Base plate assembly for an electric iron and electric iron

Abstract

This utility model relates to a soleplate assembly for an electric iron and an electric iron. The soleplate assembly includes a soleplate, which includes a soleplate body and a vaporization cap. The soleplate body and the vaporization cap define independent first and second steam channels. The soleplate also has a first electric heating element for heating the first steam channel and a first thermostat electrically connected to the first heating element. The vaporization cap defines a third steam channel, the outlet of which is connected to the inlet of the second steam channel. The vaporization cap also has a second heating element for heating the third steam channel and a second thermostat electrically connected to the second heating element. The advantages are: this soleplate assembly does not interfere with the use of the powerful steam mode and the normal steam mode, ensuring normal use of the normal steam mode while also maintaining the intensity of the powerful steam mode, and effectively reducing the risk of dripping when using both steam modes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ironing products technology, and in particular to a soleplate assembly of an electric iron and an electric iron. Background Technology

[0002] A typical steam iron soleplate includes a regular steam chamber, a powerful steam chamber, and a steam channel, all interconnected and located on the top of the soleplate. Steam outlets are connected to both sides of the steam channel, and the powerful steam chamber has air inlets at both ends that communicate with the steam channel. When the steam iron's steam jet function is used, water vapor enters the powerful steam chamber (also known as the explosion chamber) and undergoes rapid heating and vaporization. When the water vapor enters the steam channel through the air outlet, a small amount of unvaporized water droplets remain. After passing through the steam channel, the water vapor completely vaporizes and is ejected from the air jet. Because the steam channel is connected to the regular steam chamber, a large portion of the steam remains in the regular steam chamber, reducing the energy of the powerful steam. Furthermore, the distance to the steam outlet is too long, resulting in an unsatisfactory effect from the powerful steam.

[0003] To address this, Chinese utility model patent application CN201420468782.7 (authorization announcement number: CN204023264U) discloses a novel steam iron soleplate, comprising a steam outlet chamber and a powerful steam chamber and a regular steam chamber interconnected with the steam outlet chamber. The steam outlet chamber has at least one barrier component that abuts against the inner wall of the steam outlet chamber to divide the steam outlet chamber into a relatively independent powerful steam outlet chamber and a regular steam outlet chamber. After separating the powerful steam chamber and the regular steam chamber, the influence of the regular steam chamber on water vapor can be eliminated when using the steam jet function, reducing energy loss. At the same time, the length of the powerful steam outlet chamber is shortened, thereby improving the jetting effect in the powerful steam mode.

[0004] Existing steam irons (such as the soleplate of the steam iron in the aforementioned patent application CN201420468782.7) have certain shortcomings in actual use: the powerful steam chamber and the ordinary steam chamber of the steam iron are usually on the same heating soleplate, and they are integrated. The heating element and temperature control system also share a single system. When the product is using the ordinary steam mode, the temperature of the entire soleplate is relatively low. If the powerful steam mode is used at the same time, the intensity of the powerful steam will be relatively weak, and there is also a risk of dripping. When the powerful steam mode is used continuously, the soleplate temperature will drop rapidly and instantly, which will also affect the effect of the ordinary steam and may also cause dripping problems.

[0005] Therefore, the soleplate assembly of existing electric irons still needs further improvement. Utility Model Content

[0006] The first technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a soleplate assembly for an electric iron that does not affect each other when using different steam modes, ensuring both normal use of ordinary steam and the strength of the powerful steam mode, and effectively reducing the risk of dripping when using two steam modes.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the first technical problem is as follows: a soleplate assembly for an electric iron, including a soleplate, the soleplate including a soleplate body and a vaporization cap covering the top of the soleplate body, the bottom of the soleplate body having a first steam outlet area and a second steam outlet area, the first steam outlet area having a first steam hole distributed thereon, the second steam outlet area having a second steam hole distributed thereon, the soleplate body and the vaporization cap defining an independent first steam flow channel and a second steam flow channel, the first steam flow channel communicating with each of the first steam holes, the second steam flow channel communicating with each of the second steam holes, the soleplate also having a first electric heating element for heating the first steam flow channel and a first temperature controller electrically connected to the first heating element, the vaporization cap defining a third steam flow channel, the outlet of the third steam flow channel communicating with the inlet of the second steam flow channel, the vaporization cap also having a second heating element for heating the third steam flow channel and a second temperature controller electrically connected to the second heating element.

[0008] To facilitate the arrangement of components such as the second heating element and the second temperature controller, the vaporization cover includes a cover body and a sealing plate covering the top of the cover body, and the sealing plate and the cover body define the third steam flow channel.

[0009] To make efficient use of the height space of the base plate, the third steam flow channel is positioned higher than the second and first steam flow channels, and the second heating element and the second temperature controller are positioned higher than the first heating element and the first temperature controller. The higher-level steam naturally flows to the lower-level second flow channel, reducing pump energy consumption.

[0010] As an improvement, the top of the cover body has a partially upward protruding boss, which defines a recessed area of ​​the top opening. The sealing plate is placed over the top opening of the boss to define the third steam flow channel.

[0011] As an improvement, the second heating element is disposed on the boss and located around the periphery of the third steam flow channel. The second heating element is attached to the periphery of the boss, allowing heat to be directly transferred to the interior of the third flow channel, thus increasing the heating rate.

[0012] As an improvement, the second heating element adopts a U-shaped second heating tube, and the third steam flow channel is located in the internal space surrounded by the U-shaped second heating tube. The structural design of the U-shaped inner cavity accommodating the third steam flow channel can maximize space utilization.

[0013] As an improvement, the second heating element is integrally disposed on the cover body, the second temperature controller is disposed on the top of the sealing plate, the sealing plate has a second drain port for external water to enter the third steam channel, and the cover body is also provided with a steam through hole for connecting the second steam channel and the third steam channel.

[0014] As an improvement, the first temperature controller is located on the top of the cover body and on one side of the boss.

[0015] To ensure the heating efficiency of the first steam channel, the first heating element adopts a U-shaped first heating tube. Both the first and second steam channels are arranged along the extension direction of the first heating tube. The first steam channel includes a first lower water chamber and a first and second channel section arranged in a meandering manner. The first lower water chamber is located within the internal space enclosed by the U-shaped first heating tube. The inlet end of the first channel section communicates with the first lower water chamber. The first channel section is generally located at the top of the first heating tube and is arranged along its extension direction. The inlet end of the second channel section communicates with the outlet end of the first channel section. The second channel section is generally located outside the first heating tube and is arranged along its extension direction. Each of the first steam holes is arranged along the extension direction of the second channel section and extends from the second channel section to the bottom wall of the base plate body. The meandering design of the steam channel extends the steam path, ensuring sufficient vaporization of water within the first steam channel.

[0016] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the second technical problem is: an electric iron, including a soleplate assembly, wherein the soleplate assembly adopts the soleplate assembly of the electric iron described above.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: By configuring completely independent heating systems for the first steam channel (ordinary steam) and the second steam channel (powerful steam) (first electric heating element + first temperature controller for ordinary steam; second heating element + second temperature controller for powerful steam), the temperature conflict caused by sharing a heating system is completely resolved. Even when using the low-temperature ordinary steam mode, the powerful steam preheating channel (third steam channel) can maintain a high temperature state through its dedicated second heating element, ensuring that the powerful steam that is ready to be started at any time has sufficient vaporization energy. Specifically, the specially designed third steam channel is located on the vaporization cover and is equipped with an independent second heating element for high-temperature preheating. Before entering the second steam channel (powerful steam main channel), the water vapor has been fully and thoroughly vaporized in this high-temperature cavity, greatly reducing the presence of unvaporized water droplets. Combined with the independent high-temperature environment of the powerful steam channel itself, the risk of dripping water due to insufficient vaporization during powerful steam injection is significantly reduced. On the other hand, the first steam channel (normal steam) and the second steam channel (high-powered steam) are designed to be physically isolated and unconnected between the base plate and the vaporization cover. This structure fundamentally prevents backflow of low-temperature steam or condensate into or interference with the high-powered steam channel during normal steam mode operation, ensuring that the energy in the high-powered steam chamber (heated via the third steam channel before entering the second steam channel) is not diverted or cooled, maintaining a consistently high-intensity jetting effect. Furthermore, this design truly achieves parallel and independent operation of the normal steam mode and the high-powered steam mode without mutual interference. Users can activate the high-powered steam at any time when needed, without waiting for the entire base plate to heat up, and its intensity is not limited by the current normal steam mode operating state (low temperature). The independent temperature control system also allows energy to be more precisely allocated to the required steam mode, optimizing overall energy efficiency. Through its unique physically isolated dual steam flow channel architecture and supporting independent dual heating / dual temperature control system, the system successfully achieves complete decoupled operation of the two steam modes. While ensuring the performance of ordinary steam, it significantly improves the instantaneous responsiveness, injection intensity and reliability of powerful steam, and effectively reduces the risk of dripping in both modes. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the base plate assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the base plate assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a vertical sectional perspective view of the base plate assembly of this utility model, cut along the front-back direction.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the base plate body according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the cover body according to an embodiment of the present utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0024] In the specification and claims of this utility model, terms indicating direction, such as "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "side," "top," and "bottom," are used to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of this utility model. However, the use of these terms is merely for the purpose of explanation and is based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this utility model can be arranged in different orientations, these terms indicating direction are for illustrative purposes only and should not be regarded as limitations. For example, "upper" and "lower" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

[0025] Figures 1-5 This invention illustrates a soleplate assembly of an electric iron and a preferred embodiment of the electric iron. The soleplate assembly includes a soleplate 1, which comprises a soleplate body 10 and a vaporization cap 2. The area containing the steam holes on the bottom of the soleplate body 10 is divided into a first steam outlet zone and a second steam outlet zone. The first steam outlet zone has a plurality of first steam holes 101 (normal steam outlets) evenly distributed for outputting steam in normal mode; the second steam outlet zone has a plurality of second steam holes 102 (high-power steam outlets) linearly arranged for outputting steam in high-power mode.

[0026] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 The vaporization cover 2 covers the top of the base plate 10, forming two physically isolated independent cavities: the first steam channel 11 and the second steam channel 12. The first steam channel 11 is a normal steam main channel, which connects to each of the first steam holes 101; the second steam channel 12 is a powerful steam main channel, which connects to each of the second steam holes 102.

[0027] See also Figure 4The first steam flow channel 11 adopts a meandering structure design. Specifically, the first steam flow channel 11 includes a first water outlet chamber 111, a first flow channel section 112, and a second flow channel section 113. The first heating element 311 adopts a U-shaped first heating tube, which is embedded (integratedly set) within the base plate body 10. At least a portion of the path of the first steam flow channel 11 extends along the length direction of the first heating tube. Specifically, the first water outlet chamber 111 is located inside the U-shaped first heating tube and receives external water. The first flow channel section 112 and the second flow channel section 113 each have two sections symmetrically arranged about the left and right sides of the first water outlet chamber 111. The first flow channel section 112 and the second flow channel section 113 on the left side are connected sequentially, and the first flow channel section 112 and the second flow channel section 113 on the right side are also connected sequentially. The inlet end of the left first flow channel section 112 communicates with the left side of the rear portion of the first water outlet chamber 111, and the inlet end of the right first flow channel section 112 communicates with the right side of the rear portion of the first water outlet chamber 111. The first flow channel sections 112 on both the left and right sides are generally located at the top of the corresponding parts of the first heating tube and are arranged from back to front along the extension direction of the corresponding parts of the first heating tube. The inlet end of the second flow channel section 113 is connected to the outlet end of the first flow channel section 112. The second flow channel section 113 is generally located outside the corresponding parts of the first heating tube and is arranged from front to back along the extension direction of the corresponding parts of the first heating tube. The first steam outlet zone where the first steam hole 101 is located also has two symmetrical regions. The first steam holes 101 in the first steam outlet zone on the left are arranged along the extension direction of the second flow channel section 113 on the left and extend from the second flow channel section 113 to the bottom wall of the base plate body 10. The first steam holes 101 in the first steam outlet zone on the right are arranged along the extension direction of the second flow channel section 113 on the right and extend from the second flow channel section 113 to the bottom wall of the base plate body 10.

[0028] The vaporization cap 2 has a first drain outlet 212 that runs vertically through it, and the first drain outlet 212 is connected to the first drain chamber 111 mentioned above. The first thermostat 312 is fixed to the top of the vaporization cap 2 and is electrically connected to the first heating tube to independently regulate the temperature of ordinary steam. The installation structure and working principle of the first thermostat 312 are existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0029] See Figure 2 and Figure 5A third steam channel 23 is provided on the vaporization cover 2. The outlet of the third steam channel 23 is connected to the inlet of the second steam channel 12 through a steam through hole 2111. Specifically, the vaporization cover 2 includes a cover body 21 and a sealing plate 22. The top of the cover body 21 has an upwardly protruding boss 211. The top of the boss 211 is open to form a recessed area 2110. The sealing plate 22 covers the opening to form a closed heating chamber, which is the aforementioned third steam channel 23. The second heating element 321 adopts a U-shaped second heating tube, which is integrally set on the boss 211 of the cover body 21. The third steam channel 23 is located in the internal space of the U-shaped first heating tube, and the second heating tube can fully heat the water entering the third steam channel 23. The second thermostat 322 is fixed to the top of the sealing cover of the vaporization cover 2 and is electrically connected to the second heating tube to independently control the high-power steam heating temperature. The installation structure and working principle of the second thermostat 322 are existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0030] The cover body 21 has a vertically penetrating steam through hole 2111. The lower end of the steam through hole 2111 is connected to the second steam channel 12, and the upper end is connected to the third steam channel 23. The top of the sealing plate 22 has a second drain outlet 221. External water flows through the second drain outlet 221 into the third steam channel 23. After steam is formed in the third steam channel 23, it flows into the second steam channel 12 through the steam through hole 2111.

[0031] The second steam flow channel 12 includes a second steam connection cavity located in the middle and two third flow channel sections symmetrically arranged about the second steam connection cavity. The inlet end of the left third flow channel section is connected to the left side of the second steam connection cavity, and the inlet end of the right third flow channel section is connected to the right side of the second steam connection cavity. The third flow channel sections on both the left and right sides are also arranged from back to front along the extension direction of the corresponding part of the first heating tube. The second steam outlet zone where the second steam hole 102 is located also has two symmetrical regions. The second steam holes 102 in the left second steam outlet zone are arranged along the extension direction of the left third flow channel section and extend from the third flow channel section to the bottom wall of the base plate body 10; the second steam holes 102 in the right second steam outlet zone are arranged along the extension direction of the right third flow channel section and extend from the third flow channel section to the bottom wall of the base plate body 10.

[0032] After the third steam channel 23 is provided on the protrusion 211 corresponding to the vaporization cover 2, the height of the third steam channel 23 and the second heating tube is higher than the height of the first steam channel 11 and the second steam channel 12. The installation position of the second thermostat 322 is also higher than that of the first thermostat 312.

[0033] This embodiment also relates to an electric iron that uses the aforementioned soleplate assembly.

[0034] The working process of the electric iron in this embodiment:

[0035] Normal steam mode: Water enters the first drain chamber 111 from the first drain outlet 212, is heated by meandering through the first flow channel section 112 and the second flow channel section 113, vaporizes, and is ejected from the first steam hole 101. See [reference needed] for part of the flow path. Figure 4 Solid arrow in the center; the first temperature controller 312 independently controls the temperature of the first heating element.

[0036] High-powered steam mode: Water flows into the third steam channel 23 from the second drain outlet 221, is rapidly heated to a high temperature by the second heating pipe, and is completely vaporized; the high-temperature steam enters the second steam channel 12 through the steam through-hole 2111, and is finally ejected at high speed from the second steam hole 102. See [reference needed] for some flow paths. Figure 4 As indicated by the hollow arrow; the second temperature controller 322 independently regulates the preheating temperature to avoid interference with the ordinary steam system.

[0037] This embodiment completely resolves the temperature conflict caused by sharing a heating system by configuring completely independent heating systems for the first steam channel 11 (ordinary steam) and the second steam channel 12 (high-powered steam). (The first electric heating element + first thermostat 312 corresponds to ordinary steam; the second heating element 321 + second thermostat 322 corresponds to high-powered steam.) Even when using the low-temperature ordinary steam mode, the high-powered steam preheating channel (third steam channel 23) can maintain a high temperature through its dedicated second heating element 321, ensuring that the high-powered steam has sufficient vaporization energy for immediate activation. Specifically, the specially designed third steam channel 23 is located on the vaporization cover 2 and is equipped with an independent second heating element 321 for high-temperature preheating. Before entering the second steam channel 12 (high-powered steam main channel), the water vapor is fully and thoroughly vaporized within this high-temperature cavity, greatly reducing the presence of unvaporized water droplets. Combined with the independent high-temperature environment of the high-powered steam channel itself, the risk of dripping water due to insufficient vaporization during high-powered steam injection is significantly reduced. On the other hand, the first steam channel 11 (ordinary steam) and the second steam channel 12 (high-powered steam) are designed to be physically isolated and non-interconnected between the base plate body 10 and the vaporization cover 2. This structure fundamentally prevents low-temperature steam or condensate from backflowing or interfering with the high-powered steam channel during normal steam mode operation, ensuring that the energy of the high-powered steam chamber (heated via the third steam channel 23 and then entering the second steam channel 12) is not diverted or cooled, and can always maintain a high-intensity jet effect. Furthermore, this design truly achieves parallel and independent operation of the ordinary steam mode and the high-powered steam mode without affecting each other. Users can start the high-powered steam at any time when needed, without waiting for the entire base plate to heat up, and its intensity is not limited by the current ordinary steam mode operating state (low temperature). The independent temperature control system also allows energy to be more accurately allocated to the required steam mode, optimizing overall energy efficiency. Through its unique physically isolated dual steam flow channel architecture and supporting independent dual heating / dual temperature control system, the system successfully achieves complete decoupled operation of the two steam modes. While ensuring the performance of ordinary steam, it significantly improves the instantaneous responsiveness, injection intensity and reliability of powerful steam, and effectively reduces the risk of dripping in both modes.

[0038] Based on the above embodiments, other embodiments can be obtained by replacing and improving the relevant technical features. For example, the second heating element 321 can be replaced by an embedded heating plate, which is directly integrated into the protrusion 211 of the cover body 21. The heating plate is attached to the bottom surface of the third steam flow channel 23 and directly heats the water flow through heat conduction.

Claims

1. A soleplate assembly for an electric iron, comprising a soleplate, the soleplate comprising a soleplate body (10) and a vaporization cap (2) covering the top of the soleplate body (10), the bottom of the soleplate body (10) having a first steam outlet area and a second steam outlet area, the first steam outlet area having first steam holes (101) distributed thereon, the second steam outlet area having second steam holes (102) distributed thereon, the soleplate body (10) and the vaporization cap (2) defining independent first steam flow channels (11) and second steam flow channels (12), the first steam flow channels (11) communicating with each of the first steam holes (101), the second steam flow channels (12) communicating with each of the second steam holes (102), the soleplate further comprising a first electric heating element for heating the first steam flow channel (11) and a first temperature controller (312) electrically connected to the first heating element (311), characterized in that: The vaporization cap (2) defines a third steam flow channel (23), the outlet of which is connected to the inlet of the second steam flow channel (12). The vaporization cap (2) is also provided with a second heating element (321) for heating the third steam flow channel (23) and a second temperature controller (322) electrically connected to the second heating element (321).

2. The soleplate assembly of the electric iron according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vaporization cap (2) includes a cap body (21) and a sealing plate (22) covering the top of the cap body (21), wherein the sealing plate (22) and the cap body (21) define the third vapor flow channel (23).

3. The soleplate assembly of the electric iron according to claim 2, characterized in that: The third steam channel (23) is located higher than the second steam channel (12) and the first steam channel (11), and the second heating element (321) and the second thermostat (322) are located higher than the first heating element (311) and the first thermostat (312).

4. The soleplate assembly of the electric iron according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top of the cover body (21) has a partially upward protruding boss (211), and the boss (211) defines a recessed area (2110) for the top opening. The sealing plate (22) is placed over the top opening of the boss (211) to define the third steam flow channel (23).

5. The soleplate assembly of the electric iron according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second heating element (321) is disposed on the boss (211) and located on the periphery of the third steam channel (23).

6. The soleplate assembly of the electric iron according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second heating element (321) adopts a U-shaped second heating tube, and the third steam flow channel (23) is located in the internal space surrounded by the U-shaped second heating tube.

7. The soleplate assembly of the electric iron according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second heating element (321) is integrally disposed on the cover body (21), the second temperature controller (322) is disposed on the top of the sealing plate (22), the sealing plate (22) has a second drain (221) for external water to enter the third steam channel (23), and the cover body (21) is also provided with a steam through hole (2111) for connecting the second steam channel (12) and the third steam channel (23).

8. The soleplate assembly of the electric iron according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first temperature controller (312) is located on the top of the cover body (21) and on one side of the boss (211).

9. The soleplate assembly of the electric iron according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The first heating element (311) adopts a U-shaped first heating tube. The first steam flow channel (11) and the second steam flow channel (12) are both arranged along the extension direction of the first heating tube. The first steam flow channel (11) includes a first water chamber (111) and a first flow channel section (112) and a second flow channel section (113) that are connected in sequence and arranged in a meandering manner. The first water chamber (111) is located in the internal space surrounded by the U-shaped first heating tube. The inlet end of the first flow channel section (112) is connected to the first water chamber (111). The first flow channel section (112) is located at the top of the first heating tube and is arranged along the extension direction of the first heating tube. The inlet end of the second flow channel section (113) is connected to the outlet end of the first flow channel section (112). The second flow channel section (113) is located on the outside of the first heating tube and is arranged along the extension direction of the first heating tube. Each of the first steam holes (101) is arranged along the extension direction of the second flow channel section (113) and extends from the second flow channel section (113) to the bottom wall of the base plate body (10).

10. An electric iron, comprising a soleplate assembly, characterized in that: The soleplate assembly is the soleplate assembly of the electric iron according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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