Iron sole plate assembly with vaporization function and steam iron

Abstract

The application discloses an iron sole plate assembly with a vaporization function and a steam iron, which comprises a sole body, a cover plate and a tubular heating piece. The sole body has an outer ironing surface for ironing clothes and an inner surface opposite to the outer ironing surface. A circumferentially extending rib plate is arranged on the inner surface and surrounds to form a recessed vaporization cavity. A plurality of steam holes are arranged on the sole body and penetrate through the outer ironing surface and are communicated to the vaporization cavity. The cover plate is arranged on the rib plate to close the vaporization cavity. The cover plate is provided with a water inlet hole communicated to the vaporization cavity. The tubular heating piece is integrally formed on the sole body and penetrates through the vaporization cavity. At least a part of the tubular heating piece extends on a fluid path from the water inlet hole to the steam hole, so that the liquid drops injected from the water inlet hole can be heated and vaporized on the outer wall surface of the tubular heating piece, and the steam is sprayed from the steam hole. The scheme simplifies the structure, reduces the weight, reduces the assembly difficulty and improves the vaporization efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of iron technology, specifically to an iron soleplate assembly with a vaporization function. Background Technology

[0002] In daily life and in many fields involving garment ironing and fabric processing, steam irons are a commonly used and important tool. They soften clothing fibers by generating steam, resulting in better ironing effects and smoother, more even garments. However, traditional steam irons have many shortcomings in terms of structural design and practical use that require improvement.

[0003] Traditional steam irons typically design and manufacture the soleplate, evaporator, and heating element as independent components. From a manufacturing perspective, this independent component design makes the assembly process extremely cumbersome and complex. On the assembly line, each component needs to be positioned, installed, and adjusted separately. For example, it's crucial to ensure the heating element is accurately positioned within the evaporator and that its power connection is stable. Simultaneously, the evaporator must be precisely aligned with the soleplate, ensuring its steam output channel matches the steam vents on the soleplate. This series of operations not only increases labor costs in the production process but also, due to the coordination of multiple components, even slight deviations in dimensional tolerances or imprecise assembly techniques in any component can easily lead to assembly defects. This, in turn, affects the overall performance and quality stability of the iron, reducing the product yield and increasing production costs.

[0004] From a user experience perspective, the first issue is weight. Each individual component has its own weight, and when combined, the overall weight of the steam iron is considerable. For users who use an iron for extended periods, such as garment workers who may need to hold an iron for several hours continuously each day, a heavy iron can easily cause hand fatigue, affecting work efficiency. Furthermore, prolonged use of an excessively heavy tool can cause strain on the wrists and other areas, impacting health.

[0005] Furthermore, the steam generation and evaporation effects of traditional steam irons are unsatisfactory. During the heating and vaporization of water in the evaporator, because the evaporator, soleplate, and heating element are relatively independent, the process from water entering the evaporator to finally being converted into steam and ejected from the steam holes on the soleplate often requires a long transmission path. During this long transmission path, steam is prone to heat loss and condensation within the pipes, resulting in significant steam evaporation loss and a reduction in the amount of effective steam available for ironing. Moreover, this relatively complex structure also leads to low steam generation efficiency, making it impossible to quickly produce enough steam to meet ironing needs. Especially when ironing multiple garments continuously or dealing with thick fabrics, frequent waiting for steam to regenerate is necessary, greatly affecting the continuity and efficiency of ironing. Traditional structures are also prone to poor steam quality. Due to insufficient coordination between components, the heating element may not heat the water evenly, or the water flow distribution within the evaporator may be uneven. This causes some water to fail to fully vaporize and flow with the steam to the soleplate, ultimately ejecting from the steam holes. When this incompletely vaporized water is sprayed onto clothing, it can cause water stains, which not only fails to achieve the desired ironing effect but may even damage some high-end, delicate fabrics, resulting in a poor user experience. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide an iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function and a steam iron, which integrates the soleplate, vaporization chamber and heating element to improve steam generation efficiency and ironing effect, while simplifying the structure and reducing weight.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this application is as follows: An iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function includes a soleplate body, a cover plate, and a tubular heating element. The soleplate body has an outer ironing surface for ironing clothes and an inner surface opposite to the outer ironing surface. The inner surface is provided with circumferentially extending ribs that enclose a recessed vaporization cavity. The soleplate body has a plurality of steam holes penetrating the outer ironing surface and communicating with the vaporization cavity. The cover plate covers the ribs to close the vaporization cavity and has a water inlet hole communicating with the vaporization cavity. The tubular heating element is integrally formed on the soleplate body and penetrates the vaporization cavity. At least a portion of the tubular heating element extends along a fluid path from the water inlet hole to the steam hole, such that droplets injected through the water inlet hole can be heated and vaporized on the outer wall surface of the tubular heating element, generating steam which is then ejected from the steam hole.

[0008] In this technical solution, the vaporization chamber is enclosed by ribs on the base plate body, and the tubular heating element is integrally formed on the base plate body. This integrates the base plate body, vaporization chamber, cover plate, and tubular heating element into a single design, solving the problems of heavy weight and complex installation caused by the independent components of traditional steam irons, such as the base plate, evaporator, and heating structure. The tubular heating element penetrates the vaporization chamber and is located on the fluid path from the water inlet to the steam hole, allowing droplets to directly contact the outer wall of the heating element, shortening the heating distance, improving vaporization efficiency, and reducing steam evaporation loss. The steam hole directly connects to the vaporization chamber and penetrates the outer ironing surface, ensuring rapid steam ejection and enhancing the ironing effect.

[0009] The vaporization chamber extends along the length of the base plate body, and the water inlet is located in the central region of the vaporization chamber along its length.

[0010] In this technical solution, by placing the water inlet in the central area of ​​the vaporization chamber, it is ensured that, whether ironing horizontally or vertically, liquid water can flow naturally by gravity to and wet the tubular heating element located within the chamber, thus being rapidly heated and vaporized. The injected water can be distributed to the surface of the high-temperature tubular heating element in a short path and uniform manner, shortening the process time of water injection, vaporization, and steam emission, achieving a rapid and continuous steam supply. The stable vaporization process results in a stable and continuous steam flow. Regardless of the angle at which the iron is held, steam can be evenly ejected from each steam hole, ensuring that the clothes are heated evenly, without condensation stains, and ultimately achieving a smooth, high-quality ironing effect.

[0011] The vaporization chamber is provided with inner and outer nested guide ribs that extend circumferentially. The guide ribs extend upward from the bottom surface of the vaporization chamber and abut against the cover plate, thereby dividing the vaporization chamber into sequentially connected guide channels. The steam hole is located in the space surrounded by the innermost guide ribs, and each guide rib is provided with a notch for water or steam to pass through.

[0012] In this technical solution, the inner and outer spaced guide ribs divide the vaporization chamber into sequentially connected guide channels, guiding the droplets to flow along a preset path, extending the contact time between the droplets and the tubular heating element, and ensuring full vaporization; the notch design of the guide ribs allows water or steam to flow in an orderly manner, allowing water to flow towards the steam hole from multiple directions, avoiding local liquid accumulation, reducing the risk of dry burning, and improving the stability of steam generation.

[0013] The guide ribs include an outer guide rib and an inner guide rib. The bottom of the outer guide rib is connected to the tubular heating element, and the water inlet is directly opposite the notch of the outer guide rib.

[0014] In this technical solution, the bottom of the outer guide rib is connected to the tubular heating element, so that after the droplets enter from the water inlet, they first contact the notch of the outer guide rib and flow directly to the heating element, shortening the initial heating path; the design of the water inlet facing the notch ensures that the droplets accurately enter the guide channel, further improving the vaporization efficiency.

[0015] The notches of the outer guide ribs and the inner guide ribs are offset circumferentially so that the water flowing in from the notches of the outer guide ribs can bypass the inner guide ribs.

[0016] In this technical solution, the notches of the outer and inner guide ribs are circumferentially staggered, forcing the droplets to form a meandering flow path in the guide channel, significantly increasing the contact time and area with the tubular heating element, ensuring that the droplets are fully vaporized, and reducing the phenomenon of unvaporized water being ejected with the steam.

[0017] The guide ribs are arranged with multiple upwardly protruding positioning protrusions at intervals along their extension direction, and the cover plate is provided with positioning holes corresponding to the positioning protrusions, with the positioning protrusions and positioning holes cooperating with each other.

[0018] In this technical solution, the positioning protrusions on the guide ribs cooperate with the positioning holes of the cover plate to achieve precise positioning of the cover plate and the base plate body, avoiding poor sealing of the vaporization chamber caused by assembly deviation; the spaced positioning protrusions also enhance the structural strength of the guide ribs and prevent deformation at high temperatures.

[0019] The inner surface of the base plate body is also provided with water-blocking ribs surrounding the steam hole. The height of the water-blocking ribs is lower than the height of the rib plate, so that a gap is formed between the top of the water-blocking ribs and the cover plate to allow steam to pass through.

[0020] In this technical solution, the water-blocking ribs surround the steam holes and are lower than the rib plate. This not only prevents unvaporized droplets from directly entering the steam holes, but also leaves gaps for steam to pass through, ensuring that the sprayed steam is drier, preventing clothes from being soaked by liquid water, and improving ironing quality.

[0021] There are multiple steam holes, which are arranged at intervals along the center line of the base plate body; one steam hole is located in the center of the base plate body, and the remaining steam holes are symmetrically distributed about the central steam hole and their diameter is smaller than that of the central steam hole.

[0022] In this technical solution, the steam holes are distributed along the center line of the base plate, with the central hole having a larger diameter. This is suitable for users who prefer to iron the center of the iron as the main ironing area, ensuring sufficient steam in key areas. The symmetrically distributed small holes meet the steam needs of the edge areas, achieving uniform steam coverage and improving ironing efficiency.

[0023] A step is provided on the inner side wall of the stiffening plate. The height of the step is lower than the upper edge of the stiffening plate. The cover plate covers the inner side of the stiffening plate and is supported on the step.

[0024] In this technical solution, the step on the inner side of the stiffener provides stable support for the cover plate, ensuring that the cover plate and the sealing surface of the vaporization chamber are flat and fit together, reducing steam leakage; the step structure simplifies the assembly and positioning of the cover plate, reduces installation difficulty, and improves production efficiency.

[0025] The iron soleplate assembly also includes a temperature sensing element and an overheat protector. The temperature sensing element is disposed on the wall of the vaporization chamber or the cover plate and is used to detect the temperature of the vaporization chamber. The overheat protector is electrically connected to the tubular heating element and is used to cut off the power supply to the tubular heating element when the temperature exceeds a set threshold.

[0026] In this technical solution, the temperature sensing element monitors the temperature of the vaporization chamber in real time, and the overheat protector cuts off the power to the heating element after the temperature exceeds the limit, preventing the vaporization chamber from being damaged due to dry burning or abnormal heating, thus improving the safety of the iron and extending its service life.

[0027] The steam iron provided in this application includes an iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function as described above.

[0028] In this technical solution, the integrated design of the base plate, tubular heating element, and vaporization chamber reduces the overall weight and simplifies the assembly process; the efficient vaporization structure makes steam generation faster and more stable, improving the performance of the iron and the user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0029] 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 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the iron soleplate assembly provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the iron soleplate assembly provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the integrally formed structure of the base plate body and the tubular heating element provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the base plate body provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the integrally formed structure of the base plate body and the tubular heating element provided in the embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cover plate provided in the embodiment of this application; Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steam iron provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0030] List of components and reference numerals: 1. Base plate body, 11. Outer ironing surface, 12. Rib plate, 121. Step, 13. Vaporization chamber, 14. Steam hole, 15. Guide rib, 151. Outer guide rib, 152. Inner guide rib, 16. Notch, 17. Positioning protrusion, 18. Water-blocking rib. 2. Cover plate, 21. Water inlet hole, 22. Positioning hole; 3. Tubular heating element; 4 temperature sensing elements; 5. Overheat protector; 6. Outer shell; 7 handles. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the overall concept of this application, a detailed explanation is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] In the embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figures 1 to 7 As shown, an iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function and a steam iron are 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.

[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the iron soleplate assembly includes a soleplate body 1, a cover plate 2, and a tubular heating element 3. The soleplate body 1 has an outer ironing surface 11 for ironing clothes and an inner surface opposite to the outer ironing surface 11. The inner surface is provided with circumferentially extending ribs 12, which enclose a recessed vaporization chamber 13. The soleplate body 1 has a plurality of steam holes 14 that penetrate the outer ironing surface 11 and communicate with the vaporization chamber 13. The cover plate 2 covers the ribs 12 to close the vaporization chamber 13. The cover plate 2 is provided with a water inlet hole 21 that communicates with the vaporization chamber 13. The tubular heating element 3 is integrally formed on the soleplate body 1 and penetrates the vaporization chamber 13. At least a portion of the tubular heating element 3 extends along the fluid path from the water inlet hole 21 to the steam hole 14, so that the droplets injected by the water inlet hole 21 can be heated and vaporized on the outer wall surface of the tubular heating element 3, generating steam, which is then ejected from the steam hole 14.

[0038] In this application, the overall structure of the steam iron is simplified by designing the soleplate body 1, the vaporization chamber 13 enclosed by the ribs 12, and the tubular heating element 3 as a single integrated structure. Compared with traditional steam irons where each component is independent and requires cumbersome assembly, this design reduces the complex process of positioning, installing, and debugging the soleplate, evaporator, and heating structure separately during manufacturing, lowering labor costs. It also avoids assembly defects caused by dimensional tolerances or assembly process issues, effectively improving product yield and controlling production costs. The soleplate body 1 can be made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, which has good thermal conductivity, strength, and lightweight properties. In specific processing, molds with corresponding cavities can be designed and manufactured according to the shape and size requirements of the iron soleplate assembly. Taking the die casting process as an example: the selected metal material is melted to make a molten metal that meets the requirements of the die casting process. The tubular heating element 3 is placed in the cavity of the die casting mold in advance. The molten metal is injected into the mold cavity. The molten metal cools and solidifies in the mold, while filling the entire cavity to form an integral structure. The wiring terminals at both ends of the tubular heating element 3 are located outside the vaporization cavity 13 to achieve water and electricity isolation. Then, subsequent processing such as deburring and flash removal, as well as surface treatment, are carried out.

[0039] At least a portion of the tubular heating element 3 is located in the fluid path from the water inlet 21 to the steam hole 14, allowing the liquid water injected from the water inlet 21 to be directly heated and vaporized on the outer surface of the tubular heating element 3. This close-range heating method, compared to the long transmission path of water in traditional irons before reaching the heating area, greatly shortens the path for water to vaporize, reduces heat loss and the possibility of steam condensation during transmission, thereby improving vaporization efficiency. It can quickly generate a sufficient amount of steam for ironing, ensuring the continuity of ironing work. For example, when ironing multiple garments continuously or processing thicker fabrics, there is no need to frequently wait for steam to regenerate, improving overall ironing efficiency. The generated steam can be directly sprayed onto the surface of the garment through the steam hole 14 on the soleplate body 1, which connects to the vaporization chamber 13. This reduces unnecessary losses caused by steam transmission in complex structures, allowing more steam to truly act on the softening of garment fibers, contributing to better ironing results and making the garment smoother and more even.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of this application, the vaporization chamber 12 extends along the length of the base plate body, and the water inlet 21 is located in the central region of the vaporization chamber 13 along its length. Those skilled in the art will understand that if the water inlet 21 is located at the end of the vaporization chamber 13, during vertical ironing, water will accumulate at the lower end due to gravity, failing to effectively contact the tubular heating element 3, resulting in delayed, interrupted, or water-accumulated steam output in this working mode. This solution, by placing the water inlet 21 in the central region of the vaporization chamber 13, ensures that, regardless of whether ironing is horizontal or vertical, liquid water can flow naturally towards and wet the tubular heating element 3 located within the chamber due to gravity, thereby being rapidly heated and vaporized. The injected water can be distributed to the high-temperature tubular heating element 3 surface in a short path and uniform manner, shortening the process time of water injection, vaporization, and steam emission, achieving a rapid and continuous steam supply. The stable vaporization process produces a stable and continuous steam flow. No matter what angle you hold the iron at, the steam can be evenly sprayed out from each steam hole 14, ensuring that the clothes are heated evenly, without condensation stains, and ultimately achieving a smooth and high-quality ironing effect.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the vaporization chamber 13 is provided with nested, circumferentially extending guide ribs 15. The guide ribs 15 extend upwards from the bottom surface of the vaporization chamber 13 and abut against the cover plate 2, thereby dividing the vaporization chamber 13 into sequentially connected flow channels. The steam hole 14 is located within the space enclosed by the innermost guide rib 152. Each guide rib 15 has a notch 16 for water or steam to pass through. In this embodiment, the spaced-out guide ribs 15 divide the vaporization chamber 13 into sequentially connected flow channels, and water entering from the water inlet 21 flows along the predetermined flow channels. The accompanying drawings show an embodiment where the guide ribs 15 extend in a waist-shaped manner; they can also extend circumferentially in a circular or other suitable shape. In actual use, water flows through these orderly channels and fully contacts the tubular heating element 3, avoiding uneven water distribution. This allows the water to be heated and vaporized evenly during flow. Compared to the uneven water flow and heating in the evaporator of traditional irons, this effectively improves the degree of water vaporization and reduces the problem of poor steam quality caused by insufficient vaporization in some areas. The notches 16 on each guide rib 15 for water or steam to pass through ensure orderly flow of water between the guide channels and allow the generated steam to smoothly converge towards the steam hole 14. This prevents steam from accumulating in the vaporization chamber 13 or from being obstructed, allowing steam to be stably and continuously ejected from the steam hole 14, further improving the stability and effect of ironing.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment of this implementation, such as Figure 3As shown, the guide rib 15 includes an outer guide rib 151 and an inner guide rib 152. The bottom of the outer guide rib 151 is connected to the tubular heating element 3, and the water inlet hole 21 is directly opposite the notch 16 of the outer guide rib 151. Specifically, after the tubular heating element 3 is integrally formed with the base plate body 1, the tubular heating element 3 can protrude from the bottom surface of the vaporization chamber 13. The bottom of the outer guide rib 151 in the guide rib 15 is connected to the tubular heating element 3, and the water inlet hole 21 is directly opposite the notch 16 of the outer guide rib 151. This arrangement allows the water entering from the water inlet hole 21 to flow precisely to the area connected to the tubular heating element 3 first, ensuring that the water can contact the heating source for vaporization as soon as it enters the vaporization chamber 13, maximizing the use of the heat of the heating element, reducing the ineffective residence time of the water in the vaporization chamber 13, further improving the vaporization efficiency, and enabling steam to be generated and used for ironing work more quickly. Compared to the poor coordination of components in traditional irons, this structural design enhances the coordination between water inlet, flow guidance, and heating, optimizing the entire vaporization process and making steam generation smoother and more efficient, thus improving the overall performance of the steam iron.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the notch 16 of the outer guide rib 151 and the notch 16 of the inner guide rib 152 are staggered in the circumferential direction. This ensures that the water flowing in from the notch 16 of the outer guide rib 151 needs to bypass the inner guide rib 152 and flow towards the notch 16 of the inner guide rib 152. During the flow, the water fully contacts the tubular heating element 3 and is rapidly vaporized, so that the water reaching the notch 16 of the inner guide rib 152 is primarily a steam flow, not a water flow. More preferably, the notch 16 of the inner guide rib 152 is adjacent to the side of the outer guide rib 151 without a notch 16, and the notch 16 of the outer guide rib 151 is adjacent to the side of the inner guide rib 152 without a notch 16, so that the two notches 16 are staggered by 180 degrees in the circumferential direction. This design causes the water to form a meandering path when flowing in the guide channel, prolonging the contact time and contact area between the water and the tubular heating element 3. In practical use, water can absorb heat more fully, thus completing the vaporization process more thoroughly. This reduces the possibility of unvaporized water being sprayed out with the steam, preventing water stains from appearing on clothes during ironing. Especially for high-end and delicate fabrics, it can better protect the material, ensure ideal ironing results, and improve the user experience.

[0044] As a preferred embodiment of this implementation, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 6As shown, the guide rib 15 has multiple upwardly protruding positioning protrusions 17 spaced apart along its extension direction. The cover plate 2 has positioning holes 22 corresponding to the positioning protrusions 17. The positioning protrusions 17 and the positioning holes 22 cooperate with each other. This design plays a role in precise positioning during assembly. Whether in production assembly or reassembly after maintenance, it can ensure that the cover plate 2 accurately covers the rib plate 12, ensuring the sealing of the vaporization chamber 13 and the accuracy of the relative positions of each component. It avoids problems such as steam leakage or affecting the normal operation of the guide channel due to the installation deviation of the cover plate 2, improves the overall stability and reliability of the product, and also facilitates production operation and reduces the adverse effects caused by assembly errors. Regarding the sealing method of the fit gap between the positioning protrusions 17 and the positioning holes 22, as well as the fit gap between the cover plate 2 and the rib plate 12, a rubber ring seal can be used. For the fit gap between the positioning protrusions 17 and the positioning holes 22, an annular groove for placing the rubber ring can be machined at the root of the positioning protrusions 17 or on the inner wall of the positioning holes 22. When the positioning protrusion 17 is inserted into the positioning hole 22, the rubber ring is compressed and deformed, filling the gap between them, thereby preventing steam or liquid from leaking out of the gap. Similarly, when the cover plate 2 and the stiffening plate 12 are mated, a rubber ring can be provided at the corresponding position where the cover plate 2 contacts the stiffening plate 12, for example, a groove to accommodate the rubber ring can be provided on the upper edge of the stiffening plate 12 or the lower surface of the cover plate 2. The compression and sealing of the rubber ring prevents steam from escaping from the gap between them. The mating gap between the positioning protrusion 17 and the positioning hole 22, as well as the mating gap between the cover plate 2 and the stiffening plate 12, can also be sealed with sealant, such as silicone sealant or anaerobic sealant.

[0045] As a preferred embodiment of this application, such as Figure 5 As shown, the inner surface of the base plate 1 is also provided with water-blocking ribs 18 surrounding the steam holes 14. The height of the water-blocking ribs 18 is lower than the height of the rib plate 12, so that a gap is formed between the top of the water-blocking ribs 18 and the cover plate 2 for steam to pass through. During the process of steam generation and flow towards the steam holes 14, the water-blocking ribs 18 can effectively prevent liquid water that may not be fully vaporized from directly entering the steam holes 14, ensuring that the steam ejected from the steam holes 14 is mainly gaseous steam, improving the dryness of the ejected steam, and preventing clothes from being soaked by unvaporized water and causing water stains, further ensuring the ironing effect. Especially when dealing with clothing materials that are more sensitive to moisture, its advantages are more prominent, meeting the needs of different users for high-quality ironing.

[0046] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, there are multiple steam holes 14, which are spaced along the center line of the base plate body 1. One steam hole 14 is located in the center of the base plate body 1, and the remaining steam holes 14 are symmetrically distributed about the central steam hole 14, with their diameters being smaller than the central steam hole 14. This distribution of steam holes 14 fully considers the actual usage characteristics of the iron during the ironing process. When ironing clothes, the central area is usually the part that receives the most force and requires more steam, and the larger diameter central steam hole 14 can provide sufficient steam. The symmetrically distributed smaller diameter steam holes 14 can cover the surrounding area, so that the steam is evenly distributed across the entire ironing surface. This ensures that all parts of the clothes are evenly softened and ironed with steam, avoiding poor ironing results in some areas and improving the overall ironing quality.

[0047] As a preferred embodiment of this application, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a step 121 is provided on the inner wall of the stiffening rib 12. The height of the step 121 is lower than the upper edge of the stiffening rib 12. The cover plate 2 covers the inner side of the stiffening rib 12 and is supported on the step 121. The step 121 provides a stable support surface for the cover plate 2. During assembly, the cover plate 2 can be placed stably on the step 121 and fit tightly with the stiffening rib 12, ensuring good sealing of the vaporization chamber 13, preventing steam leakage from the joint between the cover plate 2 and the stiffening rib 12, maintaining the pressure and normal flow of steam in the vaporization chamber 13, and also simplifying the installation process of the cover plate 2, improving assembly efficiency, and helping to improve the overall stability and durability of the product.

[0048] As a preferred embodiment of this application, such as Figure 1As shown, the iron soleplate assembly also includes a temperature sensing element 4 and an overheat protector 5. The temperature sensing element 4 is disposed on the wall or cover plate 2 of the vaporization chamber 13 and is used to detect the temperature of the vaporization chamber 13. The overheat protector 5 is electrically connected to the tubular heating element 3 and is used to cut off the power supply to the tubular heating element 3 when the temperature exceeds a set threshold. The temperature sensing element 4, disposed on the wall or cover plate 2 of the vaporization chamber 13, can detect the temperature of the vaporization chamber 13 in real time. The overheat protector 5, electrically connected to the tubular heating element 3, will promptly cut off the power supply to the tubular heating element 3 when the temperature exceeds the set threshold. In actual use, this temperature monitoring and protection mechanism effectively avoids excessively high temperatures in the vaporization chamber 13 caused by various abnormal conditions (such as temperature control failure, poor water flow, etc.), preventing safety hazards caused by dry burning or overheating, such as damage to internal iron components or fires, extending the service life of the steam iron, allowing users to use the product with greater peace of mind, and improving the product's safety and reliability. Preferably, the temperature sensing element 4 can be an NTC thermistor, whose resistance decreases as temperature rises, exhibiting high sensitivity and rapid response to minute temperature changes. When the NTC is installed as the temperature sensing element 4 on the wall or cover plate 2 of the vaporization chamber 13, it can accurately sense temperature fluctuations within the vaporization chamber 13. For example, when the iron first starts operating, the heating element heats the water in the vaporization chamber 13. As the water temperature gradually rises, the resistance of the NTC changes rapidly. This resistance change signal is transmitted to the iron's control circuit, reflecting the temperature change in real time. This facilitates precise control of the heating process, ensuring stable vaporization of the water in the vaporization chamber 13 to produce steam, and preventing unstable steam production or abnormalities due to poor temperature control. Moreover, the cost of NTC is relatively low, helping to control the overall production cost of the steam iron while meeting temperature sensing requirements, which is an important economic factor for mass-produced products. Furthermore, its size can be relatively small, making it easy to install in a compact space without occupying excessive additional space or significantly impacting the overall structural layout of the steam iron. The overheat protector 5 can be a non-self-resetting thermostat. A non-self-resetting thermostat maintains a closed circuit within the normal operating temperature range. Once the temperature exceeds its set threshold, it automatically cuts off the circuit, de-energizing the connected tubular heating element 3 and stopping heating. This effectively prevents the vaporization chamber 13 from dry burning or overheating due to excessive temperature. Furthermore, unlike a self-resetting thermostat, it does not automatically reconnect power after a slight temperature drop. The circuit is only reconnected after manual reset (e.g., pressing the reset button) or after specific maintenance and testing. This avoids repeated overheating issues that may occur when heating restarts after a temporary temperature drop without resolving the fault, providing more reliable overheat protection for the steam iron.

[0049] This application provides a steam iron, including the aforementioned iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function. It inherits many advantages of integrated soleplate design, efficient vaporization, high-quality steam, and uniform steam distribution, making the entire steam iron more compact and rational in structure. This reduces the weight burden caused by traditional independent component designs, making it lighter and more convenient to use. Prolonged hand ironing is less likely to cause hand fatigue, improving user efficiency and reducing the risk of wrist and other area strain caused by heavy tools. Whether for everyday household use or professional scenarios such as garment processing, it provides a better user experience. Figure 7 The diagram schematically illustrates one embodiment of a steam iron, including a housing 6 and a handle 7. An iron soleplate assembly is mounted at the bottom of the housing 6, with the outer ironing surface 11 exposed. The vaporization chamber 13 and the cover plate 2 are enclosed within the housing 6. The electronic components of the steam iron can be integrated within the housing 6. Furthermore, a water supply structure, such as a water tank and a water pump, can be provided inside the device for supplying water to the vaporization chamber 13.

[0050] For any parts not mentioned in this application, existing technologies may be used or referenced.

[0051] 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.

[0052] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit 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 principle of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. An iron soleplate assembly with a vaporization function, characterized in that, include: The base plate body has an outer ironing surface for ironing clothes and an inner surface opposite to the outer ironing surface. The inner surface is provided with circumferentially extending ribs, which enclose a recessed vaporization cavity. The base plate body is provided with a plurality of steam holes that penetrate the outer ironing surface and communicate with the vaporization cavity. A cover plate, which is fitted onto the rib plate to seal the vaporization chamber, and the cover plate is provided with a water inlet hole communicating with the vaporization chamber; A tubular heating element is integrally formed on the base plate body and extends through the vaporization chamber. At least a portion of the tubular heating element extends along the fluid path from the water inlet to the steam hole, such that droplets injected through the water inlet can be heated and vaporized on the outer wall surface of the tubular heating element, generating steam which is then ejected from the steam hole.

2. The iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vaporization chamber extends along the length of the base plate body, and the water inlet is located in the central region of the vaporization chamber along its length.

3. The iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The inner surface of the base plate body is also provided with water-blocking ribs surrounding the steam hole. The height of the water-blocking ribs is lower than the height of the rib plate, so that a gap is formed between the top of the water-blocking ribs and the cover plate to allow steam to pass through.

4. The iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function according to claim 3, characterized in that, There are multiple steam holes, which are arranged at intervals along the center line of the base plate body; one steam hole is located in the center of the base plate body, and the remaining steam holes are symmetrically distributed about the central steam hole and their diameter is smaller than that of the central steam hole.

5. The iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The vaporization chamber is provided with inner and outer nested guide ribs that extend circumferentially. The guide ribs extend upward from the bottom surface of the vaporization chamber and abut against the cover plate, thereby dividing the vaporization chamber into sequentially connected guide channels. The steam hole is located in the space surrounded by the innermost guide ribs, and each guide rib is provided with a notch for water or steam to pass through.

6. The iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function according to claim 5, characterized in that, The guide ribs include an outer guide rib and an inner guide rib. The bottom of the outer guide rib is connected to the tubular heating element, and the water inlet is directly opposite the notch of the outer guide rib.

7. The iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function according to claim 6, characterized in that, The notches of the outer guide ribs and the inner guide ribs are offset circumferentially so that the water flowing in from the notches of the outer guide ribs can bypass the inner guide ribs.

8. The iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function according to claim 5, characterized in that, The guide ribs are arranged with multiple upwardly protruding positioning protrusions at intervals along their extension direction, and the cover plate is provided with positioning holes corresponding to the positioning protrusions, with the positioning protrusions and positioning holes cooperating with each other.

9. The iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The iron soleplate assembly also includes a temperature sensing element and an overheat protector. The temperature sensing element is disposed on the wall of the vaporization chamber or the cover plate and is used to detect the temperature of the vaporization chamber. The overheat protector is electrically connected to the tubular heating element and is used to cut off the power supply to the tubular heating element when the temperature exceeds a set threshold.

10. A steam iron, characterized in that, Includes an iron soleplate assembly with vaporization function as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images