Ironing appliance with a cordless iron.

Abstract

An ironing appliance comprising a cordless iron (1) equipped with an auxiliary reservoir (14) and a charging base (2) on which the iron (1) is intended to be placed in a charging position during inactive ironing phases, comprising a main reservoir (26), the appliance comprising a hydraulic filling circuit including an electric pump (6) 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 the auxiliary reservoir (14) is configured to store liquid under pressure. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

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 charging base, on which the iron is intended to be placed in a charging position during inactive ironing phases, and comprising a main reservoir. The present invention relates more particularly to ironing appliances of this type comprising a hydraulic filling circuit including an electric pump for supplying the auxiliary reservoir with liquid from the main reservoir when the iron is in the charging position. State of the art

[0002] It is known from document JP2754893, an ironing device comprising a cordless iron equipped with an auxiliary tank and having a charging base equipped with a main tank and a pump, the auxiliary tank being filled by means of the pump with water from the main tank when the iron rests on the charging base.

[0003] Such an ironing device has the advantage of offering good ergonomics of use thanks to the great maneuverability offered by the cordless iron.

[0004] However, such an iron has limited ironing performance, particularly due to the low steam output it is capable of producing. Such an iron also has the disadvantage of requiring a sensor to detect when the auxiliary tank is full, which is expensive to manufacture and unreliable. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0006] .To this end, the invention relates to an ironing device comprising a cordless iron equipped with an auxiliary reservoir and including a charging base, on which the iron is intended to be placed in a charging position during inactive ironing phases, comprising a main reservoir, the device comprising a hydraulic filling circuit including an electric pump intended to supply the auxiliary reservoir with liquid from the main reservoir when the iron is in the charging position, characterized in that the auxiliary reservoir is configured to store liquid under pressure.

[0007] Such an auxiliary pressurized reservoir allows the iron to have pressurized liquid without having to use a pump built into the iron. Ironing. Thus, if the iron is equipped with a steam chamber for producing steam, the auxiliary pressurized tank offers the advantage of allowing a higher steam output. If the iron is equipped with a spray nozzle, such an auxiliary tank allows water to be sprayed onto the laundry without using a pump built into the iron.

[0008] The device may also have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0009] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the auxiliary reservoir comprises a deformable pocket.

[0010] Such a feature allows for an auxiliary reservoir whose volume adapts to the quantity of liquid contained in the reservoir, the deformable pouch being able to advantageously contribute to pressurizing the liquid contained in the auxiliary reservoir.

[0011] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the auxiliary tank includes a movable element configured to exert pressure on the liquid contained in the auxiliary tank.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the moving part occupies a so-called full tank position when the auxiliary tank is filled with liquid, and the device includes a detection device which is actuated directly or indirectly by the moving part when the latter occupies a so-called full tank position.

[0013] Such a detection device has the advantage of being reliable and economical to implement.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the detection device communicates with an electronic board which controls the operation of the electric pump.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the moving member moves along a longitudinal direction and the detection device is offset laterally on one side of the auxiliary tank relative to the longitudinal direction of movement of the moving member.

[0016] Such a feature makes it possible to limit the axial size of the auxiliary reservoir and therefore to facilitate its integration into the iron.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the detection device includes a switch which is actuated directly or indirectly by the moving member.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the switch is actuated by means of an actuating member configured to be set in motion when the moving part reaches the full tank position.

[0019] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the actuating member is a pivotally mounted actuating lever.

[0020] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the actuating lever is mounted pivotally around an axis carried by the auxiliary reservoir.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the moving member is a piston mounted to move against a return spring.

[0022] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the auxiliary reservoir comprises a flexible bellows which delimits, at least partially, a deformable pocket intended to receive the liquid and on which a piston exerts pressure.

[0023] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the iron comprises a heating body equipped with a vaporization chamber for the production of steam.

[0024] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the auxiliary reservoir communicates with the vaporization chamber by means of a supply circuit comprising a distribution device allowing the vaporization chamber to be supplied at least at two different non-harmful flow rates. Brief description of the figures

[0025] 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:

[0026] 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;

[0027] Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the iron disconnected from the base;

[0028] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the iron fitted to the device in Fig. 1;

[0029] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the components located inside the iron;

[0030] Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

[0031] Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the auxiliary tank equipping the iron. ironing;

[0032] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the distributor and the head above the injection orifice of the vaporization chamber equipping the iron;

[0033] Fig. 8 is another perspective view of the distributor fitted to the iron;

[0034] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the distributor shown without the trigger activation detection switch or the release button. steam ;

[0035] The [Fig. 10] is a partially exploded perspective view of the distributor equipped with the trigger activation detection switch or the steam emission button;

[0036] The [Fig. 11] is a cross-sectional view of the distributor along line XLXI of the [Fig. 8];

[0037] Figure 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the base with the protective flap in deployed position;

[0038] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the interior of the base with the protective flap in the deployed position.

[0039] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the inside of the base with the protective flap in the retracted position;

[0040] Fig. 15 is a detailed perspective view of the locking device in the unlocked position;

[0041] Fig. 16 is a detailed view of the locking device in the locked position;

[0042] Fig. 17 represents the flowchart of operation of the pump management program;

[0043] The [Fig. 18] is a schematic view of the device and in particular of its hydraulic filling circuit;

[0044] Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary tank;

[0045] Figure 20 is a partially exploded perspective view of the detection device of a full auxiliary tank.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] Figures 1 to 3 show an ironing appliance comprising a cordless iron 1 and a base 2 on which the iron 1 is intended to rest during inactive ironing phases. The iron 1 conventionally comprises a soleplate 10, advantageously flat, which is surmounted by a plastic housing equipped with a handle 11 for gripping.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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 or fastening means, not shown, ensuring its immobilization on the work surface.

[0051] The base 2 comprises, on either side of the access ramp 21, 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.

[0052] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, 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 has an ironing surface with steam outlet holes 110. The heating element 12 is advantageously made of cast aluminum, has 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. The heating element 12 contains a vaporization chamber 120 equipped with an NTC temperature sensor, not shown in the figures.

[0053] The power supply of the electric resistance 12A is managed by an electronic board 29 located in the base 2. When the iron 1 rests on the base 2, the electronic board 29 receives the information from the temperature sensor and regulates the power supply of the electric resistance 12A to bring the temperature of the vaporization chamber 120 to around a set temperature of approximately 170°C.

[0054] Preferably, the vaporization chamber 120 is supplied with water by means of a deformable auxiliary reservoir 14 integrated into the housing of the iron 1.

[0055] The auxiliary reservoir 14, shown in detail in [Fig. 6], comprises a body 140 defining a rigid enclosure closed at its upper part by a lid 141. The body 140 encloses a flexible bellows 142, advantageously having an accordion-shaped wall, which is hermetically sealed with the lid 141 and together with the latter defines a deformable pocket receiving the liquid contained in the auxiliary reservoir 14. The auxiliary reservoir 14 also comprises a piston 143 disposed between an end of the bellows 142 opposite the lid 141 and the body 140 of the auxiliary reservoir 14. The piston 143 is pushed by a return spring 144 and, under the pressure exerted by the spring 144, compresses the end of the bellows 142 and pressurizes the liquid contained in the auxiliary reservoir 14.

[0056] The cover 141 has an inlet port 14A which communicates with the interior of the bellows 142 through an inlet conduit 141A provided in the cover 141. The cover 141 also has an outlet port 14B which communicates with the interior of the bellows 142 through an outlet conduit 141B provided in the cover 141.

[0057] Preferably, the auxiliary tank 14 is sized so that the thermal energy stored in the heating body 12, when the latter is at the set temperature of 170°C, allows to vaporize all of the water contained in the auxiliary tank 14 when the latter is full.

[0058] By way of example, the maximum volume of the auxiliary reservoir 14 is advantageously around 15 ml for an aluminum heating body 12 with a mass of around 650 g.

[0059] Indeed, the maximum volume V of the auxiliary tank 14 can be determined from the following formula, taking into account a volumetric density of water of lkg / l:

[0060] V < dT*m *900 / 2600

[0061] where dT corresponds to the temperature drop of the heating body and m corresponds to the mass of the heating body, the specific heat capacity of aluminium being 900 J*Kg **KA and the latent heat of vaporization of water being 2600KJ*Kg 1

[0062] Consequently, considering a temperature drop of 70°C (to go from the setpoint temperature of 170°C to the limiting vaporization temperature of 100°C), we obtain a volume V which must be less than 15.75 ml.

[0063] As shown in Figures 5, 19 and 20, the iron 1 advantageously includes a detection device 17 for determining when the auxiliary reservoir 14 is full. This detection device 17 is, for example, a switch 171 which is actuated by the piston 143 when the piston 143 is in a lowered position.

[0064] Preferably, the switch 171 is offset on one side of the auxiliary tank 14 and is actuated by means of an actuating lever 170 which is mounted pivoting about an axis 170A, the actuating lever 170 comprising a first end intended to actuate the switch 171 and a second end which is driven in movement by the piston 143 when the latter occupies the lower position corresponding to the auxiliary tank 14 being full.

[0065] Such a construction, with a switch 171 located on the side, has the advantage of limiting the overall height of the auxiliary tank 14 and its full tank detection device 17. It also reduces the risk of water flowing onto the switch 171, and thus prevents damage to the switch, in the event of a leak in the auxiliary tank 14.

[0066] To allow the user to control steam production, the iron 1 has a trigger 15 located under the handle 11, preferably near its front end. The trigger 15 is configured to cooperate with a distributor 150 located in the housing at the front of the iron 1.

[0067] According to Figures 7 to 11, the distributor 150 comprises an inlet connector 153A connected to the outlet port 14B of the auxiliary reservoir 14 by a tube 151, and two outlet connectors 154C, 154D connected to a head 122 sealed to an injection port 121 provided in a closing cover of the vaporization chamber 120.

[0068] The first output connector 154C is connected to the head 122 by a first channel 152A and the second output connector 154D is connected to the head 122 by a second channel 152B.

[0069] As can be seen more clearly in Figures 9 and 11, the distributor 150 comprises a lower body in which an inlet chamber 153 is provided, supplied by the inlet connector 153A, and an intermediate body 154 that covers the inlet chamber 153. The intermediate body 154 comprises a first distribution chamber 154A and a second distribution chamber 154B arranged side by side. The first distribution chamber 154A communicates with the first outlet connector 154C through a first nozzle 154E, and the second distribution chamber 154B communicates with the second outlet connector 154D through a second nozzle 154F. Preferably, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second nozzle 154F is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first nozzle 154E.

[0070] According to [Fig. 11], the distributor 150 has a passage connecting the intake chamber 153 to the first distribution chamber 154A, which is closed by a first valve 155A, and has a passage connecting the intake chamber 153 to the second distribution chamber 154B, which is closed by a second valve 155B. The first valve 155A has an upper end provided with a first sealing cup 155C which seals the upper end of the first distribution chamber 154A, the first valve 155A being returned to a closed position by a return spring 155E. The second valve 155B has an upper end fitted with a second sealing cup 155D which seals the upper end of the second distribution chamber 154B, the second valve 155B being returned to a closed position by a return spring 155F.

[0071] The distributor 150 comprises an upper body 156 which sits atop the intermediate body 154 and which includes a first actuating rod 156A and a second actuating rod 156B mounted mobilis in translation in the upper body 156.

[0072] The first actuating rod 156A has a lower end which bears against the upper end of the first valve 155A and an upper end which is coupled to a first pusher 157A mounted movably in translation on the upper body 156. The trigger 15 is pivotally mounted on the lower part of the handle 11 and is configured to press the first pusher 157A, in order to cause the downward movement of the first actuating rod 156A and the opening of the first valve 155A, when it is operated by the user.

[0073] The second actuating rod 156B has a lower end which is in support against the upper end of the second valve 155B and an upper end which is coupled to a second pusher 157B mounted movably in translation on the upper body 156. The iron 1 has a button 158, mounted movably in translation on the top of the iron 1, which is configured to press the second pusher 157B, in order to cause the downward movement of the second actuating rod 156B and the opening of the second valve 155B, when operated by the user.

[0074] Thus, pressing the trigger 15 causes the first valve 155A to open and water to be injected into the vaporization chamber 120 according to a first flow rate which is dependent on the passage section of the first nozzle 154E and the water pressure present in the auxiliary reservoir 14.

[0075] Pressing the button 158 causes the second valve 155B to open and water to be injected into the vaporization chamber 120 at a second flow rate which is dependent on the passage section of the second nozzle 154F and the water pressure present in the auxiliary tank 14.

[0076] The water injected into the vaporization chamber 120 is vaporized and then distributed via a steam distribution circuit, conventionally provided between the sole 10 and the heating body 12, the steam distribution circuit supplying it with steam through the holes 110 provided in the sole 10.

[0077] According to figures 8 and 10, the distributor 150 advantageously comprises an actuator 159A which is mounted to move in translation along a vertical groove 156C formed in the upper body 156. The actuator 159A is capable of being pushed downwards, respectively by the first pusher 157A when the trigger 15 is activated or by the second pusher 157B when the button 158 is pressed, so as to actuate a switch 159 which serves to detect the actuation of one or the other of these organs.

[0078] According to figures 3 and 14, the receiving housing 23 includes a stop 25 comprising 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.

[0079] The first part of the electrical connector 5 comprises five contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 which are electrically connected to an 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, 5E1, are used to transmit information between the iron 1 and the base 2.

[0080] By way of example, contact 5A1 is advantageously used to transmit the auxiliary tank 14 full information provided by switch 171 of the device detection l7 and the activation information of the trigger 15 or the button 158 provided by the switch 159. The contact 5E1 is advantageously used to transmit the signal from the NTC placed in the vaporization chamber 120.

[0081] According to Figures 2 and 14, 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. 13], in which the contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 are masked by the protective flap 50 and a retracted position, illustrated in [Fig. 14], 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.

[0082] 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 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2 against impacts when the iron 1 is tilted backward.

[0083] 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.

[0084] As shown in Figures 2 and 12, the base 2 comprises a U-shaped main reservoir 26 extending around the periphery of the base 2 and having a filling hatch 26A. The main reservoir 26 includes, in a manner known per se, a vent circuit not shown in the figures, allowing the reservoir 26 to remain at atmospheric pressure. The base 2 also includes a pump 6, which is controlled by means of an electronic board 29, visible in Figures 5 and 12, integrated into the base 2. The pump 6 draws water from the main reservoir 26 and sends it to the auxiliary reservoir 14 of the iron 1 when the latter is in charging position on the base 2.

[0085] For this purpose, the device includes a hydraulic filling circuit connecting the main reservoir 26 to the auxiliary reservoir 14 when the iron 1 is in the charging position.

[0086] The hydraulic filling circuit includes a hydraulic connector comprising a first part 7A, carried by the base 2, which is connected to the 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.

[0087] The first part 7A of the hydraulic connector is equipped, in a manner known per se, with a ball valve which closes automatically when the first part 7A and the second part 7B are not connected to each other, the second part 7B of the connector comprising a finger which opens the ball valve when the first part 7A and the second part 7B are connected to each other.

[0088] According to [Fig. 18] which schematically represents the hydraulic filling circuit, the part of the latter making the connection between the second part 7B of the hydraulic connector and the auxiliary reservoir 14 includes a non-return valve 145. This non-return valve prevents the liquid present in the auxiliary reservoir 14 from escaping through the second part 7B of the hydraulic connector under the effect of the pressure prevailing in the auxiliary reservoir 14, in particular when the iron 1 is disconnected from the base 2.

[0089] The hydraulic filling circuit advantageously includes a return branch 19 consisting of a pipe connecting the first conduit 70 and the main reservoir 26, the return branch 19 opening into an upper area of ​​the main reservoir 26 located above the maximum filling water level of the main reservoir 26. The return branch 19 makes it possible to continuously return a portion of the water pumped by the pump 6 towards the main reservoir 26. Such a return branch 19 makes it possible in particular to generate a leak that allows any air bubbles present in the first conduit 70 to be evacuated and thus facilitates the priming of the pump 6 during the first use of the device.The return branch 19 also has the advantage of venting the first conduit 70 located downstream of the pump 70, which prevents the junction between the first part 7A and the second part 7B of the hydraulic connector from remaining under high pressure when the pump 6 is stopped. This limits the risk of leakage at the hydraulic connector.

[0090] Preferably, the first part 7A of the hydraulic connector is arranged on a platform formed at the top of the access ramp 21 and the second part 7B of the hydraulic connector is arranged on an underside of the back part of the iron 1.

[0091] Thus, the two parts 7A, 7B of the hydraulic connector come face to face with 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.

[0092] According to [Fig.2], the base 2 advantageously has a groove 28, formed at the periphery of the first part 7A of the hydraulic connector, and the iron 1 advantageously has a protective rib 18, visible on [Fig.3], which extends around the second part 7B of the hydraulic connector, the protective rib 18 having a shape complementary to the shape of the groove 28.

[0093] The protective rib 18 provides impact protection for the second part 7B of the hydraulic connector when the iron 1 is disconnected from the base 2. The protective rib 18 also ensures centering of the first part 7A and the second part 7B of the hydraulic connector by engaging in the groove 28 when the iron 1 is brought into the charging position. The protective rib 18 also helps prevent rotation and translation of the iron 1 relative to the base 2, in a plane parallel to the lower surface 20, thus laterally locking the iron 1 in the receiving compartment 23.

[0094] In order to facilitate the placement of the iron 1 in the charging position and to ensure that it is held 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.

[0095] 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°.

[0096] 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.

[0097] These magnets 100, for example, have 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.

[0098] According to Figures 3 and 5, the magnets 100 are partially integrated into the base 2, in the immediate vicinity of the first part 7A of the hydraulic connector, and are partially integrated into the iron 1, in the immediate vicinity of the second part 7B of the hydraulic connector. Thus, the force generated by the magnetic attraction of these magnets 100 is located as close as possible to the connection axis of the hydraulic connector.

[0099] 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.

[0100] To facilitate the docking of the iron 1 onto the base 2, the base 2 has a specially adapted shape that allows the iron 1 to be centered and automatically tilted towards the charging position when the iron 1 is brought onto the base 2 by sliding its soleplate 10 along the access ramp 21. For this purpose, the base 2 has a step 27, at the edge of each side wall 22, extending into the receiving compartment 23. Each step 27 has a lateral end at which the step 27 has a projecting corner forming a stop 27A. The base 2 thus has two stops 27A, advantageously arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base 2, which engage in two complementary notches 16 formed on the rear part of the iron 1, near the rear end of the soleplate 10.The cooperation of each of these stops 27A with the respective notches 16 makes it possible to block the iron 1 in its recoil movement and to form two pivot points around which the iron 1 will tilt towards the recharging position.

[0101] 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.

[0102] According to Figures 13 and 14, the locking device 9 advantageously comprises two locking fingers 92 which are mounted to move in translation between an unlocked position (illustrated in Figures 13, 14 and 15), in which the iron 1 is not mechanically blocked by the locking device 9, and a locked position (illustrated in [Fig. 16]) in which the iron 1 is mechanically immobilized by the locking fingers 92 in the charging position.

[0103] Preferably, the locking device 9 comprises a latch 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 vice versa.

[0104] In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures, the latch 90 protrudes from the edge of the receiving housing 23 and is located at the end of a lever 91 mounted to pivot about a rotation axis 91A advantageously arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 2.

[0105] 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.

[0106] Thus, pivoting the latch 90 in a first direction allows the two locking fingers 92 to move towards each other, towards the locking position illustrated in [Fig. 16] in which the locking fingers 92 are inserted into an orifice 51 A, visible in [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.

[0107] Pivoting the latch 90 in the opposite direction allows the two locking fingers 92 to be moved towards the unlocking position, illustrated in figures 13, 14 and 15, 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.

[0108] Preferably, and in accordance with [Fig. 13], 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 extended position. Thus, the protective flap 50 prevents the locking fingers 92 from moving to the locked position when it is in the extended 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 latch 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.

[0109] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flow rate of the pump 6 is sized according to the power of the electrical resistance of the heating body 12 so that the quantity of water injected into the auxiliary reservoir 14, during the time of connection of the iron 1 to the base 2, is less than or equal to the quantity of water that can be vaporized from the thermal energy transmitted to the heating body 12 by the electrical resistance 12A, during this same connection time.

[0110] Thus the flow rate of the pump 6 is established so that the quantity of water injected each second into the auxiliary reservoir 14 is less than or equal to the quantity of water that can be vaporized using the energy injected each second into the heating body 12 by means of the electrical resistance 12A.

[0111] As an example, the flow rate of pump 6 is set at 0.88 ml / s for a power of 2250W of the electrical resistance 12A.

[0112] Indeed, when the iron 1 is connected to the base 2, an energy of 2250 J is then transmitted every second to the heating element 12 by the electrical resistance 12A. This energy is sufficient to vaporize 0.88 g of water. This result is obtained by dividing the quantity of energy of 2250 J by the quantity of energy of approximately 2600 kJ / kg required to raise the water in the reservoir from the ambient temperature of approximately 18°C ​​to the temperature of 100°C (approximately 350 kJ / kg plus the latent heat of vaporization of water of 2257 kJ / kg).

[0113] The operation of the ironing device thus produced will now be described.

[0114] 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.

[0115] The establishment of the connection between the conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2 and the electrical contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 is detected by the electronic board 29 located in the base 2, for example by detecting the presence of a voltage at the contact 5E1 which receives the information from the NTC. This detection of the connection of the iron 1 to the base 2 is carried out during a first step 200 of a program for controlling the operation of the pump 6 illustrated in [Fig. 17].

[0116] When the program detects that iron 1 is connected to base 2, it checks if there has been a change in the state of the connection of iron 1 compared to the previous program loop. If so, the program resets a counter t0 corresponding to the pumping time of pump 6 before proceeding to step 201; otherwise, the program proceeds to step 201 without resetting the counter t().

[0117] Step 201 consists of monitoring the signal provided by the detection device 17. If the signal indicates that the auxiliary tank 14 is full, then the program returns to step 200. If the signal provided by the detection device 17 indicates that the tank auxiliary 14 is not full, so the program proceeds to step 202.

[0118] Step 202 consists of comparing the value provided by the temperature sensor of the vaporization chamber 120 with a reference value, for example 130°C. If the temperature of the vaporization chamber 120 is lower than the reference value, then the program returns to step 200. If the temperature of the vaporization chamber 120 is greater than or equal to the reference value, then the program proceeds to step 203.

[0119] Step 203 consists of comparing the pumping time t0 with a predetermined threshold, for example 20 seconds. If the pumping time t0 is greater than the predetermined threshold, then the program returns to step 200. If the pumping time t0 is less than the predetermined threshold, then the program continues to step 204.

[0120] Step 204 consists of running the pump 6 for a predetermined time, for example 10 ms, corresponding to a time step in the pump 6 management program. The pumping time is then incremented by 10 ms. The program is then returned to step 200.

[0121] The program for controlling the operation of the pump 6 thus implemented makes it possible to ensure controlled filling of the auxiliary tank 14 using water stored in the main tank 26.

[0122] Indeed, the test carried out in step 201 makes it possible to stop the filling of the auxiliary tank 14 when the latter is full.

[0123] The test carried out in step 202 makes it possible to allow the filling of the auxiliary reservoir 14 only if the temperature of the vaporization chamber 120 is sufficiently hot so as to always maintain a safety margin in energy.

[0124] Finally, the test carried out in step 203 makes it possible to stop the pump 6 when the pumping lasts too long, for example in the case of a failure of the detection device 17, knowing that the normal time to fill the auxiliary tank 14 is 17s.

[0125] The power supply to the 12A electric resistance during the time when the iron 1 is connected to the base 2 is regulated in a conventional manner around the set temperature, the power being sent through the contacts 5B1, 5C1, 5E1 to supply the 12A electric resistance of the iron 1 only when the temperature measured by the NTC is less than 170°C.

[0126] Such a power supply to the electrical resistance 12A generates a rapid rise in temperature of the heating body 12 and 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 the latter.

[0127] When the temperature of the heating element 12 reaches the setpoint temperature, a A light indicator and / or an audible alarm is advantageously activated to indicate to the user that the iron 1 is ready for use.

[0128] After ensuring that the latch 90 is in the unlocked position, the user can apply downward force to 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 ironing. 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 hydraulic connector 7A, 7B, respectively.

[0129] If the user wishes to release steam through the steam outlet holes 110 in the soleplate 10, they simply need to press either the trigger 15 or the button 158. Pressing the trigger 15 opens the valve 155A and provides a normal steam output of approximately 45 g / min, which prioritizes the iron's autonomy. Pressing the button 158 opens the valve 155B and provides a higher, enhanced steam output of approximately 120 g / min. The user can therefore choose, depending on their needs, to prioritize a high steam output at the expense of autonomy by pressing the button 158, or conversely, to prioritize autonomy at the expense of steam output by pressing the trigger 15.

[0130] 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, they simply slide the soleplate 10 along the access ramp 21, orienting the rear of the iron 1 towards the stop 25, until the notches 16 come into contact with the stops 27A and the force generated by the magnets 100 causes the iron 1 to automatically tilt into the charging position. Tilting into this position simultaneously establishes the hydraulic connection between the first part 7A and the second part 7B of the hydraulic connector and the electrical connection between the two parts of the electrical connector 5.

[0131] The establishment of the electrical connection is then detected by the electronic board 29 present in the base 2, the electronic board 29 managing the supply of the pump 6 according to the program previously described and the supply of the electrical resistance 12A of the heating body 12 according to the measurement of the NTC.

[0132] Given that the quantity of water injected by the pump 6 into the auxiliary reservoir 14 during the time the iron 1 is connected to the base 2 is less than or equal to Given the amount of water that can be vaporized using the energy injected into the heating element 12 by means of the electrical resistance 12A during the same connection time, the user can interrupt the charging of the iron 1 at any time by lifting it from the base 2 without risk of the amount of heat stored in the iron 2 being insufficient to vaporize the volume of water contained in the auxiliary reservoir 14. Thus, no water droplets will be emitted through the outlet holes 110 of the soleplate 10 if the user activates the trigger 15 after prematurely disconnecting the iron 1. Indeed, the water in the auxiliary reservoir 14 will be exhausted before the energy stored in the heating element 12 is insufficient to allow its vaporization.

[0133] The user can therefore use the iron 1 without necessarily waiting for it to have been placed on the base 2 for a sufficient time to reach an optimal autonomy condition, advantageously indicated by a light, in which the auxiliary water tank 14 is filled and the heating element 12 is at the set temperature.

[0134] 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 latch 90 to the locked position. Flipping the latch 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] The ironing device thus produced therefore has the advantage of providing very good ergonomics of use while being simple and economical to produce.

[0137] In particular, the iron equipping such an ironing appliance has the advantage of being devoid of any electronic components, as the management of the filling of the auxiliary iron's reservoir is carried out solely by the electronic circuit board integrated into the base. Thus, the iron is less expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, the absence of an electronic circuit board in the iron reduces its size and eliminates the problems usually associated with integrating an electronic circuit board in an environment subjected to high temperatures, water, and steam.

[0138] 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.

[0139] Thus, in an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the iron includes a water level sensor and / or a device for counting the quantity of water sent by the pump in order to know at any time the quantity of water carried in the auxiliary reservoir.

[0140] In an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the device may include a self-calibration program running regularly to measure the actual power of the electrical resistance (for example via the heating time) and the actual pump flow rate (via the tank filling time) in order to adapt the pump flow rate accordingly to the amount of energy transmitted to the heating body.

Claims

Demands

1. Ironing apparatus comprising a cordless iron (1) equipped with an auxiliary reservoir (14) and comprising a charging base (2), on which the iron (1) is intended to be placed in a charging position during inactive ironing phases, comprising a main reservoir (26), the apparatus comprising a hydraulic filling circuit comprising an electric pump (6) intended to supply the auxiliary reservoir (14) with liquid from the main reservoir (26) when the iron (1) is in the charging position, characterized in that the auxiliary reservoir (14) is configured to store liquid under pressure.

2. Ironing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the auxiliary reservoir (14) comprises a deformable pocket (142).

3. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the auxiliary reservoir (14) comprises a movable member (143) configured to exert pressure on the liquid contained in the auxiliary reservoir (14).

4. Ironing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said movable member (143) occupies a so-called full tank position when the auxiliary tank (14) is filled with liquid, and in that the apparatus includes a detection device (17) which is actuated directly or indirectly by the movable member (143) when the latter occupies a so-called full tank position.

5. Ironing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the detection device (17) communicates with an electronic card (29) which controls the operation of the pump (6).

6. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the moving member (143) moves in a longitudinal direction and in that said detection device (17) is offset laterally on one side of the auxiliary reservoir (14) relative to the longitudinal direction of movement of the moving member (143).

7. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said detection device (17) comprises a switch (171) which is actuated directly or indirectly by the moving member (143).

8. Ironing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said switch (171) is actuated by means of a member actuation (170) configured to be set in motion when the moving part (143) reaches the full tank position.

9. Ironing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said actuating member is a pivotally mounted actuating lever (170).

10. Ironing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the actuating lever (170) is mounted pivotally about an axis (170A) carried by the auxiliary reservoir (14).

11. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that said moving member is a piston (143) mounted movable against a return spring (144).

12. Ironing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the auxiliary reservoir (14) comprises a flexible bellows (142) which delimits, at least partially, a deformable pocket intended to receive the liquid and on which piston (143) exerts pressure.