Textiles: ironing or smoothing – Smoothing implements – Flatirons
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-08
2004-06-15
Izaguirre, Ismael (Department: 3765)
Textiles: ironing or smoothing
Smoothing implements
Flatirons
Reexamination Certificate
active
06748680
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a thermally controlled apparatus for actuating a valve opening. In particular, the field of fluid valves is addressed, and here specifically the so-called drip-stop valves, such as find application in steam irons. The thermally controlled apparatus displays a bimetallic spring (snap-action) disc that upon reaching a transition temperature changes its curvature position and in the process closes or opens a valve opening with its disc edge or edge region.
BACKGROUND
Such a device is know from DE 196 45 102 C1. There, a bimetallic spring disc, which is fastened to a carrier element, acts on a closing fixture of a valve, in conjunction with a transfer lever arranged on the spring disc. This known thermally controlled apparatus has indeed proved to be reliable and functional, but is disadvantageous with respect to its installation and adjustment in interaction with additional valve elements.
SUMMARY
The invention is based on the task of devising a thermally controlled apparatus for actuating a valve opening such that the apparatus has only a few functional parts, leads to a secure closing of the valve, and can be installed in a simple manner. This task is accomplished through the characterizing features of patent claim
1
. Advantageous further developments of the invention result from the dependent claims
2
-
38
.
The invention provides for the fact that the valve opening is formed through a cross-sectionally variable segment of a tube- or pipe-like flow-through element, and the edge or edge region of the bimetallic spring disc acts directly on the cross-sectionally variable segment.
Thus, in an advantageous manner the apparatus makes do without additional intermediate elements, whereby the number of functional parts is reduced. In principle, it is possible for the apparatus to consist of only three parts, namely the bimetallic spring disc, the carrier element, and the flow-through element. If the bimetallic spring disc has a circular design, and the tubular or pipe-like flow-through element cuts the circular surface, then a double closing is advantageously formed in the edge region of the bimetal disc, whereby an especially high degree of valve tightness is ensured.
In an advantageous manner, as the flow-through element a permanently elastic tube or a permanently elastic molded part can be used, for example a soft silicone hose, which is compressible in a cross-sectionally variable manner by the available forces of the bimetallic spring disc. The flow-through element runs between the bimetallic spring disc and the carrier element, so that the carrier element has multiple functions, namely, a supporting function with respect to the flow-through element and the bimetallic spring disc, and a counterpressure function, since the flow-through element, when compressed by the bimetallic spring disc, can support itself against the carrier element.
The carrier element consists advantageously of a carrier plate that runs essentially parallel to the extension plane of the bimetallic spring disc. The carrier plate serves additionally the conduction of heat into the bimetallic spring disc. Moreover, a plate-shaped element can be easily fastened, for example in the interior of the sole of an iron, when the apparatus is to perform the function of a drip-stop valve. In that case, the center of the bimetallic spring disc is attached to the carrier plate, which in the fastening region has a somewhat elevated design.
The fastening of the carrier plate, e.g. to the sole of a steam iron, can take place by means of a rivet or bolt, which passes through the center of the carrier plate as well as the bimetallic spring disc, and engages the top side of the sole.
The carrier element can be embodied separately or be integrated into the top side of the sole of the iron or of a steam chamber, so that the thermally controlled apparatus is reliably stabilized in its position. Appropriately, the top side of the sole of an iron or of a steam chamber can be designed as a carrier element, whereby the number of functional parts is reduced still further.
The bimetallic spring disc is, in most cases, a punched part, so that it has one burred and one burr-free side; appropriately, the burr-free side can act on the flow-through element. In this way, the flow-through element is prevented from being acted on only according to a linear pattern and being stressed too greatly at this location.
In order to increase the tightness of the closing, the carrier element can display protruding ribs that act directly on the cross-sectionally variable segment of the flow-through element. When the bimetallic spring disc assumes an appropriate position, a flat impacting of the top side of the tube by the underside of the bimetallic spring disc occurs, so that the tube is pressed onto the closing ribs, which protrude upward from below against the tube. In order to achieve a clean and durable closing, the ribs of the bimetallic spring disc can be arranged essentially parallel to the edge of the bimetallic spring disc acting on the flow-through element. In addition, the ribs can follow the edge course of the bimetallic spring disc and thereby, in an advantageous manner, increase the closing effect of the edge of the bimetallic spring disc.
Further, the ribs can be displaced radially inward with respect to the edge of the bimetallic spring disc, in order to ensure a flat impacting in an optimal manner.
In an advantageous embodiment variant, the flow-through element, at least in the region of the cross-sectionally variable segment, can enter the top side of the sole of the iron or of the steam chamber. The flow-through element is thereby protected from external, e.g. thermal or mechanical, effects. Advantageously, the flow-through element, at least in the region of the cross-sectionally variable segment, lies in a tube guide element, which, for example, is designed as a trough-like indentation or recess or notching. Through this structural measure, the flow-through element cannot shift laterally under the disc and remains stabilized in its position.
In addition, this tube guide element can display at least one rib for direct impacting of the cross-sectionally variable segment of the flow-through element. These closing ribs are also advantageously arranged such that a linear closing from below is ensured.
In a further advantageous embodiment variant, the carrier element has a transition element into which the flow-through element transitions. For this purpose, for example, the carrier plate or carrier element can be designed as a plastic molded part that is provided with a brace that extends into the steam chamber, which brace then transitions into the tube or is formed as one piece with a segment of the tube.
The carrier element is bent around the edge of the bimetallic spring disc, in particular bent in an angular manner, so that the flow-through element, in particular the tube between the central fastening region of the bimetallic spring disc to the carrier element and the bent section of the carrier element, is supported and cannot unintentionally move away from the impingement region of the bimetallic spring disc.
The edge region of the bimetallic spring disc adjacent to the flow-through element is supported by an additional bending up of the carrier element, through which result especially favorable force relationships for exertion on the flow-through element. The bend-up height corresponds approximately to the thickness of the flow-through element compressed by the edge of the bimetallic spring disc. The height of the bent-up section is determined essentially by the spring characteristic of the bimetallic spring disc.
With particular advantage, the carrier element can be designed in a springing manner such that it follows the movement of the bimetallic spring disc over a certain spring distance. By this means, the closing movement has a longer stroke. In addition, too-high pressing forces on the delicate silicone tubing are cushioned or dampened. Moreover, such a long-stroke element is more ea
Pahlke Lutz
Trapp Stefan
Intercontrol Hermann Kohler Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG
Izaguirre Ismael
Merchant & Gould P.C.
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