Wireless steam power plant for obtaining sufficient steam rates for performing fast ironing

Abstract

A cordless steam generator (100) for ironing a fabric object, comprising: - a charging base (2) and; - an iron (1) equipped with an ironing soleplate (12) attached to a heating element, said heating element being equipped with a vaporization chamber, a water storage tank (19), and a battery (11) powering a vaporization pump (17) arranged to send water into the vaporization chamber, said iron (1) being removably connected to the charging base (2) so as to be physically independent of it; characterized in that the vaporization pump (17) is a diaphragm pump whose electric motor is powered by direct current with a supply voltage between 2 and 8 V.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of wireless steam generators.

[0002] A cordless steam generator includes a base for recharging water and energy, and an iron. The iron has two positions: a so-called "charging" position in which the iron is in contact with the charging base, and; a so-called "using" position in which the iron is physically separated from the charging base without there being a physical link between them.

[0003] In the operating position, the iron can be moved an indefinite distance from the charging base.

[0004] A cordless steam generator is known in which the iron is equipped with an ironing sole attached to a heating element, said heating element being equipped with a vaporization chamber, a water storage tank, and a battery powering a vaporization pump arranged to send water into the vaporization chamber.

[0005] US 2004 / 026398 A1 describes a cordless iron with mechanically operated atomization.

[0006] The flow rate of water vapor produced in the vaporization chamber depends directly on the maximum flow rate of the vaporization pump.

[0007] Currently, no cordless steam generator offers a sufficient steam pump output for quickly ironing fabric items. Only a traditional, corded steam generator provides this level of steam. In a traditional steam generator, the steam pump is powered by an external AC electrical network, allowing the use of a wide variety of pump types, such as solenoid or piston pumps.

[0008] The invention aims to provide a cordless steam generator capable of delivering sufficient steam output for quick ironing. To this end, the invention relates more specifically to a cordless steam generator for ironing fabric items, comprising: a charging base and; an iron equipped with an ironing sole attached to a heating element, said heating element being equipped with a vaporization chamber, a water storage tank, and at least one battery powering a vaporization pump arranged to send water into the vaporization chamber, said iron being removably connected to the charging base so as to be physically independent of it; characterized in that the vaporization pump is a diaphragm pump whose electric motor is powered by direct current with a supply voltage between 2 and 8 V.

[0009] The steam generator according to the invention is a cordless steam generator. In other words, the iron has two positions: The iron has two positions: a "charging" position, in which it is in contact with the charging base. More precisely, it is detachably attached to the charging base; and a "using" position, in which the iron is physically separated from the charging base without any physical connection between them. The iron is then physically independent of the charging base. In the using position, the iron can be placed an indefinite distance from the charging base.

[0010] The steam pump, combined with the storage tank and vaporization chamber, produces steam directly in the iron. Steam production in the iron is independent of the charging base.

[0011] A diaphragm pump is a positive displacement pump that uses flexible diaphragms moving back and forth to create a temporary chamber that sucks in and expels fluid through the pump.

[0012] The steam pump's specifications allow for a maximum steam output of 220g / min at a maximum pressure of 11 bar, powered by a low-voltage electric motor. This ensures sufficient steam flow and pressure for easy ironing.

[0013] The low voltage power supply of the vaporization pump has the advantage of reducing electrical risks for a user of the steam generator.

[0014] Thus, the cordless steam generator according to the invention allows great freedom of movement for the user since the iron is independent of the charging base while being particularly efficient.

[0015] The invention may also have one or more of the following features taken alone or in combination.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the ironing sole is made of metal, and more particularly a cast element.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the water storage tank has a volume between 0.1L and 2L, or between 0.3L and 1.5L or between 0.5L and 1L.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the supply voltage of the electric motor of the vaporization pump is between 3 and 8V, in particular 7.4V.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the vaporization pump has a maximum flow rate of 230g / min and a maximum pressure of 12 bars.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the electric motor of the vaporization pump is controlled by a control means arranged to generate supply signals having a modulable pulse width.

[0021] Pulse width modulation (PWM) is a technique where the pulse width is adjustable. This allows the frequency of the power supply signals to be modulated without modulating the battery output voltage, thus eliminating the need for additional components.

[0022] Varying the frequency allows the flow rate of the vaporization pump to be modified according to the intended use.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the pulse width of the power supply signals to the electric motor of the vaporizing pump varies according to the temperature of the ironing sole.

[0024] Thus, the steam production adapts to the temperature of the ironing soleplate in order to obtain perfect ironing.

[0025] According to one embodiment, at least one battery delivers an output voltage between 3 and 5V, preferably 3 and 4V, and in particular 3.7V.

[0026] According to one embodiment, at least one battery has a capacity of at least 500mAh, preferably of at least 750mAh and in particular of at least 820mAh.

[0027] According to one embodiment, at least one battery has a charging current of at least 250mAh, preferably at least 500mAh.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the charging base is provided with a charging tank containing water and a charging pump arranged to transfer water from the charging tank of the charging base to the storage tank of the iron.

[0029] Thus, the storage tank is filled as soon as the iron is in its charging position. According to one embodiment, the second water tank has a volume between 0.5L and 2L, or between 0.7L and 1.5L, or between 0.8L and 1.1L.

[0030] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to an embodiment according to the present invention, given by way of non-limiting example and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: [ FIG. 1 ] is a schematic representation of a steam power plant according to the invention; [ FIG. 2 ] is a three-dimensional view from a first angle of the steam power plant according to the invention; [ Fig. 3 ] is a three-dimensional view from a second angle of the steam power plant according to the invention.

[0031] The invention relates to a cordless steam generator 100 for ironing fabric items. The steam generator 100 comprises two physically independent elements arranged to cooperate, and more specifically, to be removably connected. The steam generator 100 comprises, on the one hand, a charging base 2, and on the other hand, an iron 1.

[0032] The iron 1 is equipped with a soleplate 12 attached to a heating element. The soleplate 12 is a cast iron element. It has a smooth surface designed to come into contact with the fabric to be ironed. The soleplate 12 is equipped with holes.

[0033] The heating element is fitted with a handle 18 arranged to allow a user to safely handle the iron 1. The handle 18 is opposite the ironing soleplate 12.

[0034] The heating unit comprises a vaporization chamber, a water storage tank 19, and a battery 11 powering a vaporization pump 17 arranged to send water from the storage tank 19 to the vaporization chamber. The steam produced in the vaporization chamber is sent to the orifices of the ironing soleplate 12 to achieve rapid ironing through the combined action of the steam and the ironing soleplate 12.

[0035] The vaporization pump 17 is a diaphragm pump whose electric motor is powered by direct current with a supply voltage between 2 and 8 V, preferably between 2 and 5 V, in particular 3.7 V or 7.4 V. The vaporization pump 17 has a maximum flow rate of 220 g / min and a maximum pressure of 11 bar.

[0036] The electric motor of the vaporization pump 17 is controlled by a control means 15 arranged to generate supply signals having a pulse width that can be modulated according to the temperature of the ironing sole 12. The control means 15 is positioned in the gripping handle 18.

[0037] Battery 11 delivers an output voltage of 3.7V. Battery 11 has a capacity of at least 820mAh and a charging current of at least 500mAh. Battery 11 is positioned in the grip handle 18.

[0038] The heating element also includes a plurality of LEDs (Light-emitting diode) 16 indicating a water and energy charge level of the iron 1.

[0039] The heating element also includes a male connection interface 31 intended to make contact with the charging base 2. The male connection interface 31 is equipped with a male water connector 14 as well as electrical connectors 13.

[0040] The charging base 2 is equipped with a charging tank 24 with a volume of 1.1L containing water and a charging pump 25 arranged to transfer water from the charging tank 24 of the charging base 2 to the storage tank 19 of the iron 1. The charging pump 25 is supplied with alternating current from an electrical network external to the steam generator 100.

[0041] The charging base 2 also includes a female connection interface 27 intended to come into contact with the iron 1. The female connection interface 27 is provided with at least one magnet 22, preferably of the neodymium type, a female water connector 21 and electrical connectors 23. The female connection interface 27 is complementary to the male connection interface 31.

[0042] The steam generator 100 according to the invention has two positions: a so-called "charging" position in which the iron 1 is in contact with the charging base 2. More precisely, it is assembled in a detachable manner to the charging base 2; a so-called "using" position in which the iron 1 is physically separated from the charging base 2 without there being a physical link between them.

[0043] More specifically, in the charging position, the male connection interface 31 is linked to the female connection interface 27 so that the male water connector 14 is inserted into the female water connector 21 and the electrical connectors 13 and 23 are in contact. Thus, the iron 1 is recharged by the charging base 2 with water and energy. In other words, in the charging position, the water storage tank 19 fills and the battery 11 charges.

[0044] The magnet on the charging base 2 allows the iron 1 to be detachably held onto the charging base 2.

[0045] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying figures. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Cordless steam station (100) for ironing a textile object, comprising: - a recharging base (2); and - an iron (1) with an ironing soleplate (12) backed by a heating body, said heating body being equipped with a vaporization chamber, a water storage tank (19), and at least one battery (11) powering a vaporization pump (17) arranged to send water into the vaporization chamber, said iron (1) being detachably connected to the recharging base (2) so that it can be physically independent from it; characterized in that the vaporization pump (17) is a diaphragm pump whose electric motor is powered by direct current with a supply voltage between 2 and 8V.

2. Steam station (100) according to claim 1, wherein the supply voltage of the electric motor of the vaporization pump (17) is between 3 and 8 V, notably 7.4 V.

3. Steam station (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vaporization pump (17) has a maximum flow rate of 230 g / min and a maximum pressure of 12 bars.

4. Steam station (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electric motor of the vaporization pump (17) is controlled by a control means arranged to generate power signals with a modifiable pulse width.

5. Steam station (100) according to claim 4, wherein the pulse width of the power signals for the electric motor of the vaporization pump (17) varies depending on the temperature of the ironing soleplate (12).

6. Steam station (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one battery (11) provides an output voltage between 3 and 5 V, preferably between 3 and 4 V, and notably 3.7 V.

7. Steam station (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one battery (11) has a capacity of at least 500 mAh, preferably at least 750 mAh and notably at least 820 mAh.

8. Steam station (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one battery (11) has a charge current of at least 250 mAh, preferably at least 500 mAh.

9. Steam station (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recharging base (2) is equipped with a charging tank (24) comprising water and a charging pump arranged to transfer water present in the charging tank (24) of the recharging base (2) to the storage tank (19) of the iron (1).

10. Steam station according to claim 9, wherein the charging tank (24) has a volume between 0.5L and 2L, or between 0.7L and 1.5L, or between 0.8L and 1.1L.

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