Ironing appliance with a cordless iron.

Abstract

A method for managing the water supply to an auxiliary reservoir (14) of a cordless iron (1) equipped with a vaporization chamber (120) supplied with water from the auxiliary reservoir (14), said vaporization chamber (120) being provided in a heating element (12) comprising heating means (12A), and the auxiliary reservoir (14) being supplied with water from a charging base (2) when the iron (1) rests on the base (2) in a charging position, characterized in that, during each instant of connection of the iron (1) to the base (2), the quantity of water sent to the auxiliary reservoir (14) is less than or equal to the quantity of water that can be vaporized using the energy transmitted to the heating element (12) by the heating means (12A) during that same instant of connection. 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 a vaporization chamber for producing steam and a base on which the iron is intended to be placed in a charging position during inactive phases of ironing. More particularly, the invention relates to an ironing appliance in which the base comprises a main reservoir and the iron comprises an auxiliary reservoir from which liquid is drawn to be sent to the vaporization chamber. The appliance comprises means for heating the vaporization chamber and a hydraulic filling circuit for supplying the auxiliary reservoir with liquid from the main reservoir when the iron is in the charging position. State of the art

[0002] Patent application WO2017202706 discloses an ironing apparatus 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. The charging 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.In this document, the amount of water sent to the auxiliary tank is determined by an electronic controller, based on a variation in the soleplate temperature measured using a temperature probe. This prevents excessive water from being sent to the auxiliary tank and thus preventing it from being completely vaporized by the thermal energy stored in the soleplate. This also avoids the risk of water dripping through the soleplate's steam vents.

[0003] However, such a technical solution has the disadvantage of being costly to implement, as the iron must be equipped with a probe to accurately measure the temperature of the soleplate and transmit this information to the electronic controller, which manages the amount of water to be sent to the auxiliary reservoir of the iron. Furthermore, such a method of controlling the amount of water based on variations in the soleplate temperature does not yield satisfactory results because the temperature variation over a period of time is too sensitive. A few seconds, or even ten seconds, is not enough to be able to properly adjust the amount of water. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback by proposing a device that is more economical to manufacture and in which the risk of water dripping through the steam outlet holes of the sole of the iron remains limited.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a method for managing the supply of an auxiliary reservoir of a cordless iron equipped with a vaporization chamber supplied with water from the auxiliary reservoir, the vaporization chamber being provided in a heating body comprising heating means and the auxiliary reservoir being supplied with water from a charging base when the iron rests on the base in a charging position, characterized in that, during each instant of connection of the iron to the base, the quantity of water sent into the auxiliary reservoir is less than or equal to the quantity of water that can be vaporized using the energy transmitted to the heating body by the heating means during that same instant of connection.

[0006] Thus, the iron's heating element always has sufficient energy to vaporize the water in the reservoir when the iron is disconnected from the charging base. This results in a limited risk of water droplets being ejected from the vaporization chamber. Furthermore, this type of auxiliary reservoir supply management has the advantage of operating without requiring a sensor integrated into the iron, thereby reducing its implementation cost.

[0007] The management process 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 auxiliary reservoir is supplied with water by means of a pump, advantageously electric, and the pump is sized or controlled in such a way that, during each instant of connection of the iron to the base, the quantity of water sent into the auxiliary reservoir by means of the pump is less than or equal to the quantity of water that can be vaporized using the energy transmitted to the heating body by the heating means during that same instant of connection.

[0009] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the supply of the auxiliary reservoir, when the iron is in the charging position, is carried out with a flow rate, expressed in g / min, which is less than or equal to the result of the calculation P*60 / 2600, where P corresponds to the power of the heating means of the heating body expressed in Watts.

[0010] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, when the iron is in the charging position, the operation of the pump is interrupted when the operating time t0 of the pump is greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0011] Such a feature makes it possible in particular to stop the pump when pumping lasts too long due to a failure, for example a leak, or if the main tank is empty.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the temperature of the vaporization chamber is regulated around a setpoint temperature and the quantity of water sent into the auxiliary tank is managed in such a way that the maximum volume of water contained in the auxiliary tank is less than the quantity of water that can be vaporized in the vaporization chamber using the energy stored in the heating body when the thermostat setpoint temperature is reached.

[0013] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the iron includes a sensor for determining when the auxiliary tank is full and the liquid supply to the auxiliary tank is stopped when the sensor indicates that the auxiliary tank is full.

[0014] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the heating body is made of aluminum and the supply of liquid to the auxiliary tank is stopped when the volume of water contained in the auxiliary tank reaches a predetermined threshold, said threshold, expressed in ml, being less than the result of the equation 70*m*900 / 2600, where m corresponds to the mass of aluminum of the heating body expressed in kg.

[0015] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the heating body includes a temperature sensor and the liquid supply to the auxiliary tank is interrupted when the temperature of the heating body is below a predetermined temperature threshold.

[0016] The invention also relates to an apparatus comprising a cordless iron having a soleplate equipped with steam outlet holes and comprising a charging base having a main reservoir, the iron being intended to be placed in a charging position on the base during inactive phases of ironing, the iron comprising a vaporization chamber formed in a heating body and comprising an auxiliary reservoir from which liquid is drawn to be sent into the vaporization chamber, the apparatus comprising means for heating the vaporization chamber and 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 implements the method of managing the supply of the auxiliary reservoir as previously described.

[0017] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the hydraulic circuit of rem The pleating system includes a pump intended to supply the auxiliary tank, and the interruption of the liquid supply to the auxiliary tank is achieved by interrupting the operation of the pump.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the heating body has a mass m of aluminium expressed in kg and the maximum volume of the auxiliary reservoir, expressed in ml, is less than the result of the equation 70*m*900 / 2600.

[0019] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the auxiliary tank is configured to store water under pressure.

[0020] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the auxiliary tank comprises a deformable wall.

[0021] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the pump is disposed in the charging base.

[0022] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the pump is controlled by an electronic card provided in the charging base. 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] Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

[0029] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the auxiliary tank equipping the iron. ironing;

[0030] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the distributor and the head above the injection orifice of the vaporization chamber equipping the iron;

[0031] Fig. 8 is another perspective view of the distributor fitted to the iron;

[0032] Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the distributor shown without the trigger activation detection switch or the steam emission button;

[0033] Figure 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of the distributor equipped with the trigger or steam emission button activation detection switch;

[0034] The [Fig. 11] is a cross-sectional view of the distributor along line XI-XI of the [Fig.8];

[0035] Figure 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the base with the protective flap in deployed position;

[0036] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the interior of the base with the flap protection in deployed position

[0037] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the interior of the base with the flap protection in retracted position;

[0038] Figure 15 is a detailed perspective view of the locking device. unlock position;

[0039] Figure 16 is a detailed view of the locking device in the locking position. rusting;

[0040] Figure 17 represents the flowchart of the management program's operation of the pump;

[0041] Figure 18 is a schematic view of the device and in particular of its hy-circuit filling draulic;

[0042] Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary tank;

[0043] Figure 20 is a partially exploded perspective view of the detection device of a full auxiliary tank.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The base 2 comprises an access ramp 21 including a peripheral lower edge flush with the work surface and advantageously includes a ballast or means hanging brackets, not shown, ensuring its immobilization on the work surface.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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 setpoint temperature of approximately 170°C.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] Preferably, the auxiliary reservoir 14 is sized so that the thermal energy stored in the heating element 12, when the latter is at the set temperature of 170°C, allows all the water contained in the auxiliary tank 14 when the latter is full.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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:

[0058] V < dT*m *900 / 2600

[0059] 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

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] According to figures 7 to 11, the distributor 150 has 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 coupled in a hermetic manner to an injection port 121 provided in a closing cover of the vaporization chamber 120.

[0066] 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 head 122 by a second channel 152B.

[0067] 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.

[0068] According to [Fig. 11], the distributor 150 has a passage connecting the inlet chamber 153 to the first distribution chamber 154A, which is closed by a first valve 155A, and has a passage connecting the inlet 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] The second actuating rod 156B has a lower end that bears against the upper end of the second valve 155B and an upper end that is coupled to a second pushrod 157B mounted to move in translation on the upper body 156. The iron 1 has a button 158, movablely mounted in translation on the top of the iron 1, which is configured to press the second push button 157B, in order to cause the second actuating rod 156B to move downwards and the second valve 155B to open, when operated by the user.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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 and 5E1, are used to transmit information between the iron 1 and the base 2.

[0078] By way of example, contact 5A1 is advantageously used to transmit the auxiliary tank 14 full information provided by switch 171 of the detection device 17 and the activation information for trigger 15 or button 158 provided by switch 159. Contact 5E1 is advantageously used to transmit the signal from the CTN placed in the vaporization chamber 120.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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 the charging position on the base 2.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] Preferably, the first part 7A of the hydraulic connector is arranged on a platform provided at the top of the access ramp 21 and the second part 7B of the hydraulic connector is arranged on an underside of the rear part of the iron 1.

[0089] Thus, the two parts 7A, 7B of the hydraulic connector come opposite each other the 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] The protective rib 18 provides impact protection to 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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°.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] According to Figures 3 and 5, the magnets 100 are partly integrated into the base 2, in the immediate vicinity of the first part 7A of the hydraulic connector, and are partly 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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 into 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.

[0099] 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 placement on an ironing board.

[0100] 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 unlocking position (illustrated in Figures 13, 14 and 15), in which the iron 1 is not mechanically blocked by the locking device 9, and a locking position (illustrated in [Fig. 16]) in which the iron 1 is mechanically immobilized by the locking fingers 92 in the charging position.

[0101] Preferably, the locking device 9 comprises a latch 90, ac 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.

[0102] In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures, the latch 90 protrudes from the edge of the receiving housing 23 and is disposed at the end of a lever 91 mounted pivoting about an axis of rotation 91A advantageously arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 2.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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 on [Fig. 16] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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 element 12 so that the quantity of water injected into the auxiliary reservoir 14, during the connection time of the iron 1 to the base 2, is less than or equal to the amount 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.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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).

[0111] The operation of the ironing device thus produced will now be described.

[0112] When the user wishes to carry out 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.

[0113] 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 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 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].

[0114] When the program detects that the iron 1 is connected to the base 2, it checks if there is a change in the state of the connection of the 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 L-

[0115] Step 201 consists of looking at 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 auxiliary tank 14 is not full, then the program proceeds to step 202.

[0116] 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 vaporization chamber 120 is lower than the reference value, then the program returns to step 200. If the temperature of vaporization chamber 120 is greater than or equal to the reference value, then the program proceeds to step 203.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] 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 for use.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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 part 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] Since 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 the quantity of water that can be vaporized using the energy injected during this same connection time into the heating element 12 by means of the electrical resistance 12A, 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 tank 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 present in the auxiliary tank 14 will be exhausted before the energy stored in the heating element 12 is insufficient to allow its vaporization.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] 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.

[0134] The ironing device thus produced therefore has the advantage of providing very good ergonomics of use while being simple and economical to produce.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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 with respect to the amount of energy transmitted to the heating body.

Claims

Demands

1. Method of managing the supply of an auxiliary reservoir (14) of a cordless iron (1) equipped with a vaporization chamber (120) supplied with water from the auxiliary reservoir (14), said vaporization chamber (120) being provided in a heating body (12) comprising heating means (12A) and the auxiliary reservoir (14) being supplied with water from a charging base (2) when the iron (1) rests on the base (2) in a charging position, characterized in that, during each instant of connection of the iron (1) to the base (2), the quantity of water sent into the auxiliary reservoir (14) is less than or equal to the quantity of water that can be vaporized using the energy transmitted to the heating body (12) by the heating means (12A) during that same instant of connection.

2. A management method according to claim 1 in which the auxiliary reservoir (14) is supplied with water by means of a pump (6), characterized in that the pump (6) is sized or is controlled such that, during each instant of connection of the iron (1) to the base (2), the quantity of water sent into the auxiliary reservoir (14) by means of the pump (6) is less than or equal to the quantity of water that can be vaporized using the energy transmitted to the heating body (12) by the heating means during that same instant of connection.

3. Management method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the heating means (12A) deliver a power P expressed in Watts, characterized in that the supply of the auxiliary reservoir (14), when the iron (1) is in the refilling position is carried out with a flow rate, expressed in g / min, which is less than or equal to the result of the calculation P*60 / 2600.

4. Management method according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that, when the iron (1) is in the charging position, the operation of the pump (6) is interrupted when the operating time of the pump (6) is greater than a predetermined threshold.

5. A management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature of the vaporization chamber (120) is regulated around a setpoint temperature, characterized in that the quantity of water sent to the auxiliary reservoir (14) is managed in such a way so that the maximum volume of water contained in the auxiliary reservoir (14) is less than the amount of water that can be vaporized in the vaporization chamber (120) using the energy stored in the heating body (12) when the thermostat setpoint temperature is reached.

6. A management method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the iron includes a sensor (17) for determining when the auxiliary reservoir (14) is full and in that the liquid supply to the auxiliary reservoir (14) is stopped when the sensor indicates that the auxiliary reservoir (14) is full.

7. A management method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heating body (12) has a mass of aluminium m expressed in kg, characterized in that the supply of liquid to the auxiliary tank (14) is stopped when the volume of water contained in the auxiliary tank reaches a predetermined threshold, said threshold, expressed in ml, being less than the result of the equation 70*m*900 / 2600.

8. A management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heating body (12) includes a temperature sensor, characterized in that the liquid supply to the auxiliary tank (14) is interrupted when the temperature of the heating body (12) is below a predetermined temperature threshold.

9. Ironing appliance comprising a cordless iron (1) having a soleplate (10) equipped with steam outlet holes (110) and comprising a charging base (2) having a main reservoir (26), the iron (1) being intended to be placed in a charging position on the base (2) during inactive ironing phases, the iron (1) comprising a vaporization chamber (120) formed in a heating body (12) and comprising an auxiliary reservoir (14) from which liquid is drawn to be sent to the vaporization chamber (120), the appliance comprising means for heating the vaporization chamber (120) and a hydraulic filling circuit 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 said apparatus implements the method for managing the supply of the auxiliary tank (14) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Ironing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the hydraulic filling circuit comprises a pump (6) intended to supplying the auxiliary tank (14) and in that the interruption of the liquid supply to the auxiliary tank (14) is achieved by interrupting the operation of the pump (6).

11. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the heating body (12) has a mass m of aluminium expressed in kg and in that the maximum volume of the auxiliary reservoir (14), expressed in ml, is less than the result of the equation 70*m*900 / 2600.

12. Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the auxiliary reservoir (14) is configured to store pressurized water.

13. Ironing apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the auxiliary reservoir (14) comprises a deformable wall (142).

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