| 摘要 |
A variable steam flow assembly for a steam iron includes a metering valve which does not depend on axial movement of a valve member with respect to a valve seat to control the steam flow rate, as in conventional metering valves, thus allowing the steam flow rate to be more accurately controlled. The metering valve includes a cylindrical gasket having a transverse bore disposed intermediate the ends. Longitudinal bores between each end of the gasket and the transverse bore define a plurality of flow passageways through the valve. A valving member is rotatably received in the transverse bore. Rotation of the valving member allows various flow passageways to be selected. The valving member is mechanically coupled to a steam flow control knob disposed on the exterior of the steam iron housing. The steam flow control knob is provided with a plurality of detent positions to allow a finite number of flow rates to be selected. A drip tube provided at the discharge of the metering valve prevents the valve member from being in direct communication with the steam generator. This reduces the possibility of mineral deposits forming on the valve member due to spattering resulting from the boiling of water droplets in the steam generator; hence changing the flow rate. The drip tube is provided with longitudinal bores of smaller diameter than the gasket that determine the flow rate through the valve.
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