CN1986949B - Steam iron and method for manufacturing a steam iron - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a steam iron and method for fabricating a steam iron, in which, a steam chamber body and a steam chamber lib are extruded by compression moldings, in which, the steam chamber body has a middle and an upper steam transporting area separated by a vertical wall segment acting with the steam chamber lib, where, the end surface of the vertical wall segment directly contacts to the relative segment of the steam chamber lib which is preformed by a structure corresponding to the construction mirror of the vertical wall segment before being extruded with the steam chamber body.

Description

Steam iron and method for manufacturing a steam iron

technical field

The invention relates to a steam iron and a method for manufacturing a steam iron.

Background technique

At present, there are mainly steam irons with an external water box and a steam generator, steam irons with a water heater inside the iron, and steam irons with a drip valve, wherein the water in the iron water box drops into the steam area of the steam chamber. Also known are steam irons with drip valves equipped with several steam delivery zones which are partly interconnected or which are completely independent steam generation and distribution zones. Steam irons are therefore known which have two or three different steam delivery zones which are independent of each other, that is to say have a steam generation zone and a steam distribution zone. The first steam zone serves in this respect to provide the mostly adjustable standard steam function of the steam iron. For this purpose, the water drops into the larger steam generating chamber which is usually arranged in the center of the steam chamber body and generates steam with relatively low pressure and low diffusion speed. The steam then diffuses from the intermediate steam generating chamber into a steam delivery area connected thereto, through which the steam reaches steam discharge holes on the bottom surface of the iron. In a separate second steam delivery zone, water drops fall into a narrow steam channel, so that a slightly elevated certain steam pressure and a correspondingly slightly increased steam velocity are achieved along this channel. The steam thus produced is provided by operating an additional steam injection key and generally exits the steam iron through steam discharge holes on the underside of the iron, which either correspond to standard steam holes or are provided as special steam discharge holes for such additional steam, e.g. In the area of the underside of the iron. Some steam irons additionally provide a separate third steam delivery zone, wherein an additional control key is operated similarly to the second function of external steam to drop a certain amount of water into a same narrow steam channel, but with the same The difference with the added steam function is that the steam exits the steam iron through the tip of the iron at the front, which is about one to two centimeters above the bottom of the iron, and leaves the steam iron in the spray function towards the front. All these different steam delivery areas must be pressure-tightly isolated from each other in order to guarantee their normal function. In this case, the fastening of the steam chamber cover to the steam chamber body plays a very important role. Such steam chamber covers are known to be riveted or screwed to the steam chamber body in order to absorb the mechanical stresses that occur not only through steam pressure, but also through water-alkaline growth and thermal expansion and contraction during cooling. For sealing, the vertical wall section of the steam chamber body in contact with the steam chamber cover is impregnated with silicone to ensure the sealing of the respective steam function to the outside, ie eg to the power supply of the iron.

However, unbound silicone particles contaminate in an unfavorable manner the vapor delivery areas, which mostly have dedicated hydrophilic coatings to facilitate steam generation. It is therefore desirable to keep the total amount of silicone as low as possible, since this increases the material costs of the steam iron.

DE 3517018 A1 discloses a method for manufacturing a steam iron, wherein the steam chamber cover is directly connected to the vertical wall section of the steam chamber body, ie without adding other sealing materials and by means of a strong extrusion applied to the die. In this case, the flat vapor chamber cover is forced into the trapezoidal dovetail groove by means of a profiled die. In order to press the material of the steam chamber cover into the undercut of the dovetail groove, it is not only necessary to apply extremely high pressing forces to the die, but also to select a material in which the rheological limit of the steam chamber cover is significantly higher than that of the steam chamber body rheological limit. The processing forces and materials used for this impose certain restrictions on the design of the steam chamber body.

Contents of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a steam iron and a method for producing a steam iron which, on the one hand, ensure a structurally advantageous configuration of the steam chamber body and, on the other hand, ensure an optimal connection of the steam chamber cover to the steam chamber body .

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1 with respect to the steam iron. The direct contact of the vertical wall section of the steam chamber body with the opposite section of the steam chamber cover provides a sealed connection which can be produced in the inner region without the addition of silicone adhesive. This is therefore a particularly advantageous connection, since the steam chamber body can be constructed in a space-saving manner, wherein the steam supply areas can be arranged one above the other, so that a distinct cavity is formed, while the steam chamber cover is moved by the pressing force used by the compression molding. Fixing on the steam chamber body does not cause the steam chamber body to break because of the low force exerted by the die.

In an advantageous further development, the inner side of the steam chamber cover next to the steam chamber body is directly connected in the sealing region to the steam chamber body without further sealing material. In this case, the outer edge region of the steam chamber cover is sealed to the outer boundary wall of the steam delivery zone with an additional sealing material, in particular silicone. This ensures that the section to be sealed adjacent to the vapor delivery area is not sealed with silicone or similar sealing material. Hydrophobic silicone is thus prevented from affecting the hydrophilicity in the vapor delivery zone, since silicone contamination can be eliminated. The outer edge area of the steam chamber cover is made of silicone sealing material so that the steam delivery area is completely unaffected and on the other hand ensures an increased tightness on the edge of the steam chamber cover. Due to the cooling and heating and also due to the extrusion process, the steam chamber Any slight deformation of the cover that may occur at this edge is absorbed by the heat-resistant and elastic silicone sealing material.

According to another advantageous refinement of the invention, the steam chamber cover has preformed elevations and depressions which correspond to the vertical wall sections and can be pressed against them. The main deformation operations on the steam chamber cover are therefore not carried out in the solid state of the steam chamber body, but rather in a preceding process step. Therefore, the degree of press fit between the recess of the steam chamber cover and the vertical wall section can be optimally adjusted and controlled, and the die does not need to exert a particularly strong force on the steam chamber body during the extrusion process of the steam chamber cover, or steam The cover material need not have special rheological properties.

In an advantageous refinement, the steam chamber cover is connected, on the one hand, to the steam chamber body by pressing and additionally by rivets. The necessary tightness is thus achieved by pressing between the individual steam delivery regions, wherein the greater forces on the steam chamber cover can be absorbed by the rivets.

In terms of method technology, the above object is achieved by a method for producing a steam iron with the features of claim 7 .

Advantageous further developments of the invention are specified in the subsequent dependent claims.

Description of drawings

Additional features, application possibilities and advantages of the invention result from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing. In this respect, all features described or shown form the subject-matter of the invention per se or in any combination, independently of their generalization in the claims or their reverse relation and their form or form in the description or drawings. Icons are irrelevant. in:

Fig. 1 shows a top view of a steam chamber body without a steam chamber cover installed in a steam iron according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the outer side of the steam chamber cover of the steam iron in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a top view of the inner side of the steam chamber cover of the steam iron in Fig. 1, that is, the side close to the steam chamber body;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the steam chamber body with the steam chamber cover installed on the steam iron of Fig. 1;

Figure 5 shows a partial sectional view of the preformed steam chamber cover of the steam iron of Figure 1;

Fig. 6 shows a partial sectional view of the steam chamber cover, the steam chamber body and the bottom surface of the iron together with the stamper according to the first embodiment of the method for manufacturing the steam iron of Fig. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a partial sectional view as in FIG. 6 , wherein the stamper has not yet been placed on the steam chamber cover and is constructed according to the first embodiment; and.

FIG. 8 shows a partial section as in FIG. 7 together with a stamper according to a second embodiment.

Detailed ways

Only the lower assembly of the steam iron is shown in the figure. The lower assembly has a steam chamber body 1 (see figure 1), a steam chamber cover 2 fixed thereon (see figures 2 and 3) and an iron base 3 (see figure 6), which is fixed to the bottom surface of the steam chamber body and the steam escapes on the sole of the iron through steam outlet holes 4 formed in the sole of the iron. This steam iron is a drip valve type, that is, the water box arranged on the steam chamber cover in the steam iron supplies water to the steam chamber through the drip valve (the two are not shown in the figure) arranged in the drip valve hole 4 of the steam chamber cover. water supply in the body.

The steam chamber body 1 has at least two separate steam delivery zones. The first steam delivery zone is used for the standard adjustable steam function and the second steam delivery zone for added steam is equipped with a manually released steam boost function. The first steam delivery zone has a steam generation chamber 6 onto which water drips through a drip valve and steam is generated therein. The water vapor generated in this way diffuses in the first steam delivery region 6 , 8 according to the diffusion arrow 7 marked in FIG. 1 . In this respect, steam passes from the steam generating chamber 6 into the lower steam delivery zone 8 which is only shown as a roughly rectangular hole in FIG. The interior of the steam chamber body 1 is separated by a horizontal wall section 27 (see FIG. 7 ). The steam outlet opening 4 is supplied with steam via a substantially U-shaped lower steam delivery region extending within the steam chamber body, so that the steam can escape from this opening.

The second steam delivery zone 9 likewise has an approximately U-shaped cross section, wherein here the steam passes through a labyrinth of narrow passages, so that the steam diffusion speed is increased and the steam is ejected from the steam discharge opening 4 in a spray-like manner. The first steam delivery zone 6 , 8 is separated from the second steam delivery zone 9 by a vertical wall section 10 . In order to generate a labyrinthine steam generation zone in the second steam delivery zone 9 , there is a further vertical wall section 11 also arranged in a U-shape in this zone. The first and second vapor delivery zones 6 , 8 and 9 are surrounded by an annular outer vertical boundary wall 12 .

A plurality of pin-shaped projections or rivets 13 are molded into the vertical wall sections 10 and 11 , by means of which the steam chamber cover 2 is riveted.

The steam chamber body 1 of FIG. 1 is an aluminum die-cast part with two cast-in electrical terminals 15 of a U-shaped heating element 16 at its rear facing away from the iron tip 14 . Furthermore, the top view of the steam chamber body 1 in FIG. 1 shows a fastening cover 17 for fastening the electric thermostat outside the steam supply area.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view from the outside of the steam chamber cover 2 . The steam chamber cover 2 has a hole 5 for a drip valve, a hole 18 for connecting a thermostat, a hole 19 for a rivet 13 and a water delivery hole 10 for adding steam function. The steam chamber cover 2 has an outer edge region 21 which is slightly smaller than the contour of the boundary wall 12 of the steam delivery area and which can be pressed into the interior of this boundary wall 12 of the steam chamber body 1 . Furthermore, the steam chamber cover 2 has a preformed three-dimensional structure corresponding to the vertical wall section, in particular to its end face 22 . Correspondingly, there are two depressions 23 in the steam chamber cover, which form raised sections in the plan view of the steam chamber cover in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 3 shows the steam chamber cover from its side facing the steam chamber body 1 opposite to FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of the steam chamber body 1 with the installed steam chamber cover 2 . The outer boundary wall 12 of the steam delivery area completely surrounds the matching steam chamber cover 2, wherein a groove is formed by the outer edge region 21 of the steam chamber cover and the upper surface of the embedded boundary wall 12, and the inside can be continuous (convex shown in FIG. 7 ). The location of the raised portion) coats the sealed silicone boss 26 (the silicone boss is not shown in FIG. 4 ). FIG. 4 also shows how the rivets 13 protrude from the outside of the steam chamber cover 2 . Since the rivet 13 is shown in FIG. 4 in the form of a cylindrical pin, it is shown in the unriveted state. The same pin 28 that passes out from the steam chamber cover 2 is used as a ground wire.

FIG. 5 shows a part of the vapor chamber cover 2 in section. In Figure 5, the three-dimensional structure of the vapor chamber cover preform can be seen clearly. The recesses 23 in the steam chamber cover 2 correspond in their position to the vertical wall sections 10 , 11 of the steam chamber body 1 . According to the first embodiment, the width X of the depression 23 is substantially the same as the width of the end faces 22 of the vertical wall sections 10 and 11 . According to the second embodiment there is a small amount of side overlap, so that the width X is reduced relative to the width Y of the end face (see FIG. 6 ) and therefore there is a certain overlap in the connecting region. This results in a more secure press fit between the preformed vapor chamber cover 2 and the vertical wall section in the connection region between the two parts. The steam chamber cover 2 is essentially pressed in in the elastic region (like a clamped spring). The slight press fit creates very little additional deformation in the material width range of 0.05-0.3mm. It is therefore advantageous that the vapor chamber cover 2 can be formed from a harder material than the vapor chamber body since, contrary to the prior art, no special rheological strength of the vapor chamber cover material is required. The steam chamber cover 2 therefore has an outer edge region 21 which is substantially S-shaped.

In FIG. 6 , the steam chamber cover 2 is connected to the steam chamber body 1 . The above-described configuration of the connection between the steam chamber cover 2 and the vertical wall sections 10 , 11 does not require excessive contact force for its connection, so that the die 24 exerts a correspondingly lower contact force. It is thus possible to arrange the lower steam delivery region 8 below the steam delivery region 9 without making undue demands on the stability of the steam chamber body 1 under the load of the die 24 . According to this embodiment, the pressure die 24 has a contact surface corresponding to the three-dimensional structure of the outer surface of the steam chamber cover 2 . The high elasticity of the outer edge region 21 is thus prevented as much as possible when the steam chamber cover 2 is pressed against the vertical wall sections 10 , 11 .

FIG. 7 shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 6 , but in which the stamper 24 has not yet been lowered and the steam chamber cover 2 is still loose on the vertical wall sections 10 , 11 .

The difference between FIG. 8 and that shown in FIG. 7 is only that a stamper 25 according to a second embodiment is used, the surface of the stamper being flat. In this case, the pressing die 25 is first pressed against the area to be connected, ie outside the depression 23 on the steam chamber cover 2 . In the embodiment of the pressing die 24 according to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the entire area of the pressing die 24 is pressed against the outside of the steam chamber cover 2 . The planar stamp 25 therefore only presses against the depressions 23 of the vertical wall sections 10 , 11 . The pressure mold 24 is in contrast additionally also pressed against the steam delivery area.

According to the first embodiment, the end face 22 with the vertical wall sections 10 and 11 adjoining it forms a geometric shape which essentially corresponds to the shape of the depression 23 . According to a second embodiment, which is shown in the drawing, the sides of the vertical wall sections 10 and 11 are formed at an angle with a slight taper in the connecting region. This increases the press fit in the region of the recess 23 of the steam chamber cover 2 , since the edges of the recess 23 are compressed more strongly.

After the steam chamber cover 2 is squeezed, the pin is pressed down and riveted. A silicone bead is then continuously applied to the outer edge region of the vapor chamber cover 2 in the region 26 adjacent to the outer boundary wall of the outermost vapor delivery region.

Claims (14)

1. Steam iron, steam chamber body (1) with steam delivery areas (6, 8, 9), wherein the middle and upper steam delivery areas (6, 9) are hermetically closed by the steam chamber cover (2) and the lower steam delivery area The zone (8) is arranged above the bottom surface (3), wherein the lower steam delivery zone (8) corresponds to the arrangement of the steam discharge holes (4) in the bottom surface, so that steam can be delivered to steam discharge holes (4), wherein the steam chamber body (1) has a vertical wall section (10), which separates the middle steam delivery area (6) from the upper steam delivery area (9) together with the steam chamber cover (2), Therein a horizontal wall section (27) is provided, which isolates the upper steam delivery zone (9) from the lower steam delivery zone (8) at least partially arranged below it, and wherein the end face (22) of the vertical wall section (10) ) is in direct contact with the opposite section (23) of the steam chamber cover (2) and is hermetically connected, wherein all inner surfaces of the steam chamber cover (2) close to the steam chamber body (1) are in direct contact with the steam chamber body in the sealing area without further sealing material, and the vapor chamber cover (2) can be pressed against the vertical wall sections (10, 11) in the elastic region. 2. The steam iron according to claim 1, wherein an additional sealing material (26) is used for the outer edge region (21) of the steam chamber cover (2) and the outer boundary wall (12) of the steam delivery area (6-9) )seal. 3. The steam iron as claimed in claim 2, the sealing material (26) being silicone. 4. The steam iron as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the steam chamber cover (2) has preformed elevations and depressions which correspond to the vertical wall sections (10, 11) and are squeezeable above these paragraphs. 5. The steam iron as claimed in claim 4, wherein the steam chamber cover (2) is connected to the steam chamber body (1) by pressing. 6. The steam iron as claimed in claim 5, wherein the steam chamber cover (2) is additionally riveted to the steam chamber body (1). 7. A method for the manufacture of a steam iron, wherein the steam chamber body and the steam chamber cover are extruded by means of a die, wherein the steam chamber body has a middle and an upper steam delivery zone through a vertical wall cooperating with the steam chamber cover Sections are separated from each other, wherein the end face of the vertical wall section is in direct contact with the opposite section of the steam chamber cover, on which the steam chamber cover can be pressed in the elastic region, and wherein the opposite section of the steam chamber cover is only in its Just prior to extrusion with the vapor chamber body, it is preformed with a structure that mirrors the structure of the vertical wall section. 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inner side of the steam chamber cover has as a structure a depression whose width corresponds to the width of the corresponding vertical wall section in the region of the connection to the steam chamber cover. 9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inner side of the steam chamber cover has as a structure a depression whose width is smaller than the width of the corresponding vertical wall section in the region of the connection to the steam chamber cover. 10. The method as claimed in one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the pressing mold presses the steam chamber cover with a flat surface. 11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pressing mold presses the steam chamber cover with structural surfaces corresponding to the three-dimensional structure of the outside of the steam chamber cover. 12. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the steam chamber cover is additionally riveted to the steam chamber body for fastening. 13. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outer edge region of the steam chamber cover is sealed to the outer boundary wall of the steam delivery region with an additional sealing material. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sealing material is silicone.

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