WATER DOSING SYSTEM

Description

Field of the art

[0001] The present invention relates to a water dosing system for water heating equipment, mainly for steam irons.

[0002] The object of the invention is to obtain a system that allows efficient cleaning, with a high flow of water to adequately drag any lime deposit created in the steam chamber.State of the art

[0003] Steam irons include a water dosing system that allows water to pass from the water tank to the steam chamber at the base or soleplate of the iron. It ensures that the water is dosed in the right amount so that it all turns into steam. The system usually includes a device for continuous regulation from zero to a maximum amount of steam. The most common way to implement it is a needle valve, made of plastic or metal, which goes up or down and varies the valve pitch.

[0004] They also usually incorporate an anti-drip system, which includes a temperature-sensitive valve. The valve only accepts the passage of water when the temperature of the steam chamber is sufficient. It generally incorporates a bimetal connected to the valve that opens and closes it. This system avoids water drops due to too low temperature or when dosing is left open.

[0005] Another device that can be incorporated in the irons is a cleaning system for the steam chamber. It serves to clean and remove the lime deposits that accumulate in the steam chamber, through periodic operations by the user, and thus prolongs the life of the appliance.

[0006] Steps usually consist of heating the base or soleplate to the normal use temperature, and cutting the power. Water is passed through the steam chamber, with a high flow rate to break up the deposits by thermal shock and drag them out. Finally, the iron is reheated, without any more water passing through the soleplate, to vaporize any remaining water.

[0007] However, a reduction in the temperature of the steam chamber may force the anti-drip system to stop the flow, which prevents cleaning.

[0008] Patent EP1007777 shows a cleaning device that performs a bypass of the anti-drip system. In addition, the water jet for cleaning is focused on the same place wherein dosing is carried out for vaporization, precisely where the accumulation of lime originates. This system defines a very effective cleaning system and the cleaning system includes a second actuator different from the steam regulator so that when it acts it allows the water to pass, thus avoiding the anti-drip system.

[0009] Documents EP2087163 and EP3392400 show a construction with principles similar to the previous one. The actuator for the cleaning system is the regulating device itself. It incorporates a cleaning position that also avoids the anti-drip valve and directs the water from the tank to the dosing system. These two documents are considered the closest state of the art.

[0010] Some dosing systems incorporate a communication for the passage of air to the outside. This communication to the outside air allows the removal of air bubbles that may be trapped in the dosing unit and interrupt or slow down the passage of water. In this way the dosing is more stable.

[0011] WO2009080495A1 discloses an electric device for ironing laundry, comprising at least one iron sole plate which has at least one opening for steam discharge, a heating element for heating the iron sole plate, a water tank, a drip valve, a water feed-through, a steam chamber by means of which water can be transferred from the water tank to the steam chamber via the drip valve for steam generation, and a steam quantity adjustment part, by means of which the quantity of water dripping in via the drip valve can be controlled by actuation of a valve rod.

[0012] US2003177673A1 discloses a flash iron comprising a water reservoir, a flash chamber and a drip device having an axially mobile rod whereof the total stroke comprises a first travel enabling the steam to flow towards the orifice of a module and a second travel moving the module by opening a wider orifice for water passing from the reservoir to the flash chamber.

[0013] US4627181A discloses a steam iron with a valve for controlling the flow of water from a water reservoir to a steam generating chamber. The valve has a displaceable bridge-shaped member positioned outside the water reservoir and spaced apart from a shaft carrying member.

[0014] US3889406A discloses a steam iron having a water feed valve and operating mechanism therefor which may be selectively operated to produce a water flow rate and thus corresponding steam production at a predetermined metered rate, a momentary pulse greater than such metered rate, a continuous maximum flow greater than such metered rate, and cease water flow and thus allow the iron to operate as a dry iron.

[0015] The applicant does not know any solution similar to the invention.Description of the invention

[0016] The invention consists of a water dosing system according to the claims.

[0017] The invention defines a dosing system according to claim 1, with a cleaning system and generally comprises an anti-drip system. The cleaning system that avoids the anti-drip device and allows water to be introduced into the steam chamber, regardless of the temperature, is actuated by the actuator of the regulating device.

[0018] The invention has the following advantages: It is not necessary to use a "hollow" needle for dosing as it is essential for the construction indicated in EP3392400. Therefore, the needle can be not only solid but also of a smaller diameter. It achieves a much higher flow rate than that obtained in EP2087163. Another important advantage is that it allows the implementation of a gas evacuation system.

[0019] The invention defines a new and inventive solution in the known state of the art.

[0020] In the specification as a whole, the relative positions and movements shall be considered from a situation where the needle defines the vertical direction, the lower point being that of zero steam. This choice has been made for the sake of conciseness and clarity, but it should be considered that the needle may have a different orientation.

[0021] The water dosing system is designed for irons and other pieces of equipment with a steam chamber. The steam chamber is fed by a water dosing valve. The dosing valve comprises a zero steam position, where the needle is supported on the dosing valve seat, and a maximum steam position where the needle leaves the water passage completely free. In addition, the system comprises a cleaning valve and a mobile actuator with the needle passing through it. The needle causes the movement of the actuator, usually by means of a stop attached to the needle, arranged between the actuator and the dosing valve seat.

[0022] The needle comprises a cleaning position, above the maximum steam position, in which it pushes the actuator against the cleaning valve, disengaging it from the cleaning valve seat, i.e. opening the valve. This cleaning valve comprises a return system, which may be a spring.

[0023] Other possible variants of the invention will be described later in the section on preferred embodiment.Description of drawings

[0024] For a better understanding of the invention, the following figures are included: Figure 1: Shows a cut-away view of an example embodiment of a steam iron incorporating the system of the invention, in the zero steam position. Figure 2: Shows a detailed view of the above example in the maximum steam position. Figure 3: Shows a detailed view of the previous example in the cleaning position. Figure 4: Shows a detailed view of the control unit of the regulating device, marking the three positions, in a possible example embodiment. Figure 5: Shows an example of a water dosing system for cleaning, in which the cleaning valve is a specific auxiliary valve, in the closed position. Figure 6: Shows a view of the example in figure 5 where the cleaning valve is in the open position. Figure 7: Shows an example of a water dosing system for cleaning, where the cleaning valve is an anti-drip valve, in the closed position. Figure 8: Finally, shows a view of the example in figure 7, where the cleaning valve is in the open position. Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

[0025] The following is a brief description of an embodiment of the invention as an illustrative and not limitative example thereof.

[0026] The examples of embodiments shown in the figures are based on a non-drip dosing system. The cleaning system comprises a movable actuator (1) which is passed through by the needle (2) of the dosing system so that there is relative freedom of movement between them. The needle (2) may slide freely through the actuator (1) during normal ironing operations. That is, from the closed position (no steam) which corresponds to the position of the needle (2) supported on the dosing valve (3) (Figures 1, 5 and 7), and the maximum steam position, which corresponds to a higher position of the needle (2) (Figure 2).

[0027] An additional position, shown in figure 3, corresponds to the time when the cleaning is carried out. It can be seen that the needle (2) is further away from the dosing valve (3), allowing more water to pass through. Figure 4 shows the signaling of these positions in an example of a control unit for the regulating device.

[0028] The needle (2) of the embodiments shown comprises a stop (4) at a point between the dosing valve (3) and the actuator (1). The rise of the needle (2) causes the movement of the actuator (1) due to the stop (4), at least at the end of its travel until the mentioned cleaning position is reached.

[0029] The actuator (1) also comprises a lower extension (11) which is integrally connected to the cleaning valve (5) in such a way that the rise of the actuator (1) to the cleaning position also causes the rise of the cleaning valve (5) from the corresponding cleaning valve seat, leaving the cleaning water passage free.

[0030] More specifically, as can be seen in the figures, especially in figure 2, when the needle (2) is in the maximum steam position, the stop (4) is below the actuator (1). However, when the needle (2) opens the dosing valve (3) and the movement is continued, the stop (4) reaches the actuator (1) and moves it upwards. This position, which would be the cleaning position, is shown in Figures 3, 6 and 8, where it can also be seen that the actuator (1), when rising upwards, pushes the cleaning valve (5) with its lower extension (11) to carry out the cleaning.

[0031] On the other hand, the function of the cleaning valve (5) can be performed in several alternative ways. For example, one possible embodiment, shown in Figures 5 and 6, would be one in which the cleaning valve (5) is a valve specific for this purpose and has no other function. However, such a cleaning valve can also consist of the anti-drip valve (6) as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0032] More specifically, Figure 5 shows the closed position of the cleaning valve (5) when it is independent of the anti-drip valve (6). In figure 6, the user has placed the dosing actuator in the cleaning position, so the needle (2) has been raised and its stop (4) also pushes or pulls up the actuator (1) and its lower extension (11), which, as already said, is integrally connected to the cleaning valve (5), thus also causing the upward movement of said valve and, therefore, allowing water to enter the steam chamber (8).

[0033] Similarly, Figures 7 and 8 show the same positions as in Figures 5 and 6, but when the cleaning valve is formed by the anti-drip valve (6) itself. In this case, it can also be seen that the lower extension (11) of the actuator (1) is longer, but that it is also integrally connected to the anti-drip valve (6) so that the upward movement of said actuator (1), when pushed by the stop (4) of the needle (2), also pushes the anti-drip valve (6) upwards and allows the water to flow freely into the steam chamber (8).

[0034] In the embodiments shown, it is further observed that the actuator (1) has the shape of a cylindrical tube (9) whose through hole is crossed by the needle (2) and where this cylindrical tube (9) is supported by a spring (10) which serves to ensure its return to the watertight closing position of the cleaning system when it is no longer required by the user. More specifically, as can be seen in some figures, especially numbers 5 and 6, this spring (10) rests at the bottom of the cylindrical tube (9) which constitutes the lower extension (11) of the actuator (1) and, at the top, it rests against the wall of the tank so that, in addition to ensuring the return of the actuator, it ensures that the anti-drip valve (5) remains closed against its seat until the user pulls the needle (2) up again and it, through the stop (4), overcomes its resistance.

[0035] Finally, according to another possible alternative embodiment, it would be possible for the needle (2) to be integrally connected to the actuator (1) and therefore to dispense with the stop (4). However, this possible embodiment would be less advantageous than the above-mentioned preferred one, since the vertical movement that would make its lower extension (11) integrally connected to the anti-drip valve (5), when accompanying the needle (2), would mean the sweeping of a considerable space that would need to be foreseen inside the apparatus, thus complicating its internal structure and / or increasing its size.

Claims

1. Water dosing system for irons and other pieces of equipment with a steam chamber (8) fed by a needle water dosing valve (3), comprising a zero steam position, wherein the needle (2) is supported by the seat of the dosing valve (3), and a maximum steam position, comprising: a cleaning valve (5); and a mobile actuator (1) passed through by the needle (2); so that the needle (2) comprises a cleaning position, above the maximum steam position, in which it pushes the actuator (1) and this pushes the cleaning valve (5) by disengaging it from the seat of the cleaning valve (5) and leaving the cleaning water passage free, characterized in that the actuator (1) and the needle (2) have relative freedom of movement, and the needle (2) comprises a stop (4) arranged between the actuator (1) and the seat of the dosing valve (3), so that the stop (4) is distanced and below the actuator (1) in the maximum steam position and raises the actuator (1) in the cleaning position.

2. Dosing system, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a lower extension (11) that is integrally connected to the cleaning valve (5).

3. Dosing system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (1) is integrally connected to the needle (2).

4. Dosing system, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the cleaning valve is also an anti-drip valve (6).

5. Dosing system, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the actuator (1) comprises a cylindrical tube (9) which is longitudinally passed through by the needle (2).

6. Dosing system, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it includes a return spring (10) of the actuator (1) that ensures that the cleaning valve (5) remains closed against its seat.