the cavity 11. The water flows from the reservoir 2 through the cavity 11 then through the groove 511 from where it arrives in the chamber 3 and the iron vaporizes. The water flow rate, therefore the quantity of steam produced depends on the relative positions of the groove 511 and the cavity 11, the latter having an angularly variable section up to a maximum section. The flow rate can be controlled by the lateral entry of water into the groove 511 as in Figure 1 or can be controlled by the section of the groove 511 as in Figure 6. Advantageously this section increases towards the end of the bushel.

To carry out a self-cleaning of the iron, as FIG. 3 shows, the user presses frankly on the part 72 of the button 7 while pushing it completely into its housing against the action of the spring 73. The part 51 of the plug then completely releases the nozzle and water flows to full section of the tank 2 to bedroom 3 which she cleans. Preferably the complete movement of the part 72 is carried out by pushing it into its housing of the part 71 with the tip of a finger, which cannot be done accidentally.

With less attention, the user can cause an excess of steam, as Figure 4 shows, by pressing the part 72 of the button 7 while keeping the finger flat. Under these conditions the stroke of the part 72 and of the plug is limited by the edges of the part 71 of the button 7. Although the part 52 of the plug is completely introduced into the nozzle of the body 1, the part 51 of the plug 5 does not does not release the counterbore 12 which limits the water flow to a value greater than the maximum possible in the drip position, but less than the full flow of the nozzle. The flow obtained does not risk drowning the vaporization chamber and becomes surplus iron vapor.

In another version represented in FIG. 6, the plug comprises between the zones 51 and 52, an intermediate zone 53 which extends the ribbed zone 52 but comprises a cylindrical core 54. When the plug is in the surplus vapor position as shown in FIG. 6, the core 54 limits the flow of water to be vaporized.

The operation is identical to that of the previous version. The two versions can easily be combined and many variations are possible.

Claims

1. Drip valve comprising a seal (1) having a cylindrical nozzle in which a plug (5) can rotate or slide, the seal (1) having locally around the plug (5) a cavity (11) in connection with the nozzle and open in the water tank (2), the plug (5) having at its lower end a first zone (51) along the axis allowing the adjustment of the flow rate drop by drop by rotation, characterized in that the plug (5) has a groove (511) parallel to the axis of the plug (5) opening downward and in that the cavity (11) of the seal has a progressive depth and / or width from a position closed angle of the valve, to a fully open position.

2. Valve according to claim 1 characterized in that the cavity (11) of the seal (1) has a bottom of helical shape.

3. Valve according to claim 2 characterized in that the cavity (11), one edge of which adjoins the nozzle, has the opposite edge in the form of a spiral.

4. Valve according to claim 3 characterized in that the width and the depth of the groove (511) are constant.

5. Valve according to claim 3 characterized in that the groove (511) of the plug is of progressive section from top to bottom.

6. Valve according to claim 5 characterized in that the width of the groove (511) increases from the top to the end.

7. Valve according to one of claims 2 to 6 characterized in that the plug has a second zone (52) along the axis allowing a surplus of steam or the self-cleaning of the iron, distinct from the first zone ( 51) and put into service by a translation of the plug (5).

8. Valve according to claim 7 characterized in that the rotary control button comprises a part movable in translation.

9. Valve according to claim 8 characterized in that the translational travel of the control button (72) is in two parts, the first part allowing to obtain a surplus of steam, the second allowing the self cleaning of the iron.

10. Valve according to claim 9 characterized in that the control button (72) has provisions so that the second part of the translational travel cannot be obtained accidentally.