A steam iron

Abstract

The application discloses a steam iron, which comprises a bottom plate, an inner shell, an upper shell and a handle assembly; the upper shell and the bottom plate form a first containing cavity, the inner shell is arranged in the first containing cavity and forms a second containing cavity with the bottom plate and an electrical cavity with the upper shell, a steam generating cavity for generating steam is arranged in the second containing cavity, the bottom plate is provided with a steam hole for conveying the steam generated in the steam generating cavity outward, and a circuit board is arranged in the electrical cavity; the handle assembly comprises a handle shell, the handle shell sequentially comprises a connecting section and a holding section in the length direction, the connecting section passes through the upper shell and is connected with the inner shell, and the holding section is provided with a water storage cavity for supplying water to the steam generating cavity. The holding section is integrated with the water storage cavity, the water supply path is greatly shortened, the overall volume of the iron is not additionally increased, portability and water supply stability are considered, and the problems of large space occupation and long water supply path of a traditional iron water tank are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of ironing technology, specifically to a steam iron. Background Technology

[0002] Steam irons, as a common tool for ironing clothes, primarily function to soften clothing fibers by generating high-temperature steam, thus achieving a smooth finish. However, traditional steam iron designs have several drawbacks: Firstly, the water tank is often an external or internal independent structure. External water tanks require connection to the iron body via a water pipe, which can easily become tangled or pulled during use, affecting operational flexibility. Internal water tanks, on the other hand, occupy internal space, increasing the iron's size and weight, leading to user fatigue during prolonged use. Furthermore, some traditional designs have poorly designed connection paths between the water tank and the steam generation chamber, resulting in poor water flow or residual water, interrupting steam generation.

[0003] Furthermore, traditional steam irons do not completely isolate the electrical circuitry from the steam generation area, making them prone to steam leakage and moisture damage to the circuitry, posing a safety hazard. The handles are often fixed, preventing angle adjustments for different ironing scenarios. Users must adjust their hand positions to fit the iron's angle when ironing different parts of clothing (such as collars, cuffs, and hems), which can lead to wrist strain with prolonged use. Additionally, the power cord often extends from the bottom or side of the iron, making it susceptible to wear and tear from friction with clothing during ironing. External wiring also detracts from the product's overall aesthetics and reduces the user experience.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, there is an urgent need for a steam iron with an integrated water reservoir in the handle, a compact structure, convenient operation, and high safety, in order to overcome the shortcomings of traditional steam irons. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a steam iron that integrates a water storage chamber into the handle assembly, optimizes the internal structural layout, shortens the water supply path, improves steam generation efficiency and ease of operation, and at the same time achieves isolation between the circuit area and the steam generation area to ensure safe use.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this application is as follows: A steam iron includes a soleplate, an inner shell, an upper shell, and a handle assembly. The upper shell and the soleplate form a first receiving cavity. The inner shell is disposed within the first receiving cavity and forms a second receiving cavity with the soleplate and an electrical cavity with the upper shell. The second receiving cavity has a steam generating chamber for generating steam. The soleplate has steam holes for conveying the steam generated in the steam generating chamber to the outside. The electrical cavity has a circuit board. The handle assembly includes a handle housing. The handle housing includes a connecting section and a gripping section along its length. The connecting section passes through the upper shell and is connected to the inner shell. The gripping section has a water storage chamber for supplying water to the steam generating chamber.

[0007] In this technical solution, the steam iron is divided into a modular structure consisting of a soleplate, inner shell, upper shell, and handle assembly. The upper shell and soleplate enclose a first receiving cavity, and the inner shell further separates a second receiving cavity and an electrical cavity. The steam generating cavity is built into the second receiving cavity, and the water storage cavity is integrated into the handle assembly. This achieves physical isolation between the water storage area, the steam generation area, and the circuit area, reducing the risk of moisture damage to the circuit. The handle housing integrates the water storage cavity. Compared to traditional external water tanks or built-in water tanks, there is no need to install additional water pipes on the outside of the iron body, avoiding the problem of water pipe tangling and pulling. At the same time, it does not occupy the internal space of the iron body, effectively controlling the overall size and weight of the iron, and reducing user fatigue during long-term use. The close proximity design of the water storage cavity and the steam generating cavity shortens the water flow path, reduces the possibility of poor water flow or residual water, ensures a stable supply of room temperature water to the steam generating cavity, and ensures continuous steam generation. This solves the problems of inconvenient operation, redundant size, and poor water supply stability of traditional water tank structures.

[0008] The grip section extends horizontally, the connecting section is a curved section, the upper part of the upper shell is provided with a clearance through hole, the connecting section passes through the clearance through hole and is pivotally connected to the inner shell, the handle assembly can rotate relative to the upper shell about a vertical pivot axis, and the rotation angle is α, 0 < α < 360°.

[0009] In this technical solution, the grip section extends horizontally and the connecting section is curved, conforming to ergonomic design. This allows the user's wrist to maintain a natural posture while holding the handle, reducing wrist fatigue caused by prolonged ironing. The connecting section is pivotally connected to the inner shell, and the handle assembly can rotate around a vertical pivot axis. Users can adjust the handle position according to ironing scenarios (such as standing while ironing large garments or laying them flat while ironing small garments), eliminating the need for frequent hand adjustments and adapting to different usage needs. The clearance holes in the upper shell provide space for the connecting section to rotate, preventing interference between the handle and the upper shell during rotation, ensuring smooth rotation, and not affecting the normal delivery of room temperature water and steam generation. The 0 < α < 360° angle limitation further optimizes the practicality of the rotation function: on the one hand, the angle range covers all positions within 360°, meeting the user's angle needs in different ironing scenarios and eliminating the limitations of traditional fixed handles that require frequent hand adjustments. On the other hand, the angle is not set to 360°, which excludes full circumferential rotation. This avoids excessive rotation of the handle assembly, which could cause the internal water inlet pipes and power cords to become tangled or pulled. This ensures both operational flexibility and the stability of the internal pipe and wiring connections, ensuring a stable supply of room temperature water to the steam generating chamber and preventing interruption of steam generation due to pipe failure. It balances ease of use with product durability.

[0010] The upper shell is provided with an inner annular rib and a outer annular rib surrounding the clearance through hole, and an annular guide groove is formed between the inner annular rib and the outer annular rib; the connecting section is provided with an annular portion that rotatably fits in the guide groove, a first stop rib is provided on the inner sidewall of the outer annular rib, and a second stop rib is provided on the outer sidewall of the annular portion; when the handle assembly rotates, the second stop rib abuts against the two sides of the first stop rib to limit its extreme rotation position; the annular portion is circumferentially distributed with a plurality of arc-shaped segments, the side of the arc-shaped segment facing the inner annular rib is a concave side, and the inner annular rib is provided with an outwardly protruding protrusion; when the handle assembly rotates, the protrusion engages with the concave side of the arc-shaped segment to provide a stop feel; when the handle assembly is in any of the extreme positions, the protrusion engages with one of the arc-shaped segments.

[0011] In this technical solution, the annular guide groove formed by the inner and outer annular ribs guides the annular part of the connecting section, ensuring that the handle assembly moves along a preset trajectory when rotating, avoiding deviation that could cause the internal water inlet pipe to twist and affect the delivery of room temperature water. The first and second baffle ribs work together to limit the extreme position of the handle rotation, preventing excessive rotation from causing damage to the water inlet pipe or power cord, protecting the stability of the component connection, and ensuring continuous water and power supply. The arc-shaped section of the annular part cooperates with the protrusion of the inner annular rib to provide a stop feel when the handle rotates, allowing the user to judge whether the handle is in the preset position (such as the horizontal grip position or the tilted grip position) by feel, improving the convenience of operation, eliminating the need for visual confirmation, and not affecting ironing efficiency. In extreme positions, the protrusion and the arc-shaped section cooperate to achieve temporary positioning of the handle, preventing the handle from rotating on its own during ironing and ensuring stable operation.

[0012] The handle housing is also equipped with a one-way valve, which is configured to allow external air to enter the water storage chamber in one direction to balance its internal negative pressure.

[0013] In this technical solution, a one-way valve is installed on the handle housing to allow external air to enter the water storage chamber in one direction. When the water in the water storage chamber is transported to the steam generating chamber, causing a negative pressure to form inside, the one-way valve automatically opens to replenish air, balance the air pressure in the chamber, avoid water supply interruption due to negative pressure, ensure that room temperature water flows steadily to the steam generating chamber, and ensure the continuity of steam generation. Especially when the water level in the water storage chamber is low, it can effectively prevent the water flow from stopping and the steam volume from decreasing suddenly due to air pressure imbalance.

[0014] The gripping section includes a partition wall that separates the water storage chamber from the internal cavity of the connecting section. The partition wall has a vent hole and a positioning hole. The one-way valve is an umbrella-shaped valve made of flexible material. The umbrella valve includes a stem and an umbrella blade. The stem is axially positioned in the positioning hole. The umbrella blade is located in the water storage chamber and normally covers and closes the vent hole. When a negative pressure is formed in the water storage chamber, the umbrella blade deforms under the action of the air pressure difference and opens the vent hole.

[0015] In this technical solution, the one-way valve adopts a flexible umbrella-shaped valve and achieves axial positioning through the positioning hole of the partition wall. Under normal conditions, the umbrella blade covers the vent hole, which can not only prevent the room temperature water in the water storage chamber from overflowing from the vent hole, but also quickly open the vent hole through the deformation of the umbrella blade under negative pressure. Compared with the traditional spring-type one-way valve, the flexible umbrella-shaped valve has a simpler structure, lower cost, no risk of spring corrosion, and a longer service life. The vent hole of the partition wall cooperates with the positioning hole to realize the one-way valve installation positioning and airflow channel functions at the same time, simplifying the internal structure of the handle assembly, reducing the number of parts, and avoiding interference of complex structures on the room temperature water delivery path.

[0016] The end of the grip section away from the connecting section is provided with a water inlet communicating with the water storage chamber, and the water inlet is sealed by a removable flexible cap.

[0017] In this technical solution, a water inlet is set at the end of the handle section away from the connecting section and sealed with a flexible cap. The position of the water inlet conforms to the user's operating habits when holding the handle, and room temperature water can be replenished without disassembling the handle, improving the convenience of use. The flexible cap has good sealing performance, which can prevent room temperature water in the water storage chamber from leaking when the iron is tilted or shaken. At the same time, the flexible material is easy to open and close, avoiding the problem of water leakage caused by the deterioration of sealing performance after repeated use of traditional rigid caps.

[0018] A water pump is installed inside the electrical cavity. The water inlet of the water pump is connected to the water storage cavity through an inlet pipe, and the water outlet of the water pump is connected to the steam generating cavity through an outlet pipe.

[0019] In this technical solution, a water pump is installed inside the electrical cavity to actively supply water from the water storage cavity to the steam generating cavity. Compared with the traditional water supply method that relies on gravity, it is not affected by the angle of the iron. Even if the iron is in a horizontal or slightly tilted state (such as ironing the collar or cuffs of clothes), it can still stably deliver room temperature water, which is suitable for different ironing scenarios. The precise volume control of the water pump can adjust the amount of room temperature water supplied according to the steam demand, avoiding water accumulation in the steam generating cavity due to excessive water supply, unvaporized water overflowing with the steam, or insufficient water supply leading to insufficient steam, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of steam generation.

[0020] The steam iron also includes a power cord, which passes through the inside of the handle housing and is electrically connected to the circuit board inside the electrical cavity.

[0021] In this technical solution, the power cord passes through the inside of the handle housing and is electrically connected to the circuit board in the electrical cavity. Compared with the traditional method of routing the cord from the bottom or side of the iron, routing the cord inside the handle can avoid wear and tear caused by friction between the power cord and clothing during ironing. It also reduces the impact of external routing on the appearance of the iron and improves the overall product design. In addition, as the handle is the part held by the user, internal routing of the cord can shorten the distance between the power cord and the circuit board, reduce line resistance, reduce power loss, and ensure stable power supply.

[0022] A water-blocking column is provided inside the water storage cavity, and a lead wire hole is provided inside the water-blocking column. One end of the lead wire hole leads to the internal cavity of the connecting section, and the other end leads to the outside at the end of the grip section away from the connecting section. The power cord passes through the lead wire hole, and a positioning clip is fitted on the part of the power cord located on the outside of the handle housing. The positioning clip is connected to the end of the handle housing by fasteners, thereby pressing and fixing the power cord.

[0023] In this technical solution, the water-insulating column inside the water storage chamber separates the water storage chamber from the space where the power cord passes through, preventing the room temperature water in the water storage chamber from coming into contact with the power cord, avoiding the risk of electric leakage, and improving the safety of use; the lead hole provides a fixed path for the power cord to pass through, avoiding damage to the power cord caused by large shaking inside the handle; the positioning clip presses and fixes the power cord to the end of the handle housing with fasteners, which can prevent the power cord from falling out of the handle due to pulling. Especially when the user moves the iron, it can effectively protect the stability of the circuit connection, ensure that the circuit continuously supplies power to the heating device, and ensure uninterrupted steam generation.

[0024] The steam generating chamber is a cavity formed by the inner surface of the base plate and a cover plate. A heating device is installed inside the cavity, and the cover plate is provided with a water inlet.

[0025] This technical solution integrates the soleplate, steam generating chamber, cover plate, and heating device into a single design, solving the problems of heavy weight and complex installation caused by the separate soleplate, evaporator, and heating structure of traditional steam irons. The water inlet on the cover plate provides a channel for the delivery of room temperature water, which can be precisely connected to the water pump's outlet pipe to avoid leakage or diversion during the delivery of room temperature water. This ensures that all room temperature water enters the steam generating chamber and contacts the heating device, improving heating efficiency. In addition, as the part that directly contacts the iron, the soleplate's thermal conductivity can help heat the room temperature water in the steam generating chamber. Combined with the sealing effect of the cover plate, it reduces heat loss from the chamber, ensuring that the room temperature water quickly vaporizes into steam and avoiding delayed steam generation due to heat loss. Especially when dealing with thick fabrics, it can quickly provide a sufficient amount of high-temperature steam to ensure ironing effect. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings: Figure 1 Assembly of the steam iron provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ; Figure 2 Assembly of the steam iron provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 ; Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the steam iron provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ; Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of the steam iron provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ; Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the handle housing provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the handle housing provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 Assembly of the steam iron provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 3 ; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the upper shell structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 10 for Figure 9 Enlarged view at point B in the middle; Figure 11 Cross-sectional view of the steam iron provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 ; Figure 12 Assembly of the steam iron provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 4 ; Figure 13 This is an assembly drawing of the base plate and cover plate provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the base plate provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0027] List of components and reference numerals: 1. Base plate, 11. Steam hole, 2. Inner shell, 3. Upper shell, 31. Clearance hole, 32. Inner annular rib, 33. Outer annular rib, 34. First baffle rib, 35. Protrusion, 4. Second receiving cavity, 5. Electrical cavity, 6. Steam generating cavity, 7. Circuit board, 8. Handle housing, 81. Connecting section, 811. Annular part, 8111. Arc-shaped section, 812. Second baffle rib, 82. Grip section, 821. Water storage cavity, 822. Partition wall, 8221. Vent hole, 8222. Positioning hole, 823. Water inlet, 824. Water-proof column, 9. Umbrella valve, 91. Rod, 92. Umbrella blade, 10. Flexible cover, 20. Water pump, 30. Inlet pipe, 40. Outlet pipe, 50. Power cord, 60. Positioning clip, 70. Cover plate, 701. Inlet hole, 80. Heating device. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the overall concept of this application, a detailed explanation is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of this application. However, this application may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0030] Furthermore, it should be understood in the description of this application that the terms "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," "circumferential," "lateral," and "longitudinal," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0031] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0032] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the "above" or "below" of the second feature can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0033] In the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figures 1 to 14 As shown, a steam iron is provided. For ease of explanation and understanding, the following descriptions are based on the illustrated product structure. Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that the above structure is merely a specific example and illustrative illustration, and does not constitute a specific limitation on the technical solution provided in this application.

[0034] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the steam iron includes a base plate 1, an inner shell 2, an upper shell 3, and a handle assembly. The upper shell 3 and the base plate 1 form a first receiving cavity. The inner shell 2 is located in the first receiving cavity and forms a second receiving cavity 4 with the base plate 1 and an electrical cavity 5 with the upper shell 3. The second receiving cavity 4 is provided with a steam generating cavity 6 for generating steam. The base plate 1 is provided with a steam hole 11 for conveying the steam generated in the steam generating cavity 6 to the outside. The electrical cavity 5 is provided with a circuit board 7. The handle assembly includes a handle housing 8. The handle housing 8 includes a connecting section 81 and a gripping section 82 along its length. The connecting section 81 passes through the upper shell 3 and is connected to the inner shell 2. The gripping section 82 is provided with a water storage cavity 821 for supplying water to the steam generating cavity 6.

[0035] In this application, the steam iron is disassembled into a modular structure consisting of a soleplate 1, an inner shell 2, an upper shell 3, and a handle assembly. The first accommodating cavity enclosed by the upper shell 3 and the soleplate 1 provides basic installation space for the internal components. The inner shell 2 further divides the first accommodating cavity into a second accommodating cavity 4 and an electrical cavity 5. The steam generating cavity 6 is built into the second accommodating cavity 4, and the water storage cavity 821 is integrated into the handle assembly. This partitioned design achieves physical isolation between the water storage area, the steam generation area, and the circuit area, structurally reducing the risk of water or steam leakage into the electrical cavity 5 causing the circuit board 7 to become damp and short-circuit. This solves the safety hazard of the traditional steam iron's circuit area and water flow area not being isolated.

[0036] The handle assembly is divided into a connecting section 81 and a gripping section 82 along its length. The connecting section 81 passes through the upper shell 3 and connects to the inner shell 2, ensuring a secure fit between the handle and the iron body and preventing the handle from becoming loose during use. The gripping section 82 integrates a water storage chamber 821 for supplying water to the steam generating chamber 6. Compared to traditional external water tanks, there is no need for an additional water pipe connection to the outside of the machine, eliminating the problem of water pipe tangling and pulling affecting operational flexibility. For example, when ironing large garments, users do not need to worry about water pipes getting in their way. Compared to the traditional steam iron with a built-in water tank, the water storage chamber 821 occupies space in the handle rather than inside the iron body, effectively controlling the size and weight of the iron body, and reducing hand fatigue for users who hold it for extended periods of ironing.

[0037] Meanwhile, the water storage chamber 821 and the steam generating chamber 6 form a short-distance water supply path through the inner shell 2, connecting section 81, and other structures. This reduces the problem of poor water flow caused by the unreasonable connection path between the traditional water tank and the steam generating chamber. For example, the long, bent water pipes in the traditional structure are prone to blockage due to scale buildup. The short water supply path in this solution reduces the probability of blockage, ensuring a stable supply of room temperature water to the steam generating chamber 6, avoiding interruptions in steam generation, and ensuring a continuous ironing process. The steam holes 11 on the sole plate 1 are directly connected to the steam generating chamber 6, allowing the generated steam to be quickly sprayed out and applied to the clothes, avoiding the condensation problem caused by the long steam transmission path in the traditional structure, and improving ironing efficiency.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of this application, a one-way valve is also installed on the handle housing 8. The one-way valve is configured to allow external air to enter the water storage chamber 821 in one direction to balance its internal negative pressure. The one-way valve only allows external air to enter the water storage chamber 821 in one direction, a design that solves the negative pressure problem during the water supply process of the water storage chamber 821. In actual use, when water in the water storage chamber 821 is continuously supplied to the steam generating chamber 6, the water level in the chamber drops, creating negative pressure. If the air pressure is not balanced in time, it will lead to water supply interruption. For example, in traditional water storage structures without a one-way valve, when the water level is below one-third or even half, the negative pressure can easily prevent the water pump from drawing water, resulting in a sharp decrease in steam output. In this solution, the one-way valve will automatically open when negative pressure is formed, replenishing the external air to balance the air pressure in the chamber, ensuring a continuous and stable extraction of room temperature water. Even if the water level in the water storage chamber 821 is close to the bottom, the water supply can still be stable, ensuring that room temperature water flows continuously and stably to the steam generating chamber 6, thus ensuring the continuity of steam generation. Especially when the water level in the water storage chamber 821 is low, it can effectively prevent the water flow from stopping and the steam volume from decreasing suddenly due to air pressure imbalance.

[0039] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the gripping section 82 includes a partition wall 822 that separates the water storage chamber 821 from the internal cavity of the connecting section 81. The partition wall 822 has a vent hole 8221 and a positioning hole 8222. The one-way valve is an umbrella-shaped valve 9 made of flexible material. The umbrella-shaped valve 9 includes a stem 91 and an umbrella blade 92. The stem 91 is axially positioned in the positioning hole 8222, and the umbrella blade 92 is located inside the water storage chamber 821 and normally covers and seals the vent hole 8221. When a negative pressure is formed inside the water storage chamber 821, the umbrella blade 92 deforms under the pressure difference, opening the vent hole 8221. The partition wall 822 in the gripping section 82 separates the water storage chamber 821 from the internal cavity of the connecting section 81, preventing room temperature water in the water storage chamber 821 from seeping into the cavity of the connecting section 81, thus avoiding moisture damage to the pipes and wiring inside the cavity, and also providing an installation base for the one-way valve. The vent 8221 on the partition wall 822 is the channel for air to enter the water storage chamber 821, while the positioning hole 8222 enables precise installation of the one-way valve, ensuring its fixed position and preventing vibration-induced displacement that could affect sealing or ventilation. The one-way valve is an umbrella-shaped valve 9 made of flexible material (such as silicone rubber), which has good elasticity and aging resistance. Compared to traditional spring-type one-way valves, it eliminates the risk of spring corrosion failure and extends service life. The stem 91 of the umbrella-shaped valve 9 is axially positioned in the positioning hole 8222, ensuring the stability of the overall valve structure. For example, spaced protrusions can be provided on the stem 91 for axial positioning. The umbrella fin 92 is located inside the water storage chamber 821 and normally covers and seals the vent 8221, effectively preventing room-temperature water in the water storage chamber 821 from overflowing through the vent 8221. For example, when the user tilts the iron to iron the collar of clothing, water in the water storage chamber 821 will not leak out through the vent 8221 to the outside of the handle. When a negative pressure is formed in the water storage chamber 821, the umbrella slats 92 deform under the action of the air pressure difference and open the vent 8221. This passive opening method does not require additional power, has a fast response speed, and can instantly replenish air to balance the negative pressure, effectively reducing the phenomenon of significant fluctuations in steam volume and ensuring uniform ironing effect.

[0040] As a preferred embodiment of this application, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, the end of the handle section 82 furthest from the connecting section 81 is provided with a water inlet 823 that communicates with the water storage chamber 821. The water inlet 823 is sealed by a removable flexible cap 10. The water inlet 823 is located on the end of the handle section 82 furthest from the connecting section 81, which conforms to the user's operating habits. The user can add water without removing the handle. For example, if the user finds that the water level in the water storage chamber 821 is low during ironing, the user only needs to hold the iron with the end of the handle section 82 facing upwards and directly open the water inlet 823 to add water. Compared with the traditional method of adding water by removing the water tank, the convenience of adding water is greatly improved. The water inlet 823 is sealed by a detachable flexible cap 10. The flexible cap 10 (such as silicone material) has good sealing performance and deformation ability, and can fit tightly to the edge of the water inlet 823 to prevent room temperature water in the water storage chamber 821 from leaking when the iron is tilted or shaken. At the same time, the flexible material makes it easy for users to open and close. Even if the hands are dry or have a small amount of water on them, the cap can be easily removed, avoiding the problem of traditional hard caps becoming brittle and difficult to open due to aging, thus improving the long-term user experience.

[0041] As a preferred embodiment of this application, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 8 As shown, a water pump 20 is installed inside the electrical cavity 5. The water inlet of the water pump 20 is connected to the water storage cavity 821 through the water inlet pipe 30, and the water outlet of the water pump 20 is connected to the steam generating cavity 6 through the water outlet pipe 40. Using the water pump 20 to achieve active water supply eliminates the dependence on the iron's tilt angle required by traditional gravity-fed water supply systems. Traditional gravity-fed water supply models require the iron to be tilted at least 15° to ensure water flows to the steam generating cavity 6. When ironing small areas such as cuffs and collars, insufficient water supply and reduced steam output can easily occur if the iron angle is too small. In this solution, regardless of whether the iron is horizontal, tilted, or slightly inverted (such as when ironing the inside of clothing), the water pump 20 can deliver room temperature water from the water storage cavity 821 to the steam generating cavity 6 through pressure, adapting to various ironing scenarios. Meanwhile, the water pump 20 can achieve precise flow control, adjusting the supply of room temperature water according to steam demand. This avoids excessive water supply leading to water accumulation in the steam generating chamber 6 and unvaporized water overflowing with the steam, or insufficient water supply resulting in insufficient steam, thus improving steam generation efficiency and quality. For example, through some code program control, the circuit board 7 can adjust the speed of the water pump 20 according to steam demand. When ironing thin silk garments, the water pump 20 is controlled to run at a low speed to reduce the water supply and prevent excessive steam from soaking the garments; when ironing thick wool coats, the water pump 20 is controlled to run at a high speed to increase the water supply and ensure sufficient steam to soften the fibers. This solves the problem of unstable steam volume caused by the inability to adjust the water volume in traditional gravity water supply, improving ironing quality. The targeted connection of the inlet pipe 30 and the outlet pipe 40 ensures a clear water flow path and no diversion waste, further guaranteeing water supply efficiency.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment of this application, such as Figure 4 and Figure 8 As shown, the steam iron also includes a power cord 50, which passes through the inside of the handle housing 8 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 7 inside the electrical cavity 5. Compared to the traditional design where the power cord extends from the bottom or side of the iron, the power cord 50 passing through the inside of the handle housing 8 avoids wear and tear caused by friction between the power cord 50 and clothing during ironing. In actual use, users need to frequently move the iron while ironing. The power cord with the traditional bottom routing is easily snagged and rubbed by the edges of clothing, resulting in wear and tear on the outer sheath in a short time. In this design, the power cord 50 is hidden inside the handle, extending outward only at the end of the grip section 82, without contact with clothing, effectively extending its service life. At the same time, the internal routing makes the iron's appearance simpler and more uniform, eliminating the clutter of external routing and improving the overall product's aesthetics. In addition, as the handle is the part held by the user, the internal routing shortens the distance between the power cord 50 and the circuit board 7, reducing circuit resistance, minimizing power loss, and ensuring stable power supply.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, a water-proof column 824 is provided inside the water storage cavity 821. A lead-in hole is provided within the water-proof column 824. One end of the lead-in hole leads to the internal cavity of the connecting section 81, and the other end leads to the outside at the end of the grip section 82 away from the connecting section 81. The power cord 50 passes through the lead-in hole. A positioning clip 60 is fitted onto the portion of the power cord 50 located outside the handle housing 8. The positioning clip 60 is connected to the end of the handle housing 8 by fasteners, thereby pressing and fixing the power cord 50. The water-proof column 824 completely separates the water storage cavity 821 from the space through which the power cord 50 passes, structurally preventing the room-temperature water in the water storage cavity 821 from contacting the power cord 50, avoiding the risk of leakage due to aging or damaged outer sheath of the wiring, and meeting the safety standards for household appliances. The lead-in hole within the water-proof column 824 provides a dedicated passage for the power cord 50, ensuring that the power cord 50 is arranged along a fixed path inside the handle, further improving electrical safety. One end of the lead hole leads to the internal cavity of the connecting section 81, and the other end leads to the outside at the end of the grip section 82 away from the connecting section 81. This path design allows the power cord 50 to extend smoothly from the end of the handle to the electrical cavity 5 without bending or jamming, reducing line stress. A positioning clip 60 is fitted onto the portion of the power cord 50 located on the outside of the handle housing 8. The positioning clip 60 is connected to the end of the handle housing 8 by fasteners and presses the power cord 50 firmly in place. This effectively prevents the power cord 50 from detaching from the circuit board 7 when the user pulls it. For example, if the user accidentally pulls the power cord 50 while moving the iron, the positioning clip 60 can withstand the pulling force, ensuring a stable connection between the power cord 50 and the circuit board 7, preventing sudden power loss due to detached wires and affecting the ironing process. Specifically, the portion of the power cord 50 located on the outside of the handle housing 8 can be thickened and fitted with a flange structure. The positioning clip 60 is fitted onto the thickened portion and connected to the connecting section 81 by screws, thereby pressing the flange structure and positioning the power cord 50.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the section of the gripping section 82 furthest from the connecting section 81 can be covered by a cover. The cover and the gripping section 82 are processed separately, which facilitates the forming of the water inlet 823 and the lead hole on the cover. The cover and the main body of the gripping section 82 can be ultrasonically welded to improve the sealing of the water storage cavity 821 and the reliability of isolating the water storage cavity 821 and the lead hole.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the grip section 82 extends horizontally, the connecting section 81 is curved, and the upper shell 3 has a clearance hole 31. The connecting section 81 passes through the clearance hole 31 and is pivotally connected to the inner shell 2. The handle assembly can rotate relative to the upper shell 3 about a vertical pivot axis, with a rotation angle of α, where 0 < α < 360°. The horizontal extension of the grip section 82 is ergonomic, allowing the user's wrist to maintain a natural horizontal posture when gripping, without the need to deliberately bend the wrist like with traditional tilted handles. Long-term use can reduce wrist muscle strain, making it especially suitable for frequent users such as garment factory workers. The curved design of the connecting section 81 adapts to the connection position between the upper shell 3 and the inner shell 2, ensuring a natural transition between the handle and the iron body without any abrupt protrusions, preventing hand injuries from protruding parts during use. The clearance hole 31 on the upper shell 3 provides space for the connecting section 81 to pass through, while not affecting the sealing of the upper shell 3, preventing external dust and debris from entering the first receiving cavity. The connecting segment 81 passes through the clearance hole 31 and pivotally connects to the inner shell 2, allowing the handle assembly to rotate relative to the upper shell 3 about the vertical pivot axis. In actual use, the user can flexibly adjust the handle angle to iron different parts of the clothing. The connecting segment 81 and the inner shell 2 can be pivotally connected using existing mature methods, such as pivoting through a shaft hole structure, or a pivot structure with rotational damping effect can be used to achieve suspension at any position of rotation. The 0 < α < 360° angle limitation further optimizes the practicality of the rotation function: on the one hand, the angle range covers all positions within 360°, which can meet the angle needs of users in different ironing scenarios. For example, when ironing the front of large garments, the handle can be rotated to a 180° horizontal position to facilitate horizontal pushing and pulling of the iron; when ironing narrow areas such as collars and cuffs, the handle can be rotated to a 45° or 300° tilt position to precisely control the iron tip to fit the folds of the garment; even when ironing the inside of the garment, the handle can be rotated to a position close to 360°, which can be operated without flipping the iron body, freeing users from the limitation of frequently adjusting hand posture required by traditional fixed handles. On the other hand, the angle is not set to 360°, which excludes full circumferential rotation. This avoids excessive rotation of the handle assembly, which could cause the internal water inlet pipes and power cords to become tangled or pulled. For example, if 360° rotation were allowed, the water inlet pipes inside the connecting section might become twisted due to circumferential entanglement, which could easily cause pipe damage and leakage after long-term use. The limitation of 0 < α < 360° can control the rotation range within a safe range, ensuring both operational flexibility and the stability of the internal pipe and wiring connections. This ensures that room temperature water is stably delivered to the steam generating chamber, avoiding interruption of steam generation due to pipe failure, and balancing ease of use with product durability.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 7 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the upper shell 3 is provided with an inner annular rib 32 and an outer annular rib 33 surrounding the clearance through hole 31, and an annular guide groove is formed between the inner annular rib 32 and the outer annular rib 33; the connecting section 81 is provided with an annular part 811 rotatably fitted in the guide groove, the inner side wall of the outer annular rib 33 is provided with a first baffle rib 34, and the outer side wall of the annular part 811 is provided with a second baffle rib 812; when the handle assembly rotates, the second baffle rib 812 abuts against the two sides of the first baffle rib 34 to limit its extreme rotation position; the annular part 811 is evenly distributed with multiple arc-shaped segments 8111 in the circumference, the side of the arc-shaped segment 8111 facing the inner annular rib 32 is a concave side, and the inner annular rib 32 is provided with an outwardly protruding protrusion 35; when the handle assembly rotates, the protrusion 35 cooperates with the concave side of the arc-shaped segment 8111 to provide a stop feel; when the handle assembly is in any extreme position, the protrusion 35 cooperates with one of the arc-shaped segments 8111. The annular guide groove formed between the inner annular rib 32 and the outer annular rib 33 surrounding the through hole 31 of the upper shell 3 provides rotational guidance for the annular portion 811 of the connecting section 81. This, in conjunction with the pivoting structure of the inner shell 2 and the connecting section 81, further ensures that the handle assembly rotates along a preset annular trajectory, preventing deviation or wobbling. For example, when the user quickly rotates the handle, the annular portion 811 slides stably within the guide groove without jamming or deviation, improving operational stability. The annular portion 811 on the connecting section 81 rotatably engages within the guide groove, further enhancing the stability of the rotating structure, preventing the handle assembly from shifting up and down, and ensuring the relative position of the handle and the iron body remains stable during rotation. The first baffle 34 on the inner sidewall of the outer annular rib 33 engages with the second baffle 812 on the outer sidewall of the annular portion 811 to limit the extreme positions of the handle assembly's rotation. For example, setting the extreme positions to 180° clockwise rotation and 175° counterclockwise rotation makes the rotation range of the handle assembly close to 360°. The annular portion 811 has multiple circumferentially evenly distributed arc-shaped segments 8111, with the side facing the inner annular rib 32 being a concave side. The protrusion 35 on the inner annular rib 32 engages with the concave side, providing a clear stopping feel when the handle rotates. Users do not need to look down to observe the handle's position; they can determine whether the handle is at a preset angle simply by touch. For example, when ironing the shoulder of clothing, the user can rotate the handle to the optimal operating angle based on this stopping feel, improving operational efficiency and accuracy. When the handle assembly is in any extreme position, the protrusion 35 engages with one of the arc-shaped segments 8111, enabling temporary positioning of the handle at that extreme position and preventing the handle from rotating on its own during ironing. For example… Figure 1 The state shown indicates that the handle assembly is in one of its extreme positions. Figure 12 The handle assembly is shown in another extreme position. When the user rotates the handle to these two extreme positions for ironing, the engagement of the protrusion 35 and the arc segment 8111 prevents the handle from returning to its original position when the hand is slightly loose, ensuring stable ironing action.

[0047] As a preferred embodiment of this application, such as Figure 3 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the steam generating chamber 6 is a cavity formed by the inner surface of the soleplate 1 and a cover plate 70. A heating device 80 is installed inside the cavity, and the cover plate 70 has a water inlet hole 701. Traditional steam irons use an evaporator to generate steam. The evaporator, soleplate, and heating device are processed and assembled independently. This type of structure has some drawbacks. For example, on the assembly line, each component needs to be positioned, installed, and adjusted separately, which not only increases the labor cost in the production process, but also, because it involves the coordination of multiple components, if the dimensional tolerance of a component is slightly off or the assembly process is not precise enough, assembly defects can easily occur, which will affect the overall performance and quality stability of the iron, reduce the product yield, and increase production costs. Moreover, since the evaporator is relatively independent from the soleplate and heating element, the process from water entering the evaporator to finally being converted into steam and sprayed out of the steam hole of the soleplate often requires a long transmission path. During this long transmission path, the steam is prone to heat loss and condensation in the pipes, resulting in a large amount of steam loss due to evaporation, and the amount of effective steam that can actually be used for ironing is reduced. In this technical solution, the base plate 1, steam generating chamber 6, cover plate 70, and heating device 80 are integrated into a single design, improving the aforementioned problems. The heating device 80 can be a heating tube structure, and the base plate 1 can be made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, possessing good thermal conductivity, strength, and lightweight characteristics. During specific processing, a mold with a corresponding cavity can be designed and manufactured according to the shape and size requirements of the iron base plate 1 assembly. Taking die casting as an example: the selected metal material is melted to form a molten metal that meets the requirements of the die casting process. The heating device 80 is pre-placed in the cavity of the die casting mold. The molten metal is then injected into the mold cavity, where it cools and solidifies, simultaneously filling the entire cavity, forming a single structure with the base plate 1 and the heating device 80. Subsequent processing, such as deburring and removing flash, and surface treatment, are then performed. The cover plate 70 and base plate 1 can be sealed with adhesive to prevent leakage from the steam generating chamber 6. The water inlet hole 701 on the cover plate 70 provides a channel for water in the water storage chamber 821 to be transported to the steam generating chamber 6. It can be precisely connected to the water outlet pipe 40 of the water pump 20 to avoid leakage or diversion during the transportation of room temperature water. It ensures that all room temperature water enters the steam generating chamber 6 and contacts the heating device 80, thereby improving heating efficiency. Specifically, the water inlet hole 701 can be extended through the inner shell 2 into the electrical cavity 5, so that it can be connected to the water outlet of the water pump 20 through a pipe. The water pump 20 transports the water in the water storage chamber 821 to the steam generating chamber 6 through the water inlet hole 701. The water is heated and evaporated by the heating device 80 to form steam. Finally, the steam is discharged through the steam hole 11 on the bottom plate 1.

[0048] For any parts not mentioned in this application, existing technologies may be used or referenced.

[0049] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments.

[0050] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A steam iron, characterized in that, Includes base plate, inner shell, upper shell and handle assembly; The upper shell and the bottom plate form a first receiving cavity. The inner shell is disposed in the first receiving cavity and forms a second receiving cavity with the bottom plate and an electrical cavity with the upper shell. The second receiving cavity is provided with a steam generating cavity for generating steam. The bottom plate is provided with a steam hole for conveying the steam generated in the steam generating cavity to the outside. The electrical cavity is provided with a circuit board. The handle assembly includes a handle housing, which includes a connecting section and a gripping section along its length. The connecting section passes through the upper shell and is connected to the inner shell. The gripping section has a water storage chamber for supplying water to the steam generating chamber.

2. The steam iron according to claim 1, characterized in that, The grip section extends horizontally, the connecting section is a curved section, the upper part of the upper shell is provided with a clearance through hole, the connecting section passes through the clearance through hole and is pivotally connected to the inner shell, the handle assembly can rotate relative to the upper shell about a vertical pivot axis, and the rotation angle is α, 0 < α < 360°.

3. The steam iron according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upper shell is provided with an inner annular rib and an outer annular rib surrounding the clearance through hole, and an annular guide groove is formed between the inner annular rib and the outer annular rib. The connecting section is provided with an annular portion that rotatably fits in the guide groove. The inner wall of the outer annular rib is provided with a first baffle, and the outer wall of the annular portion is provided with a second baffle. When the handle assembly rotates, the second baffle abuts against the two sides of the first baffle to limit its extreme rotation position. The annular portion has multiple arc-shaped segments evenly distributed around its circumference. The side of each arc-shaped segment facing the inner annular rib is a concave side, and the inner annular rib has an outwardly protruding part. When the handle assembly rotates, the protruding part engages with the concave side of the arc-shaped segment to provide a stopping feel. When the handle assembly is in any of the extreme positions, the protruding part engages with one of the arc-shaped segments.

4. The steam iron according to claim 1, characterized in that, The handle housing is also equipped with a one-way valve, which is configured to allow external air to enter the water storage chamber in one direction to balance its internal negative pressure.

5. The steam iron according to claim 4, characterized in that, The gripping section includes a partition wall that separates the water storage chamber from the internal cavity of the connecting section. The partition wall has a vent hole and a positioning hole. The one-way valve is an umbrella-shaped valve made of flexible material. The umbrella valve includes a stem and an umbrella blade. The stem is axially positioned in the positioning hole. The umbrella blade is located in the water storage chamber and normally covers and closes the vent hole. When a negative pressure is formed in the water storage chamber, the umbrella blade deforms under the action of the air pressure difference and opens the vent hole.

6. The steam iron according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the grip section away from the connecting section is provided with a water inlet communicating with the water storage chamber, and the water inlet is sealed by a removable flexible cap.

7. The steam iron according to claim 1, characterized in that, A water pump is installed inside the electrical cavity. The water inlet of the water pump is connected to the water storage cavity through an inlet pipe, and the water outlet of the water pump is connected to the steam generating cavity through an outlet pipe.

8. The steam iron according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam iron also includes a power cord, which passes through the inside of the handle housing and is electrically connected to the circuit board inside the electrical cavity.

9. The steam iron according to claim 8, characterized in that, A water-blocking column is provided inside the water storage cavity, and a lead wire hole is provided inside the water-blocking column. One end of the lead wire hole leads to the internal cavity of the connecting section, and the other end leads to the outside at the end of the grip section away from the connecting section. The power cord passes through the lead wire hole, and a positioning clip is fitted on the part of the power cord located on the outside of the handle housing. The positioning clip is connected to the end of the handle housing by fasteners, thereby pressing and fixing the power cord.

10. The steam iron according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam generating chamber is a cavity formed by the inner surface of the base plate and a cover plate. A heating device is installed inside the cavity, and the cover plate is provided with a water inlet.

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