FR2648164A1 - PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR STEAM IRON, WITH TWO-POSITION SELECTOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pump assembly for a steam iron, with a two-position selector, one of which corresponds to a sudden emission of steam, and the other of which makes it possible to obtain a spray of cold water. According to the invention, the pump assembly 100 comprises a pump body 101 surmounted by a deformable bellows 102 and having two lateral outlets 105, 106 as well as a rotary selector 111 passing through the deformable bellows 102, of which a lower portion 112 is surrounded by a sealing sleeve 114 radially deformable at the level of any one of the two lateral outlets 105, 106 of the pump body 101. The outer contour of the lower portion 112 allows, depending on the angular position of the rotary selector 111 , to apply the sleeve 114 against one of the outlet orifices, and to allow the passage of water to the other outlet orifice. Application to the production of steam irons.

Description

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  The invention relates to a pump assembly for a steam iron, with a two-position selector, whose first position makes it possible to obtain a sudden emission of steam, and a second

  position allows to obtain a cold water spray.

  In general, the steam irons comprise a heating soleplate having, in its lower face, a series of steam outlet holes and, in its upper face, a vaporization chamber which is in connection with said holes and which communicates with a water tank by means of a controlled low-flow tap

  by a rotating handle placed at the top of the iron.

  Specifically, steam irons are often equipped with a pump clean to take in the tank a dose of water and send this dose. via a selector member. either in the vaporization chamber to suddenly obtain an abundant emission of steam through the holes of the sole, or to a cold water spray located in the anterior region of the iron. It is known that the sudden emission of steam or "supervisor" is useful for performing the marking of folds in tissues should: s. for example folds of pants. The cold water spray is also used to eliminate fake

  folds, especially on fabrics that are too dry.

  For example, it is possible to refer to US Pat. Nos. 3,747,241, 3,666,045 and 3,160,756, or to French patents.

  N 2 L88 296, N 2 371 5LO and N 2 212 457.

  According to a first approach, systems have been proposed in which the functions associated with the pump and the selector are separated, there is then an independent selector, mounted downstream of the pump, and having two outlets for directing the water towards the pump. one or the other of the pipes associated with the additional emission of steam or

cold water spray.

  These systems are generally expensive, and often

  problems with the sealing.

  For example, US Pat. No. 3,599,357, of which FIG. 8 illustrates a rotary selector mounted inside the iron, and actuated by a rod coming out of the upper part of the iron; the

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  rotary selector is realized in the form of a cylindrical valve with two outputs. It is certain that the waterproofing is very delicate to obtain with such a design, and that the structure greatly complicates the operations

mounting.

  One can also quote a design of the same type, but

  more recent, illustrated in French Patent No. 2,439,841.

  The steam iron described in this patent, also still marketed today, comprises an isolated selector made in the form of a plate at which open the inlet orifice and the two outlet orifices, said plate being closed superiorly by a platelet-shaped rotary actuating lever, presenting inferiorly

  a circular light capable of putting the entrance port in communica-

  with one or the other of the outlet orifices, according to the angular position

said lever.

  This solution seems simple, but in reality it poses many problems. essentially because of the holding in position of the rotary lever which is provided by a metal bracket whose branch presses the lever against the plate. It is indeed necessary to perform a perfect axial positioning of the rotary lever in order to avoid any perpendicularity defects: this makes it necessary to provide for a large tightening by the metal stirrup, and moreover on a part that must be able to be operated manually . In addition, the rotary lever itself ensures the sealing of the system, which is a disadvantage in the reliability of this seal. Finally, the central body of the selector is of manufacturing cost

high.

  According to another approach, it has been sought to produce integrated assemblies, in which the two functions associated with the pump and

  selector can be provided by the same functional unit.

  A fairly old conception in line with this approach is

  illustrated in French Patent No. 2 137 466.

  The pump assembly described in this patent comprises a rotary selector of the plug type pump body. It is then provided, in the lower part, a conical extension of the pump body provided with a lateral orifice, and surrounded by a conical rubber sleeve to

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  two opposite holes fixed in rotation by a pin: once the selector turned in the desired position, it acts on a piston rod

  to flush the water to the corresponding pipe.

  The seal is delicate with such a design, despite the presence of a spring cup pressing the pump body against the inner wall of the conical sleeve, especially in aging due to the loss of flexibility of the rubber. Furthermore. the sleeve is subject to wear due to friction against unavoidable machining burrs at the side port of the pump body. Finally, manufacturing tolerances are necessarily tight to avoid the presence of high forces that increase wear and risk to the limit of blocking the rotary selector. More recently, systems have been provided with rotating pump bodies mounted above a fixed part carrying the suction inlet and the two liquid outlets. possibly with a seal

intermediate turning.

  Such a design is for example illustrated in patents

  French Nos. 2 516 561 and 2 48S 659.

  French Patent No. 2 516 561 describes a pump assembly of complex structure, and having a large number of joints, including a rotating joint in the form of a curved half-lip difficult to achieve and set up. In addition to the tightness that is difficult to obtain, this pump assembly has other important drawbacks inherent to its very design: the assembly is delicate (presence of numerous tight tolerances), the significant friction on diameters eeJ o require the use of a lubricating grease, and sizing

  overall remains relatively important.

  A similar design is illustrated in the French patent.

  No. 2,488,659. In this pump assembly there is also provided a rotating seal for covering the bottom, but this seal must here also provide a

  sealing on the periphery, which further complicates the system.

  The object of the invention is to provide a pump assembly of the integrated type, according to the aforementioned second approach. but do not

  not having the disadvantages mentioned above.

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  The object of the invention is more particularly to provide a pump assembly which is very satisfactory in terms of tightness and reliability, which is of simple design with as few parts as possible and with relatively small dimensions, and for which assembly operations are facilitated. It is more specifically a set of steam iron pump, with two-position selector, a first position makes it possible to obtain a sudden emission of steam, and a second position makes it possible to obtain a spray of steam. cold water, characterized in that it comprises: a pump body surmounted by a deformable bellows defining a pump chamber, and having a lower suction pipe and two stepped lateral outlets opening at an orifice associated in a central recess1 of said body; 15. an inner rotary selector with deformable bellows, and having a lower portion disposed in the central recess of the pump body and an upper actuating portion integral in rotation 'of said lower portion, with the possibility of axial sliding relative between said portions 20. a sealing sleeve directly surrounding the lower portion of the rotary selector at the two lateral outlets of the pump body, said assembly being further characterized in that the lower portion of the rotary selector has an outer contour allowing simultaneously, according to the angular position of said rotary selector, to apply the sealing sleeve against one of the outlet orifices, and

  to allow the passage of water to the other outlet.

  Preferably, the sealing sleeve is essentially

  fixed in the associated central recess of the pump body, and deforms.

  radially at the side outlets of said pump body by the outer contour of the lower portion of the rotary selector. In particular, the lower portion of the rotary selector has two identical outlines, angularly offset, and staggered in correspondence with the lateral outlets of the pump body: for example, the contours of the lower portion of the rotary selector are of general shape

  rectangular and / or are shifted by about 900.

  It is also interesting that the central recess of the pump body axially has a uniform cross section, said section defining a complex contour forming axial facets of support for compressing the sealing sleeve at one or the other. other outlets, and lateral reservoirs allowing the passage of water around said sleeve; in particular, two small axial facets are provided on each side of each outlet, extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of each side outlet, a wider opposite axial facet being further provided,

  parallel to said small facets.

  Advantageously too. each of the lateral outlets of the pump body is provided with a non-return valve that eliminates any air intake and

facilitating the priming of the pump.

  Preferably also. the upper portion of the rotary selector comprises an actuating lever outside the deformable bellows, and an intermediate shaft passing through said bellows and ensuring the connection in rotation between said actuating lever and the lower portion of said rotary selector; in particular, the lower end of the intermediate shaft slides in an axial recess complementary to the lower portion of the rotary selector, the cross sections

  concerned being preferably substantially rectangular.

  Advantageously too. the operating lever is mounted on a button for actuating the pump in one or other of the angular positions of the rotary selector; in particular, the actuating lever and

  the intermediate shaft is a unique piece.

  Alternatively, the button, the operating lever and the intermediate shaft are a single piece, or the button and the lever

  actuating elements constitute a single piece.

  It is also interesting that the intermediate shaft has a cylindrical portion at the crossing of the deformable bellows, said deformable bellows further having a small cylindrical sleeve receiving said cylindrical portion, and whose inner wall is provided with circular grooves for perfect the seal; in particular, the cylindrical portion of the intermediate shaft comes, at the end of the actuating stroke of the pump, against the lower portion of the

rotary selector.

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  Advantageously again. the complementary axial recess of the lower portion of the rotary selector is extended to the lower end of said portion by a bore allowing a balancing of the

pressure in the pump.

  Other features and advantages of the invention appear

  more clearly in the light of the description that follows and

  attached drawings, relating to a particular embodiment, with reference to -figures, o: - Figures I and 2 are two axial sections of a pump assembly according to the invention, the rotary selector is here in a sudden position steam emission (upper open exit, lower closed exit): - Figures 3 and 'are sections according to 111-111 and IV-IV of Figure 1, on which the sealing sleeve has not been hatched, illustrating the upper and lower areas of the rotary selector in the vicinity of the upper and lower outputs of the pump body - Figures 5 and 6 are top views of the pump assembly, to better see the operating lever of the rotary selector mounted on the actuating button of the pump, respectively in the mounting position. and in the mounted position - Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the preceding pump assembly, in pump actuation end position - Figs. S and 13 are elevational and top views of the lower portion of the pump assembly. rotary selector, Figures 9 and 10 are associated axial sections, specified in Figures 11 and 12 which are sections along XI-XI and XII-XII of Figure 9; - Figures 14 and 15 are partial axial sections illustrating variants in which respectively the plug and the actuating lever of the rotary selector, or the actuating lever of the rotary selector and the intermediate connecting shaft constitute a single piece - Figures 16 and 18 are elevational and top views of the pump body. and FIG. 17 is a run according to XVII-XVII of FIG. 16

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  - Figure 19 is a view (partial) of the pump body, on a very enlarged scale. to better distinguish the complex contour of the cross section of the central recess of the pump body; FIG. 20 is an axial section illustrating a variant of the deformable bellows, and FIG. 21 illustrates on a larger scale detail A of FIG.

Figure 20.

  The sections of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a pump assembly for a steam iron 10G in accordance with the invention. This pump assembly is of the two-position selector type, of which a first position makes it possible to obtain a sudden emission of steam, or super steam, and a

  second position provides a cold water spray.

  The pump assembly 1.5 comprises firstly a pump body 151 surmounted by a deformable bellows 152 defining a pump chamber 153. The pump body 1'1 has a lower suction pipe 105 and two stepped side outlets 105, 106 opening at an associated port 107, 108 in a central recess 110 of said pump body. It should be noted that this pump body 151, with its suction duct and its two lateral outlets, here constitutes a single piece, which will preferably be made of plastics material. The pump body 101 has a lower suction port 109, said orifice possibly being closed off by a ball 124, said ball being however not mandatory in view of the operating mode of the pump assembly 100, as well as will be explained further. Each of the outlets of the pump body 101 is preferably equipped with a non-return valve designed to prevent any aspiration of air and also to facilitate priming of the pump. In this case, the non-return valves are constituted by two balls 125, 126, respectively associated with the outlets 105 and 106 of the pump body 101. The balls 125, 126 are loaded by associated springs 127, 128, respectively; the outlets, 106 are furthermore equipped with an end piece 129, 130 respectively, each end piece enabling the attachment of a flexible tube 131, 132. The lateral outlet 106 may for example correspond to the sudden emission of vapor, or super vapor , while the lower side outlet 155 will then correspond to the cold water spray. The lower suction nozzle 104 similarly allows the connection of a flexible tube 133, the other free end is immersed in the tank of the iron (not shown here). The pump body 101 finally has a shoulder 134 serving as an abutment to the lower part of the deformable bellows 102

overcoming said pump body.

  The structure of the pump body 101 of the pump assembly will be even better understood with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18. However, it will be returned later in more detail to the cross section of the central recess 110 of the pump body 101. said section defining a complex outline which will then be described with reference to the

figure 19.

  In accordance with an essential aspect of the invention. the pump assembly 100 comprises a rotary selector 111 inside the deformable bellows 152 (here passing through it), and having a lower portion 112 disposed in the central recess 110 of the pump body G101, as well as an upper portion actuator 113 integral in rotation with said lower portion, with the possibility of relative axial sliding between said portions; the pump assembly also comprises a sealing sleeve 114 directly surrounding the lower portion 112 of the rotary selector 111 at the two lateral outlets

155..106 of the pump body 101.

  According to an essential characteristic of the inverntion, the lower portion 112 of the rotary selector I 11 has an outer contour allowing simultaneously, according to the angular position of said rotary selector, to apply the sealing sleeve 114 against'one (107 or 108) outlets, and allow the passage of water to the other

(10.8 or 107) outlet port.

  With such a design, it is possible to provide a sealing sleeve 114 substantially fixed in the associated central recess 110 of the pump body 101, this sealing sleeve then deforming only radially at the side outlets 105, 106 said pump body by. the outer contour of the lower portion 112 of the rotary selector 111. It is even moreover possible to provide a complete locking in rotation by means of projecting ribs formed in the central recess 110 of the pump body 101. or even of a collage of

  the base of said sleeve to the wall facing the pump body.

  The essentially rotational nature of the deformable sleeve is particularly interesting in practice, because it considerably reduces the friction at the orifices 107, 108 of the outlets, unlike known embodiments using a sleeve (not deformable) which was caused to rub against outlets. Such a system also makes it possible to make up very large games, which allows much less restrictive manufacturing tolerances than for known designs. So. the selection of the desired output is by the only radial deformation of the sealing sleeve I 1. This deformation concerning both the portion of the sleeve facing the lower orifice I1. and the other Dort: we look at the other hole 1S8, the two deformations being however organized according to an offset

  angular. as will be explained below.

  Referring to Figures S to 13, it will be better understood the very particular structure of the lower portion 112 of the rotary selector IlI. Firstly, there is an annular shoulder 135, the main function of which is to maintain the sealing sleeve 114, thus wedged between the lower edge of said shoulder and the constricted end of the central recess 110 of the body. pump 1O1. This shoulder 135 may also be used for the axial retention of the lower portion 112 of the rotary selector 11 t in the body det. rmpe 101, through a washer 136 bearing against the upper edge of said shoulder, and against a shoulder 137 formed in the upper part of the pump body 101 (the shoulder 137 is visible on the

Figures 17 and 18).

  30. Below the shoulder 135, there is a set of two identical outlines, angularly offset, and staggered to be in position.

  correspondence with the lateral outlets 105, 1r6 of the pump body 101.

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  I0 The contours of the lower portion 112 are here of generally rectangular shape, as is more clearly apparent from the sections illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. It should be noted that the contours of the lower portion

  112 of the rotary selector 111 are here shifted by about 90.

  It goes without saying that other forms of non-cylindrical contours may also be envisaged, and / or that other offsets

  angular will also be possible.

  Thus, when the pump assembly 100 is in the position illustrated in Figures I and 2 (supervisor position), that is to say when the rotary selector 1 1 1 is in an angular position such that the manchorr sealing member 114 is applied closely against the orifice 107 of the outlet 105, the other orifice 15 is then automatically released, since the radial deformation of the sealing sleeve I1 is then made in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction of radial deformation concerning the lower orifice 17: in this case. when acting on the pump, the water sucked by the lower conduit 154 passes around the sealing sleeve 114l to gain the upper part of the central recess 110, and finally escape through the orifice 108 of the When the rotary selector 111 is brought into its other angular position (spray position), the sealing sleeve 11a will then have a radial radial deformation of that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, ie lower orifice 107 will then be released, while the upper orifice 108 will be closed. In this second position (which has not been shown in the drawings), when one acts on the pump, the water arriving through the suction duct 104 can only exit through the lower orifice 107 of the outlet , so that the pipe corresponding to the water spray

  cold, will be the only one concerned.

  It is furthermore possible, as can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, to soften as much as possible the radial deformation of the sealing sleeve 114, by providing conical transition facets, opening upwards at an angle a, and down at an angle b: in particular. the angles a and b will preferably be equal to each other and

chosen from the order of 60.

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  The very particular method of sealing which has just been described, based on the principle of a double radial deformation staggered with a cylindrical sealing sleeve, now leads to the precise geometry of the central recess 110 of the body. pump 101, with reference to FIG. 19 which is a partial view from above of the pump body, on a greatly enlarged scale. FIG. 19 thus makes it possible to better distinguish the complex contour of the cross section of the central recess 110 of the pump body 101: this section has the general shape of a

  octagon, whose segments will now be specified.

  First, it is found that the central recess 110 has axially (considering the axis of the pump body) a uniform cross section. said section defining a complex contour forming axial bearing facets 138, 139, making it possible to properly apply the sealing sleeve IlL at one or the other of the outlet orifices 157. 108. Those those small axial facets 13S. 139 are provided on either side of each outlet orifice 107, 108, thus extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of each lateral outlet 105, 156, and there is further provided a wider opposite axial facet 140 , parallel to said small facetres. The arrangement of these axial bearing facets thus makes it possible to firmly compress the radially deformed portion of the sealing sleeve 14 against the associated orifice 107 or

  108, and thus obtain an excellent seal.

  If we consider a direction orthogonal to the direction of the axes of the outlets 105, 106, we also note the presence of two lateral reservations 141 allowing the passage of water around the sealing sleeve 114. these lateral reservations being by example defined by a contour in an arc. To complete the complex outline of the

  cross section of the central recess 110, there are facets.

  inclined at angles c or d respectively from the axial support facets and lateral reservations, the angles c and d being preferably equal to each other, and chosen substantially of the order of 90. The connection of these facets is finally done to the four peripheral areas concerned (in two diagonal directions). by arcs 143; which are for example merged with the base circle of the recess

  central 110 before the conformation thereof.

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  Referring now to the sections of FIGS. 3 and 4, the two fundamental positions of each of the zones of the radially deformable sealing sleeve 114 will be better understood. FIG. 3: the principal direction of radial deformation of the sleeve 114 is located according to FIG. the axis of the outlet 105, so that the sleeve 114 is then compressed between the facet '140 and the two opposite facets 138, 139, which allows a perfect closure of the relevant orifice 107, the lateral reservations 141 being then at their maximum volume, and

  allowing a passage of the water at the periphery of the sleeve 114.

  - Figure 4 .: in this position, the general direction of deformation is orthogonal to the previous one. this releases the contact of the sleeve 114 with a facet 1] - on the one hand. and the small facets 138, 139 on the other hand. and which releases the passage for normal output through the port 108 of the outlet 156; in this position. side reservations 141

present here a minimal volume.

  For information. it is possible to choose a spacing of the order of 6.6 mm between the facet 145 and the small facets 138, 139, a spacing of the order of 8 mm between the bottoms of the lateral reservations 141, the circle

  base (arcs 1'3) then having a diameter of the order of 6.8 mm.

  We will now focus on describing more precisely the

  upper portion 113 of the rotary selector 111.

  The upper portion 113 of the rotary selector 111 in fact comprises an actuating lever 115 outside the deformable bellows 102, as well as an intermediate shaft 116 passing through said bellows and ensuring the connection in rotation between said actuating lever and the lower portion 112 of the rotary selector 111. Thus, by acting on the operating lever 115 of the rotary selector 111, it is easy to bring the portion

  112 in one of its two positions, in order to organize the food

  tation of the desired output 155 or 106.

  The intermediate shaft 116 has here a lower end 117 which can slide in a complementary axial recess 118 of the lower portion 112 of the rotary selector, the cross sections concerned being preferably substantially rectangular.

  In reality, the representation of Figures I and 2 being enlarged. the end 117 of the intermediate shaft 116 is in practice in the form of a thin blade which can therefore slide freely in the axial recess

  complementary 118 of the lower portion 112.

  Figures 8 to 10 distinguish the complementary axial recess 118 which is here extended to the lower end of the portion 112 by a cylindrical bore 123 for balancing the pressure in the pump. The bore 123 is not mandatory, but it is interesting for the balancing of pressures because it 1 avoids the creation of high pressure gradients, which allows, in case of pressure increase. to limit the risks of leaks and to preserve

  a good regularity of the output flow.

  Above the end portion 117, the intermediate shaft 116 preferably has a cylindrical portion 121 at the passage of the deformable bellows 102. said bellows having for this purpose a small cylindrical sleeve 122. Thus. the lever 115 can be actuated easily. without radial deformation of the bellows 102 at the level of

  passage of the intermediate shaft 116.

  According to a particular embodiment, illustrated in Figures 20 and 21. it is possible to provide circular grooves on the inner wall of the small cylindrical sleeve of the deformable bellows. The bellows 152 ', here has an upper end slightly different from that of the bellows 102 previously described. with uni small upper sleeve 122 'provided at its axial bore circular grooves 144, better visible on the magnifying glass of Figure 21. This allows to define very good point contacts between the cylindrical portion 121 of the intermediate shaft 116 and the small sleeve 122 'of the sealing bellows 102', possibly with the possibility of providing a grease arranged in the circular grooves 144 for self-lubrication of the system promoting

  flexible and reliable operation of the pump.

  It should be noted that the seal is also neat in the lower part of the sealing sleeve, thanks to the tightening

  radial around the upper portion of the pump body 101.

  In addition, if one refers to the section of FIG. 7 illustrating the pump assembly previously described in the actuating end position of the pump, which defines a stroke c when the assembly has been compressed according to the arrow 200, it is advantageous to provide that the cylindrical portion 121 of the intermediate shaft 116 can come, at the end of stroke of actuation of the pump, in abutment against the lower portion 112 of the rotary selector 111: thus, thanks to this end stop, the intermediate shaft 116 can lower the lower portion 112 in the case where it would be raised (this allows to understand why the washer 136 previously described is in fact not mandatory). Above the cylindrical portion 121, the intermediate shaft 116 finally has an upper end 119 for coupling in rotation with the actuating lexier 115 of the rotary selector 111. As is visible in FIGS. 1 and 2 , this upper end 119 has a substantially rectangular cross section, according to a

flat blade shape.

  The actuating lever 115 is furthermore mounted on a knob 12, serving to actuate the pump in one or the other of the angular positions 2 of the rotary selector 111. It is obviously advantageous to provide for a complete integration of the operating lever. 115 actuation at the top of the button 12 ', as shown here, an end 145 of the lever

  actuator that can be easily operated with a finger.

  The integration of the actuating lever 115 into the actuating button of the pump 120 may advantageously be done by a snap mode favoring both ease of assembly, and the operation of the operating lever proper. This integration will be better understood in

referring to Figures 5 and 6.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a position corresponding to the mounting of the lever on the button 120: for this purpose, the axis of the actuating lever 115 has two annular protuberances 147 opposite, these protuberances allowing a snap with elastic tabs 148 secured to the button 125 The button 125 also has annular shoulders 146 under which the protuberances 1'7 can be passed after snapping,

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  the maintenance then being perfectly ensured in one or the other of the two operating positions as illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 5 also makes it possible to distinguish bosses 149 arranged below the actuating lever 115, said bosses being able to cooperate with radial projections 150 provided on the annular shoulders 146: thus, for each of the operating positions, a slight detent is obtained to ensure that the person operating the lever that the desired position of said lever is reached properly. FIG. 6 also makes it possible to distinguish pictograms 151 and 152 on the upper face of the actuating button of the pump 125, respectively corresponding to the spray position and to the vapor emission position. It should be noted that the angular displacement of the actuating lever 115, represented by the angle e in FIG. 6, is that of the order of 125: this is not at all in contradiction with the angular offset of previously invoked for the contours of the lower portion 112 of the rotary selector 111. It is indeed easy to see that the structure of the pump assembly 10055 easily supports a range of plus or minus 15 relative to precise angular positions, without any alteration of the seal at the closure of the relevant orifice of the outlet of the pump body. This constitutes an important advantage with regard to the known techniques, and in particular techniques using a plug with lateral opening, in which case a gap

  such an important angle would then be extremely detrimental to

  ment. In the embodiment which has just been described, the upper portion 113 of the rotary selector 111 consisted of three parts, namely the intermediate shaft 116, the actuating lever 115, and the actuating button of FIG. pump 120. However, it is possible to reduce this

  number of two-piece pieces or even a single piece.

  Figure 14 thus illustrates a variant in which the actuating lever 115 'and the button 125' are only one piece. FIG. 15 illustrates another variant in which the actuating lever "and the intermediate shaft 116" constitute a single piece. It is

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  still possible to combine these two variants, providing that the actuating lever, the button. and the intermediate shaft are only one

  only one piece (this variant has not been shown).

  The choice of such or such variant will often be dictated by the constituent material selected for the rotary selector part: if one chooses to make the intermediate shaft 116 of metal, for example stainless steel, then we can provide a single piece However, in this case, the button is of cylindrical and non-semi-cylindrical external shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. However, it will be possible to choose for the intermediate shaft a plastic material such as a polyamide or a polycarbonate, and then realize a

  single set constituting two or three of the aforementioned organs.

  The pump assembly that has just been described presents

  many advantages over known achievements.

  It should first be noted the very low number of component parts, which are small in size and easily made by molding. Basically indeed, the pump assembly comprises a pump body il, a lower portion 112 with its sleeve 1 14. a deformable bellows 152. and a rotary selector (in one, two or three pieces as appropriate). This is partly due to the fact that each of the parts fulfills a plurality of functions: for example, the deformable bellows 152 serves both to define the deformable chamber of the pump, and to provide a spring effect for the return of the pump ( this avoids adding an additional part to ensure this recall), while ensuring a perfect seal, both at the level of the connection with the pump body (radial seal) and at the crossing of the shaft

  intermediate rotary selector.

  It should also be noted that given the wide tolerances possible here thanks to the structure provided, it is possible to use common materials to make the lower portion of the selector

  rotary, for example with a polyacetal.

  The tightness of the system is excellent because the deformable sleeve is always compressed in only one direction substantially

  confused with the axis of the outlet concerned, at each orifice.

  It is important to note that no other sealing element is necessary here, the sealing sleeve 114 and the bellows 102 ensuring only the

  sealing function at all levels of the set.

  Such an embodiment also makes it possible to avoid friction in the upper part of the rotary selector, which constitutes an important advantage with regard to the known embodiments in which the actuating lever had to be pressed by an insert element against the sealing face. In addition to the significant tolerances, both

  machining only with regard to the angular deflections of function-

  (It should be remembered that a deviation of plus or minus 15 in the position of the lower portion of the rotary selector does not affect the operation of the pump assembly). Finally, it should be noted that the mounting of the together can be done entirely by one mode

  axial stacking. this Gui makes possible a completely self-assembly

  Matise. The invention is not limited to the embodiment just described. but on the contrary, it includes any variant that uses. with some

  equivalent means. the features in the claims.

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Claims (17)

  1. Set of pump for steam iron, with two-position selector, a first position allows to obtain a sudden emission of steam, and a second position provides a cold water spray, characterized by the it comprises: a pump body (101) surmounted by a deformable bellows (102) defining a pump chamber (103), and having a lower suction duct (104) and two stepped lateral outlets (105); , 106) opening at an associated opening (107, 108) in a central recess (110) of said body a rotatable selector (111) inside the deformable bellows (102), and comprising a lower portion (112) arranged in the central recess (J11C) to the pump body and an upper actuating portion (113) integral in rotation with said lower portion, with the possibility of a relative axial sliding between said portions a sealing sleeve (1 14) in directly turning the lower portion (I 12) of the rotary selector (1 1) to the niteau of the two lateral outlets (155, 106) of the pump body, said assembly being further characterized by the fact that the lower portion (112) of the rotary selector (111) has an outer contour allowing simultaneous. according to the angular position of said rotary selector, to apply the sealing sleeve (1i4) against one (107 or 108) of the outlets, and to allow the passage of water towards the other (108 or 107) outlet port.   2. pump assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing sleeve (114) is essentially fixed in the associated central recess (110) of the pump body (101), and deforms radially at the outlets side (105, 106) of said pump body, by the outer contour of the lower portion (112) of the rotary selector (111i). Pump assembly according to Claim 2, characterized in that the lower portion (112) of the rotary selector (111) has   two identical outlines angularly offset, and staggered   this with the side outlets (105, 1l6) of the pump body. 2648 1 64   4. Pump assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the contours of the lower portion (112) of the rotary selector   (111) are of generally rectangular shape.   5. Pump assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the contours of the lower portion (112) of the   rotary selector (111) are shifted by about 90.   Pump assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 5,   characterized in that the central recess (110) of the pump core (101) axially has a uniform cross-section, said section defining a complex contour forming axial bearing facets (138, 139) for compressing the sleeve sealing (114) at one or the other of the outlet ports (157. G108). and side reservations   (IlI) authorizing I pass water around said sleeve.   7. Pump assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that two small axial facets (138, 139) are provided on either side of each outlet orifice (107, 108), extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of each lateral outlet (105, 106), a wider opposite axial facet (140) being further provided, parallel said small facets.   Pump assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that each of the lateral outlets (105, 106) of the pump body (101) is provided with a non-return valve (125, 126) avoiding any   air suction and facilitate the priming of the pump.   Pump assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 8,   characterized in that the upper portion (113) of the rotary selector (111) comprises an actuating lever (115) external to the deformable bellows (102), and an intermediate shaft (116) passing through said bellows and providing the connection in rotation between said operating lever   and the lower portion (112) of said rotary selector.   10. Pump assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the lower end (117) of the intermediate shaft (116) slides in a complementary axial recess (118) of the lower portion (112) of the rotary selector, cross-sections concerrnated   preferably being substantially rectangular. 2648 1 6 4 2r   Pump assembly according to claim 9 or 10.   characterized by the fact that the actuating lever (115) is mounted on a knob (120) for actuating the pump in one or the other of   angular positions of the rotary selector (111).   Pump assembly according to one of Claims 9 to 11,   characterized by the fact that the actuating lever (115) and the shaft   intermediate (116) constitute a single piece.   13. Pump assembly according to claims 11 and 12,   characterized by the fact that the button (120), the operating lever (115) and   the intermediate shaft (116) constitutes a single piece.   Pump assembly according to Claim 11, characterized in that the button (125) and the actuating lever (115) constitute a unique piece.   15. Pump assembly according to one of claims 1 to 14,   characterized in that the intermediate shaft (116) has a cylindrical portion (121) at the tread of the deformable bellows (102), said deformable bellows further having a small cylindrical sleeve (122) receiving said portion cylindrical, and whose inner wall is   provided with circular grooves (144) for perfect sealing.   16. Pump assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the cylindrical portion (121) of the intermediate shaft (116) comes. at the end of the actuating stroke of the pump, in abutment against the   lower portion (112) of the rotary selector.   Pump assembly according to one of Claims 10 to 16,   characterized in that the complementary axial recess (118) of the lower portion (112) of the rotary selector is extended to the lower end of said portion by a bore (123) for balancing pressure in the pump.