STEAMER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a steam generator according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From DE 10 2011 006 766 A1 a steam generator is known which comprises a storage tank, a filling pump, a steam boiler unit, an applicator and a housing.

[0003] From US 3,581,529 a steam generator is known which, for generating steam, comprises a heating unit which heats water flowing from a container into an interior of the heating unit.

[0004] The object of the invention is to propose a steam generator which has a compact and maintenance-friendly design and whose transport and storage are simplified.

[0005] This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1, starting from the features of the preamble of claim 1. Advantageous and expedient developments are specified in the subclaims.

[0006] The steam generator comprises a storage tank, a filling pump, a steam boiler unit, an applicator, and a housing. The housing comprises a tub with a receiving space and a lid. The steam boiler unit is inserted into the tub in a lower region of the receiving space, and the storage tank is inserted into the tub above the steam boiler unit in a central region of the receiving space. Such an arrangement and layering of the individual components ensures both a compact design and ease of maintenance, since the components are layered according to their relevance. Transport and storage are also simplified, since all components can be stowed in the housing.

[0007] According to the invention, the tank is provided with a device coupling connected to a tank base, and the steam boiler unit is provided with a device plug. The device plug of the steam boiler unit is fully connected to the device coupling when the steam boiler unit is fully inserted into the tank. This allows for rapid assembly and disassembly of the steam boiler unit, for example, for maintenance purposes by simply plugging or unplugging. The device plug is designed as a reinforced device plug so that it has sufficient load-bearing capacity for such an application.

[0008] It is also proposed to design the applicator as a steam plate and to position it in an upper area of ​​the housing between the reservoir and the lid. This also completely houses the applicator within the housing, making both transport and storage of the steam generator easier, as only one item needs to be handled and stored.

[0009] Furthermore, it is proposed to design the applicator as a steam plate, wherein the steam plate comprises a handle formed thereon opposite a steam outlet surface, and wherein the storage container has a recess in which the handle is received when the steam plate is inserted into the housing. The applicator designed as a steam plate with a handle can thus also be stored in the housing.

[0010] It is also proposed to equip the steam boiler unit with a pressure vessel with a connection flange and a closure unit. The connection flange is closed by the closure unit, and the closure unit includes a sensor unit, a pressure relief valve, a vacuum valve, a water inlet, and a steam outlet. This allows all supply and discharge lines to be connected and disconnected to the pressure vessel with a single movement. This simplifies maintenance.

[0011] Furthermore, it is provided to equip the steam boiler unit with a pressure vessel having a receiving flange and a heating element unit, wherein an electrical component of the heating element unit is received in the receiving flange such that the at least one heating element of the heating element unit protrudes into the pressure vessel, and wherein the electrical component is locked to the pressure vessel by a locking component of the heating element unit. Such a design also simplifies maintenance.

[0012] It is also planned to connect the appliance plug, which is part of the heating element unit, to the locking component in a form-fitting manner. This allows the appliance plug to be handled using the locking component, thus simplifying its handling.

[0013] Furthermore, it is provided to equip the sensor unit with a level sensor and / or a temperature sensor, wherein it is particularly provided that the sensor unit rests against an inner wall of the pressure vessel and is supported thereby. By measuring pressure and / or temperature, it is easy to reliably monitor the operation of the steam generator.

[0014] It is also proposed to equip the housing with a double hinge with a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis parallel to and spaced from the first hinge axis, connecting the tray and the lid. This allows the tray to be formed with a solid rim in an upper area, while still allowing the lid to pivot more than 180°, so that it lies parallel to a side wall of the tray when opened.

[0015] It is also planned to equip the reservoir with a viewing window, and to provide the tub with a recess through which the viewing window of the reservoir housed in the tub is visible. This allows the reservoir's fill level to be easily checked despite the reservoir being installed in the housing.

[0016] Furthermore, it is provided to form a passage valve on the tub of the housing. When the storage tank is inserted, an outlet valve of the storage tank is coupled to the passage valve. The filling pump is connected to the passage valve via a suction hose, and the filling pump is connected to the steam boiler unit via a pressure hose. This simplifies the connection and disconnection of the storage tank, allowing it to be removed from the housing for filling without significant effort.

[0017] It is also provided to connect the steam boiler unit to the applicator via a steam guide hose and to form a first storage area in the receiving space of the tub between an outer wall of the tub and a central unit comprising the steam boiler unit and the storage container. The uncoupled steam guide hose is accommodated in the first storage area and the first applicator is accommodated in a second storage area. This also allows the pressure hose to be stowed in the housing, simplifying transport and storage. Furthermore, it is provided to accommodate a second applicator in a third storage area.

[0018] Furthermore, it is provided to form a base in the area of ​​the tank bottom, wherein a recess is formed in the base, wherein the steam boiler unit is accommodated in the recess, wherein the storage tank rests on the base, and wherein the filling pump is accommodated in a cavity of the base. This ensures a compact and stable structure.

[0019] It is also proposed to construct the tank in two parts, comprising a tank base body and a cup-shaped bottom closure body, with the bottom closure body housing the steam boiler unit and the filling pump. This design simplifies complete maintenance of the steam generator, as the tank can be separated into the tank base body and bottom closure body for disassembly and pre-assembly. The components are connected by detachable snap-in connections and / or screw connections.

[0020] Finally, it is proposed to form a partition wall running between the steam boiler unit and the filling pump by means of a wall of the tank base body that extends from the top to the bottom of the bottom closure body. This ensures a compact and stable construction and, in particular, reliably supports the through-flow valve, which is arranged adjacent to the downwardly projecting wall on the tank base body, so that the storage tank with its outlet valve can be placed under pressure against the through-flow valve.

[0021] It is also intended to use the steam generator housing as a step. Accordingly, the tub and lid, which form the housing and thus the step, are dimensioned to easily withstand the stresses of an adult using this step for work. The step can be used both for working with a steam generator applicator and for other tasks, in which case at least one applicator and one steam guide hose can be stored in the housing.

[0022] Further details of the invention are described in the drawing using schematically illustrated embodiments.

[0023] This shows: Figure 1: a perspective view of the steam generator; Figure 2: the Figure 1 shown steam generator with the lid opened; Figure 3: a partially sectioned exploded view of the Figure 1 and2 shown steam generator; Figure 4: a sectional view of the steam generator shown in Figure 1 shown steam generator, wherein the latter is rotated by approximately 180° around the vertical axis; Figure 5: an exploded view of the steam boiler unit without the closure unit; Figure 6: a perspective view of the steam boiler unit with the closure unit removed; Figure 7: a further perspective view of the steam boiler unit and Figure 8: a further perspective view of the steam generator with the bottom closure body removed downwards.

[0024] In the Figure 1 A steam generator 1 according to the invention is shown in perspective view. The steam generator 1 comprises a housing 2, wherein the housing 2 comprises a tub 3 with a receiving space 6 (see Figure 2 ) and a cover 4. Furthermore, the housing comprises a carrying handle 5, which consists of the Figure 1 shown position 5-I into the position shown in the Figure 2shown position 5-II. The cover 4 comprises a spring-loaded locking tab 5a and is secured with this in its closed position ( Figure 1 ) is locked to the tray 3. Below the locking tab 5a (see Figure 1 ) the tub 3 has a recess 3a through which a storage container 12 arranged in the receiving space 6 of the tub 3 is visible. Here, a viewing window 7 of the storage container 12 is visible, so that the water level of the storage container 12 can be read. Below the recess 3a, an on / off switch 8 is arranged. Laterally next to the on / off switch 8, a first connection A1-9 for a steam guide hose 9 is arranged, which is only connected to the first connection A1-9 when the steam generator 1 is in operation. This steam guide hose 9 leads to a second connection A2-9, which is connected to the Figure 3shown first applicator 13a, wherein the steam guide hose 9 is also only connected to the applicator 9 during operation.

[0025] In the Figure 2 The steam generator 1 is shown in side view and with the lid 4 opened. The lid 4 and the tub 3 are connected via a double hinge 10 with a first pivot axis 10a and a second pivot axis 10b, so that the lid 4 can be folded over a solid edge 3b of the tub 3 and hangs parallel to a wall 3c of the tub 3.

[0026] In the Figure 3 is a partially cutaway exploded view of the Figure 1 and 2 shown steam generator 1, with the cover 4 hidden.

[0027] Further components of the steam generator 1 are shown in the Figure 3a steam boiler unit 11, a storage container 12 and a first and second applicator 13a, 13b. Here, as in the Figure 4 shown - the steam boiler unit 11 is inserted into the tub 3 in a lower region C of the receiving space 6 and the storage container 12 is inserted into the tub 3 in a middle region B of the receiving space 6 above the steam boiler unit 11 when the steam generator 1 is assembled.

[0028] In the Figure 4 In the lower area C of the receiving space 6, a filling pump 14 can be seen as a further component of the steam generator 1, which is arranged next to the steam boiler unit 11. The tub 3 comprises a device coupling 15 connected to a tub bottom 3d (see Figure 3 ) and the steam boiler unit 11 comprises a device plug 16. The device plug 16 is in the

[0029] Figure 5 and 7clearly shown. When the steam boiler unit 11 is fully inserted into the tank 3, the device plug 16 is fully connected to the device coupling 15 (see Figure 4 and 8 ).

[0030] The first applicator 13a (see e.g. Figure 3 ) is designed as a steam plate 17 and is - as shown in the Figure 4 shown) in an upper region A of the receiving space 6 between the storage container 12 and the lid 4. The steam plate 17 comprises a handle 17a, which is formed thereon opposite a steam outlet surface 17b. The storage container 12 comprises a recess 12b, in which the handle 17a is inserted into the housing 2 when the steam plate 17 (see Figure 4 ) is recorded.

[0031] As can be seen particularly from the Figure 4 , 5 , 6 and 7As can be seen, the steam boiler unit 11 comprises a pressure vessel 18 with a connecting flange 18a and a closure unit 19. The connecting flange 18a is closed by the closure unit 19 (only in Figure 6 shown). The closure unit 19 comprises a sensor unit 20, a pressure relief valve 21, a vacuum valve 22, a water inlet 23, and a steam outlet 24.

[0032] The steam boiler unit 11 further comprises a heating element unit 25 and the pressure vessel 18 of the steam boiler unit 11 comprises a receiving flange 18b (see in particular Figure 5). Here, an electrical component 25a of the heating rod unit 25 is received in the receiving flange 18b such that heating rods 25b, 25c of the heating rod unit 25 protrude into the pressure vessel 18. In the assembled state, the electrical component 25a is locked to the pressure vessel 18 by a locking component 25d of the heating rod unit 25. This is achieved, for example, by means of a bayonet-type connection with the interposition of a seal.

[0033] The appliance plug 16 (see Figure 7 ), which is a component of the heating element unit 25, is positively connected to the closure component 25d.

[0034] The sensor unit 20 (see Figure 6 ) includes a fill level sensor 20a. Optionally, it can also include a temperature sensor. According to a further variant, a temperature sensor is provided on the heating element unit.

[0035] As is particularly evident from the Figure 4As can be seen, a passage valve 26 is formed on the tub 3 of the housing 2. When the storage container 12 is inserted, a spring-loaded outlet valve 12a of the storage container 12 is coupled to this passage valve 26 and thereby opened. The filling pump 14 is connected to the passage valve 26 by a suction hose 14a (shown only schematically). Furthermore, the filling pump 14 is connected to the closure unit 19 of the steam boiler unit 11 by a pressure hose 14b (shown only schematically). The steam boiler unit 11 is thus connected to the storage container 12 via the filling pump 14, so that it can be filled from the storage container 12 as needed.

[0036] The outlet valve 12a is screwed to a tank body 12c of the storage container 12, so that it can be unscrewed to fill the tank body 12c with water. With the outlet valve 12a unscrewed, the tank body 12c can be filled under a faucet or using a water hose. After filling, the tank body 12c is closed again with the outlet valve 12a, so that the storage container 12 can be transported without the risk of water loss, since the outlet valve 12a remains closed until it is fully seated on the passage valve 26.

[0037] The one in the Figure 1 and 3 The steam guide hose 9 shown is in the Figure 4shown in a state in which it is uncoupled from the first connection and the second connection. In the receiving space 6 of the tub 3, between an outer wall 3e of the tub 3 and a central unit 28 comprising the steam boiler unit 11 and the storage container 12, a first storage area 29a is formed, wherein the several meter long steam guide hose 9 is accommodated. Likewise, the first applicator 13a can be accommodated in a second storage area 29b of the receiving space 6 for transport or storage. The steam guide hose 9 is suitable for use with both the first applicator 13a and the second applicator 13b.

[0038] Opposite the first storage area 29a, a third storage area 29c is formed. In this third storage area 29c, the Figure 3 shown second applicator 13b.

[0039] In the area of ​​the tub bottom 3d of the tub 3, a base 30 is formed, wherein a recess 30a is formed in the base 30, wherein the steam boiler unit 11 is received in the recess 30a, wherein the storage container 12 rests on the base 30 and wherein the filling pump 14 is received in a cavity 30b of the base 30.

[0040] In particular, from a summary of the Figure 4 and 8 It is evident that the tub 3 is constructed in two parts and comprises a tub base body 31 and a cup-shaped bottom closure body 32. In this case, Figure 8The tank base body 31 and the separate bottom closure body 32 are shown at a different scale to better identify details of the bottom closure body 32 with reference numerals. The steam boiler unit 11 and the filling pump 14 are housed in the bottom closure body 32. The aforementioned on / off switch 8 is attached to the bottom closure body 31. An electronic unit 34 of the steam generator 1, which controls steam generation, is directly associated with this. The electronic unit 34 is connected to a power source (not shown) via a cable (not shown).

[0041] A partition wall 33 extending between the steam boiler unit 11 and the filling pump 14 is formed by a wall 31a of the tub base body 31 projecting from above to a bottom 32a of the bottom closure body 32.

[0042] In the Figure 8A steam supply hose 27 is schematically visible, through which the steam outlet 24 is connected to the first connection A1-9. A directional arrow P indicates that the bottom closure body 32 is inserted into the tub base body 31 from below for assembly. The two bodies are then connected using screws S1 to S4, whereby the screws S1 to S4 are separated from the bottom closure body 32 before the two bodies are assembled and are then screwed through the tub base body 31 into the screw domes of the bottom closure body 32 after the two bodies have been assembled. List of reference symbols:

[0043] 1Steam generator 2Housing 3Tank of 2 3aRecess 3bSolid rim 3cWall 3dTank bottom 3eOuter wall 4Cover of 2 5Supporting bracket of 2 5aLocking tab 5-IPosition of 5 in Fig. 1 5-IIPosition of 5 in Fig. 26Receiving chamber 7Viewing window 8On / off switch 9Steam guide hose 10Double hinge 10a / burst / second rotation axis of 10 11Steam boiler unit 12Storage tank 12aOutlet valve of 12 12bRecess 12cTank body 13a / burst, second applicator 14Filling pump 14aSuction hose 14bPressure hose 15Device coupling on 3d of 3 16Device plug on 11 17Steam plate 17aHandle of 17 17bSteam outlet surface of 17 18Pressure vessel of 11 18aConnecting flange of 18 18bReceiving flange 19Closing unit of 11 20Sensor unit of 19 20aLevel sensor 21Pressure relief valve of 19 22Vacuum relief valve of 19 23Water inlet from 19 24Steam outlet from 19 25Heating element unit 25aElectrical component from 25 25b,25cHeating element of 25 25dClosing component of 25 26Pass-through valve 27Steam supply hose between 24 and A1-9 28Middle unit formed from 11 and 12 29aFirst storage area of ​​6 for 9 29bSecond storage area of ​​6 for 13a 29cThird storage area of ​​6 for 13b 30Base 30aRecess in 30 30bCavity of 30 31Tub base body of 3 31aWall of 31 32Bottom closure body of 3 32aBottom of 32 33Partition formed by 31a 34Electronics unit A1-9First connection for 9 A2-9Second connection for 9 AUpper area of ​​6 BMiddle area of ​​6 CLower area of ​​6 1 PDirectional arrow S1-S4 screw,

Claims

1. Steam generator (1) comprising a reservoir (12), a steam-boiler unit (11), an applicator (13a; 13b) and a housing (2), wherein the housing (2) comprises a trough (3) with an accommodating space (6) and comprises a cover (4), wherein the steam-boiler unit (11) is inserted into the trough (3) in a lower region (C) of the accommodating space (6), and wherein the reservoir (12) is inserted into the trough (3) above the steam-boiler unit (11) in a middle region (B) of the accommodating space (6), characterized in that the steam generator comprises a filling pump (14), in that the steam-boiler unit (11) comprises a pressure vessel (18) with a connection flange (18a) and comprises a closure unit (19), in that the connection flange (18a) is closed off by the closure unit (19), in that the trough (3) comprises a device coupling (15) which is connected to a trough bottom (3d), and in that the steam-boiler unit (11) comprises a device plug (16), wherein, with the steam-boiler unit (11) inserted fully into the trough (3), the device plug (16) of the steam-boiler unit (11) is connected fully to the device coupling (15).

2. Steam generator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the applicator (13a; 13b) is in the form of a steam plate (17), and in that the applicator (13a; 13b) is accommodated between the reservoir (12) and the cover (4) in an upper region (A) of the accommodating space (6).

3. Steam generator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the applicator (13a; 13b) is in the form of a steam plate (17), wherein the steam plate (17) comprises a handle (17a) which is formed thereon opposite a steam-exit surface (17b), and wherein the reservoir (12) has a depression (12b) in which, with the steam plate (17) placed into the housing (2), the handle (17a) is accommodated.

4. Steam generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steam-boiler unit (11) comprises the pressure vessel (18) with the connection flange (18a) and comprises the closure unit (19), wherein the connection flange (18a) is closed off by the closure unit (19), and wherein the closure unit (19) comprises a sensor unit (20), an overpressure valve (21), an underpressure valve (22), a water inflow (23) and a steam outlet (24).

5. Steam generator according to one of preceding Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the steam-boiler unit (11) comprises the pressure vessel (18) with an accommodating flange (18b) and comprises a heating-element unit (25), wherein an electrical component (25a) of the heating-element unit (25) is accommodated in the accommodating flange (18b) in such a way that the at least one heating element (25b, 25c) of the heating-element unit (25) projects into the pressure vessel (18), and wherein the electrical component (25a) is locked to the pressure vessel (18) by a closure component (25d) of the heating-element unit (25).

6. Steam generator according to Claim 5, characterized in that the device plug (16), which is a constituent part of the heating-element unit (25), is connected in a form-fitting manner to the closure component (25d) .

7. Steam generator according to Claim 5, characterized in that the sensor unit (20) comprises a fill-level sensor (20a) and / or a temperature sensor (20b), wherein it is provided in particular that the sensor unit (20) bears against an inner wall of the pressure vessel (18) and is in this way supported.

8. Steam generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) comprises a double hinge (10) with a first articulation pin (10a) and a second articulation pin (10b), which is parallel to and spaced apart from said first articulation pin, by way of which double hinge the trough (3) and the cover (4) are connected.

9. Steam generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (12) comprises a viewing window (7), and in that the trough (3) comprises a cutout (3a) through which the viewing window (7) of the reservoir (12), accommodated in the trough (3), is visible.

10. Steam generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a gate valve (26) is formed at the trough (3) of the housing (2), wherein, with reservoir (12) inserted, an outlet valve (12a) of the reservoir (12) is coupled to the gate valve (26), and wherein the filling pump (14) is connected to the gate valve (26) by a suction hose (14a), and wherein the filling pump (14) is connected to the steam-boiler unit (11) by a pressure hose (14b).

11. Steam generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the steam-boiler unit (11) is connected to the applicator (13) via a steam-guiding hose (9), and in that a first storage region (29a) is formed in the accommodating space (6) of the trough (3) between an outer wall (3e) of the trough (3) and a middle unit (28), which middle unit comprises the steam-boiler unit (11) and the reservoir (12), wherein the uncoupled steam-guiding hose (9) is accommodated in the first storage region (29a), and wherein the first applicator (13a) is accommodated in a second storage region (29b).

12. Steam generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a base (30) is formed in the region of the trough bottom (3d) of the trough (3), wherein a depression (30a) is formed in the base (30), wherein the steam-boiler unit (11) is accommodated in the depression (30a), wherein the reservoir (12) bears on the base (30), and wherein the filling pump (14) is accommodated in a hollow space (30b) of the base (30).

13. Steam generator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trough (3) is formed in two parts and comprises a trough main body (31) as well as a cup-shaped bottom closure body (32), wherein the steam-boiler unit (11) and the filling pump (14) are accommodated in the bottom closure body (32).

14. Steam generator according to Claim 13, characterized in that a separating wall (33) extending between the steam-boiler unit (11) and the filling pump (14) is formed by a wall (31a) of the trough main body (31), which wall projects from the top as far a bottom (32a) of the bottom closure body (32).