IRONING MACHINE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims foreign priorities of Chinese Patent Application No. 202422777088.X, filed on Nov. 13, 2024, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202410875234.4, filed on Jun. 30, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to technical field of ironing equipment, and in particular to an ironing machine.

BACKGROUND

In conventional steam ironing systems, pressurized heated vapor is generated to interact with textile fabrics, effectively relaxing fibrous structures through thermal activation to achieve wrinkle removal. During operational cycles, these apparatuses inherently produce substantial thermal energy that becomes conductively transferred to critical components including control circuitry assemblies (hereinafter “mainboard”) and external housing structures.

This thermal transfer creates two principal technical challenges:

• • (i) Operational instability of mainboard components due to exposure to elevated temperatures exceeding recommended operating thresholds; and
  • (ii) Excessive tactile temperatures on user-accessible housing surfaces, potentially compromising product safety and user comfort.

Existing thermal mitigation implementations in the art predominantly employ passive heat sink configurations. However, field testing reveals significant limitations in thermal dissipation efficiency, particularly during sustained operation cycles. This inadequate heat management results in suboptimal performance characteristics and diminished user satisfaction.

SUMMARY

In order to overcome the defect as aforementioned, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an ironing machine.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, an ironing machine is provided. The ironing machine comprising: a housing, including an outer shell and a bracket connected in the outer shell, the outer shell is provided with at least one air inlet hole and at least one air outlet hole, the bracket has an air passage chamber with an exhaust port arranged on one side of the air passage chamber, the exhaust port is in fluidly communication with the air inlet hole and the air passage chamber, the air passage chamber is in fluidly communication with the air outlet hole; a mainboard, arranged in the outer shell, the exhaust port is oriented toward the mainboard; a fan, arranged in the air passage chamber; a reservoir, connected to the outer shell; a steam generator, arranged in the air passage chamber; and a pump, arranged in the outer shell, the pump is hydraulically connected to the reservoir and the steam generator via a water pipe.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, an ironing machine is provided. The ironing machine comprising: a housing, including an outer shell and a bracket connected in the outer shell, the outer shell is provided with at least one air inlet hole and at least one air outlet hole, the bracket has an air passage chamber with an exhaust port arranged on one side of the air passage chamber; a mainboard, arranged in the outer shell; a fan, arranged in the air passage chamber; a reservoir, connected to the outer shell; a steam generator, arranged in the air passage chamber; and a pump, arranged in the outer shell, the pump is hydraulically connected to the reservoir and the steam generator via a water pipe. The air passage chamber is in fluidly communication with the air inlet hole via the exhaust port, the air outlet hole is in fluidly communication with the air inlet hole via the air passage chamber. The mainboard is arranged between the air inlet hole and the exhaust port, the fan has an exhaust duct in fluidly communication with the exhaust port, the air passage chamber and the air outlet hole.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, an ironing machine is provided. The ironing machine comprising a housing, including an outer shell and a bracket connected in the outer shell, the outer shell is provided with at least one air inlet hole and at least one air outlet hole, the bracket has an air passage chamber with an exhaust port arranged on one side of the air passage chamber, the exhaust port is in fluidly communication with the air inlet hole and the air passage chamber, the air passage chamber is in fluidly communication with the air outlet hole; a mainboard, arranged in the outer shell; a fan, arranged in the air passage chamber, the fan has an exhaust duct fluidly connected to the exhaust port, the air passage chamber and the air outlet hole; a reservoir, connected to the outer shell; a steam generator, arranged in the air passage chamber; a pump, arranged in the outer shell, the pump is hydraulically connected to the reservoir and the steam generator via a water pipe; and a working part connected to the housing, the working part includes a suction member with an air suction zone, the air suction zone is arranged at one side of the suction member away from the steam generator, the air suction zone is provided with at least one air intake aperture in fluid communication with the air passage chamber. The ironing machine has a first air channel including the air inlet hole, the air passage chamber, the exhaust duct and the air outlet hole, which are communicated in sequence; the ironing machine further has a second air channel including the air intake aperture, the air passage chamber, the exhaust duct and the air outlet hole, which are communicated in sequence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the drawings required to be used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly described below. It is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For one of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings may also be obtained according to these drawings without paying any creative effort.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an ironing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the ironing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along section line A-A in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view of part B in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic diagram of the ironing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of part of the ironing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Technical solutions of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which the same numbers refer to the same or similar elements unless otherwise specified. It will be appreciated that the described embodiments represent some, rather than all, of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments conceived or derived by those having ordinary skills in the art based on the described embodiments without inventive efforts should fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure shown in the drawings will be described in detail below. When describing the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise noted, the same reference number in different drawings indicate the same or similar elements. The embodiments described below do not represent all of the possible embodiments of the present disclosure. Instead, the embodiments described below are only some devices and methods that are consistent with various aspects of invention defined by the claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an ironing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can comprise a housing 10, a mainboard 12, a fan 14, a reservoir 16, a steam generator 18, and a pump 20. The housing 10 can include an outer shell 11 and a bracket 34 connected in the outer shell 11. The outer shell 11 can be provided with at least one air inlet hole 22 and at least one air outlet hole 24. The bracket 34 can have an air passage chamber 48 with an exhaust port 36 arranged on one side of the air passage chamber 48, the exhaust port 36 can be in fluidly communication with the air inlet hole 22 and the air passage chamber 48, the air passage chamber 48 can be in fluidly communication with the air outlet hole 24. The mainboard 12 can be arranged in the outer shell 11, the exhaust port 36 can be oriented toward the mainboard 12. The fan 14 can be arranged in the air passage chamber 48. The reservoir 16 can be coupled to the outer shell 11. The steam generator 18 can be arranged in the air passage chamber 48. The pump 20 can be arranged in the outer shell 11, and the pump 20 can be hydraulically connected to the reservoir 16 and the steam generator 18 via water pipe.

Since the outer shell 11 is provided with the air inlet hole 22 and the air outlet hole 24, the bracket 34 is formed with the air passage chamber 48, the exhaust port 36 is provided on one side of the air passage chamber 48, the exhaust port 36 is communicated to the air inlet hole 22 and the air passage chamber 48, and the air passage chamber 48 is communicated to the air outlet hole 24, the suction force generated by the driven fan 14 can draw the air outside the ironing machine 100 into the air passage chamber 48 through the air inlet hole 22 and the exhaust port 36. Then, the high-temperature air in the area where the main board 12 is located can be brought into the air passage chamber 48 through the exhaust port 36 and finally discharged through the air outlet hole 24. Thus, the ironing machine 100 can be effectively dissipated heat, to ensure the safety of the mainboard 12 and make the ironing machine 100 working properly.

The ironing machine 100, as a common household appliance, primarily functions to remove fabric wrinkles through combined thermal and mechanical action. Users may select temperature settings appropriate for different textile materials, e.g., higher temperatures for cotton/linen and lower temperatures for delicate synthetics. Temperature adjustment may be implemented via rotary controls or digital interfaces for user convenience.

For enhanced portability, a handheld variant of the ironing machine 100 is disclosed. Compared to conventional standing irons, this compact embodiment facilitates travel storage in luggage compartments with minimal spatial requirements.

In one embodiment, the bracket 34 can be connected to an opening of the outer shell 11. The air inlet hole 22 can be arranged on the side of the outer shell 11 close to the bottom of the outer shell 11, and a plurality of air inlet holes 22 can be evenly arranged.

The air outlet hole 24 can be arranged on the top of the outer shell 11, and a plurality of air outlet holes 24 can be evenly arranged. The mainboard 12 can include a substrate and electronic components, The heat generated by the operated mainboard 12 can heat up the air inside the outer shell 11 and turn it into high-temperature air. The side of the air passage chamber 48 toward the main board 12 can be provided with the exhaust port 36, the exhaust port 36 is connected to the air inlet hole 22 and the air passage chamber 48, and the air passage chamber 48 is connected to the air outlet hole 24. The mainboard 12 can be arranged in the channel formed by the connection between the exhaust port 36 and the air inlet hole 22.

The outer shell 11 can include a handle portion 28, which may partially define the airflow channel between the exhaust port 36 and air inlet hole 22. The reservoir 16 can be preferably disposed opposite the handle portion 28. It should be noted that the reservoir 16 and the outer shell 11 can be detachable and connected or interlocked through clips or other means to facilitate the disassembly of the reservoir 16.

When the ironing machine 100 is in operation, the pump 20 can be driven to draw water in the reservoir 16 through the water pipe to the steam generator 18. The fan 14 can be driven to rotate to draw the air outside the ironing machine 100 into the air passage chamber 48 from the air inlet hole 22 through the exhaust port 36, and then the high-temperature air in the area where the mainboard 12 is located inside the outer shell 11 can be drawn into the air passage chamber 48 through the exhaust port 36 and finally discharged through the air outlet hole 24. This configuration can effectively dissipate heat for the ironing machine 100 to ensure the safety of the mainboard 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the fan 14 can have an exhaust duct 50 fluidly connected to the exhaust port 36, the air passage chamber 48, and the air outlet hole 24. The fan 14 can be driven to be rotated to generate suction force, the high-temperature air from the exhaust port 36 can be drawn towards the air outlet hole 24 through the exhaust duct 50 for discharge, the high-temperature air in the air passage chamber 48 can also be discharged through the exhaust duct 50. In one embodiment, the fan 14 can be arranged in the air passage chamber 48, and the fan 14 can be installed on the bracket 34.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, in some embodiments, the ironing machine 100 can include a first compartment 30, the mainboard 12 can be arranged in the first compartment 30, the first compartment 30 can be fluidly connected to the exhaust port 36 and the air inlet hole 22.

The outside air can be entered the first compartment 30 through the air inlet hole 22, the high-temperature air in the first compartment 30 can be discharged through the exhaust port 36, thereby effectively dissipating heat from the first compartment 30.

In one embodiment, the first compartment 30 can be separated between the outer shell 11 and the bracket 34, the first compartment 30 is close to the bottom of the ironing machine 100. The pump 20, the mainboard 12 and part of the water pipe can be arranged in the first compartment 30. When the fan 14 is driven to be rotated to generate suction force, the high-temperature air in the first compartment 30 can be flowed and discharged through the exhaust port 36, thereby enhancing the heat dissipation efficiency.

In some embodiments, the ironing machine 100 can further include a second compartment 32, the second compartment 32 can be fluidly connected to the exhaust duct 50 and the air outlet hole 24. Thus, the ironing machine 100 can have sufficient space to gather the air discharged from the exhaust duct 50, and the air can be discharged from the air outlet hole 24 to prevent gas backflow.

In one embodiment, the second compartment 32 can be separated between the outer shell 11 and the bracket 34, the second compartment 32 is close to the top of the ironing machine 100. Part of the water pipe can be arranged in the second compartment 32. When the fan 14 is driven to be rotated, the air entered from the exhaust port 36 and the air in the air passage chamber 48 can be drawn in, and then discharged through the exhaust duct 50 to the second compartment 32. The air discharged from the exhaust duct 50 can be gathered in the second compartment 32 and discharged from the air outlet hole 24.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the ironing machine 100 can further include a sealing member 63, the sealing member 63 can be arranged between the first compartment 30 and the second compartment 32. Thus, the steam in the second compartment 32 can be prevented from flowing back to the first compartment 30 through the gap between the first compartment 30 and the second compartment 32. The sealing member 63 arranged between the first chamber 30 and the second chamber 32 can be configured to prevent the steam in the second compartment 32 from flowing back into the first compartment 30 through the gap between the first compartment 30 and the second compartment 32. The sealing member 63 can be a sealing ring, sealant, or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the ironing machine 100 can include a working part 40, the working part 40 is connected to the housing 10. The working part can comprise a suction member 42 with an air suction zone 44, the air suction zone 44 can be arranged at one side of the suction member away from the steam generator 18, the air suction zone 44 can be provided with at least one air intake aperture 46. The steam generator 18 can be arranged in the air passage chamber 48, the air passage chamber 48 can be in fluid communication with the second compartment 32, the air intake aperture 46 can be in fluid communication with the second compartment 32 via the air passage chamber 48. Thus, the hot air in the air passage chamber 48 can be flowed into the second compartment 32, and then discharged from the air outlet hole 24.

The air intake aperture 46 and the air inlet hole 24 can be arranged on different side of the fan 14, the air intake aperture 46 and the air inlet hole 24 can be indirectly communicated with each other.

In one embodiment, the working part 40 can be connected to the housing 10 and connected to one end of the bracket 34. The suction member 42 can be in a ring shape, the suction member 42 can be connected to the housing 10, the air suction zone 44 can be arranged at one side of the suction member 42 away from the steam generator 18, the air suction zone 44 is close to the external environment. The number of the air intake aperture 46 can be multiple. The air passage chamber 48 can be separated by the housing 10, and the air passage chamber 48 can be in fluid communication with fan 14. When the steam generator 18 is working, the air in the air passage chamber 48 can be gradually turned into hot air, the outside air can be entered into air passage chamber 48, the hot air in the air passage chamber 48 can be flowed into the second compartment 32, and then discharged from the air outlet hole 24.

The ironing machine 100 has a first air channel and a second air channel. The first air channel can include the air inlet hole 22, the air passage chamber 48, the exhaust duct 50 and the air outlet hole 24, which are communicated in sequence, the first air channel can be configured for cooling the mainboard 12 when the fan is working. The second air channel can include the air intake aperture 46, the air passage chamber 48, the exhaust duct 50 and the air outlet hole 24, which are communicated in sequence, the second air channel can be configured for adsorbing clothes when the fan is working.

Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the working part 40 can include a filter plate 52, the filter plate 52 can be arranged at one side of the suction member towards the steam generator 18. The filter plate 52 can have at least one filter aperture 54 penetrated through the filter plate 52, the filter plate 52 and the suction member 42 can be arranged in a stacked configuration, the filter aperture 54 can be in fluid communication with the air intake aperture 46. The air entered the air passage chamber 48 can be filtered by the filter plate 52 to avoid litter into the housing 10.

In one embodiment, the filter plate 52 can be in a ring shape, and connected to one side of the bracket 34. The number of the filter aperture 54 can be multiple, multiple filter apertures 54 can be evenly arranged and in fluid communication with the air passage chamber 48.

In some embodiments, the ironing machine 100 can include a filter element 56 arranged between the filter plate 52 and the suction member 42, which is configured to further intercept and remove airborne particulates, dust, and other contaminants. The filter element can comprise a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter element characterized by a multi-layered fibrous matrix with densely interwoven fibers forming a microporous barrier. The air drawn in through the suction member 42 can be passed through the filter element firstly. The flow deceleration effect induced by the fibrous matrix prolongs particle-fiber interaction duration, thereby maximizing contaminant capture efficiency. The filter element 56 arranged between the filter plate 52 and the suction element 42 can enhance the filtration performance of the entire system through physical interception, protect the filter plate 52, and also provide a convenient maintenance method for maintenance personnel.

To facilitate the installation of the filter element 56, a buffer groove 58 can be provided on the side of the suction member 42 facing the filter plate 52. The filter element 56 can be arranged in the buffer groove 58, both the air intake aperture 46 and the filter aperture 54 can be in fluid communication with the buffer groove 58.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, in some embodiments, the sealing member 63 can include a first sealing element 64, a second sealing element 66, a first sealing groove 68 and a second sealing groove 70. The bracket 34 can include a first mounting frame 60 and a second mounting frame 62, the first mounting frame 60 can be connected to the second mounting frame 62. The first sealing element 64 can be arranged at one side of the first mounting frame 60 close to inner sidewall of the outer shell 11, the second sealing element 66 can be arranged at one side of the second mounting frame 62 close to inner sidewall of the outer shell 11, the first sealing groove 68 and the second sealing groove 70 can be arranged on the inner sidewall of the outer shell 11, the first sealing element 64 can be arranged in the first sealing groove 68, the second sealing element 66 can be arranged in the second sealing groove 70. Thus, the steam in the second compartment 32 can be isolated from the mainboard 12 in the first compartment 30, to form a water and electricity separation and protect the safety of the mainboard 12.

In one embodiment, the steam generator 18 can be arranged in the first mounting frame 60, the fan 14 can be arranged on the second mounting frame 62. The first sealing element 64 can be arranged at one side of the first mounting frame 60 close to the inner sidewall of the outer shell 11, the first sealing element 64 can be symmetrically set in two. The second sealing element 66 can be arranged at one side of the second mounting frame 62 close to the inner sidewall of the outer shell 11, the second sealing element 66 can be symmetrically set in two. One end of the two second sealing elements 66 can be connected to each other, the other end of the two second sealing elements 66 can be located above of the first sealing elements 64. The inner sidewall of the outer shell 11 can be correspondingly provided with two first sealing grooves 68 and two second sealing grooves 70, the two second sealing grooves 70 are interconnected.

Since the first sealing element 64 is arranged in the first sealing groove 68, and the second sealing element 66 is arranged in the second sealing groove 70, the connection between the first compartment 30 and the second compartment 32 can be sealed, thereby the steam in the second compartment 32 can be isolated from the mainboard 12 in the first compartment 30.

It should be noted that, sealant can be added to the first sealing groove 68 and the second sealing groove 70. Then, the first sealing element 64 and the second sealing element 66 can be respectively set in the first sealing groove 68 and the second sealing groove 70 to reinforce the air tightness.

Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the working part 40 can include a heat equalization member 72 embedded in the suction element 42, the heat equalization member 72 can be connected to the steam generator 18. The steam generator 18 and the heat equalization member 72 can be cooperatively defined with a steam reheat chamber 74. Thus, the water spray of the ironing machine 100 can be reduced, to ensure the amount of steam sprayed out, and enhance the performance of the ironing machine 100.

In one embodiment, both the filter plate 52 and the suction element 42 can be in a ring shape, the filter plate 52 and the suction element 42 can be fitted with a heat equalization member 72, respectively. Since the steam reheat chamber 74 is arranged between the heat equalization member 72 and the steam generator 18, the steam reheat chamber 74 is a closed chamber, steam vaporized by the steam generator 18 can be conveyed through the steam reheat chamber 74, and the steam can be reheated by the steam reheat chamber 74, thereby the steam can be subjected to secondary heating to prevent steam condensation caused by thermal dissipation. This configuration can mitigate water expulsion phenomena during operation, ensure consistent steam output volume, and consequently enhance operational performance of the ironing machine 100.

In exemplary implementations, the heat equalization member 72 can be a metallic plate structure, such as an aluminum alloy construct. The heat equalization member 72 can be in contacted with the steam generator 18, the heat from the steam generator 18 can be conducted to the heat equalization member 72, thereby enabling auxiliary thermal treatment of garments in conjunction with steam application to achieve synergistic wrinkle elimination.

In order to enhance ironing effect, the surface of the heat equalization member 72 away from the steam generator 18 and the surface of the suction member 42 away from the steam generator 18 can be on the same plane. Since the surface of the heat equalization member 72 and the suction member 42, and surface of the garment to be ironed are on the same plane, the ironing effect of the heat equalization member 72 and the suction member 42 on the garment can be smoother.

In some embodiments, the heat equalization member 72 can have a thermal equalization zone 76 located at one side of the heat equalization member 72 away from the steam generator 18. The thermal equalization zone 76 can be provided with a steam outlet 78 and a slot 80, the steam outlet 78 can be arranged in the slot 80 and in fluid communication with the steam reheat chamber 74.

The steam generated by the steam generator 18 can be ejected through the steam reheat chamber 74 and the steam outlet 78. The steam outlet 78 can be run through the heat equalization member 72. The heat equalization element 72 can serve as the main component for achieving the ironing function. Heat can be evenly distribute through the heat equalization member 72. The steam generated by the steam generator 18 can be sprayed onto the clothes to be ironed through the steam outlet 78. The heat equalization element 72 and the suction element 42 can be arranged on the same side of the steam generator 18.

Since the steam outlet 78 is arranged in the slot 80, the clothes to be ironed can be attracted when the ironing machine 100 is in operation. A concave steam area can be formed between the clothes and the slot 80, the steam accumulated in the concave steam area can be configured to increase the surface temperature of the clothes, to improve the ironing effect and reduce the probability of steam being sucked into the housing 10.

The foregoing embodiments are merely illustrative rather than restrictive of the technical solutions of the present application. While detailed descriptions reference preceding implementations, those skilled in the art shall recognize that modifications to recorded technical solutions or equivalent substitutions of partial technical features may be implemented without departing from the essential spirit and scope defined by the claims of this application.