WO2021214350A1

WO2021214350A1 - Water dosing system

Info

Publication number: WO2021214350A1
Application number: PCT/ES2020/070256
Authority: WO
Inventors: Iñaki ELORZA LAUZURICA; Miguel Ángel LARRAÑAGA CANO; Martín Goldaracena Jaca
Original assignee: Sda Factory Vitoria, S.L.U.
Priority date: 2020-04-23
Filing date: 2020-04-23
Publication date: 2021-10-28
Also published as: EP4141165A1

Abstract

Water dosing system for irons and other pieces of equipment with a steam chamber (8) fed by a needle water dosing valve (3), comprising a zero steam position, in which the needle (2) sits on the seat of the dosing valve (3), and a maximum steam position. It also includes a cleaning position, above the maximum steam position, the mechanism of which includes a cleaning valve (5) and a mobile actuator (1) passed through by the needle (2), wherein, in the cleaning position, the needle (2) pushes the actuator (1) and this in turn pushes the cleaning valve (5) to disengage it from its seat, leaving the cleaning water passage free.

Description

WATER DOSAGE SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention relates to a water dosing system for water heating equipment, mainly for steam irons.

The object of the invention is to obtain a system that allows efficient cleaning, with a high water flow rate to adequately drag any lime deposit created in the vaporization chamber.

STATE OF THE ART

Steam irons include a water dosing system that allows water to pass from the water tank to the steam chamber of the base or soleplate of the iron. It ensures that the water is dosed in the right amount so that all of it turns into steam. The system usually includes a device for continuous regulation from zero to a maximum amount of steam. The most common way to implement it is a needle valve, made of plastic or metal, which raises or lowers and varies the passage of the valve.

They also usually incorporate an anti-drip system (anti-dri), which includes a temperature-sensitive valve. The valve only accepts the passage of water when the temperature of the vaporization chamber is sufficient. It generally incorporates a bimetal connected to the valve that opens and closes it. This system avoids drops of water due to too low a temperature or when the dosage is left open.

Another device that irons can incorporate is a steam chamber cleaning system. It is used to clean and remove lime deposits that accumulate in the vaporization chamber, through periodic operations by the user, and thus prolongs the life of the appliance. The stages usually consist of heating the base or sole to normal use temperature, and cutting off the power. Water is passed through the vaporization chamber at a high flow rate to break the deposits by thermal shock and drag them out. Finally, the iron is reheated, without any more water passing to the soleplate, to vaporize any remaining water.

However, reducing the temperature of the vaporization chamber can force the stop of the flow through the anti-drip system, which prevents cleaning.

Patent EP1007777 shows a cleaning device that bypasses the anti-drip system. In addition, the jet of water for cleaning is focused on the same place where the dosing for vaporization is carried out, precisely where the accumulation of lime originates. This system defines a very effective cleaning system and the cleaning system includes a second actuator different from the steam regulator so that when it operates, it allows the passage of water avoiding the anti-drip.

Documents EP2087163 and EP3392400 show a construction with principles similar to the previous one. The actuator for the cleaning system is the regulating device itself. It incorporates a position for cleaning that also avoids the anti-drip valve and directs the water from the tank to the dosing system. These two documents are considered the closest state of the art.

Some dosing systems incorporate a communication for the passage of air to the outside. This communication to the outside air allows the removal of air bubbles that can become trapped in the dispenser and that interrupt or slow down the flow of water. In this way the dosage is more stable.

The applicant does not know of any solution similar to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention consists of a water dosing system according to the claims.

The invention defines a dosage system with a cleaning system and which generally comprises an anti-drip system. The cleaning system that avoids the anti-drip device and allows water to be introduced into the vaporization chamber, regardless of the temperature, is actuated by the actuator of the regulating device.

The invention has the following advantages:

It is not necessary to use a "hollow" needle for dosing as is essential for the construction indicated in EP3392400. Therefore, the needle can be, in addition to being solid, of a smaller diameter.

It achieves a much higher flow than that obtained in EP2087163.

Another important advantage is that it allows to implement a gas evacuation system.

The invention defines a new and inventive solution in the known state of the art.

In the memory as a whole, the relative positions and movements will be considered from a situation in which the needle defines the vertical direction, the lower point being that of zero vapor. This choice has been made for conciseness and clarity, but it must be considered that the needle may have another orientation.

The water dosing system is designed for irons and other equipment with a vaporization chamber. The vaporization chamber is fed by a water metering valve. The dosing valve comprises a zero steam position, where the needle is supported on the seat of the dosing valve, and a maximum steam position where the needle leaves the water completely free. In addition, the system comprises a cleaning valve, and a movable actuator traversed by the needle. The needle causes movement of the actuator, generally by means of a stop fixed to the needle, arranged between the actuator and the seat of the metering valve.

The needle comprises a cleaning position, above the maximum steam position, in which it pushes the actuator against the cleaning valve, disengaging it from the cleaning valve seat, that is, opening the valve. This cleaning valve comprises a return system, which can be a spring.

Other possible variants of the invention will be described later in the section on preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, the following figures are included.

Figure 1: Shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a steam iron incorporating the system of the invention, in the zero steam position.

Figure 2: Shows a detailed view of the previous example in maximum steam position.

Figure 3: Shows a detailed view of the previous example in the cleaning position.

Figure 4: Shows a detailed view of the control knob of the regulation device, marking the three positions, in a possible embodiment.

Figure 5: Shows an example of a water dosing system for cleaning, in which the cleaning valve is a specific auxiliary valve, in the closed position.

Figure 6: Shows a view of the example of figure 5 in which the cleaning valve is in the open position. Figure 7: Shows an example of a water dosing system for cleaning, in which the cleaning valve is an anti-drip valve, in the closed position.

Figure 8: Shows, finally, a view of the example of figure 7, in which the cleaning valve is in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention will be briefly described below, as an illustrative and non-limiting example thereof.

The embodiments shown in the figures are based on a non-drip dosing system. The cleaning system comprises a movable actuator (1) that is traversed by the needle (2) of the dosing system so that there is relative freedom of movement between them. The needle (2) can slide freely through the actuator (1) in normal ironing operations. That is, from the closed position (there is no steam) that corresponds to the position of the needle (2) resting on the dosing valve (3) (figures 1, 5 and 7), and the maximum steam position, which corresponds with a higher needle position (2) (figure 2).

An additional position, shown in figure 3, corresponds to the moment when cleaning is carried out. It can be seen that the needle (2) is further away from the metering valve (3), allowing the passage of more water. Figure 4 shows the marking of these positions in an example of the control knob of the regulating device.

The needle (2) of the shown embodiments comprises a stop (4) at a point between the metering valve (3) and the actuator (1). The ascent of the needle (2) produces the movement of the actuator (1) thanks to the stop (4), at least at the end of its travel until reaching the cleaning position mentioned. The actuator (1), furthermore, comprises a lower extension (11) that is joined integrally to the cleaning valve (5), so that the ascent of said actuator (1) to the cleaning position also causes the rise of the cleaning valve (5) of the corresponding cleaning valve seat, leaving free passage to the cleaning water.

More specifically, as can be seen in the figures, especially in figure 2, when the needle (2) is in the maximum steam position, the stop (4) is below the actuator (1). However, when the needle (2) opens the dosing valve (3) and the movement is continued, the stop (4) reaches the actuator (1) and moves it, pushing it upwards. This position, which would be the cleaning position, is observed in Figures 3, 6 and 8, where it is also observed that the actuator (1), when rising upwards, pushes the cleaning valve (5) by means of its lower extension (11). ) for cleaning.

On the other hand, the function of the cleaning valve (5) can be performed in several alternative ways. For example, a possible embodiment, shown in Figures 5 and 6, would be one in which the cleaning valve (5) is a specific valve for this purpose and has no other function. However, said cleaning valve can also be constituted by the anti-drip valve (6) as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

More specifically, figure 5 shows the closed position of the cleaning valve (5) when it is independent of the anti-drip valve (6). In figure 6, the user has placed the dosing actuator in the cleaning position, so that the needle (2) has been raised and its stop (4) also pushes or drags the actuator (1) and its lower extension upwards. (11), which, as said, is integrally attached to said cleaning valve (5), thus also causing the upward movement of said valve and, therefore, allowing water to enter the vaporization chamber (8).

Similarly, Figures 7 and 8 show the same positions as in Figures 5 and 6, but when the cleaning valve is formed by the anti-drip valve (6) itself. In that case, in addition, it can be seen that the lower extension (11) that the actuator (1) has is of greater length but that, equally, it is joined integrally to said anti-drip valve (6) so that the upward movement of said actuator (1) when pushed by the stop (4) of the needle (2), also pushes up said anti-drip valve (6 ) and the water is allowed to pass free to the vaporization chamber (8).

In the embodiments shown, it is further observed that the actuator (1) has the shape of a cylindrical tube (9) whose through hole is traversed by the needle (2) and where said cylindrical tube (9) is supported by a spring (10) that serves to ensure its return to the closed position of the cleaning system when the user no longer needs it. More specifically, as can be seen in some figures, especially numbers 5 and 6, said spring (10) rests inferiorly on the lower base of the cylindrical tube (9) that constitutes the lower extension (11) of the actuator (1) and, therefore The upper part rests against the wall of the tank in such a way that, in addition to ensuring the return of the actuator, it ensures that the anti-drip valve (5) remains closed against its seat until the user pulls the needle (2) up again and that this, through the stop (4), overcomes its resistance.

Finally, according to another possible alternative embodiment, it would be possible for the needle (2) to be integral with the actuator (1) and therefore to dispense with the stop (4). However, this possible embodiment would be less advantageous than the preferred one mentioned above, since the vertical displacement that would make its lower extension (11) attached to the anti-drip valve (5), when accompanying the needle (2), would involve the sweep of a considerable space that would need to be provided inside the apparatus, thus complicating its internal structure and / or increasing its size.

Claims

1- Water dosing system for irons and other equipment with a vaporization chamber (8) fed by a needle water dosing valve (3) (2), which comprises a zero steam position, where the needle (2 ) is supported on the seat of the dosing valve (3), and a maximum steam position, characterized in that it comprises: a cleaning valve (5); and a movable actuator (1) traversed by the needle (2); so that the needle (2) comprises a cleaning position, above the maximum steam position, in which it pushes the actuator (1) and the latter to the cleaning valve (5), uncoupling it from its seat and freeing the step to cleaning water.

2- Dosing system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (1) and the needle (2) have relative freedom of movement, and the needle (2) comprises a stop (4) arranged between the actuator (1) and the seat of the dosing valve (3), so that the stop (4) is distanced and below the actuator (1) in the maximum steam position and raises the actuator (1) in the cleaning position.

3- Dosing system, according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a lower extension (11) that is joined integrally to the cleaning valve (5).

4- Dosing system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (1) is integral with the needle (2).

5- Dosing system, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning valve is also an anti-drip valve (6).

6- Dosing system, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (1) comprises a cylindrical tube (9) that is traversed longitudinally by the needle (2). 7- Dosing system, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a return spring (10) of the actuator (1) that ensures that the cleaning valve (5) remains closed against its seat.