A steam iron

Abstract

The present invention relates to a steam iron, comprising: an iron body; a water tank, arranged in the iron body; a soleplate assembly, comprising a soleplate and a vaporization chamber, the vaporization chamber being used for water in the water tank to enter so as to form steam; a first control valve structure, arranged on a water flow path between the water tank and the vaporization chamber of the soleplate assembly, for controlling the water flow interruption; a connecting mechanism, through which the soleplate assembly can be movably connected to the upper iron body, and when the soleplate assembly contacts the clothes to be ironed and moves upward relative to the iron body, the first control valve structure can be triggered to open and allow water to flow; an elastic biasing mechanism, acting on the soleplate assembly, and making the soleplate assembly always have a tendency to move downward relative to the iron body. The problem of the soleplate and the clothes not being able to effectively contact each other will not occur, and the ironing effect of the clothes will be improved, and the clothes will not be scratched or damaged during the ironing process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ironing equipment, and in particular to a steam iron. Background Art

[0002] Steam iron is a common household product. The existing steam iron mainly includes a housing, a bottom plate arranged at the bottom of the housing, and a water tank arranged in the main body of the iron. The bottom plate is provided with a vaporization chamber and a heating plate for heating the vaporization chamber. Water in the water tank enters the vaporization chamber by its own weight or an electromagnetic water pump, forms steam in the vaporization chamber, and is then released from the air outlet of the bottom plate. A steam button is provided on the housing. The user can press the steam button to control the electromagnetic water pump to start or stop, so that the iron starts to release or stop releasing steam.

[0003] At present, conventional iron products must manually turn the steam button on the handle to release steam during use, which is inconvenient to use. In order to solve this technical problem, the Chinese invention patent "A New Automatic Steam Iron" with application number CN201910007460.X (publication number CN109402997A) includes a micro switch, a micro switch elastic trigger connector (using a stainless steel probe or a stainless steel spring), and a through hole near the tail end of the iron sole plate for the micro switch elastic trigger connector to pass through. One end of the micro switch elastic trigger connector is detachably connected to the micro switch, and the other end can be connected to the clothes placed under the iron sole plate through the through hole of the iron sole plate. When the steam iron is ironing, the micro switch elastic trigger connector contacts the clothes to be ironed, retracts inward to trigger the micro switch, and the micro switch transmits a signal to the control system, and then controls the electromagnetic water pump to start or shut down to realize the function of automatic steam output.

[0004] The steam iron in the above patent still has certain deficiencies. The end of the stainless steel probe or stainless steel spring arranged on the bottom plate of the iron protrudes outward from the bottom surface of the bottom plate, which makes it impossible for the bottom plate of the iron to be in complete and effective contact with the clothes. In particular, there will inevitably be a gap in the contact area between the end of the stainless steel probe (or stainless steel spring) and the clothes, which affects the ironing effect of the clothes. In addition, during the ironing process, the contact between the stainless steel probe or stainless steel spring and the clothes will also leave scratches or damage the clothes. Secondly, when the steam switch of the existing steam iron is pressed, the water pump will immediately pump water from the water tank into the vaporization chamber. Regardless of whether the bottom plate is heated or not, the water pump is pumping water. If the heating temperature of the heating plate is not enough, the water in the vaporization chamber cannot be vaporized, which is likely to cause dripping of the bottom plate.

[0005] Therefore, the existing steam iron also needs further improvement. Summary of the invention

[0006] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a steam iron in view of the current status of the prior art, which can realize that a water tank automatically supplies water to a vaporization chamber to generate steam when the sole plate contacts clothes. The steam iron effectively avoids the need to set a micro switch trigger member protruding out of the bottom surface of the sole plate on the sole plate of the iron.

[0007] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a steam iron that can prevent the water tank from supplying water to the vaporization chamber of the soleplate before the soleplate is heated, thereby avoiding the problem of low-temperature dripping.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first technical problem is: a steam iron, comprising:

[0009] The iron body comprises a shell and a water tank arranged in the shell;

[0010] A soleplate assembly is connected below the iron body and comprises a soleplate and a vaporization chamber disposed on the soleplate, wherein the vaporization chamber is used for water in the water tank to enter and form steam therein;

[0011] The first control valve structure is provided on the water flow path between the water tank and the vaporization chamber of the bottom plate assembly, and is used to control the water flow interruption; and further includes:

[0012] a connecting mechanism, provided between the iron body and the soleplate assembly, through which the soleplate assembly can be movably connected to the upper iron body in an upward and downward manner, so that when the soleplate assembly contacts the clothes to be ironed and moves upward relative to the iron body, the first control valve structure can be triggered to open and allow water to flow;

[0013] The elastic biasing mechanism acts on the sole plate assembly and makes the sole plate assembly always have a tendency to move downward relative to the iron body.

[0014] The up and down movement of the sole plate assembly relative to the iron body may refer to the overall (front and rear parts) of the sole plate assembly synchronously moving up and down relative to the iron body, or may refer to the front part of the sole plate assembly being limited (rotatably connected) to the iron body, while the rear part of the sole plate assembly swings up and down relative to the iron body. Similarly, it may refer to the rear part of the sole plate assembly being limited to the iron body, while the front part of the sole plate assembly swings up and down relative to the iron body. Correspondingly, the connection mechanism is selected to be various prior arts that can realize the up and down movement of the sole plate assembly relative to the iron body.

[0015] In order to limit the rear portion of the soleplate assembly on the iron body and enable the front portion of the soleplate assembly to swing up and down relative to the iron body, the connection mechanism includes a rotating shaft assembly and a limiting rod assembly, the rear portion of the soleplate assembly is rotatably connected to the rear position of the iron body through the rotating shaft assembly, and the front portion of the iron body limits the soleplate assembly in the up and down directions through the limiting rod assembly, so that the front portion of the soleplate assembly swings in the up and down directions.

[0016] The limiting rod assembly comprises a limiting rod for connecting the iron body and the soleplate assembly, the lower end of the limiting rod passes through a limiting hole correspondingly provided on the iron body and is connected to the soleplate assembly, and the upper end of the limiting rod is provided with a blocking piece for abutting against the edge of the limiting hole;

[0017] The elastic biasing mechanism can adopt various existing technologies, and may include various metal elastic elements such as compression springs, torsion springs, and spring leaves, or an elastic member made of elastomeric materials such as silicone or rubber. However, in order to avoid the first elastic member from being corroded and damaged in a high temperature and humid environment, the elastic biasing mechanism is an annular silicone sleeve mounted on the outer periphery of the limiting rod, and the upper and lower ends of the annular silicone sleeve respectively abut against the base plate assembly and the iron body.

[0018] As an improvement, the shaft assembly includes a connecting bracket and a rotating shaft arranged on the iron body, a first end of the connecting bracket is connected to the rotating shaft, and a second end of the connecting bracket is connected to the bottom plate assembly.

[0019] In order to enable the bottom plate assembly to flexibly trigger the first control valve structure to open and allow water to flow when the bottom plate assembly moves upward, the first control valve structure includes:

[0020] A first valve stem is movably disposed up and down in a first valve port corresponding to a water flow path between the water tank and the vaporization chamber of the bottom plate assembly, and an upper end of the first valve stem has a first sealing portion that can block the first valve port when moving downward;

[0021] A first compression spring is sleeved on the first valve stem and acts on a first stopper corresponding to the lower end of the first valve stem so that the first valve stem always has a tendency to move downward;

[0022] The first elastic silicone member is located below the first valve port and can be deformed by being pressed by the bottom plate assembly when the bottom plate assembly moves upward, thereby driving the first valve stem to move upward to open the first valve port.

[0023] In order to make it easier for the bottom plate assembly to contact the first elastic silicone member and deform the first elastic silicone member when moving upward, a first protrusion extending downward to contact the bottom plate is provided on the wall of the first elastic silicone member at a position corresponding to the first valve stem.

[0024] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the second technical problem is: it also includes a second control valve structure and a temperature-sensing trigger mechanism, the second control valve structure is arranged on the water flow path between the water tank and the vaporization chamber of the base plate assembly, the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism is linked with the second control valve structure and can open the second control valve structure to allow water to flow when the base plate is heated to a corresponding set temperature.

[0025] In order to enable the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism to flexibly trigger the second control valve structure to open and allow water to flow when the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism is actuated, the second control valve structure includes:

[0026] A second valve stem is movably disposed up and down in a second valve port corresponding to a water flow path between the water tank and the vaporization chamber of the bottom plate assembly, and an upper end of the second valve stem has a second sealing portion that can block the second valve port when moving downward;

[0027] A second compression spring is sleeved on the second valve stem and acts on a second stopper corresponding to the lower end of the second valve stem so that the second valve stem always has a tendency to move downward;

[0028] The second elastic silicone member is located below the second valve port and can be compressed by the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism when the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism is actuated to deform and drive the second valve stem to move upward to open the second valve port.

[0029] In order to make it easier for the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism to contact the second elastic silicone member and deform the second elastic silicone member when it is activated, a second protrusion extending downward to contact the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism is provided on the wall of the second elastic silicone member at a position corresponding to the second valve stem.

[0030] In order to reduce production costs, the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism includes a bimetallic spring sheet, the first end of which is connected to the base plate assembly, and the second end of the bimetallic spring sheet extends to the bottom of the second elastic silicone member. When the base plate is heated to a set temperature, the second end of the bimetallic spring sheet can bounce upward, driving the second elastic silicone member to deform, thereby triggering the second control valve structure to open and allow water to flow. When the temperature of the base plate is lower than the set temperature, the second end of the bimetallic spring sheet will not bounce up, and the second control valve structure will remain closed to prevent water from continuing to flow into the vaporization chamber of the base plate assembly. Of course, it is conceivable that the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism can use an electric drive device that is connected to the corresponding temperature detection device for signal communication, and the control system controls the action to trigger the second control valve structure to open or close. The electric drive device can specifically use various existing technologies.

[0031] In order to simplify the flow channel structure between the water tank and the vaporization chamber of the bottom plate, reduce the production cost, and facilitate the arrangement of the above-mentioned first control valve structure and the second control valve structure on the corresponding flow path, the first valve port and the second valve port are both arranged on the wall of the water tank; corresponding to the second valve port, the periphery of the second elastic silicone member is sealed and connected to the outer wall of the water tank so that the space between the second elastic silicone member and the wall of the water tank forms a first buffer chamber, and the first buffer chamber is fluidically connected to the water tank through the second valve port; a second buffer chamber connected to the first buffer chamber is also arranged on the wall of the water tank corresponding to the position where the first valve port is located; corresponding to the first valve port, the periphery of the first elastic silicone member is sealed and connected to the wall of the water tank so that the space between the first elastic silicone member and the wall of the water tank forms a third buffer chamber, and the third buffer chamber is fluidically connected to the second buffer chamber through the first valve port, and the third buffer chamber is also connected to the vaporization chamber through the water inlet pipe; the water tank is connected to the vaporization chamber through the second valve port, the first buffer chamber, the second buffer chamber, the first valve port, the third buffer chamber and the water inlet pipe in sequence to form the water flow path.

[0032] In order to facilitate the opening of the first valve port and the second valve port on the wall of the water tank, a first annular wall is provided on the inner wall of the water tank corresponding to the position of the first valve port, and the first annular wall is arranged around the outer periphery of the first valve port. The first annular wall is covered with a sealing cover to form the second buffer cavity, and a water outlet channel for connecting the first buffer cavity and the second buffer cavity is provided on the wall of the water tank.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: the soleplate of the present invention is connected to the iron body through a connecting structure, and the soleplate assembly can move upward relative to the iron body when it contacts the clothes to be ironed, and when the soleplate assembly moves upward, it can trigger the first control valve structure to open, so that water flows into the vaporization chamber of the soleplate to form steam. The steam iron of the present invention avoids the structural form of the prior art that a micro switch triggering member protruding from the bottom surface of the soleplate is provided on the soleplate of the iron to trigger the micro switch, so that the problem of the soleplate and the clothes not being able to effectively contact each other will not occur, which improves the ironing effect of the clothes, and will not leave scratches or damage the clothes during the ironing process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 A partial exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the heat insulation sleeve and the bottom plate of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Step cross-sectional view of

[0038] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention (the first valve port and the second valve port are both in a closed state);

[0039] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention (the first valve port and the second valve port are both in an open state);

[0040] Figure 7 It is a partial structural exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure in the upward viewing angle state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] See also Figure 1-Figure 8A steam iron includes an iron body 10, a water tank 20, a first control valve structure, a second control valve structure, a temperature sensing trigger mechanism, an elastic biasing mechanism and a soleplate assembly. The water tank 20 is arranged in the iron body 10, and the soleplate assembly is arranged below the iron body 10. The soleplate assembly has a vaporization chamber 31. Water in the water tank 20 can flow into the vaporization chamber 31 of the soleplate assembly, and after being heated by a heating tube (not shown) to form steam, it is ejected from the upper steam holes (not shown) corresponding to the bottom surface of the soleplate assembly.

[0044] See also Figure 2 The soleplate assembly is connected to the iron body 10 through a connecting mechanism. Specifically, the iron body 10 includes a shell 12 and a heat-insulating sleeve 11 connected to the lower part of the shell 12. The heat-insulating sleeve 11 is located above the soleplate assembly, and the soleplate assembly is connected to the heat-insulating sleeve 11 through a connecting mechanism.

[0045] See also Figure 2 The connection mechanism includes a rotating shaft assembly 41 and a limiting rod assembly 42. The rear part of the soleplate assembly is rotatably connected to the rear position of the iron body 10 through the rotating shaft assembly 41. The front part of the iron body 10 limits the soleplate assembly in the up and down directions through the limiting rod assembly 42 so that the front part of the soleplate assembly can swing in a small range in the up and down directions.

[0046] See also Figure 2 The shaft assembly 41 includes a connecting bracket 46 and a rotating shaft 47. The heat insulating sleeve 11 is provided with a rotating shaft hole 110. The rotating shaft 47 is inserted into the rotating shaft hole 110 and is clamped at the end by an E-shaped retaining ring 111 to prevent it from falling off or loosening. The connecting bracket 46 is L-shaped. The first end of the connecting bracket 46 is connected to the rotating shaft 47, and the second end of the connecting bracket 46 is connected to the bottom plate assembly. In order to make the rotation process of the bottom plate assembly more stable, the rotating shaft assembly 41 in this embodiment has two groups, which are respectively located on the left and right sides of the bottom plate assembly.

[0047] See also Figure 2 The limiting rod assembly 42 includes a limiting rod 43, wherein the limiting rod 43 of the present embodiment is a screw rod, the lower end of which is threadedly connected to the bottom plate assembly, and a limiting hole 110 for the limiting rod 43 to pass through is correspondingly provided on the heat insulating sleeve 11 of the iron body 10, and a blocking piece 44 is sleeved on the upper end of the limiting rod 43, and the size of the blocking piece can be appropriately larger (larger than the size of the limiting hole) so as to play a limiting role above the limiting hole 110.

[0048] The elastic biasing mechanism in this embodiment is an annular silicone sleeve 45 sleeved on the outer circumference of the limiting rod 43 , and the upper and lower ends of the annular silicone sleeve 45 respectively abut against the bottom plate assembly and the heat insulation sleeve 11 .

[0049] When the user holds the iron to iron clothes, the bottom plate assembly of the iron contacts the clothes, and under the action of the reaction force, the annular silicone sleeve 45 is squeezed and deformed and shrinks in the vertical direction. At the same time, the front of the bottom plate assembly moves upward. When the bottom plate assembly of the iron is separated from the clothes and ironing stops, the front of the bottom plate assembly is driven to move downward and reset to the initial position under the elastic force of the annular silicone sleeve 45. In this embodiment, the annular silicone sleeve 45 is used to prevent the elastic biasing mechanism from being corroded and damaged in a high temperature and humid environment, thereby extending the service life.

[0050] The first control valve structure and the second control valve structure are both arranged on the water flow path from the water tank 20 of the iron to the vaporization chamber of the soleplate assembly, and both can control the on and off of the water flow path. When the soleplate assembly contacts the clothes to be ironed and moves upward relative to the iron body 10, it can trigger the first control valve structure to open and allow water to flow. The second control valve structure is linked to the temperature sensing trigger mechanism, which can be activated when the soleplate assembly is heated to the corresponding set temperature, and open the second control valve structure to allow water to flow. The structure and action process of the temperature sensing trigger mechanism are described in detail below.

[0051] See also Figure 7 and Figure 8 The water tank 20 includes a water tank bottom plate 201, on which a first valve port 21 and a second valve port 22 are provided, wherein a first annular wall 23 is provided on the upper side (inner wall) of the bottom plate assembly of the water tank 20 corresponding to the position of the first valve port 21, and the first annular wall 23 is arranged around the outer periphery of the first valve port 21, and a sealing cover 27 is covered on the first annular wall 23 to form a second buffer cavity 25, and the first valve port 21 is communicated with the second buffer cavity 25.

[0052] Combination Figure 8 , corresponding to the second valve port 22, a second annular wall 28 is provided below (outer wall) the water tank bottom plate 201, and an annular groove is provided on the second annular wall 28 along the circumferential direction, in which a second elastic silicone member 65 is embedded. Specifically, the second elastic silicone member 65 is an elastic silicone sheet, and the periphery of the elastic silicone sheet is sealed and connected in the annular groove, so that the space between the elastic silicone sheet and the wall surface of the water tank bottom plate 201 forms a first buffer cavity 66, and the first buffer cavity 66 is connected to the second buffer cavity 25 through a water outlet channel 202 provided on the wall of the water tank.

[0053] Combination Figure 8Corresponding to the first valve port 21, a third annular wall 29 is provided below (outer wall) the water tank bottom plate 201, and an annular groove is also provided on the third annular wall 29 along the circumferential direction, in which a first elastic silicone member 55 is embedded. Specifically, the first elastic silicone member 55 is also an elastic silicone sheet, and the periphery of the elastic silicone sheet is sealed and connected in the annular groove, so that the space between the elastic silicone sheet and the wall surface of the water tank bottom plate 201 forms a third buffer chamber 56, and the third buffer chamber 56 communicates with the second buffer chamber 25 through the first valve port 21.

[0054] Combination Figure 4 The bottom plate assembly includes a bottom plate 30 and a vaporization cover 32 disposed on the bottom plate 30. The vaporization cover 32 covers the bottom plate assembly to form a vaporization chamber 31. The vaporization cover 32 is provided with a water inlet hole 321. Correspondingly, the first elastic silicone member 55 is configured as a silicone cover body with an extension tube during molding, wherein the water inlet hole 321 on the vaporization cover 32 corresponds to the end position of the extension tube adjacent to the first elastic silicone member 55. Specifically, the extension tube forms a water inlet pipe capable of conveying water to the vaporization chamber 31. 552, the end of the water inlet pipe 552 can be inserted into the water inlet hole 321 of the vaporization cover 32. In order to prevent the first elastic silicone member 55 from deforming due to force and causing the end of the water inlet pipe 552 to fall off from the water inlet hole of the vaporization cover 32, an annular groove is provided at the end of the water inlet pipe 552 of the first elastic silicone member 55, and the edge of the water inlet hole 321 can be inserted into the above-mentioned annular groove. Since the water inlet pipe is also made of silicone and has a certain elasticity, it can achieve a good seal with the edge of the water inlet 321.

[0055] When the first valve port 21 and the second valve port 22 of the water tank bottom plate 201 are opened at the same time, the water in the water tank 20 will first enter the first buffer chamber 66 through the second valve port 22 under the action of its own weight, and then flow from the first buffer chamber 66 to the second buffer chamber 25 through the water outlet channel 202, and then flow to the third buffer chamber 56 through the first valve port 21, and finally be sent to the vaporization chamber 31 of the bottom plate assembly through the water inlet pipe 552 to form steam. When any of the first valve port 21 and the second valve port 22 is closed, the water will not flow into the vaporization chamber 31, and the iron will not produce steam. For details of the water flow path, see Figure 6 .

[0056] See also Figure 5-Figure 7The first control valve structure includes a first valve stem 51, a first compression spring 53 and a first elastic silicone member 55. The first valve stem 51 can be movably arranged in the first valve port 21 of the water tank bottom plate 201, and the upper end of the first valve stem 51 has a first sealing portion 52 that can block the first valve port 21 when it moves downward. In this embodiment, an annular groove is provided at the upper end of the first valve stem 51, and the first sealing portion 52 is a silicone sheet stuck in the annular groove. The silicone sheet can block the first valve port 21 when it moves downward with the first valve stem 51. The lower end of the first valve stem 51 has a first stopper 54. In the present embodiment, the first stopper 54 is an annular stopper wall. The first compression spring 53 is sleeved on the first valve stem 51. Specifically, the upper end of the first compression spring 53 abuts against the wall of the water tank bottom plate 201, and the lower end abuts against the above-mentioned first stopper 54. Under the elastic force of the first compression spring 53, the first valve stem 51 always has a tendency to move downward, so that the silicone sheet arranged at the upper end of the first valve stem 51 always remains in a state of blocking the first valve port 21.

[0057] See also Figure 5-Figure 7 The first elastic silicone member 55 is located below the first valve port 21. In order to make it easier for the bottom plate assembly to contact the first elastic silicone member 55 and deform the first elastic silicone member 55 when the bottom plate assembly moves upward, a first protrusion 551 extending downward to contact the bottom plate assembly is provided at a position corresponding to the first valve stem 51. When the bottom plate assembly moves upward, it will contact the first protrusion 551 and deform the first elastic silicone member 55, which in turn acts on the lower end of the first valve stem 51, driving the first valve stem 51 to move upward and open the first valve port 21.

[0058] See also Figure 5-Figure 7 The second control valve structure includes a second valve stem 61, a second compression spring 63 and a second elastic silicone member 65. The second valve stem 61 can be movably arranged in the second valve port 22 of the water tank bottom plate 201, and the upper end of the second valve stem 61 has a second sealing portion 62 that can block the second valve port 22 when it moves downward. In this embodiment, the upper end of the second valve stem 61 is also provided with an annular groove, and the second sealing portion 62 is a silicone sheet stuck in the annular groove, and the silicone sheet can block the second valve port 22 when it moves downward with the second valve stem 61. The lower end of the second valve stem 61 has a second stopper 64. In the present embodiment, the second stopper 64 is also an annular stopper wall. The second compression spring 63 is sleeved on the second valve stem 61. Specifically, the upper end of the second compression spring 63 abuts against the wall of the water tank bottom plate 201, and the lower end abuts against the above-mentioned second stopper 64. Under the elastic force of the second compression spring 63, the second valve stem 61 always has a tendency to move downward, thereby making the silicone sheet arranged at the upper end of the second valve stem 61 always remain in a state of blocking the second valve port 22.

[0059] See also Figure 5-Figure 7The second elastic silicone member 65 is located below the second valve port 22. In order to make it easier for the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism to contact the second elastic silicone member 65 and deform the second elastic silicone member 65 when it is actuated, a second protrusion 651 extending downward to contact the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism is provided on the wall of the second elastic silicone member 65 at a position corresponding to the second valve stem 61. When the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism is actuated, it will contact the second protrusion 651 and deform the second elastic silicone member 65, thereby acting on the lower end of the second valve stem 61, driving the second valve stem 61 to move upward and open the second valve port 22.

[0060] See also Figure 2 and Figure 7 The temperature-sensing trigger mechanism in this embodiment includes a bimetallic spring sheet 71, the first end of which is connected to the vaporization cover 32 of the bottom plate assembly by a screw 72, and the second end of the bimetallic spring sheet 71 extends to the bottom of the second elastic silicone member 65. When the bottom plate assembly is heated to a set temperature, the second end of the bimetallic spring sheet 71 can bounce upward, drive the second elastic silicone member 65 to deform, and then trigger the second control valve structure to open and allow water to flow. When the temperature of the bottom plate assembly is lower than the set temperature, the second end of the bimetallic spring sheet 71 will not bounce, and the second control valve structure will remain closed to prevent water from continuing to flow into the vaporization chamber of the bottom plate assembly.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the first control valve structure (first valve port 21) is located downstream of the second control valve structure (second valve port 22). It can be imagined that the first control valve structure and the second control valve structure in the present embodiment do not have strict upstream and downstream restrictions on the water flow path from the water tank 20 to the vaporization chamber of the base plate assembly, that is, the first control valve structure driven to open by the swing of the base plate assembly can be located upstream of the second control valve structure driven to open by the thermal deformation of the bimetallic spring sheet 71, or can be located downstream of the second control valve structure.

[0062] The soleplate assembly of the steam iron in this embodiment is connected to the iron body 10 through a connecting mechanism. When the soleplate assembly contacts the clothes to be ironed, it can move upward relative to the iron body 10. When the soleplate assembly moves upward, it can trigger the first control valve structure to open, so that water flows into the vaporization chamber of the soleplate assembly to form steam. The steam iron in the present invention avoids the use of the prior art structure of providing a micro switch trigger member protruding from the bottom surface of the soleplate assembly on the soleplate assembly of the iron to trigger the micro switch, so that the problem of the soleplate assembly not being able to effectively contact the clothes will not occur, which improves the ironing effect of the clothes, and will not leave scratches or damage the clothes during the ironing process. In addition, in the present embodiment, the water flow path is also controlled by a second control valve structure, and the second control valve structure is driven by a bimetallic spring sheet 71. Only when the soleplate assembly is heated to a set temperature, the second end of the bimetallic spring sheet 71 bounces upward, driving the second elastic silicone member 65 to deform, thereby triggering the second control valve structure to open and allow water to flow. This prevents the water tank 20 from supplying water to the vaporization chamber of the soleplate assembly before the soleplate assembly is heated, thereby effectively avoiding the problem of low-temperature dripping of the soleplate assembly of the iron.

[0063] The automatic steam output action process of the steam iron in this embodiment is as follows:

[0064] When the user uses the iron to iron clothes, a certain inertial force will be applied to the iron, pressing the iron downward, and the vaporization cover 32 on the bottom plate assembly will touch the first elastic silicone member 55. After the first elastic silicone member 55 is subjected to force, it will drive the first valve stem 51 to move upward to open the first valve port 21, and water flows into the vaporization chamber of the bottom plate assembly through the first valve port 21 to form steam, thereby achieving the effect of automatic steam output; wherein, the first compression spring 53 presses against the first stop portion 54 at the lower end of the first valve stem 51. When no force is applied, the first valve stem 51 will press against the water tank bottom plate 201 by the spring force to perform a reset action, and pull the first sealing portion 52 (silicone sheet) so that the first valve port 21 position of the water tank bottom plate 201 is tightly sealed with the silicone sheet to achieve a sealing effect.

[0065] During the above-mentioned action process, if the iron sole plate assembly is heated to the set temperature, the second end of the bimetallic spring sheet 71 will bounce upward, driving the first elastic silicone member 55 to deform, thereby triggering the second control valve structure to open and allow water to flow, so that when the user uses the iron to iron (touch) clothes, the iron sole plate assembly will automatically emit steam. If the iron sole plate assembly is not heated to the set temperature, the second end of the bimetallic spring sheet 71 will not bounce upward, and the second control valve structure will be in a closed state. So when the user uses the iron to iron (touch) clothes, the iron sole plate assembly will not automatically emit steam, thereby effectively avoiding the problem of low-temperature dripping of the iron sole plate assembly.

Claims

1. A steam iron, comprising: An iron body (10) comprises a shell (12) and a water tank (20) disposed in the shell (12); a soleplate assembly connected to the bottom of the iron body (10), comprising a soleplate (30) and a vaporization chamber (31) arranged on the soleplate (30), wherein the vaporization chamber (31) is used for water in the water tank (20) to enter and form steam therein; A first control valve structure is provided on the water flow path between the water tank (20) and the vaporization chamber (31) and is used to control the water flow interruption; The invention is characterized in that it also includes: a connecting mechanism disposed between the iron body (10) and the soleplate assembly, the soleplate assembly being movably connected to the iron body (10) in an upward and downward manner through the connecting mechanism, so that when the soleplate assembly contacts the clothes to be ironed and moves upward relative to the iron body (10), the first control valve structure can be triggered to open and allow water to flow; The elastic biasing mechanism acts on the soleplate assembly and makes the soleplate assembly always have a tendency to move downward relative to the iron body (10).

2. The steam iron according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connection mechanism comprises a rotating shaft assembly (41) and a limiting rod assembly (42); the rear portion of the soleplate assembly is rotatably connected to the rear portion of the iron body (10) via the rotating shaft assembly (41); the front portion of the iron body (10) limits the soleplate assembly in the up and down directions via the limiting rod assembly (42), so that the front portion of the soleplate assembly swings in the up and down directions.

3. The steam iron according to claim 2, characterized in that: The limiting rod assembly (42) comprises a limiting rod (43) for connecting the iron body (10) and the bottom plate assembly, the lower end of the limiting rod (43) passes through a limiting hole (110) correspondingly provided on the iron body (10) and is connected to the bottom plate assembly, and the upper end of the limiting rod (43) is provided with a blocking piece (44) for abutting against the edge of the limiting hole (110).

4. The steam iron according to claim 3, characterized in that: The elastic biasing mechanism is an annular silicone sleeve (45) sleeved on the outer circumference of the limiting rod (43), and the upper and lower ends of the annular silicone sleeve (45) respectively abut against the bottom plate assembly and the iron body (10).

5. The steam iron according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rotating shaft assembly (41) comprises a connecting bracket (46) and a rotating shaft (47) arranged on the iron body (10); a first end of the connecting bracket (46) is connected to the rotating shaft (47), and a second end of the connecting bracket (46) is connected to the bottom plate assembly.

6. The steam iron according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first control valve structure comprises: A first valve stem (51) is movably disposed up and down in a first valve port (21) corresponding to a water flow path between the water tank (20) and the vaporization chamber (31) of the bottom plate assembly, and the upper end of the first valve stem (51) has a first sealing portion (52) capable of sealing the first valve port (21) when the first valve stem (51) moves downward; a first compression spring (53) sleeved on the first valve stem (51) and acting on a first stopper (54) corresponding to the lower end of the first valve stem (51) so that the first valve stem (51) always has a tendency to move downward; The first elastic silicone member (55) is located below the first valve opening (21) and can be deformed by being pressed by the bottom plate assembly when the bottom plate assembly moves upward, thereby driving the first valve stem (51) to move upward to open the first valve opening (21).

7. The steam iron according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a second control valve structure and a temperature-sensing trigger mechanism, wherein the second control valve structure is arranged on the water flow path between the water tank (20) and the vaporization chamber (31) of the base plate assembly, and the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism is linked with the second control valve structure and can be activated to open the second control valve structure to allow water to flow when the base plate assembly is heated to a corresponding set temperature.

8. The steam iron according to claim 7, characterized in that The second control valve structure comprises: A second valve stem (61) is movably disposed up and down in a second valve port (22) corresponding to a water flow path between the water tank (20) and the vaporization chamber (31) of the bottom plate assembly, and the upper end of the second valve stem (61) has a second sealing portion (62) capable of sealing the second valve port (22) when moving downward; A second compression spring (63) is sleeved on the second valve stem (61) and acts on a second stopper (64) corresponding to the lower end of the second valve stem (61), so that the second valve stem (61) always has a tendency to move downward; The second elastic silicone member (65) is located below the second valve opening (22) and can be compressed by the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism when the temperature-sensing trigger mechanism is actuated to deform and thereby drive the second valve stem (61) to move upward to open the second valve opening (22).

9. The steam iron according to claim 8, characterized in that: The temperature-sensing trigger mechanism comprises a bimetallic spring sheet (71), a first end of the bimetallic spring sheet (71) being connected to the bottom plate assembly, and a second end of the bimetallic spring sheet (71) extending below the second elastic silicone member (65).

10. The steam iron according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first valve port (21) and the second valve port (22) are both arranged on the wall of the water tank (20); Corresponding to the second valve port (22), the periphery of the second elastic silicone member (65) is sealedly connected to the outer wall of the water tank (20), so that the space between the second elastic silicone member (65) and the wall surface of the water tank (20) forms a first buffer cavity (66), and the first buffer cavity (66) is in fluid communication with the water tank (20) through the second valve port (22); A second buffer chamber (25) connected to the first buffer chamber (66) is also provided on the wall of the water tank (20) corresponding to the location of the first valve port (21); Corresponding to the first valve port (21), the periphery of the first elastic silicone member (55) is sealed and connected to the wall of the water tank (20), so that the space between the first elastic silicone member (55) and the wall of the water tank (20) forms a third buffer chamber (56), the third buffer chamber (56) is fluidically connected to the second buffer chamber (25) through the first valve port (21), and the third buffer chamber is also connected to the vaporization chamber (31) through the water inlet pipe (552); The water tank (20) is connected to the vaporization chamber (31) in sequence through the second valve port (22), the first buffer chamber (66), the second buffer chamber (25), the first valve port (21), the third buffer chamber (56) and the water inlet pipe (552), thereby forming the water flow path.

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