Iron comprising a steam generator

Abstract

Iron comprising a heating body (4), an upper surface at which a steam generator is arranged, characterised in that said steam generator comprises an outer evaporation chamber (45) surrounding an inner evaporation chamber (46) and means (7) for injecting fluid onto the bottom wall (40) of the inner evaporation chamber (46), said steam generator comprising a first channel (60) establishing communication between the inner evaporation chamber (46) and the outer evaporation chamber (45) and a second channel (48) establishing communication between the outer evaporation chamber (45) and a steam distribution circuit which opens onto at least one steam outlet hole (20) arranged in the sole plate (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of irons, which include a heating element having a lower surface that is in thermal contact with an ironing soleplate, and an upper surface where a steam generator is disposed. Background Technology

[0002] An iron is known from patent application EP1314811. The iron includes a heating body having a lower surface in thermal contact with an ironing surface; and an upper surface where a steam generator is disposed, the steam generator including a first evaporation chamber and a second evaporation chamber arranged in series and interconnected by connecting pipes.

[0003] However, this steam generator has the disadvantage of being quite bulky, and it cannot avoid the problem of water droplets spraying out when the iron is used in a basically vertical position and tilted to the side or head down, such as when ironing curtains or clothes hanging on a hanger. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by proposing an iron equipped with a steam generator that has optimized evaporation capacity and a particularly compact structure.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide an evaporation device that ensures optimal evaporation regardless of the orientation of the evaporation device, so as to reduce and, where possible, eliminate the risk of unevaporated water droplets being ejected through the steam outlet orifice of the device when the device is used in multiple orientations.

[0006] Therefore, the subject of this invention is an iron comprising a heating body having a lower surface in thermal contact with an ironing soleplate, and an upper surface on which a steam generator is disposed, characterized in that the steam generator comprises an outer evaporation chamber, an inner evaporation chamber, and means for injecting fluid into the bottom wall of the inner evaporation chamber, the outer evaporation chamber surrounding the inner evaporation chamber, the steam generator comprising at least one first channel establishing communication between the inner evaporation chamber and the outer evaporation chamber, and comprising at least one second channel establishing communication between the outer evaporation chamber and a steam distribution circuit leading to at least one steam outlet hole disposed in the soleplate.

[0007] This feature has the advantage of allowing for the creation of particularly compact steam generators with optimized evaporation capacity.

[0008] In addition, the device may have one or more of the following features, either individually or in combination.

[0009] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the outer evaporation chamber is laterally defined by an outer peripheral wall protruding on the upper surface of the heating element, and the inner evaporation chamber is laterally defined by an inner peripheral wall protruding into the outer evaporation chamber. The upper part of the outer evaporation chamber is closed by a first sealing cover attached to the outer peripheral wall, and the upper part of the inner evaporation chamber is closed by a second sealing cover attached to the inner peripheral wall. The first sealing cover covers the second sealing cover.

[0010] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the first and second sealing caps extend parallel to the plane of the base plate.

[0011] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the first channel is formed by a hole provided on the second closure cover.

[0012] This feature allows for limiting the risk of water droplets being entrained by the steam flow as it passes through the orifice.

[0013] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the hole has an elongated, substantially oblong channel cross-section.

[0014] This feature allows for orifices with relatively large channel cross-sections while maintaining narrow channel openings, thus limiting the risk that large-diameter water droplets entrained by the vapor flow cannot pass through the orifice without impacting the second sealing cap.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the steam flow space is arranged at least partially between the first cover and the second cover.

[0016] This feature allows for the creation of steam generators that are particularly compact in width.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the second cover includes at least one boss that contacts the first cover and locally forms a baffle in the path of the vapor flow flowing between the first and second covers.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, fluid is injected onto the bottom wall at the longitudinal end of the inner evaporation chamber, and orifices are arranged on a second sealing cover at the opposite longitudinal end of the inner evaporation chamber.

[0019] This feature allows the steam flow to be forced to travel along the internal evaporation chamber before it can escape through the orifice.

[0020] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the second channel is formed by a through opening disposed in the bottom wall of the outer evaporation chamber and disposed outside the inner evaporation chamber.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, a through opening is arranged at the longitudinal end of the outer evaporation chamber, which is positioned relative to the longitudinal end receiving the hole.

[0022] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device for injecting fluid includes an injection tube passing through a first hole in a first closure and a second hole in a second closure, and includes a seal extending around the injection tube, the seal achieving at least a sealing engagement with the first closure and possibly a sealing engagement with the second closure.

[0023] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the first hole and the second hole are aligned.

[0024] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device includes a water reservoir that supplies the means for injecting fluid. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The objects, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a specific embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a side view of an iron according to a specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A bottom-view perspective view of the heating element and soleplate of the iron; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Top-view perspective of the heating element and base plate; Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A partially exploded perspective view of the heating element and base plate, showing the second cover in the closed position of the inner evaporation chamber; Figure 5 yes Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the heating element and the base plate; Figure 6 yes Figure 2 A longitudinal sectional view of the heating element and the base plate; Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 Cross-sectional view of the heating element and base plate along axis VII-VII; Figure 8 yes Figure 2 Another exploded perspective view of the heating element and the base plate. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. For ease of reading, the same elements are labeled with the same reference numerals from one figure to another.

[0027] It should be noted that in this article, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “lower,” “upper,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “longitudinal,” and “lateral” used to describe an iron refer to the device when it is laid flat on the soleplate during use.

[0028] Figure 1 An iron 1 is shown, which includes a flat soleplate 2 on which a housing 10 made of plastic material is provided. The housing 10 includes a grip handle 11 that extends overhanging relative to the rear end of the soleplate 2. The grip handle 11 includes a free rear end that is connected by a rope 3 to a base (not shown) surrounding a water reservoir.

[0029] according to Figure 2 The base plate 2 has a symmetrical oblong shape with a circular front end and rear end. The base plate 2 is preferably made of stainless steel or aluminum and includes a central region with steam outlet holes 20 distributed in a rectangular grid, and the central region is surrounded by a peripheral region without steam outlet holes.

[0030] Preferably, the soleplate 2 has a reduced size, allowing for high operability of the iron 1. For example, the soleplate 2 has a length of less than 15 cm, advantageously about 14 cm, and a width of less than 10 cm, advantageously about 8 cm, with the grip handle 11 protruding laterally by about 12 cm.

[0031] according to Figures 3 to 8 The housing 10 of the iron 1 surrounds the heating element 4, which is in thermal contact with the soleplate 2. The heating element 4 includes a casting, which is advantageously made of aluminum.

[0032] The heating element 4 includes an upper surface on which a steam generator is arranged, the steam generator being laterally defined by an outer peripheral wall 41 extending over the entire periphery of the heating element 4.

[0033] The outer peripheral wall 41 protrudes from the upper surface of the heating body 4 and advantageously has a straight front portion extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base plate 2, two straight side portions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base plate 2, and a circular rear portion.

[0034] The steam generator is closed at its upper part by a first cover 5, which rests against the outer peripheral wall 41 and is connected to the outer peripheral wall in a sealed manner.

[0035] Preferably, the heating element 4 includes a bottom wall 40 that surrounds a resistor 43, which includes two ends extending to the vicinity of the front end of the heating element 4, outside the volume defined by the outer peripheral wall 41.

[0036] according to Figure 5 Resistor 43 has a generally U-shape and includes two branches extending along a plurality of straight sides and a circular rear portion along the outer peripheral wall 41. Resistor 43 advantageously has a power rating of approximately 2000 W.

[0037] The bottom wall 40, the outer peripheral wall 41, and the first cover 5 define the outer evaporation chamber 45 of the steam generator. Preferably, the outer evaporation chamber 45 has a width of less than 8 cm, advantageously about 6 cm, a length of less than 12 cm, advantageously about 10 cm, and a height of less than 2 cm, advantageously about 1.5 cm.

[0038] according to Figures 4 to 7 The steam generator also includes an internal evaporation chamber 46 arranged within the volume of the external evaporation chamber 45.

[0039] The inner evaporation chamber 46 is laterally defined by an inner peripheral wall 42 that protrudes into the bottom wall 40 of the outer evaporation chamber 45, and is closed at its upper part by a second sealing cover 6 located below the first sealing cover 5. A space allowing steam flow is advantageously provided between the first cover 5 and the second cover 6. For example, the inner evaporation chamber 46 has a width of approximately 4 cm, a length of approximately 7 cm, and a height of approximately 1 cm.

[0040] The internal evaporation chamber 46 and the external evaporation chamber 45 are arranged in series, that is, the steam generated by the internal evaporation chamber 46 escapes into the external evaporation chamber 45 before diffusing through the steam distribution loop leading to the steam outlet hole 20 of the bottom plate 2.

[0041] The external evaporation chamber 45 includes a mounting post 47 protruding from the bottom wall 40 near its rear end. This mounting post is configured to receive a mechanical thermostat or temperature sensor (not shown). The mounting post 47 is adjacent to the rear end of the inner peripheral wall 42 and is used to adjust the power supply of the resistor 43 to maintain the internal evaporation chamber 46 near a setpoint temperature, which can optionally be adjusted by the user, at approximately 150°C.

[0042] Preferably, the steam generator includes a device 7 for injecting water into the internal evaporation chamber 46. The device 7 advantageously includes an injection tube 70 that passes through a first hole 51 in the first cover 5 near its front edge and a second hole 61 in the second cover 6 on the axis of the first hole 51.

[0043] The device 7 for spraying water also includes a seal 71 that extends around the spray tube 70 and contacts the edges of the first hole 51 and the second hole 61 to ensure a seal with them. The injection tube 70 allows water to be injected onto the evaporation surface of the bottom wall 40, which is advantageously located near the front end of the internal evaporation chamber 46.

[0044] Water is supplied to the injection tube 70 in a manner known per se by a pump (not shown in the figure), which is integrated into the base and whose operation is controlled by a trigger 12 located below the front end of the grip handle 11. When the trigger 12 is actuated, the pump advantageously has a flow rate greater than 35 gr / min.

[0045] like Figure 5 As shown, the second sealing cover 6 includes an elongated oval hole 60 located near the rear end of the second sealing cover 6, which establishes a channel between the inner evaporation chamber 46 and the outer evaporation chamber 45.

[0046] according to Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 The external evaporation chamber 45 includes a through opening 48 located at the front end of the bottom wall 40 and connected to a steam distribution circuit located on the lower surface of the heating element 4.

[0047] Preferably, the second cover 6 partially includes a boss 62 that contacts the first cover 5, the boss 62 being arranged in the path between the hole 60 and the through opening 48 to form an obstruction that deflects the steam flow from the hole 60. This feature allows for a longer steam path and promotes the evaporation of any water droplets carried by the steam flow.

[0048] In particular, the presence of this boss 62 allows the steam flow from the hole 60 to be split into two steam flows flowing on both sides of the boss 62, forcing the steam flow through a narrow channel in which the steam flow lightly touches the outer peripheral wall 41 that is overheated due to the heat emitted by the resistor 43.

[0049] according to Figure 8 The steam distribution circuit includes a cavity 9, which is advantageously disposed between the heating element 4 and the base plate 2, allowing steam to be supplied to the steam outlet port 20 of the base plate 2. The cavity 9 includes a U-shaped first rib 91 and a U-shaped second rib 92, which protrude and contact the base plate 2 to ensure heat transfer to the base plate 2 by conduction.

[0050] like Figure 8 As shown, the first rib 91 and the second rib 92 are arranged downwards, with the U-shaped branch formed by the second rib 92 arranged within the U-shaped branch formed by the first rib 91 and supported on the base plate 2 at the edge of the central region including the steam outlet orifice 20. The opening portion of the U-shape formed by the second rib 92 is advantageously oriented toward the through opening 48, and the base of the U-shape formed by the first rib 91 is arranged between the through opening 48 and the opening end of the U-shape formed by the second rib 92. Therefore, the steam flow from the through opening 48 first passes through the outside of the U-shape formed by the first rib 91, and then passes between the U-shaped branches of the first rib 91 and the second rib 92 before being able to escape through the steam outlet orifice 20. This arrangement of the first rib 91 and the second rib 92 allows for the formation of a labyrinthine steam distribution loop, which greatly reduces the risk of unevaporated water droplets being pushed through the steam outlet orifice 20.

[0051] The operation of iron 1 will now be described.

[0052] When the user actuates trigger 12, water is injected by the pump through injection tube 70 and sprayed onto the evaporation surface of the bottom wall 40 located near the front end of the internal evaporation chamber 46. The evaporation surface is arranged between and adjacent to the branches of resistor 43, and it is permanently maintained at a high temperature, which ensures strong evaporation of the water injected by injection tube 70.

[0053] The steam generated in the inner evaporation chamber 46 then escapes through the hole 60 located near the rear end of the second cover 6, and then travels towards the front end of the outer evaporation chamber 45, flowing through narrow channels located on both sides of the boss 62 and / or in the space formed between the very hot inner peripheral wall 42 and the outer peripheral wall 41. The steam flow then leaves the outer evaporation chamber 45 and merges with the steam distribution circuit located between the heating element 4 and the base plate 2 through the through opening 48. The steam then enters the steam distribution circuit located in the cavity 9, follows a labyrinthine path formed by the first rib 91 and the second rib 92, and then escapes through the steam outlet hole 20 of the base plate 2.

[0054] The tortuous path followed by the steam generated by the internal evaporation chamber 46 before exiting through the steam outlet hole 20 greatly limits the risk of unevaporated water droplets being discharged through the steam outlet hole, regardless of the orientation of the iron 1. In fact, during the multiple changes in the direction of the steam flow, the water droplets carried by the steam flow are systematically sprayed onto the hot walls of the steam generator due to their inertia, which allows these droplets to evaporate before reaching the steam outlet hole 20.

[0055] Therefore, irons manufactured in this way have the advantage of being very compact, while allowing for high steam flow and reducing the risk of water droplets spraying out, regardless of the orientation of the soleplate.

[0056] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which are given by way of example only. Modifications are still possible without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, particularly from the perspective of the composition of various elements or by substitution with technical equivalents.

[0057] Therefore, in a variant embodiment not shown, the water reservoir can be directly installed in the iron's housing.

[0058] Therefore, in a variant embodiment not shown, the internal evaporation chamber can be supplied with water via a drip plug located at the spray hole and by gravity from a water reservoir.

Claims

1. An iron (1), comprising a heating element (4) having a lower surface in thermal contact with an ironing soleplate (2) and an upper surface, wherein a steam generator is disposed on the upper surface, the steam generator comprising an outer evaporation chamber (45), an inner evaporation chamber (46), and means (7) for injecting fluid into a bottom wall (40) of the inner evaporation chamber (46), the steam generator comprising at least one first channel (60) and at least one second channel (48), the first channel establishing communication between the inner evaporation chamber (46) and the outer evaporation chamber (45), the second channel establishing communication between the outer evaporation chamber (45) and a steam distribution circuit leading to at least one steam outlet hole (20) disposed in the soleplate (2), characterized in that, The outer evaporation chamber (45) surrounds the inner evaporation chamber (46), the outer evaporation chamber (45) is laterally defined by an outer peripheral wall (41) protruding from the upper surface of the heating element (4), the inner evaporation chamber (46) is laterally defined by an inner peripheral wall (42) protruding into the interior of the outer evaporation chamber (45), the upper part of the outer evaporation chamber (45) is closed by a first sealing cover (5) attached to the outer peripheral wall (41), and the upper part of the inner evaporation chamber (46) is closed by a second sealing cover (6) attached to the inner peripheral wall (42), the first sealing cover (5) covering the second sealing cover (6).

2. The iron (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first channel is formed by a hole (60) provided on the second closure cover (6).

3. The iron (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The hole (60) has a long and generally oblong channel cross section.

4. The iron (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that, A space for steam flow is provided at least partially between the first cover (5) and the second cover (6).

5. The iron (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The second cover (6) includes at least one boss (62) that contacts the first cover (5), the boss (62) forming a baffle in the path of the vapor flow between the first cover (5) and the second cover (6).

6. The iron (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The fluid is injected into the bottom wall (40) at the longitudinal end of the internal evaporation chamber (46), and the hole (60) is provided on the second closure (6) at the opposite longitudinal end of the internal evaporation chamber (46).

7. The iron (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The second channel is formed by a through opening (48) located in the bottom wall (40) of the outer evaporation chamber (45) and outside the inner evaporation chamber (46).

8. The iron (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The through opening (48) is located at the longitudinal end of the external evaporation chamber (45), and the longitudinal end is positioned relative to the longitudinal end of the receiving hole (60).

9. The iron (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The device (7) for injecting fluid includes an injection tube (70) that passes through a first hole (51) in the first closure cap (5) and a second hole (61) in the second closure cap (6), and includes a seal (71) extending around the injection tube (70) that forms a sealing engagement with at least the first closure cap (5).

10. The iron (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The first hole (51) and the second hole (61) are aligned.

11. The iron (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The iron includes a water reservoir that supplies the device (7) for injecting fluid.

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