Steam discharge unit for use in a soleplate of a steam iron
View Patent ↗A steam discharge unit ( 1 ) comprises a chamber ( 10 ) for accommodating a flow of a water-steam mixture and heating the water-steam mixture, an inlet ( 11 ) to the chamber ( 10 ), and an outlet ( 12 ) from the chamber ( 10 ). In order to avoid water droplets from exiting the chamber ( 10 ) through the outlet ( 12 ) along with a flow of steam, special measures are taken, which comprise a barrier ( 20 ) arranged inside the chamber ( 10 ), in a flow path of a water-steam mixture from the inlet ( 11 ) to the outlet ( 12 ), and a hydrophobic surface ( 30 ) arranged preferably close to the outlet ( 12 ). In case water droplets remain inside the chamber ( 10 ) and tend to move towards the outlet ( 12 ), an actual release of the water droplets from the chamber ( 10 ) cannot take place by virtue of the presence of the barrier ( 20 ) and the hydrophobic surface ( 30 ) as mentioned.
1. A discharge unit for use in a steaming device, comprising:
a chamber for accommodating a flow of a water-steam mixture and heating the water-steam mixture, wherein the chamber comprises a curved wall, and wherein the inlet has a tangential orientation with respect to the curved wall of the chamber;
an inlet for supplying a water-steam mixture to the chamber;
an outlet for letting out steam from the chamber;
a barrier which is arranged inside the chamber, in a flow path of a water-steam mixture from the inlet to the outlet; and
a hydrophobic surface which is located inside the chamber as a well.
2. The discharge unit according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic surface is located in the immediate surroundings of the outlet.
3. The discharge unit according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier is arranged around the outlet, and wherein the hydrophobic surface surrounds the barrier.
4. The discharge unit according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier is shaped like a tube.
5. The discharge unit according to claim 1 , wherein the outlet is located at a wall of the chamber other than the curved wall.
6. The discharge unit according to claim 1 , wherein the outlet has a central position with respect to the curved wall of the chamber.
7. The discharge unit according to claim 1 , wherein the curved wall of the chamber is provided with a taper.
8. The discharge unit according to claim 1 , further comprising a hydrophilic surface which is located inside the chamber for enhancing steam formation.
9. The discharge unit according to claim 1 , wherein the chamber is shaped like a cylinder having two end walls and a curved side wall extending between the end walls wherein the barrier is shaped like a tube extending inwardly from one of the end walls of the cylinder.
10. The discharge unit according to claim 9 , wherein the hydrophobic surface ( 30 ) is located at the tube-shaped barrier.
11. The discharge unit according to claim 9 , wherein the tube-shaped harrier ( 20 ) surrounds the outlet.
12. The discharge unit according to claim 1 , further comprising an additional barrier ( 40 ) which is located inside the chamber for directing the flow of the water-steam mixture.
13. The discharge unit according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of an inner surface of the chamber surrounding the outlet is provided with a pattern of grooves and ribs.
14. A soleplate for use in a steam iron, which is provided with at least one discharge unit comprising:
a chamber for accommodating a flow of a water-steam mixture and heating the water-steam mixture, wherein the chamber comprises a curved wall, and wherein the inlet has a tangential orientation with respect to the curved wall of the chamber;
an inlet for supplying a water-steam mixture to the chamber;
an outlet for letting out steam from the chamber;
a barrier which is arranged inside the chamber, in a flow path of a water-steam mixture from the inlet to the outlet; and
a hydrophobic surface which is located inside the chamber as a well.
15. A discharge unit for use in a steaming device, comprising:
a chamber for accommodating a flow of a water-steam mixture and heating the water-steam mixture wherein the chamber is shaped like a cylinder having two end walls and a curved side wall extending between the end walls, wherein the barrier is shaped like a tube extending inwardly from one of the end walls of the cylinder;
an inlet for supplying a water-steam mixture to the chamber;
an outlet for letting out steam from the chamber;
a barrier which is arranged inside the chamber, in a flow path of a water-steam mixture from the inlet to the outlet; and
a hydrophobic surface which is located inside the chamber as a well.
16. The discharge unit according to claim 15 , wherein the hydrophobic surface is located at the tube-shaped barrier.
17. The discharge unit according to claim 15 , wherein the tube-shaped barrier surrounds the outlet.
18. The discharge according to claim 15 , wherein a portion of an inner surface of the chamber-surrounding the outlet is provided with a pattern of grooves and ribs.
19. A soleplate for use in a steam iron, which is provided with at least one discharge unit comprising:
a chamber for accommodating a flow of a water-steam mixture and heating the water-steam mixture wherein the chamber is shaped like a cylinder having two end walls and a curved side wall extending between the end walls, wherein the barrier is shaped like a tube extending inwardly from one of the end walls of the cylinder;
an inlet for supplying a water-steam mixture to the chamber;
an outlet for letting out steam from the chamber;
a barrier which is arranged inside the chamber, in a flow path of a water-steam mixture from the inlet to the outlet; and
a hydrophobic surface which is located inside the chamber as a well.