U.S. patent application number 13/981877 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-12 for iron.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Yasuharu Otsuka, Kiichi Shimosaka. Invention is credited to Yasuharu Otsuka, Kiichi Shimosaka.
Application Number | 20130327759 13/981877 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46878993 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130327759 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Otsuka; Yasuharu ; et
al. |
December 12, 2013 |
IRON
Abstract
An iron according to the present invention includes an excessive
temperature-rise preventing device coupled in series with a circuit
of a heater, and an excessive temperature-rise preventing device
securing part for attaching the excessive temperature-rise
preventing device to a base. The base is disposed to be heatable by
the heater with a different heating capacity. The excessive
temperature-rise preventing device with a different operation
temperature for breaking the circuit of the heater is selectively
attached to the excessive temperature-rise preventing device
securing part, in accordance with the heating capacity of the
heater.
Inventors: |
Otsuka; Yasuharu; (Shiga,
JP) ; Shimosaka; Kiichi; (Shiga, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Otsuka; Yasuharu
Shimosaka; Kiichi |
Shiga
Shiga |
|
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
PANASONIC CORPORATION
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
46878993 |
Appl. No.: |
13/981877 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
March 13, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2012/001720 |
371 Date: |
July 25, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/251 ;
38/77.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 75/38 20130101;
D06F 75/18 20130101; D06F 75/26 20130101; D06F 75/24 20130101; D06F
75/30 20130101; D06F 75/16 20130101; D06F 75/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/251 ;
38/77.8 |
International
Class: |
D06F 75/26 20060101
D06F075/26; D06F 75/14 20060101 D06F075/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 24, 2011 |
JP |
2011-065559 |
Mar 6, 2012 |
JP |
2012-048769 |
Claims
1. An iron, comprising: a base heated by a heater; a vaporization
chamber formed in the base; steam jetting holes for jetting steam
generated in the vaporization chamber; a temperature controller for
controlling the base to be maintained at a predetermined
temperature; an excessive temperature-rise preventing device
coupled in series with a circuit of the heater; and an excessive
temperature-rise preventing device securing part for attaching the
excessive temperature-rise preventing device to the base, wherein
the base is disposed to be heatable by the heater with a different
heating capacity, and the excessive temperature-rise preventing
device with a different operation temperature for breaking the
circuit of the heater is selectively attached to the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device securing part in accordance with
the heating capacity of the heater.
2. The iron according to claim 1, wherein the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device securing part and a
temperature-controller securing part for securing the temperature
controller are disposed adjacent to a passage of the steam, the
passage through which the steam generated in the vaporization
chamber flows toward the steam jetting holes, and the
temperature-controller securing part is disposed in a more
downstream side of the passage of the steam than the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device securing part.
3. The iron according to claim 2, wherein the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device securing part and the
temperature-controller securing part are formed close to each
other, and the excessive temperature-rise preventing device
securing part and the temperature-controller securing part are
consecutively disposed.
4. The iron according to claim 2, wherein the
temperature-controller securing part is surrounded by the passage
of the steam, the passage through which the steam flows from the
vaporization chamber toward the steam jetting holes.
5. The iron according to claim 2, wherein a rear end part of the
base is formed in a pointed shape, both ends of the heater formed
in an approximately U-shape are exposed from an upper surface side
of a rear end part side of the base, and the passage of the steam
through which the steam flows from the vaporization chamber toward
the steam jetting holes includes an extended part formed from the
ends of the heater toward the rear end part side of the base, with
the extended part being formed in both the upper surface side and a
lower surface side of the base.
6. The iron according to claim 1, wherein the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device is any one of a thermal fuse and
a bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus.
7. The iron according to claim 2, wherein the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device is any one of a thermal fuse and
a bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus.
8. The iron according to claim 3, wherein the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device is any one of a thermal fuse and
a bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus.
9. The iron according to claim 4, wherein the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device is any one of a thermal fuse and
a bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus.
10. The iron according to claim 5, wherein the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device is any one of a thermal fuse and
a bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to irons used for smoothing
out creases on clothes and the like.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, this type of iron is equipped with a thermal
fuse to prevent thermal damage in such a manner that the thermal
fuse operates (a eutectic alloy melts) when temperature of its base
heated by a heater rises to exceed a normal service temperature.
The surface of the thermal fuse is a live part. In order to provide
an electrical insulation configuration of the surface of the
thermal fuse, the thermal fuse is held with a spatial distance from
the base that serves as a heating part. Moreover, the surface of
the thermal fuse is in contact with the surface of the base via an
electrical insulator (see Patent Literature 1, for example).
[0003] The thermal fuse is generally cheap, but its usable
temperature is relatively low (commonly approximately 226.degree.
C.). When used in a device which is heated to high temperatures
such as an iron, the thermal fuse requires the electrical
insulation configuration and an adjustment to its heat-sensing
characteristics based on the configuration.
[0004] On the other hand, as an excessive temperature-rise
preventing device which features relatively-high usable
temperatures (commonly approximately 270.degree. C.), a
bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing device has been
considered (see Patent Literature 2, for example).
[0005] FIG. 9 is a top view of a principal part of a conventional
iron. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an excessive
temperature-rise preventing device of the conventional iron. In the
iron described in Patent Literature 2, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10,
excessive temperature-rise preventing device 153 is connected in
series with a circuit of heater 152 buried in base 151. Excessive
temperature-rise preventing device 153 includes a heat-sensing part
which is formed by covering the bottom of the device with bottom
cover 154 formed of a metal member with a good thermal
conductivity, such as an aluminum one. In addition, over bottom
cover 154, there are disposed reverse bimetal 155, insulator 156,
and conductive metal part 158 with spring properties, the end of
which is provided with contact point 157.
[0006] Then, when excessive temperature-rise preventing device 153
reaches a predetermined temperature, reverse bimetal 155 reverses
upward to push and lift conductive metal part 158 via insulator
156. As a result, contact point 157 disposed in the end portion of
conductive metal part 158 is opened to break the circuit of heater
152. Excessive temperature-rise preventing device 153 is held, by
conductive metal members 159, to terminal block 160 composed of an
electrical insulator. When terminal block 160 is secured to base
151 with a securing part such as a screw, preventing device 153 as
well is secured to base 151. With this configuration, preventing
device 153 is configured to come in contact or pressure-contact
with the upper surface of base 151. Accordingly, the temperature of
base 151 is reliably transferred to preventing device 153. As a
result, excessive temperature-rise preventing device 153 can
provide improved thermal responsiveness and reduced variations in
its operation temperature.
[0007] However, the conventional configuration described above has
posed a problem that, when the heater buried in the base has a
different heating capacity, the excessive temperature-rise
preventing device is unable to appropriately break the circuit of
the heater. In general, the base of an iron is formed by aluminum
die-casting. Therefore, the heater is buried during the die-casting
of the base, which can improve the thermal conductivity to the
base, resulting in effective heating of the base. The heating
capacity of the heater used in the iron is commonly 600 W to 1 kW.
A large amount of heat is consumed when the base is heated up to a
setting temperature in a shorter period of time or when water is
instantly vaporized to increase an amount of steam generation.
Accordingly, in order to maintain a vaporization chamber at a
proper temperature for vaporization, a high heating-capacity heater
of 2 kW, for example, is employed.
[0008] With the base heated by the high heating-capacity heater, a
temperature controller is cooled due to a large amount of the steam
generation, resulting in a longer current-carrying period of the
heater. This causes overheating of a portion which does not undergo
the cooling due to the vaporization, which leads to a greater
temperature difference from a portion which undergoes the cooling,
resulting in a large nonuniformity in the temperature over the
base. Consequently, when using a thermal fuse with a low operation
temperature, this configuration has a defect where the nonuniform
local overheating of the base causes the thermal fuse to reach its
rated operation temperature under usual service conditions. As a
result, there has been a problem that the circuit of the heater is
accidentally broken.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literatures
[0009] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication
No. S59-46999
[0010] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication
No. H09-192400
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An iron according to the present invention includes a base
heated by a heater, a vaporization chamber formed in the base,
steam jetting holes for jetting steam generated in the vaporization
chamber, a temperature controller for controlling the base to be
maintained at a predetermined temperature, an excessive
temperature-rise preventing device which is coupled in series with
a circuit of the heater, and an excessive temperature-rise
preventing device securing part for attaching the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device to the base. The base is
disposed to be heatable by the heater with different heating
capacities. The excessive temperature-rise preventing device is
configured to be attached to the excessive temperature-rise
preventing device securing part, in a selective manner. That is,
the preventing device is configured to selectively have a different
operation temperature for breaking the circuit of the heater, in
accordance with the heating capacity of the heater.
[0012] With this configuration, even in the case where the base is
heated by a high heating-capacity heater, the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device is prevented from reaching its
rated operation temperature because of nonuniform overheating under
usual service conditions. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a
defect where the circuit of the heater is accidentally broken
during use. Moreover, in the case where the base is heated by the
heater with a usual heating capacity, the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device with a different configuration
can be attached to the base that is formed in an identical shape.
As a result, it is possible to achieve compatibility between the
prevention of the defect described above and greater ease of
manufacturing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of a base of an iron according to a
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of the base of the iron according to
the first embodiment of the invention, with an excessive
temperature-rise preventing device being attached to the base.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of the base of the iron according to
the first embodiment of the invention, with a thermal fuse being
attached to the base.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 3.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of
FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of
FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a top view of a principal part of a conventional
iron.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an excessive
temperature-rise preventing device of the conventional iron.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Hereinafter, descriptions of embodiments of the present
invention will be made, with reference to the accompanying
drawings. Note, however, that it should be understood that the
present invention are not limited to the descriptions.
First Exemplary Embodiment
[0023] FIG. 1 is a top view of a base of an iron according to a
first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of
the base of the iron according to the first embodiment of the
invention, in which an excessive temperature-rise preventing device
is attached to the base. FIG. 3 is a top view of the base of the
iron according to the first embodiment of the invention, in which a
thermal fuse is attached to the base. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional
view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional
view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional
view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional
view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional
view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6.
[0024] In FIGS. 1 to 8, base 101 is formed by die-casting with an
aluminum alloy or the like. Base 101 is heated by heater 102 that
is buried during the die-casting of the base. Heater 102 is
configured with a sheathed heater which is bent in an approximately
U-shape. In the lower surface side of base 101, ironing surface
member 101a is attached. In the front and rear end portions of
ironing surface member 101a, front end part 101b and rear end part
101c are respectively formed in a pointed shape with approximately
the same angle. With this configuration, a user can move the iron
forward and backward during ironing, without changing the holding
direction of the iron. End part 102a and end part 102b of heater
102 formed in the approximately U-shape are exposed from the upper
surface side in the rear end part 101c side of base 101.
[0025] In the upper surface side of base 101, vaporization chamber
103 is disposed which generates steam by vaporizing water supplied
from a water tank (not shown). Vaporization chamber 103 is disposed
in the inside surrounded by heater 102 buried in base 101. The
steam generated in vaporization chamber 103 passes through steam
passage 104a to jet from a large number of steam jetting holes 105
disposed in ironing surface member 101a.
[0026] The steam, generated by vaporizing the water which is
supplied to front part 103a of vaporization chamber 103, flows in
the arrow A direction toward rear end part 101c of base 101. The
steam passes through steam passage 104a formed in the upper surface
side of base 101, communication part 106a disposed outside heater
102 buried in base 101, and steam passage 104b formed in the lower
surface side of base 101, and then reaches steam jetting holes
105.
[0027] Steam passage 104b is formed in an oval shape such that the
front part and the rear part thereof communicate with each other in
the upper surface side of ironing surface member 101a. Moreover, in
steam passage 104a, extended part 104c is formed from end parts
102a and 102b of heater 102 toward rear end part 101c of base 101.
Extended part 104c is formed in both sides of base 101, i.e., the
upper surface side and the lower surface side.
[0028] Temperature controller 107 senses the temperature of base
101 heated by heater 102 so as to control base 101 to be maintained
at a predetermined temperature. Temperature controller 107 is
coupled in series with a circuit of heater 102, and turns ON and
OFF heater 102 to control the base to be maintained at a setting
temperature set by the user. Temperature controller 107 is secured
to temperature-controller securing part 108 formed in base 101.
[0029] Excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 breaks the
circuit of heater 102 when the temperature of base 101 heated by
heater 102 rises to exceed a range of normal service temperature,
which prevents thermal damage to base 101. Excessive
temperature-rise preventing device 109 is secured to excessive
temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110 that is formed
in base 101.
[0030] Base 101 is disposed to be heatable by heater 102 (600 W to
1 kW for common use, or 2 kW for use where a large amount of steam
is generated, for example). Base 101 of the iron is manufactured in
an identical shape with a desired heating capacity by using a
commonly-usable metal mold in such a manner that: One heater 102
that is selected from the heaters formed in an identical shape with
different heating capacities is buried in the base during the
formation of the base.
[0031] Excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 is selected
to have a different operation temperature at which the circuit of
heater 102 is broken, in accordance with the heating capacity of
heater 102 buried in base 101. Preventing device 109 is secured to
excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110.
Preventing device 109 is selected from thermal fuse 109a and
bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus
109b.
[0032] Thermal fuse 109a is such that a eutectic alloy melts to
break the circuit. Thermal fuse 109a has a low operation
temperature, and is cheap. In contrast, bimetal-type excessive
temperature-rise preventing apparatus 109b has a high operation
temperature, but it is expensive compared with thermal fuse 109a.
Whichever one is selected as excessive temperature-rise preventing
devices 109 in accordance with the heating capacity of heater 102
buried in base 101, the preventing device can be attached and
secured to excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing
part 110 formed in base 101.
[0033] Thermal fuse 109a is disposed, for example, in the inside of
heat-resistant electrical insulator 111 that is cylindrically
formed of a ceramic or the like. One end of thermal fuse 109a is
supported from below by heat conductive body 112 with good thermal
conductivity that is secured to excessive temperature-rise
preventing device securing part 110. Heat conductive body 112 is
formed of a good thermal-conductive metal such as aluminum, for
example. Heat conductive body 112 is such that holding part 112a
fits with and secures, from the outside, electrical insulator 111
that accommodates thermal fuse 109a. With this configuration, heat
of base 101 is transferred to thermal fuse 109a via heat conductive
body 112. Heat conductive body 112 is secured to excessive
temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110, with such as
screw 112b.
[0034] Bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus
109b is configured such that, when the preventing apparatus reaches
a predetermined temperature, a reverse bimetal reverses upward to
push and lift a conductive metal part via an insulator. This opens
a contact point disposed at the end portion of the conductive metal
part so as to break the circuit of heater 102. Consequently, the
operation temperature of bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise
preventing apparatus 109b is high (commonly approximately
270.degree. C.). A specific configuration of preventing apparatus
109b is the same as that described in FIG. 10; therefore, the
detailed description thereof in FIG. 10 is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0035] Excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part
110 for securing excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109
and temperature-controller securing part 108 for securing
temperature controller 107, are disposed to be located along
vaporization chamber 103 that generates the steam, and along a
passage of steam through which the steam generated in vaporization
chamber 103 flows toward steam jetting holes 105. Securing part 108
is disposed in a more downstream side of the passage of steam than
securing part 110. Then, securing part 108 and securing part 110
are close to each other with an approximately equal height, and are
consecutively formed in base 101.
[0036] Moreover, temperature-controller securing part 108 is
surrounded by vaporization chamber 103 and by steam passage 104a
through which the steam flows from vaporization chamber 103 toward
steam jetting holes 105, which renders the securing part
susceptible to heat removal.
[0037] Second vaporization chamber 113 that is formed adjacent to
vaporization chamber 103 in base 101 so as to generate an extra
steam in addition to the usual steam generated in vaporization
chamber 103. Second vaporization chamber 113 is capable of
generating the extra steam by using a large amount of water
temporarily supplied from a water tank (not shown) with a pump
device (not shown) or the like.
[0038] The extra steam generated in second vaporization chamber 113
passes through steam passage 104d formed in the upper surface side
of base 101, communication part 106b disposed outside heater 102
buried in base 101, and steam passage 104b formed in the lower
surface side of base 101, and then reaches steam jetting holes 105.
Excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110 is
adjacent to second vaporization chamber 113, and also to steam
passage 104d. Securing part 110 is deprived of heat by the extra
steam generated temporarily in a large amount.
[0039] Lid body 114 covers, from the upper surface side of base
101, and demarcates vaporization chamber 103 formed in the upper
surface side of base 101, steam passage 104a, extended part 104c
formed in the upper surface side of base 101, steam passage 104d,
and second vaporization chamber 113. Temperature controller 107 and
excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109, which are
attached to base 101, are disposed above lid body 114.
[0040] Temperature controller 107 and excessive temperature-rise
preventing device 109 are coupled in series with heater 102 by
means of conductive metal body 115. One end part 102a of heater 102
and one end of preventing device 109 (109a, 109b) are coupled with
each other by means of first conductive metal body 115a. Then, the
other end of preventing device 109 (109a, 109b) and one end of
temperature controller 107 are coupled with each other by means of
second conductive metal body 115b. The other end of third
conductive metal body 115c that is coupled with the other end of
temperature controller 107, is extended backward to reach the
vicinity of the other end part 102b of heater 102. Moreover, the
other end part 102b of heater 102 is coupled with fourth conductive
metal body 115d. Both third conductive metal body 115c and fourth
conductive metal body 115d are coupled with a power cord (not
shown).
[0041] Conductive metal body 115 (115a to 115d) employs the same
configuration regardless of whether excessive temperature-rise
preventing device 109 is coupled with thermal fuse 109a or with
bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus 109b.
In either case, the conductive metal body employs the bodies, i.e.
from first conductive metal body 115a to fourth conductive metal
body 115d.
[0042] Hereinafter, operations and functions of the thus-configured
iron will be described. Selected from among the heaters formed in
the identical shape with different heating capacities, one heater
102 is buried in base 101 during the formation of base 101. As a
result, base 101 is formed in the identical shape in which heater
102 with a different heating capacity is buried. In the case where
heater 102 with a high heating capacity (e.g. 2 kW) is buried in
base 101, base 101 is heated by high heating-capacity heater 102,
so that the temperature of base 101 rapidly rises up to a setting
temperature in a short period of time. Moreover, during ironing,
even when the amount of the steam generation is increased to
enhance the effect of smoothing out creases, the temperature of
vaporization chamber 103 can be maintained at a proper temperature
for vaporization.
[0043] When used with the usual steam generation, base 101 offers a
smaller nonuniformity in temperature. However, when used with an
increased amount of the steam generation using a large amount of
water supplied to second vaporization chamber 113 with such as a
pump device, the temperature in the vicinity of second vaporization
chamber 113 decreases. Temperature-controller securing part 108, to
which temperature controller 107 is secured, is disposed adjacent
to second vaporization chamber 113 and also to steam passage 104d
through which the steam generated in second vaporization chamber
113 flows toward steam jetting holes 105. This causes
temperature-controller securing part 108 to cool down, which allows
temperature controller 107 to appropriately sense such a
temperature decrease of the vicinity of second vaporization chamber
113.
[0044] When the temperature of the vicinity of second vaporization
chamber 113 decreases, temperature controller 107 lengthens a
current-carrying period of heater 102 so as to maintain the
vicinity of second vaporization chamber 113 at the proper
temperature for vaporization. However, when base 101 is being
heated by high heating-capacity heater 102, a portion, not
undergoing the cooling due to vaporization, of base 101 will be
overheated, resulting in an increase in the temperature difference
from a portion undergoing the cooling due to vaporization. This
causes a greater nonuniformity by location in the temperature of
base 101. Even in this case, securing part 110 can be effectively
cooled because excessive temperature-rise preventing device
securing part 110 is adjacent to both second vaporization chamber
113 and steam passage 104d. Moreover, if excessive temperature-rise
preventing device 109 is configured selectively with bimetal-type
excessive temperature-rise preventing apparatus 109b that features
the high operation temperature, preventing device 109 does not
reach its rated operation temperature, which can prevent a defect
where the circuit of heater 102 is accidentally broken during
use.
[0045] Furthermore, because base 101 is formed in the identical
shape, when heater 102 with a usual heating capacity (e.g. 1 kW) is
buried in base 101, the same excessive temperature-rise preventing
device securing part 110 can be attached with thermal fuse 109a
that is an excessive temperature-rise preventing device featuring a
low price and a low operation temperature in accordance with the
heating capacity of the heater.
[0046] As described above, the iron according to the embodiment
includes excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109 (109a,
109b) that is coupled in series with the circuit of heater 102, and
excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110 with
which preventing device 109 (109a, 109b) is attached to base 101.
Base 101 is disposed to be heatable by heater 102 with a different
heating capacity. Moreover, preventing device 109 (109a, 109b) with
a different operation temperature for breaking the circuit of
heater 102, is selectively attached to securing part 110 in
accordance with the heating capacity of heater 102. With this
configuration, it is possible to prevent the defect where the
circuit of heater 102 is accidentally broken during use due to
nonuniform overheating by high heating-capacity heater 102.
Furthermore, excessive temperature-rise preventing device 109
(109a, 109b) even with the different configuration can be attached
easily and rationally. This brings about the compatibility between
greater ease of manufacturing and the prevention of the defect
where the temperature of preventing device 109 (109a, 109b) reaches
its rated operation temperature to break the circuit of heater
102.
[0047] Moreover, the iron according to the embodiment includes
extended part 104c formed in the rear end part 101c side of base
101. The formation of extended part 104c in both the upper surface
side and the lower surface side of base 101 can prevent rear end
part 101c from overheating. In general, vaporization chamber 103 is
disposed in the front part of base 101, which decreases the
temperature of base 101 due to the steam generation.
[0048] On the other hand, in the rear part of base 101, the
temperature decrease of base 101 due to the steam generation is so
small that the temperature rises through the current-currying of
heater 102. The formation of extended part 104c from end parts 102a
and 102b of heater 102 toward rear end part 101c of base 101,
allows the steam to suppress the temperature rise at the rear part
of base 101 and also to prevent the overheating of rear end part
101c efficiently from both the upper and lower surface sides of
base 101. In addition, rear end part 101c is formed in the same
pointed shape as front end part 101b, which can prevent a possible
operating error where the iron makes undesirable creases in ironing
when it is moved backward. As a result, it is possible to configure
the iron with ease of use.
[0049] Note that the passage of steam is a path through which the
steam generated in vaporization chamber 103 flows to reach steam
jetting holes 105. Both temperature-controller securing part 108
and excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part 110
are configured to be surrounded by vaporization chamber 103, steam
passages 104a and 104d, second vaporization chamber 113, and the
like. With this configuration, the decrease in the temperature of
base 101 can be appropriately sensed in accordance with the steam
generation.
[0050] As described above, the iron according to the present
invention includes the base heated by the heater, the vaporization
chamber formed in the base, the steam jetting holes for jetting
steam generated in the vaporization chamber, the temperature
controller for controlling the base to be maintained at a
predetermined temperature, the excessive temperature-rise
preventing device which is coupled in series with the circuit of
the heater, and the excessive temperature-rise preventing device
securing part for attaching the excessive temperature-rise
preventing device to the base. The base is disposed to be heatable
by the heater with a different heating capacity. It is configured
that the excessive temperature-rise preventing device with a
different operation temperature for breaking the circuit of the
heater is selectively attached to the excessive temperature-rise
preventing device securing part in accordance with the heating
capacity of the heater.
[0051] With this configuration, even in the case where the base is
heated by the high heating-capacity heater, the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device is prevented from reaching its
rated operation temperature because of the nonuniform overheating
under usual service conditions.
[0052] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the defect where the
circuit of the heater is broken accidentally during use. Moreover,
in the case where the base is heated by the heater with a usual
heating capacity, the excessive temperature-rise preventing device
with a different configuration can be attached to the base that is
formed in the identical shape. Consequently, it is possible to
manufacture the iron easily and rationally.
[0053] Moreover, in the iron according to the present invention,
both the excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part
and the temperature-controller securing part for securing the
temperature controller are disposed adjacent to the passage of
steam through which the steam generated in the vaporization chamber
flows toward the steam jetting holes. The temperature-controller
securing part is disposed in the more downstream side of the
passage of steam than the excessive temperature-rise preventing
device securing part. With this configuration, the temperature of
the base is decreased due to the steam generation in the
vaporization chamber, which suppresses the temperature rise of the
excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part. Keeping
a balance between the suppression of the temperature rise and the
heating by the heater allows the securing part to be prevented from
excessive temperature-rising.
[0054] Furthermore, in the iron according to the invention, the
excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing part and the
temperature-controller securing part are formed close to each other
such that both the securing parts are disposed consecutively. With
this configuration, it is possible to cause the heat-sensing
temperature of the excessive temperature-rise preventing device to
become closer to that of the temperature controller, which allows
both the device and the controller to operate optimally and
reliably.
[0055] In addition, in the iron according to the invention, the
temperature-controller securing part is configured to be surrounded
by the passage of steam through which the steam flows from the
vaporization chamber toward the steam jetting holes. With this
configuration, it is possible to efficiently deprive the
temperature-controller securing part of heat by means of the steam
flowing through the steam passages. This allows appropriate control
of the current-carrying period of the heater in accordance with the
amount of the steam generated in the vaporization chamber.
[0056] Moreover, in the iron according to the present invention,
the rear end part of the base is formed in the pointed shape, and
both ends of the heater formed in the approximately U-shape are
exposed from the upper surface side in the rear end part side of
the base. Moreover, the passage of steam through which the steam
flows from the vaporization chamber toward the steam jetting holes
includes the extended part that is formed to extend from the end
parts of the heater toward the rear end part of the base. The
extended part is formed in both the upper and lower surface sides
of the base.
[0057] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the
overheating of the rear end part of the base. In general, the
vaporization chamber is disposed in the front part of the base,
which decreases the temperature of the base due to the steam
generation. On the other hand, in the rear part of the base, the
decrease in the temperature of the base due to the steam generation
is so small that the temperature rises through the current-currying
of the heater. The formation of the extended part, from the end
parts of the heater toward the rear end part of the base, allows
the steam to suppress the temperature rise at the rear part of the
base. In addition, the formation allows the efficient prevention of
the overheating of the rear end part of the base, from both the
upper and lower surface sides of the base. Moreover, the rear end
part of the base is formed in the same pointed shape as the front
end part, which can prevent a possible operating error where the
iron makes undesirable creases in ironing when it is moved
backward. This provides the iron with ease of use.
[0058] Moreover, in the iron according to the present invention,
the excessive temperature-rise preventing device is either the
thermal fuse or the bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise
preventing apparatus.
[0059] With this configuration, it is possible to optimize both
manufacturing costs and the operation temperature of the excessive
temperature-rise preventing device, in accordance with the heating
capacity of the heater for heating the base.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0060] As described above, the iron according to the present
invention, when heated by the heater with a high heating capacity,
is capable of preventing the defect where the circuit of its heater
is accidentally broken during use due to the nonuniform
overheating. Also, the iron allows the excessive temperature-rise
preventing device with a different configuration to be easily
attached thereto. These advantages make it useful as an iron.
REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0061] 101 base
[0062] 101c rear end part
[0063] 102 heater
[0064] 102a, 102b end part
[0065] 103 vaporization chamber
[0066] 104a, 104b, 104d steam passage
[0067] 104c extended part
[0068] 105 steam jetting hole
[0069] 106a, 106b communication part
[0070] 107 temperature controller
[0071] 108 temperature-controller securing part
[0072] 109 excessive temperature-rise preventing device
[0073] 109a thermal fuse
[0074] 109b bimetal-type excessive temperature-rise preventing
apparatus
[0075] 110 excessive temperature-rise preventing device securing
part
[0076] 111 electrical insulator
[0077] 112 heat conductive body
[0078] 113 second vaporization chamber
[0079] 114 lid body
[0080] 115, 115a, 115b, 115c, 115d conductive metal body
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