Water delivery apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11773532-B2
Application number	US-202017417134-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 2, 2020
Priority date	Jan 10, 2019
Publication date	Oct 3, 2023
Grant date	Oct 3, 2023

Abstract

A water delivery apparatus ( 100 ) for use at a household appliance is provided. The water apparatus comprises an air-tight water storage unit ( 110 ) configured to store water, an air channel ( 120 ) configured to allow air to enter the water storage unit at a predetermined height level so as to regulate the water pressure in the water storage unit, and a water delivery tube ( 130 ) connected to a component of the household appliance at which water is utilized for performing a function of the household appliance.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A water delivery apparatus for use at a household appliance, the water delivery apparatus comprising:
an air-tight water storage unit configured to store water;
an air channel configured to allow air to enter the water storage unit at a predetermined height level so as to regulate the water pressure in the water storage unit; and
a water delivery tube comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the water storage unit, and the second end is connected to a component of the household appliance at which water is utilized for performing a function of the household appliance; and
a flow adjustment unit arranged at the water delivery tube, the flow adjustment unit being configured to reduce or increase an inner diameter of at least a part of the water delivery tube,
wherein the water delivery tube is arranged such that its second end is lower than the predetermined height level, and a height difference causes water to flow from the water storage unit to the component of the household appliance, and rate of water flow from the water storage unit to the component of the household appliance is based on at least one of: an extent of the height difference, the inner diameter of the water delivery tube, and a length of the water delivery tube.

2. The water delivery apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the flow adjustment unit comprises a restriction element having an orifice, the orifice having a smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the water delivery tube.

3. The water delivery apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the water delivery tube is configured such that its length can be adjusted.

4. The water delivery apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a control unit configured to adjust, based on a user input, at least one of the inner diameter of at least the part of the water delivery tube and the length of the water delivery tube.

5. The water delivery apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the air channel is a hollow tube vertically arranged at the water storage unit, the hollow tube having a top end located external to the water storage unit and a bottom end arranged to be submerged in the water stored in the water storage unit, and the height difference between the bottom end of the hollow tube and the second end of the water delivery tube causes water to flow from the water storage unit to the component of the household appliance.

6. The water delivery apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the water storage unit comprises:
a top opening through which the hollow tube is arranged; and
an air-tight covering element arranged to cover the top opening.

7. The water delivery apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising an air valve arranged at the top end of the hollow tube configured to selectively allow air flow such that water flow via the water delivery tube can be initiated or stopped.

8. The water delivery apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the air valve is a manually or electronically operable control valve which can be controlled to vary the size of its air flow passage.

9. The water delivery apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the air valve is configured to be controlled by actuation of an actuation unit.

10. The water delivery apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the air channel is a level chamber arranged adjacent to the water storage unit, wherein the level chamber is connected to the water storage unit through a shared opening and the first end of the water delivery tube is connected to the level chamber, and wherein the height difference between the shared opening and the second end of the water delivery tube causes water to flow from the water storage unit to the component of the household appliance.

11. A household appliance comprising:
the water delivery apparatus according to claim 1 ; and
a steam generating unit, wherein the steam generating unit is the component of the household appliance at which water is utilized.

12. The household appliance according to claim 11 , wherein the household appliance is a steam iron.

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Te Velde Mart Kornelis-Jan

Classifications

• D06F75/18 Primary

  the water being fed slowly, e.g. drop by drop, from the reservoir to a steam generator · CPC title

• F22B1/287

  with water in sprays or in films · CPC title

• F22B27/16

  involving spray nozzles for sprinkling or injecting water particles on to or into hot heat-exchange elements, e.g. into tubes {(F22B1/287 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• F22B37/60

  specially adapted for steam boilers of instantaneous or flash type · CPC title