JPH0639199A - Steam iron device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a steam iron device which permits the water in a tank to flow smoothly into the gasifying chamber of an iron body and which can surely prevent CONSTITUTION:A steam iron device concerned comprises an iron body 1 having a gasifying chamber 7, a water tank 6 provided on the body 1, a water hole 13 provided at the water tank 6 and admitting flowing-in of the water into the gasifying chamber 7, a vent 17 is installed inside of the tank 6 in communication with the outside air, a needle valve 16 to open and shut the hole 13 and vent 37, and an operational element 25 to work this nedle valve 16 interlockingly. Changing-over between two modes is conducted by turning the needle valve 16 through the operational element 25; i.e., from the steam set state, in which both the hole 13 and vent 17 are left open, to the dry set state in which they are both shut by the needle valve 16, and vice versa.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steam ironing device capable of advancing ironing work while jetting steam from the lower surface of a base as needed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in this type of steam ironing machine, a water tank is provided in an iron body, water contained in the water tank is introduced into a vaporizing chamber of a base, and the water is vaporized by heat of the base. It is designed as steam, and this steam can be ejected from the bottom surface of the base.

That is, "steam" is provided on the iron body.
An operating body is provided to switch between the "dry" and "dry" settings. When steam is set by this operating body, the valve mechanism in the water conduit between the water tank and the vaporization chamber is opened. The water inside is sequentially supplied to the vaporization chamber, which causes steam to be ejected.

Here, if the inside of the water tank is hermetically sealed, the flow of water from the inside of the water tank into the vaporization chamber is hindered, so that the water tank has, for example, an edge portion of a water injection port, A gap is provided between the water injection port that opens and closes this water injection port to form a ventilation part, and the water tank is always in communication with the outside atmosphere through this ventilation part, so that the water in the water tank is always smooth. It is designed to flow into the vaporization chamber.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional steam ironing device, since the inside of the water tank is always communicated with the outside through the ventilation part, the iron body is accidentally overturned or inverted. In such a case, there is a problem that the water in the water tank leaks to the outside through the ventilation part and stains the surrounding floor surface and the like.

Further, this type of steam ironing device is provided with a storage case for storing the iron body when the iron body is not in use, but this storage case is left with water remaining in the water tank. Even when the iron body is stored inside and the storage case is turned over or inverted in this state, the water in the water tank leaks to the outside through the ventilation part. Especially in this case, since the iron body cannot be directly visually inspected, there is a risk of not being aware of the water leak and storing it in a storage place such as a closet in that posture to cause a more serious situation.

The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object thereof is to allow the water in the water tank to smoothly flow into the vaporization chamber of the iron main body and also to the iron main body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam ironing device capable of preventing water from leaking from a water tank when the iron rolls over or over.

[0008]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides, as a first means, an iron body having a vaporization chamber for vaporizing water to generate steam, and
A water tank provided in the iron body for containing steam generation water therein, a water hole provided in the water tank for allowing the water in the water tank to flow into the vaporization chamber of the iron body, and the water tank A vent hole for communicating the inside with the outside atmosphere, a valve mechanism for opening and closing the water hole and the vent hole, and an operating body for interlocking the valve mechanism, and the valve mechanism is provided via the operating body. By operation, it is possible to switch between a steam setting state in which both the water passage hole and the ventilation hole are opened and a dry setting state in which both the water passage hole and the ventilation hole are closed by the valve mechanism. .

As a second means, an iron main body having a vaporization chamber for vaporizing water to generate steam, a water tank provided in the iron main body for accommodating steam generation water, and this water A water passage hole provided in the tank for allowing the water in the water tank to flow into the vaporization chamber of the iron body, a ventilation hole for communicating the inside of the water tank with the outside atmosphere, and opening and closing the water passage hole and the ventilation hole Valve mechanism to
An operating body that interlocks the valve mechanism and a storage case that can store the iron body are provided, and by operating the valve mechanism via the operating body, both the water passage hole and the ventilation hole are opened. It is possible to switch between the steam setting state and the dry setting state in which both the water passage hole and the ventilation hole are closed by the valve mechanism, and when the iron body is stored in the storage case. The operating section is provided for always arranging the operating body at the position in the dry setting state.

[0010]

In the first and second means, when the operating body is operated to set the steam, both the water passage hole and the ventilation hole of the water tank are opened, so that the inside of the water tank passes through the ventilation hole to the outside. The air in the water tank smoothly flows into the vaporizing chamber of the iron body through the water passage hole.

When the operating body is operated to set the dry state, the water passage hole and the air passage hole of the water tank are closed together via the valve mechanism, and the supply of water into the vaporization chamber is cut off. And in this state, the vent hole of the water tank is closed,
Therefore, by setting this state when the ironing work is interrupted or stopped, water leakage from the water tank is prevented even if the iron body is accidentally overturned or inverted.

Further, in the second means, when the iron body is stored in the storage case with the steam set, that is, the vent hole of the water tank is open, the operation part of the storage case automatically operates. Even if the operating body is operated and the vent hole of the water tank is closed, and therefore the iron body is accidentally tumbled or flipped over under the condition that the iron body is stored in the storage case, Water leakage is prevented.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of the iron body 1. The iron body 1 is a die-cast base 3 in which a heater 2 is cast, and a heat shield cover 4 covering the upper surface of the base 3.
And the handle 5 mounted on the heat shield cover 4.
It consists of and. A cassette-type water tank 6 is detachably attached to the front portion of the handle 5. A vaporization chamber 7 is formed on the upper surface of the base 3, and a steel ejection hole 8 communicating with the vaporization chamber 7 is formed on the lower surface of the base 3. The water tank 6 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, has a substantially U-shape when viewed from above, and the handle 5 is provided on both sides thereof.
It is attached so that it overlaps with both sides of the.

A water injection port 10 is formed in the upper front part of the water tank 6, and a water injection lid 11 is attached to the water injection port 10 so as to be vertically slidable. Then, the water injection port 10 can be opened by pushing down the water injection lid 11 to store water in the water tank 6 from the water injection port 10, and the water injection port 10 can be opened by raising the water injection lid 11 upward. It can be sealed liquid-tight.

A nozzle 14 having a small-diameter water passage hole 13 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 6, and the water contained in the water tank 6 is supplied into the vaporization chamber 7 of the base 3 through the water passage hole 13. The water is vaporized by the heat of the heater 2 to become steam, and this steam is jetted to the lower surface side of the base 3 through the steam jet holes 8. A recess 15 is formed in the back of the water tank 6 with its wall surface recessed inward, and a needle valve 16 constituting a valve mechanism is vertically movably inserted into the recess 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, a ventilation hole 17 having a shape in which a plurality of slit-shaped notches 17b extend from the peripheral edge of the circular portion 17a is formed in the upper wall of the recess 15, and the circular portion of the ventilation hole 17 is formed. The upper portion of the needle valve 16 is loosely fitted in 17a, and the lower side of the needle valve 16 penetrates the lower wall of the recess 15 in an airtight manner, and the lower end of the needle valve 16 is arranged so as to face the water passage hole 13, The water passage hole 13 is opened and closed by the vertical movement of the needle valve 16.

The needle valve 16 is elastically urged downward by a spring 18, and a packing 19 opposed to the vent hole 17 is attached to the upper end of the needle valve 16 so that the needle valve 16 has the spring 18 By being pushed down by the urging force of, the water passage hole 13 is closed at its lower end, and the ventilation hole 17 is closed by the packing 19.

An interlocking lever 22 is provided at the back of the water tank 6, an intermediate part of the interlocking lever 22 is rotatably attached to the water tank 6 via a pin 23, and one end of the interlocking lever 22 is connected to the needle valve 16. In addition, a slope 24 is formed at the other end so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal.

On the upper side of one side of the front side of the handle 5,
An operating body 25 for switching between "steam" and "dry" settings is provided so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction.
The operating body 25 includes a cam 2 inside the handle 5.
6 is attached, and the cam 26 has a horizontal portion 27 at the lower end edge.
And an inclined portion 28 which is connected to one end of the horizontal portion 27 and inclines upward.

Inside the handle 5, the cam 26 is provided.
An operation rod 29 is provided on the lower side of the operation rod so as to be movable up and down, and a slope 30 is formed at an intermediate portion of the operation rod 29. The slope 30 is exposed from the wall surface of the handle 5 and
Is in contact with the slope 24 of the interlocking lever 22 provided on the.

When the operating body 25 is placed in the "steam" position, the horizontal portion 27 of the cam 26 abuts the upper end of the operating rod 29 and pushes the operating rod 29 downward, and this pushing pushes the operating rod 29. Interlocking lever 22 through the slope 30 of 29
The inclined surface 24 is pushed down, and by this pushing down, the interlocking lever 22 is rotated clockwise in the figure with the pin 23 as a fulcrum, and this rotation pulls the needle valve 16 upward against the spring 18. The water holes 13 and the vent holes 17 are opened by pulling up, and the open state is maintained.

From this state, when the operating body 25 is slid rightward in the drawing and is placed at the "dry" position, the cam 26
The horizontal portion 27 of the operation rod 2 is separated from the upper end of the operation rod 29, and
The downward pressing force on 9 is released, and accordingly, the needle valve 16 is displaced downward by the urging force of the spring 18, and this displacement causes the lower end of the needle valve 16 to pass through the water passage hole 13
Are liquid-tightly closed, and the vent holes 17 are airtightly closed via the packing 19. The downward movement of the needle valve 16 causes the interlocking lever 22 to rotate counterclockwise in the figure with the pin 23 as a fulcrum, and this rotation causes the slope 30 of the operating rod 29 to move upward through the slope 24 of the interlocking lever 22. The upper end of the operating rod 29 is pushed up to the inclined portion 28 of the cam 26.
To contact.

Further, when the operating body 25 is slid to the left in the figure from this state and is repositioned at the "steam" position, the upper end of the operating rod 29 is pushed downward via the inclined portion 28 of the cam 26. The horizontal portion 27 holds the pushed-down state, and as described above, the needle valve 16 is pulled upward against the spring 18 to open the water passage hole 13 and the air passage hole 17, respectively.

A temperature sensor 33 for detecting the temperature of the base 3 is provided on the base 3, a control circuit board 34 and a power supply circuit board 35 are provided in the space inside the handle 5, and the upper surface of the handle 5 is further provided. Further, a temperature setting button 36 and a display window 37 are provided.

The control circuit board 34 controls the energization of the heater 2 based on the temperature information of the base 3 detected by the temperature sensor 33 and the temperature selection information from the temperature setting button 36 to select the base 3. An electronic control circuit for maintaining the set temperature is provided. Further, inside the handle 5, a dropper resistor 38 for voltage drop with respect to the power supply circuit provided on the power supply circuit board 35 is disposed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a rib 40 having a rectangular frame shape is integrally formed on the lower surface of the heat shield cover 4 which covers the upper surface of the base 3, and the rib 40 is formed. Inside, the pair of support bosses 41 and one mounting boss 42 are integrally formed so as to project. A rectangular reflection plate 43 made of, for example, aluminum is provided on the lower surface side of the heat shield cover 4 so as to cover the entire rib 40, and a slight gap A is formed between the reflection plate 43 and the rib 40. And is fixed to the end surface of the mounting boss 42 with a screw 44.

The support bosses 41 support the reflection plate 43 at their end surfaces, and fitting pins 41a are integrally formed on the end surfaces of the support bosses 41 so as to project therefrom. 43 is fitted through and fitted, so that the rotation of the reflection plate 43 is prevented. An overtemperature prevention element 46 is attached to the lower surface of the reflector 43 via a support 45.

As described above, since the reflection plate 43 is provided on the lower surface side of the heat shield cover 4, the heat of the base 3 reflects the reflection plate 43, so that the temperature rise of the heat shield cover 4 is suppressed. . Further, an adiabatic air layer B is interposed between the reflection plate 43 and the heat shield cover 4, and the heat conduction from the reflection plate 43 to the heat shield cover 4 is suppressed by the gap A between the rib 40 and the reflection plate 43. Therefore, the temperature rise of the heat shield cover 4 is more reliably suppressed. By suppressing the temperature rise of the heat shield cover 4, the ambient temperature inside the handle 5 is kept at a relatively low temperature, whereby the electronic control circuit of the control circuit board 34, the power supply circuit of the power supply circuit board 35, and the dropper resistor 38.
It is possible to suppress the thermal influence on the above and to protect them reliably.

The reflection plate 43 is not limited to being fixed to the heat shield cover 4 via the screw 44, but welding means for fixing the fitting pin 41a of the support boss 41 by thermal deformation may be employed. it can.

Reference numeral 50 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a storage case for storing the iron main body 1. The storage case 50 is composed of a mounting table 51 and a cover 52 for covering the upper part of the mounting table 51. The mounting table 51 is made of a heat-resistant synthetic resin, and has a mounting portion 53 on the upper surface thereof on which the iron body 1 can be mounted. The bottom surface of the mounting portion 53 is inclined in one direction, and its inclination A receiving portion 54 is provided on the lower end side.

The iron body 1 has a pair of power receiving terminals 55 at the rear end portion of the handle 5, and a pair of power source terminals 56 corresponding to the power receiving terminals 55 are provided inside the receiving portion 54.

The mounting table 51 is provided with a cord reel and a power cord (both not shown) wound around the cord reel, and at the time of ironing work, the power cord is pulled out and connected to an outlet in the room. By this connection, power is applied to the power supply terminal 56.

In such a state, the iron body 1 is placed on the placing portion 53 of the placing table 51, and the iron body 1 is placed on the basis of the inclination of the bottom surface according to the placing.
Is moved to the arrangement side of the receiving portion 54 and received by the receiving portion 54, and the power receiving terminal 55 is connected to the power source terminal 56.
The heater 2 is energized by this contact, and the base 3 is heated. Then, if necessary, the iron main body 1 is taken out from the mounting table 51 and ironing work is performed.

The cover 52 has an opening 58 at the lower end surface that can be fitted to the outer periphery of the mounting table 51, and a step 59 is formed in the lower portion of the outer periphery of the mounting table 51. The cover 52 is set at a fixed position with respect to the mounting table 51 by fitting 58 to the outer periphery of the mounting table 51 and bringing its edge portion into contact with the step 59.

A lock mechanism (not shown) is provided on the cover 52, and the cover 5 is provided by this lock mechanism.
2 is removably engaged with the mounting table 51 so that both are integrally coupled, and the cover 52 can be detached from the mounting table 51 by releasing the engagement.

An operation piece 63 as an operation portion is provided on the inner top portion of the cover 52 so as to project downward, and a lower end edge of the operation piece 63 serves as a guide portion 64 that is inclined. Then, with the iron body 1 placed on the placing table 51 and the operating body 25 of the iron body 1 being placed at the “steam” position, the opening 58 of the cover 52 is placed on the placing table 51. When it is fitted and pushed down on the outer circumference of the operation piece 63, the guide portion 64 of the operation piece 63 comes into contact with the operation body 25, and the inclination of the guide portion 64 pushes the operation body 25 to the “dry” position. Has become. Reference numeral 65 is a handle provided on the upper surface of the cover 52.

FIG. 5 shows a state where the iron body 1 is stored in the storage case 50, and from this state the iron body 1
When using, the cover 52 is removed from the mounting table 51, the power cord is pulled out from the cord reel of the mounting table 51, and is inserted into an indoor outlet.
Water is stored in the water tank 6.

The heater 2 of the iron body 1 has a power supply terminal 5
Power is applied from 6 through the power receiving terminal 55, whereby the heater 2 generates heat and the base 3 is heated. Base 3
After the temperature has risen to the selected set temperature, the iron body 1 is taken out of the mounting table 51 and ironed.

Here, when it is desired to squirt steam,
The operating body 25 is slid to the front side of the iron body 1 and set at the "steam" position. By this operation, the needle valve 16 rises against the spring 18, and by this rise, both the water hole 13 and the vent hole 17 are opened.

When the water passage hole 13 is opened, the water in the water tank 6 is dripped below the nozzle 14 and sequentially supplied into the vaporization chamber 7 of the base 3, and this water is vaporized by the heat of the base 3 to become steam. The steam is jetted from the steam jet holes 8 to the lower surface side of the base 3.

At this time, the inside of the water tank 6 is communicated with the outside atmosphere through the ventilation hole 17, and therefore, as the water in the water tank 6 decreases, air is sequentially introduced from the ventilation hole 17 into the water tank 6. The water that flows in and therefore the water in the water tank 6 flows into the water passage 1
It always flows smoothly from 3.

On the other hand, when the iron body is used in a dry setting state by stopping the spray of steam, or when the ironing work is interrupted or suspended, the operating body 25
Slide to the rear side of the iron body 1 and set it to the "dry" position. By this operation, the needle valve 16 is lowered by the urging force of the spring 18, and this lowering closes both the water passage hole 13 and the ventilation hole 17. Then, by closing the water passage hole 13, the supply of water from the water tank 6 into the vaporization chamber 7 is cut off, whereby the jet of steam is stopped and the state is switched to the dry setting state.

By the way, when steam is spouting from the bottom surface of the base 3, the iron body 1 is carefully handled for spurting the steam, but when the dry setting is made, the iron body 1 is not spouting. May be handled relatively rough, and as a result, the iron body 1 may be accidentally overturned or flipped over.
The water tank 6 is closed by 9 and the inside of the water tank 6 is sealed. Therefore, even if the iron body 1 rolls over or turns over, the water in the water tank 6 does not leak to the outside. Of course,
At this time, the water injection port 10 is also liquid-tightly sealed by the water injection lid 11, so that water does not leak from the water injection port 10.

After the ironing work is completed,
The iron body 1 is placed on the placing table 51, and the power cord is pulled out from the outlet and wound around the cord reel in the placing table 51 to be stored. And cover 52
The opening 58 is fitted to the outer periphery of the mounting table 51 to cover the mounting table 51, and the iron body 1 is covered with the cover 52.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the iron body 1 is placed on the placing table 51 while the operating body 25 of the iron body 1 is placed at the "steam" position. In this case, when the opening 58 of the cover 52 is fitted to the outer periphery of the mounting table 51 and the cover 52 is pushed down, the operation piece 63 provided on the inner top portion of the cover 52.
The guide portion 64 contacts the operating body 25. Then, in response to the downward movement of the cover 52, the operating body 25 is pushed by the guide portion 64, and the operating body 25 slides to the rear side of the iron body 1 and is arranged at the “dry” position.
As a result, the water passage hole 13 and the ventilation hole 17 of the water tank 6 are closed, and the inside of the water tank 6 is sealed.

Therefore, when the iron body 1 is placed on the placing table 51 and stored in the storage case 50 while water remains in the water tank 6, the entire storage case 50 is overturned. The water in the water tank 6 does not leak even if it is turned upside down.

In addition, the operating body 25 in the iron body 1
Is placed in the "dry" position, the iron body 1 is placed on the placing table 51 and the storage case 5
When the water tank 6 is stored in the storage tank 50, the water passage 13 and the ventilation hole 17 of the water tank 6 are originally closed and the inside of the water tank 6 is sealed. Even if the whole is rolled or flipped,
The water in the water tank 6 does not leak out.

In the above embodiment, the iron main body is provided with the power receiving terminal and the mounting table is provided with the power source terminal, and when the iron body is placed on the mounting table, the power receiving terminal and the power source terminal contact each other. The cordless steam ironing device that energizes the heater of the iron body has been described as an example, but a power cord is attached to the iron body, and a steam with a cord that energizes the heater of the iron body through the power cord. There is no problem even with an ironing device. Further, the water tank is not limited to the cassette type which is detachably provided in the iron body, and may be a structure integrally incorporated in the iron body.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When setting steam, the inside of the water tank communicates with the outside through the ventilation hole, so that the water in the water tank can smoothly flow into the vaporization chamber of the iron body, and also when the ironing work is interrupted or stopped. Occasionally, the air vent can be closed by operating the operating body to set the dry setting, so even if the iron body is accidentally overturned or inverted, water leakage from the water tank is reliably prevented. be able to.

Further, in the invention described in claim 2,
Even if the iron body is stored in the storage case with the steam setting set, that is, the ventilation hole of the water tank is open, the operation of the storage operation automatically operates the operating body and the ventilation hole of the water tank. Therefore, even if the iron body may be turned over or inverted while it is stored in the storage case, it is possible to always reliably prevent water leakage from the water tank. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of an iron body in a steam ironing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the iron body with the handle removed.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a ventilation hole of a water tank provided in the iron body.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting structure for a reflector provided on the iron body.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the iron body stored in a storage case.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the iron body is placed on the placing table of the storage case and the cover is capped on the placing table.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Iron main body 6 ... Water tank 7 ... Vaporization chamber 13 ... Water passage hole 16 ... Needle valve (valve mechanism) 17 ... Vent hole 25 ... Operating body 50 ... Storage case 63 ... Operating piece (operating portion)

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazuharu Tsubaki 2570 Gosuda, 1 Oza, Kamo-shi, Niigata Toshiba Home Techno Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroaki Sakai 2570 1 Gosuda, Kamo, Niigata Prefecture 1 Toshiba Home Inside Techno Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuo Hita 2570, Gosuda, Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture 1 Toshiba Home Techno Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An iron main body having a vaporization chamber for vaporizing water to generate steam, a water tank provided in the iron main body for accommodating water for steam generation, and a water tank provided in the water tank. A ventilation hole for allowing water in the water tank to flow into the vaporization chamber of the iron body, a ventilation hole for communicating the inside of the water tank with the atmosphere outside, and a valve mechanism for opening and closing the water hole and the ventilation hole, An operating body that interlocks the valve mechanism, and by operating the valve mechanism through the operating body, a steam setting state in which both the water passage hole and the ventilation hole are opened and the water passage hole and the ventilation hole are valves A steam ironing device that can be switched to a dry setting state in which both are closed by a mechanism. 2. An iron main body having a vaporization chamber for vaporizing water to generate steam, a water tank provided in the iron main body for accommodating steam generation water, and a water tank provided in the water tank. A ventilation hole for allowing water in the water tank to flow into the vaporization chamber of the iron body, a ventilation hole for communicating the inside of the water tank with the atmosphere outside, and a valve mechanism for opening and closing the water hole and the ventilation hole, A steam including an operating body that interlocks a valve mechanism and a storage case capable of storing the iron body, and by operating the valve mechanism via the operating body, both the water passage hole and the ventilation hole are opened. It is possible to switch between a setting state and a dry setting state in which the water passage hole and the ventilation hole are both closed by the valve mechanism, and the iron body is stored in the storage case. A steam ironing device is provided with an operation unit for always arranging the operation body at a dry setting position.