Assembly of a Housing and a Steam Generator Device

Abstract

In an assembly of a steam generator device ( 10 ) and a plastic housing ( 20 ), the steam generator device ( 10 ) is arranged inside the housing ( 20 ), and comprises the following elements: a steam generator shell ( 11 ) for containing water and steam; a heating element ( 14 ) for heating the steam generator shell ( 11 ) and its contents; and a heater plate ( 12 ) arranged between the heating element ( 14 ) and the steam generator shell ( 11 ) for improving heat transfer between the heating element ( 14 ) and the steam generator shell ( 11 ). In order to prevent the whole of the heater plate ( 12 ) and the heating element ( 14 ) from falling on a bottom ( 21 ) of the housing ( 20 ) in case of failure of the connection between the heater plate ( 12 ) and the steam generator shell ( 11 ), mounting supports ( 30 ) for supporting the heater plate ( 12 ) are bottom ( 21 ) of the housing ( 20 ), and which comprise a material that is resistant to high temperatures.

1 . Assembly comprising:
 a housing;   a steam generator device which is arranged inside the housing, and which comprises a steam generator shell for containing water and steam, and heating means connected to the steam generator shell for heating the steam generator shell and its contents; and   means for preventing direct contact between the housing and any surface of the heating means in case of failure of a connection of at least a portion of the heating means to a remaining portion of the steam generator device.   
   
   
       2 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the contact preventing means are adapted to constituting an obstruction between the housing and at least a portion of the heating means. 
   
   
       3 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , comprising mounting supports arranged on the housing, wherein at least a portion of the heating means is supported by the mounting supports. 
   
   
       4 . Assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the steam generator shell is supported by the portion of the heating means which is supported by the mounting supports. 
   
   
       5 . Assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the heating means comprise a disc-shaped component, and wherein the mounting supports comprise a recess for receiving a portion of a circumferential rim of the disc-shaped component of the heating means. 
   
   
       6 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , comprising mounting supports arranged on a bottom of the housing, wherein the steam generator shell rests on the mounting supports, and wherein the bottom of the housing comprises at least one projecting portion which contacts a bottom side of at least a portion of the heating means, through a heat-resistant member. 
   
   
       7 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the contact preventing means comprise at least one rod-like securing member extending trough a hole that is arranged in the heating means, wherein one end of the securing member is connected to the steam generator shell. 
   
   
       8 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the contact preventing means comprise a layer of a thermal insulating and flame retarding material, which is arranged on at least a portion of a bottom of the housing. 
   
   
       9 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the contact preventing means comprise holding means for holding at least a portion of the heating means in place with respect to a remaining portion of the steam generator device, wherein the holding means are attached to the remaining portion of the steam generator device. 
   
   
       10 . Assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the holding means comprises brackets. 
   
   
       11 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the contact preventing means are adapted to holding a surface through which the heating means are connected to the steam generator shell against the steam generator shell in case of failure of the connection between the surface of the heating means and the steam generator shell. 
   
   
       12 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating means comprise a heating element for producing heat and a heater plate arranged between the heating element and the steam generator shell for improving heat transfer between the heating element and the steam generator shell. 
   
   
       13 . Assembly according to  claim 12 , comprising holding means ( 50 ) for holding the heating element in place with respect to the heater plate; and at least one rod-like securing member extending through both a hole that is arranged in the heater plate and a hole that is arranged in the holding means, wherein one end of the securing member is connected to the steam generator shell. 
   
   
       14 . Device which is adapted to delivering steam during its operation, such as a steam ironing device, a garment steamer, a coffee maker, a facial sauna device, a steam cooker, a steam sanitizer or a vacuum cleaner, comprising an assembly according to  claim 1 .