Ironing appliance with a cordless iron.

Abstract

An ironing appliance comprising a cordless iron (1) equipped with an auxiliary reservoir (14) and a base (2) on which the iron (1) is intended to be placed in a charging position during inactive ironing phases, the base (2) comprising a main reservoir (26), and the appliance comprising a hydraulic filling circuit (7) for supplying the auxiliary reservoir (14) with liquid from the main reservoir (26) when the iron (1) is in the charging position, characterized in that it also comprises a hydraulic return circuit (8) for sending liquid from the auxiliary reservoir (14) to the main reservoir (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). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 5

Description

Title of the invention: Ironing device comprising a cordless iron. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ironing appliances comprising a cordless iron equipped with an auxiliary reservoir and a base equipped with a main reservoir and relates more particularly to an appliance comprising a hydraulic filling circuit intended to supply the auxiliary reservoir with liquid from the main reservoir when the iron is placed on the base. State of the art

[0002] Patent application JP2893957 discloses an ironing apparatus comprising a cordless iron equipped with an auxiliary reservoir and a base on which the iron is intended to be placed in a charging position during inactive ironing phases. In this document, the base includes a main reservoir, and the apparatus includes a hydraulic filling circuit for supplying the auxiliary reservoir with liquid from the main reservoir when the iron is in the charging position.

[0003] However, such a device has the drawback of requiring an auxiliary reservoir that must be equipped with a vent to allow air to escape during the filling phase. This vent can become stuck or blocked, causing the device to malfunction. Furthermore, when the auxiliary reservoir is full, the vent valve closes, leading to a pressure increase in the filling circuit, particularly at the hydraulic connector linking the iron to the base. This pressure increase can cause leaks at the connector, necessitating a sufficiently robust design to limit these leaks. However, this results in the use of a hydraulic connector that is expensive to manufacture and generates a connection force that makes the device unreliable and / or awkward to use. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to an ironing apparatus comprising a cordless iron equipped with an auxiliary reservoir and comprising a base on which the iron is intended to be placed in a charging position during inactive ironing phases, the base comprising a main reservoir, the apparatus comprising a hydraulic filling circuit intended to supply the auxiliary reservoir with liquid from the main reservoir when the iron is in the charging position, characterized in that it also includes a hydraulic return circuit for sending liquid from the auxiliary reservoir to the main reservoir when the iron is in the charging position, the hydraulic return circuit being arranged in parallel with the hydraulic filling circuit.

[0006] Such a return circuit makes it possible to return the liquid to the main reservoir of the base when the auxiliary reservoir is full and thus makes it possible to do without the need to have an air vent on the auxiliary reservoir and a device to stop filling when the reservoir is full.

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

[0008] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the hydraulic filling circuit comprises a first hydraulic connector including a first part, carried by the base, and a second part carried by the iron, the first and second parts of the first hydraulic connector being connected when the iron is in the refilling position. The hydraulic return circuit comprises a second hydraulic connector including a first part, carried by the base, and a second part, carried by the iron, the first and second parts of the second hydraulic connector being connected when the iron is in the refilling position.

[0009] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the second part of the second hydraulic connector is connected to a conduit which opens into the auxiliary reservoir, at a point advantageously located at the top of the latter 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, advantageously integrated into the base.

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

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the iron includes a vaporization chamber for the production of steam which is supplied with liquid from the auxiliary reservoir.

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

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

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

[0016] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the device includes a magnetic attraction device generating a force which ensures the stable balance of the iron in the charging position.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the charging position corresponds to a position of the iron in which it would be unstable in the absence of the magnetic attraction device, the iron being able to be disengaged from the base by exerting pressure, or pulling, on the iron to move it to a disengagement position in which the force generated by the magnetic attraction device no longer ensures that the iron is held on the base.

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

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

[0020] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the locking device includes an actuating element allowing the locking element to be moved from the locking position to the unlocking position and vice versa.

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

[0022] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the iron comprises a housing that surmounts the soleplate and includes a rear portion that extends cantilevered behind the soleplate, and the second portion of the first and second hydraulic connectors being carried by a lower surface of the rear portion of the iron. Brief description of the figures

[0023] The objects, 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, by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0024] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an ironing device according to a particular embodiment of the invention, with the iron connected to the base;

[0025] Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 with the iron disconnected from the base;

[0026] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the iron fitted to the device in Fig. 1;

[0027] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the components located inside the iron;

[0028] The [Fig.5] is a schematic view of the hydraulic filling circuit and the hydraulic return circuit equipping the device of the [Fig.1];

[0029] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the inside of the base with the protective flap in the deployed position;

[0030] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the inside of the base with the protective flap in the retracted position;

[0031] Fig. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the locking device in the unlocked position;

[0032] Fig. 9 is a detailed perspective view of the locking device in the locked position;

[0033] Fig. 9 is a detailed view of the locking device cooperating with the rear part of the iron in which the locking device 9 is shown in the unlocked position;

[0034] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main components equipping the iron;

[0035] Fig. 11 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the first and second hydraulic connectors.

[0036] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same reference numerals from one figure to another.

[0037] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the iron and the base refer to this iron and this base in a situation of use, that is to say when the ironing sole and the lower surface of the base are placed on a horizontal plane.

[0038] Figures 1 to 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 phases of ironing, the iron 1 comprising a flat sole 10 surmounted by a plastic housing equipped with a gripping handle 11.

[0039] The base 2 includes a power cable 24 allowing its connection to a domestic electrical network and includes a lower surface 20 intended to rest flat on a work surface, such as an ironing board.

[0040] The base 2 includes an access ramp 21 comprising a peripheral lower edge that is flush with the work surface and advantageously includes a ballast and / or a fixing flange, not shown, ensuring its immobilization on the work surface.

[0041] The access ramp 21 is bordered laterally by two side walls 22 which delimit between them a receiving housing 23 having a shape complementary to that of the rear part of the iron 1, the receiving housing 23 having a stop 25 at its rear end.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 11, the soleplate 10 of the iron 1 is in thermal contact with a heating element 12 integrated into the body of the iron 1, and comprises an ironing surface with steam outlet holes 110. The heating element 12 is made of cast aluminum, advantageously having a mass of approximately 650 g, and includes an electrical resistance 12A providing a power of approximately 2250 W at a voltage of 230 V, as well as a vaporization chamber 120 equipped with an NTC temperature sensor, not shown in the figures.

[0043] The power supply of the 12A electric resistance is managed by an electronic board located in the base 2. When the iron 1 rests on the base 2, the electronic board receives the information from the temperature sensor and regulates the power supply of the 12A electric resistance to bring the temperature of the vaporization chamber 120 to around a set temperature of approximately 170°C.

[0044] The vaporization chamber 120 is supplied with water by means of a secondary pump 13 disposed inside an auxiliary reservoir 14 integrated into the housing of the iron 1. The iron 1 has a trigger 15 located under the handle 11, preferably near its front end, which orders the operation of the secondary pump 13 when it is activated and allows the vaporization chamber 120 to be supplied with water from the auxiliary reservoir 14, preferably with a water flow rate of around 35 g / min.

[0045] The vaporization chamber 120 communicates conventionally with a steam distribution circuit, provided between the sole 10 and the heating body 12, which allows the supply of steam to the holes 110 provided in the sole 10.

[0046] According to figures 3 and 6, the stop 25 includes a first part of an electrical connector 5 intended to be electrically connected to a second part of the electrical connector 5 carried by the iron 1, in order to allow the electrical connection of the base 2 with the iron 1.

[0047] The first part of the electrical connector 5 comprises five contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 which are electrically connected to the electronic board integrated into the base 2. Three of these contacts, 5B1, 5C1, 5E1, supply the iron 1 with mains power and are conventionally connected to the live, neutral, and earth conductors. The other two contacts, 5A1 and 5E1, are used to transmit information between the iron 1 and the base 2.

[0048] By way of example, the 5A1 contact is advantageously used to transmit information from at least one sensor embedded in the iron 1. Contact 5E1 is advantageously used to transmit the signal from the NTC placed in the vaporization chamber 120.

[0049] According to Figures 2 and 6, the five contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 are respectively arranged behind five central grooves 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E ​​extending vertically on the stop 25. The base 2 advantageously includes a protective flap 50 pivotally mounted between a deployed position, illustrated in [Fig. 5], in which the contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 are masked by the protective flap 50 and a retracted position, illustrated in [Fig. 6], in which the protective flap 50 is retracted downwards and frees access to the contacts. The base 2 includes return means, advantageously made by a spring, not visible in the figures, which automatically return the protective flap 50 to the deployed position when no pressure is exerted by the iron 1 on the protective flap 50.

[0050] The second part of the electrical connector 5, visible in [Fig. 3], is arranged on a rear face of the cantilevered rear part of the iron 1 and comprises five protruding conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2. The conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2 are laterally bordered by two guide walls 51 which extend rearward, beyond the conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2, and form a protective barrier for the conductive fingers against impacts when the iron 1 is tilted backward.

[0051] When the iron 1 is brought into a charging position illustrated in [Fig.1], the two guide walls 51 come into contact with two peripheral grooves 25F, visible in [Fig.2], arranged on either side of the central grooves of the stop 25, and come to interact with the protective flap 50 to tilt it into the retracted position in which the protective flap 50 does not cover the contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1. The five conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2 then fit into the central grooves 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E ​​of the base 2 to establish the electrical connection with the five contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 of the first part of the connector, and allow an exchange of electrical energy between the base 2 and the iron 1.

[0052] According to Figures 1 and 6, the base 2 comprises a U-shaped main reservoir 26 extending around the periphery of the base and having a filling hatch 26A. The base 2 includes a primary pump 6 for drawing water from the main reservoir 26 and sending it to the auxiliary reservoir 14, integrated into the iron 1.

[0053] To this end, the apparatus includes a hydraulic filling circuit 7, connecting the main tank 26 to the auxiliary tank 14, and a hydraulic return circuit 8 connecting the auxiliary tank 14 to the main tank 26. The hydraulic circuit filling 7 and the hydraulic return circuit 8 are arranged in parallel and establish a double connection between the main tank 26 and the auxiliary tank 14.

[0054] 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 by a first conduit 70 and a second part 7B, carried by the iron 1, which is connected to the auxiliary reservoir 14 by a second conduit 71.

[0055] The hydraulic return circuit 8 includes a second hydraulic connector comprising a first part 8A, carried by the base 2, which is connected to the main reservoir 26 by a third conduit 80 and a second part 8B, carried by the iron 1, which is connected to a fourth conduit 81 which opens at the top of the auxiliary reservoir 14 when the iron 1 is in the charging position.

[0056] The first parts 7A, 8A and second parts 7B, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors are equipped, in a manner known per se, with a ball valve 73, 83, visible on the [Fig. 11], which closes automatically when the first parts 7A, 8A and second parts 7B, 8B are not connected to each other.

[0057] Preferably, the first part 7A of the first hydraulic connector and the first part 8A of the second hydraulic connector are arranged on a platform provided at the top of the access ramp 21, the second part 7B of the first hydraulic connector and the second part 8B of the second hydraulic connector being arranged on an underside of the rear part of the iron 1.

[0058] Thus, the two parts 7A, 7B of the first hydraulic connector and the two parts 8A, 8B of the second hydraulic connector come opposite each other when the rear part of the iron 1 is brought over the access ramp 21 and is engaged in the receiving housing 23 of the base 2.

[0059] The base 2 advantageously comprises an annular groove 28 formed on the periphery of the first portions 7A, 8A of the first and second hydraulic connectors. The iron 1 advantageously comprises a protective rib 18 extending around the second portions 7B, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors and having a shape complementary to that of the groove 28.

[0060] The protective rib 18 provides protection against impacts to the second parts 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 centering of the first parts 7A, 8A and second parts 7B, 8B of the hydraulic connectors by engaging in the groove 28 when the iron 1 is brought into the charging position.

[0061] The electronic board present in the base 2 also controls the operation of the primary pump 6 so that water is automatically sent into the auxiliary tank 14 each time the iron 1 is in the charging position on the base 2.

[0062] In order to facilitate the placement of the iron 1 in the charging position and to ensure that it remains in this position, the device includes a magnetic attraction device 100 generating a force which attracts the iron 1 towards the stop 25 when the rear part of the iron 1 is brought into the receiving housing 23 of the base 2.

[0063] Preferably, the force generated by the magnetic attraction device 100 brings and maintains the iron 1 in the charging position illustrated in [Fig.1] in which the ironing surface is only in contact with the air and is raised relative to the work surface, advantageously making an angle between 9° and 20° relative to the latter and preferably of the order of 15°.

[0064] For this purpose, the magnetic attraction device advantageously comprises magnets 100 having the form of rectangular bars integrated into the base 2 and into the iron 1, the magnetic attraction force generated by the magnets 100 attracting the rear part of the iron 1 against the stop 25.

[0065] These magnets 100 have, for example, a length of approximately 4 cm, a width of approximately 1 cm and a height of approximately 5 mm. They are sized to generate a magnetic attraction force which ensures that the iron 1 remains balanced in the charging position.

[0066] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the magnets 100 are partially integrated into the base 2, in the immediate vicinity of the first parts 7A, 8A of the first and second hydraulic connectors, and are partially integrated into the iron 1, in the immediate vicinity of the second parts 7B, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors. Thus, the force generated by the magnetic attraction of these magnets 100 is located as close as possible to the connection axis of the first and second hydraulic connectors.

[0067] By way of example, the magnets 100 are made of ferrite or neodymium and have a strength of at least 0.6 T. The strength of the magnets 100 is selected, according to the weight of the iron 1, to ensure both the stability of the iron 1 in the charging position and the establishment of the hydraulic and electrical connections, while allowing the user to easily disconnect the iron 1 by applying downward pressure to the front end of the handle 11. Advantageously, the magnets 100 used are N48 class neodymium magnets, and their overall volume is preferably between 1500 mm³ and 6000 mm³.

[0068] The base 2 has a suitable shape allowing the centering and automatic tilting of the iron 1 towards the charging position when the iron 1 is brought onto the base by sliding its sole 10 along the access ramp 21. For this purpose, the base 2 has a step 27 having a notch 27A into which a stop 16 formed on the rear part of the iron 1, near the rear end of the sole 10, engages. The cooperation of this stop 16 with the step 27 makes it possible to lock the iron 1 in its recoil movement and to form a pivot point around which the iron 1 will tilt towards the charging position.

[0069] Preferably, the stop 16 has a convergent shape which protrudes under the rear part of the iron 1 and ensures lateral centering of the iron 1 in the notch 27A before serving as a pivot point.

[0070] Preferably, the device includes a locking device 9 which allows the iron 1 to be mechanically immobilized on the base 2 in the charging position in order to prevent the latter from accidentally detaching from the base 2 during transport of the device by the handle 11 of the iron 1, for example for storage in a cupboard or for placement on an ironing board.

[0071] According to figures 8 and 9, the locking device 9 advantageously comprises two locking fingers 92 which are mounted movable in translation between an unlocking position (illustrated in [Fig.8]), in which the iron 1 is not mechanically blocked by the locking device 9, and a locking position (illustrated in [Fig.9]) in which the iron 1 is mechanically immobilized by the locking fingers 92 in the charging position.

[0072] 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 locking position to the unlocking position and vice versa.

[0073] In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures, the button 90 protrudes from the edge of the receiving housing 23 and is disposed at the end of a lever 91 mounted pivoting around a rotation axis 91A advantageously arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 2.

[0074] The lever 91 is connected by a first connecting rod 93A to one of the locking fingers 92 and by a second connecting rod 93B to the other of the locking fingers 92, the first connecting rod 93A and the second connecting rod 93B being connected to the lever 91 at two points arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation 91A. The two locking fingers 92 are mounted to slide on horizontal guide rails 94 integrated into the base 2 and arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base 2.

[0075] Thus, pivoting the button 90 in a first direction allows the two locking fingers 92 to move towards each other, towards the illustrated locking position. on [Fig.9] in which the locking fingers 92 are inserted into an orifice 51 A, visible on [Fig.3], provided in the two guide walls 51 arranged on either side of the second part of the electrical connector 5 and prevent the iron 1 from being uncoupled from the base 2.

[0076] Pivoting the button 90 in the opposite direction allows the two locking fingers 92 to be moved towards the unlocking position, illustrated in figures 7 and 8, in which the locking fingers 92 are extracted from the orifice 51 A, so that the iron 1 can be uncoupled from the base 2 by applying pressure or pulling on the handle 11.

[0077] Preferably, and in accordance with [Fig. 6], the protective flap 50 of the first part of the electrical connector 5 has two end walls 50A that extend vertically on either side of the first part of the electrical connector 5 and are positioned opposite the two locking fingers 92 when the protective flap 50 is in the deployed position. Thus, the protective flap 50 prevents the locking fingers 92 from moving to the locked position when it is in the deployed position. Conversely, these end walls 50A retract and allow the locking fingers 92 to move to the locked position when the protective flap 50 is in the retracted position. Such end walls 50A therefore 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.

[0078] The operation of the ironing device thus produced will now be described.

[0079] When the user wishes to perform an ironing session, he fills the main tank 26 and connects the power cord of the base 2 to the domestic electrical network, the base 2 preferably being fixed on an ironing board.

[0080] The establishment of the connection between the conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2 and electrical contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 is detected by the electronic board present in the base 2 which then automatically causes the actuation of the primary pump 6 and the supply of the resistance of the heating body 12.

[0081] The actuation of the primary pump 6 ensures the filling of the auxiliary tank 14 using the water stored in the main tank 26, the water being sent into the auxiliary tank 14 by the filling circuit until it reaches the top of the auxiliary tank 14 where the excess water then returns to the main tank 26 by the hydraulic return circuit 8.

[0082] Such an arrangement of the return hydraulic circuit 8 in parallel with the filling hydraulic circuit 7 makes it possible, in particular, to operate the primary pump 6 continuously when the iron 1 is connected to the base 2 and to do without a full tank detection sensor in the auxiliary tank 14. In a In an alternative embodiment, the primary pump 6 can be activated for a predetermined duration each time the iron 1 is placed in the charging position on the base 2. The predetermined duration of operation of the primary pump 6 is then selected to be greater than or equal to the time required to completely fill the auxiliary reservoir 14, assuming that the latter is empty when the iron 1 is placed on the base 2.

[0083] The power supply to the resistance generates a rapid rise in temperature of the heating body 12 and of the temperature of the sole 10 which takes place without risk of damage to the base 2 and / or the ironing board since the sole 10 is not then in contact with them.

[0084] When the temperature of the heating element 12 reaches the set temperature, an indicator light and / or an audible alarm is advantageously activated to indicate to the user that the iron 1 is ready to be used.

[0085] He then moves the button 90 into the unlocked position so that the locking fingers 92 disappear from the holes 51A provided on the guide walls 51 at the rear of the iron 1.

[0086] The iron 1 is then held in position on the base 2 by the magnetic attraction forces generated by the magnets 100.

[0087] The user can then grasp the handle 11 and apply downward force at the front end of the handle 11 until the torque exerted by the user exceeds the magnetic attraction force generated by the magnets 100 and separates the rear part of the iron 1 from the base 2. The iron 1 then tilts along the access ramp 21 away from the stop 25 and can be freely moved on the ironing board to perform the ironing work. This disconnection of the iron 1 from the base 2 is accompanied by the interruption of the electrical and hydraulic power supply to the iron 1 via the electrical connector 5 and the first and second hydraulic connectors, respectively.

[0088] If the user wishes to have steam emitted through the steam outlet holes 110 of the soleplate 10, they simply need to press the trigger 15 to operate the secondary pump 13 and send water into the vaporization chamber 120. The vacuum created in the secondary reservoir 14, caused by the operation of the secondary pump 13, is then compensated by the air intake through the hydraulic return circuit 8, which opens at the top of the secondary reservoir 13. Thus, the hydraulic return circuit 8 has the advantage of serving as a vent circuit for the secondary reservoir 13 when the iron 1 is disconnected from the base 2.

[0089] 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 to the user that it needs to be connected to the base; the user simply slides the soleplate 10 along the access ramp 21, orienting the rear part of the iron 1 towards the stop 25, until the force generated by the magnets 100, which are then in close proximity to each other, causes the iron 1 to automatically tilt into the charging position. Tilting into this position simultaneously establishes the hydraulic connection between the first parts 7A, 8A and the second parts 7b, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors, and the electrical connection between the two parts of the electrical connector 5.

[0090] The establishment of the electrical connection is then detected by the electronic board present in the base 2 which triggers the actuation of the primary pump 6 continuously and the supply of the resistance of the heating body 12.

[0091] When the user has finished ironing and wishes to store the appliance, they simply unplug the power cord 24 from the mains and flip the button 90 to the locked position. Flipping the button 90 to the locked position causes the locking fingers 92 to move into the holes 51A in the guide walls 51 and locks the iron 1 in the charging position.

[0092] The user can then grasp the handle 11 of the iron 1 to move the entire device for storage without risk that sudden movements, which may accompany the transport of the device, will cause the base 2 to disconnect under the effect of its weight and fall to the ground.

[0093] The ironing device thus designed has the advantage of not requiring a water level sensor in the secondary reservoir integrated into the iron, thereby reducing its manufacturing cost and improving its reliability. Furthermore, the presence of the hydraulic return circuit eliminates the need to equip the secondary reservoir with a vent, both during the filling phase of the secondary reservoir, when the iron rests on the base, and during the ironing phase when the iron is used to produce steam.

[0094] The presence of the hydraulic return circuit also prevents any pressure build-up in the secondary reservoir, which helps to limit the risk of leaks at the hydraulic connectors during the connection and disconnection phases of the iron on the base.

[0095] The absence of pressure build-up in the secondary reservoir also allows the use of a lower power and therefore lower cost primary pump.

[0096] Of course, the invention is by no means 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. technical equivalents, without going outside the scope of protection of the invention.

[0097] Thus, in an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the device may only include a pump built into the iron which will be used both to fill the secondary reservoir when the iron is connected to the base and to supply the vaporization chamber with water when the iron is disconnected from the base.

[0098] In another embodiment not shown, only the base may be equipped with a pump used to refill the auxiliary reservoir with water when the iron is resting on the base. In this embodiment, the steam chamber of the iron will be gravity-fed from the water in the secondary reservoir. The iron may be without a steam trigger and be equipped, in a manner known per se, with a drip valve allowing continuous steam production, or be equipped with a drip valve whose opening is controlled by a steam trigger.

Claims

Demands

1. Ironing apparatus comprising a cordless iron (1) equipped with an auxiliary reservoir (14) and comprising a base (2) on which the iron (1) is intended to be placed in a charging position during inactive ironing phases, the base (2) comprising a main reservoir (26) and the apparatus comprising a hydraulic filling circuit (7) for supplying the auxiliary reservoir (14) with liquid from the main reservoir (26) when the iron (1) is in the charging position, the apparatus also comprising a hydraulic return circuit (8) for sending liquid from the auxiliary reservoir (14) to the main reservoir (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),characterized in that the iron (1) comprises a vaporization chamber (120) for the production of steam which is supplied with liquid from the auxiliary reservoir (14).

2. Ironing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydraulic filling circuit (7) comprises a first hydraulic connector including a first part (7A), carried by the base (2) and a second part (7B) carried by the iron (1), the first part (7A) and the second part (7B) of the first hydraulic connector being connected together when the iron (1) is in the charging position and in that the hydraulic return circuit (8) comprises a second hydraulic connector including a first part (8A), carried by the base (2) and a second part (8B), carried by the iron (1), the first part (8A) and the second part (8B) of the second hydraulic connector being connected together when the iron (1) is in the charging position.

3. Ironing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the second part (8B) of the second hydraulic connector is connected to a conduit which opens into the auxiliary reservoir (17), at a point advantageously located at the top of the latter when the iron (1) is in the charging position.

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

5. Ironing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the iron (1) includes a secondary pump (13) drawing the liquid present in the auxiliary reservoir (14).

6. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises an electrical connector (5) including a first part attached to the base (2) and a second part attached to the iron (1).

7. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a magnetic attraction device (100) generating a force which ensures the stable balance of the iron (1) in the charging position.

8. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, in the charging position, the soleplate (10) is only in contact with the ambient air.

9. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a locking device (9) including at least one locking element (92) which is movable between a locking position in which the locking element (92) mechanically immobilizes the iron (1) in the charging position and an unlocking position in which the iron (1) is no longer mechanically immobilized by the locking element (92).

10. Ironing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the locking device (9) comprises an actuating element (90) enabling the locking element (92) to be moved from the locking position to the unlocking position and vice versa.

11. Ironing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the actuation element is a button (90) manually actuated by the user.

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