Intelligent steam iron

Abstract

A steam iron includes a drip-collecting unit disposed between a base and a water reservoir and formed with a drip chamber. The base includes an ironing plate, a heating element, a steam chamber, and a plurality of steam spray ports. The drip-collecting unit cooperates with the water reservoir to define a drip passage. When the temperature of the ironing plate reaches a temperature value, an automatic control unit automatically opens the drip valve so as to allow for flow of water from the water reservoir into the drip chamber via the drip passage. A stop valve is operable to move between an open position whereat flow of water from the drip chamber into the steam chamber is allowed, and a closed position whereat flow of water from the drip chamber into the steam chamber is prevented.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A steam iron comprising:
 a base including an ironing plate. a heating element for heating said ironing plate, a steam chamber, and a plurality of steam spray ports in fluid communication with said steam chamber:   a water reservoir disposed on said base and formed with a water chamber   a drip-collecting unit disposed between said base and said water reservoir and formed with a drip chamber. said drip-collecting unit cooperating with said Water reservoir to define a first drip passage;   a first drip valve disposed within said first drip passage:   a first automatic control unit connected to said first drip valve so as to automatically open said first drip valve, thereby allowing flow of water from said water chamber in said water reservoir into said drip Shamber in said drip-collecting unit via   said first drip passage when a temperature of said ironing plate reaches a first temperature value:   a stop valve disposed between said drip chamber in said drip-collecting unit and said steam chamber in said base and operable to move between an open position whereat flow of water from said drip chamber into said steam chamber is allowed, and a closed position whereat flow of water from saidvdrip chamber into said steam chamber is prevented.   wherein   said base includes a horizontal mounting plate connected fixedly to and disposed above said ironing plate:   said water reservoir has a bottom surface formed with a first projecting tube in fluid communication with said water chamber:   said drip-collecting unit includes
 a vaive seat member disposed fixedly on said mouhtlng plate of said base and including a horizontal plate body having a top surface formed with a first projecting tube in fluid communication with said drip chamber, said first projecting tubes of said water reservoir and said valve seat member being aligned with each other. a lower end of said first projecting tube of said water reservoir abutting against and in fluid communication with an upper end of said first projecting tube of said valve seat member, said first prolecting tubes of said valve seat member and said water reservoir defining cooperatively said first drip passage. and 
 a water seal sleeved on said upper end of said first projecting tube of said valve seat member and said lower end of said first projecting tube of said water reservoir in a close-fitting manner so as to establish a watertight seal therebetween: and 
   wherein   said bottom surface of said water reservoir is further formed with a second projecting tube in fluid communication with said water chamber;   said top surface of said horizontal plate body of said valve seat member is further formed with a second projecting tube, said second projecting tubes of said water reservoir and said valve seat member being aligned with each other, a lower end of said second projecting tube of said water reservoir abutting against and in fluid communication with an upper end of said second projecting tube of said valve seat member;   said water seal is sleeved on said upper end of said second projecting tube of said valve seat member and said lower end of said second projecting tube of said water reservoir in a close-fitting manner so as to establish a watertight seal therebetween; and   said valve rod includes a rod body exten g through said second projectingtubes of said valve seat member and said water res oir, and an annular seal member sleeved fixedly on said rod body and in sealing tngagement with annular inner surfaces of said second projecting tubes.   
   
   
       13 . A steam iron comprising:
 a base including an ironing plate. a heating element for heating said ironing plate, a steam chamber, and a plurality of steam spray ports in fluid communicatfon with said steam chamber;   a water reservoir disposed on said base and formed with a water chamber:   a drip-collecting unit disposed between said base and said water reservoir and formed with a drip chamber, said drip-collecting unit cooperating with said water reservoir to define a first drip passage:   a first drip valve disposed within said first drip passage:   a first automatic control unit connected to said first drip valve so as to automatically open said first drip valve, thereby allowing flow of water from said water chamber in said water reservoir into said drip chamber in said drip-collecting unit via said first drip passage when a temperature of said ironing plate reaches a first temperature value;   a stop valve disposed between said drip chamber in said drip-collecting unit and said steam chamber in said base and operable to move between an open position whereat flow of water from said drip chamber into said steam chamber is allowed, and a closed positfon whereat flow of water from said drip chamber into said steam chamber is prevented,   wherein said drip-collecting unit cooperates with said water reservoir to further define a second drip passage, said steam iron further comprising:   a second drip valve disposed within said second drip passage;   a second automatic control unit connected to said second drip valve so as to automatically open said second drip valve, thereby allowing flow of water from said water chamber in said water reservoir into said drip chamber in said drip-collecting unit via said second drip passage when the temperature of said ironing plate reaches a second temperature value.   
   
   
       14 . The steam iron as  claim 13 , wherein said second temperature value is about 170° C.