Steam Generator Having at Least One Spiral-Shaped Steam Channel and at Least One Flat Resistive Heating Element

Abstract

A steam generator ( 1 ) comprises a body ( 20 ) in which a spiral-shaped groove ( 30 ) is arranged, as well as a connection channel ( 32 ) which provides access to an end portion ( 33 ) of the spiral-shaped groove ( 30 ) from a circumferential surface ( 21 ) of the body ( 20 ). For the purpose of closing the spiral-shaped groove ( 30 ), a cover is provided, which has a hole for providing access to a central portion ( 31 ) of the spiral-shaped groove ( 30 ). During operation of the steam generator ( 1 ), water is supplied at one of the central portion ( 31 ) and the end portion ( 33 ) of the spiral-shaped groove ( 30 ). Under the influence of heat, steam is generated, which exits at another one of the central portion ( 31 ) and the end portion ( 33 ) of the spiral-shaped groove ( 30 ). For the purpose of supplying heat, a flat resistive heating element is arranged on a surface of the body ( 20 )

1 . Steam generator for use in a domestic appliance such as a steam iron, comprising: 
 at least one channel unit enclosing a spiral-shaped steam channel for conducting water and steam through the channel unit, wherein the at least one channel unit comprises a body and a cover, wherein a spiral-shaped groove is arranged in the body, and wherein the cover covers at least a portion of the body in which the groove is arranged; and    at least one flat resistive heating element for heating a content of the steam channel of the at least one channel unit, which is arranged on a surface of the body of the at least one channel unit.    
   
   
       2 . Steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein the body of the at least one channel unit is a casting.  
   
   
       3 . Steam generator according to  claim 1 , comprising at least two channel units, wherein the spiral-shaped steam channels of the channel units are interconnected.  
   
   
       4 . Steam generator according to  claim 3 , wherein the channel units are arranged in a stack.  
   
   
       5 . Steam generator according to  claim 3 , comprising at least one pair of channel units, wherein the two channel units of the at least one pair are stacked in opposite orientations, such that sides of the bodies in which the spiral-shaped groove is arranged face each other.  
   
   
       6 . Steam generator according to  claim 5 , wherein the channel units share one cover for closing the spiral-shaped grooves of the channel units.  
   
   
       7 . Steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the spiral-shaped steam channel at most equals 3×3 mm.  
   
   
       8 . Steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the spiral-shaped steam channel at least equals 7×7 mm.  
   
   
       9 . Steam generator according to  claim 1 , wherein a channel chamber is provided in the body of the at least one channel unit, which channel chamber is divided into n spiral-shaped steam channels by means of n curved dividing walls extending between a centre of the steam generator and a circumference of the steam generator, wherein n is an integer.  
   
   
       10 . Steam generator according to  claim 1 , comprising steam promotion means for promoting the conversion of water to steam in the spiral-shaped steam channel of the at least one channel unit, which steam promotion means cover a substantial portion of an inner surface of the steam channel, which substantial portion is more than just a bottom portion.  
   
   
       11 . Steam iron, comprising a steam generator according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       12 . Soleplate for a steam iron, comprising a generator base in which a spiral-shaped groove is arranged, and at least one flat resistive heating element arranged on a surface off the generator base.  
   
   
       13 . Soleplate according to  claim 12 , which is a casting.  
   
   
       14 . Steam iron, comprising a soleplate according to  claim 12 , wherein a cover is provided for closing the spiral-shaped groove of the generator base.