Steam iron. RU patent 2517104.

FIELD: personal use articles.

SUBSTANCE: invention refers to control of steam iron steaming functions. The seam iron contains a handle designed so that to enable movement between the first handle position and the second handle position with a displacement mechanism in place for the handle displacement into the first handle position. Additionally, the iron contains a user control means, designed so that to enable regulation between the first state and the second state, and the steam flow rate control unit, functionally connected to the handle and the user control means and designed so that to enable setup of the steam iron steam flow rate so that the steam flow rate is set up based on the user control means, irrespective of the handle position, while the user control means is in the first state and based on at least the handle position while the user control means is in the second state.

EFFECT: design enables reduction of steam flow rate whenever required, being thus of energy-saving type.

10 cl, 6 dwg

The technical field to which the invention relates

The present invention relates to steam irons, and more specifically, to the management functions of steaming such irons.

The background to the invention

Household steam iron has the ability to generate steam and then issue the steam from the exhaust holes in the soles of iron. The steam that is applied directly to smooths out clothes, helps reduce stress for smoothing and to improve the result of Ironing.

Modern steam irons can be equipped with a means of controlling consumption of steam, for example, in the form of a rotary knob or slider under on the case of iron. If for effective smoothing slightly rumpled clothes (or bits) can be quite installation of low steam consumption, to facilitate the removal of heavy wrinkles can be set to high consumption of steam. Management tool allows the user at any time you choose to install steam flow, which is necessary for (scrap) service at hand. However, practice shows that some, if not most users don't bother to adjust the consumption of steam, when they started the process of Ironing. Therefore, if you originally selected the maximum steam flow rate, the iron can be installed on the production of large amounts of steam than necessary to achieve the right result of Ironing. In addition, many users tend to leave iron horizontally between different movements with Ironing, for example, during the change or change the location of the service, which leads to continued maximum evaporation during a break in work.

In an attempt to drastically reduce energy losses that are associated with such use steam iron, it was proposed to supply iron intuitively driven knob that controls the flow of steam. As an example, see this iron in FR602293. Work intuitive pen can be based on a downward the effort that is made by hand, when he conducts iron clothes. Usually the user intuitively apply to handle more downward pressure when the degree of izmantoti in clothes increases. Thus, the applied force could be taken as the measure required of vaporization. If the effort is not put, for example, when iron decided to stand for iron, evaporation and/or the release of the pair may be terminated.

Although intuitive pen, apparently, provides a solution to the problem of the loss of energy due to useless evaporation, research is showing that the range of the efforts applied by the user to handle during Ironing, changes depending on the person. This means, among other things, that the minimum effort that is made during the Ironing process depends on the person. In addition, individual users do not show stable performance for the application efforts in different periods of Ironing. Because intuitive pen has a minimum threshold of effort which must be exceeded in order to bring it into action, users iron with this handle can not, or not always, automatically be attached to the handle enough pressure for release steam. In addition, even though the handle and may not be satisfactory, it may be impossible to bring the handle of the action or to switch it, and set the desired steam consumption in another way.

Brief the essence of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to create steam iron, which eliminates or reduces one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

With this purpose created steam iron, which includes a pen, made with the possibility of moving between the first position of the handle and the second position of the handle and provides a mechanism offset to offset the pens in the first position of the handle. Steam iron also includes user management tool, made with the possibility of regulation between the first state and the second condition, and site management steam consumption, functionally connected with pen and user management tool and executed with the ability to control the consumption of steam steam iron. The management node steam consumption are made so that the steam flow rate is set based on user controls, regardless of the position of the handle when the user management tool is the first state; and so that the steam consumption is established on the basis of, at least, the provisions of the handle when the user management tool is in the second state.

Steam iron in accordance with the present invention provides a dual control steam consumption on the basis of synergetic compounds above two controls: custom controls that allows the user to consciously set the desired steam consumption, and user-driven handles, which can, under certain conditions, to provide site management steam consumption corrective energy saving input signal. Preferably, user management tool allows the user to easily intuitive pen of action if it does not function satisfactorily, for example, with Ironing only slightly Ismatova linen, or if its action is not required, for example, when steam is generally not required. Depending on the required function, the first state custom controls can contain two or more selected provisions custom controls, each of which may be associated with its own steam consumption. The more of the provisions of custom controls in the first state, the more the user has the choice for a single-select the desired steam consumption, regardless of the position of the handle.

In a preferred embodiment, the management node steam consumption are made so that the steam flow rate, which is set when a user management tool is in its ground state, is less than the consumption of steam, which is set when a user management tool is in his second state.

In other words, the first state custom controls matches one or more of the relatively low costs of steam, and the second state custom controls corresponds to one or more secondary or high costs of steam. Because the user management tool is driven consciously, you can define whether you want it low or high consumption of steam. If you choose low steam consumption, the consumption of iron is a medium-sized, and there is little need for corrective energy saving input signal from an intuitive pen. Moreover, the choice of low steam consumption means that you are Ironing only slightly crumpled clothes, so the effort that intuitively applied to the pen, it may be very small, in order to bring it into effect whatever. However, when there is the need in energy-saving action, i.e. if you choose medium or high consumption of steam, site management steam consumption will automatically provide the input signal from the intuitive handle when installing steam consumption. As informed choice of high steam consumption means that you are Ironing more strongly crumpled service, the force applied to the intuitive handle, is usually sufficient to put it in action.

The device may be such that the user management tool mainly involved in the selection of the desired source steam consumption. If the steam flow rate, established by custom controls, exceeds some threshold, resulting in the user management tool goes into its second state, the original steam consumption can be fixed at the threshold level, and intuitive pen can be powered to provide an additional amount of steam depending on the efforts made to it. In this case, release the handle will guarantee a return to the original steam consumption to save energy.

These and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more clear from the following detailed description of some embodiments of the invention, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are intended for illustration, but not limitation of the invention.

It should be noted that the U.S. patent 2418511 reveals electric steam iron with a handle that is connected to the valve device to control the release of steam from a steam iron. When the handle make every effort to move iron in a given direction, the handle will also be moving relative to the body in this area and to operate the valve. Thanks to the construction of the iron in accordance with US 2418511 pairs will come out from different parts of the soles, when iron move depending on moving the handle. US 2418511 reveals the control button provided on the top side of the handle, to regulate the amount of water supplied through the valve in the steam generator, and thus control the flow of steam. The amount of steam produced from the sole in accordance with US 2418511, depends on the position of the handle for any steam consumption when the handle position enables or disables the vaporization for any selected steam consumption.

Brief description of drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the side approximate steam iron in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the side of the control point steam flow rate, shown in figure 1;

Steam iron 1 contains case 2, which is equipped with easy driven handle 4. Handle 4 made with the possibility of rotation between the first, high position and second, low position around the hinge 6, which connects the handle 4 case 2. Figure 1 handle 4 are articulated around her front end, though other variants of implementation it can be articulated in other points, for example in the middle or in its rear end. Thanks to the action of the mechanism 8 offset handle 4 is in his first position, if it is not applied external, downward force. An offset mechanism, for example, can be integrated into the hinge 6 in the form of spring hinge as shown in figure 1. Alternatively, it can be provided in 38 axis of rotation of the arm 34 (which will be discussed below), which is connected to the handle. Handle 4 functionally connected to node 30 control the flow of steam. Site 30 management steam consumption includes 32 valve, which is located in the water channel 10, which leads from replenishable capacity 12 water to the outlets 14 in a heated sole 16 iron. When the 32 valve is in the open position, the water can move from capacity 12, 32 valve, heated steam camera 18. In the steam chamber 18 water turns from its liquid state in pairs, and then she comes through outlet 14 in sole 16 iron. Accordingly, when the 32 valve is in the closed position, the water is not moving from the water tanks in the steam chamber 28, and steam is not formed or is not available.

Although figure 1 shows steam iron with 1 built-in capacity 12 for water, i.e. a water tank, the built in case 2, which is made with the possibility of deliberate move by the user during Ironing, notes that in another embodiment, steam iron water tank can be located outside the enclosure 2 in the stationary case. This location is usually found in the so-called systemic iron, which, as a rule, has a relatively high capacity for water and steam chamber, under pressure, located in front to flow from the valve 32, driven by the arm. Unlike implementation, shown in figure 1, in which 32 valve controls the movement of liquid water, the valve in such systems, steam irons controls the movement of steam. This leads to the fact that the warming of the water in the first variant of the implementation is going on behind the flow from 32 valve, steam chamber 18 near the sole 16 iron 1, whereas in the latter case the implementation of the heating provided in the above-mentioned external steam chamber under pressure.

Next, we will discuss the design and operation of the unit 30 control the flow of steam. First is the design of the site 30 management steam consumption with reference to figure 2. Then described his work with reference to figure 3-6.

Citing figure 2, approximate site 20 management steam consumption contains support structure 31, connected with the possibility of moving steam axis 58, switch 42 and lever 34. The lower end steam axis 58 combined with the above 32 valve. Mentioned that the bottom is usually passes through the hole 33 valve (see figure 1) and goes on a cone. When steam 58 axis is in its lowest position, the lower end of may completely cover the hole 33 valve. And when steam axis 58 raise, hole 33 valve is gradually released, because the sharp end of the 32 departs from him. It provides for increasing the flow of water from the tank 12 for water in the steam chamber 18. The upper end steam 58 axis formed by means of the bracket 56 steam axis, which is executed with the possibility of moving moving in predominantly vertical direction within the supporting structure 31. Bracket 56 steam axis spring-loaded spring 60, which is pressing bracket 56 steam axis and, therefore, steam axis 58 in General, up. The highest position, which can take bracket 56 steam axis at any time, limited to one switch 42 and arm 34.

The switch contains 42 selector 44 axis, the guide slot 46 and spring-loaded switch item 48. Selector 44 axis can be functionally connected with user management tool, which is performed with access from the external side of the building 2 steam iron 1. Mentioned user management tool can be performed in any suitable form, for example, in the form of rotary head drive, sliders and other Alternatively, when the selector axis 44 itself accordingly made and posted, selector 44 axis can be connected with a user management tool. Selector 44 axis made with the possibility of moving moving within the guide slots 46 that provided support structure 31. Guide crack 46 is located under a corner up as best seen in figure 3. Switching component 48 also made with the possibility of moving moving within the supporting structures 31, mainly in the vertical direction. It should be noted that this direction has a component which is perpendicular to the direction in which guide the crack 46. Switching component 48 spring-loaded spring 54 and serves, among other things, to determine the number of selected provisions of the selector axis, each associated with its own steam consumption. For this purpose, the upper surface of the switching element contains 48 teeth 50, between any two of which can be partially located selector 44 axis. The spring action of the spring 54 pressed switching component 48 up, fixing the selector 44 axis in place between the selected pair of teeth 50 and the top edge of the guide slots 46. The position of the selector 44 axis defines the vertical position of the switching element 48. Depending on its vertical position, the console 49 switching element 48 may come in contact with the upper end of the spring bracket 56 steam axis, limiting it to move up. Such limiting contact usually appears only when the selector 44 axis occupies one of the more left-wing positions selector axis, which correspond to the relatively low vertical position of the switching element 48. When moving up spring bracket 56 steam axis is not limited to the console 49 switching element 48, it may be limited by contact with lever 34.

The lever 34 contains affecting the end of 36 arm, load the late 40 lever and 38 axis of the rotating arm. Affecting the end of 36 arm functionally connected with intuitive handle 4, either directly or through an optional arm mechanism. The connection is that the move down the handle toward it to the second, bottom position corresponds to the rotation arm around 34 38 axis of rotation clockwise. You must understand that the rotation of the arm 34 clockwise envisages lifting the load end of the 40 lever. When the handle 4 make every effort down mechanism 8 offset will be turning knob 4 in its first high position so that the lever 34 rotates in a counterclockwise direction, and load the end of the 40 lever is lowered. Rotate the lever 34 counterclockwise can be stopped when the knob reaches 4 your first position, or when affecting an end to 36 arm comes in contact with stop 62 provided for in the support structure 31. Load the end of the 40 lever can interact with bracket 56 steam axis at limiter 57, indicated on it. However, contact with limiter 57 will not stop the movement of the lever counterclockwise, because the mechanism 8 offsets are designed to overcome the spring spring force 60.

As regards terminology, it should be noted that the selector axis 44, which create a situation in which the displacement of up bracket 56 steam axis limited switching element 48, and not load the end of 36 lever in its lower position, can characterize the first state custom controls. On the other hand, any position selector axis 44, which creates a situation in which the load end of the 36 lever in its lower position limits moving up the bracket 56 steam axis corresponds to the user management tool in his second state.

Figure 3-6 illustrate the work site 30 management steam flow rate, shown in figure 2. Figure 3 and 5 show host 30 management steam consumption with lever 34 in its original position, and figure 4 and 6 shows the node is 30 with lever 34 in the rotated position that corresponds pressed down intuitive handle 4.

Departing from the situation shown in figure 3 and 4, the steam consumption of iron may be increased by moving the selector 44 axis inclined, a forward direction up the guide slots 46. Selector 44 axis can consistently be fixed in place between different teeth 50 switching element 48 that calls simultaneously move up a spring-loaded switch item 48. Moving up the switching element 48, and in particular its console, 49, also allows you to spring up steam axis 58. Since raising steam axis 58 raises its sharp end of the 32 out of the hole 33 valve, straight move up the selector 44 axis leads to increased valve opening and, hence, to increased consumption of steam iron 1.

At some point in time moving the selector 44 axis will create a situation in which the bracket 56 steam axis comes in contact with load late 40 lever at the limiter 57 and loses contact with the console 49 in its upper end. From this point move up steam axis 58 are not limited switching element 48, and limited lever 34. Therefore, this is the position intuitive handles 4, functionally connected with lever 34, which determines whether a further increase in demand or not. This situation, which is shown in figure 5 and 6, corresponds to the user management tool in his second state.

Site 30 management steam flow rate, shown in figure 1-3, is completely mechanical, i.e. does not contain any elements with electric control. Although alternative approaches to implementation can be used (partially) electrical control unit steam consumption, it is generally preferable mechanical performance, as it is more economical from the point of view of cost of manufacture.

As an example, will be briefly described several options for the implementation of the management node steam consumption. In one embodiment, the management node steam consumption can contain electric pump, by which you can adjust the speed of movement of water in a water channel 10 (see figure 1). The advantage of the electric pump is that it provides configuration, in which the movement of water from the tank 12 water outlet 14 in sole 16 iron is not determined by gravity. In addition, the pump can provide a much higher costs pair compared to the costs of steam produced by using only mechanical control point steam consumption. Compared to mechanical variants of implementation described above, the electric pump can effectively replace the valve 32. Otherwise described site 30 management steam consumption can be used without modification, if the pump performance can be mechanically controlled, meaning that steam axis 58 now regulates the installation of performance electric pump, and not the position of the valve.

Alternatively, setting the performance of the electric pump can be electrically controlled, for example by some electrical signal with variable voltage or frequency. In this case, the node management steam consumption may contain electronic control unit, for example, a processor. In addition, user management tool can be an electronic control device, for example, electronic switch, and the handle 4 may contain displacement transducer or sensor efforts to register move or force applied to the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic control unit can be made with the possibility of reprogramming by the user, so the user can, for example, to accurately establish the costs pair associated with the various provisions of custom controls. It is noted that an electronic pump, as the capacity of 12 water does not need to be built into the housing 2 of iron, and can be located beyond.

Although described approximate embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings, you must understand that the invention is not limited to these options for implementation. In the practical implementation of the claimed invention changes in the described variants of implementation can be devised and implemented by the specialists in the art on the basis of studying the drawings, descriptions and accompanying of the claims. Available in the description of the reference to "one version of the exercise or an implementation option" means that the trait, design or feature described in connection with the option exercise, provided in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Respectively, met in different places of this specification, the expressions "in one embodiment, or in the variant of implementation do not all belong to the same option implementation. In addition, it is noted that the specific signs, designs or specifications can be connected in any suitable way, in one or more variants of implementation.

1. Steam iron (1)containing: the handle (4), made with the possibility of moving between the first position of the handle and the second position, and there is a mechanism (8) offset to offset the pens in the first position; the user agent (44) management, made with the possibility of regulation between the first state and the second condition; and the host (30) control the consumption of steam, functionally connected with pen and user management tool and made with the possibility of installation of steam consumption steam iron so that the steam consumption is installed on the basis of custom controls, regardless of the position of the handle when the user management tool is the first state; and so that the flow is established on the basis of, at least, the provisions of the handle when the user management tool is in the second state.

2. Steam iron according to claim 1 in which the node (30) control steam consumption are made so that the steam flow rate, which is set when a user management tool is in its ground state, is less than the consumption of steam, which is set when a user management tool is in his second state.

3. Steam iron according to claim 1 or 2, in which at least one of the first and second state custom controls includes at least two selected provisions custom controls, each associated with its own steam consumption.

4. Steam iron according to claim 1 or 2, in which the node (30) flow control pair contains only mechanical elements.

5. Steam iron according to claim 1 in which the node (30) flow control pair contains: the adjusting item (34), made with the possibility of moving between the first position adjustment element and the second position of the adjustment item, and functionally connected with the handle (4), a position which determines the position of the adjusting item; the switching element (48), made with the possibility of moving between the first position of the switching element and the second position of the switching element, and functionally connected with user management tool, which determines the position of the switching element; spring-loaded steam axis (56, 58), made with the possibility of moving between the first position steam axis and the second position steam axis steam axis shifted toward the second position steam axis, and the first position steam axis is associated with a lower steam consumption than the second position steam axis; and moving steam axis (56, 58) in direction to the second position steam axis limited switching element (42), when the user management tool is in his first state; and moving steam axis (56, 58) in direction to the second position steam axis is limited, at least, by the adjusting item when the user management tool is in its the second state.

6. Steam iron indicated in paragraph 5, in which the adjustment item is a lever (34), made with the possibility of rotation around the axis (38) rotation and containing affecting the end (36) of the lever and load the end (40) of the lever, and affecting the end of the lever is functionally connected with the handle (4), and the load end (40) of the lever is made with the possibility of entering into contact with steam axis (56, 58), to restrict the movement towards the second position steam axis.

7. Steam iron on item 5 or 6, in which steam axis (56, 58), at least partially, combined with, or functionally connected with, valve (32), which determines the speed of movement of water from the tank (12) for the water to at least one of the outlet (14) in a sole steam iron (1).

8. Steam iron according to claim 1 or 2, in which the node management steam consumption contains an electric pump, the performance of which determines the consumption of steam steam iron.

9. Steam iron on item 8, in which the management node steam consumption contains: the electronic control unit, made with the possibility of installation performance electric pump and functionally connected with user management tool; and force sensor or moving through which the electronic control unit is functionally connected with the handle (4).

10. Steam iron on any one of claims 1, 2, 5 and 6, in which the handle (4) locked in place when the user management tool is in the first state.