Steam boiler and hand-held steam appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to a steam boiler and a portable hand steam utensil, the steam boiler comprises a boiler body, an inner cavity is limited, the inner cavity is provided with a water injection port and a steam escape port, and the boiler body comprises a bottom wall and a side wall; the lower portion of the partition wall is connected with the bottom wall and divides the bottom wall into a first area and a second area, and the inner cavity is divided by the partition wall into a first cavity defined by the first area and part of the side wall and a second cavity defined by the second area and part of the side wall. The first chamber and the second chamber are arranged in a way that water injected from the water injection port firstly flows into the second chamber and overflows into the first chamber after the second chamber reaches a set water level, and the steam escape port is positioned on the side wall of the part forming the first chamber; the heating part is arranged on the bottom wall; the first temperature controller is arranged at the first area and is in control connection with the heating component; the second temperature controller is arranged at the second area and is in control connection with the heating component; wherein the jump stop temperature of the second temperature controller is higher than the jump stop temperature of the first temperature controller.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to steam boilers and hand-held steam appliances. Background Art

[0002] As a core component of portable steam appliances, steam boilers often rely on multiple protection mechanisms for safe and stable operation. Current mainstream designs generally utilize a dual protection system consisting of a resettable thermostat and a non-resettable dry-boil fuse. The protection logic is that the thermostat acts as a primary protection mechanism, shutting off the heating power in the event of low water levels or localized overheating, and automatically resetting once the temperature drops, providing a cyclical protection loop. The dry-boil fuse, acting as a secondary protection mechanism, only blows in the event of thermostat failure or extreme dry-boil conditions, providing ultimate safety.

[0003] However, in actual operation, it was discovered that the above protection mechanism has significant flaws, such as the misalignment of the protection sequence caused by localized dry-burning. Localized dry-burning can occur when, for example, a steam boiler is used in a tilted position, resulting in a localized lack of water on the surface of the heating tube. This causes a sharp rise in temperature in the specific area of ​​the heating element corresponding to the water-deficient area. If the thermostat is unable to detect this localized overheating due to installation limitations, and this localized overheating is located at the installation point of the anti-dry-burn fuse, for example, the fuse will trigger before the thermostat. This means that the instantaneous high temperature generated by the localized dry-burning directly acts on the fuse installation point, causing the fusible fuse to melt before the thermostat reaches its operating threshold.

[0004] These design flaws can cause steam appliances equipped with these steam boilers to malfunction, leading to extremely high after-sales maintenance costs. Existing improvement options include increasing the number of thermostats and optimizing installation locations. Increasing the number of thermostats increases manufacturing costs, while optimizing installation locations sometimes fails to fully address the issue of real-time monitoring and rapid response to local hotspots. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the first purpose of the present application is to provide a steam boiler that can effectively prevent local dry burning; the second purpose of the present application is to provide a hand-held steam appliance equipped with the steam boiler.

[0006] To this end, the first aspect of the present application provides a steam boiler, comprising: a boiler body, defining an inner cavity, the inner cavity having a water injection port and a steam escape port located at the upper part of the boiler body, the boiler body comprising a bottom wall and a side wall; a partition wall, located in the inner cavity and extending in the up and down directions, the lower part of the partition wall intersecting with the bottom wall and dividing the bottom wall into a first area and a second area, the inner cavity is divided by the partition wall into a first chamber defined by the first area and part of the side wall and a second chamber defined by the second area and part of the side wall, the first chamber and the second chamber are It is arranged that the water injected from the water inlet first flows into the second chamber and overflows into the first chamber after the second chamber reaches a set water level, and the steam escape port is located on the side wall of this part constituting the first chamber; the heating component, the heating component is arranged on the bottom wall; the first thermostat, the first thermostat is arranged in the first area and is control-connected to the heating component; and the second thermostat, the second thermostat is arranged in the second area and is control-connected to the heating component; wherein the trip temperature of the second thermostat is greater than the trip temperature of the first thermostat.

[0007] In some preferred embodiments, the first thermostat is a thermostat that can be restored to use after reaching a trip temperature.

[0008] In some preferred embodiments, the second thermostat is a blown fuse that cannot be restored after reaching a trip temperature.

[0009] In some preferred embodiments, the steam boiler further comprises: a cover, mounted on the top of the partition wall and forming a plurality of openings; water flowing into the second chamber can only overflow into the first chamber through the plurality of openings.

[0010] In some preferred embodiments, the steam boiler further comprises: a flow guide component located between the water injection port and the second chamber, wherein the flow guide component is configured to guide water injected from the water injection port to the second chamber.

[0011] In some preferred embodiments, the area ratio of the first region to the second region is 1-2:1.

[0012] In some preferred embodiments, the first chamber defines a maximum water filling line, and the upper portion of the partition wall exceeds the maximum water filling line.

[0013] In some preferred embodiments, the partition wall is an arc-shaped wall.

[0014] The second aspect of the present application also provides a hand-held steam appliance, comprising a housing having a handle, a steam boiler placed in the housing and as described in the first aspect or the preferred embodiment of the first aspect, and a steam nozzle that can be selectively connected to the steam escape port fluid.

[0015] In some preferred embodiments, the hand-portable steam appliance further comprises: a manually operable one-way valve, wherein the one-way valve is arranged on the steam flow path between the steam escape port and the steam nozzle.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present application are as follows: the dual-chamber isolation enables the bottom wall of the boiler body to be kept as completely submerged as possible when the steam boiler is used in a tilted state, eliminating the risk of local dry burning; the thermostat utilization rate is improved: the hierarchical trigger mechanism ensures that the first thermostat has the dominant protection, and the steam boiler failure rate is low. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a hand-held steam appliance according to one embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a steam boiler according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the interior of the lower shell;

[0021] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a cover according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present application relates to a steam boiler and a hand-held steam appliance equipped with the steam boiler. When using the hand-held steam appliance, an operator carries the appliance in one hand and applies steam to a target surface, where the steam can be used to disinfect or soften dirt on the target surface.

[0023] See also Figure 1 The portable steam appliance 100 shown includes a housing 1. Housing 1 is typically assembled from multiple components, which can be screwed together or ultrasonically welded together. Sealing components may also be provided at some joints. Housing 1 defines an installation space 10 within which components, such as a steam boiler, are mounted.

[0024] The hand-portable steam device 100 has a handle 2. The handle 2 is integrally formed on the housing 1. The operator can grasp the handle 2 to carry the hand-portable steam device 100.

[0025] The handheld steam appliance 100 includes a steam nozzle 3 mounted on a housing 1. The steam nozzle 3 and the handle 2 are positioned on opposite sides of the housing 1 in a transverse direction. The housing 1 defines an opening 11, and the steam nozzle 3 is fixedly mounted on the opening 11. It should be noted that the steam nozzle 3 is removable from the housing 1 and is available in a variety of styles to accommodate a variety of surfaces to be cleaned.

[0026] The portable steam device 100 includes a steam boiler 4 that heats water into steam. The steam boiler 4 is disposed in an installation space 10 within a housing 1. A steam output path 5 is disposed between the steam boiler 4 and the steam nozzle 3. The portable steam device 100 includes a manually operable one-way valve 6.

[0027] The one-way valve 6 is arranged on the steam output path 5. With the help of the one-way valve 6, the operator can selectively release the steam from the steam boiler 4 to the outside, that is, selectively connect the steam nozzle 3 with the steam escape port of the steam boiler 4.

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the steam boiler 4 includes a boiler body 41 made of metal. The boiler body 41 is composed of an upper shell 401 and a lower shell 402 fixedly joined together. The lower shell 402 has a bottom wall 411. The upper shell 401 and the lower shell 402 together define a side wall 412. The bottom wall 411 is located on the lower half 401 of the boiler body 41. A water inlet 43 and a steam outlet 44 are located on the upper shell 401.

[0029] The boiler body 41 defines an inner cavity 42, which has a water injection port 43 at the top of the upper shell 401 and a steam outlet 44 at the upper portion of the upper shell 401. Water can be injected into the inner cavity 42 through the water injection port 42. The steam output path 5 is located between the steam outlet 44 and the steam nozzle 3.

[0030] A partition wall 45 is provided in the inner cavity 42 of the boiler body 41. The partition wall 45 is located near the middle of the inner cavity 42 and extends in the vertical direction. Figure 4 As shown, partition wall 45 is an arcuate wall. The lower portion of partition wall 45 intersects with bottom wall 411, dividing bottom wall 411 into a first region 4111 and a second region 4112. The area ratio of first region 4111 to second region 4112 is preferably 1-2:1. In other embodiments, the partition wall may also be annular or have other irregular shapes.

[0031] Inner chamber 42 is divided by partition wall 45 into a first chamber 421 defined by a first region 4111 and a portion of sidewall 412, and a second chamber 422 defined by a second region 4112 and a portion of sidewall 412. First chamber 421 and second chamber 422 are arranged so that water injected from water inlet 43 first flows into second chamber 422 and then overflows into first chamber 421 after the water level in second chamber 422 reaches a set level. A steam escape port 44 is located on the portion of sidewall 412 that constitutes first chamber 421.

[0032] A flow guide 46 is also provided within the inner cavity 42 of the boiler body 41. This flow guide 46 is specifically located between the water inlet 43 and the second chamber 422. The flow guide 46 is configured to direct water injected from the water inlet 43 into the second chamber 422. In other embodiments, the flow guide may not be provided, and the outline of the water inlet may be projected within the outline of the second chamber to ensure that all water injected from the water inlet falls directly into the second chamber.

[0033] A cover 47 is further provided in the inner cavity 42 of the boiler body 41 . The shape of the cover 47 matches the top shape of the second chamber 422 , and the cover 47 is installed on the top of the partition wall 45 .

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, a plurality of openings 471 are formed in the cover 47. The guide member 46 is located between the water inlet 43 and the cover 47. Water guided from the guide member 46 flows into the second chamber 422 through the plurality of openings 471. Once the water in the second chamber 422 reaches a set water level (i.e., the position of the plurality of openings 471), it can only overflow into the first chamber 421 through these openings 471.

[0035] The partition wall can also form an integrated structure with the upper half or lower half of the boiler body. The flow guide component and the cover can be made of stainless steel, which has good high temperature resistance.

[0036] Based on the above structure, when water is injected into the inner cavity 42 of the boiler body 41, the water preferentially flows into the second chamber 422. Once the second chamber 422 is full, the excess water flows into the first chamber 421 through the plurality of overflow ports 471 at the top of the second chamber 422. This ensures that the second chamber 422 is filled first when the user is adding water.

[0037] Continue as Figure 3 As shown, the first chamber 421 defines a maximum water filling line L, and the upper portion of the partition wall 45 exceeds the maximum water filling line L. That is, when water is added to the boiler body 41 , the actual water level in the second chamber 422 is usually higher than the actual water level in the first chamber 421 .

[0038] A heating component 48 is provided on the bottom wall 411 of the boiler body 41. The heating component 48 is a heating coil that generates heat when powered on, so as to convert the water in the inner cavity 42 of the boiler body 41 into high-temperature steam.

[0039] To ensure safe operation of the heating element 48, a first thermostat 491 and a second thermostat 492 are provided on the bottom wall 411. The first thermostat 491 is located in the first region 4111 corresponding to the first chamber 421 and is controllably connected to the heating element 48. The second thermostat 492 is located in the second region 4112 corresponding to the second chamber 422 and is also controllably connected to the heating element 48. The trip temperature of the second thermostat 492 is greater than that of the first thermostat 491. For example, if the trip temperature of the first thermostat 491 is set to 120°C, the trip temperature of the second thermostat 492 can be set to 150°C. The first thermostat 491 and the second thermostat 492 can detect the temperature at the first area 4111 corresponding to the first chamber 421 and the second area 4112 corresponding to the second chamber 422 and take action based on the detection results. When any spoof thermostat detects that the temperature at the above-mentioned corresponding position is greater than or equal to its preset jump temperature, the first thermostat 491 or the second thermostat 492 will control the above-mentioned heating component 48 to stop heating.

[0040] In this example, the first thermostat 491 is a resettable thermostat that can be restored after reaching the trip temperature; the second thermostat 492 is a blown fuse that cannot be restored after reaching the trip temperature. The resettable first thermostat 492 and the non-resettable fuse-type second thermostat 493 form a dual protection system. The arrangement of the first and second thermostats 491 and 492 prevents dry-burning of the boiler body 42 due to a lack of water, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the boiler.

[0041] The present application provides a partition wall in the inner cavity so that a portion of the water injected into the cavity will be stored in the second chamber. This will ensure that no matter how the steam boiler shakes during use, a portion of water will always be retained in the second area corresponding to the fuse. That is, the bottom wall corresponding to the entire heating component can basically ensure a water coverage rate of 100%. Even if the steam appliance is in a tilted state, the second area will not emerge from the water before the first area, thereby effectively preventing the fuse from being burned out by excessive temperature.

[0042] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for the elements without departing from the actual scope of the present invention. Furthermore, many modifications may be made to accommodate particular circumstances and the teachings of the present invention without departing from its central scope. Therefore, all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of the present invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A steam boiler, characterized in that: include: a boiler body defining an inner cavity having a water injection port and a steam escape port located at an upper portion of the boiler body, the boiler body including a bottom wall and side walls; a partition wall located in the inner cavity and extending in the up-down direction, the lower portion of the partition wall intersecting with the bottom wall and dividing the bottom wall into a first area and a second area, the inner cavity being divided by the partition wall into a first chamber defined by the first area and a portion of the side wall, and a second chamber defined by the second area and a portion of the side wall, the first chamber and the second chamber being arranged such that water injected from the water inlet first flows into the second chamber and overflows into the first chamber after the water level in the second chamber reaches a set level, and the steam escape port is located on the portion of the side wall constituting the first chamber; a heating component, wherein the heating component is arranged on the bottom wall; a first thermostat, the first thermostat being arranged at the first area and being control-connected to the heating component; as well as A second thermostat is arranged at the second area and is controllably connected to the heating component; wherein a trip temperature of the second thermostat is greater than a trip temperature of the first thermostat.

2. The steam boiler according to claim 1, characterized in that The first thermostat is a thermostat that can be restored to use after reaching the trip temperature.

3. The steam boiler according to claim 1, characterized in that The second temperature controller is a blown fuse that cannot be restored after reaching the trip temperature.

4. The steam boiler according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: A cover is installed on the top of the partition wall and forms a plurality of openings; water flowing into the second chamber can only overflow into the first chamber through the plurality of openings.

5. The steam boiler according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The flow guide component is located between the water injection port and the second chamber, and is configured to guide the water injected from the water injection port to the second chamber.

6. The steam boiler according to claim 1, characterized in that The area ratio of the first region to the second region is 1-2:

1.

7. The steam boiler according to claim 1, characterized in that The first chamber defines a maximum water filling line, and the upper portion of the partition wall exceeds the maximum water filling line.

8. The steam boiler according to claim 1, characterized in that The partition wall is an arc-shaped wall.

9. A hand-held steam appliance, characterized in that: The invention comprises a housing with a handle, a steam boiler according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and placed in the housing, and a steam nozzle selectively connectable to the steam escape port.

10. The hand-held steam appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that: Also includes: A manually operable one-way valve is arranged on the steam flow path between the steam escape port and the steam nozzle.

Images