Iron including a steam generator

Abstract

Iron comprising a steam generator Iron comprising a heating body (4) having a lower surface in thermal contact with an ironing soleplate (2) and an upper face at the level of which a steam generator is arranged, characterized in that the steam generator comprising an external vaporization chamber (45), an internal vaporization chamber (46) and a device (7) for injecting a fluid onto a bottom wall (40) of the internal vaporization chamber (46), the external vaporization chamber (45) enclosing the internal vaporization chamber (46),the steam generator comprising at least one first passage (60) establishing communication between the internal vaporization chamber (46) and the external vaporization chamber (45) and comprising at least one second passage (48) establishing communication between the external vaporization chamber (45) and a steam distribution circuit opening onto at least one steam outlet hole (20) provided in the sole (2). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 6,

Description

Title of the invention: Iron comprising a steam generator Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of irons comprising a heating body having a lower surface in thermal contact with an ironing soleplate and an upper face at the level of which a steam generator is provided. State of the art

[0002] It is known from patent application EPI314811, an iron comprising a heating body having a lower surface in thermal contact with an ironing surface and an upper face at the level of which is arranged a steam generator comprising a first vaporization chamber and a second vaporization chamber arranged in series and connected to each other by a connecting conduit.

[0003] Such a steam generator, however, has the disadvantage of being quite bulky and of not being able to prevent the projection of water droplets when the iron is used in a substantially vertical position and is tilted to the side or upside down, for example when steaming a curtain or a garment hanging from a hanger. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback by proposing an iron equipped with a steam generator with optimized evaporation capacity and whose construction is particularly compact.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vaporization device which ensures optimal vaporization, regardless of the orientation of the vaporization device, so as to reduce, and if possible eliminate, the risk of non-vaporized water droplets being projected from the steam outlet holes of the device when the latter is used in multiple orientations.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an iron comprising a heating body having a lower surface in thermal contact with an ironing soleplate and an upper face at the level of which a steam generator is arranged, characterized in that the steam generator comprising an external vaporization chamber, an internal vaporization chamber and a device for injecting a fluid onto a bottom wall of the internal vaporization chamber, the external vaporization chamber enclosing the internal vaporization chamber, the steam generator comprising at least a first passage establishing communication between the internal vaporization chamber and the external vaporization chamber and comprising at least a second passage establishing communication between the external vaporization chamber and a steam distribution circuit opening onto at least one steam outlet hole provided in the sole.

[0007] Such a characteristic has the advantage of making it possible to obtain a particularly compact steam generator with optimized evaporation capacity.

[0008] The apparatus may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0009] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the external vaporization chamber is delimited laterally by an external peripheral wall which projects from the upper face of the heating body, the internal vaporization chamber being delimited laterally by an internal peripheral wall which projects inside the external vaporization chamber, the external vaporization chamber being closed in its upper part by a first closing cover attached to the external peripheral wall and the internal vaporization chamber being closed in its upper part by a second closing cover attached to the internal peripheral wall, the first closing cover covering the second closing cover.

[0010] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the first closing cover and the second closing cover extend parallel to the plane of the sole.

[0011] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the first passage is formed by a hole provided on the second closing cover.

[0012] Such a feature makes it possible to limit the risk of water droplets being carried by the flow of steam through the hole.

[0013] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the hole has a passage section of elongated, substantially oblong shape.

[0014] Such a characteristic makes it possible to have a hole with a relatively large passage section while maintaining a narrow passage opening, making it possible to limit the risk that large diameter water droplets, carried along by the flow of steam, cannot pass through the hole without striking the second closing cover.

[0015] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, a space for the circulation of steam is provided at least locally between the first cover and the second cover.

[0016] Such a feature makes it possible to have a steam generator which is particularly compact in width.

[0017] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the second cover comprises at least one boss which comes into contact with the first cover and locally forms a baffle on the path of the flow of steam circulating between the first cover and the second cover.

[0018] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the fluid is injected onto the bottom wall at a longitudinal end of the internal vaporization chamber, the hole being arranged on the second closing cover at the opposite longitudinal end of the internal vaporization chamber.

[0019] Such a feature makes it possible to force the flow of vapor to travel along the internal vaporization chamber before it can escape through the hole.

[0020] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the second passage is produced by a through opening provided in the bottom wall of the external vaporization chamber and arranged outside the internal vaporization chamber.

[0021] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the through opening is arranged at the longitudinal end of the external vaporization chamber located opposite the longitudinal end receiving the hole.

[0022] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the device for injecting the fluid comprises an injection tube which passes through a first orifice provided in the first closure cover and a second orifice provided in the second closure cover and comprises a seal extending around the injection tube, the seal providing a sealed junction at least with the first closure cover and possibly with the second closure cover.

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

[0024] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the apparatus comprises a water reservoir which supplies said device for injecting a fluid. Brief description of the figures

[0025] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig. 1] is a side view of an iron according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

[0027] [Fig. 2] is a perspective view of the underside of the heating body and the soleplate fitted to the iron of [Fig. 1];

[0028] [Fig.3] is a perspective view from above of the heating body and soleplate of [Fig.2];

[0029] [Fig.4] is a partially exploded perspective view of the heating body and soleplate of [Fig.2], the second cover being shown in the closed position of the internal vaporization chamber;

[0030] [Fig.5] is an exploded perspective view of the heating body and soleplate of [Fig.2];

[0031] [Fig.6] is a longitudinal sectional view of the heating body and soleplate of [Fig.2];

[0032] [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of the heating body and the soleplate along axis VILVII of [Fig.6].

[0033] [Fig.8] is another exploded perspective view of the heating body and soleplate of [Fig.2].

[0034] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0035] It will be noted that in this document, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lower”, “upper”, “high”, “low”, “front”, “rear”, “longitudinal”, “transverse”, used to describe the iron refer to this device in use, when it rests flat on its soleplate.

[0036] [Fig. 1] represents an iron 1 comprising a flat soleplate 2 surmounted by a housing 10 made of plastic material comprising a grip handle 11 arranged cantilevered relative to the rear end of the soleplate 2, the grip handle 11 comprising a free rear end connected by a cord 3 to a base containing a water reservoir, not shown in the figures.

[0037] According to [Fig. 2], the sole 2 has a symmetrical, oblong shape, with a front end and a rear end of circular shape. The sole 2 is preferably made of stainless steel, or aluminum, and comprises a central zone provided with steam outlet holes 20 distributed according to a rectangular grid, the central zone being surrounded by a peripheral zone without steam outlet holes.

[0038] Preferably, the soleplate 2 has reduced dimensions making it possible to offer great maneuverability to the iron 1. For example, the soleplate 2 has a length of less than 15 cm, advantageously of the order of 14 cm, and a width of less than 10 cm, advantageously of the order of 8 cm, the grip handle 11 projecting laterally over a length of the order of 12 cm.

[0039] According to Figures 3 to 8, the housing 10 of the iron 1 contains a heating body 4 which is in thermal contact with the soleplate 2, the heating body 4 comprising a casting, advantageously made of aluminum.

[0040] The heating body 4 has an upper surface where a generator is arranged of steam which is delimited laterally by an external peripheral wall 41 which extends around the entire perimeter of the heating body 4.

[0041] The external peripheral wall 41 projects from the upper surface of the heating body 4 and advantageously has a rectilinear front part extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sole 2, two rectilinear lateral parts extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sole 2 and a circular rear part.

[0042] The steam generator is closed in its upper part by a first cover 5 which rests on the external peripheral wall 41 while being connected in a sealed manner to the latter.

[0043] Preferably, the heating body 4 comprises a bottom wall 40 containing an electrical resistance 43 comprising two ends opening near the front end of the heating body 4, outside the volume defined by the external peripheral wall 4L.

[0044] According to [Fig.5], the electrical resistance 43 has a general U shape and comprises two branches which extend along the rectilinear lateral parts and the circular rear part of the external peripheral wall 4L. This electrical resistance 43 advantageously has a power of the order of 2000W.

[0045] The bottom wall 40, the external peripheral wall 41 and the first cover 5 delimit an external vaporization chamber 45 of the steam generator. Preferably, the external vaporization chamber 45 has a width of less than 8 cm, advantageously of the order of 6 cm, a length of less than 12 cm, advantageously of the order of 10 cm, and a height of less than 2 cm, advantageously of the order of 1.5 cm.

[0046] According to Figures 4 to 7, the steam generator also comprises an internal vaporization chamber 46 which is arranged inside the volume of the external vaporization chamber 45.

[0047] The internal vaporization chamber 46 is delimited laterally by an internal peripheral wall 42, which projects into the bottom wall 40 of the external vaporization chamber 45, and is closed in its upper part by a second closing cover 6 which takes place under the first closing cover 5. A space allowing the circulation of steam is advantageously provided between the first cover 5 and the second cover 6. By way of example, the internal vaporization chamber 46 has a width of the order of 4 cm, a length of the order of 7 cm and a height of the order of 1 cm.

[0048] The internal vaporization chamber 46 and the external vaporization chamber 45 are arranged in series, that is to say that the vapor produced by the internal vaporization chamber 46 escapes inside the external vaporization chamber 45 before being diffused through a steam distribution circuit leading to the steam outlet holes 20 of the sole 2.

[0049] The external vaporization chamber 45 comprises, in the vicinity of its rear end, a mounting stud 47 which projects from the bottom wall 40 and which is intended to receive a mechanical thermostat or a temperature sensor, not shown in the figures. The mounting stud 47 adjoins the rear end of the internal peripheral wall 42 and is intended to regulate the electrical supply of the electrical resistance 43 in order to maintain the internal vaporization chamber 46 around a set temperature, possibly adjustable by the user, of the order of 150°C.

[0050] Preferably, the steam generator comprises a device 7 for injecting water into the internal vaporization chamber 46. This device 7 advantageously comprises an injection tube 70 which passes through a first orifice 51 formed in the first cover 5, in the vicinity of the front edge of the latter, and a second orifice 61 formed in the second cover 6, in the axis of the first orifice 51.

[0051] The device 7 for injecting water also comprises a sealing gasket 71 which extends around the injection tube 70 and comes into contact with the edges of the first orifice 51 and the second orifice 61 to ensure sealing with the latter. The injection tube 70 makes it possible to inject water onto an evaporation surface of the bottom wall 40 advantageously located in the vicinity of the front end of the internal vaporization chamber 46.

[0052] In a manner known per se, the injection tube 70 is supplied with water by means of a pump, not shown in the figures, which is integrated into the base and the operation of which is controlled by a trigger 12 arranged 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 actuated.

[0053] As can be seen in [Fig. 5], the second closing cover 6 comprises a hole 60, of oblong shape, which is arranged in the vicinity of the rear end of the second closing cover 6, this hole 60 establishing a passage between the internal vaporization chamber 46 and the external vaporization chamber 45.

[0054] According to figures 5, 6 and 8, the external vaporization chamber 45 comprises a through opening 48, arranged at the level of the front end of the bottom wall 40, which communicates with a steam distribution circuit arranged on a lower face of the heating body 4.

[0055] Preferably, the second cover 6 locally comprises a boss 62 which comes into contact with the first cover 5, this boss 62 being arranged on the path located between the hole 60 and the through opening 48 to form an obstacle deflecting the flow of steam coming from the hole 60. Such a characteristic makes it possible to lengthen the path of the steam and to promote the vaporization of any water droplets carried by the steam flow.

[0056] In particular, the presence of such a boss 62 makes it possible to divide the flow of steam coming from the hole 60 into two flows of steam circulating on either side of the boss 62, forcing the flow of steam to pass into a narrow passage where it comes to lick the external peripheral wall 41 which is overheated by the heat emitted by the electrical resistance 43.

[0057] According to [Fig.8], the steam distribution circuit comprises a cavity 9 advantageously arranged between the heating body 4 and the sole 2, this cavity 9 making it possible to supply steam to the steam outlet holes 20 of the sole 2. The cavity 9 comprises a first U-shaped rib 91 and a second U-shaped rib 92 which project and come into contact with the sole 2 to ensure heat transfer by conduction towards the sole 2.

[0058] As can be seen in [Fig. 8], the first rib 91 and the second rib 92 are arranged head to tail, the branches of the U formed by the second rib 92 being arranged inside the branches of the U formed by the first rib 91 and coming to bear on the sole 2 at the edge of the central zone comprising the steam outlet holes 20. The open part of the U, formed by the second rib 92, is advantageously oriented in the direction of the through opening 48 and the base of the U, formed by the first rib 91, is arranged between the through opening 48 and the open end of the U formed by the second rib 92. Thus, the flow of steam coming from the through opening 48 passes first outside the U formed by the first rib 91 then between the branches of the U of the first rib 91 and the second rib 92 before it can escape through the steam outlet holes 20.Such an arrangement of the first rib 91 and the second rib 92 makes it possible to form a labyrinth-shaped steam distribution circuit which greatly reduces the risk of seeing non-vaporized water droplets being propelled through the steam outlet holes 20.

[0059] The operation of the iron 1 will now be described.

[0060] When the user actuates the trigger 12, water is injected by the pump through the injection tube 70 and is projected onto the evaporation surface of the bottom wall 40 which is located in the vicinity of the front end of the internal vaporization chamber 46. The evaporation surface being arranged between the branches of the electrical resistance 43 and in the immediate vicinity of the latter, it is permanently maintained at a high temperature, which ensures strong vaporization of the water injected by the injection tube 70.

[0061] The steam produced in the internal vaporization chamber 46 then escapes through the hole 60 provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the second cover 6, then travels towards the front end of the external vaporization chamber 45 by passing through the narrow passages provided on either side of the boss 62 and / or by circulating in the space provided between the internal peripheral wall 42 and the external peripheral wall 41 where the temperature is very high. The steam flow then leaves the external vaporization chamber 45 to join the steam distribution circuit provided between the heating body 4 and the sole 2 by passing through the through opening 48. The steam then travels in the steam distribution circuit provided in the cavity 9, following the labyrinth-like path formed by the first rib 91 and the second rib 92, then escapes through the steam outlet holes 20 of the sole 2.

[0062] The tortuous path followed by the steam produced by the internal vaporization chamber 46 before exiting through the steam outlet holes 20 makes it possible to greatly limit the risk of non-vaporized water droplets being emitted through the steam outlet holes, regardless of the orientation of the iron 1. In fact, the water droplets transported by the steam flow are systematically projected, due to their inertia, against hot walls of the steam generator during the numerous changes in direction of the steam flow, which makes it possible to vaporize these droplets before they reach the steam outlet holes 20.

[0063] The iron thus produced therefore has the advantage of being very compact while allowing a high steam flow with a reduced risk of water droplets being spit out regardless of the orientation of the soleplate.

[0064] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0065] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the reservoir could be fitted directly into the iron housing.

[0066] Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the internal vaporization chamber may be supplied with water by means of a drip valve arranged at the injection orifice and supplied with water by gravity from the reservoir.

Claims

Claims

1. Iron (1) comprising a heating body (4) having a lower surface in thermal contact with an ironing soleplate (2) and an upper face at the level of which a steam generator is arranged, characterized in that the steam generator comprising an external vaporization chamber (45), an internal vaporization chamber (46) and a device (7) for injecting a fluid onto a bottom wall (40) of the internal vaporization chamber (46), the external vaporization chamber (45) enclosing the internal vaporization chamber (46),the steam generator comprising at least one first passage (60) establishing communication between the internal vaporization chamber (46) and the external vaporization chamber (45) and comprising at least one second passage (48) establishing communication between the external vaporization chamber (45) and a steam distribution circuit opening onto at least one steam outlet hole (20) provided in the sole (2).,

2. Iron (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the external vaporization chamber (45) is delimited laterally by an external peripheral wall (41) which projects on the upper face of the heating body (4), the internal vaporization chamber (46) being delimited laterally by an internal peripheral wall (42) which projects inside the external vaporization chamber (45), the external vaporization chamber (45) being closed in its upper part by a first closing cover (5) attached to the external peripheral wall (41) and the internal vaporization chamber (46) being closed in its upper part by a second closing cover (6) attached to the internal peripheral wall (42), the first closing cover (5) covering the second closing cover (6).

3. Iron (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first passage is formed by a hole (60) provided on the second closing cover (6).

4. Iron (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said hole (60) has a passage section of elongated, substantially oblong shape.

5. Iron (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that a space for the circulation of steam is provided. at least locally between the first cover (5) and the second cover (6).

6. Iron (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second cover (6) comprises at least one boss (62) which comes into contact with the first cover (5), said boss (62) locally forming a baffle on the path of the steam flow circulating between the first cover (5) and the second cover (6).

7. Iron (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the fluid is injected onto the bottom wall (40) at a longitudinal end of the internal vaporization chamber (46) and in that said hole (60) is arranged on a second closing cover (6) at the opposite longitudinal end of the internal vaporization chamber (46).

8. Iron (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second passage is produced by a through opening (48) formed in the bottom wall (40) of the external vaporization chamber (45) and arranged outside the internal vaporization chamber (46).

9. Iron (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said through opening (48) is arranged at the longitudinal end of the external vaporization chamber (45) located opposite the longitudinal end receiving said hole (60).

10. Iron (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the device (7) for injecting the fluid comprises an injection tube (70) which passes through a first orifice (51) formed in the first closing cover (5) and a second orifice (61) formed in the second closing cover (6), and comprises a seal (71) which extends around the injection tube (70), the seal (71) forming a sealed junction at least with the first closing cover (5).

11. Iron (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first orifice (51) and the second orifice (61) are aligned.

12. Iron (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a water reservoir which supplies said device (7) for injecting a fluid.