EP2347631B1 - Electric ironing apparatus having automatic turn on/turn off system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric ironing device with an automatic on / off system.

From the EP 0 768 015 B1 an electric ironing apparatus is known, comprising: a housing with a handle; a soleplate; an electric heater; and an automatic on / off system controlled by a touch sensor that outputs a touch signal when touched. The touch sensor is disposed on the handle and outputs a touch signal when touched. A switch is operably coupled to the touch sensor and automatically shuts the heater off with a time delay when a touch signal from the touch sensor fails. Further, the switch is for turning on or holding the electric heater when the touch sensor outputs a touch signal.

The touch sensor monitors whether the ironing device is being used or not. The automatic on / off system or its switch automatically shuts off the electrical heating device with a time delay if the ironing device is not used for a certain period of time, ie. when the touch signal from the touch sensor fails. Further, the automatic power on / off system automatically turns on or holds the electric heater on when the ironing device is used, i. when the touch sensor provides a touch signal.

Hot ironing devices, especially when turned off and temporarily unused when turned on, present a potential risk of injury since a user or other person may easily be burned by contact with the parked ironing device. In addition, a hot iron that has been left unattended for a long time may cause damage to objects and even fire. Furthermore Conventional irons, including irons of the type described above, consume quite a lot of energy.
The present invention is therefore based on the object or the technical problem of providing a secure electric ironing device with a reduced energy consumption and yet high ironing performance.
This object is achieved by an electric ironing device according to the invention with the features of claim 1.
The electric ironing device according to the invention, in particular an electric steam iron or an electric steam ironing station, comprises: an electric heating device; and an automatic on / off system controlled by a touch sensor that outputs a touch signal when touched, for automatically turning on and off the heater; wherein the automatic power on / off system is adapted and adapted to immediately turn on the heater when the touch sensor outputs a touch signal, and to turn off the heater immediately when a touch signal from the touch sensor is absent; wherein the automatic on / off system comprises a detector adapted and adapted to detect initial start-up of the ironing apparatus. "Immediately turn on" or "switch off immediately" means in the context of the invention that the corresponding switching operation takes place immediately and without a device technology or circuit technology forced switching delay. In practice, the corresponding switching operation therefore preferably takes place within milliseconds.
The touch sensor is preferably designed as a hand sensor or finger sensor and preferably has a plurality of distributed on the handle touch-sensitive individual elements or detector elements.
The solution according to the invention provides a safer electrical ironing device with a reduced energy consumption and nevertheless a high ironing capacity in relation to an overall usage process. The fact that the automatic on / off system switches off the electric heater immediately when a touch signal from the touch sensor fails, the risk of injury from burns at a parked and temporarily or over a longer period unused ironing device considerably reduced. In addition, with the solution according to the invention the risk of damage to objects and the risk of fire can be reduced, which arise when the first hot ironing device is turned off and left unattended for a long time. Because in the case of non-use ironing device according to the invention is turned off much faster and thus can also cool faster than a conventional ironing device.

Moreover, in the ironing apparatus of the present invention, the automatic power on / off system immediately turns on the electric heater when a touch signal is present, ie when a user actually uses the ironing apparatus, only for heating the ironing apparatus or reheating or keeping a predetermined ironing temperature constant Consumes energy when it is actually required for ironing or steam ironing. Thus, an ironing apparatus having improved energy consumption performance may be provided, ultimately resulting in reduced overall energy consumption throughout an overall usage process (i.e., from start-up for ironing operation to retirement).

In addition, the automatic on / off system, which has the aforementioned properties, circuitry can be relatively easily and inexpensively realized.

Preferred and advantageous design features of the ironing device according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims, which find their support in the following description and the drawings.

Examples of preferred embodiments of the ironing device according to the invention with further advantages and details are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and explained in more detail.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Bügelvorrichtung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild von wesentlichen Komponenten der erfindungsgemäßen Bügelvorrichtung von Fig. 1; und

Fig. 3

ein schematisches Blockschaltbild von wesentlichen Komponenten einer erfindungsgemäßen Bügelvorrichtung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view of an ironing device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

a schematic block diagram of essential components of the ironing device according to the invention of Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 3

a schematic block diagram of essential components of an ironing device according to the invention according to a second embodiment.

In the Fig. 1 schematically a first embodiment of an ironing device according to the invention is shown, which is an electric steam iron 2. Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of essential components of the steam iron 2 of the invention Fig. 1 , The steam iron 2 has inter alia a housing 4 with a handle 6, a soleplate 8 with steam outlet openings, a temperature setting knob 10, further controls 12, and in its interior an electric heater 14, a container for evaporation liquid and a steam generating system. In the Fig. 1 is also a part of a led out of the housing 4 power supply cable 16 can be seen, with which the iron 2 is connected to an electrical energy source. The handle 6 is formed in two parts and has an upper part 6a and an integrally formed with the housing 4 lower part 6b.

As in Fig. 2 4, the steam iron 2 is further equipped with an automatic on-off system 20 controlled by a touch sensor 24 which outputs a touch signal when touched, for automatically turning on and off the heater 14. The automatic power-on / power-off system 20 is configured and adapted to immediately SWITCH on the heater 14 when the touch sensor 24 outputs a touch signal, and to immediately SWITCH the heater 14 off when a touch signal from the touch sensor 24 is absent.

The touch sensor 24 is arranged on the handle 6 and thus forms a hand sensor. However, the touch sensor 24 could also be designed completely or partially as a finger sensor. Further, the touch sensor 24, which is configured in this embodiment as a capacitive touch sensor, has a plurality of distributed on the handle 6 touch-sensitive individual elements 28. These are at an upper portion of the handle 6, that is here at its rounded top 6a, respectively. In the present example, five strip-shaped individual elements 28 are provided (of which in the Fig. 1 only three are recognizable due to the perspective representation), but the invention is not limited to this shape and number. The individual elements 28 are preferably made of an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal material or an electrically conductive plastic.

The automatic on / off system 20 includes, among other things, a controller 22 and a temperature controller for controlling a predetermined temperature of the electric heater 14. The temperature controller is configured in this example as a thermostat 18, which is integrated into the automatic on / off system 20 and forms a functional unit with this. The electric heater 14 and the temperature adjusting knob 10 are operatively coupled to the thermostat 18. Via the temperature setting knob 10, a desired (steam) ironing temperature of the iron 2 and thus a predetermined temperature of the electric heating device 14 is set. In operation of the iron 2, the thermostat 18 controls the set temperature of the electric heater 14 and thus the soleplate 8 and the steam generating system.

The thermostat 18, which is functionally coupled to the automatic on / off switching system 20, has a temperature sensor T for directly or indirectly measuring a temperature of the heating device 14. The temperature sensor T outputs a temperature signal to the automatic on / off system 20 and its control device 22. In the present example, the temperature sensor T is an electronic temperature sensor, but the invention is not limited to this type of sensor.

Like from the Fig. 2 Furthermore, the automatic power on / off system 20 includes a single switch S for automatically turning on and off the heater 14. The switch S is operatively coupled to the touch sensor 24 via the controller 22. The switch S is actuated by means of an actuating device 26 under switching conditions described in more detail below. In the present example, the switch S is designed as an electronic or electromagnetic switch. The actuator 26 is therefore a part of the switch S or its switching electronics or switching mechanism itself. In other types of switches, however, other actuators may be used, including mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical, electromagnetic, opto-electronic, actuators, etc., as well as hybrid forms thereof ,

The automatic on / off system 20 is further equipped in the present embodiment with a detector which is designed and adapted to detect a first commissioning of the iron 2 and to provide a corresponding detection signal to the control device 22. For the purposes of the invention, "first use" means that a user connects the iron 2 to an electrical power supply and / or first switches on the connected iron (eg by switching the temperature setting knob 10 from a neutral position (eg OFF) to a position for one certain ironing or Dampfbügeltemperatur) and / or the user touches the touch sensor 24 touched first with connected or first switched on iron and thus the touch sensor 24, therefore, for the first time outputs a first touch signal.

1. a) das Bügeleisen erstmals an das elektrische Stromnetz anschließt; und
2. b) durch erstmaliges Schalten den Temperatur-Einstellknopf 10 von einer Neutralposition (AUS) auf eine Position für eine bestimmte Bügel- oder Dampfbügeltemperatur schaltet; und/oder
3. c) erstmals den Berührungssensor 24 berührt, so dass dieser folglich erstmals ein erstes Berührungssignal ausgibt,

so erhält der Zähler der Kontrolleinrichtung 22 ein entsprechendes Signal, welches den Zähler z.B. auf Eins (1) weiterschaltet. Die Kontrolleinrichtung 22 "weiß" nun, dass eine erstmalige Inbetriebnahme vorliegt. Es ist ersichtlich, dass bereits eine einzelne der vorher genannten Aktionen a) bis c) für ein Erkennen der erstmaligen Inbetriebnahme ausreichend wäre. Das Dampfbügeleisen 2 des vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiels verwendet zur Sicherheit jedoch alle drei Aktionen als Kriterium für eine erstmalige Inbetriebnahme, d.h. alle der zuvor genannten Aktionen a), b), c) müssen ausgeführt sein.The said detector, in this example, is formed by a counter integrated into or associated with the control device 22. If the iron is (or is) disconnected from the mains, this counter will be reset to zero (0). When the user first puts the iron into operation, in the present embodiment

1. a) the iron first connects to the electrical mains; and
2. b) by first switching the temperature setting knob 10 from a neutral position (OFF) to a position for a particular ironing or steam ironing temperature; and or
3. c) for the first time touches the touch sensor 24, so that it consequently outputs a first touch signal for the first time,

Thus, the counter of the control device 22 receives a corresponding signal which switches the counter, for example, to one (1). The control device 22 now "knows" that a first startup is present. It can be seen that even a single one of the aforementioned actions a) to c) would be sufficient for a recognition of the initial startup. However, the steam iron 2 of the present embodiment uses for security all three actions as a criterion for a first startup, ie all of the aforementioned actions a), b), c) must be performed.

The automatic on / off system 20 is further adapted and adapted to immediately turn on the Heater 14 by means of the single switch S in a detected by the detector initial start-up of the iron and as long as ON to HOLD and fully heat until the temperature measured by the temperature sensor T. reaches a predetermined temperature setpoint. This setpoint may e.g. be the predetermined (steam) ironing temperature by means of the temperature setting knob 10 predetermined. If this temperature setpoint value (which can also be within a certain temperature tolerance range) is reached, the automatic on / off switching system 20 automatically switches the heating device off again by means of the switch S. This is done even if a user holds the iron 2 still gripped on the handle 6 in the hand, i. even if the touch sensor 24 still outputs a touch signal. This serves to avoid further heating and consequently overheating of the heating device 14 or the soleplate 8 2.

In addition to the above-described functions of the steam iron 2 of the present invention associated with initial startup, the automatic power on / off system 20 is configured and adapted to immediately turn the heater 14 ON when both the touch sensor 24 outputs a touch signal and the touch sensor 24 from Temperature sensor T measured temperature is below a predetermined temperature threshold (eg below a set desired steam ironing temperature). This makes it possible to heat the heater only then and to consume energy only when the current temperature of the heater 14 and thus the soleplate 8 and the steam generating system for a current (steam) ironing process is too low AND the user the iron 2 actually used in this moment. Thus, unlike conventional irons, the steam iron 2 of the present invention will not heat up and consume energy when, for example, it is only turned off and the temperature drops to a lower value than said predetermined temperature threshold. On the other hand, if the steam iron 2 is actually used by a user, the heating device will only be turned ON and reheated if the current temperature falls below said predetermined temperature threshold - but then immediately.

In addition to the above-described functions of the steam iron 2 of the present invention, the automatic power on / off system 20 is further configured and adapted to immediately POWER OFF the heater 14 when the touch sensor 24 outputs a touch signal AND the temperature measured by the temperature sensor T is above a predetermined temperature limit. Threshold is. This prevents unnecessary heating of the heater 14 and hence unnecessary power consumption if the heater 14 already has a sufficient temperature; that is, when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor T is already equal to or above the predetermined temperature threshold (e.g., the desired steam ironing temperature set).

1. a) eine sofortige Einschaltung der Erwärmungseinrichtung (14) zu unterdrücken, d.h., die Erwärmungseinrichtung (14) AUSGESCHALTET ZU HALTEN, wenn die vom Temperatursensor T gemessene Temperatur oberhalb des vorbestimmten Temperatur-Schwellenwertes liegt; und
2. b) die Erwärmungseinrichtung 14 sofort wieder EINZUSCHALTEN, wenn die vom Temperatursensor T gemessene Temperatur den vorbestimmten Temperatur-Schwellenwert wieder erreicht, d.h. hier, auf diesen Wert abgesunken ist.

In order to save energy, and since no further heating of the heater 14 is needed when the heater 14 is already at a sufficient temperature, the automatic power on / off system 20 is further configured to operate in the presence of a touch signal from the touch sensor 24

1. a) to suppress an immediate activation of the heating device (14), ie to keep the heating device (14) OFF when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor T is above the predetermined temperature threshold value; and
2. b) immediately turn the heating device 14 ON again when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor T reaches the predetermined temperature threshold again, ie here, has dropped to this value.

In the Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of essential components of an ironing device according to the invention according to a second embodiment shown. This variant largely corresponds to that according to the Fig. 1 and 2 , Same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG Fig. 2 and a re-explanation of these components is omitted.

Unlike the first embodiment according to Fig. 1 and 2 , indicates in the variant Fig. 3 the automatic on / off system 20 two series-connected switches S1, S2 for automatically switching on and off of the heating device 14 on.

In this example, the first switch S1 is an electronic switch which is assigned to the touch sensor 24 and can be controlled via it. When the touch sensor 24 outputs a touch signal, the switch S1 is closed. If the touch sensor 24 does not output a touch signal, the switch S1 is open.

The second switch S2 is in this example a mechanical switch associated with the thermostat 18. The actuating device 26 of the switch S2 is essentially formed by a bimetal element of the thermostat 18 in this example. This bimetal element, which simultaneously functions here as a temperature sensor T, is coupled to the temperature setting knob 10 and can be manipulated by it. Depending on the set (steam) ironing temperature, the bimetallic element can thus open and close the switch S2 as a function of the temperature of the heating device 14 or the soleplate 8.

If the temperature detected by the bimetallic element in its function as a temperature sensor T is below a predetermined temperature threshold (e.g., below a set desired steam ironing temperature), the switch S2 is closed. On the other hand, if the detected temperature has reached or exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold, the switch S2 is open.

Due to the series connection of the two switches S1 and S2 can thus be realized substantially the same switching operations, already in connection with the variant of Fig. 1 have been described.

For immediate ON / OFF of the heater 14, it is necessary that both switches S1 and S2 are closed. On the other hand, immediate stopping or stopping of the heating device 14 takes place when at least one of the switches S1 or S2 is open, or also when both switches S1 and S2 are open. In this case, the switch S1 switches as a function of the presence or absence of a touch signal of the touch sensor 24 while the switch S2 switches as a function of temperature and as a function of a temperature of the heating device 14 that is directly or indirectly detected by the temperature sensor T or controlled by the thermostat 18.

Is, as in the example below Fig. 3 , the first switch S1 associated with a control device 22, so can also be the one-turn function in a corresponding manner realize that in connection with the first embodiment of Fig. 1 and 2 with regard to the initial commissioning of the iron 2 has been explained.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of the claims, the ironing device according to the invention may also assume other than the above concretely described embodiments. In particular, features of the individual embodiments can also be combined with each other.

Furthermore, the touch sensor can optionally be combined with a position sensor or motion sensor, which detects the position or movement of the ironing device and allows automatic shutdown of the electric heating device also in dependence of the position of the ironing device or in the absence of movement of the ironing device.

The ironing device according to the invention may also have a signal generator which signals the user to heat the iron and / or a certain (steam) ironing temperature.

The solution according to the invention can also be used in ironing devices, which are so-called constant-temperature irons or steam irons, which manage without temperature-adjusting elements and optionally also without temperature sensors. In this type of iron, the soleplate for all ironing or Dampfbügeloperationen is held only on a single, manually not changeable by the user, "constant" temperature. However, this temperature may vary within a narrow temperature range. For example, the constant (steam) ironing temperature may range from about 180 ° C to 190 ° C. The automatic on / off system can in turn have a detector for detecting a first start-up of the iron, as already described above in connection with the Fig. 1 and 2 has been described. And the automatic on / off system may include a timer associated with the heater for making a predetermined duty cycle of the heater. Preferably, the automatic startup / shutdown system is then adapted and adapted to immediately START UP the heater at a first startup sensed by the detector, to be kept ON by the timer system for the predetermined ON time (eg, 45 seconds) (even then, if, during this predetermined period of time, the user puts the iron out of hand again, ie, if the touch signal fails again during this predetermined time period), and after expiration of the predetermined duty cycle (ie, when the predetermined constant / steam / ironing temperature is reached) SHUT DOWN immediately. Although said time switching system as in the previous example mentioned is preferably used in ironing devices that have no temperature sensor for the heating device or the soleplate, they can in principle also be used in ironing devices application, which are equipped with a temperature sensor or temperature controller (eg a thermostat).

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the automatic power on / off system 20 is configured and adapted to immediately turn the heater 14 ON when the touch sensor 24 outputs a touch signal and to HOLD and fully heat until the temperature of the heater 14 reaches a predetermined temperature Has reached (or the temperature measured by the temperature sensor T has reached a predetermined temperature setpoint value), and then the heater 14 regardless of whether the touch sensor 24 outputs a touch signal or not, immediately OFF. Of course, if the heater 14 already has a sufficiently high temperature while the user is holding the iron in the hand (and the touch sensor 24 is outputting a touch signal), the immediate power-up 14 can be optionally suppressed similarly as described in the previous embodiments. On the other hand, in this specific case, the heating device 14 is switched off immediately even if the user still holds the iron in his hand and the touch sensor 24 consequently outputs a touch signal, since the temperature of the heating device 14 is already sufficiently high, and thus another switched on -keep and heating up would be superfluous. Likewise, or as an additional technical effect, the heating device 14 is therefore immediately switched off when the user no longer holds the iron in hand (so a touch signal from the touch sensor 24 fails), but the temperature of the heater 14 is already sufficiently high. Because even in this case, it would be unnecessary to switch on and heat up again. The temperature values at which the heater 14 is turned on or off may also be set within a predetermined temperature threshold range. The above-described technical features of the automatic on / off system 20 can be used both for a first time

Initial use of the iron as well as during subsequent use of the iron within a particular ironing operation can be used.

Reference signs in the claims, the description and the drawings are only for the better understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

Electric ironing device / steam iron

4

casing

6

handle

6a

top

6b

lower part

8th

soleplate

10

Temperature adjustment knob

12

controls

14

Electric heating device

16

Power cable

18

thermostat

20

Automatic on / off system

22

control device

24

touch sensor

26

Actuator for S or S2

28

Touch-sensitive individual elements of 24

S

switch

S1

First switch

S2

Second switch

T

temperature sensor

Claims (12)

1. Electric ironing apparatus (2), in particular electric steam iron or electric steam iron station, comprising:

   - an electric heating device (14); and

   - an automatic turn on/turn off system (20), controlled by a touch sensor (24) which outputs a touch signal when touched, for automatically turning the heating device (14) on and off;

   wherein the automatic turn on/turn off system (20) is designed and adjusted to immediately TURN ON the heating device (14) when the touch sensor (24) outputs a touch signal, and to immediately TURN OFF the heating device (14) when a touch signal does not appear from the touch sensor (24); wherein the automatic turn on/turn off system (20) has a detector (22), which is designed and adjusted to detect an initial start-up of the ironing apparatus (2).
2. Ironing apparatus (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that this has a temperature controller (18) for controlling a predetermined temperature of the electric heating device (14).
3. Ironing apparatus (2) according to claim 2, characterised in that the temperature controller (18) is functionally coupled to the automatic turn on/turn off system (20); and the temperature controller (18) has a temperature sensor (T) for measuring a temperature of the heating device (14), which temperature sensor (T) outputs a temperature signal to the automatic turn on/turn off system (20).
4. Ironing apparatus (2) according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the temperature controller (18) is integrated into the automatic turn on/turn off system (20).
5. Ironing apparatus (2) according to one or a number of the afore-cited claims, characterised in that the automatic turn on/turn off system (20) has an individual switch (S) for automatically turning the heating device (14) on and off.
6. Ironing apparatus (2) according to one or a number of the afore-cited claims, characterised in that the automatic turn on/turn off system (20) has at least two switches (S 1, S2) that are connected in series to automatically turn the heating device (14) on and off.
7. Ironing apparatus (2) according to one or a number of the afore-cited claims, characterised in that the automatic turn on/turn off system (20) is designed and adjusted to immediately TURN ON the heating device (14) when both the touch sensor (24) outputs a touch signal AND ALSO the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (T) lies below a predetermined temperature threshold value.
8. Ironing apparatus (2) according to one or a number of the afore-cited claims, characterised in that the automatic turn on/turn off system (20) is designed and adjusted to immediately TURN OFF the heating device (14) when the touch sensor (24) outputs a touch signal AND the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (T) lies above a predetermined temperature threshold value.
9. Ironing apparatus (2) according to one or a number of the afore-cited claims, characterised in that in the presence of a touch signal from the touch sensor (24), the automatic turn on/turn off system (20) is designed,

   (a) to prevent an immediate turning-on of the heating device (14) and TO KEEP the heating device (14) TURNED OFF when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (T) lies above a predetermined temperature threshold value; and

   b) to immediately TURN ON the heating device (14) when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (T) is reduced to the predetermined temperature threshold value.
10. Ironing apparatus (2) according to one or a number of the afore-cited claims, characterised in that the automatic turn on/turn off system (20) is designed and adjusted to immediately TURN ON the heating device (14) with an initial start-up of the ironing apparatus (2) detected by the detector (22) and TO KEEP it TURNED ON and to completely heat it until the temperature measured by the temperature sensor (T) reaches a predetermined temperature target value.
11. Ironing apparatus (2) according to one or a number of the afore-cited claims, characterised in that the automatic turn on/turn off system (20) has a time setting system assigned to the heating device (14) for establishing a predetermined turn-on duration of the heating device (14), and the automatic turn on/turn off system (20) is designed and adjusted to immediately TURN ON the heating device (14) with an initial start-up of the ironing apparatus (2) detected by the detector (22), TO KEEP it TURNED ON during the predetermined turn-on duration by the time setting system and to immediately TURN it OFF again once the predetermined turn-on duration has elapsed.
12. Ironing apparatus (2) according to one or a number of the afore-cited claims, characterised in that the automatic turn-on/turn-off system (20) is designed and adjusted,

    a) to immediately TURN ON the heating device (14) when the touch sensor (24) outputs a touch signal, and

    b) TO KEEP it TURNED ON and to completely heat it until the heating device (14) reaches a predetermined temperature target value, and then

    c) to immediately TURN OFF the heating device (14) irrespective of whether or not the touch sensor (24) outputs a touch signal.

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