Patent Description:
The invention may be used in the field of garment care.

Garment steamers typically comprise a steam generator for generating steam, and a steamer head having steam vents from which the generated steam passes out of the steamer head and towards a garment being treated. Garment steamers tend to be used for steaming garments, fabric-like materials hung over a steaming board or laid over a hard surface, or for steaming hanging upholstery, drapes, etc. Such steam treating may be for the purpose of removing wrinkles, refreshing or straightening fabric, etc..

Such garment steamers may include a trigger in the form of one or more elastically loaded push buttons to control the steam release or steam generation process according to when the steam is required for treating the garment. In this way, the push button(s) may provide a trigger control for the user to release steam from the steamer head as-needed.

The push button(s) is/are usually integrated into the handle of the garment steamer, which is a convenient location for the user. The push button(s) may, however vary in size, shape and placement across various steamer models.

In one example, pushing of the push button causes a signal to be sent directly to a controller that controls a water pump. In response to the push button signal, the controller controls the water pump to pump a suitable amount of water from a water tank to the steam generator in order to generate steam. Depending upon the model, the steam generator is enclosed in a base of a stand garment steamer or is mounted in the steamer head itself.

In another example, the garment steamer has a steam generator and an electronic valve for controlling the release of steam from the steam generator. In such a design, the push button controls the electronic valve via a controller.

Whilst the trigger control provided by the push button(s) has advantages, such as energy and water efficiency benefits, there are certain disadvantages. For example, the user may experience physical fatigue due to the requirement to maintain pressure on the push button in order for steam delivery to be maintained. The requirement to push the button also adds a further step which the user must perform in order to steam treat a garment or fabric.

Some garment steamers may not provide such a trigger control, such that the steam output is continuous while the device is switched on. In these designs, water pools in the steam generator which results in continuous generation of steam. Users of such garment steamers may accordingly not experience the above-described disadvantages of the push button, but control over the steam release/generation process itself is nonetheless limited. Such devices may also have inherent problems associated with higher water and energy consumption.

<CIT> discloses a garment steamer for treating a garment. The garment steamer has a steam output device for generating steam.

It is an object of the invention to propose garment steamer that avoids or mitigates the abovementioned problems.

To this end, the garment steamer according to the invention comprises:.

By controlling the delivery of steam from the steam generator according to the distance between the steamer head and the garment, steam can be supplied as-needed to the garment, with associated water and energy consumption benefits. Moreover, the requirement for the user to, for instance, maintain pressure on a push button in order for steam to be delivered to the garment is obviated.

Preferably, the steamer head comprises a front plate having steam vents for expelling steam, and the laser sensor is arranged on the front plate.

This means that steam is expelled in the direction of the garment from which the distance to the steamer head is measured.

Preferably, the laser sensor is mounted in a casing having a front surface, the front surface:.

Mounting the laser sensor in this manner assists to ensure correspondence between the measured distance and the distance between the garment and the area of the steamer head from which steam is expelled. Moreover, if the front surface is recessed from the front plate <NUM>, this prevents protruding edge catching onto garment as well as enables the front plate to contact well with garment being treated.

In one example, the control means are adapted to stop the delivery of steam from the steam generator if the distance is larger than a given distance threshold, and allow the delivery of steam from the steam generator if the distance is smaller than the given distance threshold.

Thus, steam is only supplied once the steamer head is within range of the garment.

Alternatively or additionally, the control means are adapted to allow the delivery of steam with a first steam rate from the steam generator if the distance is within a first range of distance, and allow the delivery of steam with a second steam rate from the steam generator if the distance is within a second range of distance. The first steam rate in this example is different from the second steam rate.

This enables enhanced control over the amount of steam being supplied to the garment.

Preferably, the control means are adapted to turn-off an electrical supply to the steam generator if the distance remains the same during a certain time duration.

In this way, the laser sensor can be used to determine when the garment steamer is idle and should be turned off to conserve water and energy.

Preferably, the control means are adapted to generate a visual and/or sound information based on the distance.

Such visual and/or sound information can guide the user to use the garment steamer in a safe and effective manner.

In an embodiment, the control means comprise a pump to carry water from a water source to the steam generator, and a microcontroller to actuate the pump based on the distance.

Thus, the control means control the production of steam by the steam generator based on the distance measured via the laser sensor.

In another embodiment, the control means comprise an electronic valve to control the flow of steam from the steam generator, and a microcontroller to actuate the electronic valve based on the distance.

When the garment steamer comprises the casing, the casing preferably comprises a cover window.

The cover window can act as a barrier to protect the laser sensor, e.g. from dust and condensed water.

Preferably, the cover window has a thickness which is less than <NUM>, and more preferably equal or less than <NUM>.

This maximum thickness of the cover window limits attenuation of light passing out of/into the laser sensor. Also, limiting the thickness of the cover window allows minimizing internal light reflection/refraction, and thus reducing the noise or false sensing.

Preferably, the laser sensor comprises an optical sensing element, an air gap being arranged between the optical sensing element and the cover window.

This air gap prevents any contact between the optical sensing element and the cover window, which facilitates the mounting of the cover window in the steamer head.

Preferably, the air gap is equal or less than <NUM>, and more preferably equal or less than <NUM>.

This relatively small value of the air gap helps to minimise internal reflection of laser light from the cover window itself that would otherwise happen with larger value for the air gap.

Preferably, a rubber gasket is arranged between the casing and the front plate, or between a front plate holder of the steamer head and the front plate.

This rubber gasket assists to insulate the laser sensor from the heat of the front plate during use of the garment steamer. This may lessen the risk of the sensing capability of the laser sensor being compromised by the elevated temperatures within the steamer head, and may also lessen the risk of heat-damage to the laser sensor.

Preferably, the laser sensor is a time-of-flight laser sensor.

Such a time-of-flight laser sensor can be readily assembled into the steamer head, and is less prone to interference by ambient light. Moreover, such a time-of-flight laser sensor can benefit from being relatively insensitive to the different colours and reflectance properties of different fabric types.

Particular aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts or sub-steps are designated in the same manner:.

Provided is a garment steamer comprising a steam generator for generating steam, and a steamer head comprising a laser sensor for measuring the distance between the steamer head and a garment placed in front the laser sensor. The garment steamer further comprises control means configured to control, based on the measured distance, the delivery of steam from the steam generator.

<FIG> depict a steamer head <NUM> of a (handheld) garment steamer for treating a garment. The garment steamer also comprises a steam generator <NUM> for generating steam.

In this example, the steam generator <NUM> is included in the steamer head <NUM>. Water can be pumped to the steamer head <NUM> from a water tank arranged in the steamer head, or alternatively from a water source (not visible) in a base unit which is separate from the steamer head <NUM>, and the steam generator <NUM> evaporates the water supplied thereto in order to generate the steam for treating garments. In this example, the water can be supplied to the steamer head <NUM> via a tube between the water source and the steamer head <NUM>.

In another example, the steam generator <NUM> is included in a base unit of the garment steamer which is separate from the steamer head <NUM>. In this case, the garment steamer corresponds to a so-called stand garment steamer. The steam generated by the steam generator <NUM> is supplied, via a suitable thermally robust hose, to the steamer head <NUM>. In addition to the steam generator in the base, the garment steamer may also comprise a second steam generator in the steamer head.

The steamer head <NUM> comprises a laser sensor <NUM> for measuring the distance between the steamer head <NUM> and a garment placed in front the laser sensor <NUM>.

Any suitable laser sensor <NUM> can be used. The laser sensor <NUM> can operate based on a principle of light reflectance from the garment. In this case, an optical element included in the laser sensor <NUM> has a laser light source, such as a laser diode, which transmits light towards the garment. The sensing element also comprises a light sensor for sensing the light reflected back from the garment.

The laser light transmitted and sensed by the laser sensor <NUM> can have any suitable wavelength. Infra-red wavelengths, between <NUM> and <NUM>, e.g. about <NUM>, are preferred because the ranging provided by the laser sensor <NUM> is less sensitive to the visible colour and visible light reflectance properties of different fabric types.

Preferably, the laser sensor <NUM> is a time-of-flight laser sensor <NUM>. This type of laser sensor <NUM> operates by transmitting light pulses towards a target, e.g. a garment or fabric, which light pulses are reflected back to the laser sensor <NUM> from the target. By computing the time-of-flight of the light pulses, the proximity of the target relative to the laser sensor <NUM> can be determined.

Such a time-of-flight laser sensor <NUM> can also be readily assembled into the steamer head <NUM>, is minimally prone to interference by ambient light, and benefits from being relatively insensitive to the different colours and reflectance properties of different fabric types.

An example of a suitable time-of-flight laser sensor <NUM> is the VL53L0X time-of-flight laser sensor from ST Micro-electronics. This time-of-flight laser sensor <NUM> comprises a verticalcavity surface-emitting laser as the laser diode-based laser light source.

Preferably, the steamer head <NUM> is configured to maintain an operating temperature of the laser sensor <NUM> of <NUM> to <NUM>, such as <NUM>. This may enable optimal performance of the laser sensor <NUM>, e.g. the time-of-flight laser sensor <NUM>.

The garment steamer also comprises control means (not visible in <FIG>) to control, based on the measured distance, the delivery of steam from the steam generator <NUM>. The control means will be described in more detail herein below with reference to <FIG>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the steamer head <NUM> comprises a front plate <NUM> having steam vents <NUM> for expelling steam.

The front plate <NUM> may be formed from any suitable material, such as a metal or metal alloy. A coating, e.g. a sol-gel-type coating, can optionally be applied to such a metallic front plate <NUM>. The treatment surface of the front plate <NUM> which comes into contact with the fabric being treated may therefore be defined by a surface of such a coating.

The laser sensor <NUM> is arranged on or within the front plate <NUM>. By arranging the laser sensor <NUM> on or in the front plate <NUM> in which the steam vents <NUM> are provided, steam is advantageously expelled in the direction of the garment from which the distance to the steamer head <NUM> is measured. Moreover, this configuration assists to avoid the sensing region of the laser sensor <NUM> no longer facing and sensing a garment when the user is positioning the steamer head <NUM> in order to steam extremities of the garment.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the front plate <NUM> (at least partly) delimits an aperture <NUM> in which the laser sensor <NUM> is located.

The laser sensor <NUM> is preferably mounted in a casing <NUM>, <NUM> having a front surface, the front surface:.

Mounting the laser sensor <NUM> in this manner assists to ensure correspondence between the measured distance and the distance between the garment and the area of the steamer head <NUM> from which steam is expelled. Moreover, if the front surface is recessed from the front plate <NUM>, this prevents protruding edge catching onto garment as well as enables the front plate to contact well with garment being treated.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the casing <NUM>, <NUM> comprises a sensor holder <NUM> and a cover window <NUM>. The laser sensor <NUM> is mounted in the sensor holder <NUM>, and the cover window <NUM> is placed over the sensor holder <NUM>. In this case, an outer surface of the cover window <NUM> is flush with the treatment surface of the front plate <NUM>.

At least a portion of the cover window <NUM> is optically transmissive for the wavelengths of light transmitted and received by the laser sensor <NUM> in order for the distance to be measured between the steamer head <NUM> and the garment. For example, the cover window <NUM> has an optical transmissivity of greater than <NUM>%, and more preferably greater than <NUM>%, at such light wavelengths. This assists to minimise distortion of photon beams transmitted from/reflected to the laser sensor <NUM>.

In order to maximise the transmissivity of the cover window <NUM>, its thickness is minimised, preferably equal or less than <NUM>, more preferably equal or less than <NUM>, such as between <NUM> and <NUM>, e.g. about <NUM>. Also, limiting the thickness of the cover window allows minimizing internal light reflection/refraction, and thus reducing the noise or false sensing.

The cover window <NUM> is preferably a glass cover window <NUM>. The glass for the glass cover window <NUM> is selected according to its robustness, particularly at the temperatures of the front plate <NUM> during use of the garment steamer, and optical transmissivity. For example, Gorilla® glass from Corning, Inc. has been found to be suitable for such a glass cover window <NUM>.

Preferably, a rubber gasket <NUM> is arranged between the casing <NUM>, <NUM> and the front plate <NUM>, or between a front plate holder <NUM> of the steamer head and the front plate <NUM>.

This rubber gasket <NUM> may assist to insulate the laser sensor <NUM> from the heat of the front plate <NUM>, which can have a temperature of more than <NUM>, such as for example around <NUM>, during use of the garment steamer. This may lessen the risk of the sensing capability of the laser sensor <NUM> being compromised by the elevated temperatures within the steamer head <NUM>, and may also lessen the risk of heat damage to the laser sensor <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the rubber gasket <NUM> serves the additional purpose of insulating a housing assembly 118A, 118B of the steamer head <NUM> from the front plate <NUM> during use of the garment steamer. Such heat insulation assists to minimise heat transfer from the front plate <NUM> to a handle portion <NUM> of the housing assembly 118A, 118B which is grasped by the user. In this example, the rubber gasket to insulate the laser sensor and the steamer head housing from the front plate is integrally formed. In another example, two separate rubber gasket may be used.

The rubber gasket <NUM> also serves the purpose of sealing the steamer head <NUM> to minimise water leakage between the front plate <NUM> and the housing assembly 118A, 118B.

The rubber gasket <NUM> can be formed from any suitable thermally resistant elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber.

The material from which the housing assembly 118A, 118B can be formed is not particularly limited. The housing assembly 118A, 118B is preferably formed from a plastic, such as polypropylene or polybutylene terephthalate, to assist in making the steamer head <NUM> more lightweight.

As shown in <FIG>, the housing assembly 118A, 118B is defined in this example by a first housing part 118A and a second housing part 118B. The internal components of the steamer head <NUM>, and in particular the steam generator <NUM>, are enclosed by the first housing part 118A and the second housing part 118B of the housing assembly 118A, 118B, together with the front plate <NUM>.

The front plate <NUM>, together with the rubber gasket <NUM>, is assembled onto the housing assembly 118A, 118B via a front plate holder <NUM>. In this example, the sensor holder <NUM> is also mounted on the front plate holder <NUM>.

<FIG> provides a view of the separate components of the steamer head <NUM>. The front plate holder <NUM> comprises a recessed region <NUM> in which the sensor holder <NUM> is received during assembly of the steamer head <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the recessed region <NUM> is shaped and dimensioned to complement the profile of the sensor holder <NUM>.

The view provided in <FIG> shows part of the steam generator <NUM>, and in particular the steam distribution plate <NUM> of the steam generator <NUM> in which steam channels <NUM> are defined. Each of the steam channels <NUM> aligns with a respective steam vent <NUM> of the front plate <NUM> when the steamer head <NUM> is assembled.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the steamer head <NUM> comprises a user interface <NUM>, in this case in the form of a push button. The control means and the laser sensor <NUM> enable control over the steam delivered by the steam generator <NUM> without requiring such a push button <NUM> to be continuously pressed when steam is required. But additionally providing a user interface <NUM> enables further options for controlling the garment steamer.

For example, the control means can be triggered to initiate the (automated) control over the delivery of steam from the steam generator <NUM> based on the measured distance, by a user input entered via the user interface <NUM>, e.g. a single press and release of the push button <NUM>.

This could improve the safety of the garment steamer because the automatic steam control is only initiated once the user has entered the input via the user interface <NUM>. This could assist to mitigate the risk that a body part of the user, e.g. a hand, in front of the front plate <NUM> accidentally causes steam to be delivered towards the body part.

In another example, the garment steamer is configured to permit manual control over the steam delivery from the steam generator <NUM> in a first mode, e.g. by continuously pushing the push button <NUM>, and the above-described control over the steam delivery in which the control means controls the delivery of steam from the steam generator <NUM> based on the measured distance in a second mode.

The user interface <NUM> may, for instance, be configured to enable the user to select either the first mode or the second mode.

As shown in <FIG>, an electrical connection <NUM>, e.g. electrical wiring, extends from the laser sensor <NUM>. This electrical connection <NUM> carries sensor signals from the laser sensor <NUM> to the control means, e.g. to a microcontroller included in the control means.

<FIG> depict a sequence of assembly steps used to fabricate the above-described steamer head <NUM>.

<FIG> shows mounting of the laser sensor <NUM> in the sensor holder <NUM>. In this example, the sensor holder <NUM> delimits an opening <NUM> which aligns with an optical sensing element <NUM> included in the laser sensor <NUM>. The optical sensing element <NUM> transmits light towards the garment and receives light returning from the garment. Providing the opening <NUM> in the sensor holder <NUM> assists to minimise blocking or attenuation of the light passing out of or into the sensing element <NUM> by the sensor holder <NUM>.

The optical sensing element <NUM> is preferably mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the sensor holder <NUM> includes a cavity <NUM> in which the PCB <NUM> is accommodated.

Once the laser sensor <NUM> is received in the cavity <NUM>, remaining space in the cavity <NUM> is preferably filled with a suitable thermal padding to minimise the risk of the sensing capability of the laser sensor <NUM> being compromised by the elevated temperatures within the steamer head <NUM>. Such thermal padding may also protect the laser sensor <NUM> from thermal damage.

A resin, such as silicone paste, can provide such thermal padding and also assist to secure the laser sensor <NUM> within the cavity <NUM>.

Also evident in <FIG> are holes <NUM> which enable the sensor holder <NUM> to be fastened to the front plate holder <NUM> via suitable fasteners <NUM>, e.g. screws. This fastening is shown in <FIG>. Thus, the sensor holder <NUM>, whilst holding the laser sensor <NUM>, is secured to the front plate holder <NUM>. This affords the front plate holder assembly shown to the right of the arrow in <FIG>.

<FIG> depicts covering of the optical sensing element <NUM> of the laser sensor <NUM> with the cover window <NUM>. The arrows in <FIG> represent securing of the cover window <NUM> over the optical sensing element <NUM> by filling a groove or grooves <NUM> around the cover window <NUM> with a suitable adhesive or resin, such as silicone paste or epoxy resin.

Preferably, the cover window <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, has an optically transmissive region <NUM>, which optically transmissive region aligns with the optical sensing element <NUM> when the cover window <NUM> is secured over the laser sensor <NUM>, and a non-transmissive region <NUM> surrounding the optically transmissive region <NUM>. The non-transmissive region <NUM> may assist to improve the performance of the laser sensor <NUM> by blocking extraneous light which would otherwise interfere with the sensing of the reflected light returning to the optical sensing element <NUM> from the garment.

The non-transmissive region <NUM> can, for example, be provided by painting the cover window <NUM>, other than in the optically transmissive region <NUM>, with an opaque, e.g. black, paint.

<FIG> shows the cover window <NUM> assembled onto the front plate holder assembly.

In <FIG>, the rubber gasket <NUM> is assembled onto the front plate holder <NUM>. The rubber gasket <NUM> (at least partly) delimits an open area <NUM> in which the cover window <NUM> is received. Thus, the rubber gasket <NUM> does not block light from exiting and entering the optical sensing element <NUM> of the laser sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the front plate <NUM> being assembled onto the rubber gasket <NUM>. The cover window <NUM> is received within an aperture <NUM> provided in the front plate <NUM>, as previously described.

The steam generator <NUM> is affixed to the front plate holder <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, which affords a steam generator assembly. The steam generator assembly is subsequently enclosed between the first housing part 118A and the second housing part 118B of the housing assembly 118A, 118B, as shown in <FIG>.

There is preferably no direct contact between the steam generator <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM>, such that heat transfer is mostly by radiation instead of conduction. Maximising the distance between the laser sensor <NUM> and the steam generator <NUM> assists to keep such heat transfer to a minimum.

<FIG> provides a cutaway view of part of the steamer head <NUM>. The steam generator <NUM> in this example has a steam generator cover <NUM>. With this arrangement, only a relatively small degree of radiation heat transfer, as represented by the arrow <NUM> in <FIG>, is provided from the steam generator <NUM> to the laser sensor <NUM>. This may assist the laser sensor <NUM> to operate within its intended/specified temperature range.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, there are shown shows areas 158A, 158B for example made of the resin, e.g. silicone paste or epoxy resin, used to adhere the cover window <NUM> to the front plate holder <NUM>. In other examples, the cover window <NUM> is directly adhered to the sensor holder <NUM>.

Preferably, a tolerance <NUM> of <NUM> to <NUM> is provided between the front plate <NUM> and the cover window <NUM>. This may assist to prevent that thermal expansion of the front plate <NUM> impinges on or damages the cover window <NUM>.

<FIG> provides an enlarged view (rotated by <NUM> degrees) of a part of the steamer head shown in <FIG>.

An air gap <NUM> is arranged between the (top of the) optical sensing element <NUM> and the cover window <NUM>. Preferably, the (thickness of the) air gap is equal or less than <NUM>, more preferably equal or less than <NUM>. Elements 158A and 158B are arranged between the front plate holder <NUM> and the cover window <NUM>. The air gap is determined in particular by the following parameters:.

The thickness <NUM> of the cover window <NUM> is also preferably less than <NUM>, and more preferably equal or less than <NUM>, as previously described.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the combined depth <NUM>, <NUM> of the air gap and the cover window <NUM> is less than <NUM>. This may minimise internal reflection and attenuation of the light passing out of and into the optical sensing element <NUM> of the laser sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> provides an alternative embodiment of <FIG>.

<FIG> differs from <FIG> in that elements 158A and 158B are arranged between the sensor holder <NUM> and the cover window <NUM>.

<FIG> provides a block diagram of a garment steamer <NUM> according to an example. The garment steamer <NUM> comprises the laser sensor <NUM>, and the control means 202A, 204A.

The laser sensor <NUM> is for measuring the distance between the steamer head <NUM> and a garment placed in front the laser sensor <NUM>, as previously described. The control means 202A, 204A are configured to control, based on the measured distance, the delivery of steam from the steam generator <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG>, the control means 202A, 204A comprise a pump 204A to carry water from a water source to the steam generator <NUM>, and a microcontroller 202A configured to actuate the pump 204A based on the measured distance.

The pump 204A and the water source in this example are preferably provided in a base unit which is separate from the steamer head <NUM>. In this case, a cord carrying a water tube connects the base unit to the steamer head <NUM>. The cord may also carry electrical wiring between the steam head <NUM> and the base unit. In a handheld steamer, the pump and water source (e.g. a water tank) are integrated in the steamer head.

Such electrical wiring can, for example, carry sensory signals from the laser sensor <NUM> to the microcontroller 202A, when the microcontroller 202A is included in the base unit.

The arrow between the block <NUM> corresponding to the laser sensor and the block 202A representing the microcontroller denotes the transfer of sensory signals or data from the laser sensor <NUM> to the microcontroller 202A.

Similarly, the arrow between the block 202A corresponding to the microcontroller and the block 204A representing the pump denotes control signals which control the actuation of the pump 204A. Controlling the supply of water pumped to the steam generator <NUM> by the pump 204A based on the distance measured between the steamer head <NUM> and the garment enables convenient control over the delivery of steam from the steam generator <NUM>.

<FIG> provides an alternative example in which the control means 202B, 204B comprise an electronic valve 204B configured to control the flow of steam from the steam generator <NUM>, and a microcontroller 202B to actuate the electronic valve 204B based on the measured distance.

In this example, the delivery of steam from the steam generator <NUM> is thus controlled by the electronic valve 204B controlling the flow of steam from the steam generator <NUM>, as opposed to the control over the production of steam described above in relation to the example of <FIG>.

<FIG> provides a block diagram of an exemplary garment steamer <NUM>. In this example, the steamer head <NUM> of the garment steamer <NUM> comprises a first power supply <NUM> which supplies power to the laser sensor <NUM>, an auxiliary controller <NUM>, and a first communications module <NUM>.

The garment steamer <NUM> shown in <FIG> further comprises a base unit <NUM>. The base unit <NUM> comprises a second power supply <NUM> which supplies power to a main controller <NUM>, a steam generator driving and control circuit <NUM>, and a second communications module <NUM>.

The first communications module <NUM> and the second communications module <NUM> communicate with each other, as represented in <FIG> by the double-headed arrow therebetween, such that sensory signals or data from the laser sensor <NUM> of the steamer head <NUM> are communicated to the main controller <NUM> and the steam generator driving and control circuit <NUM>. The latter may then provide control signals for controlling the delivery of steam by the steam generator <NUM> according to the measured distance between the steamer head <NUM> and the garment, as previously described.

Thus, at least some of the processing of the sensory data is implemented in the main controller <NUM> and the steam generator driving and control circuit <NUM> in the base unit <NUM>. But by also at least partially processing the sensory data using the auxiliary controller <NUM> in the steamer head <NUM>, and transmitting the thus processed data to the main controller <NUM> in the base unit <NUM>, noise can be reduced relative to the scenario in which all processing of the sensory data is performed within the base unit <NUM>.

Exemplary control methods for controlling the delivery of steam by the steam generator <NUM> will now be described with reference to <FIG>. Such methods are implementable via a suitably configured controller, such as the microcontrollers 202A, 202B described above in relation to <FIG>.

In other words, the controller can be pre-programmed with a suitable algorithm to control the above-described pump 204A or electronic valve 204B according to the measured distance of the steamer head <NUM> from the garment, with reference to one or more given threshold distances.

When, for example, the garment steamer <NUM> is switched on, the proximity sensor, e.g. the laser sensor <NUM>, can automatically compute the target distance between the steamer head <NUM> and the garment/fabric up to a range of <NUM> metres in less than <NUM>.

<FIG> provides a flowchart of a control method <NUM> according to a first example. In operation box <NUM>, the distance between the steamer head <NUM> and the garment is obtained via a proximity sensor, e.g. the above-described laser sensor <NUM>.

In decision box <NUM> it is determined whether or not the distance is larger than a given distance threshold, such as <NUM> to <NUM>. If yes, the steam is stopped or is not delivered from the steam generator <NUM> in operation box <NUM>. If no, the delivery of steam from the steam generator <NUM> is allowed in operation box <NUM>.

This is schematically illustrated in <FIG>. The laser sensor <NUM> approaches a garment <NUM>, and the distance D between the laser sensor <NUM> and the fabric <NUM> is determined via reflection of the transmitted light <NUM> from the garment <NUM>. The reflected light <NUM> is reflected back towards the laser sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows the given distance threshold D1. If the measured distance D is larger than the given distance threshold D1, the steam delivery is stopped. But if the measured distance D is not larger than, in other words is equal to or less than, the given distance threshold D1, the steam delivery is allowed.

Thus, steam is only supplied once the steamer head <NUM> is within range of the garment <NUM>.

<FIG> provides a flowchart of another control method <NUM>. Similarly to the control method <NUM> shown in <FIG>, in operation box <NUM>, the distance D between the steamer head <NUM> and the garment <NUM> is obtained via a proximity sensor, e.g. the above-described laser sensor <NUM>. In decision box <NUM> it is determined whether or not the distance D is larger than a given distance threshold D1, such as <NUM>. If yes, the steam is stopped or is not delivered from the steam generator <NUM> in operation box <NUM>. If no, it is determined in decision box <NUM> whether or not the distance D is larger than a second given distance threshold which is smaller than the given distance threshold D1.

If the distance D is larger than the second given distance threshold, the steam delivery from the steam generator <NUM> is implemented at a first steam rate R1 in operation box <NUM>. If the distance D is not larger than, in other words is less than or equal to, the second given distance threshold, the steam delivery from the steam generator <NUM> is implemented at a second steam rate R2 which is different from the first steam rate R1.

For example, the given distance threshold D1 is <NUM>, and the second given distance threshold is <NUM>.

Preferably, the second steam rate R2 is less than the first steam rate R1 in order to lessen the risk of a greater amount of steam being supplied relatively close to the garment <NUM> causing damage to the garment <NUM>.

More generally, steam in this example is delivered from the steam generator <NUM> with the first steam rate R1 if the distance D is within a first range of distance, and with the second steam rate R2 if the distance D is within a second range of distance. This enables enhanced control over the amount of steam being supplied to the garment <NUM>.

The control method <NUM> of <FIG> is schematically depicted in <FIG>. When the measured distance D is greater than the given distance threshold D1, the steam delivery from the steam generator <NUM> is stopped. When the measured distance D is less than or equal to D1, steam delivery from the steam generator <NUM> is allowed.

The first range of distance is defined between the given distance threshold D1 and the second given distance threshold D2. When the measured distance D is in this first range of distance, steam is delivered at the first steam rate R1.

When the measured distance D is less than D2, in other words when the measured distance is within the second range of distance, steam is delivered at the second steam rate R2.

<FIG> provides a flowchart of another control method <NUM>. Similarly to the control method <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in operation box <NUM>, the distance D between the steamer head <NUM> and the garment <NUM> is obtained via a proximity sensor, e.g. the above-described laser sensor <NUM>. In decision box <NUM> it is determined whether or not the distance D is larger than a given distance threshold D1, such as <NUM>. If yes, the steam is stopped or is not delivered from the steam generator <NUM> in operation box <NUM>. If no, steam delivery is initiated in operation box <NUM>.

It is determined in decision box <NUM> whether or not the distance D is larger than a third given distance threshold. If yes, first visual and/or sound information is issued to the user via a suitable (further) user interface, for example by a green light being on and a red light being off, in operation box <NUM>. If no, second visual and/or sound information is issued to the user via the further user interface, for example by the abovementioned green light being off and the abovementioned red light being on. The first and second visual and/or sound information are different from each other.

Thus, the visual and/or sound information is issued based on the measured distance D. This can guide the user to use the garment steamer <NUM> in a safe and effective manner, for example by indicating to the user when the steamer head <NUM> is too close to the fabric <NUM>.

The control method <NUM> of <FIG> is schematically depicted in <FIG>. In both <FIG> steam delivery from the steam generator <NUM> is allowed because the steamer head <NUM> is within the given distance threshold D from the garment <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the distance D is larger than the third given distance threshold D3, such that the further user interface 332A issues the first visual and/or sound information.

In <FIG> the distance D is less than the third given distance threshold D3, such that the further user interface 332B issues the second visual and/or sound information.

<FIG> provides a flowchart of another control method <NUM>. Similarly to the control method <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in operation box <NUM>, the distance D between the steamer head <NUM> and the garment <NUM> is obtained via a proximity sensor, e.g. the above-described laser sensor <NUM>. In decision box <NUM> it is determined whether or not the distance D is larger than a given distance threshold D1, such as <NUM>. If no, steam delivery is initiated in operation box <NUM>.

If yes, the steam is stopped or is not delivered from the steam generator <NUM> in operation box <NUM>, and it is determined in decision box <NUM> whether or not the steam delivery has been stopped for a certain time duration, e.g. <NUM> minutes. If yes, the electrical supply to the steam generator <NUM> is tuned off in operation box <NUM>.

In this way, the proximity sensor, e.g. the laser sensor <NUM>, can be used to determine when the garment steamer <NUM> is idle and should be turned off to conserve water and energy.

Whilst the above-described control methods, such as the control methods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> respectively depicted in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, can be effectively implemented using the laser sensor <NUM>, e.g. the time-of-flight laser sensor <NUM>, described above. Alternative proximity sensors may also be employed in such methods, such as ultrasonic proximity sensors.

Claim 1:
A garment steamer (<NUM>) for treating a garment, the garment steamer (<NUM>) comprising:
- a steam generator (<NUM>) for generating steam, characterized in that the garment steamer comprises:
- a steamer head (<NUM>) comprising a laser sensor (<NUM>) for measuring the distance (D) between the steamer head (<NUM>) and a garment placed in front the laser sensor (<NUM>), and
- control means (202A, 204A; 202B, 204B) to control, based on said distance (D), the delivery of steam from the steam generator (<NUM>).