Split Steam Iron Locking Structure to Prevent Soleplate Scratching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing split type steam irons are inconvenient to operate and prone to scratching the bottom plate during handling, leading to safety risks and damage.
Innovation Solution
A reversible handle and slide lock mechanism that allows for easy locking and unlocking of the iron without rotating it, preventing damage to the bottom plate and enhancing handling safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the iron is directly placed at the top of the base without a locking structure, then the iron can be freely positioned, but the iron cannot be securely locked and requires two-handed handling which is inconvenient and unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical two-handed lifting operation with an automatic locking mechanism. The elastic element automatically engages the locking structure when the iron is placed on the base, eliminating the need for manual locking operations and providing secure fixation without requiring complex mechanical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically lock the iron to the base through the elastic element and locking structure interaction. The system performs the locking function automatically when the iron is placed on the base, without requiring user intervention or additional操作步骤, thus achieving self-service operation.
2Reliability
If a movable pin is pressed by the bottom plate to lock the iron, then the iron can be secured to the base, but the bottom plate may be scratched by the movable pin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful contact between the locking mechanism and the bottom plate by redirecting the locking action to occur at the rear end of the iron sole plate rather than through direct pin pressure on the bottom plate surface. This separation eliminates the scratching issue while maintaining locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking structure acts as an intermediary mechanism that transfers the locking force from the handle assembly to the iron body at a location that does not contact or damage the bottom plate. This intermediary action allows secure locking without direct contact between the movable pin and the bottom plate surface.
3Ease of operation
If the iron is rotated in reverse direction to unlock it from the base, then the iron can be removed, but the operation requires high strength and is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional unlocking mechanism by using a lifting handle that vertically disengages the locking structure rather than requiring rotational force. The handle is lifted upward to release the elastic element's engagement with the locking structure, completely reversing the force direction from rotational to vertical lifting motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the rotational mechanical unlocking system with a vertical lifting mechanism. Instead of rotating the iron or handle to disengage the lock, the user simply lifts the handle upward, which triggers the elastic element to release the locking structure, substituting a simple lifting motion for a complex rotational operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8a
Figure 8b~8d
AI summary
The present invention discloses a split type easily-handling steam iron and a locking structure thereof for use for clothing ironing equipment. The split type easily-handling steam iron comprises an iron and a base. The locking structure is arranged on the base and comprises a reversible handle and a slide lock touched by the handle. The front end of the iron can be locked on the base or unlocked from the base by the slide lock in a manner of turning over the handle. In case the iron is about to be locked, the handle is held by a hand to put the iron in a placing position of the base only if the locking structure is in an unlocking position, then a convex portion of the base extends into a concave portion at the rear end of the iron, and the front end of the iron is locked on the base by the slide lock in the manner of turning over the handle. In this way, both the front end and the rear end of the iron are combined with the base together, so that the overall product may be handled as long as users lift up the handle of the iron, which is convenient and reliable. In case the iron is about to be taken down from the base, the slide lock is unlocked through turning over the handle, and the handle is held by the hand to lift up the iron.