Household ironing and / or crease-removing appliance comprising at least two steam chambers connected to each other by a connecting duct

Abstract

Household ironing and / or steaming appliance comprising at least a first vaporization chamber (41) and a second vaporization chamber (42) formed in a heating body (4) containing at least one electrical resistance (7, 8), and a distribution circuit (9) enabling the conveyance of a steam flow from the second vaporization chamber (42) to at least one steam outlet hole (20), the first vaporization chamber (41) and the second vaporization chamber (42) being arranged in series and connected to each other by at least one connecting conduit (43), characterized in that the connecting conduit is constituted by a connecting tube (43) incorporated into the heating body (4), said connecting tube (43) running in a zone of the heating body (4) heated by said at least one electrical resistance (7, 8).

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of household ironing and / or steaming appliances comprising a vaporization device including at least one first vaporization chamber and a second vaporization chamber formed within a heating body containing at least one electrical resistance, and a distribution circuit for conveying a steam stream from the second vaporization chamber to at least one steam outlet. The invention relates more particularly to an appliance in which the first vaporization chamber and the second vaporization chamber are arranged in series and connected to each other by at least one connecting conduit. State of the art

[0002] It is known, from patent application EP1314811, that there is an iron comprising a first vaporization chamber and a second vaporization chamber made in a heating body containing two electrical resistances, the first and second vaporization chambers being arranged in series and connected to each other by a connecting conduit.

[0003] Such a heating element design limits the risk of water droplets being projected from the steam vents when the iron is used in a horizontal position. However, it does not prevent water droplets from being projected when the iron is used in a nearly vertical position and tilted on its side or upside down, for example, when steaming a curtain or a garment hanging on a hanger. A household ironing and / or steaming appliance having the characteristics of the preamble to claim 1 is known from US 5,979,089 A.

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback by providing a vaporization device with optimized evaporation capacity. In particular, the invention aims to provide a vaporization device that ensures optimal vaporization regardless of its orientation, so as to reduce, and if possible eliminate, the risk of unvaporized water droplets being ejected from the device's vapor outlet holes when it is used in various orientations. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a vaporization device with optimized evaporation capacity and a compact design.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a household ironing and / or steaming appliance comprising a vaporization device including at least a first vaporization chamber and a second vaporization chamber provided in a heating body containing at least one electrical resistance, and a distribution circuit allowing a flow of steam from the second vaporization chamber to be conveyed to at least one steam outlet hole, the first vaporization chamber and the second vaporization chamber being arranged in series and connected to each other by at least one connecting conduit, characterized in that the connecting conduit is constituted by a connecting tube inserted in the heating body, the connecting tube running in a zone of the heating body heated by said at least one electrical resistance.

[0006] The use of such a connecting tube within the heating element allows, through a simple and economical method, for extending the steam circuit by routing it through a superheated area of ​​the heating element. This significantly increases the vaporization capacity of the vaporization device, as the steam is forced to circulate through the superheated connecting tube before being diffused into the second vaporization chamber.

[0007] The device may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0008] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the connecting tube passes in the vicinity of said at least one electrical resistance.

[0009] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the connecting tube passes through an area of ​​the heating body where the temperature is greater than 150°C.

[0010] According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the first vaporization chamber is supplied with water from a water reservoir.

[0011] According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the water supply to the first vaporization chamber is carried out through an injection orifice provided in a closing cover of the first vaporization chamber.

[0012] According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the first vaporization chamber is supplied exclusively by a flow of liquid water and not by a flow of vapor.

[0013] According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the second vaporization chamber is supplied with a mixture of steam and water droplets.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the connecting tube is made of stainless steel.

[0015] This characteristic helps to limit the adhesion of scale inside the connecting tube, thus preventing rapid blockage of the connecting tube over time.

[0016] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the connecting tube has an angled part.

[0017] This feature prevents any water droplets from passing through the connecting tube without contacting its walls. This increases the evaporation capacity of the water droplets within the connecting tube, regardless of the heating element's orientation.

[0018] This characteristic also allows for a winding path between the first vaporization chamber and the second vaporization chamber, thus lengthening the vapor path in the connecting tube.

[0019] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the angled part is angled at 180°.

[0020] Such a 180° turn forces any water droplets carried by the steam to come into contact with the inner wall of the connecting tube to be vaporized.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the connecting tube has an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice oriented substantially in the same direction.

[0022] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the connecting tube extends in the vicinity of the center of the heating body.

[0023] This feature allows for both a compact construction and routing the connecting tube through the area of ​​the heating element that is usually the hottest.

[0024] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the heating body comprises a foundry made by molding in aluminum or magnesium.

[0025] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the connecting tube is at least partially embedded in the casting.

[0026] This feature makes it possible to secure the connecting tube in the heating body in a simple and economical way, while also optimizing heat transfer between them.

[0027] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the connecting tube runs along the surface of the first vaporization chamber or the second vaporization chamber.

[0028] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the second vaporization chamber extends to the periphery of the first vaporization chamber.

[0029] Such an arrangement makes it possible to obtain a compact heating element.

[0030] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the first vaporization chamber and the second vaporization chamber are provided on an upper face of the heating body and the steam distribution circuit is provided on an lower face of the heating body, the heating body having a through opening connecting the second vaporization chamber with the steam distribution circuit.

[0031] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, said at least one electrical resistance runs along a bottom wall of the heating body.

[0032] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the heating body comprises a peripheral wall which delimits a space in which the first vaporization chamber and the second vaporization chamber are provided, said peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall to a closing cover attached to the heating body.

[0033] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the heating body comprises a partition wall which extends from the bottom wall to the closing cover and connects two opposite areas of the peripheral wall, the partition wall forming a separation between the first vaporization chamber and the second vaporization chamber.

[0034] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the closing lid has a water and / or steam injection orifice disposed opposite an evaporation surface of the first vaporization chamber.

[0035] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the second vaporization chamber is understood to be V-shaped around the perimeter of the first vaporization chamber.

[0036] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the through opening is arranged at the top of the V of the second vaporization chamber.

[0037] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the heating body comprises an internal wall which, together with the separating partition, delimits a flow corridor for the vapor stream inside the first vaporization chamber, the tube comprising an inlet orifice which opens into said flow corridor.

[0038] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the first vaporization chamber and the second vaporization chamber are connected to each other by two connecting tubes inserted into the heating body.

[0039] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a household appliance as previously described in which the heating element is made by molding in a mold and in which the connecting conduit is placed in the mold prior to the molding of the heating element.

[0040] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the heating body is made by molding from an aluminum or magnesium foundry. Brief description of the figures

[0041] The aims, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of two particular embodiments of the invention, presented by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: There figure 1 is a perspective view of an iron according to a first particular embodiment of the invention; The figure 2 is a perspective view of the heating element and soleplate of the iron. figure 1 ; There figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the heating element of the figure 2 lacking its locking plate; The figure 4 is another perspective view of the heating body of the figure 3 ; There figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the heating element and the base of the figure 1 ; There figure 6 is a top view illustrating the location of the heating elements and connecting tubes; the casting of the heating element is not shown in this figure; The figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heating element of the figure 3 ; There figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII of the figure 7 ; There figure 9 is a perspective view of a heating body according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0042] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numbers from one figure to another.

[0043] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the iron refer to this device when it rests flat on its soleplate.

[0044] There figure 1 represents an iron 1 comprising a flat soleplate 2 with steam outlet holes 20, the soleplate 2 having a pointed front end and a rounded rear end. The soleplate 2 is surmounted by a plastic housing 10 comprising a handle 11, the rear end of which is connected by a cord 3 to a base (not shown in the figure) containing a reservoir.

[0045] In accordance with figures 2 à 4 The iron's casing 10 contains a heating element 4 positioned in thermal contact with the soleplate 2. The heating element 4 comprises a casting, advantageously made of aluminum. The heating element 4 has an upper surface from which a peripheral wall 40 projects vertically and is closed at its upper end by a cover 5, visible on the figure 2 , which rests on the peripheral wall 40 and is sealed to it.

[0046] Preferably, the heating body 4 comprises a bottom wall enclosing a first electrical resistance 7 and a second electrical resistance 8, each comprising two connecting ends opening near the rear end of the heating body 4, outside the volume defined by the peripheral wall 40.

[0047] In accordance with the figure 5 , the first electrical resistor 7 has a general V shape and has branches extending parallel to the base 2, along lateral parts 40A and a front part 40B of the peripheral wall 40. This first electrical resistor 7 advantageously has a power of the order of 925W.

[0048] The second electrical resistor 8 has a general U-shape and is smaller than the first electrical resistor 7. The second resistor 8 extends inside the arms of the first resistor 7, lying in the same plane. The second resistor 8 advantageously has a power rating of approximately 545 W.

[0049] The bottom wall, the peripheral wall 40 and the cover 5 define a space containing a vaporization device comprising a first vaporization chamber 41 and a second vaporization chamber 42 arranged in series and connected to each other by two connecting tubes 43.

[0050] The first vaporization chamber 41 is provided in the central part of the heating body. It is bordered in its rear part by the peripheral wall 40 and is delimited in its front part by a partition 45 which extends vertically from the bottom wall to the cover 5 and runs laterally between the two lateral parts 40A of the peripheral wall 40 following a V-shaped path substantially following the shape of the contour of the heating body 4.

[0051] The first vaporization chamber 41 is supplied with water from the reservoir through an injection orifice 50 provided in the closing cover 5, opposite an evaporation surface arranged in a central area of ​​the first vaporization chamber 41, located between the arms of the first electrical resistance 7.

[0052] This central area is bordered in its front and lateral part by an internal wall 44 which projects vertically from the bottom wall and extends to the cover 5, the internal wall 44 extending parallel to the partition 45 and delimiting with it a V-shaped steam flow channel 46 which runs substantially above the first electrical resistance 7.

[0053] Due to the presence of the inner wall 44, the vapor flow can only escape from the central zone through a rear opening formed between the two ends of the inner wall 44. The bottom wall has, near this rear opening, a mounting point 47 designed to receive a thermostat, not shown in the figures. This thermostat is intended to regulate the power supply to the first 7 and second 8 heating elements in order to maintain the first vaporization chamber 41 at a set temperature, possibly adjustable by the user, of approximately 150°C.

[0054] In accordance with the figures 3 And 4, the second vaporization chamber 42 has the form of a V-shaped cavity which is provided between the peripheral wall 40 and the separating partition 45 and which extends substantially above the first electrical resistance 7. This second vaporization chamber 42 communicates with a steam distribution circuit 9, provided on an underside of the heating body 4, by a through opening 48 provided at the front end of the second vaporization chamber 42.

[0055] The steam distribution circuit is formed by a cavity 9, visible on the figure 5 , advantageously arranged between the heating body 4 and the sole 2, this cavity 9 allows steam to be supplied to the steam outlet holes 20 of the sole 2.

[0056] In accordance with figures 6 à 8 , the first vaporization chamber 41 is connected to the second vaporization chamber 42 by two connecting tubes 43 which are preferably embedded in the aluminum casting of the heating body 4, the two connecting tubes 43 being advantageously arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the heating body 4.

[0057] Each connecting tube 43 has an inlet opening which advantageously opens into the vapor flow channel 46 at the level of the inner wall 44 and an outlet opening which opens into the second vaporization chamber 42, preferably at the level of the part of the partition wall 45 delimiting the rear end of the second vaporization chamber 42.

[0058] In accordance with the figure 5 , each connecting tube 43 travels in the heating body 4 following a J-shaped path, and presents successively, starting from the inlet orifice, a first part 43A substantially straight extending parallel to one of the branches of the second electrical resistance 8, a bent part 43B, bent at 180°, extending outwards passing over the first 7 and second 8 electrical resistances and a second part 43C substantially straight extending over the first electrical resistance 7.

[0059] The connecting tubes 43 run over a length advantageously greater than 5 cm and are preferably made of stainless steel, each connecting tube 43 having an internal diameter of about 2 mm and an external diameter of about 4 mm.

[0060] In a manner known per se, the injection orifice 50 is supplied with water by means of a pump, not shown in the figures, which is integrated into the base and whose operation is controlled by a trigger 12 located under the front end of the gripping handle 11, the pump advantageously having a flow rate greater than 35 gr / min when the trigger 12 is activated.

[0061] The operation of the iron 1 will now be described. When the user pulls the trigger, water is injected by the pump through the injection port 50 and is projected into the central area of ​​the first vaporization chamber 41. The central area being located in the immediate vicinity of the second electric heating element 8, it is constantly maintained at a high temperature and ensures strong vaporization of the water injected through the injection port 50 when the iron 1 is positioned horizontally.

[0062] When the iron 1 is positioned vertically, the water injected into the first vaporization chamber 41 is directed by gravity either towards the rear of the peripheral wall 40 when the iron is positioned with the point upwards, or against the inner wall 45 when the front point of the soleplate 2 is positioned sideways or downwards. Thus, only steam, possibly accompanied by small water droplets, can escape towards the steam flow channel 46.

[0063] The steam flow channel 46, extending between the first electrical resistance 7 and the second electrical resistance 8, has a very high temperature, which allows the water droplets carried by the steam to be heated rapidly. These water droplets are then projected against the V-shaped end of the partition 45, where they are largely vaporized. Any water droplets passing through the connecting tubes 43 are then mostly vaporized within them, due to the connecting tubes 43 passing through areas of the bottom wall superheated by the first 7 and second 8 electrical resistances.The steam flow from the connecting tubes 43 then flows into the second vaporization chamber 42 which extends above the first electrical resistance 7 so that any droplets still present in the steam flow are definitively vaporized before the steam flow can escape, through the through opening 48, towards the steam distribution circuit 9 and the steam outlet holes 20 of the sole 2.

[0064] The iron 1 thus made therefore has the advantage of being very compact while allowing a high steam output while greatly limiting the risk of spitting out water droplets regardless of the orientation of the sole 2.

[0065] In particular, bringing tubes into the heating body 4 to establish the link between the first vaporization chamber 41 and the second vaporization chamber 42 makes it possible both to increase the path of the vapor in the heating body 4 and to force the vapor flow back towards the center of the heating body 4, in an area where its temperature is highest.

[0066] Increased vaporization capacity is achieved with an unchanged size of the heating element.

[0067] There figure 9 illustrates a second alternative embodiment of the heating body according to the invention in which the connecting tubes 43 are not embedded in the casting of the heating body 4 but run inside the first vaporization chamber 41, near the bottom of the latter along the first electrical resistance 7 and / or the second electrical resistance 8.

[0068] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0069] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the first vaporization chamber and the second vaporization chamber may be connected by a single connecting tube.

[0070] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the iron as previously described can be connected by a steam cord to a steam-generating base. In this embodiment, the steam from the base, traveling through the cord, is delivered to the iron via the injection port in the heating element's cover. Using such a heating element with a separate steam-generating base has the advantage of eliminating the risk of water droplets, due to condensation forming in the cord, being projected from the steam outlet ports.

[0071] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the first vaporization chamber can be supplied with water by means of a drip hopper disposed at the injection orifice and the iron housing includes a water reservoir ensuring the gravity supply of the drip hopper.

[0072] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the closing cover may include several water and / or steam injection orifices opening the first vaporization chamber.

Claims

1. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance comprising at least a first vaporization chamber (41) and a second vaporization chamber (42) arranged within a heating body (4) containing at least one electric resistance (7, 8), and a distribution circuit (9) allowing a steam flow from the second vaporization chamber (42) to be directed towards at least one steam outlet hole (20), the first vaporization chamber (41) and the second vaporization chamber (42) being disposed in series and interconnected by at least one connection conduit (43), characterized in that the connection conduit is constituted by a connection tube (43) fitted within the heating body (4), said connection tube (43) running through a region of the heating body (4) heated by said at least one electric resistance (7, 8).

2. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection tube (43) passes in proximity to said at least one electric resistance (7, 8).

3. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the connection tube (43) is made of stainless steel.

4. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connection tube (43) extends in proximity to the center of the heating body.

5. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the heating body (4) comprises a casting of aluminum or magnesium.

6. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that the connection tube (43) is at least partially embedded in the casting.

7. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connection tube (43) runs along the surface of the first vaporization chamber (41) or the second vaporization chamber (42).

8. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the second vaporization chamber (42) extends to the periphery of the first vaporization chamber (41).

9. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the heating body (4) comprises a peripheral wall (40) that defines a space in which the first vaporization chamber (41) and the second vaporization chamber (42) are arranged, said peripheral wall extending from a bottom wall to a closure lid fitted onto the heating body.

10. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that the heating body comprises a separation wall (45) that extends from the bottom wall to the closure lid and connects two opposite zones of the peripheral wall, the separation wall (45) providing a separation between the first vaporization chamber (41) and the second vaporization chamber (42).

11. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the closure lid comprises an injection orifice (50) for water and / or steam positioned facing an evaporation surface of the first vaporization chamber (41).

12. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the heating body comprises an internal wall (44) that defines, with the separation wall (45), a flow corridor (46) for the steam flow inside the first vaporization chamber (41), the connection tube (43) comprising an inlet orifice that opens into said flow corridor (46).

13. Household ironing and / or steaming appliance according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the first vaporization chamber (41) and the second vaporization chamber (42) are interconnected by two connection tubes (43) inserted into the heating body (4).

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