Ironing device with a cordless iron and a charging base

Abstract

Ironing appliance comprising a cordless clothes iron (1) having a sole (3) provided with an ironing surface intended to come into contact with the laundry and a recharging base (2) on which the iron (1) is placed during inactive phases of ironing, the appliance comprising a hydraulic connector comprising a first part (7) secured to the recharging base (2) and a second part (8) secured to the iron (1), characterized in that the appliance comprises a magnetic-attraction device (75, 85) that generates a force encouraging the first (7) and second (8) parts of the hydraulic connector to connect.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an ironing appliance comprising a cordless iron with a heated soleplate equipped with an ironing surface designed to come into contact with the fabric and a charging base on which the iron is placed during inactive ironing phases. The invention relates more particularly to an appliance comprising a hydraulic connector having a first part attached to the charging base and a second part attached to the iron.

[0002] Patent application EP3380767 discloses an ironing apparatus comprising a cordless iron and a charging base on which the iron is placed during inactive ironing phases. In this document, the apparatus includes a hydraulic connector for transferring water from a reservoir in the base to a reservoir on the iron. The hydraulic connector comprises a first part attached to the charging base and a second part attached to the iron. Patent application WO2017 / 144798 discloses an ironing apparatus comprising an electrical connector with a first part attached to the charging base and a second part attached to the iron, and a magnetic attraction device that generates a force tending to connect the first and second parts of the electrical connector.

[0003] Such a hydraulic connection allows the iron's reservoir to be filled with water from the base each time the iron is placed on the base, which allows for the use of a small capacity reservoir on the iron and therefore a low weight iron, while maintaining a long operating autonomy.

[0004] However, in this design, the hydraulic connector is complex to manufacture and requires relatively high coupling forces. Therefore, there is a risk that the hydraulic connector will not be properly coupled when the iron is gently placed on its base without the user applying sufficient downward pressure. This results in an unreliable hydraulic connection and a significant risk of leakage.

[0005] Therefore, one aim of the present invention is to provide an ironing device that remedies these drawbacks and in particular an ironing device that limits the risk of poor hydraulic connection when the iron is placed on its base.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an ironing device comprising a cordless iron including a soleplate with an ironing surface intended to come into contact with the laundry and a charging base on which the iron is placed during inactive ironing phases, the device comprising a hydraulic connector including a first part attached to the charging base and a second part attached to the iron, characterized in that the device includes a magnetic attraction device generating a force which tends to connect the first part and the second part of the hydraulic connector.

[0007] The device thus produced has the advantage of possessing a magnetic attraction device which helps to ensure proper coupling of the hydraulic connector when the iron is placed on the charging base.

[0008] This results in a device that provides excellent ergonomics and ensures greater connection reliability.

[0009] According to another feature of the invention, the force generated by the magnetic attraction device ensures the stable balance of the iron in a charging position in which the iron is hydraulically connected to the base by the connector and the soleplate is only in contact with the ambient air, the charging position corresponding to a position of the iron in which it would be unstable in the absence of the magnetic attraction device.

[0010] This feature helps prevent the base from overheating due to contact with the sole.

[0011] According to another feature of the invention, the ironing surface is flat.

[0012] According to another feature of the invention, the charging base is intended to rest on a work surface, such as an ironing board, the ironing surface being, in the charging position, inclined at an angle α between 0° and 45°, and preferably between 9° and 20°, relative to the work surface.

[0013] This feature allows for optimized ergonomics of use, the slight inclination of the iron in the charging position preventing significant twisting of the user's wrist during the operation of connecting and / or disconnecting the iron.

[0014] According to yet another feature of the invention, the magnetic attraction device is integrated into the first part of the hydraulic connector and into the second part of the hydraulic connector.

[0015] This feature allows magnetic forces to be generated directly between the first and second parts of the connector, thus optimizing the coupling.

[0016] According to another feature of the invention, the first part of the hydraulic connector and the second part of the hydraulic connector comprise at least one permanent magnet of annular shape.

[0017] Preferably, each magnet has a power of at least 0.6 T.

[0018] According to another feature of the invention, the first part of the hydraulic connector has a raised upper surface having a shape of revolution which engages in a cavity of complementary shape formed on an underside face of the second part of the hydraulic connector.

[0019] Such a feature has the advantage of ensuring mechanical centering of the two parts of the hydraulic connector while allowing free rotation of the first part of the hydraulic connector on the second part of the hydraulic connector.

[0020] According to another feature of the invention, the iron comprises a housing which surmounts the soleplate and which includes a rear part which extends cantilevered behind the soleplate, the second part of the hydraulic connector being carried by the rear part of the iron.

[0021] Such a construction allows a second part of the hydraulic connector to be located in a part that is relatively far from the sole, thus preventing it from overheating.

[0022] According to yet another feature of the invention, the second part of the hydraulic connector is supported by a lower surface of the rear cantilevered part.

[0023] Such a construction allows for a second part of the hydraulic connector which is hidden when the iron rests on its soleplate, ensuring better protection against foreign objects and also providing a better aesthetic for the iron.

[0024] According to another feature of the invention, the iron has a first water reservoir and the base has a second water reservoir, the base having a pump to transfer water from the second water reservoir to the first water reservoir through the hydraulic connector when the iron is resting on the base.

[0025] According to another feature of the invention, the device also includes an electrical connector comprising a first part attached to the charging base and a second part attached to the iron.

[0026] According to another feature of the invention, the second part of the electrical connector is located higher than the second part of the hydraulic connector when the iron rests on its soleplate.

[0027] This feature prevents water escaping from the second part of the hydraulic connector from flowing by gravity onto the second part of the electrical connector when the iron is in the use position, i.e., resting on its soleplate. This reduces the risk of a short circuit when the iron is then connected to its charging base.

[0028] According to another feature of the invention, the second part of the electrical connector is supported by a rear surface of the cantilevered rear part of the iron.

[0029] According to another feature of the invention, the electrical connector includes a presence sensor that detects the presence of the second part of the electrical connector against the first part of the electrical connector.

[0030] According to another feature of the invention, the presence sensor controls the power supply to the first part of the electrical connector only when the first part and the second part of the electrical connector are pressed against each other.

[0031] This feature helps prevent the risk of short circuit and / or electrocution by contact with the first part of the connector when the iron is disconnected from the charging base.

[0032] According to yet another feature of the invention, the base has a lower surface intended to rest on the work surface and the first part of the hydraulic connector is arranged at the top of an access ramp which descends towards the lower surface, the access ramp allowing the transfer of the iron from the work surface to the base by sliding it along the access ramp.

[0033] This feature optimizes ergonomics during the connection and / or disconnection phases of the iron on the base.

[0034] According to another feature of the invention, the base includes a fixing device allowing it to be immobilized on the work surface.

[0035] According to yet another feature of the invention, the base includes a power cable equipped with a plug allowing its electrical connection to a domestic electrical network.

[0036] According to another feature of the invention, the iron is steam-powered.

[0037] According to another feature of the invention, the iron includes a vaporization chamber supplied by a reservoir carried by the iron.

[0038] According to another feature of the invention, the soleplate of the iron has steam outlet holes.

[0039] The aims, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: There [ Fig.1 ] and the [ Fig.2 ] are perspective views of an ironing appliance according to a particular embodiment of the invention, with the iron disconnected from the charging base; The [ Fig.3 ] is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the [ Fig.1 ] with the iron connected to the charging base; The [ Fig.4 ] and the [ Fig.5 ] are detailed, longitudinal cross-sectional views of the connection device equipping the [ Fig.1 ] when the iron is respectively disconnected and connected to its base; The [ Fig.6 ] is a perspective view of the first part of the hydraulic connector.

[0040] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numbers from one figure to another.

[0041] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom" used to describe the iron refer to this iron in a situation of use when the ironing sole is placed on a horizontal plane.

[0042] There [ Fig.1 ], there [ Fig.2 ] and the [ Fig.3 ] represent an ironing device comprising a cordless iron 1 and a charging base 2 on which the iron 1 is intended to rest during inactive ironing phases to allow an exchange of energy between the base 2 and the iron 1.

[0043] The iron 1 classically comprises a soleplate 3 with a flat ironing surface 30, the soleplate 3 being surmounted by a housing with a gripping handle 10.

[0044] The sole 3 is in contact with a heating element 4 made of cast aluminum, visible only on the [ Fig.3 ], equipped with an electrical resistance 40 of a power of at least 1400 W, and preferably of the order of 2000 W, the heating body 4 incorporating a vaporization chamber 41 closed in its upper part by a metallic lid 42 comprising a water injection nozzle 50 in the vicinity of its front end.

[0045] The vaporization chamber 41 is supplied with water by means of a first pump 5 provided in the housing of the iron 1, the pump 5 drawing water from a first water reservoir 11 arranged in the housing of the iron 1 to send it into the vaporization chamber 5, the first water reservoir 11 having, in its lower rear part, an outlet orifice 11A which is connected by a conduit, not shown in the figures, to the first pump 5.

[0046] The operation of the first pump 5 is controlled, in a manner known per se, by a trigger 52 located under the handle 10, preferably in the vicinity of its front end, the first pump 5 being connected by a conduit 51 to an inlet orifice of the water injection nozzle 50, the assembly being dimensioned to allow the production of a steam flow of the order of 35 gr / min when the first pump 5 is in operation.

[0047] The base 2 has a lower surface 20 intended to rest on a work surface, such as an ironing board, and has an access ramp 21 comprising a peripheral lower edge 22 that is flush with the work surface, the base 2 advantageously comprising a ballast and / or a fixing flange, not shown, ensuring its immobilization on the work surface.

[0048] Advantageously, the access ramp 21 is bordered laterally by two side walls 26 which delimit between them a receiving housing having a shape complementary to that of the rear part of the iron 1.

[0049] The base 2 also includes a power cable, not shown in the figures, allowing its connection to a domestic electrical network and includes a stop 23 on which rests a rear part 12 of the iron which extends cantilevered behind the sole 3 and engages between the two side walls 26.

[0050] In order to allow the electrical connection of the base 2 with the iron 1, the stop 23 includes a first part 107 of an electrical connector intended to be electrically connected to a second part 108 of the electrical connector carried by the iron 1.

[0051] The first part 107 includes three contacts 107A, 107B, 107C which are electrically connected to an electronic board integrated into the base 1, the three contacts allowing the iron 1 to be supplied with current from the domestic electrical network.

[0052] The three contacts 107A, 107B, 107C are respectively arranged inside three grooves extending vertically on the stop 23, the stop 23 advantageously comprising a fourth groove in which is provided a presence sensor used to detect the presence of the iron 1 on the base 2.

[0053] This presence sensor cuts off the power supply to contacts 107A, 107B, 107C of the first part 107 of the electrical connector when the first part 107 and the second part 108 of the electrical connector are not applied against each other.

[0054] As is known, this presence sensor consists of a switch, not visible in the figures, which is carried by the first part 107 of the electrical connector and is electrically connected to the electronic board. This switch is actuated by a cam 108D carried by the rear face of the iron 1 when the latter rests on the base 2 in the charging position illustrated in the [ Fig.3 ].

[0055] The second part 108 of the electrical connector is located on the rear face of the rear part 12 of the iron 1 and comprises three contacts 108A, 108B, 108C advantageously formed by conductive fingers projecting from the rear face of the rear part 12 of the iron. The three contacts 108A, 108B, 108C are inserted into grooves to establish the electrical connection with the three contacts 107A, 107B, 107C of the first part 107 of the connector when the iron 1 is in the charging position on the base 2.

[0056] In accordance with the [ Fig.3 ], base 2 includes a second water tank 24 and a second pump 25 allowing water to be drawn from the second water tank 24 to send it into the first water tank 11, the control of the pump 25 being managed by the electronic board so that the first water tank 11 is filled each time the iron rests on base 2.

[0057] In order to enable the hydraulic connection of the base 2 with the iron 1, the stop 23 includes a first part 7 of a hydraulic connector intended to be connected to a second part 8 of the hydraulic connector carried by the iron 1.

[0058] In accordance with the [ Fig.1 ] and to the [ Fig.2 ], the second part 8 of the hydraulic connector is arranged on an underside of the rear part 12 of the iron 1 and includes a connection tip 80 closed by a valve 81 returned to a closed position by a return spring 83.

[0059] The second part 8 of the hydraulic connector comes into contact with the first part 7 of the hydraulic connector when the rear part 12 of the iron 1 is brought over the access ramp 21 and comes to rest against the stop 23.

[0060] In accordance with the [ Fig.4 ], to the [ Fig.5 ] and to the [ Fig.6 ], the first part 7 of the hydraulic connector has a central cavity 70 equipped with a protective grid 71 allowing the passage of water from the second water reservoir 24, the protective grid 71 including a finger 72, projecting vertically, intended to cooperate with the valve 81 equipping the second part 8 of the hydraulic connector.

[0061] In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures, the upper surface of the first part 7 of the hydraulic connector has a truncated cone shape and the second part 8 of the hydraulic connector has a lower surface comprising a cavity of complementary shape.

[0062] More particularly, according to the invention, the device comprises a magnetic attraction device 75, 85 generating a force which contributes both to establishing the mechanical coupling between the first part 7 and the second part 8 of the hydraulic connector and to ensuring the stable balance of the iron 1 in a charging position, illustrated in the [ Fig.3 ], in which the rear part of the iron 1 is resting against the stop 23 and the first part 107 and the second part 108 of the electrical connector are connected to each other.

[0063] Advantageously, when the iron is in the charging position, the ironing surface 30 is raised above the work surface and is at an angle of between 9° and 20° to the work surface and preferably around 15°.

[0064] Preferably, the magnetic attraction device comprises ring-shaped magnets 75, 85 integrated into the first part 7 and the second part 8 of the hydraulic connector, the magnets 75 of the first part 7 being arranged coaxially to the central cavity 70 and the magnets 85 of the second part 8 being arranged coaxially to the connecting tip 80, the magnetic attraction force generated by the two magnets 75, 85 attracting the first 7 and the second part 8 against each other.

[0065] These magnets 75, 85 advantageously have an inner diameter of 35 mm and an outer diameter of 48 mm and are sized to generate a magnetic attraction force which ensures that the iron 1 remains balanced in the charging position, the charging position being a naturally unstable position of the iron 1 on the base 2 so that it would automatically tip forward in the absence of the magnets 75, 85.

[0066] For example, magnets 75 and 85 are made of ferrite or neodymium and have a strength of at least 0.6 T. The strength of magnets 75 and 85 is selected, according to the weight of the iron 1, to ensure both that the iron 1 remains balanced in the charging position and that a watertight connection is established between the two parts 7 and 8 of the hydraulic connector, while also allowing the user to easily disconnect the iron 1 by applying downward pressure to the front end of handle 11. For example, the magnets used are N48 class neodymium magnets, with the overall volume of each magnet 75 and 85 preferably being between 1500 mm³ and 6000 mm³.

[0067] The return spring 83, which helps to facilitate the disconnection of the iron, is advantageously sized to allow disconnection of the iron when a force of 1.7N is applied downwards at the front end of the handle 11.

[0068] The operation of the ironing device thus created will now be described.

[0069] When the user wishes to iron, they fill the water tank 24 and plug the power cord 6 of the charging base 2 into the household electrical outlet, preferably with the base 2 fixed to an ironing board. They then bring the iron 1 onto the base 2 by positioning the rear section 12 in a cantilevered position towards the stop 23. The iron 1 is then attracted towards the base 2 by the magnetic forces generated by the magnets 75, 85 until the second part 8 of the hydraulic connector is aligned with the first part 7 of the connector. In this position, the distance between the two parts 7, 8 of the hydraulic connector is small enough that the force provided by the magnets 75, 85 lifts the iron 1, causing the two parts 7, 8 of the hydraulic connector to automatically engage and the iron 1 to tilt into the charging position.Positioning the iron 1 in the charging position allows the electrical connection to be established simultaneously between the two parts 107, 108 of the connector and the presence sensor to be activated.

[0070] During this coupling, the insertion of the upper frustoconical shape of the first part 7 of the hydraulic connector into the cavity of the second part 8 of the connector ensures self-centering of the two parts 7, 8 of the hydraulic connector and, under the effect of the magnetic attraction force and the weight of the iron 1, the finger 72 of the first part 7 pushes the valve 81 inside the connector 8 by compressing the return spring 80. A watertight connection is then established between the first part 7 and the second part 8 of the hydraulic connector, this watertight connection being made stable by the magnetic attraction force.

[0071] Activating the presence sensor causes the resistor 40 of the body 4 to be powered and the pump 25 to be actuation by the electronic board.

[0072] The actuation of the pump 25 ensures that the first water tank 11 is filled with water stored in the second water tank 24, the first water tank 11 being equipped with a level sensor which communicates with the electronic board in order to interrupt the operation of the pump 25 when the first tank 11 is full.

[0073] The power supply to the resistance 40 generates a rapid rise in temperature of the heating body 4 and of the temperature of the ironing surface 30 which takes place without risk of damage to the base 2 and / or the ironing board since the ironing surface 30 is not then in contact with the latter.

[0074] When the temperature of the heating element 4 reaches a predetermined set temperature, an indicator light 13 illuminates on the iron to indicate to the user that the iron 1 is ready for use.

[0075] The user can then grasp handle 10 and apply downward force to the front end of handle 11 until sufficient torque is applied to separate the second part 8 of the hydraulic connector from the first part 7 of the connector. The iron 1 then tilts along the access ramp 21 away from the stop 23 and can be freely moved on the ironing board to perform the ironing. This disconnection of the iron 1 from the base 2 is accompanied by the interruption of the power supply to the first part 107 of the electrical connector and the closure of the valve 81 of the second part of the hydraulic connector 8 by the return spring 83.In particular, the return spring 83 is dimensioned to provide an effort guaranteeing a perfect seal of the valve 81 when the iron is removed from the base 2 without making it difficult to connect the hydraulics between the first part 107 and the second part 108 when the iron 1 is placed on the base 2 due to the assistance of connection generated by magnetic attraction.

[0076] If the user performs a relatively long ironing session, more than one minute, with a high steam output without placing the iron 1 back on its charging base 2, the temperature of the heating element 4 will gradually drop until the temperature of the vaporization chamber 41 no longer allows the production of steam.

[0077] To avoid this inconvenience, the electronic board of the iron 1 monitors the temperature of the heating element 4 and activates a visual or audible indicator to alert the user to the need to place the iron 1 back on its base 2 when the temperature of the heating element 4 becomes insufficient to effectively perform ironing tasks.

[0078] When the user wishes to place the iron 1 back on the base 2, for example to handle the laundry to be ironed, or because the iron 1 indicates that it needs to be connected to the base 2, they simply slide the soleplate 3 along the access ramp 21, orienting the rear part 12 of the iron towards the stop 23, until the cantilevered rear part 12 is positioned above the first part 7 of the hydraulic connector. The force generated by the magnets 75, 85, which are then in close proximity to each other, causes the iron 1 to automatically tilt into the charging position and the two parts 7, 8 of the hydraulic connector to engage.Tilting the iron 1 into the charging position also causes the two parts 107, 108 of the electrical connector to couple so that the heating element 4 quickly rises again to the set temperature.

[0079] The ironing unit thus designed offers the advantage of excellent ergonomics by allowing for easy connection and disconnection of the iron from the charging base. In particular, the magnetic attraction system of this unit generates forces that contribute to the automatic tilting of the iron into the charging position and facilitates the establishment of the hydraulic connection. Specifically, the connection assistance provided by the magnetic attraction allows the use of a hydraulic connector with a closing valve equipped with a powerful return spring, ensuring a perfect seal of the connector when the iron is disconnected from the base, without hindering the establishment of the hydraulic connection when the iron is placed on its base.This results in a reliable system with a watertight hydraulic connection, without compromising the ergonomics of using the iron.

[0080] Furthermore, the placement of the hydraulic connector under the back of the iron and the electrical connector on the back of the iron keeps these two connections separate, preventing water from the hydraulic connection from contacting the electrical connector and causing a short circuit. Specifically, the fact that the hydraulic connector is below the level of the electrical connector when the iron is resting on its soleplate or base prevents any water dripping from the hydraulic connector from flowing down onto the electrical connector.

[0081] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0082] Thus, in an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the device may, instead of ring magnets, comprise several less powerful magnets distributed in the base and in the iron so as to obtain the same overall attractive force. Such an alternative embodiment avoids the drawbacks associated with high-power magnets that attract all ferromagnetic objects.

Claims

1. Ironing appliance comprising a cordless iron (1) including a soleplate (3) provided with an ironing surface intended to come into contact with the laundry, and a recharging base (2) on which the iron (1) is placed during inactive ironing phases, the appliance comprising a hydraulic connector including a first part (7) secured to the recharging base (2) and a second part (8) secured to the iron (1), characterized in that the appliance comprises a magnetic attraction device (75, 85) generating a force tending to connect the first part (7) and the second part (8) of the hydraulic connector.

2. Ironing appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the force generated by the magnetic attraction device (75, 85) ensures the stable equilibrium of the iron (1) in a recharging position in which the iron (1) is hydraulically connected to the base (2) by the hydraulic connector (7, 8) and the soleplate (3) is only in contact with the ambient air, said recharging position corresponding to a position of the iron (1) in which it would be unstable in the absence of said magnetic attraction device.

3. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the recharging base (2) is intended to rest on a work surface such as an ironing board, and in that, in the recharging position, the ironing surface is inclined at an angle α of between 0° and 45°, and preferably between 9° and 20°, relative to the work surface.

4. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the magnetic attraction device (75, 85) is integrated in the first part (7) and in the second part (8) of the hydraulic connector.

5. Ironing appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that the first part (7) and the second part (8) of the hydraulic connector comprise at least one ring-shaped permanent magnet (75, 85).

6. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the iron (1) comprises a housing which surmounts the soleplate (3) and which includes a rear portion (12) that extends in cantilever fashion behind the soleplate (3), and in that the second part (8) of the connector is carried by the rear portion (12) of the iron (1).

7. Ironing appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that the second part (8) of the hydraulic connector is carried by a lower surface of the cantilevered rear portion (12).

8. Ironing appliance according to claim 7, characterized in that the appliance also comprises an electrical connector including a first part (107) secured to the recharging base (2) and a second part (108) secured to the iron (1).

9. Ironing appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that the second part (108) of the electrical connector is arranged higher than the second part (8) of the hydraulic connector when the iron (1) rests on its soleplate (3).

10. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the second part (108) of the electrical connector is carried by a rear surface of the cantilevered rear portion (12) of the iron (1).

11. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the base (2) comprises a lower surface intended to rest on the work surface, and in that the first part (7) of the hydraulic connector is arranged at the top of an access ramp (21) which descends towards the lower surface, the access ramp allowing the transfer of the iron (1) from the work surface onto the base (2) by sliding it along the access ramp (21).

12. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the base (2) comprises a fastening device allowing it to be immobilized on the work surface.

13. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the base (2) comprises a power cable provided with a plug allowing its electrical connection to a domestic power supply network.

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