WO2011127975A1

WO2011127975A1 - Steam cleaning device

Info

Publication number: WO2011127975A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/054948
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jochen Engele; Martin Schmidgall; Tobias Dux; Michael SCHÖNEWALD
Original assignee: Alfred Kärcher Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2010-04-15
Filing date: 2010-04-15
Publication date: 2011-10-20
Also published as: CN102892523A; CN102892523B; EP2558223B1; JP2013527796A; ES2455224T3; EP2558223A1; JP5427979B2

Abstract

The invention relates to a steam cleaning device (10), comprising a liquid tank (24), which is connected to an electrically heatable steam boiler (26), wherein the steam boiler has a safety valve (38), which opens at an impermissibly high steam pressure in the steam boiler (26). In order to further develop the steam cleaning device (10) in such a way that the danger of the user being adversely affected by steam exiting through the safety valve (38) is reduced and the handling of the steam cleaning device is simplified, the safety valve (38) is integrated into a detachable maintenance closure (36) and can be covered by a covering element (54), which can be moved back and forth between a closed position that covers the maintenance closure (36) and an uncovering position that uncovers the maintenance closure (36).

Description

Steam cleaner

The invention relates to a steam cleaning device with a liquid tank, which is connected to an electrically heatable steam boiler for generating steam, which can be applied to a surface to be cleaned, wherein the steam boiler has a safety valve which opens at inadmissible high steam pressure in the boiler.

Such steam cleaning devices are used for cleaning a wide variety of surfaces, in particular for cleaning hard surfaces used. They comprise an electrically heatable steam boiler for evaporating a liquid cleaning agent, in particular for evaporating water. The generated steam can be applied to the surface to be cleaned, for example on a floor surface.

For safety reasons, the steam boiler has a safety valve that opens when an inadmissibly high vapor pressure is formed within the boiler.

During operation of the steam cleaner, limescale deposits in the boiler, unless the steam cleaner is operated with distilled water. For decalcifying the steam boiler, this usually has a maintenance opening, which is closed by a maintenance closure during normal operation of the steam cleaning device. The maintenance lock can be released by the user so that he can pour out the liquid in the boiler and fill the boiler with a descaling solution. The descaling solution then usually remains in the boiler for some time to dissolve the lime in the boiler, and then the descaling solution passes through the service opening poured out again. The maintenance opening can then be closed again by the user by means of the maintenance closure, so that the steam cleaning device can then be operated again for cleaning a surface.

A steam cleaning device of the type mentioned is known from US patent application US 2005/0102789 AI. The safety valve is located in this device within the housing. This has the consequence that in the event of a malfunction in an excessively high vapor pressure within the boiler, the steam exiting via the safety valve as well as the liquid droplets entrained by the steam are distributed within the housing. You can come into contact with live parts.

There are also steam cleaning devices are known in which the safety valve protrudes from the housing at the top. In the event of a fault, steam escaping via the safety valve as well as vapor droplets entrained by the steam can be released to the outer space of the steam cleaning appliance surrounded by the housing. The risk that the steam or the entrained liquid droplets contact with live parts, thereby low. However, there is a risk that the exiting steam and the entrained hot liquid droplets affect the user.

Object of the present invention is to provide a steam cleaning device of the type mentioned in such a way that the risk of impairment of the user when opening the safety valve is reduced and the handling of the steam cleaning device is simplified.

This object is achieved in a steam cleaning device of the generic type according to the invention that the safety valve is integrated into a detachable maintenance closure of the boiler and can be covered by a cover that covers between a maintenance closure Closed position and the maintenance lock releasing release position is movable back and forth.

In the steam cleaning device according to the invention, the safety valve is integrated into the maintenance lock, with the aid of which the maintenance opening of the steam boiler is closed during normal operation of the steam cleaning device. If an impermissibly high pressure builds up in the steam boiler in the event of a malfunction, the steam can escape via the safety valve. To protect the user, the safety valve integrated in the maintenance lock is covered by a cover element. The cover thus reduces direct contact of the user with the steam exiting via the safety valve and the hot liquid droplets entrained by the steam.

To ensure that the maintenance lock for descaling the boiler is accessible to the user, the cover is movable between a closing position covering the maintenance lock and thus also the safety valve and a release position releasing the maintenance lock together with the safety valve. For descaling the boiler, the cover can be moved to its release position, so that then the maintenance lock can be solved by the maintenance opening.

The steam cleaning device according to the invention is thus characterized on the one hand by simple handling, on the other hand it is ensured that steam escaping via the safety valve and entrained liquid droplets in the event of a fault can not reach the user directly.

It is favorable if the cover element is held movably on the housing. For example, it can be held displaceably on the housing, so that it can be moved back and forth between its closed position and its release position. can be pushed. For this purpose, the housing can form a guide receiving the cover element.

It is particularly advantageous if the cover is pivotally mounted on the housing. It can be pivoted back and forth between its closed position and its release position. A pivotable mounting of the cover on the housing can be realized inexpensively and the handling of a pivotally mounted on the housing cover designed for the user very easy.

Of particular advantage in particular for an attractive design of the housing, it is when the cover is integrated in its closed position in the outer contour of the housing. In such a configuration, the cover element hugs in its closed position against the outer contour of the housing. This results in a particularly attractive embodiment of the steam cleaning appliance. Neither the cover nor the safety valve and the maintenance lock are in such a configuration of the housing. Instead, they fit into the housing by being covered by the cover element adapted to the outer contour of the housing. The risk of damage to the maintenance closure and the safety valve is kept particularly low.

In an advantageous embodiment of the steam cleaning device according to the invention, the housing has a first recess, in which the maintenance closure is arranged and which can be covered by the cover. The first recess may be designed in the manner of a depression or pocket, which is preferably arranged on the upper side of the housing. The first recess is closed in the closed position of the cover by the cover. In the first recess, the maintenance lock is easily accessible to the user. For this purpose, it is only necessary to move the cover in its release position. It is favorable if the cover element assumes a distance from the maintenance closure in its closed position, wherein a vapor expansion space extends between the cover element and the maintenance closure. The provision of a Dampfentspannungsraumes, which at least partially surrounds the maintenance closure, has the advantage that in case of failure at an inadmissibly high pressure within the boiler via the safety valve leaking steam can relax in the adjoining the safety valve Dampfentspannungsraum. The risk of an impairment of the user by the exiting steam is kept particularly low. The liquid droplets entrained by the steam can be deposited on the wall of the vapor-release space. Within the Dampfentspannungsraumes the exiting steam can be cooled by contact with the walls of the Dampfentspannungsraumes. At least part of the exiting steam can therefore condense in the steam expansion space, the condensate can be deposited on the walls of the vapor release space.

It is particularly advantageous if, in its closed position, the cover element releases a steam outlet opening, via which steam can escape in a horizontal direction from the steam release space after opening the safety valve. Steam exiting via the safety valve first enters the steam release room. A portion of the vapor may condense and settle within the vapor release space. A remaining part of the steam can flow out of the steam expansion space via the steam outlet opening in the horizontal direction. Within the Dampfentspannungsraumes the outflowing steam can be deflected on the wall of Dampfentspannungsraumes. This increases the deposition rate of the steam. The steam flowing out of the vapor-release space leaves the vapor-release space in the horizontal direction. Thus, the risk is extremely low that the user with the flowing steam or entrained liquid droplets comes into contact.

The cross-sectional area of the steam outlet opening is favorably at least as large as the opening cross-section of the safety valve. The provision of a relatively large cross-sectional area for the steam outlet opening has the consequence that the steam flowing out via the steam outlet opening has a comparatively low flow velocity. As a result, the risk of impairment of the user can be further reduced. The opening cross section of the safety valve may be, for example, 20 mm ² . The cross-sectional area of the steam outlet opening is preferably a multiple of the opening cross-section of the safety valve, for example 1,500 mm ² .

It is advantageous if the cross-sectional area of the steam outlet opening is at least 200 mm ² .

Preferably, the steam cleaning device comprises a receiving space, which is in flow communication via the steam outlet opening with the Dampfentspannungsraum. Steam, which flows in the event of a fault via the safety valve in the Dampfentspannungsraum, can leave this via the steam outlet opening. The steam can then be absorbed by the receiving space of the steam cleaning device. Within the receiving space, it can undergo further cooling, wherein at least a portion of the vapor condenses and entrained liquid droplets largely deposit on the wall of the receiving space.

The receiving space can be arranged within the housing. However, it can also be provided that the receiving space is formed by a recess of the housing. The depression can be designed in the manner of a depression or pocket. It is particularly favorable if the housing has a first depression which can be covered by the covering element and in which the maintenance closure is arranged, as well as a second depression adjoining the first depression and forming the receiving space. The first recess is covered during normal operation of the steam cleaning device by the cover, which assumes its closed position. The second recess may be accessible to the user during normal operation of the steam cleaner.

It is advantageous if the first recess merges via a sloping step into the second depression. The first recess forms the Dampfentspannungsraum, which is in flow communication via the steam outlet opening with the receiving space formed by the second recess. The sloping step between the first recess and the second recess has the advantage that the second recess has a greater depth than the first recess and thereby can form a plenum for vapor entrained liquid droplets as well as condensate, which is on the wall of the second recess separates.

The receiving space can not serve to absorb in case of failure via the safety valve leaking steam, but in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the receiving space forms a storage compartment for stowing a cable, a hose and / or one or more accessories of the steam cleaning device, if the steam cleaner is not in operation. For this purpose, the storage compartment can be open on at least one side. It can be provided, for example, that the user can stow a mains cable of the steam cleaning device in the storage compartment when the steam cleaning device is out of operation. When operating the steam cleaner, the power cord can be connected to an external power supply. In times when the steam cleaner is not in use, the power cord can be stored in the storage compartment. The storage compartment can For this purpose, in particular be accessible to the user at the top of the housing of the steam cleaning device.

As already explained, the user can dissolve the maintenance lock to decalcify the boiler. Liquid that is still in the boiler, the user can then pour out through the maintenance opening. He can then add a descaling solution to the steam boiler, which he can then dispense again after descaling through the maintenance opening. Pouring a liquid from the boiler via the maintenance opening is facilitated in an advantageous embodiment of the invention in that the cover in its release position forms a release aid for dumping a liquid from the boiler after opening the maintenance lock. In addition to its function of preventing the user from being affected by outflowing steam, in the case of such a design of the steam cleaning appliance, the cover element additionally also has the function of simplifying the pouring out of a liquid from the steam boiler via the maintenance opening. For this purpose, the cover element forms a release aid in its release position. This simplifies the pouring of the liquid to the user.

It can be provided, for example, that the cover element forms a protruding over the housing groove in its release position. As a result, a liquid can be distributed in a particularly simple manner from the steam boiler via the maintenance opening.

Preferably, the channel tapers in the delivery direction, d. H. in the direction of the maintenance opening facing away.

The following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention serves in conjunction with the drawings for further explanation. Show it : Figure 1: a perspective view of a steam cleaning device;

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the steam cleaning device in the area of a maintenance closure with integrated safety valve, which is covered by a cover;

FIG. 3 shows a partial sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 during the exit of FIG

Steam over the safety valve;

Figure 4. is a partial sectional view corresponding to Figure 2, wherein the cover for dispensing a liquid occupies a release position and

Figure 5: a partial perspective view of the steam cleaning device

Figure 1, wherein the cover occupies its release position.

In the drawing, a generally designated by the reference numeral 10 portable steam cleaning device is shown schematically with a housing 12 having a carrying handle 16 on its upper side 14. On a front side 18 of the housing 12, a hose connection 20 is arranged, to which a steam discharge hose 22 can be connected. At the not shown in the drawing free end of the steam discharge hose 22 can in the usual way a

Steam delivery nozzle can be connected. Alternatively, a rigid extension tube can be connected to the free end of the steam discharge hose 22, to which in turn a steam discharge nozzle, in particular a floor nozzle, can be connected. Such extension tubes and vapor delivery nozzles are known per se to those skilled in the art.

Above the hose connection 20, a liquid tank 24 is arranged on the housing 12, which is detachable from the housing 12 and can be filled with a cleaning liquid, preferably with water. As clear from Figure 4 The housing 12 surrounds an electrically heatable steam boiler 26, which is connected to the liquid tank 24 via an input line 28. In the input line 28, a pump 30 is connected, can be promoted via the cleaning liquid from the liquid tank 44 into the boiler 26. Via an outlet line 32, the steam boiler 26 is in flow communication with the hose connection 20. Within the boiler 26, the liquid provided by the liquid tank 24 can be evaporated and the steam can then be directed via the hose connection 20 and the steam discharge hose 22 connected thereto to a surface to be cleaned, in particular to a bottom surface.

The steam boiler 26 has a maintenance opening 34 shown in FIG. 4, which can be closed by means of a maintenance closure 36. In the maintenance lock a safety valve 38 is integrated. Should an impermissibly high vapor pressure develop in the event of a fault within the steam boiler 26, then the safety valve 38 opens, so that the pressure in the steam boiler 26 can be reduced. In this case, steam can escape via the safety valve 38 from the steam boiler 26.

The maintenance opening 34 is arranged at the free end of an integrally connected to the steam boiler 26 pipe socket 40, which projects with its free end into an outlet opening 42 of the housing. The outlet opening 42 is arranged on a bottom wall 44 of a first depression 46 formed in the housing 12 on its upper side 14. The bottom wall 44 of the first recess 46 merges via a sloping step 48 into a bottom wall 50 of a second depression 52, which faces away from the first depression 46 of the end face 18. The first recess 46 is designed like the second recess 52 in the manner of a trough or pocket and is accessible on the upper side 14 of the housing 12 for the user.

However, the first recess 46 is covered by a cover element in the form of a closure flap 54, which between its in the figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrated closed position and their release position shown in Figures 4 and 5 back and forth pivotally mounted in the first recess 46. The closure flap 54 comprises a cover 56 which, in the closed position of the closure flap 54, covers the first depression 46 and is integrated into the outer contour of the housing 12. For this purpose, the cover 56 is aligned in the closed position of the closure flap 54 with a top wall 58 of the housing 12. This is particularly clear from Figures 2 and 3.

Adjoining the cover 56 of the closure flap 54 integrally is a rear wall 60 of the closure flap 54, which in the closed position of the closure flap 54 faces the bottom wall 44 of the first depression 46. The rear wall 60 terminates at a distance from the bottom wall 44, so that a steam outlet opening 62 extends between the rear wall 60 and the bottom wall 44 in the closed position of the closure flap 54.

In addition to the cover 54 and the rear wall 60, the closure flap 54 has a first side wall 66 and a second side wall 68. The two side walls 66 and 68 are integrally connected to both the lid 56 and the rear wall 60 and form in combination with the cover 54 and the rear wall 60 a discharge chute 70 from. This becomes clear in particular from FIG. 5 and will be explained in more detail below.

At the rear side 72 facing away from the end face 18, the housing 12 has a cable passage 74, which is penetrated by a power cable 76. About the power cord 76, the steam cleaning device 10 can be connected to an external power supply.

For cleaning a surface, in particular for cleaning a bottom surface, the liquid tank 24 can be filled with a cleaning liquid, for example with water. About the pump 30, the cleaning liquid can be pumped into the steam boiler 26, if necessary. Within the boiler 26, the liquid can then be evaporated and the steam can be directed over the steam discharge hose 22 on the surface to be cleaned. Should an impermissibly high vapor pressure develop within the steam boiler 26 due to a malfunction, then the safety valve integrated in the maintenance lock 36 opens. About the safety valve 38 can then escape from the steam boiler 26 steam. This is shown in FIG. With the exiting steam and hot liquid droplets are entrained. The exiting vapor, together with the entrained liquid droplets, passes into a vapor release space 78 extending within the first recess 46 between the bottom wall 44 thereof and the closure flap 54 which covers the safety valve 38 together with the service seal 36 during normal operation of the steam cleaner 10 , Within the Dampfentspannungsraumes 78 condenses a portion of the exiting steam when hitting the wall of the first recess 46 or when hitting the lid 46 and the rear wall 60. A remaining part of the steam flows in the horizontal direction via the steam outlet opening 62 in the second recess 52nd A large part of the entrained liquid droplets have lost their kinetic energy due to the deflection occurring in the vapor release space 78 so far that it sinks within the second recess 52 onto the bottom wall 50 thereof. The steam flowing into the second recess 52 partially condenses in the second recess 52. A remaining part of the steam escapes upwards from the second recess 52 after a further deflection. However, the steam exiting from the second recess 52 has due to the deflections that have occurred and due to contact with the wall of the second recess 52 and / or the wall of the first recess 46 lost much of its energy and was cooled considerably.

If no distilled water is used for the operation of the steam cleaning device 10, limescale in the interior of the steam boiler 26 gradually deposits during the ongoing operation of the steam cleaning device 10. The boiler 26 must therefore be descaled regularly. For this purpose, the user first disconnects the power cable 46 from the external voltage Supply and then cool the steam cleaning device 10. He can then pivot the shutter 54 from its closed position shown in Figures 1 to 3 in the release position shown in Figures 4 and 5. In this case, the closure flap 54 releases the first depression 46 and thus also the maintenance closure 36. The user can then release the maintenance lock 36 with the integrated safety valve 38 from the service opening 34. Liquid that may still be in the boiler 26, the user can spill over the maintenance opening 34. The pouring out of the liquid is facilitated for the user in that the closure flap 54 in its release position forms a dispensing aid in the form of the dispensing chute 70 projecting beyond the housing 12. As becomes clear in particular from FIG. 5, the dispensing chute 70 tapers into the service opening 34 Distribution direction. The user can therefore still distribute liquid in the boiler 26 in a simple manner by means of the discharge chute 70. In this case, virtually no liquid enters the second recess 52, since it is covered by the closure flap 54 in the release position of the closure flap 54.

After emptying the boiler 26, the user may fill a descaling solution via the service opening 34 in the boiler 26. The descaling solution may then remain in the boiler 26 for some time to dissolve deposited lime. After a certain exposure time, the descaling solution can then be poured out of the steam boiler 26 via the maintenance opening 34 and the discharge chute 70. The user can then close the maintenance opening 34 by means of the maintenance closure 36, in order then to put the steam cleaning appliance 10 into operation again.

In times when the steam cleaning device 10 is not in operation, the second recess 52 serves as a storage compartment, in which the user can stow the power cable 76, for example. The steam cleaning device 10 is characterized by easy handling, in particular when descaling the steam boiler 26. In addition, there is virtually no risk that the user in the event of a malfunction with the exiting via the safety valve 38 steam or entrained by the vapor liquid droplets in contact.

Claims

P A T E N T A N S P R E C H E

Steam cleaning device having a liquid tank (24) which is connected to an electrically heatable steam boiler (26) for generating steam, which can be applied to a surface to be cleaned, wherein the steam boiler (26) has a safety valve (38), which at inadmissibly high Steam pressure in the boiler opens, characterized in that the safety valve (38) in a detachable Wartungsverschiuss (36) of the steam boiler (26) integrated and by a cover (54) can be covered, which between a maintenance Verschisuss (36) covering the closed position and a Maintenance Verschisuss (36) releasable release position is movable back and forth.

Steam cleaning appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (54) on the housing (12) is movably held.

Steam cleaning appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover element (54) is integrated in its closed position into the outer contour of the housing (12).

Steam cleaning appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (12) has a first recess (46), in which the Wartungsverschiuss (36) is arranged and which can be covered by the cover (54).

Steam cleaning appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover element (54) in its closed position at a distance to Wartungsverschiuss (36) occupies, wherein between the cover (54) and the Wartungsverschiuss (36) a Dampfentspannungsraum (78).

6. steam cleaning appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover member (54) in its closed position, a steam outlet opening (62) releases over the after opening of the safety valve (38) steam in the horizontal direction from the Dampfentspannungsraum (78) can escape.

7. steam cleaning appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the steam outlet opening (62) is at least as large as an opening cross-section of the safety valve (38).

8. Steam cleaning appliance according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the steam cleaning device (10) has a receiving space (80) which is in flow communication via the steam outlet opening (62) with the Dampfentspannungsraum (78).

9. steam cleaning appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing (12) has a to the first recess (46) adjoining the second recess (52) which forms the receiving space (80).

10. steam cleaning device according to claim 9, characterized in that the first recess (46) via a sloping step (48) in the second recess (52) passes.

11. steam cleaning device according to claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the receiving space (80) forms an open at least one side storage compartment for stowing a cable (76), a hose and / or one or more accessories of the steam cleaning device (10 ) when the steam cleaner (10) is not operating.

12. Steam cleaning appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover member (54) in its release position forms a dispensing aid for pouring a liquid from the steam boiler (26) after opening the maintenance closure (36).

13. steam cleaning appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover member (54) in its release position over the housing (12) protruding groove (70) is formed.

14. steam cleaning appliance according to claim 13, characterized in that the channel (70) tapers in the discharge direction.