Steamer

Abstract

To provide a steamer including a base plate that enables both short start-up time and safety.SOLUTION: A steamer 1 includes a vaporizing chamber 13 that vaporizes water supplied from a tank 11 by heat generated by a heater 12, a steam injection part 16 having a plurality of ejection holes 15 that ejects the steam generated in the vaporizing chamber 13. The steam injection part 16 has a soleplate 1a having the plurality of ejection holes 15 arranged therein, and is provided with a base plate 35 in which an outer edge part of the sole plate 1a is thicker than a center part thereof.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steamer. [Background technology]

[0002] A steamer is known that includes a tank for storing liquid therein, an evaporation chamber to which the liquid can be supplied from the tank, a heater for heating the evaporation chamber to vaporize the liquid and generate steam, and a base plate having steam holes for spraying the steam generated in the evaporation chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-062312 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is convenient for users to shorten the start-up time, the time from when the power is turned on until steam starts to be emitted. One way to shorten the start-up time is to reduce the heat capacity of the vaporizer chamber and the base plate. The heat capacity of the base plate can be reduced by making the base plate thinner.

[0005] However, simply making the base plate thinner would result in sharp edges, which is unacceptable since a sharp base plate could damage clothing or injure the user.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a steamer equipped with a base plate that can shorten the start-up time while ensuring safety. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a tank capable of storing water, a heat source capable of generating heat, an evaporation chamber in which the water supplied from the tank is evaporated into steam using the heat generated by the heat source, and a steam ejection section having an ejection hole for ejecting the steam generated in the evaporation chamber, wherein the steam ejection section has a hanging surface on which the ejection holes are arranged, and is provided with a base plate which is thicker at the outer edge of the hanging surface than at the center of the hanging surface. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the steamer according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first example of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second example of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of a tank and a pump of the steamer according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tank base of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a tank base of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a tank base of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a tank base of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vaporizer compartment and heater of the steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base plate of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a base plate of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a base plate of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a base plate of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of the base plate of the steamer according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the steamer according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A steamer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 18. Note that in the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the steamer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Fig. 5 is a first example of a cross-sectional view of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a second example of a cross-sectional view of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views taken along a plane that bisects the steamer into left and right halves.

[0015] 1 to 6, the steamer 1 according to this embodiment heats and evaporates a liquid, and ejects the vapor (steam) to the outside. The liquid is mainly water.

[0016] The steamer 1 is a device used to remove wrinkles from clothes, and is suitable for spraying jets of steam onto clothes from a distance. The steamer 1 can be used in the same way as a steam iron, which is suitable for applying jets of steam to clothes while pressing the ironing surface 1a against the clothes, and may include those called "steam irons."

[0017] The steamer 1 may also be provided with a stand for use while placed on the floor. The stand has an appropriate shape that allows the steamer 1 to be easily placed on and taken off.

[0018] The steamer 1 is equipped with a power cord 2 that can be connected to an outlet of a commercial AC power source E. The steamer 1 operates on AC power supplied from the commercial AC power source E. The steamer 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a power cord 2 that can be connected to an outlet of the commercial AC power source E, but it may also be a cordless type equipped with a secondary battery as a power source, for example, a type that can be switched between corded and cordless as in Patent No. 7019079.

[0019] The steamer 1 also includes a main body cover 3 as an outer shell, a handle 5 integrated with the main body cover 3, a tank 11 as a liquid source capable of storing liquid, a heater 12 as a heat source capable of generating heat, an evaporation chamber 13 that vaporizes the liquid supplied from the tank 11 into steam using the heat generated by the heater 12, and a steam ejection section 16 having a plurality of ejection holes 15 that eject the steam generated in the evaporation chamber 13.

[0020] The main body cover 3 and the gripping portion 5 are molded products made of resin such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), ABS resin, etc. The main body cover 3 and the gripping portion 5 may be integrally molded, or may be an assembly in which a plurality of members are assembled or joined together.

[0021] The body cover 3 accommodates various components including the tank 11, covering the steam outlet 16. The body cover 3 has a rounded top 3t at the point farthest from the steam outlet 16. The part of the steamer 1 that has the body cover 3 as its outer shell is called the body of the steamer 1. The body cover 3 corresponds to the housing of the body.

[0022] The grip 5 faces the top 3t of the main body cover 3 across a space. The grip 5 extends in an inverted U shape in a side view of the steamer 1. The grip 5 has a pair of rising parts 5f, 5r that rise up at two points on the front and rear sides of the top of the main body cover 3, and a rod-shaped grip 5c that spans between the pair of rising parts 5f, 5r. The space separating the grip 5 and the main body cover 3 is closed in an O-shape in a side view of the steamer 1. A user inserts his or her fingers into the O-shaped space separating the grip 5 and the main body cover 3 and grips the grip 5c with his or her hand to use the steamer 1.

[0023] The steamer 1 is long in the front-rear direction parallel to the hanging surface 1a along the cross section of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, and short in the direction perpendicular to the cross section of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, that is, in the left-right direction. In other words, the steamer 1 is elongated in the front-rear direction in a plan view. For convenience of explanation, the front-rear direction of the steamer 1 is called the longitudinal direction, and the left-right direction of the steamer 1 is called the short direction. In addition, the direction away from the hanging surface 1a is called the height direction. The rod-shaped grip portion 5c extends in the longitudinal direction of the steamer 1. The main body cover 3, like the entire steamer 1, has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction in a plan view. The hanging surface 1a, like the main body cover 3, has an elongated shape in the front-rear direction in a plan view.

[0024] The grip portion 5 is equipped with a heat setting button 21 that accepts both the power on / off operation for the heater 12 and the operation to switch between multiple set temperatures for the steam outlet 16, a steam volume setting button 22 that accepts the operation to switch the set flow rate of steam emitted from the outlet 15, and a temperature display portion 25 that displays the operating status of the steamer 1 and the temperature range of the steam outlet 16.

[0025] The heat setting button 21 is preferably located so that it can be easily operated by the fingers of the hand gripping the grip portion 5c, for example, the thumb. The heat setting button 21 is preferably located, for example, at the front end of the grip portion 5c, the rear end of the front rising portion 5f, or the boundary between the grip portion 5c and the front rising portion 5f.

[0026] The steam amount setting button 22 is preferably arranged so that it can be easily operated by the fingers of the hand gripping the grip portion 5c, for example, the index finger. The steam amount setting button 22 is preferably arranged at the front end of the grip portion 5c so as to protrude into the space separating the grip portion 5 and the main body cover 3.

[0027] The temperature display unit 25 is disposed near the top of the front rising portion 5f. The temperature display unit 25 has a plurality of light sources, for example, three light sources, arranged in the width direction of the steamer 1. The light sources are, for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs). The temperature display unit 25 displays the operating state of the steamer 1 by combining the lighting, blinking, and extinguishing of the plurality of light sources.

[0028] The gripping portion 5 and the main body cover 3 are provided with an openable and closable liquid inlet lid 26 provided on the front of the steamer 1 and on the front rising portion 5f. The liquid inlet lid 26 functions as a plug that closes the liquid inlet 27 that connects to the tank 11, and also functions as a lid that covers and conceals the liquid inlet 27. The liquid inlet lid 26 can be opened by lifting it toward the front of the steamer 1. When the liquid inlet lid 26 is opened, the liquid inlet 27 is exposed, and liquid can be poured into the tank 11 through the exposed liquid inlet 27, or unnecessary liquid in the tank 11 can be discarded.

[0029] The tank 11 extends from the front rising portion 5f of the handle portion 16 to directly below the O-shaped space separating the handle portion 5 and the main body cover 3. In other words, the tank 11 has an L-shaped shape in a side view of the steamer 1. The tank 11 includes a tank cover 31 having an opening and a tank base 32 that closes the opening of the tank cover 31. The tank cover 31 and the tank base 32 are made of resin. The tank cover 31 and the tank base 32 are joined by, for example, ultrasonic welding. The tank 11 is arranged so that the tank base 32 is closest to the steam ejection portion 16 and the tank cover 31 is farther from the steam ejection portion 16 than the tank base 32. The tank 11 has permeability. The tank cover 31 and the tank base 32 are made of permeable resin. For convenience of explanation, the tank base 32 closest to the steam ejection portion 16 is set as the bottom plate portion of the tank 11.

[0030] The heater 12 is embedded in the steam ejection part 16. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the hanging surface 1a, the heater 12 has a shape, for example, a U-shape, surrounding the vicinity of the vaporization chamber 13. The heater 12 is, for example, a flexible sheath heater.

[0031] The steam ejection part 16 has a hanging surface 1a and a top 16t that is the furthest from the hanging surface 1a. The steam ejection part 16 includes a base plate 35 having the hanging surface 1a, a vaporization chamber partition 37 fixed to the base plate 35 with a fastening member 36, and a vaporization chamber cover 39 fixed to the vaporization chamber partition 37 with a fastening member 38.

[0032] The base plate 35, the vaporization chamber partition 37, and the vaporization chamber cover 39 are made of metal, for example, an aluminum alloy. The base plate 35, the vaporization chamber partition 37, and the vaporization chamber cover 39 are die-cast products. In other words, the steam ejection section 16 is an assembly of aluminum die-cast members. The vaporization chamber cover 39 may be a molded product of a resin that is resistant to high temperatures. The base plate 35 and the vaporization chamber partition 37 may be a one-piece molded product.

[0033] The vaporization chamber partition 37 and the base plate 35 sandwich and hold the heater 12. The heater 12 and the vaporization chamber partition 37, which are placed in a mold beforehand, may be cast at the same time to be integrally molded. The heater 12, the vaporization chamber partition 37 and the base plate 35, which are placed in a mold beforehand, may be cast at the same time to be integrally molded.

[0034] The base plate 35 has a plurality of ejection holes 15 that open to the impact surface 1a. The ejection holes 15 penetrate the front and back of the base plate 35 (the front surface corresponding to the impact surface 1a and the back surface of the impact surface 1a).

[0035] The vaporization chamber partition 37 has a recess 37a that is closed by a vaporization chamber cover 39. The space defined by the recess 37a and the vaporization chamber cover 39 is the vaporization chamber 13. The vaporization chamber partition 37 is in close contact with the base plate 35. The gap between the vaporization chamber partition 37 and the base plate 35 is airtightly sealed with a silicone sealant that is resistant to the heat of the heater 12.

[0036] The vaporization chamber cover 39 closes the recess 37a of the vaporization chamber partition 37 to define the vaporization chamber 13. The vaporization chamber cover 39 has a liquid inlet 41 for introducing a liquid for generating vapor into the vaporization chamber 13. The gap between the vaporization chamber partition 37 and the vaporization chamber cover 39 is airtightly sealed with a silicone sealant that is resistant to the heat of the heater 12.

[0037] The vaporization chamber 13 is defined by a recess 37a provided in the vaporization chamber partition 37 and a vaporization chamber cover 39 that closes the recess 37a of the vaporization chamber partition 37. The vaporization chamber 13 is surrounded by the heater 12 that extends in a U-shape.

[0038] The vaporization chamber 13 and the multiple ejection holes 15 are connected via a vapor diffusion chamber 42 defined between the vaporization chamber partition 37 and the base plate 35. The vaporization chamber partition 37 has a communication hole 43 that discharges vapor from the vaporization chamber 13 to the vapor diffusion chamber 42. The vaporization chamber partition 37 distributes the vapor flowing in from the single communication hole 43 to the multiple ejection holes 15. The silicone sealant that seals the gap between the vaporization chamber partition 37 and the base plate 35 also functions as a seal to make the vapor diffusion chamber 42 airtight. When the base plate 35 and the vaporization chamber partition 37 are integrally molded, the vaporization chamber 13 and the multiple ejection holes 15 may be directly connected.

[0039] The steamer 1 also includes a pump 51 that sends liquid from the tank 11 to the evaporation chamber 13, a cylindrical DC motor 52 that operates the pump 51, an overheating prevention device 53 provided in the steam ejection portion 16, a circuit board 55 housed in the gripping portion 5, a temperature detection portion 56 provided in the steam ejection portion 16 that detects the temperature of the evaporation chamber 13, a steam ejection portion cover 57 that separates the tank 11 and the steam ejection portion 16, and a water supply path 58 that sends the liquid ejected by the pump 51 to the steam ejection portion 16.

[0040] The pump 51 , the DC motor 52 , the tank 11 , and the steam ejection part cover 57 are housed in the main body cover 3 .

[0041] The pump 51 can change the flow rate of the liquid sent from the tank 11 to the vaporization chamber 13. The pump 51 may be a positive displacement pump, and may be a reciprocating pump or a rotary pump.

[0042] The pump 51 and the DC motor 52 may be collectively referred to as an electromagnetic pump. The steamer 1 equipped with an electromagnetic pump can send the liquid in the tank 11 to the vaporization chamber 13 against the internal pressure of the vaporization chamber 13 even when the internal pressure of the vaporization chamber 13 that generates steam is rising and regardless of the position in which the steamer 1 is used.

[0043] The overheating prevention device 53 has a switch that stops the supply of power to the heater 12 when the steam ejection part 16 becomes abnormally overheated. The overheating prevention device 53 is preferably provided near the heater 12 so that it can detect abnormal overheating of the steam ejection part 16. It is known that the temperature rises most quickly near the curved part 12c of the heater 12. Therefore, the overheating prevention device 53 is provided on the steam ejection part 16 so as to cover at least a part of the curved part 12c of the heater 12. Therefore, the overheating prevention device 53 immediately detects that the steam ejection part 16 is in an overheated state near the curved part 12c of the heater 12 where the temperature rises most quickly, and stops the supply of power to the heater 12 to ensure safety.

[0044] In addition, the overheating prevention device 53 is closer to the hanging surface 1a than the top 16t of the steam ejection part 16. Therefore, the overheating prevention device 53 immediately detects that the steam ejection part 16 is in an overheated state even closer to the curved part 12c of the heater 12, where the temperature rises the fastest, and immediately stops the power supply to the heater 12 to ensure high safety. In addition, by placing the overheating prevention device 53 closer to the hanging surface 1a than the top 16t of the steam ejection part 16, the height of the steam ejection part cover 57 (the shortest distance from the hanging surface 1a) is reduced, and the overall height of the steamer 1 is reduced, thereby making the steamer 1 more compact.

[0045] Circuit board 55 is a printed circuit board on which electronic components are mounted, and may be called a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA). Circuit board 55 extends over almost the entire length of gripping portion 5 in the extension direction of rod-shaped gripping portion 5c.

[0046] The temperature detection unit 56 functions as a sensor that detects the operating state of the steamer 1. The temperature detection unit 56 is fixed to the steam ejection unit 16.

[0047] The steam jet cover 57 is fitted over the base plate 35 and houses the vaporization chamber partition 37, vaporization chamber lid 39, and overheating prevention device 53. The steam jet cover 57 divides the space inside the main body cover 3 into a high temperature section housing chamber 61 in which the steam jet 16 is disposed and a low temperature section housing chamber 62 in which the tank 11 is disposed. The steam jet cover 57 functions as a heat shield that blocks heat transmitted from the high temperature steam jet 16 to the low temperature section housing chamber 62. The surface of the steam jet cover 57 facing the low temperature section housing chamber 62 faces the tank base 32, which is the bottom plate of the tank 11. The high temperature section housing chamber 61 is hermetically closed by a packing 63 sandwiched between the steam jet cover 57 and the base plate 35.

[0048] 5 and 6, with the heating surface 1a of the steamer 1 horizontal, the low-temperature housing chamber 62 housing the tank 11, pump 51, and DC motor 52 is disposed above the steam ejection part cover 57, and the grip part 5 housing the circuit board 55 is disposed above the low-temperature housing chamber 62. In other words, the low-temperature housing chamber 62 housing the tank 11, pump 51, and DC motor 52 is closer to the steam ejection part 16 than the grip part 5 housing the circuit board 55.

[0049] The high-temperature section housing chamber 61 houses the vaporizing chamber 13 and the vapor ejection section 16 equipped with the heater 12. The temperature of the vapor ejection section 16 becomes extremely high compared to other parts of the steamer 1, since liquid is sent to the vaporizing chamber 13 heated by the heater 12 to be vaporized. Therefore, the indoor temperature of the high-temperature section housing chamber 61 becomes higher than the indoor temperature of the low-temperature section housing chamber 62. Therefore, the vapor ejection section cover 57 that covers the high-temperature section housing chamber 61 blocks the heat emitted by the vapor ejection section 16, preventing the temperature of the pump 51, the DC motor 52, and components such as elements mounted on the circuit board 55 from rising.

[0050] The low-temperature section accommodating chamber 62 accommodates the tank 11 at a location closest to the steam jet cover 57 that covers the high-temperature section accommodating chamber 61. The tank 11 has a tank base 32 as a bottom plate closest to the steam jet 16. The low-temperature section accommodating chamber 62 also accommodates the pump 51 and the DC motor 52 at a location farther from the steam jet cover 57 than the tank 11. Furthermore, an O-shaped space separating the grip part 5 and the main body cover 3 exists at a location farther from the steam jet cover 57 than the tank 11. The low-temperature section accommodating chamber 62 accommodates the circuit board 55 at a location even farther from the steam jet cover 57 than the O-shaped space separating the grip part 5 and the main body cover 3.

[0051] In other words, pump 51 and DC motor 52 block the heat generated by steam ejection portion 16 due to the liquid stored in tank 11, and circuit board 55 blocks the heat generated by steam ejection portion 16 due to both the liquid and the air present in the space separating grip portion 5 and main body cover 3.

[0052] There may be a case where an upper limit is set for the general use environmental temperature of the diaphragm pump 51 and the DC motor 52 for water. The liquid stored in the tank 11 blocks the heat generated by the steam ejection part 16, so that the upper limit of the use environmental temperature of the pump 51 and the DC motor 52 can be guaranteed.

[0053] The pump 51 overlaps the tank 11 when viewed in the short direction of the steamer 1, that is, the short direction of the hanging surface 1a. In other words, the pump 51 is sandwiched between the tank 11 on both sides and is arranged so as to be embraced. Therefore, the steamer 1 can expand the internal volume of the tank 11 without increasing the size of the main body part, which has the main body cover 3 as its outer shell. In other words, the steamer 1 can reduce the size of the main body part, which has the main body cover 3 as its outer shell, while maintaining the internal volume of the tank 11.

[0054] The pump 51 is housed in the top 3t of the main body cover 3. The DC motor 52 has a cylindrical center line oriented in the longitudinal direction of the steamer 1, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the hanging surface 1a. The DC motor 52 is housed in the boundary between the main body cover 3 and the gripping part 5 in an oblique position so as to move away from the steam ejection part 16 toward the inside of the rear rising part 5r of the gripping part 5, continuing from the pump 51 overlapping the tank 11. Therefore, the steamer 1 can expand the internal volume of the tank 11 to the vicinity of the top 3t of the main body cover 3 without enlarging the main body part having the main body cover 3 as its outer shell. In other words, the steamer 1 can reduce the size of the main body part having the main body cover 3 as its outer shell while maintaining the internal volume of the tank 11.

[0055] In addition, the O-shaped space separating the grip part 5 and the main body cover 3 cools the top part 3t of the main body cover 3 and the rear rising part 5r of the grip part 5, which cover the pump 51 and the DC motor 52. Therefore, the steamer 1 can air-cool the outer shell near the pump 51 and the DC motor 52 with the atmosphere, and thus cool the pump 51 and the DC motor 52.

[0056] 5 and may be disposed between the tank 11 and the top 3t of the body cover 3 together with the pump 51 as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the pump 51 and the DC motor 52 are surrounded by the tank 11 and the body cover 3, and the tank 11 has a portion sandwiched between the steam ejection part 16 and the DC motor 52.

[0057] When viewed in the short direction of the hanging surface 1a, the main body cover 3 has an opaque side wall portion 65 that covers and conceals the pump 51, and the tank 11 has a transparent or translucent water level window 66 that is exposed to the side wall portion 65 of the main body cover 3 and extends in a U-shape to bypass the pump 51, allowing the inside of the tank 11 to be visually observed.

[0058] The water level window 66 has a first portion 66a that extends away from the hanging surface 1a and reaches the front rising portion 5f of the grip portion 5, a second portion 66b that extends parallel to the hanging surface 1a, that is, extends from the front to the rear of the main body cover 3, and a curved portion 66c that connects the first portion 66a and the second portion 66b. The first portion 66a and the curved portion 66c allow the user to easily see the liquid level in the tank 11 when the hanging surface 1a is oriented horizontally, and the second portion 66b and the curved portion 66c allow the user to easily see the liquid level in the tank 11 when the hanging surface 1a is oriented vertically. In other words, the water level window 66 allows the user to easily grasp the amount of liquid in the tank 11 even when the steamer 1 is placed on a horizontal surface, for example, when the hanging surface 1a is oriented toward clothes hanging on a hanger.

[0059] It is preferable that the first portion 66a and the curved portion 66c of the water level window 66 allow the liquid level in the tank 11 to be visually recognized over a wide range when the hanging surface 1a is oriented horizontally. In other words, it is preferable that the first portion 66a ranges from the height of zero liquid in the tank 11 to the height of full liquid in the direction intersecting the hanging surface 1a, which corresponds to the height direction when the hanging surface 1a is oriented horizontally.

[0060] It is preferable that the second portion 66b and the curved portion 66c of the water level window 66 allow the liquid level in the tank 11 to be visually recognized over a wide range when the hanging surface 1a is oriented vertically. In other words, it is preferable that the second portion 66b ranges from the height of zero liquid in the tank 11 to the height of full liquid in the direction parallel to the hanging surface 1a, which corresponds to the height direction when the hanging surface 1a is oriented vertically.

[0061] The water level window 66 may be provided in pair on the left and right sides of the steamer 1, or may be provided on at least one of the left and right sides.

[0062] When viewed in the short direction of the hanging surface, the grip part 5 has a pseudo window 67 that extends in an inverted U-shape in cooperation with the water level window 66 to draw a ring, and hides the inside of the grip part 5. The ring formed by the water level window 66 and the pseudo window 67 surrounds the O-shaped space between the main body cover 3 and the grip part 5. The ring formed by the water level window 66 and the pseudo window 67 creates a sense of unity between the main body part, which has the main body cover 3 as its outer shell, and the grip part 5 in the appearance of the steamer 1. The sense of unity of the appearance enhances the design of the steamer 1. On the other hand, the pseudo window 67, which is opaque and hides the inside of the grip part 5, covers and hides the circuit board 55 installed in the grip part 5, the internal structure of the heat amount setting button 21 and the internal structure of the steam amount setting button 22 provided in the grip part 5, and does not impair the design of the steamer 1 enhanced by the water level window 66 and the pseudo window 67.

[0063] The water supply path 58 passes through the tank 11 when viewed from the pump 51 , passes through the steam ejection part cover 57 , and reaches the liquid inlet 41 of the vaporization chamber cover body 39 .

[0064] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the tank and pump of the steamer according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane that passes through the pump and tank and divides the steamer into front and rear parts.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 7, at least a part of the tank 11 of the steamer 1 according to this embodiment overlaps the pump 51 when viewed from a direction a perpendicular to the hanging surface 1a, and is wider in the short side direction b of the hanging surface 1a than the pump 51. The tank 11 blocks the heat generated by the steam ejection part 16 with the liquid and gas in the tank 11 around the pump 51, easily guaranteeing the upper limit of the environmental temperature in which the pump 51 is used.

[0066] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tank base of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a tank base of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a tank base of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a tank base of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] As shown in Figures 8 to 11, the tank base 32 of the steamer 1 according to this embodiment has a water supply path 71 having at least one inlet 71i leading to the inside of the tank 11 and an outlet 71o leading to the vaporization chamber 13 of the steam ejection section 16. In other words, the tank 11 does not have a suction pipe provided in the tank 11 as in conventional steamers. The tank 11 has the freedom of the water supply path 71, which allows the inlet 71i to be located at a required location and the outlet 71o to be located at a required location, while avoiding a reduction in the internal volume of the tank 11 due to the installation of a suction pipe.

[0071] The tank base 32 is a laminate having a multi-layer structure. That is, the tank base 32 has a plurality of plates 72, 73 including an outermost layer plate 72 corresponding to the outermost layer and an innermost layer plate 73 corresponding to the innermost layer of the tank base 32. The tank base 32 is a laminate in which a plurality of plates 72, 73 are laminated in the thickness direction. Note that the tank base 32 according to this embodiment is a joint body in which two plates 72, 73 are joined in the stacking direction, but it may be a laminate in which three or more plates are stacked in the stacking direction. In addition, the tank base 32 may have a plurality of plates arranged in a direction intersecting the stacking direction. That is, a layer in the multi-layer structure may be a combination of a plurality of plates.

[0072] The water supply path 71 is defined by a plurality of plates 72, 73 including an outermost plate 72 corresponding to the outermost layer of the tank base 32 and an innermost plate 73 corresponding to the innermost layer of the tank base 32. In other words, the water supply path 71 is defined by connecting grooves provided in each of the plurality of plates 72, 73 facing each other. Note that, when the tank base 32 is a laminated body in which three or more plates are stacked in the stacking direction, the water supply path 71 only needs to be defined by at least two plates.

[0073] The tank base 32 has a joint 75 that joins a plurality of plates 72, 73 along the water supply path 71 and seals the water supply path 71. The pair of adjacent plates 72, 73 are joined by, for example, ultrasonic welding. The joint 75 corresponds to a weld bead formed by this ultrasonic welding. The joint 75 prevents gas, mainly air, from inside the tank 11 from flowing into the water supply path 71 from an unintended location. Therefore, the water supply path 71 can acquire a sealing property as a path for circulating liquid during the process of forming the tank base 32 by joining the plurality of plates 72, 73, and is excellent in manufacturability.

[0074] The tank cover 31 and the tank base 32 may be joined at least by one of the multiple plates 72 and 73, or may be joined by all of the plates 72 and 73. In other words, the tank base 32 may be joined to the tank cover 31 by the outermost plate 72, may be joined to the tank cover 31 by the innermost plate 73, or may be joined to the tank cover 31 by both plates 72 and 73. The plate joining the tank cover 31 and the tank base 32 needs to have a shape and dimensions that close the opening of the tank cover 31, but the plate not used to join the tank cover 31 and the tank base 32, that is, the plate joined only to the adjacent plate, does not need to have a shape and dimensions that close the opening of the tank cover 31. The plate joined only to the adjacent plate may be in a range that has a groove that constitutes the water supply path 71.

[0075] Furthermore, the bead used to form joint 75 may cross water supply path 71. This bead crossing water supply path 71 does not join two plates 72, 73 together, but merely melts one of the plates.

[0076] Incidentally, the steamer 1 is used in various positions by the user who holds the grip portion 5c of the handle 5. At this time, if the inlet 71i of the water supply path 71 is located above the liquid level in the tank 11, that is, in the so-called ullage, liquid may not flow into the water supply path 71, and the pump 51 may entrap gas. Therefore, it is preferable that the water supply path 71 has multiple inlets 71i arranged on all four sides of the tank base 32 with as much space between them as possible.

[0077] Therefore, the multiple inlets 71i are arranged at the edge between the tank base 32 and the tank cover 31, which is another plate part connected to the tank base 32 of the tank 11. The multiple inlets 71i are preferably arranged on all four sides of the tank base 32 with as much space as possible between them, for example, distributed on the front right, front left, rear right, and rear left sides of the tank base 32. In this way, the water supply path 71 maintains an uninterrupted supply of liquid from the tank 11 to the steam ejection part 16 regardless of the position in which the steamer 1 is used, as long as the hanging surface 1a is vertically facing the clothes, and the steamer 1 continues to eject steam.

[0078] The tank base 32 also includes a plurality of shutoff valves 81 provided at each of the plurality of inlets 71i. Each shutoff valve 81 has a structure similar to a so-called ball check valve. However, the shutoff valve 81 is not a valve intended to prevent backflow, but a valve intended to allow liquid in the tank 11 to flow into the water supply path 71 while preventing gas in the tank 11 from flowing into the water supply path 71.

[0079] Each shutoff valve 81 is provided with a valve body 82 that cuts off the connection between the corresponding inlet 71i and the outlet 71o when the corresponding inlet 71i is positioned above the other inlets 71i, and a valve seat 83 that the valve body 82 can contact. In other words, each shutoff valve 81 closes the corresponding inlet 71i when there is a risk that the corresponding inlet 71i is located above the liquid level in the tank 11, that is, in the so-called ullage, and opens the corresponding inlet 71i in other cases. In this way, as long as the hanging surface 1a is vertically oriented so as to face the clothes, the shutoff valve 81 prevents the gas in the tank 11 from flowing into the pump 51 regardless of the position in which the steamer 1 is used, and maintains the supply of liquid to the steam ejection part 16 without interruption, thereby allowing the steamer 1 to continue ejecting steam.

[0080] The valve box 85 has a cylindrical space with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the valve disc 82. The valve seat 83 is a truncated cone-shaped annular surface whose outermost edge is connected to the cylindrical space in the valve box 85 and whose innermost edge opens to a diameter smaller than that of the valve disc 82. The valve disc 82 moves and rolls around in the cylindrical space in the valve box 85 due to its own weight.

[0081] When the valve body 82 is disposed above the valve seat 83, a closed annular contact area is created between the valve body 82 and the valve seat 83. This closed annular contact area closes the shutoff valve 81 and prevents the flow of liquid and gas. In other words, the valve body 82 drops onto the valve seat 83, closing the shutoff valve 81.

[0082] If the valve element 82 is disposed below the valve seat 83, or if the valve element 82 is disposed above the valve seat 83 but the contact area between them is not closed in a circular shape but is open, for example, in a C-shape, the shutoff valve 81 closes to allow the flow of liquid and gas. For example, if the center line of the cylindrical space of the valve box 85 is oriented horizontally, the contact area between the valve element 82 and the valve seat 83 does not close in a circular shape, and the shutoff valve 81 opens.

[0083] Since the multiple shutoff valves 81 are arranged on all four sides, it is extremely difficult to close all the shutoff valves 81 in every position of the steamer 1. Therefore, when a user holding the grip portion 5c uses the steamer 1, at least one shutoff valve 81 is usually open. The open shutoff valve 81 is located above the closed shutoff valve 81. The gas in the tank 11 is above the liquid phase in the tank 11, so the closed shutoff valve 81 prevents the gas from flowing from the tank 11 into the water supply path 71, and the open shutoff valve 81 introduces the liquid from the tank 11 into the water supply path 71.

[0084] Furthermore, since the tank base 32 is transparent, it is extremely easy to check the operation of the shutoff valve 81 after assembling the tank base 32 and to check for leakage from the water supply path 71.

[0085] It is preferable that the valve element 82 has a suitable weight so that it can drop reliably into the valve seat 83 under its own weight regardless of the properties of the liquid, such as the presence or absence of liquid, the viscosity of the liquid, the wettability of the liquid, etc. It is also preferable that the valve element 82 has corrosion resistance against the liquid. Therefore, it is preferable that the valve element 82 is a ball made of, for example, stainless steel.

[0086] The valve seat 83 preferably has a continuous annular surface provided on a single member. The single member may be one of the plate materials constituting the multi-layered tank base 32, or may be a separate member other than the plate materials constituting the multi-layered tank base 32. The single member having the valve seat 83 preferably has a portion corresponding to the valve box 85 of the shutoff valve 81. When the seat surface 83a spans multiple members, a step may be formed on the seat surface 83a or a gap connected to the seat surface 83a may be formed in the process of joining the multiple members. The step on the seat surface 83a or the gap connected to the seat surface 83a increases the amount of valve seat leakage. By providing the valve seat 83 on a single member, the surface accuracy of the seat surface 83a is improved, and the amount of valve seat leakage is suppressed to a small amount.

[0087] The multiple inlets 71i are slits. Each of the inlets 71i is one or more slits. Each slit has a shape such that the valve body 85 is cut out in a direction intersecting with the center line of the cylindrical space of the valve body 85 of the shutoff valve 81. It is preferable that the number of slits, the width of the slits, and the length of the slits are set so as not to affect the evaluation of the pressure loss of the water supply path 71.

[0088] When the liquid inlet lid 26 is opened, the inside and outside of the tank 11 are connected to the extent that liquid can be poured from the liquid inlet 27. For example, when liquid water is poured from a water faucet, foreign matter other than liquid may enter the tank 11 from the liquid inlet 27. If foreign matter is sucked into the pump 51, the operation of the pump 51 may be hindered, and in the worst case, the function of the steamer 1 to eject steam may become inoperable. Therefore, the multiple slit-shaped inlets 71i function like a filter to prevent the passage of foreign matter of a size that would affect the operation of the pump 51 if sucked into the pump 51.

[0089] In addition to the water supply path 71, the tank 11 may have a water supply path for sending the liquid discharged by the pump 51 to the steam ejection part 16. The tank base 32 has a water supply hole 86 that is part of the water supply path 58 and penetrates the tank base 32 from the front to the back.

[0090] Here, the relationship between the attitude of the tank base 32 and the multiple shutoff valves 81 will be described in detail.

[0091] When the right front inlet 71FRi and the left front inlet 71FLi of the water supply path 71 are lower than the right rear inlet 71RRi and the left rear inlet 71RLi of the water supply path 71, that is, when the solid arrow a in Fig. 10 points upward, there is a risk that gas in the tank 11 will be sucked into the outlet 71o of the water supply path 71 from the two rear inlets 71RRi and 71RLi. Therefore, the right rear shutoff valve 81RR closes to cut off the connection between the right rear inlet 71RRi and the outlet 71o, and the left rear shutoff valve 81RL closes to cut off the connection between the right rear inlet 71RLi and the outlet 71o. This prevents gas from entering the water supply path 71, and liquid is sucked into the pump 51 from the two front inlets 71FRi and 71FLi through the outlet 71o. At this time, the shutoff valve 81MR located between the right front inlet 71FRi and the right rear inlet 71RRi, and the shutoff valve 81ML located between the left front inlet 71FLi and the left rear inlet 71RLi are open. When the solid arrow a points upward, the steamer 1 is in a position with its rear side facing upward.

[0092] When the two rear inlets 71RRi, 71RLi of the water supply path 71 are lower than the two front inlets 71FRi, FLi of the water supply path 71, that is, when the solid arrow b in Fig. 10 points upward, there is a risk that the gas in the tank 11 will be sucked into the outlet 71o of the water supply path 71 from the two front inlets 71FRi, 71FLi. When the solid arrow b points upward, the steamer 1 is in a position with its front facing upward.

[0093] Here, the water supply path 71 has a right path 71R connecting the two right inlets 71FRi, 71RRi, a left path 71L connecting the two left inlets 71FLi, 71RLi, an erection path 71M connecting the right path 71R and the left path 71L and adjacent to the two rear inlets 71RRi, 71RLi, and a terminal path 71E branching off from the erection path 71M toward the rear of the tank base 32 and connecting to an outlet 71o.

[0094] 10 points upward, as long as the installation path 71M is submerged in the liquid, the gas in the tank 11 will not be sucked into the outlet 71o of the water supply path 71. The limit liquid level at which the solid arrow b points upward and the installation path 71M is submerged in the liquid defines the minimum liquid level of the tank 11.

[0095] When the two right inlets 71FRi, 71RRi of the water supply path 71 are lower than the two left inlets 71FLi, RLi of the water supply path 71, that is, when the solid arrow c in FIG. 10 points upward, there is a risk that the gas in the tank 11 will be sucked into the outlet 71o of the water supply path 71 from the two left inlets 71FLi, 71RLi. Therefore, the left shutoff valve 81ML closes to cut off the connection between the two left inlets 71FLi, RLi and the outlet 71o. This prevents the gas from entering the water supply path 71, and the liquid is sucked into the pump 51 from the two right inlets 71FRi, 71RRi through the outlet 71o. At this time, the other shutoff valves 81MR, shutoff valve 81MR, and shutoff valve 81ML are open. It should be noted that when the solid arrow c points upward, the steamer 1 is in a position with the right side facing upward.

[0096] 10, when the solid arrow d points upward, the open / close relationship of the shutoff valve 81 when the solid arrow c points upward is reversed. When the solid arrow d points upward, the steamer 1 is in a position in which the left side faces upward.

[0097] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the vaporizer compartment and heater of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 12, the steamer 1 according to this embodiment includes a heater 12 embedded in a vaporization chamber partition 37 of the steam ejection section 16.

[0099] The heater 12 has a pair of straight portions 12s that are parallel to the surface 1a and extend in the longitudinal direction of the surface 1a, and an arc-shaped curved portion 12c that connects the pair of straight portions 12s. The pair of straight portions 12s sandwich the vaporization chamber 13. The curved portion 12c is disposed close to the rear side of the steamer 1 and bypasses the rear side of the vaporization chamber 13.

[0100] Temperature detection unit 56 is, for example, a thermistor. Temperature detection unit 56 is arranged so as to be inserted into a vertical hole 91 in vaporization chamber partition 37. Temperature detection unit 56 is fixed to vaporization chamber partition 37 by a mounting plate 92. Mounting plate 92 is made of a metal having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum. Temperature detection unit 56 preferably has a temperature-sensing part that detects temperature buried in vertical hole 91. Temperature detection unit 56 is electrically insulated.

[0101] Temperature detection unit 56 is disposed in a temperature detection unit installation area inside curved portion 12c of heater 12. In other words, vaporization chamber partition 37 has a temperature detection unit installation area on the chord side of the arc described by curved portion 12c of U-shaped heater 12, and temperature detection unit 56 is inserted into this temperature detection unit installation area.

[0102] Therefore, the temperature detection unit 56 can detect the temperature of the heater 12 in the temperature detection unit installation area, which is a location that has high responsiveness to temperature changes in the heater 12. Therefore, the steamer 1 can directly detect the temperature change of the heater 12 as a temperature change of the steam ejection unit 16, and can have responsiveness that can follow the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 at that moment by using this for control.

[0103] Also, the temperature detector 56 inserted into the vertical hole 91 in the temperature detector installation area is adjacent to the vaporizer chamber 13, but is not positioned so as to penetrate the vaporizer chamber 13 vertically. Therefore, the shape of the vaporizer chamber 13 is not affected by bosses for embedding the temperature detector 56. This improves the design freedom of the interior shape of the vaporizer chamber 13. Such a vaporizer chamber 13 with a high degree of design freedom improves the steam generation and ejection capabilities of the steamer 1.

[0104] Furthermore, the temperature detection unit 56 inserted into the vertical hole 91 in the temperature detection unit installation area is disposed close to the curved portion 12c of the heater 12 and close to the vaporization chamber 13. Therefore, the temperature detection unit 56 can detect the temperature of the heater 12 in the temperature detection unit installation area, which is a location that is highly responsive to temperature changes in the heater 12 and is also a location that is highly responsive to temperature changes in the vaporization chamber 13. In other words, the steamer 1 directly detects both the temperature changes in the heater 12 and the temperature changes in the vaporization chamber 13 as temperature changes in the steam ejection part 16, and can have a responsiveness that can follow the temperature of the steam ejection part 16 at that moment by using this for control.

[0105] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a base plate of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0106] FIG. 14 is a plan view of a base plate of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the base plate of the steamer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a base plate of a steamer according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along a plane dividing the base plate into front and rear halves.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 13 to FIG. 16, the steam ejection part 16 of the steamer 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a base plate 35 having a thicker wall thickness at the outer edge part 35b of the hanging surface 1a than at the central part 35a of the hanging surface 1a. In other words, the wall thickness Ta of the central part 35a is thinner than the wall thickness Tb of the outer edge part 35b. In other words, the base plate 35 according to this embodiment has a smaller volume and a smaller heat capacity than a base plate having a central part 35a with the same wall thickness as the outer edge part 35b. Therefore, the steamer 1 can shorten the time from turning on the power to starting to eject steam, that is, the so-called start-up time. In addition, the base plate 35 according to this embodiment does not have a sharp edge (sharp edge) like a base plate having an outer edge part 35b with the same wall thickness as the central part 35a. Therefore, the base plate 35 does not damage clothes and does not injure the user.

[0110] The base plate 35 has a continuous annular wall portion 95 that is provided at the boundary between an outer edge portion 35b and a central portion 35a, which have different thicknesses, and protrudes and rises away from the hanging surface 1a. The central portion 35a of the base plate 35 is located inside the wall portion 95 of the base plate 35, and the outer edge portion 35b of the base plate 35 is located outside the wall portion 95 of the base plate 35. The wall portion 95 has a substantially uniform height with respect to the hanging surface 1a.

[0111] The central portion 35a is covered by the steam outlet cover 57 which covers the wall portion 95 with the packing 63 in between, that is, the central portion 35a of the thinned base plate 35 is covered and concealed by the steam outlet cover 57. Therefore, the user cannot know that the central portion 9a of the base plate 35 has been thinned. The user does not feel uneasy about the thinning of the base plate 35. On the other hand, the user can feel the quick start-up and the lightness and ease of handling due to the weight reduction resulting from the thinning of the base plate 35.

[0112] The base plate 35 has a plurality of recesses 1b provided on the hanging surface 1a and connected to each of the plurality of nozzles 15. The plurality of nozzles 15 and the plurality of recesses 1b are arranged radially from the center of the hanging surface 1a. A plurality of nozzles 15 may be arranged in one recess 1b. For example, a plurality of nozzles 15 arranged in a straight line from the center of the hanging surface 1a may be arranged in one recess 1b. The recess 1b expands the range of steam ejected from the nozzles 15. Therefore, the steamer 1 ejects steam radially and widely from the center of the hanging surface 1a.

[0113] If the thickness Ta of the central portion 35a were simply reduced to provide the recess 1b, the thickness of the central portion 35a would become extremely thin locally. Since the base plate 35 is subject to thermal stress caused by heating and cooling and external force caused by being pressed against clothing, it is necessary for the base plate 35 to have a required strength, and having a locally extremely thin portion is undesirable as it may lead to stress concentration.

[0114] Therefore, the thickness Ta of the central portion 35a is thicker in the vicinity of each of the plurality of depressions 1b and thinner in other areas. In other words, the thickness Ta of the central portion 35a is thicker in the vicinity of each of the plurality of depressions 1b than in other areas. In other words, the periphery of each depression 1b does not become locally thin, and has sufficient strength against stress due to heat and external forces, while also contributing to reducing heat capacity. Note that the maximum thickness TaMAX of the central portion 35a in the vicinity of the depressions 1b is preferably equal to or smaller than the thickness Tb of the outer edge portion 35b.

[0115] As described above, the thickness Ta of the central portion 35a is smaller than the thickness Tb of the outer peripheral portion 35b at a portion away from the depression 1b, and is equal to or smaller than the thickness Tb of the outer peripheral portion 35b in the vicinity of the depression 1b. Therefore, the average thickness per unit area of ​​the central portion 35a is always equal to or smaller than the thickness Tb of the outer peripheral portion 35b.

[0116] FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example of the base plate of the steamer according to the present embodiment.

[0117] As shown in Fig. 17, the base plate 35A of the steamer 1 according to this embodiment has a hanging surface 1a on which the ejection holes 15 are arranged, and a flange portion 96 that curves and rises from the outer edge portion 35b of the hanging surface 1a. The base plate 35A may have a folded portion 97 instead of the flange portion 96.

[0118] For example, when the base plate 35A is manufactured from a uniform plate material, the thickness of the outer edge portion 35b of the base plate 35A and the thickness of the central portion 35a may be uniform. Even in such a case, the flange portion 96 or the folded portion 97 prevents a sharp edge from appearing on the outer edge portion 35b of the base plate 35A. In other words, the base plate 35A has a uniform and thin thickness overall compared to the base plate of a conventional steamer, and has a small volume, i.e., a small heat capacity, so that the safety of the edge can be guaranteed.

[0119] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the steamer according to this embodiment.

[0120] 18, the steamer 1 according to this embodiment includes a power cord 2 that can be connected to an outlet of a commercial AC power source E, and a circuit board 55 that is connected to the power cord 2. The steamer 1 operates on AC power supplied from the commercial AC power source E.

[0121] The circuit board 55 includes a switch 101 that accepts the pressing of the heat amount setting button 21, a switch 102 that accepts the pressing of the steam amount setting button 22, a temperature display unit 25, an alarm unit 103 that can emit a sound, a power generation circuit unit 105 that converts AC power supplied from a power cord 2 connected to a commercial AC power source E into power suitable for the operation of each part of the steamer 1 and outputs the power, and a control circuit unit 106 that controls the operation of the heater 12, the DC motor 52, the temperature display unit 25, and the alarm unit 103. The circuit board 55 converts AC power supplied from the commercial AC power source E into power suitable for the operation of each part of the steamer 1 and distributes it, and controls the operation of the heater 12, the DC motor 52, the temperature display unit 25, and the alarm unit 103 in response to the operation input received by the heat amount setting button 21 and the steam amount setting button 22.

[0122] Switch 101 is a switch that detects whether or not heat amount setting button 21 of grip portion 5 is being pressed down. In other words, heat amount setting button 21 corresponds to an operating piece for pressing down switch 101 mounted on circuit board 55 housed inside grip portion 5c. Switch 101 is, for example, a tactile switch.

[0123] Switch 102 is a switch that detects whether steam amount setting button 22 of grip portion 5 is pressed down or not. In other words, steam amount setting button 22 corresponds to an operating piece for pressing down switch 102 mounted on circuit board 55 housed inside grip portion 5c. Switch 102 is, for example, a tact switch.

[0124] The temperature display unit 25 displays the operating state of the steamer 1 based on, for example, the pressing of the heat amount setting button 21 and the pressing of the steam amount setting button 22, and displays the temperature range of the steam ejection part 16 detected by the temperature detection unit 56. The temperature range of the steam ejection part 16 indicates, for example, whether or not the steam ejection part 16 has reached the set temperature.

[0125] The notification unit 103 is a speaker or buzzer that emits sound. The notification unit 103 notifies the operating state of the steamer 1. For example, the notification unit 103 notifies the operating state based on the pressing of the heat amount setting button 21 and the pressing of the steam amount setting button 22, or notifies that the temperature of the steam ejection part 16 detected by the temperature detection unit 56 has reached the set temperature.

[0126] The notification unit 103 issues one short beep when, for example, a power outage occurs or the power cord 2 is unplugged from the outlet and power supply to the steamer 1 is cut off. The notification unit 103 also issues three short beeps when, for example, a power outage occurs or the power cord 2 is plugged into the outlet and power is supplied to the steamer 1. In other words, the notification unit 103 issues different notifications when power supply to the steamer 1 starts and stops. Therefore, the user can know when power supply to the steamer 1 starts and stops.

[0127] The power generation circuit unit 105 rectifies and smoothes the AC power supplied from the commercial AC power source E to convert it into DC power, and distributes this DC power to each part of the steamer 1. The power generation circuit unit 105 includes a power supply circuit 112 that converts the AC power supplied from the power cord 2 into power suitable for the operation of each part of the steamer 1, and a diode 115 for preventing reverse current that is connected in series to the output end of the power supply circuit 112.

[0128] The power supply circuit 112 converts the AC power supplied from the power cord 2 and outputs DC power for operating the control circuit unit 106 and DC power for operating the DC motor 52. The power supply circuit 112 may output power individually to each of a plurality of output terminals.

[0129] The control circuit section 106 operates on the power output from the power generation circuit section 105 .

[0130] The control circuit section 106 switches the set temperature based on the output of the switch 101 that accepts the pressing of the heat setting button 21. There are multiple set temperatures for the steam ejection section 16. Each set temperature is set to suit the type of fabric of the clothing onto which the steam is to be ejected. The multiple set temperatures are set in stages, for example, a high temperature of 180 degrees Celsius, a medium temperature of 150 degrees Celsius, and a low temperature of 110 degrees Celsius. It is preferable that these set temperatures be switched from low to high each time the heat setting button 21 is pressed.

[0131] In addition, the control circuit section 106 controls the power output from the power generation circuit section 105 to the DC motor 52 so that steam at a set flow rate is ejected from the ejection hole 15 based on the output of the switch 102, which accepts the operation of pressing down the steam volume setting button 22.

[0132] Furthermore, control circuit section 106 controls the display of temperature display section 25 based on the change in set temperature caused by the operation of heat amount setting button 21 and the temperature of steam ejection section 16 detected by temperature detection section 56 .

[0133] In addition, the control circuit section 106 causes the notification section 103 to notify the power-on operation and the power-off operation accompanying the operation of the heat setting button 21 .

[0134] The control circuit 106 includes a control unit 121, a switching element 122 that controls the drive of the DC motor 52, a relay circuit 125 that switches between energizing and cut-off the heater 12, a switch circuit 126 that outputs operations received by the switches 101 and 102 as operation signals to the control unit 121, a display circuit 127 that drives the temperature display unit 25, a zero-cross circuit 128 that detects the AC voltage applied to the power cord 2 and outputs it to the control unit 121, and an alarm circuit 129 that drives the alarm unit 103.

[0135] The control unit 121 is, for example, a microcomputer. The control unit 121 changes the output and rotation speed of the DC motor 52 based on the flow rate of steam set by the steam amount setting button 22, thereby changing the flow rate of liquid sent by the pump 51 to the vaporization chamber 13. When the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 detected by the temperature detection unit 56 is equal to or higher than the vaporization temperature of the liquid, the control unit 121 changes the frequency of repeating energization and cutoff of the power supply to the DC motor 52, that is, the duty ratio, thereby changing the flow rate of liquid sent by the pump 51 from the tank 11 to the vaporization chamber 13, and thus the flow rate of steam ejected from the ejection hole 15. When the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 is lower than the vaporization temperature of the liquid, the control unit 121 stops the DC motor 52.

[0136] Relay circuit 125 energizes or cuts off the energization of heater 12 based on a command from control unit 121. An input terminal of a relay included in relay circuit 125 is connected to an output terminal of control unit 121. An output terminal of the relay is connected to heater 12. In other words, control unit 121 and relay circuit 125 control the switching between on and off of heater 12, which heats vaporization chamber 13.

[0137] The switch circuit 126 includes switches 101 and 102. The output terminals of the switches 101 and 102 are connected to the input terminals of the control unit 121. When the heat amount setting button 21 is pressed down, the switch circuit 126 outputs an operation signal from the switch 101 to the control unit 121, and when the steam amount setting button 22 is pressed down, the switch circuit 126 outputs an operation signal from the switch 102 to the control unit 121. The heat amount setting button 21, the steam amount setting button 22, the switches 101 and 102, and the switch circuit 126 correspond to input devices of the control unit 121 and the switching element 122.

[0138] The display circuit 127 switches the display content of the temperature display unit 25. An input terminal of the display circuit 127 is connected to an output terminal of the control unit 121. An output terminal of the display circuit 127 is connected to an input terminal of the temperature display unit 25.

[0139] Zero cross circuit 128 detects the AC voltage applied to power cord 2 in order to protect the contacts of the relay of relay circuit 125 from the AC power sent from power cord 2, and outputs the detected voltage to control unit 121. An input terminal of zero cross circuit 128 is connected to a connection point between power cord 2 and relay circuit 125. An output terminal of zero cross circuit 128 is connected to an input terminal of control unit 121. Based on the output of zero cross circuit 128, control unit 121 opens and closes the relay when the voltage applied to the relay of relay circuit 125 is 0 volts (V).

[0140] The notification circuit 129 causes the notification unit 103 to give a notification based on a command from the control unit 121. The notification circuit 129 may have a function of changing the voice or tone of the notification unit 103 based on a command from the control unit 121. An input terminal of the notification circuit 129 is connected to an output terminal of the control unit 121. An output terminal of the notification circuit 129 is connected to an input terminal of the notification unit 103.

[0141] A pair of input terminals of the power supply circuit 112 and a series circuit of the heater 12 and the relay circuit 125 of the control circuit section 106 are connected in parallel to the power cord 2 .

[0142] One output terminal of the power supply circuit 112 is connected to the anode of the diode 115 .

[0143] The temperature detection unit 56 is connected to an input terminal of the control unit 121. The temperature detection unit 56 detects the temperature of the steam ejection unit 16 and outputs the temperature to the control unit 121.

[0144] The switching element 122 is a power semiconductor, for example, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). The switching element 122 is connected between the DC motor 52 and the ground line GL. A control terminal, for example, a gate, of the switching element 122 is connected to the control unit 121. The control unit 121 switches the switching element 122, for example, by pulse width modulation (PWM) control. The switching operation of the switching element 122 causes the DC power flowing from the power generation circuit unit 105 to the DC motor 52 to repeatedly turn on and off. A change in the ratio of the time during which the DC power is turned on and off repeatedly, that is, a change in the duty ratio, changes the output of the DC motor 52. That is, the control unit 121 and the switching element 122 change the output of the DC motor 52 to change the flow rate of the liquid supplied to the vaporization chamber 13.

[0145] The overheating prevention device 53 is interposed between the relay circuit 125 and the heater 12. When the overheating prevention device 53 detects an abnormally high temperature, it opens the electric circuit connecting the relay circuit 125 and the heater 12, and once the electric circuit connecting the relay circuit 125 and the heater 12 is opened, it is provided with a switch having hysteresis, for example, a bimetal that performs a snap action, so as to maintain that state even after the steamer 1 has cooled down to room temperature.

[0146] When the power cord 2 of the steamer 1 is connected to a commercial AC power source E, DC power is supplied from the power generation circuit unit 105 to the control circuit unit 106 to start up the control unit 121.

[0147] Immediately after the control unit 121 is started, the steamer 1 is in an OFF state in which the power supply to the heater 12 is cut off and the DC motor 52 that drives the pump 51 is stopped. When the heat amount setting button 21 is pressed down once, the steamer 1 transitions from the OFF state to the ON state. The steamer 1 that has transitioned to the ON state switches the set temperature of the steam ejection part 16 each time the heat amount setting button 21 is pressed down. The control unit 121 controls the relay circuit 125 to repeatedly energize and cut off the heater 12 so that the temperature of the steam ejection part 16 detected by the temperature detection unit 56 approaches the set temperature set by operating the heat amount setting button 21, thereby heating the steam ejection part 16 including the vaporization chamber 13.

[0148] When steam jetting part 16 reaches a blinking start temperature that is lower than the set temperature, control part 121 controls display circuit 127 to operate temperature display part 25 so as to blink the display corresponding to the set temperature. When the temperature of steam jetting part 16 detected by temperature detection part 56 reaches the set temperature, control part 121 controls display circuit 127 to operate temperature display part 25 so as to switch the blinking display corresponding to the set temperature to a lit display, and also controls notification circuit 129 to cause notification part 103 to notify that the temperature of steam jetting part 16 has reached the set temperature.

[0149] Furthermore, when the temperature of the steam ejection part 16 falls below a predetermined lower limit temperature, the control part 121 controls the switching element 122 to stop the DC motor 52. The predetermined lower limit temperature is set in association with the lower limit value of the temperature range in which the liquid can be vaporized to a degree that causes the steam to be ejected.

[0150] The steamer 1 switches between steam emission and stop of emission each time the steam amount setting button 22 is pressed down. The steamer 1 may emit steam when the steam amount setting button 22 is pressed and held down, and may stop the emission of steam when the steam amount setting button 22 is not pressed and held down.

[0151] When the steam volume setting button 22 is pressed down to eject steam, the control unit 121 checks the temperature of the steam ejection section 16 detected by the temperature detection unit 56, and if the temperature of the steam ejection section 16 is higher than the evaporation temperature of the liquid, it controls the switching element 122 to operate the DC motor 52 and send liquid from the tank 11 to the evaporation chamber 13.

[0152] When the steam amount setting button 22 is pressed down to stop the emission of steam, the control unit 121 controls the switching element 122 to stop the DC motor 52.

[0153] The user can use the steamer 1 while stopping the steam emission, that is, use the dry function. In this case, the steam amount setting button 22 is not operated. The control unit 121 controls the switching element 122 to stop the DC motor 52. The supply of liquid from the tank 11 to the vaporization chamber 13 is stopped.

[0154] The steamer 1 according to the present embodiment described above has a hanging surface 1a on which a plurality of nozzles 15 are arranged, and is provided with a base plate 35 that is thicker at the outer edge 35b of the hanging surface 1a than at the center 35a of the hanging surface 1a. In other words, the steamer 1 has a base plate 35 that is smaller in volume, i.e., smaller in heat capacity, than conventional steamers. Therefore, the steamer 1 shortens the time from when the power is turned on until steam starts to be emitted, that is, the so-called start-up time, which is convenient for the user. In addition, the base plate 35 with a thick outer edge 35b does not have a sharp edge (sharp edge) like the base plate 35 with a thin outer edge 35b, and does not damage clothing or injure the user. In other words, the steamer 1 can achieve both a shortened start-up time and the safety of the edge of the base plate 35, which were difficult to achieve with conventional steamers.

[0155] In addition, the steamer 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a base plate 35 having a continuous annular wall portion 95 that is provided at the boundary between the outer edge portion 35b and the central portion 35a, which have different thicknesses, and protrudes and rises away from the hanging surface 1a. In other words, the steamer 1 is provided with a base plate 35 that is thinned in the range that is not exposed to the outside and is covered and hidden by the main body cover 3 and the steam outlet cover 57. Therefore, the steamer 1 can make the user feel the quick start-up and the lightness of handling due to the weight reduction caused by the thinning of the base plate 35 without the user realizing that the central portion 9a of the base plate 35 is thinned, and without causing the user to feel uneasy due to the thinning of the base plate 35.

[0156] Furthermore, the steamer 1 according to this embodiment is provided with a base plate 35 having a plurality of depressions 1b, so-called dimples, provided on the hanging surface 1a and connected to each of the plurality of ejection holes 15. The thickness of the center portion 35a of the base plate 35 is thick near each of the plurality of depressions 1b and thin in other areas. In other words, the steamer 1 can provide the depressions 1b, which expand the ejection range of the steam ejected from the ejection holes 15, on the hanging surface 1a, while simultaneously providing the required strength of the base plate 35 and reducing the heat capacity of the base plate 35.

[0157] In addition, the steamer 1 according to this embodiment includes a base plate 35 having a plurality of recesses 1b arranged radially. Therefore, the steamer 1 can eject steam radially and over a wide range.

[0158] Furthermore, the steamer 1 according to this embodiment may be provided with a base plate 35A having a hanging surface 1a on which the nozzle holes 15 are arranged and a flange portion 96 that rises up in a curved manner from the outer edge of the hanging surface 1a. In other words, the steamer 1 is provided with a base plate 35A that is uniformly thinner and has a smaller volume, i.e., a smaller heat capacity, than the base plate of a conventional steamer. Therefore, the steamer 1 shortens the time from when the power is turned on until steam starts to be emitted, that is, the so-called start-up time, which is convenient for the user. In addition, the base plate 35 with a thick outer edge 35b does not have a sharp edge (sharp edge) like the base plate 35 with a thin outer edge 35b, and does not damage clothes or injure the user. In other words, the steamer 1 can achieve both the shortening of the start-up time and the safety of the edge of the base plate 35, which were difficult to achieve with conventional steamers.

[0159] Therefore, according to the steamer 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to include the base plates 35, 35A that can achieve both a shortened start-up time and an assured safety.

[0160] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 1...steamer, 1a...heating surface, 1b...recess, 2...power cord, 3...main body cover, 3t...top, 5...handle, 5f...front rise, 5r...rear rise, 5c...grip, 11...tank, 12...heater, 12s...straight section, 12c...curved section, 13...vaporizing chamber, 15...spout, 16...steam spout, 16t...top, 21...heat amount setting button, 22...steam amount setting button, 25...temperature display, 26...liquid pouring spout, 27...liquid inlet, 31...tank cover, 32...tank base, 35...base plate, 35a...center, 35b...outer edge, 36...fastening member, 37...vaporization chamber partition, 37a...recess, 38...fastening member, 39...vaporization chamber cover, 41...liquid inlet, 42...vapor diffusion chamber, 43...connection hole, 51...pump, 52...DC motor, 53...overheating prevention device, 55...circuit board, 56...temperature detection unit, 57...vapor ejection unit cover , 58...water supply path, 61...high temperature section chamber, 62...low temperature section chamber, 63...packing, 65...side wall, 66...water level window, 66a...first portion, 66b...second portion, 66c...curved portion, 67...pseudo window, 71...water supply path, 71i...inlet, 71o...outlet, 72...outermost layer plate, 73...innermost layer plate, 75...joint, 81...shutoff valve, 82...valve body, 83...valve seat, 83a...seat surface, 85...valve box, 86...water supply hole, 91...vertical Hole, 92...mounting plate, 95...wall portion, 96...flange portion, 97...folded portion, 101, 102...switch, 103...alarm portion, 105...power generation circuit portion, 106...control circuit portion, 111...capacitor, 112...power supply circuit, 115, 116...diode, 121...control portion, 122...switching element, 125...relay circuit, 126...switch circuit, 127...display circuit, 128...zero cross circuit, 129...alarm circuit.

Claims

1. A tank capable of storing water; A heat source capable of generating heat; a steam ejection unit having an evaporation chamber that vaporizes the water supplied from the tank into steam by heat generated by the heat source, and an ejection hole that ejects the steam generated in the evaporation chamber, The steam ejection section has a surface on which the ejection holes are arranged, and the steamer is provided with a base plate having a thickness greater at the outer edge of the surface than at the center of the surface.

2. The steamer according to claim 1, wherein the base plate has a continuous annular wall portion provided at the boundary between the outer edge portion and the central portion, the wall portion having different thicknesses, and protruding and rising away from the hanging surface.

3. The base plate has a plurality of recesses provided on the impact surface, 3. The steamer according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the central portion is thicker in the vicinity of the recess and thinner in other portions.

4. 4. The steamer of claim 3, wherein the plurality of recesses are arranged radially.

5. A tank capable of storing water; A heat source capable of generating heat; a steam ejection unit having an evaporation chamber that vaporizes the water supplied from the tank into steam by heat generated by the heat source, and an ejection hole that ejects the steam generated in the evaporation chamber, The steam ejection section is a steamer comprising a base plate having a surface on which the ejection holes are arranged and a flange portion that curves and rises from the outer edge of the surface.

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