JP7570022B2 - Steam generators and steam irons - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a steam emitter and a steam iron.

Steam jets capable of jetting steam are known. A conventional steam jet includes a base including a jet port for jetting steam, an evaporator that generates steam so that the steam is jetted from the jet port, and a pump that supplies liquid from a tank that stores the liquid to the evaporator. The evaporator includes a vaporization chamber to which liquid is supplied from the pump, and a heater that heats the vaporization chamber so that steam is generated from the liquid in the vaporization chamber. In this steam jet, liquid in the tank is supplied to the vaporization chamber as the pump is driven, and steam is generated by heating the liquid in the vaporization chamber with the heater, and the steam is jetted to the outside through the jet port. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional steam jet.

JP 2018-99420 A

In conventional steam generators, when the pump is continuously operated and liquid in the tank is continuously supplied to the vaporization chamber, the temperature in the vaporization chamber drops due to heat exchange with the liquid. This can cause steam to not be ejected stably.

The object of the present invention is to provide a steam emitter and a steam iron that can emit steam stably.

One form of the steam jet according to the present invention includes an evaporator including an evaporation chamber to which liquid is supplied and a heater for heating the evaporation chamber so that steam is generated from the liquid in the evaporation chamber, a pump for supplying liquid from a tank for storing liquid to the evaporation chamber, and a water supply tube connecting the tank and the pump, the water supply tube being positioned closer to the evaporator than the tank so as to receive heat from the evaporator.

One embodiment of the steam iron according to the present invention includes the steam ejector and a hanging surface that applies heat to clothes.

The steam emitter and steam iron of the present invention can emit steam stably.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steam iron according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the steam iron of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a side view of the steam iron of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D4-D4 in FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the internal structure of the steam iron of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the steam iron of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the steam iron of FIG. 1 . 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D8-D8 in FIG. 7 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the steam iron of FIG. 1 is used.

(Example of possible forms of the steam jet and steam iron)
One form of steam jet related to the present invention comprises an evaporator including an evaporation chamber to which liquid is supplied and a heater for heating the evaporation chamber so that steam is generated from the liquid in the evaporation chamber, a pump for supplying liquid from a tank for storing liquid to the evaporation chamber, and a water supply tube connecting the tank and the pump, the water supply tube being positioned closer to the evaporator than the tank so as to receive heat from the evaporator.
According to the steam jet, the water supply tube is disposed closer to the vaporizer than the tank so that it receives heat from the vaporizer, and the liquid flowing through the water supply tube is easily affected by the heat of the heater. Specifically, the liquid supplied from the tank to the vaporizer chamber is heated in the water supply tube as the pump is driven, so the temperature in the vaporizer chamber is unlikely to drop even when the pump is driven continuously. This allows the steam to be stably ejected.

According to one example of the steam jet, the steam jet further comprises a base including a nozzle for jetting the steam generated by the vaporizer, and the water supply tube is disposed between the base and the tank.
According to the steam jet device, the liquid flowing through the water supply tube is easily affected by the heat of the heater, so that the steam can be stably jetted out.

According to one example of the steam jet, the water supply tube is disposed between the vaporizer and the tank.
According to the steam jet device, the liquid flowing through the water supply tube is easily affected by the heat of the heater, so that the steam can be stably jetted out.

According to one example of the steam jet, the steam jet further includes a tank support portion capable of supporting the tank, the tank support portion including a placement portion on which the water supply tube can be placed.
According to the steam ejector described above, the tank support part is provided with an arrangement part in which the water supply tube can be arranged, so that the steam ejector can be configured in a space-saving manner.

According to one example of the steam jet, the pump includes a pump body, a water supply inlet to which the water supply tube is connected, and a water supply inlet to which a water supply tube connecting the pump body and the evaporation chamber is connected, and the water supply inlet and the water supply inlet are provided on the pump body facing the tank.
According to the steam jet, a space required for connecting the water supply tube (water supply tube) to the water supply port (water supply port) is provided between the tank and the pump. The tank and the pump are relatively heavy among the various elements constituting the steam jet. Therefore, a suitable weight balance can be achieved.

According to one embodiment of the steam ejector, the pump is disposed such that a longitudinal direction of the pump intersects a longitudinal direction of the steam ejector.
According to the above steam ejector, the steam ejector can be configured to be small in size in the longitudinal direction.

According to one example of the steam jet, the water supply tube includes a flexible tube body and a weight provided at an end of the tube body, the tube body includes a first end connected to the tank and a second end connected to the pump, and the weight has a cone shape and is provided at the first end.
According to the steam jet described above, since the cone-shaped weight is provided at the first end of the water supply tube, the first end is likely to come into contact with the inner surface of the tank and is likely to move in the direction of gravity, so that the first end is likely to be immersed in the liquid in the tank and can sufficiently absorb the liquid in the tank as the pump is driven.

One embodiment of a steam iron according to the present invention comprises the steam ejector and a hanging surface for applying heat to clothes.
According to the steam iron, the water supply tube is disposed closer to the vaporizer than the tank so that the water supply tube receives heat from the vaporizer, and the liquid flowing through the water supply tube is easily affected by the heat of the heater. Specifically, the liquid supplied from the tank to the vaporizer chamber as the pump is driven is heated in the water supply tube, so that the temperature in the vaporizer chamber is unlikely to decrease even when the pump is driven continuously. This allows the steam to be ejected stably.

(Embodiment)
The external configuration of a steam iron 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The steam iron 1 is used to remove wrinkles from clothing C (see FIG. 9). The steam iron 1 has, for example, an ironing function and a steaming function. The ironing function is a function of removing wrinkles from clothing C by applying heat and pressure to the clothing C. The steaming function is a function of removing wrinkles from clothing C by applying steam to the clothing C. In the illustrated example, the steam iron 1 is a clothing steamer (handy steam iron) specialized for the steaming function. The basic configuration of the steam iron 1 is substantially the same as the steam iron disclosed in JP 2018-99420 A. The steam iron 1 may be a general steam iron specialized for the ironing function.

As shown in FIG. 1, the steam iron 1 comprises a steam ejector 10 and a hanging surface 21A (see FIG. 2) that applies heat to clothing C. The steam ejector 10 has a steam function. The hanging surface 21A has an ironing function. The steam ejector 10 comprises a housing 11, a power supply operation unit 13, a pump operation unit 14 (see FIG. 3), an alarm unit 15, a power cord 16, and a base 20.

The housing 11 forms the outer shell of the steam jet 10. The housing 11 has, for example, a bell shape with an open bottom. An example of a material forming the housing 11 is resin. An example of a resin forming the housing 11 is polycarbonate. The housing 11 is formed, for example, by joining a plurality of parts. In one example, the housing 11 includes a pair of first parts 11A and a pair of second parts 11B. The pair of first parts 11A function as a gripping part 12 for holding the steam jet 10. Specifically, the pair of first parts 11A are joined to each other to form the gripping part 12. The pair of second parts 11B accommodate various elements that constitute the steam jet 10. Specifically, the pair of second parts 11B are joined to each other to accommodate various elements that constitute the steam jet 10. The pair of first parts 11A and the pair of second parts 11B are joined to each other to form the housing 11.

The power supply operation unit 13 is configured to be able to switch the power supply of the steam iron 1 on and off. The power supply operation unit 13 includes, for example, a slide switch. The power supply operation unit 13 is provided in the housing 11. In one example, the power supply operation unit 13 is provided in one of the second parts 11B. When the power supply operation unit 13 is operated to switch the power supply of the steam iron 1 from off to on, the heater 32 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, starts operating. When the power supply operation unit 13 is operated to switch the power supply of the steam iron 1 from on to off, the operation of the heater 32 stops.

The pump operating unit 14 is configured to be capable of driving a pump 50 (see FIG. 4) described below. The pump operating unit 14 includes, for example, a button-type switch. The pump operating unit 14 is provided on the housing 11. In one example, the pump operating unit 14 is provided on the bottom surface of the grip portion 12 in the pair of first parts 11A. In one example, the pump 50 is driven in response to operation of the pump operating unit 14, and steam is ejected from the steam iron 1. When operation of the pump operating unit 14 is completed, driving of the pump 50 is stopped, and steam is no longer ejected from the steam iron 1.

The notification unit 15 notifies information about the steam iron 1. In one example, the notification unit 15 includes one or more LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamps. The notification unit 15 is provided, for example, in the housing 11. In one example, the notification unit 15 is provided on the upper surface of the grip portion 12 in the pair of first portions 11A.

The power cord 16 supplies power, for example, from an external power source, to the various electrical elements that make up the steam jet 10. An example of an external power source is a commercial power source. The power cord 16 is electrically connected to the various electrical elements that make up the steam jet 10. The power cord 16 extends, for example, from the rear of the housing 11 in the front-to-rear direction of the steam iron 1. In one example, when the power cord 16 is connected to an external power source, power from the external power source is supplied to the various electrical elements that make up the steam jet 10.

2, the base 20 has a shape that can define the longitudinal and lateral directions. The longitudinal direction of the base 20 defines the front-rear direction of the steam iron 1. The general direction of travel of the steam iron 1 is the front of the steam iron 1. The base 20 includes a base body 21 including a hanging surface 21A that applies heat to the clothes C, and an outlet 22 that ejects steam. The base body 21 has, for example, a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape. The material constituting the base body 21 has high thermal conductivity. An example of a material constituting the base body 21 is aluminum. The base body 21 is provided so as to protrude from the opening 11C of the housing 11 (see FIG. 4). Heat is transferred to the hanging surface 21A from, for example, the heater 32. The shape of the hanging surface 21A is similar to the shape of the opening 11C. In one example, the hanging surface 21A has a substantially elliptical shape. The hanging surface 21A is provided with a plurality of radially extending grooves 21B. The ejection ports 22 are through holes that penetrate the base body 21. In one example, the ejection ports 22 communicate with the outside and a vaporization chamber 31 (see FIG. 4) described below. One example of the number of ejection ports 22 is six. The multiple ejection ports 22 are provided, for example, in different grooves 21B on the hanging surface 21A. The number of ejection ports 22 may be five or less or seven or more.

As shown in FIG. 3, the length of the housing 11 along the front-rear direction of the steam iron 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "first length L1") is longer than the length of the housing 11 along the height direction of the steam iron 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "second length L2"). Specifically, the first length L1, which is the shortest in the front-rear direction of the steam iron 1, is longer than the second length L2, which is the longest in the height direction of the steam iron 1. The length of the base 20 along the front-rear direction of the steam iron 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "third length L3") is shorter than the first length L1 and longer than the second length L2. Specifically, the third length L3, which is the longest in the front-rear direction of the steam iron 1, is shorter than the first length L1, which is the shortest in the front-rear direction of the steam iron 1, and longer than the second length L2, which is the longest in the height direction of the steam iron 1. The third length L3 is longer than the length of the steam ejector 10 along the height direction of the steam iron 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "fourth length L4"). Specifically, the third length L3, which is the longest in the front-to-rear direction of the steam iron 1, is longer than the fourth length L4, which is the longest in the height direction of the steam iron 1.

The internal configuration of the steam iron 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 8. Some elements constituting the steam iron 1 are omitted in Figures 5 to 7.
As shown in FIG. 4, the steam jet 10 further includes the vaporizer 30, the tank 40, the pump 50, the water supply tube 60, the water delivery tube 70 (see FIG. 5), the support 80, and the control unit 90. The vaporizer 30 generates steam so that the steam is ejected from the ejection port 22. The tank 40 is configured to be able to store a liquid for generating steam. One example of the liquid for generating steam is water. The pump 50 supplies the liquid in the tank 40 to the vaporizer 30. The water supply tube 60 connects the tank 40 and the pump 50 so that the liquid in the tank 40 is supplied to the pump 50. The water delivery tube 70 connects the pump 50 and the vaporizer 30 so that the liquid delivered from the pump 50 is supplied to the vaporizer 30. The support 80 is provided on the vaporizer 30 and supports the tank 40 and the pump 50.

The control unit 90 is mounted on a printed circuit board including a control circuit, for example. The control unit 90 operates using power supplied from the power cord 16. The control unit 90 controls the heater 32 in response to the operation of the power supply operation unit 13. When the power supply of the steam iron 1 is turned on, the control unit 90 controls the heater 32 in response to the detection result of the temperature sensor 91. The temperature sensor 91 is configured to detect the temperature of the vaporizer 30. For example, when the temperature of the vaporizer 30 reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature, the control unit 90 controls the notification unit 15 so that information encouraging the use of the steam iron 1 is notified. The predetermined temperature is set based on a temperature suitable for generating steam. The control unit 90 controls the pump 50 in response to the operation of the pump operation unit 14. The vaporizer 30, the tank 40, the pump 50, the water supply tube 60, the water supply tube 70, the support 80, and the control unit 90 are provided within the housing 11. In one example, the vaporizer 30, the tank 40, the pump 50, the water supply tube 60, the water delivery tube 70, and the support 80 are housed in a pair of second parts 11B that are joined together, and the control unit 90 is housed in a pair of first parts 11A that are joined together.

The vaporizer 30 includes a vaporizer chamber 31 to which liquid is supplied from a pump 50, and a heater 32 that heats the vaporizer chamber 31 so that steam is generated from the liquid in the vaporizer chamber 31. The vaporizer chamber 31 and the heater 32 are provided between the base 20 and the support 80 in the height direction of the steam iron 1. The vaporizer chamber 31 communicates with the nozzle 22, for example, via a steam passage 33. The steam passage 33 is provided between the base 20 and the vaporizer chamber 31 in the height direction of the steam iron 1. The heater 32 is configured to heat the base 20 and the vaporizer chamber 31. The heater 32 is, for example, a U-shaped rod that surrounds the periphery of the vaporizer chamber 31. In one example, the heater 32 is a sheath heater.

5, the tank 40 includes a tank body 41 for storing liquid, a water inlet 42 for injecting liquid into the tank body 41, and a lid 43 for opening and closing the water inlet 42. The tank body 41 is provided, for example, on a support 80. An example of a material for the tank body 41 is a transparent resin. The weight of the tank body 41 changes depending on the amount of liquid stored in the tank body 41. The amount of liquid stored in the tank body 41 can be seen, for example, from a display window 41A (see FIG. 1) provided in the tank body 41. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the display window 41A is exposed from one second part 11B of the housing 11. The water inlet 42 is exposed to the outside, for example, when the lid 43 is open. The lid 43 is configured to conform to the shape of the housing 11, for example, when the water inlet 42 is closed (see FIG. 1).

The pump 50 is, for example, an electric pump including a plunger mechanism. The pump 50 has a shape that can define the longitudinal and lateral directions. The pump 50 includes a pump body 51, a water supply port 52 to which a water supply tube 60 is connected, and a water supply port 53 to which a water supply tube 70 that connects the pump body 51 and the vaporization chamber 31 is connected. The pump body 51 is provided, for example, on a support 80. The water supply port 52 and the water supply port 53 are provided in the pump body 51. In one example, the water supply port 52 and the water supply port 53 are provided at one end 51A of the pump body 51. When the pump 50 is driven, the liquid in the tank 40 is supplied through the water supply tube 60 by the reciprocating motion of the plunger mechanism, and the supplied liquid is sent to the vaporization chamber 31 through the water supply tube 70. The pump 50 further includes a transformer (not shown) that converts the commercial voltage supplied from the power cord 16. The transformer is provided in the pump body 51. In one example, the transformer is provided at the other end 51B (see FIG. 6) of the pump body 51. The transformer is relatively heavy among the various elements that make up the steam ejector 10.

The water supply tube 60 is disposed closer to the vaporizer 30 than the tank 40 so as to receive heat from the vaporizer 30. The water supply tube 60 is disposed between the base 20 and the tank 40. In one example, the water supply tube 60 is disposed between the vaporizer 30 and the tank 40. Specifically, the water supply tube 60 is disposed between the vaporizer 30 and the tank 40 in the height direction of the steam iron 1. In this case, the liquid flowing through the water supply tube 60 is easily affected by the heat of the heater 32. In one example, the liquid supplied from the tank 40 to the vaporizer chamber 31 as the pump 50 is driven is heated in the water supply tube 60, so that the temperature in the vaporizer chamber 31 is less likely to drop even when the pump 50 is driven continuously. This allows steam to be ejected stably.

The water supply tube 60 includes a flexible tube body 61. An example of a material constituting the tube body 61 is silicone rubber. The tube body 61 includes a first end 61A connected to the bottom 41B of the tank body 41 and a second end 61B (see FIG. 6) connected to the water supply port 52 of the pump 50. In one example, the tube body 61 connects the bottom 41B of the tank body 41 and the water supply port 52 of the pump 50 so as to pass between the vaporizer 30 and the tank 40 in the height direction of the steam iron 1. The first end 61A includes a water intake port 62 (see FIG. 4) arranged in the tank 40 so as to be able to absorb the liquid in the tank 40. The water intake port 62 is, for example, the tip of the first end 61A. In one example, the first end 61A is connected to the bottom 41B of the tank body 41 so that the water intake port 62 is arranged in the tank body 41. The first end 61A is connected to the center of the bottom 41B of the tank body 41, for example.

The water supply tube 70 includes a flexible tube body 71. An example of a material that constitutes the tube body 71 is silicone rubber. The tube body 71 includes a first end 71A (see FIG. 6) that is connected to the vaporization chamber 31, and a second end 71B that is connected to the water supply port 53 of the pump 50. In one example, the first end 71A passes through the support 80 and is connected to the vaporization chamber 31.

The support 80 is provided, for example, in the height direction of the steam iron 1, so as to separate the tank 40 and pump 50 from the vaporizer 30. The material constituting the support 80 has high thermal insulation properties. One example of the material constituting the support 80 is polybutylene terephthalate. In one example, the support 80 functions as a thermal insulator. Therefore, the heat of the heater 32 is not easily transferred to the tank 40 and pump 50. On the other hand, the heat of the heater 32 is not completely blocked by the support 80 and leaks out. This leaked heat heats the water supply tube 60.

6, the support 80 includes a tank support section 81 capable of supporting the tank 40, and a pump support section 82 capable of supporting the pump 50. The tank support section 81 includes a tank support surface 81A that supports the tank 40, and a placement section 81B in which the water supply tube 60 can be placed. The placement section 81B is recessed so that the water supply tube 60 can be placed. In one example, the placement section 81B is recessed relative to the tank support surface 81A so that the water supply tube 60 is embedded in the tank support surface 81A. The placement section 81B is curved, for example, so that the first end 61A of the water supply tube 60 is connected to the center of the bottom 41B of the tank body 41. Since the tank 40 is supported on the tank support surface 81A with the water supply tube 60 placed in the placement section 81B, a space-saving configuration can be achieved. Furthermore, when the water supply tube 60 is placed in the placement portion 81B, the distance between the water supply tube 60 and the heater 32 is shortened, so that the liquid flowing through the water supply tube 60 is easily affected by the heat of the heater 32. Only the placement portion 81B of the support 80 may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity so that the heat of the heater 32 is sufficiently transferred to the water supply tube 60.

The pump support part 82 includes a pump support surface 82A that supports the pump 50, and a pump protection part 82B that protects the pump 50. The pump protection part 82B is provided on the pump support surface 82A so as to surround the periphery of the pump 50, for example. In one example, the pump 50 is disposed inside the pump protection part 82B on the pump support surface 82A, and the fixing plate 54 is fixed to the pump protection part 82B so as to cover the upper part of the pump 50, thereby fixing the pump 50 to the pump support surface 82A. The fixing plate 54 has a shape that can define the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. In one example, the longitudinal direction of the fixing plate 54 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pump 50.

As shown in FIG. 7, the water inlet 52 and the water supply port 53 are provided on the pump body 51 so as to face the tank 40. In one example, the pump 50 is fixed to the pump support surface 82A so that the water inlet 52 and the water supply port 53 face the tank 40. The pump 50 is fixed to the pump support surface 82A so that the space required for connecting the water supply tube 60 (water supply tube 70) to the water inlet 52 (water supply port 53) is provided between the pump 50 and the tank 40. The tank 40 and the pump 50 are relatively heavy among the various elements constituting the steam jet 10. Therefore, an appropriate weight balance can be achieved when the steam iron 1 is held.

The pump 50 does not overlap with the center line CL of the base 20 in the longitudinal direction. In one example, the pump 50 is fixed to the pump support surface 82A so as not to overlap with the center line CL. The fixing plate 54 does not overlap with the center line CL. In one example, the fixing plate 54 is fixed to the pump protection part 82B so as not to overlap with the center line CL. In this configuration, the tank 40 and the pump 50 are separated in the longitudinal direction of the base 20. This makes it possible to achieve an optimal weight balance when the steam iron 1 is held.

The pump 50 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the pump 50 intersects with the longitudinal direction of the steam jet 10. The longitudinal direction of the steam jet 10 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the base 20. That is, the longitudinal direction of the base 20 intersects with the longitudinal direction of the pump 50. In one example, the pump 50 is fixed to the pump support surface 82A so that the longitudinal direction of the pump 50 intersects with the longitudinal direction of the base 20. The longitudinal direction of the base 20 intersects with the longitudinal direction of the fixed plate 54. In one example, the fixed plate 54 is fixed to the pump protection part 82B so that the longitudinal direction of the fixed plate 54 intersects with the longitudinal direction of the base 20. In this configuration, the steam jet 10 can be configured to be compact in the longitudinal direction of the base 20.

The tank 40 and the center line CL overlap. In one example, the tank 40 is provided on the tank support portion 81 so as to straddle the center line CL in the longitudinal direction of the base 20. This allows the area of the tank 40 to be enlarged in a plan view, and the capacity of the tank 40 to be increased. On the other hand, if the capacity of the tank 40 is increased, the steam ejector 10 is configured to be larger. In this embodiment, the pump 50 is positioned so that the longitudinal direction of the base 20 and the longitudinal direction of the pump 50 intersect as described above, so the capacity of the tank 40 can be increased without the steam ejector 10 being configured to be larger. In this way, dead space can be effectively utilized.

As shown in FIG. 8, the water supply tube 60 further includes a weight 63 provided at the first end 61A of the tube body 61. The weight 63 has a pyramidal shape. In one example, the weight 63 has a conical shape. The weight 63 is provided at the water intake port 62. In one example, the weight 63 is provided at the water intake port 62 so that its tip and the water intake port 62 are flush with each other. The weight 63 is configured to sink in the liquid stored in the tank body 41, for example. An example of a material for the weight 63 is stainless steel. The solid line weight 63 shown in FIG. 8 shows an example of a state in which the front of the steam iron 1 is lifted relative to the rear. The two-dot chain line weight 63 shown in FIG. 8 shows an example of a state in which the rear of the steam iron 1 is lifted relative to the front. Since the pyramidal weight 63 is provided at the water intake port 62, the water intake port 62 is likely to come into contact with the inner surface 41C of the tank body 41, and the water intake port 62 is likely to move in the direction in which gravity acts. This makes it easier for the water intake 62 to be immersed in the liquid in the tank 40, and the liquid in the tank 40 can be sufficiently absorbed as the pump 50 is driven.

An example of a method of using the steam iron 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
The steam iron 1 is used by a user, for example, in the following steps. In a first step, the lid 43 of the tank 40 is opened, and liquid is poured into the tank body 41 through the water inlet 42. If a sufficient amount of liquid is stored in the tank body 41, the first step may be omitted. In a second step, the power operation unit 13 is operated to switch the power of the steam iron 1 from off to on. When the power of the steam iron 1 is set to on, the heater 32 starts to operate. When information encouraging the use of the steam iron 1 is notified by the notification unit 15, the process proceeds to a third step. In the third step, the gripping unit 12 of the steam iron 1 is gripped.

In the fourth step, the pump operation unit 14 is operated so that steam is sprayed onto the clothes C while the hanging surface 21A of the steam iron 1 is pressed against the clothes C or while the hanging surface 21A of the steam iron 1 is separated from the clothes C. In one example, the pump 50 is driven in response to the operation of the pump operation unit 14, and the liquid in the tank 40 is supplied to the vaporization chamber 31 as the pump 50 is driven, and the liquid in the vaporization chamber 31 is heated by the heater 32 to generate steam. The generated steam then passes through the steam passage 33 and is sprayed to the outside through the nozzle 22. When the steam sprayed from the steam iron 1 is applied to the clothes C, the wrinkles in the clothes C are smoothed out. The fourth step is repeated until the ironing of the clothes C is completed. In the fourth step, the pump operation unit 14 may be operated while smoothing out the wrinkles in the clothes C with the ironing function of the steam iron 1. When the ironing of the clothes C is completed, the process proceeds to the fifth step.

In the fifth step, the power supply operating unit 13 is operated so that the power supply of the steam iron 1 is switched from on to off. When the power supply of the steam iron 1 is set to off, the operation of the heater 32 is stopped. In the sixth step, the steam iron 1 is placed on a stand (not shown). After going through the above steps, use of the steam iron 1 is finished.

(Modification)
The above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible forms of the steam jet and steam iron of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the forms thereof. The steam jet and steam iron of the present invention may take the following modified forms of the above-described embodiments, or a combination of at least two of the modified forms that are not mutually inconsistent.

The shape of the weight 63 can be changed as desired. In a first example, the weight 63 has a pyramidal shape. In a second example, the weight 63 has a cylindrical shape.
The configuration of the pump 50 can be changed as desired. In a first example, the pump 50 is a manual pump that is mechanically operated in response to the operation of the pump operation unit 14. In a second example, the water inlet 52 and the water outlet 53 are provided in the pump body 51 so as to face away from the tank 40.

- The internal structure of the steam jet 10 can be changed as desired. In a first example, the longitudinal direction of the base 20 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the pump 50. In a second example, the longitudinal direction of the base 20 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the fixed plate 54. In a third example, the pump 50 overlaps with the center line CL. In a fourth example, the fixed plate 54 overlaps with the center line CL. In a fifth example, the tank 40 does not overlap with the center line CL.

- The configuration of the steam jet 10 can be changed as desired. In a first example, the steam jet 10 has a built-in battery (not shown). In this case, the steam jet 10 may be configured without the power cord 16. In one example, battery power is supplied to the various electrical elements that make up the steam jet 10. In a second example, the base 20 includes a base body 21 including a hanging surface that does not actively apply heat to the clothes C, and a jet 22 that ejects steam. The heater 32 is configured to heat only the evaporation chamber 31. In this case, the steam jet 10 does not constitute a steam iron 1.

The steam emitter and steam iron of the present invention can be used in a variety of steam irons, including those for home and commercial use.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1: Steam iron 10: Steam ejector 20: Base 21A: Hanging surface 22: Spout 30: Vaporizer 31: Vaporizer chamber 32: Heater 40: Tank 50: Pump 51: Pump body 52: Water inlet 53: Water supply port 60: Water supply tube 61: Tube body 61A: First end 61B: Second end 63: Weight 70: Water supply tube 81: Tank support section 81B: Placement section C: Clothing

Claims (8)

An evaporator including a vaporization chamber to which a liquid is supplied and a heater for heating the vaporization chamber so that steam is generated from the liquid in the vaporization chamber;
a pump that supplies liquid from a tank that stores liquid to the vaporization chamber;
a water supply tube connecting the tank and the pump;
A tank support portion capable of supporting the tank;
A steam ejector comprising:
The vaporizer is provided below the tank in a height direction of the steam ejector,
the water supply tube is provided near the vaporizer with respect to the tank and includes a first end connected to the tank and a second end connected to the pump;
The second end is disposed above the first end in a height direction of the steam ejector,
the tank support portion includes a tank support surface that supports the tank, and a positioning portion in which the water supply tube is positioned;
The steam ejector, wherein the placement portion is configured to be recessed relative to the tank support surface. the first end is connected to a bottom of the tank;
The steam jet of claim 1 , wherein the second end is connected to a side of the pump. The steam generating device further includes a base including an outlet for ejecting the steam generated by the vaporizer.
The steam jet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water supply tube is disposed between the base and the tank. The steam jet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water supply tube is disposed between the evaporator and the tank. the pump includes a pump body, a water supply port to which the water supply tube is connected, and a water supply port to which a water supply tube that connects the pump body and the vaporization chamber is connected;
The steam jet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water inlet and the water outlet are provided in the pump body so as to face the tank. The steam jet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pump is disposed so that a longitudinal direction of the pump intersects with a longitudinal direction of the steam jet. The water supply tube includes a flexible tube body and a weight provided at an end of the tube body,
the tube body includes the first end and the second end , and a first end connected to the first end and disposed within the tank ;
a first end portion disposed within the tank including a water inlet for suctioning liquid within the tank;
The steam jet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the weight has a cone shape and is provided at the water intake port of a first end portion disposed within the tank . A steam ejector according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
A steam iron that has a hanging surface that applies heat to clothes.