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EP0588162B1 - Steam iron - Google Patents

Steam iron Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0588162B1
EP0588162B1 EP93114046A EP93114046A EP0588162B1 EP 0588162 B1 EP0588162 B1 EP 0588162B1 EP 93114046 A EP93114046 A EP 93114046A EP 93114046 A EP93114046 A EP 93114046A EP 0588162 B1 EP0588162 B1 EP 0588162B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
head
iron according
seat
groove
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP93114046A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0588162A1 (en
Inventor
Gérard Louis Henri Guillot
Jacky René Paul Fourny
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Moulinex SA
Original Assignee
Moulinex SA
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP0588162A1 publication Critical patent/EP0588162A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0588162B1 publication Critical patent/EP0588162B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F75/00—Hand irons
    • D06F75/08—Hand irons internally heated by electricity
    • D06F75/10—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed
    • D06F75/14—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed the steam being produced from water in a reservoir carried by the iron
    • D06F75/18—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed the steam being produced from water in a reservoir carried by the iron the water being fed slowly, e.g. drop by drop, from the reservoir to a steam generator

Definitions

  • the invention relates to steam irons which include a heating sole having on its underside a series of steam outlet holes and on its upper side a vaporization chamber communicating with a supply of pressurized water by means of a tap with adjustable flow rate comprising a rotary plug which is rotatably connected around a vertical axis of a shaft linked to a button placed in the upper region of the iron, and which is mounted in a distribution chamber having an orifice inlet connected to the water supply and an outlet orifice made in its bottom wall and opening into said vaporization chamber.
  • the object of the invention is to produce taps which do not have the drawbacks explained above and which can be easily manufactured and assembled in large series.
  • the dispensing chamber comprises a seat having a hole connected to the outlet orifice and a smooth upper surface transverse to the vertical axis and in which a groove of variable section extending extending along a curve and one end of which is connected to said hole, while the plug comprises a head whose active face turned towards the seat and transverse to the axis is smooth and is applied in a sealed manner on the seat, said head comprising a clean flow passage leading to the groove and moving above this groove as a function of the angular position of the rotary plug.
  • valve thus produced allows mass production since the active surfaces are transverse to the vertical axis and are applied one against the other without requiring precise dimensions and therefore adjustment.
  • it is known to produce, without any problem, flat and smooth surfaces with molds of simple design.
  • this sealed contact between planar surfaces does not cause any significant friction, thus providing greater convenience when adjusting the button, and making it possible to work with a pressure of a few hundred millibars in the chamber.
  • Figure 1 shows, in partial section, part of an iron equipped with a valve according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the valve of Figure 1
  • Figure 3 is a horizontal section along the line III - III of Figure 2
  • Figure 4 is a vertical section along the line IV - IV of Figure 2 and illustrating a detail of the valve relating to the outlet.
  • the iron partially represented in FIG. 1 comprises a heating sole 1 having on its lower face 2 a series of steam outlet holes 3 and on its upper face a vaporization chamber 4 communicating with a water supply tube 5 under pressure by means of a tap 6.
  • the tube 5 is connected to an independent water tank (not shown) by means of a pump (not shown) intended to send water under a pressure of a few hundred millibars.
  • a trigger 7 mounted in the handle of the iron makes it possible to cut off the water supply to the tap 6 by stopping the control of the pump and by crushing the water inlet tube.
  • the water tube 5 includes a filter 8.
  • the tap 6 is of the adjustable flow type and comprises a rotary plug 9 which is integral in rotation about a vertical axis with a shaft 10 linked to a button 11 placed in the upper region of the iron, and which is mounted in a distribution chamber 12 having an inlet orifice 13 connected to the water supply tube 5 and an outlet orifice 14 formed in its bottom wall 15 and opening into said vaporization chamber 4.
  • the distribution chamber 12 comprises a seat 16 having a hole 17 connected to the outlet orifice 14 and a smooth upper active surface 16 'transverse to the vertical axis and in which is formed a groove 18 with cross-section variable extending along a curve and comprising one end 19 connected to said hole 17 and one blind end 22, while the plug 9 comprises a head 20 whose active face 20 ′ facing the seat 16 and transverse to the axis is smooth and is applied in a sealed manner on the seat, said head 20 comprising a flow passage 21 capable of opening onto the groove 18 and of moving above this groove as a function of the angular position of the rotary plug 9.
  • the curve of the groove 18 extends along a sector of a circle and leaves between the ends 19 and 22 of this groove a flat and smooth region 23.
  • the section of the groove 18 has a constant width and a variable depth. At the end 22, the depth is minimal, then gradually increases until its end 19.
  • the connection between the groove 18 and the hole 17 is obtained by a radial slot 24 originating at the end 19 of the groove.
  • the groove 18 is extended beyond the slot 24, and has a uniform depth slightly greater than that of the end 19, so as to maintain a high flow rate when the passage 21 is placed above this extension.
  • a tap with adjustable flow rate is obtained which is simple and reliable to manufacture, since, on the one hand, the active surfaces 16 ′ and 20 ′ are produced by flat and smooth faces which provide between they a sufficient seal without requiring a significant axial force of friction, and on the other hand, the groove 18 is formed in a flat surface by means of a simple impression mold, and cooperates with the passage 21 which is formed in the head 20 without excessive dimensional accuracy, since its overlapping of the groove 18 ensures the flow without leakage of water in said groove.
  • the invention provides that the plug 9 is mounted axially movable on the shaft 10 connected to the button 11 against an elastic means 25 (shown diagrammatically in broken lines) such as a calibrated coil spring which tends to push the smooth active face 20 ′ of the head 20 against the smooth upper face 16 ′ of the seat 16.
  • an elastic means 25 such as a calibrated coil spring which tends to push the smooth active face 20 ′ of the head 20 against the smooth upper face 16 ′ of the seat 16.
  • the shaft 10 is hollow and its lower part 26 carries the plug 9 which comprises a rod 27 integral with the head 20 which enters the shaft 10, the spring 25 being interposed between an internal shoulder 28 formed in the 'shaft, and a shoulder 29 formed between the head and the rod 27.
  • the lower end of said shaft carries a dog 26' which engages with a claw 27 ′ secured to the head 20.
  • the distribution chamber (12) is formed in a body 30 molded and made of an elastomer, preferably a silicone, capable of withstanding the temperature prevailing in the vicinity of the chamber 4
  • This body 30 come in one piece, has the shape of a well, the bottom of which comprises the seat 16, and the outlet orifice 14, and the side wall of which constitutes the side wall of the chamber 12, comprises a pipe 31 connecting the inlet orifice 13 of said chamber with the water supply tube 5, while the internal edge 32 of the opening of this well has a groove 33 for receiving a lip seal 34
  • This annular lip seal 34 seals between the chamber 12 and the outer wall 35 of the shaft 10.
  • the head 20 of the plug 9 is made of a polyamide such as nylon so that the contact between the active faces 16 ′ and 20 ′ has a lower coefficient of friction and therefore a torque also weak.
  • this body 30 has on its external wall and in the region surrounding the outlet orifice 14 a sleeve 36 forming a seal for the connection of the valve with the vaporization chamber 4.
  • the outlet orifice 14 comprises a valve 37 coming in one piece with the body 30.
  • This valve 37 has the general shape of a tube, the lower region of which is crushed to form two contiguous lips 38 and 39.
  • the valve as shown operates in the following manner.
  • the user wants to iron a synthetic fabric.
  • the active face 20 ' applied with a constant force to the surface 16' by means of the calibrated spring 25, slides in leaktight fashion and brings the flow passage 21 for example in the vicinity of the end 22 of the groove 18.
  • the pressurized water arrives via the pipe 31 in the distribution chamber 12 above the head 20 of the plug 9 and flows through passage 21 in the groove 18.
  • the depth is minimal, the flow of water is restricted and only occurs at low flow.
  • the water flows into the groove 18 then into the slot 24, then passes through the hole 17 and the outlet orifice 14, to arrive in the valve tube 37 and slightly separate the lips 38 and 39 causing only a low vaporization and therefore a low flow of vapor.
  • the passage 21 is brought to the level of the end 19, that is to say in the deepest region of the throat 18.
  • the flow through the passage 21 takes place at a high flow rate and causes a greater separation of the lips 38 and 39 and therefore a strong spraying with a high flow rate of vapor.
  • the passage 21 is brought to the flat region 23, so as to then seal off the outlet of this passage 21.
  • the iron is equipped with a water spraying device 40 which is connected to the distribution chamber 12 by means of a valve 41 arranged in the hollow shaft 10 and controlled by a pressure lever 42.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Irons (AREA)
  • Lift Valve (AREA)
  • Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)
  • Solid-Sorbent Or Filter-Aiding Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

Steam iron comprising an evaporation chamber (4) communicating with a pressurised-water supplier (5) by means of a valve (6) of adjustable flow comprising a rotary plug (9) which is mounted in a distribution chamber (12). According to the invention, the distribution chamber (12) comprises a seat (16) having a smooth upper surface (16'), in which is made a groove (18) of variable cross-section extending in a curve, and the plug (9) comprises a head (20), the active face (20') of which is laid sealingly onto the seat, the said head having a flow passage (21) capable of being displaced above the groove (18) as a function of the angular position of the rotary plug (9). <IMAGE>

Description

L'invention se rapporte aux fers à repasser à vapeur qui comprennent une semelle chauffante présentant dans sa face inférieure une série de trous de sortie de vapeur et dans sa face supérieure une chambre de vaporisation communiquant avec une alimentation en eau sous pression au moyen d'un robinet à débit réglable comportant un boisseau rotatif qui est solidaire en rotation autour d'un axe vertical d'un arbre lié à un bouton placé dans la région supérieure du fer, et qui est monté dans une chambre de distribution présentant un orifice d'entrée relié à l'alimentation en eau et un orifice de sortie pratiqué dans sa paroi de fond et débouchant dans ladite chambre de vaporisation.The invention relates to steam irons which include a heating sole having on its underside a series of steam outlet holes and on its upper side a vaporization chamber communicating with a supply of pressurized water by means of a tap with adjustable flow rate comprising a rotary plug which is rotatably connected around a vertical axis of a shaft linked to a button placed in the upper region of the iron, and which is mounted in a distribution chamber having an orifice inlet connected to the water supply and an outlet orifice made in its bottom wall and opening into said vaporization chamber.

Dans de tels fers à repasser (US-A-2427521), l'alimentation en eau est généralement obtenue au moyen d'une pompe qui prélève l'eau dans un réservoir et l'envoie sous pression au robinet. Par conséquent, ces robinets doivent présenter une bonne étanchéité et comportent des boisseaux du type cylindrique dont la surface latérale vient en friction avec la surface latérale de la chambre, tout en ménageant entre elles un passage d'eau à débit réglable. Malheureusement, la fabrication de tels robinets est difficile et onéreuse. En effet, non seulement, il faut réaliser des moules complexes à tiroirs pour obtenir des surfaces cylindriques en relief ou en creux avec des passages latéraux pour obtenir un débit réglable, mais aussi, il faut respecter des cotes précises lors du moulage et lors de l'assemblage des différentes pièces entre elles de manière à éviter les fuites. En outre, comme l'ajustement est effectué généralement à force, la commande de la rotation du boisseau pour régler le débit est incommode.In such irons (US-A-2427521), the water supply is generally obtained by means of a pump which takes the water from a tank and sends it under pressure to the tap. Consequently, these taps must have a good seal and include plugs of the cylindrical type, the lateral surface of which comes into friction with the lateral surface of the chamber, while providing between them a passage for water with adjustable flow rate. Unfortunately, the manufacture of such valves is difficult and expensive. Indeed, not only, it is necessary to make complex molds with drawers to obtain cylindrical surfaces in relief or in hollow with lateral passages to obtain a flow. adjustable, but also, you must respect precise dimensions during molding and when assembling the different parts together so as to avoid leaks. In addition, as the adjustment is generally effected by force, the control of the rotation of the plug to adjust the flow rate is inconvenient.

L'invention a pour but de réaliser des robinets qui ne présentent pas les inconvénients expliqués ci-dessus et qui puissent être facilement fabriqués et montés en grande série.The object of the invention is to produce taps which do not have the drawbacks explained above and which can be easily manufactured and assembled in large series.

Dans un fer selon l'invention, la chambre de distribution comporte un siège présentant un trou relié à l'orifice de sortie et une surface supérieure lisse transversale à l'axe vertical et dans laquelle est pratiquée une gorge à section variable s'étendant selon une courbe et dont une extrémité est reliée audit trou, tandis que le boisseau comporte une tête dont la face active tournée vers le siège et transversale à l'axe est lisse et vient s'appliquer de façon étanche sur le siège, ladite tête comportant un passage d'écoulement propre à déboucher sur la gorge et à se déplacer au dessus de cette gorge en fonction de la position angulaire du boisseau rotatif.In an iron according to the invention, the dispensing chamber comprises a seat having a hole connected to the outlet orifice and a smooth upper surface transverse to the vertical axis and in which a groove of variable section extending extending along a curve and one end of which is connected to said hole, while the plug comprises a head whose active face turned towards the seat and transverse to the axis is smooth and is applied in a sealed manner on the seat, said head comprising a clean flow passage leading to the groove and moving above this groove as a function of the angular position of the rotary plug.

Le robinet ainsi réalisé permet une fabrication en grande série puisque les surfaces actives sont transversales à l'axe vertical et s'appliquent l'une contre l'autre sans nécessiter de cotes précises et donc d'ajustement. En outre, on sait réaliser, sans aucun problème, des surfaces planes et lisses avec des moules de conception simple. De plus, ce contact étanche entre surfaces planes ne provoque aucune friction importante offrant ainsi une plus grande commodité d'emploi lors du réglage du bouton, et permettant de travailler avec une pression de quelques centaines de millibars dans la chambre.The valve thus produced allows mass production since the active surfaces are transverse to the vertical axis and are applied one against the other without requiring precise dimensions and therefore adjustment. In addition, it is known to produce, without any problem, flat and smooth surfaces with molds of simple design. In addition, this sealed contact between planar surfaces does not cause any significant friction, thus providing greater convenience when adjusting the button, and making it possible to work with a pressure of a few hundred millibars in the chamber.

Les caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention ressortiront d'ailleurs de la description qui va suivre, à titre d'exemple, en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

la figure 1 représente, en coupe partielle, une partie d'un fer à repasser équipé d'un robinet selon l'invention ; la figure 2 est une vue agrandie du robinet de la figure 1 ; la figure 3 est une coupe horizontale selon la ligne III - III de la figure 2 ; la figure 4 est une coupe verticale selon la ligne IV - IV de la figure 2 et illustrant un détail du robinet relatif à l'orifice de sortie.Figure 1 shows, in partial section, part of an iron equipped with a valve according to the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the valve of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a horizontal section along the line III - III of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a vertical section along the line IV - IV of Figure 2 and illustrating a detail of the valve relating to the outlet.

Le fer à repasser représenté partiellement à la figure 1 comprend une semelle chauffante 1 présentant dans sa face inférieure 2 une série de trous de sortie de vapeur 3 et dans sa face supérieure une chambre de vaporisation 4 communiquant avec un tube 5 d'alimentation en eau sous pression au moyen d'un robinet 6. Le tube 5 est relié à un réservoir d'eau indépendant (non représenté) au moyen d'une pompe (non représentée) destinée à envoyer de l'eau sous une pression de quelques centaines de millibars. Une gâchette 7 montée dans la poignée du fer permet de couper l'alimentation en eau du robinet 6 par arrêt de la commande de la pompe et par écrasement du tube d'arrivée d'eau. De manière à ne pas obturer le robinet, le tube d'eau 5 comporte un filtre 8.The iron partially represented in FIG. 1 comprises a heating sole 1 having on its lower face 2 a series of steam outlet holes 3 and on its upper face a vaporization chamber 4 communicating with a water supply tube 5 under pressure by means of a tap 6. The tube 5 is connected to an independent water tank (not shown) by means of a pump (not shown) intended to send water under a pressure of a few hundred millibars. A trigger 7 mounted in the handle of the iron makes it possible to cut off the water supply to the tap 6 by stopping the control of the pump and by crushing the water inlet tube. In order not to block the tap, the water tube 5 includes a filter 8.

Le robinet 6 est du type à débit réglable et comporte un boisseau rotatif 9 qui est solidaire en rotation autour d'un axe vertical d'un arbre 10 lié à un bouton 11 placé dans la région supérieure du fer, et qui est monté dans une chambre de distribution 12 présentant un orifice d'entrée 13 relié au tube 5 d'alimentation en eau et un orifice de sortie 14 pratiqué dans sa paroi de fond 15 et débouchant dans ladite chambre de vaporisation 4.The tap 6 is of the adjustable flow type and comprises a rotary plug 9 which is integral in rotation about a vertical axis with a shaft 10 linked to a button 11 placed in the upper region of the iron, and which is mounted in a distribution chamber 12 having an inlet orifice 13 connected to the water supply tube 5 and an outlet orifice 14 formed in its bottom wall 15 and opening into said vaporization chamber 4.

Selon l'invention, la chambre de distribution 12 comporte un siège 16 présentant un trou 17 relié à l'orifice de sortie 14 et une surface active supérieure lisse 16' transversale à l'axe vertical et dans laquelle est pratiquée une gorge 18 à section variable s'étendant selon une courbe et comportant une extrémité 19 reliée audit trou 17 et une extrémité borgne 22, tandis que le boisseau 9 comporte une tête 20 dont la face active 20' tournée vers le siège 16 et transversale à l'axe est lisse et vient s'appliquer de façon étanche sur le siège, ladite tête 20 comportant un passage d'écoulement 21 propre à déboucher sur la gorge 18 et à se déplacer au dessus de cette gorge en fonction de la position angulaire du boisseau rotatif 9.According to the invention, the distribution chamber 12 comprises a seat 16 having a hole 17 connected to the outlet orifice 14 and a smooth upper active surface 16 'transverse to the vertical axis and in which is formed a groove 18 with cross-section variable extending along a curve and comprising one end 19 connected to said hole 17 and one blind end 22, while the plug 9 comprises a head 20 whose active face 20 ′ facing the seat 16 and transverse to the axis is smooth and is applied in a sealed manner on the seat, said head 20 comprising a flow passage 21 capable of opening onto the groove 18 and of moving above this groove as a function of the angular position of the rotary plug 9.

Comme représenté à la figure 3, la courbe de la gorge 18 s'étend selon un secteur de cercle et laisse entre les extrémités 19 et 22 de cette gorge une région plane et lisse 23.As shown in FIG. 3, the curve of the groove 18 extends along a sector of a circle and leaves between the ends 19 and 22 of this groove a flat and smooth region 23.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, la section de la gorge 18 a une largeur constante et une profondeur variable. En l'extrémité 22, la profondeur est minimale, puis augmente progressivement jusqu'à son extrémité 19. La liaison entre la gorge 18 et le trou 17 est obtenue par une fente radiale 24 prenant naissance à l'extrémité 19 de la gorge. Selon un perfectionnement, la gorge 18 est prolongée au delà de la fente 24, et présente une profondeur uniforme légèrement supérieure à celle de l'extrémité 19, de manière à maintenir un fort débit lorsque le passage 21 est placé au dessus de ce prolongement.
Ainsi, grâce à cette réalisation, on obtient un robinet à débit réglable qui est d'une fabrication simple et fiable, puisque, d'une part, les surfaces actives 16' et 20' sont réalisées par des faces planes et lisses qui assurent entre elles une étanchéité suffisante sans nécessiter de force axiale de friction importante, et d'autre part, la gorge 18 est pratiquée dans une surface plane au moyen d'un simple moule à empreinte, et coopère avec le passage 21 qui est pratiqué dans la tête 20 sans précision excessive de cote, puisque son chevauchement de la gorge 18 assure l'écoulement sans fuite de l'eau dans ladite gorge.According to a preferred embodiment, the section of the groove 18 has a constant width and a variable depth. At the end 22, the depth is minimal, then gradually increases until its end 19. The connection between the groove 18 and the hole 17 is obtained by a radial slot 24 originating at the end 19 of the groove. According to an improvement, the groove 18 is extended beyond the slot 24, and has a uniform depth slightly greater than that of the end 19, so as to maintain a high flow rate when the passage 21 is placed above this extension.
Thus, thanks to this embodiment, a tap with adjustable flow rate is obtained which is simple and reliable to manufacture, since, on the one hand, the active surfaces 16 ′ and 20 ′ are produced by flat and smooth faces which provide between they a sufficient seal without requiring a significant axial force of friction, and on the other hand, the groove 18 is formed in a flat surface by means of a simple impression mold, and cooperates with the passage 21 which is formed in the head 20 without excessive dimensional accuracy, since its overlapping of the groove 18 ensures the flow without leakage of water in said groove.

Afin de garantir une force pratiquement constante d'application de la tête 20 sur le siège 16 de manière à améliorer la commodité d'utilisation du robinet au moyen du bouton rotatif 11, l'invention prévoit que le boisseau 9 est monté mobile axialement sur l'arbre 10 lié au bouton 11 à l'encontre d'un moyen élastique 25 (schématisé en traits interrompus) tel qu'un ressort à boudin taré qui tend à repousser la face active lisse 20' de la tête 20 contre la face supérieure lisse 16' du siège 16.
A cet effet, l'arbre 10 est creux et sa partie inférieure 26 porte le boisseau 9 qui comprend une tige 27 solidaire de la tête 20 qui pénètre dans l'arbre 10, le ressort 25 étant interposé entre un épaulement 28 interne pratiqué dans l'arbre, et un épaulement 29 ménagé entre la tête et la tige 27. De manière à assurer l'entraînement en rotation du boisseau 9 par l'arbre 10, l'extrémité inférieure dudit arbre porte un crabot 26' qui vient en prise avec une griffe 27' solidaire de la tête 20.In order to guarantee an almost constant force application of the head 20 on the seat 16 so as to improve the convenience of using the valve by means of the rotary button 11, the invention provides that the plug 9 is mounted axially movable on the shaft 10 connected to the button 11 against an elastic means 25 (shown diagrammatically in broken lines) such as a calibrated coil spring which tends to push the smooth active face 20 ′ of the head 20 against the smooth upper face 16 ′ of the seat 16.
To this end, the shaft 10 is hollow and its lower part 26 carries the plug 9 which comprises a rod 27 integral with the head 20 which enters the shaft 10, the spring 25 being interposed between an internal shoulder 28 formed in the 'shaft, and a shoulder 29 formed between the head and the rod 27. In order to ensure the driving in rotation of the plug 9 by the shaft 10, the lower end of said shaft carries a dog 26' which engages with a claw 27 ′ secured to the head 20.

Selon une réalisation très avantageuse de l'invention, la chambre de distribution (12) est formée dans un corps 30 venu de moulage et réalisé en un élastomère, de préférence un silicone, susceptible de résister à la température régnant au voisinage de la chambre 4. Ce corps 30, venu d'une pièce, présente la forme d'un puits dont le fond comporte le siège 16, et l'orifice de sortie 14, et dont la paroi latérale, constituant la paroi latérale de la chambre 12, comporte une pipe 31 reliant l'orifice d'entrée 13 de ladite chambre avec le tube 5 d'alimentation en eau, tandis que le bord interne 32 de l'ouverture de ce puits présente une gorge 33 de réception d'un joint à lèvre 34. Ce joint à lèvre 34 de forme annulaire assure l'étanchéité entre la chambre 12 et la paroi extérieure 35 de l'arbre 10.According to a very advantageous embodiment of the invention, the distribution chamber (12) is formed in a body 30 molded and made of an elastomer, preferably a silicone, capable of withstanding the temperature prevailing in the vicinity of the chamber 4 This body 30, come in one piece, has the shape of a well, the bottom of which comprises the seat 16, and the outlet orifice 14, and the side wall of which constitutes the side wall of the chamber 12, comprises a pipe 31 connecting the inlet orifice 13 of said chamber with the water supply tube 5, while the internal edge 32 of the opening of this well has a groove 33 for receiving a lip seal 34 This annular lip seal 34 seals between the chamber 12 and the outer wall 35 of the shaft 10.

Afin d'améliorer l'étanchéité, la tête 20 du boisseau 9 est réalisé en un polyamide tel que le nylon de sorte que le contact entre les faces actives 16' et 20' présente un coefficient de frottement plus faible et donc un couple de rotation également faible.In order to improve sealing, the head 20 of the plug 9 is made of a polyamide such as nylon so that the contact between the active faces 16 ′ and 20 ′ has a lower coefficient of friction and therefore a torque also weak.

En outre, ce corps 30 comporte sur sa paroi externe et dans la région entourant de l'orifice de sortie 14 un manchon 36 formant joint d'étanchéité pour la liaison du robinet avec la chambre de vaporisation 4. Comme on le voit sur la figure 4, l'orifice de sortie 14 comporte un clapet 37 venu d'une pièce avec le corps 30. Ce clapet 37 présente la forme générale d'un tube dont la région inférieure est écrasée pour former deux lèvres jointives 38 et 39.In addition, this body 30 has on its external wall and in the region surrounding the outlet orifice 14 a sleeve 36 forming a seal for the connection of the valve with the vaporization chamber 4. As can be seen in the figure 4, the outlet orifice 14 comprises a valve 37 coming in one piece with the body 30. This valve 37 has the general shape of a tube, the lower region of which is crushed to form two contiguous lips 38 and 39.

Grâce à l'élasticité du tube, on comprend qu'en l'absence de pression d'eau à l'orifice de sortie 14 de la chambre 12, les lèvres 38 et 39 restent jointives, tandis que lors d'une pression d'eau les lèvres 38 et 39 s'écartent l'une de l'autre et produisent une projection d'eau sous un mince filet favorisant ainsi une forte production de vapeur dans la chambre 4 aussi bien lorsque le fer est en position de travail horizontal que lorsqu'il est en position de travail vertical pour le défroissage. On a observé également que par le phénomène d'ouverture et fermeture répété des lèvres 38 et 39, on obtient un auto-nettoyage empêchant ainsi l'entartrage du clapet 37.Thanks to the elasticity of the tube, it is understood that in the absence of water pressure at the outlet orifice 14 of the chamber 12, the lips 38 and 39 remain contiguous, while during a pressure of water the lips 38 and 39 move away from each other and produce a projection of water under a thin net thus promoting a strong production of steam in the chamber 4 both when the iron is in the horizontal working position as when in the vertical working position for smoothing. It has also been observed that by the phenomenon of repeated opening and closing of the lips 38 and 39, a self-cleaning is obtained, thus preventing scaling of the valve 37.

Le robinet tel que représenté fonctionne de la manière suivante. Nous supposons que l'utilisateur veuille repasser un tissu synthétique.
Par une rotation du bouton 11, la face active 20', appliquée avec une force constante sur la surface 16' au moyen du ressort taré 25, glisse de façon étanche et amène le passage d'écoulement 21 par exemple au voisinage de l'extrémité 22 de la gorge 18. En cette position, dès que l'utilisateur appuie sur la gâchette 7, l'eau sous pression arrive par la pipe 31 dans la chambre de distribution 12 au dessus de la tête 20 du boisseau 9 et s'écoule par le passage 21 dans la gorge 18. Comme en cette position la profondeur est minimale, l'écoulement de l'eau est restreint et ne se produit qu'à faible débit. L'eau s'écoule dans la gorge 18 puis dans la fente 24, puis traverse le trou 17 et l'orifice de sortie 14, pour arriver dans le tube du clapet 37 et écarter légèrement les lèvres 38 et 39 en provoquant seulement une faible vaporisation et donc un faible débit de vapeur.The valve as shown operates in the following manner. We assume that the user wants to iron a synthetic fabric.
By a rotation of the button 11, the active face 20 ', applied with a constant force to the surface 16' by means of the calibrated spring 25, slides in leaktight fashion and brings the flow passage 21 for example in the vicinity of the end 22 of the groove 18. In this position, as soon as the user presses the trigger 7, the pressurized water arrives via the pipe 31 in the distribution chamber 12 above the head 20 of the plug 9 and flows through passage 21 in the groove 18. As in this position the depth is minimal, the flow of water is restricted and only occurs at low flow. The water flows into the groove 18 then into the slot 24, then passes through the hole 17 and the outlet orifice 14, to arrive in the valve tube 37 and slightly separate the lips 38 and 39 causing only a low vaporization and therefore a low flow of vapor.

Au contraire, lorsque l'on souhaite repasser, par exemple, du coton ou défroisser un tissu, on amène le passage 21 au niveau de l'extrémité 19, c'est à dire dans la région la plus profonde de la gorge 18. Par conséquent, l'écoulement à travers le passage 21 s'effectue à fort débit et provoque un plus grand écart des lèvres 38 et 39 et donc une forte pulvérisation avec un fort débit de vapeur.On the contrary, when it is desired to iron, for example, cotton or to smooth a fabric, the passage 21 is brought to the level of the end 19, that is to say in the deepest region of the throat 18. By Consequently, the flow through the passage 21 takes place at a high flow rate and causes a greater separation of the lips 38 and 39 and therefore a strong spraying with a high flow rate of vapor.

Dans le cas où l'on souhaite repasser à sec, on amène le passage 21 sur la région plane 23, de manière à réaliser alors l'obturation étanche du débouché de ce passage 21.In the case where it is desired to iron dry, the passage 21 is brought to the flat region 23, so as to then seal off the outlet of this passage 21.

Comme représenté à la figure 1, le fer à repasser est équipé d'un dispositif de pulvérisation d'eau 40 qui est relié à la chambre de distribution 12 au moyen d'un clapet 41 agencé dans l'arbre creux 10 et commandé par une manette de pression 42.As shown in Figure 1, the iron is equipped with a water spraying device 40 which is connected to the distribution chamber 12 by means of a valve 41 arranged in the hollow shaft 10 and controlled by a pressure lever 42.

Claims (10)

  1. Steam iron comprising a heating sole plate (1) with a series of steam outlet holes (3) in its bottom face (2) and in its top face a vaporisation chamber (4) communicating with a pressurised water supply (5) by means of a valve (6) with an adjustable flow rate having a rotary valve core (9) which is fixed with respect to rotation about a vertical axis to a spindle (10) connected to a knob (11) placed in the upper part of the iron, and which is mounted in a distribution chamber (12) having an inlet orifice (13) connected to the water supply and an outlet orifice (14) formed in its bottom wall (15) and opening out into the said vaporisation chamber (4) characterised in that the distribution chamber (12) has a seat (16) with a hole (17) connected to the outlet orifice (14) and a smooth top surface (16') transverse to the vertical axis and in which a groove (18) with a variable cross section is formed, which extends in a curve and one end of which (19) is connected to the said hole, whilst the valve core (9) has a head (20) whose active face (20'), turned towards the seat and transverse to the axis, is smooth and is applied sealingly against the seat, the said head having a flow passage (21) able to open into the groove (18) and to move over this groove as a function of the angular position of the rotary valve core (9).
  2. Iron according to Claim 1,
    characterised in that the curve of the groove (18) extends in a sector of a circle and has, beyond the end (19), an extension (18') with a uniform cross section with a depth slightly greater than that of the end (19).
  3. Iron according to Claim 1 or 2,
    characterised in that the valve core (9) is mounted so as to move axially on the spindle 10 connected to the knob (11) counter to an elastic means (25) which tends to push the smooth face of the head (20') against the smooth active face (16') of the seat (16).
  4. Iron according to Claim 3,
    characterised in that the spindle (10) connected to the knob (11) is hollow and its lower part (26) carries the valve core (9), which comprises a stem (27) fixed to the head (20) and fitting into the spindle (10), the elastic means (25) being interposed between a shoulder (28) on the spindle (10) and a shoulder (29) formed on the head (20).
  5. Iron according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterised in that the distribution chamber (12) is formed in a body made of an elastomer which is, preferably, a silicone.
  6. Iron according to Claim 5,
    characterised in that the body (30) is in the form of a well whose bottom includes the seat (16) and the outlet orifice (14) and whose lateral wall includes a pipe (31) connecting the said chamber with the water supply tube (5), whilst the internal edge (32) of the well opening has a throat (33) to receive a watertight lip seal (34).
  7. Iron according to Claim 5 or 6,
    characterised in that the body 30 has, on its external wall and in the area surrounding the outlet orifice (14), a sleeve (36) forming a sealing joint for the connection of the valve with the vaporisation chamber (4).
  8. Iron according to any one of Claims 5 to 7,
    characterised in that the head (20) of the valve core (9) is made from a polyamide such as nylon.
  9. Iron according to any one of Claims 5 to 8,
    characterised in that the outlet orifice (14) has a shut-off valve (37) made in one piece with the body (30) and has the general form of a tube whose lower part is flattened to form two contiguous lips (38 and 39) which can separate under the pressure of water flowing through the said orifice (14).
  10. Iron according to Claim 4,
    characterised in that it is equipped with a water atomisation device (40) which is connected to the distribution chamber (12) by means of a shut-off valve (41) arranged in the hollow spindle (10) and controlled by a pressure lever (42).
EP93114046A 1992-09-16 1993-09-02 Steam iron Expired - Lifetime EP0588162B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9211059 1992-09-16
FR9211059A FR2695658B1 (en) 1992-09-16 1992-09-16 STEAM IRON.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0588162A1 EP0588162A1 (en) 1994-03-23
EP0588162B1 true EP0588162B1 (en) 1996-07-10

Family

ID=9433582

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93114046A Expired - Lifetime EP0588162B1 (en) 1992-09-16 1993-09-02 Steam iron

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0588162B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE140279T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69303559T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2089658T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2695658B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2814762B1 (en) * 2000-10-02 2002-12-20 Rowenta Werke Gmbh ADJUSTABLE FLOW DRIP VALVE FOR IRON
IT201800008025A1 (en) * 2018-08-10 2020-02-10 De' Longhi Appliances Srl IRONING APPARATUS

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2427521A (en) * 1943-11-13 1947-09-16 Louis S Butman Steam electric sadiron
DE2546904A1 (en) * 1974-11-07 1977-07-14 Brandenburg Elektro Veb ELECTRICALLY HEATED STEAM IRON

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0588162A1 (en) 1994-03-23
FR2695658B1 (en) 1995-09-08
DE69303559D1 (en) 1996-08-14
DE69303559T2 (en) 1996-12-12
ES2089658T3 (en) 1996-10-01
ATE140279T1 (en) 1996-07-15
FR2695658A1 (en) 1994-03-18

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