Steam engine

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a steam engine having a path through which water in a tank can be sucked out without reducing the internal volume of the tank. The solution is that the steam engine (1) is provided with a tank (11) capable of storing water, the tank (11) is provided with a tank base (32), the tank base (32) is provided with a water supply path (71), and the water supply path (71) is provided with a plurality of inlets (71i) communicated with the inside of the tank (11) and an outlet (71o) communicated with a vaporizing chamber (13) of a steam spraying part (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a steam engine. Background Art

[0002] A known steam engine includes: a tank that stores a liquid therein; a vaporization chamber that can be supplied with the liquid from the tank; a heater that heats the vaporization chamber and vaporizes the liquid to generate steam; and a base plate that has steam holes through which the steam generated in the vaporization chamber is ejected.

[0003] Prior Art Documents:

[0004] Patent Documents:

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-2141 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention:

[0007] A conventional steam engine includes a suction pipe disposed inside the tank and a pump connected to the suction pipe and sucking the liquid in the tank. Regardless of the posture in which the steam engine is used, the suction pipe can send out the liquid from the inside of the tank when the electromagnetic pump operates.

[0008] However, the suction pipe disposed inside the tank reduces the internal volume of the tank.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a steam engine that does not reduce the internal volume of the tank and has a path capable of sucking out the water in the tank.

[0010] Means for Solving the Problems:

[0011] To solve the above problems, a steam engine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a tank that can store water; a heat source that can generate heat; and a steam ejection unit that has a vaporization chamber that vaporizes the water supplied from the tank into steam by the heat generated by the heat source and an ejection hole that ejects the steam generated in the vaporization chamber, the tank having a bottom plate portion closest to the steam ejection unit, the bottom plate portion having a water supply path that has at least one inlet communicating with the inside of the tank and an outlet communicating with the vaporization chamber of the steam ejection unit.

[0012] Advantages of the Invention:

[0013] According to the embodiment, in the steam engine, there is a path capable of sucking out the water in the tank without reducing the internal volume of the tank. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a steam engine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 It is the front view of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 It is the top view of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 It is the right side view of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 It is the cross-sectional view of the first example of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 It is the cross-sectional view of the second example of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 7 It is the cross-sectional view showing the configuration relationship between the tank and the pump of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 8 It is the perspective view of the tank base of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 9 It is the exploded perspective view of the tank base of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 10 It is the top view of the tank base of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 11 It is the cross-sectional view of the tank base of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 12 It is the top view of the gasification chamber partition body and the heater of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 13 It is the perspective view of the base plate of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 14 It is the top view of the base plate of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 15 It is the bottom view of the base plate of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 16 It is the cross-sectional view of the base plate of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 17It is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of the base plate of the steam engine according to this embodiment.

[0031] Figure 18 It is a block diagram of the steam engine according to this embodiment.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0033] 1... Steam engine, 1a... Ironing surface, 1b... Pit, 2... Power cord, 3... Main body cover, 3t... Top, 5... Holding part, 5f... Front upright part, 5r... Rear upright part, 5c... Grip part, 11... Tank, 12... Heater, 12s... Straight part, 12c... Bending part, 13... Vaporization chamber, 15... Ejection hole, 16... Steam ejection part, 16t... Top, 21... Heat setting button, 22... Steam volume setting button, 25... Temperature display part, 26... Liquid filling port cover, 27... Liquid filling port, 31... Tank cover, 32... Tank base, 35... Base plate, 35a... Central part, 35b... Outer edge part, 36... Fastening member, 37... Vaporization chamber partition body, 37a... Concave part, 38... Fastening member, 39... Vaporization chamber cover body, 41... Liquid introduction port, 42... Steam diffusion chamber, 43... Connection hole, 51... Pump, 52... DC motor, 53... Overheating prevention device, 55... Circuit board, 56... Temperature detection part, 57... Steam ejection part cover, 58... Water supply path, 61... High-temperature part storage chamber, 62... Low-temperature part storage chamber, 63... Seal, 65... Side wall part, 66... Water level window, 66a... First part, 66b... Second part, 66c... Bending part, 67... False window, 71... Water supply path, 71i... Inlet, 71o... Outlet, 72... Outermost layer plate, 73... Innermost layer plate, 75... Joint part, 81... Shut-off valve, 82... Valve body, 83... Valve seat, 83a... Seat surface, 85... Valve box, 86... Water supply hole, 91... Longitudinal hole, 92... Mounting plate, 95... Wall part, 96... Flange part, 97... Folded-back part, 101, 102... Switches, 103... Notification part, 105... Power generation circuit part, 106... Control circuit part, 111... Storage battery, 112... Power supply circuit, 115, 116... Diodes, 121... Control part, 122... Switch element, 125... Relay circuit, 126... Switch circuit, 127... Display circuit, 128... Zero-crossing circuit, 129... Notification circuit. Detailed implementation manners

[0034] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 1 to 18 the steam engine related to the present invention will be described. In addition, in multiple drawings, the same reference numerals are added to the same or corresponding components.

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 is a front view of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 is a top view of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 is a right side view of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 5 is a first example of a cross-sectional view of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a second example of a cross-sectional view of the steam engine related to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on a plane that bisects the steam engine into left and right halves.

[0040] As Figures 1 to 6 shown, the steam engine 1 related to the present embodiment heats a liquid to evaporate it and ejects steam to the outside. The liquid particularly refers to water.

[0041] The steam engine 1 is a device for removing wrinkles from clothes, and is a device suitable for ejecting the ejected steam to the clothes from a separated position. The steam engine 1 can be used in the same way as a steam iron that is suitable for pressing the ironing surface 1a against the clothes for ironing and causing the ejected steam to contact the clothes, and can include a device called a "steam iron".

[0042] In addition, the steam engine 1 may also be provided with a mounting table for use in a state of being placed on the ground. The mounting table has a suitable shape that can easily place or stand up the steam engine 1.

[0043] The steam engine 1 is provided with a power cord 2 that can be connected to a socket of a commercial AC power supply E. The steam engine 1 operates by AC power supplied from the commercial AC power supply E. Although the steam engine 1 related to the present embodiment is provided with a power cord 2 that can be connected to a socket of the commercial AC power supply E, it may also be a cordless type equipped with a secondary battery as a power source, for example, it may also be a type that can switch between a corded type and a cordless type as described in Japanese Patent No. 7019079.

[0044] In addition, the steam iron 1 includes: a main body cover 3 as an outer shell, a grip portion 5 integrated with the main body cover 3, a tank 11 as a liquid source capable of storing liquid, a heater 12 as a heat source capable of generating heat, and a steam ejection portion 16. The steam ejection portion 16 has a vaporization chamber 13 that vaporizes the liquid supplied from the tank 11 into steam by the heat generated by the heater 12, and a plurality of ejection holes 15 that eject the steam generated in the vaporization chamber 13.

[0045] The main body cover 3 and the grip portion 5 are molded products of resins such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), and ABS resin. The main body cover 3 and the grip portion 5 may be integrally molded or an assembled product formed by assembling or joining a plurality of components.

[0046] The main body cover 3 stores various components including the tank 11 in a manner that covers the steam ejection portion 16. The main body cover 3 has a top portion 3t with a rounded corner at the position farthest from the steam ejection portion 16. In addition, the portion with the main body cover 3 as the outer shell is referred to as the main body portion of the steam iron 1. The main body cover 3 corresponds to the housing of the main body portion.

[0047] The grip portion 5 faces the top portion 3t of the main body cover 3 with a space therebetween. In a side view of the steam iron 1, the grip portion 5 extends in an inverted U shape. The grip portion 5 has a pair of upright portions 5f, 5r that stand up at two places on the front side and the rear side of the top portion of the main body cover 3, and a rod-shaped grip portion 5c spanned between the pair of upright portions 5f, 5r. In a side view of the steam iron 1, the space between the grip portion 5 and the main body cover 3 is enclosed in an O shape. The user inserts a finger into the O-shaped space between the grip portion 5 and the main body cover 3 and holds the grip portion 5c with a hand to use the steam iron 1.

[0048] The steam iron 1 has a shape that is long in the front-rear direction along the Figure 5 and Figure 6 section and parallel to the ironing surface 1a and short in the left-right direction orthogonal to the Figure 5 and Figure 6 section. In other words, the steam iron 1 has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction in a top view. For the sake of convenience in description, the front-rear direction of the steam iron 1 is referred to as the long side direction, and the left-right direction of the steam iron 1 is referred to as the short side direction. In addition, the direction away from the ironing surface 1a is referred to as the height direction. The rod-shaped grip portion 5c extends in the long side direction of the steam iron 1. The main body cover 3, like the entire steam iron 1, has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction in a top view. The ironing surface 1a, like the main body cover 3, has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction in a top view.

[0049] The grip portion 5 includes: a heat setting button 21 that accepts the on / off operation of the power supply of the heater 12 and the switching operation of multiple set temperatures of the steam ejection portion 16; a steam amount setting button 22 that accepts the switching operation of the set flow rate of the steam ejected from the ejection hole 15; and a temperature display portion 25 that displays the operation state of the steam engine 1 or the temperature range of the steam ejection portion 16.

[0050] The heat setting button 21 is preferably arranged so that it can be easily operated by a finger of the hand holding the grip portion 5c, such as the thumb. For example, the heat setting button 21 is preferably arranged at the front end portion of the grip portion 5c, the rear end portion of the front upright portion 5f, or the boundary portion between the grip portion 5c and the front upright portion 5f.

[0051] The steam amount setting button 22 is preferably arranged so that it can be easily operated by a finger of the hand holding the grip portion 5c, such as the index finger. For example, the steam amount setting button 22 is preferably arranged at the front end portion of the grip portion 5c and protrudes into the space separating the grip portion 5 from the main body cover 3.

[0052] The temperature display portion 25 is arranged near the top of the front upright portion 5f. The temperature display portion 25 has a plurality of, for example, 3 light sources arranged in the width direction of the steam engine 1. The light sources are, for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs). The temperature display portion 25 combines the lighting, flashing, and extinguishing of the plurality of light sources to display the operation state of the steam engine 1.

[0053] In addition, the grip portion 5 includes a liquid injection port cover 26 that is provided on the front surface of the steam engine 1 and on the front upright portion 5f and can be opened and closed. The liquid injection port cover 26 functions as a plug that closes the liquid injection port 27 connected to the tank 11 and also functions as a cover that covers the liquid injection port 27. The liquid injection port cover 26 can be opened by pulling it toward the front surface of the steam engine 1. If the liquid injection port cover 26 is opened, the liquid injection port 27 is exposed, and liquid can be injected into the tank 11 through the exposed liquid injection port 27, or useless liquid in the tank 11 can be discarded.

[0054] The tank 11 extends from the front upright portion 5f of the handle portion 16 to directly below the O-shaped space that separates the grip portion 5 from the main body cover 3. That is, in a side view of the steam engine 1, the tank 11 has an L-shaped shape. The tank 11 includes: a tank cover 31 having an opening, and a tank base 32 that closes the opening of the tank cover 31. The tank cover 31 and the tank base 32 are made of resin. The tank cover 31 and the tank base 32 are joined, for example, by ultrasonic welding. The tank 11 is arranged such that the tank base 32 is closest to the steam ejection portion 16, and the tank cover 31 is farther from the steam ejection portion 16 than the tank base 32. The tank 11 has transparency. The tank cover 31 and the tank base 32 are made of transparent resin. For the sake of convenience in explanation, the tank base 32 closest to the steam ejection portion 16 is regarded as the bottom plate portion of the tank 11.

[0055] The heater 12 is buried in the steam ejection part 16. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the ironing surface 1a, the heater 12 has a shape surrounding the vicinity of the vaporization chamber 13, such as a U shape. The heater 12 is, for example, a flexible sheath heater.

[0056] The steam ejection part 16 has an ironing surface 1a and a top 16t that is farthest from the ironing surface 1a. The steam ejection part 16 includes: a base plate 35 having the ironing surface 1a, a vaporization chamber dividing body 37 fixed to the base plate 35 by a fastening member 36, and a vaporization chamber lid body 39 fixed to the vaporization chamber dividing body 37 by a fastening member 38.

[0057] The base plate 35, the vaporization chamber dividing body 37, and the vaporization chamber lid body 39 are made of metal, such as aluminum alloy. The base plate 35, the vaporization chamber dividing body 37, and the vaporization chamber lid body 39 are die-cast products. That is, the steam ejection part 16 is an assembly of aluminum die-cast parts. The vaporization chamber lid body 39 can also be a molded product of a resin that is tolerant to high temperatures. The base plate 35 and the vaporization chamber dividing body 37 can also be integrally formed.

[0058] The vaporization chamber dividing body 37 and the base plate 35 sandwich and hold the heater 12. The heater 12 and the vaporization chamber dividing body 37 that are pre-accommodated in a mold can also be cast simultaneously to be integrally formed. The heater 12, the vaporization chamber dividing body 37, and the base plate 35 that are pre-accommodated in a mold can also be cast simultaneously to be integrally formed.

[0059] The base plate 35 has a plurality of ejection holes 15 that open on the ironing surface 1a. The ejection holes 15 penetrate through the front and back of the base plate 35 (the surface corresponding to the ironing surface 1a and the back of the ironing surface 1a).

[0060] The vaporization chamber dividing body 37 has a recess 37a that is closed by the vaporization chamber lid body 39. The space divided by the recess 37a and the vaporization chamber lid body 39 is the vaporization chamber 13. The vaporization chamber dividing body 37 is in close contact with the base plate 35. The gap between the vaporization chamber dividing body 37 and the base plate 35 is sealed airtightly with a silicone sealant that is tolerant to the heat of the heater 12.

[0061] The vaporization chamber lid body 39 closes the recess 37a of the vaporization chamber dividing body 37 to divide the vaporization chamber 13. The vaporization chamber lid body 39 has a liquid inlet 41 for introducing a liquid for generating steam into the vaporization chamber 13. The gap between the vaporization chamber dividing body 37 and the vaporization chamber lid body 39 is sealed airtightly with a silicone sealant that is tolerant to the heat of the heater 12.

[0062] The vaporization chamber 13 is partitioned by a recess 37a provided in the vaporization chamber partition body 37 and a vaporization chamber lid body 39 that closes the recess 37a of the vaporization chamber partition body 37. The vaporization chamber 13 is surrounded by a heater 12 extending in a U shape.

[0063] The vaporization chamber 13 is connected to a plurality of ejection holes 15 via a steam diffusion chamber 42 partitioned between the vaporization chamber partition body 37 and the base plate 35. The vaporization chamber partition body 37 has a connection hole 43 for ejecting steam from the vaporization chamber 13 to the steam diffusion chamber 42. The vaporization chamber partition body 37 distributes the steam flowing in from a single connection hole 43 to the plurality of ejection holes 15. The silicone sealant that fills the gap between the vaporization chamber partition body 37 and the base plate 35 also functions as a seal for achieving the airtightness of the steam diffusion chamber 42. In the case where the base plate 35 and the vaporization chamber partition body 37 are integrally molded products, the vaporization chamber 13 and the plurality of ejection holes 15 can also be directly connected.

[0064] In addition, the steam engine 1 includes: a pump 51 that transports a liquid from the tank 11 to the vaporization chamber 13, a cylindrical DC motor 52 that operates the pump 51, an overheating prevention device 53 provided in the steam ejection portion 16, a circuit board 55 housed in the grip portion 5, a temperature detection portion 56 provided in the steam ejection portion 16 and detecting the temperature of the vaporization chamber 13, a steam ejection portion cover 57 that separates the tank 11 and the steam ejection portion 16, and a water supply path 58 that transports the liquid ejected by the pump 51 to the steam ejection portion 16.

[0065] The pump 51, the DC motor 52, the tank 11, and the steam ejection portion cover 57 are housed in the main body cover 3.

[0066] The pump 51 can change the flow rate of the liquid transported from the tank 11 to the vaporization chamber 13. The pump 51 can be a positive displacement pump, and can be either a reciprocating pump or a rotary pump.

[0067] In addition, the pump 51 and the DC motor 52 are sometimes collectively referred to as an electromagnetic pump. The steam engine 1 equipped with the electromagnetic pump can send the liquid in the tank 11 into the vaporization chamber 13 against the internal pressure of the vaporization chamber 13 when the internal pressure of the vaporization chamber 13 where steam is generated rises, or when the steam engine 1 is used in any posture.

[0068] The overheating prevention device 53 has a switch that stops power supply to the heater 12 when the steam ejection part 16 reaches abnormal overheating. The overheating prevention device 53 is preferably arranged near the heater 12 so as to be able to detect the abnormal overheating of the steam ejection part 16. It is known that the temperature rises fastest near the bent part 12c of the heater 12. Thus, the overheating prevention device 53 is arranged on the steam ejection part 16 so as to cover at least a part of the bent part 12c of the heater 12. Therefore, the overheating prevention device 53 immediately detects the situation where the steam ejection part 16 becomes in an overheated state near the bent part 12c of the heater 12 where the temperature rises fastest, and stops power supply to the heater 12 to ensure safety.

[0069] In addition, the overheating prevention device 53 is closer to the ironing surface 1a than the top 16t of the steam ejection part 16. Therefore, the overheating prevention device 53 immediately detects the situation where the steam ejection part 16 becomes in an overheated state closer to the bent part 12c of the heater 12 where the temperature rises fastest, and stops power supply to the heater 12 as soon as possible, thereby ensuring higher safety. In addition, by making the overheating prevention device 53 closer to the ironing surface 1a than the top 16t of the steam ejection part 16, the height of the steam ejection part cover 57 (the shortest distance from the ironing surface 1a) can be suppressed, and further the overall height of the steam engine 1 can be reduced, thereby realizing miniaturization of the steam engine 1.

[0070] The circuit board 55 is a circuit board formed by mounting electronic components on a printed circuit board, and is sometimes referred to as a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA). The circuit board 55 extends across substantially the entire length of the grip part 5 in the extending direction of the rod-shaped grip part 5c.

[0071] The temperature detection part 56 functions as a sensor for detecting the operating state of the steam engine 1. The temperature detection part 56 is fixed to the steam ejection part 16.

[0072] The steam ejection part cover 57 houses the vaporization chamber dividing body 37, the vaporization chamber cover body 39, and the overheating prevention device 53 in a manner of covering the base plate 35. The steam ejection part cover 57 divides the space inside the main body cover 3 into a high-temperature part storage chamber 61 where the steam ejection part 16 is arranged and a low-temperature part storage chamber 62 where the tank 11 is arranged. The steam ejection part cover 57 functions as a heat insulation wall for shielding the heat transferred from the high-temperature steam ejection part 16 to the low-temperature part storage chamber 62. The surface of the steam ejection part cover 57 on the side of the low-temperature part storage chamber 62 faces the tank base 32 which is the bottom plate part of the tank 11. The high-temperature part storage chamber 61 is hermetically sealed by a seal 63 sandwiched between the steam ejection part cover 57 and the base plate 35.

[0073] InFigure 5 and Figure 6 In the state where the ironing surface 1a of the steam engine 1 is made horizontal as shown in Figure 6 , the low-temperature part storage chamber 62 for the storage tank 11, the pump 51, and the DC motor 52 is arranged above the steam ejection part cover 57, and the grip part 5 for storing the circuit board 55 is arranged above the low-temperature part storage chamber 62. In other words, the low-temperature part storage chamber 62 for the storage tank 11, the pump 51, and the DC motor 52 is closer to the steam ejection part 16 than the grip part 5 for storing the circuit board 55.

[0074] The high-temperature part storage chamber 61 stores the steam ejection part 16 having the vaporization chamber 13 and the heater 12. In order to send a liquid into the vaporization chamber 13 heated by the heater 12 and vaporize it, the temperature of the steam ejection part 16 is extremely high compared to other parts of the steam engine 1. Therefore, the indoor temperature of the high-temperature part storage chamber 61 is higher than the indoor temperature of the low-temperature part storage chamber 62. Then, the steam ejection part cover 57 covering the high-temperature part storage chamber 61 shields the heat emitted by the steam ejection part 16, preventing the temperature rise of components such as the pump 51, the DC motor 52, and the components mounted on the circuit board 55.

[0075] The low-temperature part storage chamber 62 stores the storage tank 11 at the position closest to the steam ejection part cover 57 covering the high-temperature part storage chamber 61. The tank 11 has a tank base 32 as the bottom plate part closest to the steam ejection part 16. In addition, the low-temperature part storage chamber 62 stores the pump 51 and the DC motor 52 at a position farther from the tank 11 when viewed from the steam ejection part cover 57. Furthermore, at a position farther from the tank 11 when viewed from the steam ejection part cover 57, there is an O-shaped space that separates the grip part 5 from the main body cover 3. The low-temperature part storage chamber 62 stores the circuit board 55 at a position farther from the O-shaped space that separates the grip part 5 from the main body cover 3 when viewed from the steam ejection part cover 57.

[0076] That is to say, the heat emitted by the steam ejection part 16 is shielded by the liquid stored in the tank 11 for the pump 51 and the DC motor 52, and the heat emitted by the steam ejection part 16 is shielded by both the liquid and the air existing in the space that separates the grip part 5 from the main body cover 3 for the circuit board 55.

[0077] Sometimes, the upper limit of the general operating environment temperature of the diaphragm pump 51 and the DC motor 52 with water as the object is set. By shielding the heat emitted by the steam ejection part 16 with the liquid stored in the tank 11, the upper limit of the operating environment temperature of such a pump 51 and a DC motor 52 can be guaranteed.

[0078] When the pump 51 is observed in the short side direction of the steam iron 1, that is, in the short side direction of the ironing surface 1a, it overlaps with the tank 11. That is to say, the pump 51 is configured to be held with its left and right sides sandwiched by the tank 11. Therefore, the steam iron 1 can expand the internal volume of the tank 11 without accompanying the enlargement of the main body portion with the main body cover 3 as the outer shell. In other words, the steam iron 1 can miniaturize the main body portion with the main body cover 3 as the outer shell while maintaining the internal volume of the tank 11.

[0079] In addition, the pump 51 is stored in the top portion 3t of the main body cover 3. The DC motor 52 faces the center line of the cylindrical shape in the long side direction of the steam iron 1, that is, in the long side direction of the ironing surface 1a. The DC motor 52 is continuous with the pump 51 that overlaps with the tank 11, and is stored in an inclined posture at the boundary portion between the main body cover 3 and the grip portion 5 in such a way that it faces the inside of the rear standing portion 5r of the grip portion 5 and is away from the steam ejection portion 16. Therefore, the steam iron 1 can expand the internal volume of the tank 11 to the vicinity of the top portion 3t of the main body cover 3 without accompanying the enlargement of the main body portion with the main body cover 3 as the outer shell. In other words, the steam iron 1 can miniaturize the main body portion with the main body cover 3 as the outer shell while maintaining the internal volume of the tank 11.

[0080] In addition, the O-shaped space that separates the grip portion 5 from the main body cover 3 cools the top portion 3t of the main body cover 3 and the rear standing portion 5r of the grip portion 5 that cover the pump 51 and the DC motor 52. Therefore, the steam iron 1 can air-cool the outer shell near the pump 51 and the DC motor 52 through the atmosphere, and further cool the pump 51 and the DC motor 52.

[0081] In addition, the DC motor 52 may also be as Figure 5 shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 6 or as shown in

[0082] configured together with the pump 51 between the tank 11 and the top portion 3t of the main body cover 3. In this case, the pump 51 and the DC motor 52 are surrounded by the tank 11 and the main body cover 3, and the tank 11 has a portion sandwiched between the steam ejection portion 16 and the DC motor 52.

[0083] The water level window 66 has: a first portion 66a that extends in a direction away from the ironing surface 1a and reaches the front standing portion 5f of the grip portion 5, a second portion 66b that extends parallel to the ironing surface 1a, i.e., extends along the front and back of the main body cover 3, and a bent portion 66c that connects the first portion 66a and the second portion 66b. Additionally, the first portion 66a and the bent portion 66c facilitate visual recognition of the liquid level in the tank 11 when the ironing surface 1a is oriented horizontally, and the second portion 66b and the bent portion 66c facilitate visual recognition of the liquid level in the tank 11 when the ironing surface 1a is oriented vertically. That is, whether the steam engine 1 is placed on a horizontal plane or, for example, when the ironing surface 1a is oriented towards clothing hanging from a hanger, the water level window 66 enables the user to easily grasp the liquid volume in the tank 11.

[0084] The first portion 66a and the bent portion 66c of the water level window 66 are preferably formed such that when the ironing surface 1a is oriented horizontally, the liquid level in the tank 11 can be visually recognized over a wide range. That is, the first portion 66a preferably extends from the zero liquid level to the full liquid level height of the tank 11 in a direction intersecting the ironing surface 1a, which corresponds to the height direction when the ironing surface 1a is oriented horizontally.

[0085] The second portion 66b and the bent portion 66c of the water level window 66 are preferably formed such that when the ironing surface 1a is oriented vertically, the liquid level in the tank 11 can be visually recognized over a wide range. That is, the second portion 66b preferably extends from the zero liquid level to the full liquid level height of the tank 11 in a direction parallel to the ironing surface 1a, which corresponds to the height direction when the ironing surface 1a is oriented vertically.

[0086] In addition, a pair of the water level windows 66 can be provided on the left and right of the steam engine 1, or it can be located on at least one of the left and right sides only.

[0087] When observed in the short side direction of the ironing surface, the grip portion 5 has a dummy window 67 that extends in an inverted U shape so as to cooperate with the water level window 66 to depict a loop and covers the inside of the grip portion 5. The loop depicted by the water level window 66 and the dummy window 67 surrounds the O-shaped space between the main body cover 3 and the grip portion 5. Additionally, the loop depicted by the water level window 66 and the dummy window 67 gives the appearance of the steam engine 1 a sense of unity between the main body portion with the main body cover 3 as the outer shell and the grip portion 5. This appearance of unity improves the design of the steam engine 1. On the other hand, the dummy window 67, which is opaque and hides the inside of the grip portion 5, covers the internal structure of the circuit board 55 built into the grip portion 5 or the internal structures of the heat setting button 21 and the steam volume setting button 22 provided on the grip portion 5, without compromising the design of the steam engine 1 improved by the water level window 66 and the dummy window 67.

[0088] The water supply path 58 penetrates the tank 11 when viewed from the pump 51, penetrates the steam ejection part cover 57, and reaches the liquid inlet 41 of the vaporization chamber lid 39.

[0089] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement relationship between the tank and the pump of the steam engine according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view on a plane that divides the steam engine into front and rear through the pump and the tank.

[0090] As Figure 7 As shown, at least a part of the tank 11 of the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment overlaps with the pump 51 when viewed from the direction a orthogonal to the ironing surface 1a, and is wider than the pump 51 in the short side direction b of the ironing surface 1a. The heat emitted by the steam ejection part 16 is shielded by the liquid and gas in the tank 11 existing around the pump 51, and it is easy to ensure the upper limit of the operating environment temperature of the pump 51.

[0091] Figure 8 It is a perspective view of the tank base of the steam engine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Figure 9 It is an exploded perspective view of the tank base of the steam engine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Figure 10 It is a top view of the tank base of the steam engine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Figure 11 It is a cross-sectional view of the tank base of the steam engine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] As Figures 8 to 11 As shown, the tank base 32 of the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment has a water supply path 71, which has at least one inlet 71i communicating with the inside of the tank 11 and an outlet 71o communicating with the vaporization chamber 13 of the steam ejection part 16. That is, the tank 11 does not have a suction pipe provided inside the tank 11 like a conventional steam engine. The tank 11 has the freedom to arrange the inlet 71i at a desired position and the outlet 71o at a desired position in the water supply path 71, and the reduction of the internal volume of the tank 11 caused by the installation of the suction pipe is avoided.

[0096] The can base 32 is a laminate having a multi-layer structure. That is, the can base 32 has a plurality of plates 72, 73 including an outermost layer plate 72 corresponding to the outermost layer and an innermost layer plate 73 corresponding to the innermost layer of the can base 32. The can base 32 is a laminate formed by laminating a plurality of plates 72, 73 in the thickness direction. In addition, the can base 32 according to the present embodiment is a joined body formed by joining two plates 72, 73 in the stacking direction, but may also be a laminate formed by laminating three or more plates in the stacking direction. Further, the can base 32 may have a plurality of plates arranged in a direction intersecting the stacking direction. That is, a certain layer among the multi-layer structures may also be a layer formed by combining a plurality of plates.

[0097] The water supply path 71 is partitioned by a plurality of plates 72, 73 including an outermost layer plate 72 corresponding to the outermost layer of the can base 32 and an innermost layer plate 73 corresponding to the innermost layer of the can base 32. That is, the water supply path 71 is partitioned by connecting the grooves provided in each of the plurality of plates 72, 73 so as to face each other. In addition, when the can base 32 is a laminate formed by laminating three or more plates in the stacking direction, the water supply path 71 may be partitioned by at least two plates.

[0098] The can base 32 has a joint portion 75 that joins a plurality of plates 72, 73 along the water supply path 71 and seals the water supply path 71. A pair of adjacent plates 72, 73 are joined by, for example, ultrasonic welding. The joint portion 75 corresponds to a weld formed by this ultrasonic welding. The joint portion 75 prevents gas, particularly air, in the can 11 from flowing into the water supply path 71 from an unexpected position. Therefore, in the process of forming the can base 32 by joining a plurality of plates 72, 73, the water supply path 71 can achieve sealing performance as a path for liquid to flow through, and is excellent in manufacturability.

[0099] In addition, the can cover 31 and the can base 32 may be joined by at least one of the plurality of plates 72, 73, or may be joined by all of the plates 72, 73. That is, the can base 32 may be joined to the can cover 31 through the outermost layer plate 72, may be joined to the can cover 31 through the innermost layer plate 73, or may be joined to the can cover 31 through both plates 72, 73. The plate joining the can cover 31 and the can base 32 needs to have a shape and size that closes the opening of the can cover 31, but a plate that is not used for joining the can cover 31 and the can base 32, that is, a plate that is only joined to an adjacent plate, may not have a shape and size that closes the opening of the can cover 31. The plate that is only joined to an adjacent plate only needs to be within the range having the grooves constituting the water supply path 71.

[0100] In addition, the weld at the time of forming the joint portion 75 may cross the water supply path 71. The weld crossing the water supply path 71 does not join two plates 72, 73, but only melts one of the plates.

[0101] In addition, the steam engine 1 is used by a user holding the grip portion 5c of the grip portion 5 in various postures. At this time, if the inlet 71i of the water supply path 71 is located above the liquid level in the tank 11, that is, in the so-called ullage space, there is a possibility that the liquid does not flow into the water supply path 71 and the pump 51 sucks in gas. Therefore, the water supply path 71 preferably has a plurality of inlets 71i arranged at intervals as much as possible around the tank base 32.

[0102] Then, the plurality of inlets 71i are arranged at the boundary between the tank base 32 and the tank cover 31 which is another plate portion connected to the tank base 32 of the tank 11. The plurality of inlets 71i are preferably arranged at intervals as much as possible around the tank base 32, for example, are arranged on the right front side, the left front side, the right rear side, and the left rear side of the tank base 32. Thus, as long as the ironing surface 1a is vertically oriented toward the clothing, regardless of the posture in which the steam engine 1 is used, the water supply path 71 maintains the supply of the liquid from the tank 11 to the steam ejection portion 16 without interruption, so that the steam engine 1 continuously ejects steam.

[0103] In addition, the tank base 32 is provided with a plurality of stop valves 81 provided on each of the plurality of inlets 71i. Each stop valve 81 has a structure similar to that of a so-called ball check valve. However, the stop valve 81 is not a valve for preventing backflow, but a valve for allowing the liquid in the tank 11 to flow into the water supply path 71 and preventing the gas in the tank 11 from flowing into the water supply path 71.

[0104] Each stop valve 81 includes: a valve body 82 that cuts off the connection between the corresponding inlet 71i and the outlet 71o if the corresponding inlet 71i is arranged above other inlets 71i, and a valve seat 83 that can contact the valve body 82. That is, each stop valve 81 closes the corresponding inlet 71i when the corresponding inlet 71i may be located above the liquid level in the tank 11, that is, in the so-called ullage space, and opens the corresponding inlet 71i in other cases. Thus, as long as the ironing surface 1a is vertically oriented toward the clothing, regardless of the posture in which the steam engine 1 is used, the stop valve 81 prevents the gas in the tank 11 from flowing into the pump 51, maintains the supply of the liquid to the steam ejection portion 16 without interruption, so that the steam engine 1 continuously ejects steam.

[0105] The valve box 85 has a cylindrical space, and the cylindrical space has an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the valve body 82. The valve seat 83 is a frustum-shaped annular surface whose outermost edge is connected to the cylindrical space in the valve box 85 and whose innermost edge forms an opening smaller than the diameter of the valve body 82. The valve body 82 moves and rolls in the cylindrical space in the valve box 85 by its own weight.

[0106] If the valve body 82 is disposed above the valve seat 83, an annularly closed contact portion is formed between the valve body 82 and the valve seat 83. This annularly closed contact portion closes the stop valve 81 and obstructs the flow of liquid and gas. That is, the valve body 82 drops onto the valve seat 83 to close the stop valve 81.

[0107] When the valve body 82 is disposed below the valve seat 83, or when the valve body 82 is disposed above the valve seat 83 but the contact portion between the two is not annularly closed and is open in a C-shape, for example, the stop valve 81 opens to allow the flow of liquid and gas. For example, when the center line of the cylindrical space of the valve box 85 is oriented horizontally, the contact portion between the valve body 82 and the valve seat 83 is not annularly closed, and the stop valve 81 is open.

[0108] Since a plurality of stop valves 81 are arranged around, it is difficult to close all the stop valves 81 in various postures of the steam engine 1. Therefore, when a user holding the grip portion 5c uses the steam engine 1, usually at least one stop valve 81 is open. In addition, the open stop valve 81 is located above the closed stop valve 81. The gas in the tank 11 is above the liquid phase in the tank 11. Therefore, the closed stop valve 81 obstructs the inflow of gas from the tank 11 into the water supply path 71, and the open stop valve 81 guides the liquid from the tank 11 into the water supply path 71.

[0109] In addition, since the tank base 32 has transparency, it is extremely easy to confirm the operation of the stop valve 81 or the leakage of the water supply path 71 after the tank base 32 is assembled.

[0110] The valve body 82 preferably has an appropriate self-weight so that it reliably drops onto the valve seat 83 by its self-weight regardless of the presence or absence of liquid, the viscosity of the liquid, the wettability of the liquid, and other characteristics of the liquid. In addition, the valve body 82 preferably has corrosion resistance to the liquid. Thus, the valve body 82 is preferably a stainless steel ball, for example.

[0111] The valve seat 83 preferably has a continuous annular surface provided on a single component. Here, the so-called single component may be one of the plates constituting the multi-layered tank base 32, or may not be a plate constituting the multi-layered tank base 32 but another component. The single component having the valve seat 83 preferably has a portion corresponding to the valve box 85 of the stop valve 81. When the seat surface 83a straddles a plurality of components, steps may be formed on the seat surface 83a or a gap connected to the seat surface 83a may be formed during the process of joining the plurality of components. The steps on the seat surface 83a or the gap connected to the seat surface 83a increase the valve seat leakage amount. By providing the valve seat 83 as a single component, the surface accuracy of the seat surface 83a is improved, and the valve seat leakage amount is suppressed to be small.

[0112] The multiple inlets 71i are slits. Each inlet 71i is one or more slits. Each slit has a shape that notches the valve box 85 in a direction crossing the center line of the cylindrical space of the valve box 85 of the stop valve 81. The number, width, and length of the slits are preferably set so as not to affect the evaluation of the pressure loss of the water supply path 71.

[0113] If the liquid injection port lid 26 is opened, the inside and outside of the tank 11 are connected to such an extent that liquid can be injected from the liquid injection port 27. For example, if considering the situation of pouring water as the liquid from a faucet, foreign matter other than the liquid may invade the tank 11 from the liquid injection port 27. If the foreign matter is sucked into the pump 51, it will obstruct the operation of the pump 51, and in the worst case, it may cause malfunction of the steam engine 1 that ejects steam. Thus, the multiple slit-shaped inlets 71i function like a filter to prevent foreign matter of a size that would affect the operation of the pump 51 if sucked into the pump 51 from passing through.

[0114] In addition, the tank 11 may have, in addition to the water supply path 71, a water supply path for sending the liquid ejected by the pump 51 to the steam ejection part 16. The tank base 32 has a water supply hole 86 that penetrates the front and back of the tank base 32 and is part of the water supply path 58.

[0115] Here, the relationship between the posture of the tank base 32 and the multiple stop valves 81 will be described in detail.

[0116] When the right front inlet 71FRi and the left front inlet 71FLi of the water supply path 71 are lower than the right rear inlet 71RRi and the left rear inlet 71RLi of the water supply path 71, that is, when Figure 8 the solid arrow a in points upward, gas in the tank 11 may be sucked into the outlet 71o of the water supply path 71 from the two rear inlets 71RRi, 71RLi. Thus, the right rear stop valve 81RR closes to cut off the connection between the right rear inlet 71RRi and the outlet 71o, and the left rear stop valve 81RL closes to cut off the connection between the left rear inlet 71RLi and the outlet 71o. Thereby, the intrusion of gas into the water supply path 71 is prevented, and the liquid is sucked into the pump 51 from the two front inlets 71FRi, 71FLi through the outlet 71o. At this time, the stop valve 81MR between the right front inlet 71FRi and the right rear inlet 71RRi, and the stop valve 81ML between the left front inlet 71FLi and the left rear inlet 71RLi are open. In addition, when the solid arrow a points upward, the steam engine 1 is in a posture with its back facing upward.

[0117] When the two rear inlets 71RRi, 71RLi of the water supply path 71 are lower than the two front inlets 71FRi, FLi of the water supply path 71, that is, whenFigure 8 When the solid arrow b in [the figure] points upward, the gas in the tank 11 may be sucked into the outlet 71o of the water supply path 71 from the two front-side inlets 71FRi and 71FLi. In addition, when the solid arrow b points upward, the steam engine 1 is in a posture with its front side facing upward.

[0118] Here, the water supply path 71 has: a right path 71R connecting the two right-side inlets 71FRi and 71RRi, a left path 71L connecting the two left-side inlets 71FLi and 71RLi, a bridging path 71M connecting the right path 71R and the left path 71L and approaching the two rear-side inlets 71RRi and 71RLi, and a terminal path 71E branching from the bridging path 71M toward the rear of the tank base 32 and connected to the outlet 71o.

[0119] Therefore, even when Figure 8 the solid arrow b in [the figure] points upward, as long as the bridging path 71M is immersed in the liquid, the gas in the tank 11 will not be sucked into the outlet 71o of the water supply path 71. The extreme liquid level when the solid arrow b points upward and the bridging path 71M is immersed in the liquid defines the lowest liquid level of the tank 11.

[0120] When the two right-side inlets 71FRi and 71RRi of the water supply path 71 are lower than the two left-side inlets 71FLi and RLi of the water supply path 71, that is, when Figure 8 the solid arrow c in [the figure] points upward, the gas in the tank 11 may be sucked into the outlet 71o of the water supply path 71 from the two left-side inlets 71FLi and 71RLi. Then, the left shut-off valve 81ML closes to cut off the connection between the two left-side inlets 71FLi and RLi and the outlet 71o. Thereby, the intrusion of gas into the water supply path 71 is prevented, and the liquid is sucked from the two right-side inlets 71FRi and 71RRi through the outlet 71o into the pump 51. At this time, the other shut-off valves 81MR and 81ML are open. In addition, when the solid arrow c points upward, the steam engine 1 is in a posture with its right side facing upward.

[0121] When Figure 8 the solid arrow d in [the figure] points upward, the opening and closing relationship of the shut-off valve 81 when the solid arrow c points upward is reversed. When the solid arrow d points upward, the steam engine 1 is in a posture with its left side facing upward.

[0122] Figure 12 is a top view of the vaporization chamber partition body and the heater of the steam engine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] As shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 12As shown, the steam engine 1 according to this embodiment includes a heater 12 buried in a vaporization chamber dividing body 37 of a steam ejection part 16.

[0124] The heater 12 has: a pair of straight portions 12s parallel to the ironing surface 1a and extending in the long side direction of the ironing surface 1a, and an arc-shaped bending portion 12c connecting the pair of straight portions 12s. The pair of straight portions 12s sandwich the vaporization chamber 13. The bending portion 12c is disposed near the back side of the steam engine 1 and bypasses the back of the vaporization chamber 13.

[0125] The temperature detection part 56 is, for example, a thermistor. The temperature detection part 56 is configured to be inserted into a longitudinal hole 91 of the vaporization chamber dividing body 37. The temperature detection part 56 is fixed to the vaporization chamber dividing body 37 by a mounting plate 92. The mounting plate 92 is made of a metal with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum, for example. Preferably, the temperature sensing part of the temperature detection part 56 for detecting temperature is buried in the longitudinal hole 91. The temperature detection part 56 is electrically insulated.

[0126] The temperature detection part 56 is disposed in a temperature detection part setting area inside the bending portion 12c of the heater 12. That is, the vaporization chamber dividing body 37 has a temperature detection part setting area on the chord side of the arc described by the bending portion 12c of the U-shaped heater 12, and the temperature detection part 56 is inserted into this temperature detection part setting area.

[0127] Therefore, the temperature detection part 56 can detect the temperature of the heater 12 in the temperature detection part setting area, which is a position highly responsive to temperature changes of the heater 12. Therefore, the steam engine 1 can directly detect the temperature change of the heater 12 as the temperature change of the steam ejection part 16 and use it for control, and has responsiveness capable of following the temperature of the steam ejection part 16 at that moment.

[0128] In addition, the temperature detection part 56 inserted into the longitudinal hole 91 of the temperature detection part setting area is adjacent to the vaporization chamber 13 and does not lie at a position penetrating the vaporization chamber 13 vertically. Therefore, the shape of the vaporization chamber 13 is not affected by a component such as a boss for burying the temperature detection part 56. This improves the design freedom of the indoor shape of the vaporization chamber 13. The vaporization chamber 13 with such a high design freedom improves the steam generation ability and ejection ability of the steam engine 1.

[0129] Furthermore, the temperature detection unit 56 inserted into the longitudinal hole 91 in the temperature detection unit setting area is arranged to be close to both the bent portion 12c of the heater 12 and the vaporization chamber 13. Therefore, the temperature detection unit 56 can detect the temperature of the heater 12 in the temperature detection unit setting area, which is a position highly responsive to the temperature change of the heater 12 and also a position highly responsive to the temperature change of the vaporization chamber 13. That is to say, the steam engine 1 can directly detect both the temperature change of the heater 12 and the temperature change of the vaporization chamber 13 as the temperature change of the steam ejection unit 16, and use it for control, having the responsiveness to follow the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 at that moment.

[0130] Figure 13 It is a perspective view of the base plate of the steam engine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0131] Figure 14 It is a top view of the base plate of the steam engine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0132] Figure 15 It is a bottom view of the base plate of the steam engine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0133] Figure 16 It is a cross-sectional view of the base plate of the steam engine according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 16 It is a cross-sectional view on the plane bisecting the base plate front and back.

[0134] As Figure 1 and Figures 13 to 16 shown, the steam ejection unit 16 of the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment has a base plate 35 with a thicker wall thickness at the outer edge portion 35b of the ironing surface 1a than at the central portion 35a of the ironing surface 1a. In other words, the wall thickness Ta of the central portion 35a is thinner than the wall thickness Tb of the outer edge portion 35b. That is to say, compared with the base plate having a central portion 35a with a wall thickness equivalent to that of the outer edge portion 35b, the base plate 35 according to the present embodiment has a smaller volume and a smaller heat capacity. Therefore, the steam engine 1 can shorten the time from when the power is turned on until steam starts to be ejected, that is, the so-called start-up time. In addition, the base plate 35 according to the present embodiment does not have a sharp edge (sharp edge) like the base plate having an outer edge portion 35b with a wall thickness equivalent to that of the central portion 35a. Therefore, the base plate 35 will not scratch the clothes nor cause injury to the user.

[0135] The base plate 35 includes a wall portion 95 that is continuous in an annular shape, and the wall portion 95 is provided at the boundary between the outer edge portion 35b and the central portion 35a having different wall thicknesses, and is protruded and erected so as to be separated from the ironing surface 1a. The portion of the base plate 35 that is closer to the inner side than the wall portion 95 is the central portion 35a of the base plate 35, and the portion of the base plate 35 that is closer to the outer side than the wall portion 95 is the outer edge portion 35b of the base plate 35. The wall portion 95 has a substantially uniform height with respect to the ironing surface 1a.

[0136] The central portion 35a is covered by the steam ejection portion cover 57, and the steam ejection portion cover 57 covers the wall portion 95 via the seal 63, that is, the central portion 35a of the thinned base plate 35 is covered and shielded by the steam ejection portion cover 57. Therefore, the user cannot know that the central portion 9a of the base plate 35 is thinned. The user will not feel the uneasiness accompanying the thinning of the base plate 35. On the other hand, the user can feel the quick start and the lightness of the operation brought about by the weight reduction accompanying the thinning of the base plate 35.

[0137] The base plate 35 has a plurality of recesses 1b provided on the ironing surface 1a and connected to the plurality of ejection holes 15, respectively. The plurality of ejection holes 15 and the plurality of recesses 1b are arranged radially with the center of the ironing surface 1a as a starting point. The plurality of ejection holes 15 may also be arranged in a certain recess 1b. For example, the plurality of ejection holes 15 arranged linearly from the center of the ironing surface 1a may also be arranged in a certain recess 1b. The recesses 1b expand the ejection range of the steam ejected from the ejection holes 15. Therefore, the steam engine 1 ejects steam radially and over a wide range with the center of the ironing surface 1a as a starting point.

[0138] If the thickness Ta of the central portion 35a is reduced and the recess 1b is provided, the thickness of the central portion 35a becomes extremely thin locally. The base plate 35 needs to have a required strength because it is subjected to thermal stress associated with heating and cooling or external force due to pressing on clothing. If the base plate 35 has an extremely thin wall locally, stress concentration may occur, which is not preferable.

[0139] Thus, the wall thickness Ta of the central portion 35a is thicker near each of the plurality of pits 1b, and thinner in other parts. That is, the wall thickness Ta of the central portion 35a is thicker near each of the plurality of pits 1b than in other parts. That is, the periphery of each pit 1b will not be locally thinned, and sufficient strength can be provided for stress caused by heat or external force, and it also helps to reduce heat capacity. In addition, the maximum wall thickness TaMAX of the central portion 35a near the pit 1b is preferably less than the wall thickness Tb of the outer edge portion 35b.

[0140] As described above, the wall thickness Ta of the central portion 35a is smaller than the wall thickness Tb of the outer edge portion 35b at the portion separated from the recess 1b, and is equal to or less than the wall thickness Tb of the outer edge portion 35b near the recess 1b. Therefore, the average wall thickness per unit area of the central portion 35a must be equal to or less than the wall thickness Tb of the outer edge portion 35b.

[0141] Figure 17 It is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of the base plate of the steam engine according to the present embodiment.

[0142] As Figure 17 shown, the base plate 35A of the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment includes an ironing surface 1a provided with ejection holes 15, and a flange portion 96 that is bent and erected from the outer edge portion 35b of the ironing surface 1a. The base plate 35A may include a folding portion 97 instead of the flange portion 96.

[0143] For example, when the base plate 35A is manufactured from a uniform plate material, the wall thickness of the outer edge portion 35b of the base plate 35A may be the same as the wall thickness of the central portion 35a. In such a case, the flange portion 96 or the folding portion 97 also prevents the outer edge portion 35b of the base plate 35A from presenting a sharp edge. In other words, even when the base plate 35A has a uniform and relatively thin wall thickness and a small volume, that is, a small heat capacity, compared with the base plate of a conventional steam engine, the safety of the edge can be ensured.

[0144] Figure 18 It is a block diagram of the steam engine according to the present embodiment.

[0145] As Figure 18 shown, the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a power cord 2 that can be connected to a socket of a commercial AC power supply E, and a circuit board 55 connected to the power cord 2. The steam engine 1 operates by AC power supplied from the commercial AC power supply E.

[0146] The circuit board 55 includes: a switch 101 that accepts the pressing operation of the heat setting button 21, a switch 102 that accepts the pressing operation of the steam amount setting button 22, a temperature display unit 25, a notification unit 103 that can emit sound, for example, a power generation circuit unit 105 that converts the AC power supplied from the power cord 2 connected to the commercial AC power supply E into power suitable for the operation of each part of the steam engine 1 and outputs it, and a control circuit unit 106 that controls the operations of the heater 12, the DC motor 52, the temperature display unit 25, and the notification unit 103. The circuit board 55 converts the AC power supplied from the commercial AC power supply E into power suitable for the operation of each part of the steam engine 1 and distributes it, and controls the operations of the heater 12, the DC motor 52, the temperature display unit 25, and the notification unit 103 in response to the operation inputs accepted by the heat setting button 21 and the steam amount setting button 22.

[0147] The switch 101 is a switch that detects whether the heat setting button 21 of the grip portion 5 has been pressed. In other words, the heat setting button 21 is equivalent to an operating piece for pressing the switch 101 mounted on the circuit board 55 stored inside the grip portion 5c. The switch 101 is, for example, a tactile switch.

[0148] The switch 102 is a switch that detects whether the steam amount setting button 22 of the grip portion 5 has been pressed. In other words, the steam amount setting button 22 is equivalent to an operating piece for pressing the switch 102 mounted on the circuit board 55 stored inside the grip portion 5c. The switch 102 is, for example, a tactile switch.

[0149] The temperature display unit 25 displays, for example, the operating state of the steam engine 1 based on the pressing operations of the heat setting button 21 and the steam amount setting button 22, or displays the temperature range of the steam ejection unit 16 detected by the temperature detection unit 56. The temperature range of the steam ejection unit 16 indicates, for example, whether the steam ejection unit 16 has reached the set temperature.

[0150] The notification unit 103 is a speaker or a buzzer that emits sound. The notification unit 103 notifies the operating state of the steam engine 1. The notification unit 103 notifies, for example, the operating state based on the pressing operations of the heat setting button 21 and the steam amount setting button 22, or notifies that the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 detected by the temperature detection unit 56 has reached the set temperature.

[0151] The notification unit 103 emits, for example, a single short beep sound like "beep" to notify when the power supply to the steam engine 1 is disconnected due to a power outage or the power cord 2 falling out of the socket. In addition, the notification unit 103 emits, for example, three short beep sounds like "beep, beep, beep" to notify when the power supply is restored from a power outage or the power cord 2 is inserted into the socket to supply power to the steam engine 1. That is, the notification unit 103 makes different notifications at the start and stop of the power supply to the steam engine 1. Therefore, the user can know the start and stop of the power supply to the steam engine 1.

[0152] The power generation circuit unit 105 rectifies and smooths the AC power supplied from the commercial AC power supply E to convert it into DC power, and distributes this DC power to each part of the steam engine 1. The power generation circuit unit 105 includes: a power supply circuit 112 that converts the AC power supplied from the power cord 2 into power suitable for the operation of each part of the steam engine 1, and a diode 115 connected in series with the output terminal of the power supply circuit 112 for preventing reverse current.

[0153] The power supply circuit 112 converts the AC power supplied from the power supply line 2 and outputs DC power for operating the control circuit section 106 and DC power for operating the DC motor 52. The power supply circuit 112 may also output power individually to each of the plurality of output terminals.

[0154] The control circuit section 106 operates by the power output from the power generation circuit section 105.

[0155] The control circuit section 106 switches the set temperature based on the output of the switch 101 that receives the pressing operation of the heat setting button 21. There are multiple set temperatures for the steam ejection section 16. Each set temperature is set to be suitable for the type of fabric of the clothing that is the object of steam ejection. The multiple set temperatures are set in stages, for example, high temperature of 180 degrees Celsius, medium temperature of 150 degrees Celsius, and low temperature of 110 degrees Celsius. These set temperatures are preferably switched from low to high each time the heat setting button 21 is pressed.

[0156] In addition, the control circuit section 106 controls the power output from the power generation circuit section 105 to the DC motor 52 so that steam of a set flow rate is ejected from the ejection holes 15 based on the output of the switch 102 that receives the pressing operation of the steam amount setting button 22.

[0157] Furthermore, the control circuit section 106 controls the display of the temperature display section 25 based on the switching of the set temperature accompanying the operation of the heat setting button 21 and the temperature of the steam ejection section 16 detected by the temperature detection section 56.

[0158] In addition, the control circuit section 106 causes the notification section 103 to notify the power-on operation and power-off operation accompanying the operation of the heat setting button 21.

[0159] The control circuit section 106 includes: a control section 121, a switching element 122 that controls the driving of the DC motor 52, a relay circuit 125 that switches the energization and de-energization of the heater 12, a switch circuit 126 that outputs the operations received by the switches 101 and 102 as operation signals to the control section 121, a display circuit 127 that drives the temperature display section 25, a zero-crossing circuit 128 that detects the AC voltage applied to the power supply line 2 and outputs it to the control section 121, and a notification circuit 129 that drives the notification section 103.

[0160] The control unit 121 is, for example, a microcomputer. Based on the flow rate of the steam set by the steam amount setting button 22, the control unit 121 changes the output and rotational speed of the DC motor 52 to change the flow rate of the liquid delivered by the pump 51 to the vaporization chamber 13. When the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 detected by the temperature detection unit 56 is equal to or higher than the vaporization temperature of the liquid, the control unit 121 changes the repetition frequency of energization and de-energization to the DC motor 52, that is, the so-called duty ratio, to change the flow rate of the liquid sent from the tank 11 to the vaporization chamber 13 by the pump 51 and the flow rate of the steam ejected from the ejection hole 15. When the steam ejection unit 16 is lower than the vaporization temperature of the liquid, the control unit 121 stops the DC motor 52.

[0161] Based on an instruction from the control unit 121, the relay circuit 125 supplies power to the heater 12 or cuts off the power supply. The input terminal of the relay included in the relay circuit 125 is connected to the output terminal of the control unit 121. The output terminal of the relay is connected to the heater 12. That is, the control unit 121 and the relay circuit 125 perform switching control for starting and shutting off the heater 12 that heats the vaporization chamber 13.

[0162] The switch circuit 126 includes switches 101 and 102. The output terminals of the switches 101 and 102 are each connected to the input terminal of the control unit 121. If the heat setting button 21 is pressed, the switch circuit 126 outputs an operation signal from the switch 101 to the control unit 121, and if the steam amount setting button 22 is pressed, the switch circuit 126 outputs an operation signal from the switch 102 to the control unit 121. The heat setting button 21, the steam amount setting button 22, the switches 101 and 102, and the switch circuit 126 serve as input devices for the control unit 121 and the switching element 122.

[0163] The display circuit 127 switches the display content of the temperature display unit 25. The input terminal of the display circuit 127 is connected to the output terminal of the control unit 121. The output terminal of the display circuit 127 is connected to the input terminal of the temperature display unit 25.

[0164] The zero-crossing circuit 128 detects the AC voltage applied to the power supply line 2 in order to protect the contacts of the relay in the relay circuit 125 from the influence of the AC power delivered from the power supply line 2, and outputs it to the control unit 121. The input terminal of the zero-crossing circuit 128 is connected to the connection point between the power supply line 2 and the relay circuit 125. The output terminal of the zero-crossing circuit 128 is connected to the input terminal of the control unit 121. Based on the output of the zero-crossing circuit 128, the control unit 121 opens and closes the relay when the voltage applied to the relay in the relay circuit 125 is 0 volts (V).

[0165] The notification circuit 129 causes the notification unit 103 to perform notification based on an instruction from the control unit 121. The notification circuit 129 may also have a function of changing the sound or tone color of the notification unit 103 based on an instruction from the control unit 121. The input terminal of the notification circuit 129 is connected to the output terminal of the control unit 121. The output terminal of the notification circuit 129 is connected to the input terminal of the notification unit 103.

[0166] A pair of input terminals of the power supply circuit 112 and a series circuit formed by the heater 12 and the relay circuit 125 of the control circuit unit 106 are connected in parallel to the power supply line 2.

[0167] One output terminal of the power supply circuit 112 is connected to the anode of the diode 115.

[0168] The temperature detection unit 56 is connected to the input terminal of the control unit 121. The temperature detection unit 56 detects the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 and outputs it to the control unit 121.

[0169] The switching element 122 is a power semiconductor such as an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT). The switching element 122 is connected between the DC motor 52 and the ground line GL. The control terminal of the switching element 122, such as the gate, is connected to the control unit 121. The control unit 121 controls the switching element 122 to switch, for example, by Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). Through the switching operation of the switching element 122, the DC power flowing from the power generation circuit unit 105 to the DC motor 52 is repeatedly energized and de-energized. By changing the ratio of the energization time during the repeated energization and de-energization of this DC power, that is, the so-called duty ratio, the output of the DC motor 52 is changed. That is to say, the control unit 121 and the switching element 122 change the output of the DC motor 52 to change the flow rate of the liquid supplied to the vaporization chamber 13.

[0170] The overheating prevention device 53 is interposed between the relay circuit 125 and the heater 12. The overheating prevention device 53 includes a switch with hysteresis, such as a bimetal that makes a sudden jump, so that when an abnormally high temperature is detected, the circuit connecting the relay circuit 125 and the heater 12 is disconnected, and once the circuit connecting the relay circuit 125 and the heater 12 is disconnected, this state is maintained even after the steam engine 1 cools down to room temperature.

[0171] In the steam engine 1, if the power supply line 2 is connected to the commercial AC power supply E, DC power is supplied from the power generation circuit unit 105 to the control circuit unit 106 to start the control unit 121.

[0172] When the steam engine 1 has just started up, the control unit 121 is in an off state where the power supply to the heater 12 is disconnected and the DC motor 52 that drives the pump 51 is stopped. If the heat setting button 21 is pressed once, the steam engine 1 changes from the off state to the start state. The steam engine 1 in the start state switches the set temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 each time the heat setting button 21 is pressed. The control unit 121 controls the relay circuit 125 so that the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 detected by the temperature detection unit 56 approaches the set temperature set by the operation of the heat setting button 21, repeatedly conducts and disconnects the power supply to the heater 12, and heats the steam ejection unit 16 including the vaporization chamber 13.

[0173] If the steam ejection unit 16 reaches the flashing start temperature lower than the set temperature, the control unit 121 controls the display circuit 127 to operate the temperature display unit 25 so that the display corresponding to the set temperature flashes. If the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 detected by the temperature detection unit 56 reaches the set temperature, the control unit 121 controls the display circuit 127 to operate the temperature display unit 25 to switch the flashing display corresponding to the set temperature to a lit display, and controls the notification circuit 129 to cause the notification unit 103 to notify that the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 has reached the set temperature.

[0174] In addition, if the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 is lower than the specified lower limit temperature, the control unit 121 controls the switching element 122 to stop the DC motor 52. The specified lower limit temperature is set in association with the lower limit value of the temperature range in which the liquid can be vaporized to the extent that steam can be ejected.

[0175] The steam engine 1 switches the ejection and stop of steam each time the steam volume setting button 22 is pressed. The steam engine 1 can also eject steam when the steam volume setting button 22 is long-pressed and stop ejecting steam when the steam volume setting button 22 is not long-pressed.

[0176] If the steam volume setting button 22 is pressed to eject steam, the control unit 121 confirms the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 detected by the temperature detection unit 56. When the steam ejection unit 16 is higher than the vaporization temperature of the liquid, the control unit 121 controls the switching element 122 to operate the DC motor 52 to feed the liquid from the tank 11 into the vaporization chamber 13.

[0177] If the steam volume setting button 22 is pressed to stop ejecting steam, the control unit 121 controls the switching element 122 to stop the DC motor 52.

[0178] The user can also use the steam engine 1 in a state where steam ejection is stopped, that is, use the dry ironing function. In this case, the steam amount setting button 22 is not operated. The control unit 121 controls the switching element 122 to stop the DC motor 52. The supply of liquid from the tank 11 to the vaporization chamber 13 stops.

[0179] The steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment described above includes: a tank base 32 having a water supply path 71, the water supply path 71 having at least one inlet 71i and an outlet 71o communicating with the vaporization chamber 13 of the steam ejection unit 16. Therefore, the steam engine 1 does not need a suction pipe provided in the tank 11 as in conventional steam engines. That is, the steam engine 1 has a water supply path 71 capable of arranging the inlet 71i at a required position inside the tank 11 and arranging the outlet 71o at a required position outside the tank 11, and avoids a reduction in the internal volume of the tank 11 due to the installation of the suction pipe.

[0180] In addition, the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment has a water supply path 71 divided by a plurality of plates 72, 73, the plurality of plates 72, 73 including an outermost layer plate 72 corresponding to the outermost layer of the tank base 32 and an innermost layer plate 73 corresponding to the innermost layer of the tank base 32. Therefore, the steam engine 1 can easily form the water supply path 71 by forming grooves in each of the plurality of plates 72, 73 and connecting these grooves in an opposed manner.

[0181] Furthermore, the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a tank base 32 having a joint portion 75 that joints the plurality of plates 72, 73 along the water supply path 71 and seals the water supply path 71. Therefore, the steam engine 1 can simultaneously perform the joint of the plurality of plates 72, 73 and the sealing of the water supply path 71 during the process of joining the plurality of plates 72, 73, and is excellent in manufacturability.

[0182] In addition, the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of inlets 71i disposed at the boundary between the tank base 32 and the tank cover 31 which is another plate portion connected to the tank base 32 of the tank 11. Therefore, the steam engine 1 can continuously eject steam without interrupting the supply of liquid from the tank 11 to the steam ejection unit 16 regardless of the posture in which it is used.

[0183] Furthermore, the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of stop valves 81 provided on each of the plurality of inlets 71i. Each stop valve 81 includes a valve body 82 that cuts off the connection between the inlet 71i and the outlet 71o when the valve body 82 is disposed above the valve seat 83. Therefore, the steam engine 1 can prevent the gas in the tank 11 from flowing into the pump 51 and continuously eject steam without interrupting the supply of liquid to the steam ejection unit 16 regardless of the posture in which it is used.

[0184] In addition, the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a stop valve 81, and the stop valve 81 has a continuous valve seat 83 provided on a single component. Therefore, the steam engine 1 can suppress the valve seat leakage amount of the stop valve 81 to a small value, and can more reliably prevent the gas in the tank 11 from flowing into the pump 51 regardless of the posture in which it is used.

[0185] Furthermore, the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of slit-shaped inlets 71i. Therefore, even if foreign matter other than the liquid invades the tank 11, the steam engine 1 can prevent the foreign matter of a size that affects the operation of the pump 51 from flowing into the pump 51, thereby ensuring the operation of the pump 51 and further maintaining a sound steam ejection function.

[0186] In addition, the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a transmissive tank base 32. Therefore, after the tank base 32 is assembled, the steam engine 1 can extremely easily confirm the operation of the stop valve 81 or confirm the leakage of the water supply path 71, and can ship the product on the basis of confirming sufficient quality.

[0187] Therefore, according to the steam engine 1 according to the present embodiment, it has a path capable of sucking out the water in the tank 11 without reducing the internal volume of the tank 11.

[0188] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope or gist of the invention and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Claims

1. A steam engine, wherein: have: A tank, capable of storing water; a heat source, capable of generating heat; and a steam ejection portion including a vaporization chamber for vaporizing the water supplied from the tank into steam by the heat generated by the heat source, and an ejection hole for ejecting the steam generated in the vaporization chamber, The bottom plate portion of the tank has a water supply path having at least one inlet communicating with the inside of the tank and an outlet communicating with the vaporization chamber of the steam ejection portion.

2. The steam engine according to claim 1, wherein: The water supply path is partitioned by a plurality of plates including an outermost plate corresponding to the outermost layer of the bottom plate portion and an innermost plate corresponding to the innermost layer of the bottom plate portion.

3. The steam engine according to claim 2, wherein: The bottom plate portion has a joint portion that joins the plurality of plates along the water supply path and seals the water supply path.

4. The steam engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The at least one inlet includes a plurality of the inlets, and is disposed at a boundary between the bottom plate portion and another plate portion of the tank connected to the bottom plate portion.

5. The steam engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: have: A plurality of stop valves are respectively arranged at the plurality of inlets, Each of the shutoff valves includes a valve body, and when the valve body is disposed above a valve seat, the valve body shuts off the connection between the corresponding inlet and the outlet.

6. The steam engine according to claim 5, wherein: Each of the stop valves has a continuous valve seat provided in a single component.

7. The steam engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The plurality of inlets are slit-shaped.

8. The steam engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The bottom plate portion has transmissivity.

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