Ironing apparatus comprising a cordless iron

Abstract

Ironing device comprising a cordless iron (1) equipped with an auxiliary water tank (14) and a base (2) on which the iron (1) is intended to be placed in a charging position during phases in which ironing is not activated, the base (2) comprising a main water tank (26), the device comprising a hydraulic filling circuit (7) for supplying the auxiliary water tank (14) with liquid from the main water tank (26) when the iron (1) is in the charging position, characterized in that it further comprises a hydraulic return circuit (8) for sending liquid from the auxiliary water tank (14) back to the main water tank (26) when the iron (1) is in the charging position, the hydraulic return circuit (8) being arranged in parallel with the hydraulic filling circuit (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ironing equipment, which includes a cordless iron equipped with an auxiliary water tank and a base equipped with a main water tank, and more specifically to an equipment including a hydraulic filling circuit for supplying water from the main water tank to the auxiliary water tank when the iron is placed on the base. Background Technology

[0002] Patent JP2893957 discloses an ironing device including a cordless iron equipped with an auxiliary water tank and a base, wherein the iron is intended to be placed in a charging position on the base when ironing is not in use. In this document, the base includes a main water tank, and the device includes a hydraulic filling circuit for supplying water from the main water tank to the auxiliary water tank when the iron is in the charging position.

[0003] However, this type of equipment has the following drawbacks: the auxiliary water tank must be equipped with a vent to allow air to escape during the filling phase. However, this vent can become stuck or blocked, leading to equipment malfunction. Furthermore, when the auxiliary water tank is full, the valve on the vent closes, causing a pressure increase in the filling circuit, particularly at the hydraulic connector connecting the iron and the stand. This pressure increase can lead to leaks at the connector, requiring the connector to be robust enough to limit these leaks. However, this results in the use of expensive hydraulic connectors, and the resulting connection forces make the equipment unreliable and / or ergonomically inoperable. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome these shortcomings.

[0005] Therefore, the subject of this invention is an ironing device comprising a cordless iron equipped with an auxiliary water tank and a base, wherein the iron is intended to be placed in a charging position on the base when ironing is not in use, the base including a main water tank, the device including a hydraulic filling circuit for supplying water from the main water tank to the auxiliary water tank when the iron is in the charging position, characterized in that the device further includes a hydraulic return circuit for returning liquid from the auxiliary water tank to the main water tank when the iron is in the charging position, the hydraulic return circuit being arranged in parallel with the hydraulic filling circuit.

[0006] This return loop allows liquid to be returned to the main tank on the base when the auxiliary tank is full, thus eliminating the need for a vent on the auxiliary tank and a device to stop filling when the tank is full.

[0007] The device may also have one or more of the following features, used alone or in combination.

[0008] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the hydraulic filling circuit includes a first hydraulic connector comprising a first portion carried by a base and a second portion carried by the iron, wherein the first and second portions of the first hydraulic connector are connected to each other when the iron is in the charging position. The hydraulic return circuit includes a second hydraulic connector comprising a first portion carried by a base and a second portion carried by the iron, wherein the first and second portions of the second hydraulic connector are connected to each other when the iron is in the charging position.

[0009] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, a second portion of the second hydraulic connector is connected to a conduit that leads into an auxiliary water tank, the access point being advantageously located at the top of the water tank when the iron is in the charging position.

[0010] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the hydraulic filling circuit includes a primary pump, which is advantageously integrated into the base.

[0011] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the iron includes a secondary pump for drawing liquid present in an auxiliary water tank.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the iron includes an evaporation chamber for generating steam, which is supplied with liquid from an auxiliary water tank.

[0013] According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the evaporation chamber is supplied by a secondary pump.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the volume of the main water tank is at least twice the volume of the auxiliary water tank.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device includes an electrical connector comprising a first portion integral with the base and a second portion integral with the iron.

[0016] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device includes a magnetic attraction device that generates a force that ensures the iron is stably balanced in the charging position.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the charging position corresponds to a position where the iron would be unstable without the magnetic attraction device. The iron can be moved to a disengaged position by applying pressure or pulling force to the iron, in which the force generated by the magnetic attraction device no longer ensures that the iron remains on the base.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, in the charging position, the base plate is only in contact with ambient air.

[0019] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device includes a locking device comprising at least one locking element movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the locking element mechanically locks the iron in the charging position, and in the unlocked position the iron is no longer mechanically locked by the locking element.

[0020] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the locking device includes an actuating element that allows the locking element to be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position and vice versa.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the actuating element is a button that can be manually operated by the user.

[0022] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the iron includes a housing located above the soleplate and including a rear portion extending behind the soleplate, and a second portion of the first and second hydraulic connectors is supported by the lower surface of the rear portion of the iron. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The objects, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description of specific embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an ironing device according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, with the iron connected to the base; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the device shows the iron disconnected from the base; Figure 3 It is equipped Figure 1 A perspective view of the iron in the equipment; Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the components located inside the iron; Figure 5 It is equipped Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the equipment's hydraulic filling circuit and hydraulic return circuit; Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the inside of the base, with the protective flap in the unfolded position; Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the inside of the base, with the protective flap in the retracted position; Figure 8 This is a detailed perspective view of the locking device in the unlocked position; Figure 9 This is a detailed perspective view of the locking device in the locked position; Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view of the main components of the iron; Figure 11 This is a detailed cross-sectional view of the first and second hydraulic connectors.

[0024] Only elements necessary for understanding the invention are shown. For ease of reading the drawings, the same elements are referred to using the same reference numerals across the figures. Detailed Implementation

[0025] It should be noted that in this document, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “low,” “up,” “high,” “low,” “front,” “back,” “longitudinal,” and “lateral” used to describe the iron and stand refer to the iron and stand in their use state, that is, when the lower surface of the ironing plate and stand is placed flat on a horizontal surface.

[0026] Figures 1 to 3 An ironing device is shown, including a cordless iron 1 and a charging base 2. When ironing is not in use, the iron 1 is intended to be placed on the base 2. The iron 1 includes a flat soleplate 10 covered with a plastic housing with a gripping handle 11.

[0027] The base 2 includes a power cord 24 for connecting it to the household power grid and a lower surface 20 designed to lie flat on a work surface, such as an ironing board.

[0028] The base 2 includes an entry ramp 21, which has a circumferential downward edge flush with the worktable and advantageously includes a counterweight and / or retaining clamp (not shown) to ensure it is secured to the worktable.

[0029] The ramp 21 is defined on both sides by two sidewalls 22, which define a receiving cavity 23 between them. The receiving cavity has a shape that complements the shape of the rear of the iron 1. The receiving cavity 23 includes a stop 25 at its rear end.

[0030] according to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 11 The soleplate 10 of the iron 1 is in thermal contact with the heating element 12 integrated into the body of the iron 1, and includes an ironing surface with a steam outlet 110. The heating element 12 is made of cast aluminum, advantageously having a mass of about 650g, and includes a resistor 12A providing about 2250W of power at 230V, and an evaporation chamber 120 equipped with a negative temperature coefficient thermistor (NTC) type temperature sensor, not shown in the figures.

[0031] The power supply for the resistor 12A is managed by an electronic circuit board located in the base 2. When the iron 1 is placed on the base 2, the electronic circuit board receives information from the temperature sensor and adjusts the power supply for the resistor 12A to bring the temperature of the evaporation chamber 120 to near the set point temperature of approximately 170°C.

[0032] The evaporation chamber 120 is supplied with water by a secondary pump 13 located inside an auxiliary water tank 14 integrated into the iron 1 housing. The iron 1 includes a trigger 15 located below the handle 11, preferably near its front end, which, when actuated, commands the secondary pump 13 to operate and allows water from the auxiliary water tank 14 to supply water to the evaporation chamber 120, preferably at a flow rate of approximately 35 grams per minute.

[0033] The evaporation chamber 120 is conventionally connected to a steam distribution circuit disposed between the base plate 10 and the heating element 12, which allows steam to be supplied to the orifice 110 disposed in the base plate 10.

[0034] according to Figure 3 and Figure 6 The stop 25 includes a first portion of an electrical connector 5, which is designed to be electrically connected to a second portion of the electrical connector 5 carried by the iron 1, so as to allow electrical connection between the base 2 and the iron 1.

[0035] The first part of the electrical connector 5 includes five contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, and 5E1, which are electrically connected to the electronic circuit board integrated in the base 2. Three contacts 5B1, 5C1, and 5E1 are used to supply power to the iron 1 and are typically connected to the live wire, neutral wire, and ground wire. The other two contacts 5A1 and 5E1 are used to transmit information between the iron 1 and the base 2.

[0036] For example, contact 5A1 is advantageously used to transmit information from at least one sensor mounted in the iron 1. Contact 5E1 is advantageously used to transmit a signal from an NTC placed in the evaporation chamber 120.

[0037] according to Figure 2 and Figure 6 Five contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, and 5E1 are respectively located behind five central recesses 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, and 25E, which extend vertically on the stop 25. The base 2 advantageously includes a protective flap 50, which is pivotally mounted in the unfolded position (e.g., Figure 5 (as shown) and retraction position (as shown) Figure 6 As shown, in the extended position, contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, and 5E1 are concealed by the protective flap 50. In the retracted position, the protective flap 50 retracts downwards, releasing access to the contacts. The base 2 includes a reset mechanism, advantageously implemented by a spring (not shown), which automatically returns the protective flap 50 to the extended position when the iron 1 is no longer applying pressure to it.

[0038] The second part of electrical connector 5 (visible in) Figure 3It is located behind the overhanging portion at the rear of the iron 1 and includes five protruding conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, and 5E2. The conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, and 5E2 are defined on both sides by two guide walls 51, which extend rearward beyond the conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, and 5E2, and form an impact-resistant protective barrier for the conductive fingers when the iron 1 is tilted rearward.

[0039] When iron 1 is brought to Figure 1 In the charging position shown, the two guide walls 51 are inserted into the two peripheral recesses 25F (visible in... Figure 2 These two grooves are located on either side of the central groove of the stop 25 and interact with the protective flap 50 to pivot it to a retracted position in which the protective flap 50 does not cover the contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, and 5E1. Five conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, and 5E2 are then inserted into the central grooves 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, and 25E of the base 2 to establish an electrical connection with the five contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, and 5E1 of the first part of the connector and to allow power exchange between the base 2 and the iron 1.

[0040] according to Figure 1 and Figure 6 The base 2 includes a U-shaped main water tank 26, which extends around the base and is provided with a water inlet valve 26A. The base 2 includes a primary pump 6 for drawing water from the main water tank 26 and sending it to an auxiliary water tank 14 integrated into the iron 1.

[0041] To this end, the device includes a hydraulic filling circuit 7 connecting the main water tank 26 to the auxiliary water tank 14, and a hydraulic return circuit 8 connecting the auxiliary water tank 14 to the main water tank 26. The hydraulic filling circuit 7 and the hydraulic return circuit 8 are arranged in parallel, establishing a double connection between the main water tank 26 and the auxiliary water tank 14.

[0042] The hydraulic filling circuit 7 includes a first hydraulic connector comprising a first part 7A carried by the base 2, which is connected to the primary pump 6 via a first pipe 70, and a second part 7B carried by the iron 1, which is connected to the auxiliary water tank 14 via a second pipe 71.

[0043] The hydraulic return circuit 8 includes a second hydraulic connector comprising a first portion 8A carried by the base 2, which is connected to the main water tank 26 via a third conduit 80, and a second portion 8B carried by the iron 1, which is connected to a fourth conduit 81, which leads to the top of the auxiliary water tank 14 when the iron 1 is in the charging position.

[0044] The first portions 7A, 8A and the second portions 7B, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors are equipped with ball valve discs 73, 83 in a manner known per se (e.g. Figure 11 As shown in the figure, when the first part 7A, 8A and the second part 7B, 8B are not connected to each other, the ball valve disc automatically closes.

[0045] Preferably, the first part 7A of the first hydraulic connector and the first part 8A of the second hydraulic connector are disposed on the platform at the top of the ramp 21, and the second part 7B of the first hydraulic connector and the second part 8B of the second hydraulic connector are disposed on the lower surface of the rear of the iron 1.

[0046] Therefore, when the rear of the iron 1 is brought above the ramp 21 and engaged in the receiving cavity 23 of the base 2, the two parts 7A and 7B of the first hydraulic connector and the two parts 8A and 8B of the second hydraulic connector are opposite each other.

[0047] The base 2 advantageously includes an annular groove 28 disposed around the periphery of the first portions 7A, 8A of the first and second hydraulic connectors. The iron 1 advantageously includes a protective rib 18 extending around the second portions 7B, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors and having a shape complementary to the shape of the groove 28.

[0048] The protective rib 18 ensures shock protection for the second portions 7B, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors when the iron 1 is disconnected from the base 2. The protective rib 18 also ensures the centering of the first portions 7A, 8A and the second portions 7B, 8B of the hydraulic connectors by engaging in the groove 28 when the iron 1 is brought to the charging position.

[0049] The electronic circuit board in the base 2 also controls the operation of the primary pump 6, so that water is automatically sent into the auxiliary water tank 14 whenever the iron 1 is in the charging position on the base 2.

[0050] To facilitate placing the iron 1 in the charging position and ensure its retention in that position, the device includes a magnetic attraction device 100 that generates a force that pulls the iron 1 toward the stop 25 when the rear of the iron 1 is brought into the receiving cavity 23 of the base 2.

[0051] Preferably, the force generated by the magnetic attraction device 100 brings the iron 1 to and holds it in place. Figure 1 The charging position shown is in which the ironing surface is in contact only with the air and is raised relative to the worktable, advantageously forming an angle between 9° and 20°, preferably about 15°.

[0052] For this purpose, the magnetic attraction device advantageously includes a magnet 100 in the form of a rectangular strip, integrated into the base 2 and the iron 1, the magnetic attraction generated by the magnet 100 pulling the rear of the iron 1 toward the stop 25.

[0053] These magnets 100, for example, have a length of about 4 cm, a width of about 1 cm, and a height of about 5 mm. Their dimensions are set to generate a magnetic attraction that ensures the iron 1 remains balanced in the charging position.

[0054] according to Figure 3 and Figure 5 The magnets 100 are partially integrated into the base 2, adjacent to the first portions 7A and 8A of the first and second hydraulic connectors, and partially integrated into the iron 1, adjacent to the second portions 7B and 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors. Therefore, the magnetic attraction of these magnets 100 is generated as close as possible to the connection axis of the first and second hydraulic connectors.

[0055] For example, magnet 100 is made of ferrite or neodymium and has a magnetic force of at least 0.6T. The magnetic force of magnet 100 is selected according to the weight of iron 1 to ensure that iron 1 remains balanced in the charging position and establishes hydraulic and electrical connections, while allowing the user to easily disconnect iron 1 when the user applies downward pushing force at the front end of handle 11. Advantageously, the magnet 100 used is an N48 grade neodymium magnet, and its overall volume is preferably within 1500 mm². 3 Up to 6000 mm 3 between.

[0056] The base 2 has a conformable shape that allows the iron 1 to automatically center and tilt towards the charging position as it is brought onto the base by sliding its soleplate 10 along the ramp 21. For this purpose, the base 2 includes a step 27 with a cutout 27A in which a protrusion 16 located at the rear of the iron 1, near the rear end of the soleplate 10, engages. The cooperation of the protrusion 16 and the step 27 prevents the iron 1 from retracting and forms a pivot point around which the iron 1 will tilt towards the charging position.

[0057] Preferably, the protrusion 16 has a converging shape, protrudes from below the rear of the iron 1, and ensures the lateral centering of the iron 1 in the cut 27A before being used as a pivot point.

[0058] Preferably, the device includes a locking device 9 that allows the iron 1 to be mechanically locked in the charging position on the base 2 to prevent the iron 1 from accidentally detaching from the base 2 when the user moves the device by the handle 11 of the iron 1 (e.g., to store it in a cabinet or place it on an ironing board).

[0059] according to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The locking device 9 advantageously includes two locking fingers 92, which are translatably mounted in the unlocked position (e.g., Figure 8 (as shown) and locking position (as shown) Figure 9Between (as shown), in the unlocked position, the iron 1 is not mechanically locked by the locking device 9, and in the locked position, the iron 1 is mechanically locked in the charging position by the locking finger 92.

[0060] Preferably, the locking device 9 includes a button 90 accessible from outside the device, which allows the two locking fingers 92 to be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position and from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0061] In a particular embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, button 90 protrudes from the edge of receiving cavity 23 and is disposed at the end of lever 91, which is pivotally mounted about a rotation axis 91A, which is advantageously arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of base 2.

[0062] The lever 91 is connected to one of the locking fingers 92 via a first link 93A and to the other locking finger 92 via a second link 93B. The first link 93A and the second link 93B are connected to the lever 91 at two points symmetrically arranged with respect to the rotation axis 91A. The two locking fingers 92 are slidably mounted on a horizontal guide rail 94 integrated in the base 2, and the horizontal guide rail 94 is symmetrically arranged with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base 2.

[0063] Therefore, the pivoting of button 90 in the first direction causes the two locking fingers 92 to move closer to each other, toward... Figure 9 The locking position shown is in which the locking finger 92 is inserted into holes 51A in the two guide walls 51 located on both sides of the second part of the electrical connector 5 (visible in...). Figure 3 ( ) and prevent the iron 1 from separating from the base 2.

[0064] The pivoting of button 90 in opposite directions causes the two locking fingers 92 to move apart and into position. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The unlocked position is shown, in which the locking finger 92 disengages from the hole 51A, allowing the iron 1 to be disengaged from the base 2 by applying pressure or pulling on the handle 11.

[0065] Preferably, according to Figure 6 The protective flap 50 of the first part of the electrical connector 5 includes two end walls 50A that extend vertically on both sides of the first part of the electrical connector 5, and when the protective flap 50 is in the extended position, they are opposite to the two locking fingers 92. Therefore, the protective flap 50 prevents the locking fingers 92 from moving to the locked position when it is in the extended position. Conversely, when the protective flap 50 is in the retracted position, these end walls 50A allow the locking fingers 92 to move to the locked position. Thus, such end walls 50A prevent the button 90 of the locking device 9 from moving to the locked position when the iron 1 is not in the charging position on the base 2.

[0066] The operation of the ironing equipment thus implemented will now be described.

[0067] When the user wishes to iron, the main water tank 26 is filled and the power cord of the base 2 is plugged into the household power grid. The base 2 is preferably fixed to the ironing board.

[0068] The connection between conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2 and electrical contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 is detected by the electronic circuit board present in the base 2, and then the electronic circuit board automatically triggers the start of the primary pump 6 and the power supply to the resistor of the heating element 12.

[0069] The start-up of the primary pump 6 ensures that the auxiliary water tank 14 is filled with water stored in the main water tank 26. Water is sent into the auxiliary water tank 14 through the filling circuit until it reaches the top of the auxiliary water tank 14, where excess water is then returned to the main water tank 26 through the hydraulic return circuit 8.

[0070] This parallel arrangement of the hydraulic return circuit 8 and the hydraulic filling circuit 7 allows the primary pump 6 to operate continuously when the iron 1 is connected to the base 2, eliminating the need for a full-tank detection sensor in the auxiliary water tank 14. In a variant embodiment, the primary pump 6 can run for a predetermined time each time the iron 1 is placed in the charging position on the base 2. The predetermined running time of the primary pump 6 is then selected to be greater than or equal to the time required to fully fill the auxiliary water tank 14, assuming it is empty when the iron 1 is placed on the base 2.

[0071] The power supply from the resistor causes the temperature of the heating element 12 and the base plate 10 to rise rapidly, which does not pose a risk of damage to the base 2 and / or the ironing board, because the base plate 10 is not in contact with them at this time.

[0072] When the temperature of the heating element 12 reaches the set point temperature, it advantageously activates the indicator light and / or audible alarm to indicate to the user that the iron 1 is ready for use.

[0073] Then move button 90 to the unlock position so that locking finger 92 exits from hole 51A on guide wall 51 at the rear of iron 1.

[0074] Then the iron 1 is held in position on the base 2 by the magnetic attraction generated by the magnet 100 alone.

[0075] The user can then grasp the handle 11 and apply a downward force to the front end of the handle 11 until the torque applied by the user exceeds the magnetic attraction generated by the magnet 100, thus removing the rear of the iron 1 from the base 2. The iron 1 then tilts along the entry ramp 21, away from the stop 25, and can move freely on the ironing board to perform ironing work. This disconnection of the iron 1 from the base 2 is accompanied by the interruption of the power and hydraulic supply to the iron 1 via the electrical connector 5 and the first and second hydraulic connectors, respectively.

[0076] If the user wishes to generate steam through the steam outlet 110 of the base plate 10, they simply press trigger 15 to activate the secondary pump 13 and send water into the evaporation chamber 120. The depressurization of the auxiliary water tank 14 caused by the operation of the secondary pump 13 is then compensated by air intake via a hydraulic return circuit 8, which leads to the top of the auxiliary water tank 14. Therefore, the hydraulic return circuit 8 has the advantage of also serving as a venting circuit for the auxiliary water tank 14 when the iron 1 is disconnected from the base 2.

[0077] When the user wishes to return the iron 1 to the base 2, for example, to handle clothing to be ironed, or because the iron 1 indicates it needs to be connected to the base, simply slide the soleplate 10 along the ramp 21, so that the rear of the iron 1 faces the stop 25, until the force generated by the magnet 100 (at which point they are close to each other) causes the iron 1 to automatically tilt to the charging position. Tilting to this position simultaneously results in a hydraulic connection between the first portions 7A, 8A and the second portions 7B, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors, and an electrical connection between the two portions of the electrical connector 5.

[0078] The establishment of the electrical connection is then detected by the electronic circuit board present in the base 2, which triggers the continuous start of the primary pump 6 and the power supply to the resistor of the heating element 12.

[0079] When the user finishes ironing and wishes to store the device, simply disconnect the power cord 24 from the power grid and switch button 90 to the locked position. Switching button 90 to the locked position causes the locking finger 92 to move into the hole 51A in the guide wall 51, locking the iron 1 in the charging position.

[0080] The user can then grab the handle 11 of the iron 1 and move the entire device for storage without the base breaking off and falling to the ground due to sudden movement that may accompany the transport of the device.

[0081] This type of ironing equipment has the advantage of not requiring a water level sensor in the auxiliary water tank mounted on the iron, which limits manufacturing costs and improves reliability. Furthermore, the presence of a hydraulic return circuit eliminates the need for a vent in the auxiliary water tank during the filling phase (when the iron is resting on the base) and during the ironing phase (when the iron is used to generate steam).

[0082] The presence of a hydraulic return loop also prevents any pressure rise in the auxiliary water tank, thus limiting the risk of leakage at the hydraulic connector during the iron's connection to and disconnection from the base.

[0083] The absence of pressure buildup in the auxiliary water tank also allows for the use of a lower-power, and therefore lower-cost, primary pump.

[0084] Of course, the present invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which are given by way of example only. In particular, modifications can still be made from the perspective of the composition of various elements or by substitution with technical equivalents, without departing from the protection scope of the present invention.

[0085] Therefore, in a variant embodiment of the invention not shown, the device may consist only of a pump mounted in the iron, which is used both to fill the auxiliary water tank when the iron is connected to the base and to supply water to the evaporation chamber when the iron is disconnected from the base.

[0086] In another variant embodiment, not shown, only the base may be equipped with a pump for refilling the auxiliary water tank when the iron is resting on the base. In this variant, the iron's evaporation chamber is supplied by gravity from the water in the auxiliary water tank. The iron may lack a steam trigger and may be equipped, in a manner known per se, with a drip valve that allows continuous steam generation, or with a drip valve whose opening is controlled by the steam trigger.

Claims

1. An ironing device comprising a cordless iron (1) equipped with an auxiliary water tank (14) and a base (2), wherein, in a non-ironing phase, the iron (1) is intended to be placed in a charging position on the base (2), the base (2) comprising a main water tank (26), the device comprising a hydraulic filling circuit (7) for supplying water from the main water tank (26) to the auxiliary water tank (14) when the iron (1) is in the charging position, the device further comprising a hydraulic return circuit (8) for returning water from the auxiliary water tank (14) to the main water tank (26) when the iron (1) is in the charging position, the hydraulic return circuit (8) being configured in parallel with the hydraulic filling circuit (7), characterized in that, The iron (1) includes an evaporation chamber (120) for generating steam, which is supplied with liquid from an auxiliary water tank (14).

2. The ironing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydraulic filling circuit (7) includes a first hydraulic connector comprising a first portion (7A) carried by the base (2) and a second portion (7B) carried by the iron (1). When the iron (1) is in the charging position, the first portion (7A) and the second portion (7B) of the first hydraulic connector are connected to each other. The hydraulic return circuit (8) includes a second hydraulic connector comprising a first portion (8A) carried by the base (2) and a second portion (8B) carried by the iron (1). When the iron (1) is in the charging position, the first portion (8A) and the second portion (8B) of the second hydraulic connector are connected to each other.

3. The ironing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second part (8B) of the second hydraulic connector is connected to a conduit that leads to an auxiliary water tank (17), with the access point advantageously located at the top of the tank when the iron (1) is in the charging position.

4. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The hydraulic filling circuit (7) includes a primary pump (6), which is advantageously integrated into the base (7).

5. The ironing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The iron (1) includes a secondary pump (13) for drawing liquid present in the auxiliary water tank (14).

6. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It includes an electrical connector (5), which comprises a first part integral with the base (2) and a second part integral with the iron (1).

7. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, It includes a magnetic attraction device (100) that generates a force that ensures the iron (1) is stably balanced in the charging position.

8. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, At the charging position, the base plate (10) is only in contact with ambient air.

9. The ironing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It includes a locking device (9) comprising at least one locking element (92) movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the locking element (92) mechanically locks the iron (1) in the charging position, and in the unlocked position the iron (1) is no longer mechanically locked by the locking element (92).

10. The ironing device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The locking device (9) includes an actuating element (90) that allows the locking element (92) to be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position and from the unlocked position to the locked position.

11. The ironing device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The actuating element is a button (90) that can be manually operated by the user.

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