Ironing appliance comprising a cordless iron and a base

Abstract

An ironing appliance comprising a cordless iron (1) comprising a soleplate (10) provided with an ironing surface intended to come into contact with the laundry and a base (2) on which the iron (1) is placed during inactive ironing phases, the appliance comprising a magnetic attraction device (100) generating a force contributing to bringing the iron (1) into and holding it a standby position on the base (2), characterized in that it comprises a locking device (9) comprising at least one blocking element (92) which is movable between a locking position, in which the blocking element (92) mechanically immobilizes the iron (1) in the standby position, and an unlocking position, in which the iron (1) is no longer mechanically immobilized by the blocking element (92).

Description

Ironing device comprising a cordless iron and a base.

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ironing apparatus comprising a cordless iron and a base on which the iron is placed during inactive ironing phases, the apparatus comprising a magnetic attraction device generating a force participating in bringing and maintaining the iron in the waiting position on the base. State of the art

[0002] It is known, from documents EP 3 420 130 and FR3127765, an ironing appliance comprising a cordless iron and a base on which the iron is arranged to be recharged with electrical energy and / or fluid. These documents also disclose a magnetic attraction device which generates a force participating in bringing and maintaining the iron in a recharging position in which the iron is electrically connected to the base by an electrical connector.

[0003] Such devices have the advantage of providing both good ergonomics of use and good safety of use thanks to the connection assistance provided by the attraction device. However, the attraction device must be sized so that the force generated is strong enough to ensure that the iron is held in the charging position and weak enough to allow easy disconnection of the iron when downward pressure is exerted on the handle of the iron.

[0004] Depending on the weight of the base, such a dimensioning of the magnetic attraction device may lead to the generation of a sufficient attraction force to allow the base to be lifted with the iron when the user exerts an upward pull on the handle. Thus, the user may be inclined to carry the entire appliance by grasping only the handle of the iron. However, such a practice is risky because it may lead to the base becoming detached and falling if the appliance is jolted during transport or if the base hits an obstacle. In particular, such a fall may lead to damage to the base and / or cause injury to the user.

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback.

[0006] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in proposing an apparatus comprising a cordless iron and a base comprising a magnetic attraction device participating in bringing and maintaining the iron in a waiting position on the base and in which the maintenance of the iron on the base during transport of the apparatus and / or storage of the apparatus is secure.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an ironing appliance comprising a cordless iron comprising a soleplate provided with an ironing surface intended to come into contact with the laundry and a base on which the iron is placed during inactive ironing phases, the appliance comprising a magnetic attraction device generating a force participating in bringing and maintaining the iron in a waiting position on the base, characterized in that it comprises a locking device comprising at least one blocking element which is movable between a locking position in which the blocking element mechanically immobilizes the iron in the waiting position and an unlocking position in which the iron is no longer mechanically immobilized by the blocking element.

[0008] Such a device has the advantage of providing very good ergonomics of use, the presence of the locking device providing additional security during transport or storage of the device by eliminating any risk of disconnection of the iron from the base.

[0009] The device may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0010] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, in the standby position, the iron is maintained in stable equilibrium, with the soleplate preferably only in contact with the ambient air, by the force generated by the magnetic attraction device, the standby position corresponding to a position of the iron in which it would be unstable in the absence of the magnetic attraction device.

[0011] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the base is a recharging base and the waiting position corresponds to a recharging position of the iron, the appliance comprising an electrical connector making it possible to electrically connect the iron to the base when the iron occupies the recharging position.

[0012] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the magnetic attraction device generates a force which helps to ensure the correct coupling of the iron with the base in the recharging position.

[0013] Such a device has the advantage of having a magnetic attraction device which helps to ensure a good coupling of the iron to the base in the charging position. Furthermore, the iron can be easily disengaged from the base by exerting pressure, or traction, on the iron to move it to a disengagement position in which the force generated by the magnetic attraction device no longer ensures the iron is held on the base.

[0014] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the locking device comprises an actuating element making it possible to move the blocking element from the locking position to the unlocking position and vice versa.

[0015] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the locking device comprises two locking fingers which are mounted to move in translation in guide rails, the locking fingers advantageously moving in opposite directions when the actuating element is actuated.

[0016] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the locking fingers are carried by the base, or by the iron and, in the locking position, said locking fingers engage in a suitable orifice, provided in the iron when the locking fingers are carried by the base, or in the base when the locking fingers are carried by the iron.

[0017] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the actuating element is integral with a lever mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the lever being connected by a first link to one of the locking fingers and by a second link to the other of the locking fingers, the first link and the second link being connected to the lever at two points arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0018] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the actuating element is a button that can be manually operated by the user.

[0019] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the base comprises a lower surface intended to rest flat on a work surface, the locking element being integrated into the base and the actuating element being a sensor carried by the base which moves the locking element into the unlocked position when the lower surface of the base rests on the work surface, the locking element being returned to the locked position by return means when the base is lifted from the work surface.

[0020] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the locking element is integrated into the base and the actuating element is a motor, or an electromagnetic device, which moves the locking element into the unlocked position when the base is electrically powered by the domestic network, the locking element being returned to the locked position by return means when the base is not electrically powered by the domestic network.

[0021] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the base comprises a main reservoir and the iron comprises an auxiliary reservoir, the appliance comprising at least one hydraulic filling circuit connecting the main reservoir to the auxiliary reservoir when the iron is in the waiting position.

[0022] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, it also comprises a hydraulic return circuit connecting the auxiliary tank to the main tank when the iron is in the waiting position, the hydraulic return circuit being arranged in parallel with the filling circuit.

[0023] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the appliance comprises a safety element which prevents the movement of the locking element towards the locking position when the iron is not in the waiting position.

[0024] Such a feature prevents the locking element from being moved to the locking position and prevents the iron from being coupled to the base when the iron is not connected to the base.

[0025] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the blocking element is arranged in the vicinity of the magnetic attraction device.

[0026] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, said magnetic attraction device comprises at least a first element integrated in the base and at least a second element integrated in the iron, the first and second elements being made of a magnetic or ferromagnetic material and being configured so as to come into the immediate vicinity of one another, being attracted towards one another, when the iron occupies the waiting position, the blocking element opposing, in the locking position, the increase in the air gap between the first element and the second element.

[0027] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the magnetic attraction device comprises magnets arranged in the iron and in the base, the locking element opposing, in the locking position, the increase in the air gap between the magnets of the iron and the base. Brief description of the figures

[0028] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0029] This is a perspective view of an ironing apparatus according to a particular embodiment of the invention, with the iron connected to the base;

[0030] This is another perspective view of the appliance with the iron disconnected from the base;

[0031] This is a perspective view of the iron equipping the apparatus in the figure;

[0032] This is a perspective view of the components inside the iron;

[0033] This is a perspective view of the interior of the base with the protective flap in the deployed position;

[0034] This is a perspective view of the inside of the base with the protective flap in the retracted position;

[0035] This is a detailed perspective view of the locking device in the unlocked position;

[0036] This is a detailed perspective view of the locking device in the locking position;

[0037] This is a detailed view of the locking device cooperating with the rear part of the iron in which the locking device is shown in the unlocked position;

[0038] This is a detailed view of the locking device 9 cooperating with the rear part of the iron in which the locking device is shown in the locking position;

[0039] This is a cross-sectional view of the main components of the iron.

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

[0041] It should be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "longitudinal", "transverse", used to describe the iron and the base refer to this iron and this base in use, that is to say when the ironing soleplate and the lower surface of the base are placed on a horizontal plane.

[0042] Figures 1 to 3 represent an ironing appliance comprising a cordless iron 1 and a charging base 2, on which the iron 1 is intended to rest during inactive ironing phases, the iron 1 comprising a flat soleplate 10 surmounted by a plastic housing provided with a grip handle 11.

[0043] The base 2 comprises a power cable 24 allowing its connection to a domestic electrical network and comprises a lower surface 20 intended to rest flat on a work surface, such as an ironing board. The base 2 comprises an access ramp 21 comprising a peripheral lower edge coming flush with the work surface and a ballast or attachment means, not shown, ensuring its immobilization on the work surface.

[0044] The access ramp 21 is bordered laterally by two side walls 22 which delimit between them a receiving housing 23 having a shape complementary to that of the rear part of the iron 1, the receiving housing 23 comprising a stopper 25 at its rear end.

[0045] According to figures 3, 4 and 11, the soleplate 10 of the iron 1 is in thermal contact with a heating body 12 integrated in the body of the iron 1, and comprises an ironing surface provided with steam outlet holes 110. The heating body 12 is made from an aluminum foundry, advantageously having a mass of the order of 650 g, and comprises an electrical resistance 12A providing a power of the order of 2250 W at a voltage of 230V, as well as a vaporization chamber 120 provided with a temperature sensor of the CTN type, not shown in the figures.

[0046] The power supply to the 12A electrical resistance is managed by an electronic card placed in the base 2. When the iron 1 rests on the base 2, the electronic card receives the information from the temperature sensor and regulates the power supply to the 12A electrical resistance to bring the temperature of the vaporization chamber 120 to around a set temperature of the order of 170°C.

[0047] The vaporization chamber 120 is supplied with water by means of a secondary pump 13 arranged inside an auxiliary reservoir 14 integrated in the housing of the iron 1. The iron 1 comprises a trigger 15 located under the handle 11, preferably in the vicinity of its front end, which orders the operation of the secondary pump 13 when it is actuated and makes it possible to supply the vaporization chamber 120 with water from the auxiliary reservoir 14, preferably with a water flow rate of the order of 35 gr / min.

[0048] The vaporization chamber 120 communicates conventionally with a steam distribution circuit, arranged between the soleplate 10 and the heating body 12, which allows the steam supply to the holes 110 arranged in the soleplate 10.

[0049] According to Figures 3 and 6, the stopper 25 comprises a first part of an electrical connector 5 intended to be electrically connected to a second part of the electrical connector 5 carried by the iron 1, in order to allow the electrical connection of the base 2 with the iron 1.

[0050] The first part of the electrical connector 5 comprises five contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 which are electrically connected to the electronic card integrated in the base 2, three of these contacts 5B1, 5C1, 5E1 making it possible to supply the iron 1 with the current from the domestic electrical network and being conventionally connected to the phase, neutral and earth. The other two contacts 5A1, 5E1 are intended to transmit information between the iron 1 and the base 2.

[0051] For example, contact 5A1 is advantageously used to transmit information from at least one sensor embedded in the iron 1. Contact 5E1 is advantageously used to transmit the signal from the CTN placed in the vaporization chamber 120.

[0052] According to Figures 2 and 6, the five contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 are respectively arranged behind five central grooves 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E ​​extending vertically on the stopper 25. The base 2 advantageously comprises a protective flap 50 pivotally mounted between a deployed position, illustrated in the, in which the contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 are masked by the protective flap 50 and a retracted position, illustrated in the, in which the protective flap 50 is retracted downwards and frees access to the contacts. The base 2 comprises return means, advantageously produced 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.

[0053] The second part of the electrical connector 5, visible in the, is arranged on a rear face of the rear overhanging part of the iron 1 and comprises five projecting conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2. The conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2 are bordered laterally by two guide walls 51 which extend rearwardly, beyond the conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2, and form a barrier for protecting the conductive fingers against impacts when the iron 1 is tilted backwards.

[0054] When the iron 1 is brought into a recharging position illustrated in the, the two guide walls 51 are inserted into two peripheral grooves 25F, visible in the, arranged on either side of the central grooves of the stopper 25, and interact with the protective flap 50 to make it tilt 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 are then inserted 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.

[0055] According to Figures 1 and 6, the base 2 comprises a U-shaped main tank 26 which extends around the periphery of the base and has a filling hatch 26A. The base 2 comprises a primary pump 6 for drawing the water contained in the main tank 26 to send it to the auxiliary tank 14, integrated in the iron 1.

[0056] For this purpose, the device comprises a hydraulic filling circuit, connecting the main tank 26 to the auxiliary tank 14, and a hydraulic return circuit connecting the auxiliary tank 14 to the main tank 26. The hydraulic filling circuit and the hydraulic return circuit are arranged in parallel and establish a double connection between the main tank 26 and the auxiliary tank 14.

[0057] The hydraulic filling circuit comprises a first hydraulic connector comprising a first part 7A, carried by the base 2, which is connected to the primary pump 6 by a conduit and a second part 7B, carried by the iron 1, which is connected to the auxiliary tank 14 by a conduit.

[0058] The return hydraulic circuit comprises a second hydraulic connector comprising a first part 8A, carried by the base 2, which is connected to the main reservoir 26 by a conduit and a second part 8B, carried by the iron 1, which is connected by a conduit which opens at the top of the auxiliary reservoir 14 when the iron 1 occupies the recharging position.

[0059] The first parts 7A, 8A and second parts 7B, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors are equipped, in a manner known per se, with a valve closing automatically when the first parts 7A, 8A and second parts 7B, 8B are not connected to each other.

[0060] Preferably, the first part 7A of the first hydraulic connector and the first part 8A of the second hydraulic connector are arranged on a platform provided at the top of the access ramp 21, the second part 7B of the first hydraulic connector and the second part 8B of the second hydraulic connector being arranged on a lower face of the rear part of the iron 1.

[0061] Thus, the two parts 7A, 7B of the first hydraulic connector and the two parts 8A, 8B of the second hydraulic connector come opposite each other when the rear part of the iron 1 is brought above the access ramp 21 and is engaged in the receiving housing 23 of the base 2.

[0062] The base 2 advantageously comprises a groove 28 of annular shape, arranged at the periphery of the first parts 7A, 8A of the first and second hydraulic connectors. The iron 1 advantageously comprises a protective rib 18 which extends around the second parts 7B, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors and which has a shape complementary to the shape of the groove 28.

[0063] The protective rib 18 provides protection against impacts for the second parts 7B, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors when the iron 1 is disconnected from the base 2. The protective rib 18 also provides centering for the first parts 7A, 8A and second parts 7B, 8B of the hydraulic connectors by engaging in the groove 28 when the iron 1 is brought into the recharging 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, which allows the iron 1 to be laterally locked in the receiving housing 23 and in particular prevents the latter from sliding towards the front of the base 2.

[0064] The electronic card present in the base 2 also controls the operation of the primary pump 6 so that water is automatically sent to the auxiliary tank 14 each time the iron 1 is in the recharging position on the base 2.

[0065] In order to facilitate the placement of the iron 1 in the recharging position and to ensure that it is held in this position, the appliance comprises a magnetic attraction device 100 generating a force which attracts the iron 1 towards the stopper 25 when the rear part of the iron 1 is brought into the receiving housing 23 of the base 2.

[0066] Preferably, the force generated by the magnetic attraction device 100 brings and maintains the iron 1 in the recharging position illustrated in which the ironing surface is only in contact with the air and is raised relative to the work surface, advantageously making an angle of between 9° and 20° relative to the latter and preferably of the order of 15°.

[0067] For this purpose, the magnetic attraction device advantageously comprises magnets 100 having the shape of rectangular bars integrated in the base 2 and in the iron 1, the magnetic attraction force generated by the magnets 100 attracting the rear part of the iron 1 against the stopper 25.

[0068] These magnets 100 have, for example, a length of the order of 4 cm, a width of the order of 1 cm and a height of the order of 5 mm. They are sized to generate a magnetic attraction force which ensures that the iron 1 is kept in balance in the charging position.

[0069] According to Figures 3 and 5, the magnets 100 are partly integrated in the base 2, in the immediate vicinity of the first parts 7A, 8A of the first and second hydraulic connectors and are partly integrated in the iron 1, in the immediate vicinity of the second parts 7B, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors. Thus, the force generated by the magnetic attraction of these magnets 100 is located as close as possible to the connection axis of the first and second hydraulic connectors.

[0070] For example, the magnets 100 are made of ferrite or neodymium and have a power of at least 0.6 T, the power of the magnets 100 being selected, depending on the weight of the iron 1, to ensure both the balance of the iron 1 in the charging position and the establishment of the hydraulic and electrical connections, while allowing easy disconnection of the iron 1, by the user, when the latter exerts a downward thrust at the front end of the handle 11. Advantageously, the magnets 100 used are class N48 Neodymium magnets, and their overall volume is preferably between 1500 mm3 and 6000 mm3.

[0071] The base 2 has a suitable shape allowing the iron 1 to be centered and automatically tilted towards the recharging position when the iron 1 is brought onto the base by sliding its soleplate 10 along the access ramp 21. For this purpose, the base 2 has a step 27 having a notch 27A in which a stop 16 arranged on the rear part of the iron 1, in the vicinity of the rear end of the soleplate 10, engages. The cooperation of this stop 16 with the step 27 makes it possible to block the iron 1 in its backward movement and to form a pivot point around which the iron 1 will tilt towards the recharging position.

[0072] Preferably, the stop 16 has a convergent shape which projects under the rear part of the iron 1 and ensures lateral centering of the iron 1 in the notch 27A before serving as a pivot point.

[0073] More particularly according to the invention, the appliance comprises a locking device 9 which makes it possible to mechanically immobilize the iron 1 on the base 2 in the recharging position in order to prevent the latter from accidentally becoming detached from the base 2 when transporting the appliance by the handle 11 of the iron 1, for example for storing it in a cupboard or placing it on an ironing board.

[0074] According to Figures 5 to 9, the locking device 9 advantageously comprises two locking fingers 92 which are mounted to move in translation between an unlocking position (illustrated in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 9), in which the iron 1 is not mechanically blocked by the locking device 9, and a locking position (illustrated in Figures 8 and 10) in which the iron 1 is mechanically immobilized by the locking fingers 92 in the recharging position.

[0075] Preferably, the locking device 9 comprises a button 90, accessible from outside the device, which makes it possible to move the two locking fingers 92 from the locking position to the unlocking position and vice versa.

[0076] In the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures, the button 90 projects from the edge of the receiving housing 23 and is arranged at the end of a lever 91 mounted to pivot around an axis of rotation 91A advantageously arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 2.

[0077] The lever 91 is connected by a first link 93A to one of the locking fingers 92 and by a second link 93B to the other of the locking fingers 92, the first link 93A and the second link 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 slidably mounted on horizontal guide rails 94 integrated in the base 2 and arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base 2.

[0078] Thus, pivoting the button 90 in a first direction makes it possible to move the two locking fingers 92 towards each other, towards the locking position illustrated in Figures 8 and 10 in which the locking fingers 92 are inserted into an orifice 51A 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.

[0079] Pivoting the knob 90 in the opposite direction allows the two locking fingers 92 to be moved apart towards the unlocked position illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 8 in which the locking fingers 92 are extracted from the orifice 51A, so that the iron 1 can be uncoupled from the base 2 by exerting pressure or traction on the handle 11.

[0080] Preferably and in accordance with the, the protective flap 50 of the first part of the electrical connector 5 comprises two end walls 50A which extend vertically on either side of the first part of the electrical connector 5 and come opposite the two locking fingers 92 when the protective flap 50 occupies the deployed position. Thus the protective flap 50 prevents the movement of the locking fingers 92 towards the locking position when it occupies the deployed position. Conversely, these end walls 50A disappear and allow the movement of the locking fingers 92 towards the locking position when the protective flap 50 occupies the retracted position. Such end walls 50A therefore make it possible to prevent the movement of the button 90 of the locking device 9 towards the locking position when the iron 1 is not in the charging position on the base 2.

[0081] The operation of the ironing device thus produced will now be described.

[0082] 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.

[0083] The establishment of the connection between the conductive fingers 5A2, 5B2, 5C2, 5D2, 5E2 and electrical contacts 5A1, 5B1, 5C1, 5D1, 5E1 is detected by the electronic card present in the base 2 which then automatically causes the actuation of the primary pump 6 and the power supply of the resistance of the heating body 12.

[0084] The actuation of the primary pump 6 ensures the filling of the auxiliary tank 14 using the water stored in the main tank 26, the water being sent into the auxiliary tank 14 by the filling circuit until it reaches the top of the auxiliary tank 14 where the excess water then returns to the main tank 26 by the hydraulic return circuit.

[0085] Such an arrangement of the return hydraulic circuit in parallel with the filling hydraulic circuit makes it possible in particular to operate the primary pump 6 continuously when the iron 1 is connected to the base 2 and to do without a full tank detection sensor in the auxiliary tank 14. In an alternative embodiment, the primary pump 6 can be put into operation for a predetermined duration each time the iron 1 is placed in the refill position on the base 2. The predetermined duration of operation of the primary pump 6 is then selected to be greater than or equal to the time necessary to completely fill the auxiliary tank 14, starting from the assumption that the latter is empty when the iron 1 is placed on the base 2.

[0086] The power supply to the 12A electrical resistor generates a rapid rise in temperature of the heating body 12 and the temperature of the soleplate 10 which occurs without risk of damage to the base 2 and / or the ironing board since the soleplate 10 is then not in contact with the latter.

[0087] When the temperature of the heating body 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.

[0088] It then moves the button 90 into the unlocked position so that the locking fingers 92 clear the holes 51A provided on the guide walls 51 at the rear of the iron 1.

[0089] The iron 1 is then held in position on the base 2 solely by the magnetic attraction forces generated by the magnets 100.

[0090] The user can then grasp the handle 11 and exert a downward force at the front end of the handle 11 until the torque exerted by the user exceeds the magnetic attraction force generated by the magnets 100 and moves the rear part of the iron 1 away from the base 2. The iron 1 then tilts along the access ramp 21 away from the stopper 25 and can be freely moved on the ironing board to carry out the ironing work. This disconnection of the iron 1 from the base 2 is then accompanied by the interruption of the electrical and hydraulic power supply to the iron 1 respectively by the electrical connector 5 and the first and second hydraulic connectors.

[0091] If the user wishes to have steam emission through the steam outlet holes 110 of the soleplate 10, he simply has to press the trigger 15 so as to operate the secondary pump 13 and send water into the vaporization chamber 120. The depression of the secondary reservoir 14, caused by the operation of the secondary pump 13, is then compensated by the entry of air which then takes place via the hydraulic return circuit which opens at the top of the secondary reservoir 13. Thus, the hydraulic return circuit has the advantage of also serving as a vent circuit for the secondary reservoir 13 when the iron 1 is disconnected from the base 2.

[0092] When the user wishes to place the iron 1 back on the base 2, for example to handle the laundry to be ironed, or because the iron 1 indicates to him that it needs to be connected to the base, he simply has to slide the soleplate 10 along the access ramp 21 by orienting the rear part of the iron 1 towards the stopper 25, until the force generated by the magnets 100, which are then in the vicinity of each other, causes the iron 1 to automatically tilt into the charging position. Tilting into this position simultaneously causes the hydraulic connection between the first parts 7A, 8A and second parts 7b, 8B of the first and second hydraulic connectors and the electrical connection between the two parts of the electrical connector 5.

[0093] The establishment of the electrical connection is then detected by the electronic card present in the base 2 which triggers the continuous actuation of the primary pump 6 and the power supply of the resistance of the heating body 12.

[0094] When the user has finished the ironing session and wishes to put away his appliance, he simply has to unplug the power cable 24 from the electrical network and switch the button 90 to the locking position. Switching the button 90 to the locking position causes the locking fingers 92 to move into the holes 51A of the guide walls 51 and the iron 1 to lock in the charging position.

[0095] The user can then grasp the handle 11 of the iron 1 to move the entire appliance for storage without the risk of sudden movements that may accompany the transport of the appliance causing the base 2 to disconnect under the effect of its weight and fall to the floor.

[0096] The ironing device thus produced therefore has the advantage of providing very good ergonomics of use by allowing safe transport of the device by the handle of the iron.

[0097] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only as an example. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0098] Thus, in an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the magnets carried by the iron or by the base may be replaced by a bar made of ferromagnetic material, for example iron or steel.

[0099] Thus, in an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the button of the locking device may be replaced by an actuating element, such as a feeler, arranged on the lower surface of the base and which is actuated automatically under the weight of the base when the latter rests on a support surface. The actuating element will then be connected to the locking fingers by a mechanism making it possible to move the latter towards the unlocking position when the actuating element is actuated under the weight of the base and to move them towards the unlocking position when the base is lifted from the support surface.

[0100] In another alternative embodiment not shown, the locking device may be without a button that can be manually operated by the user and be equipped with a motor or an electromagnet that automatically moves the locking fingers into the unlocking position when the appliance is connected to the domestic electrical network by its power cable and are automatically returned to the locking position, for example by a return spring, when the appliance is disconnected from the electrical network. An alternative embodiment makes it possible to have a locking device that is automatically activated when the base is no longer electrically powered.

Claims

Ironing apparatus comprising a cordless iron (1) comprising a soleplate (10) provided with an ironing surface intended to come into contact with the laundry and a base (2) on which the iron (1) is placed during inactive ironing phases, the apparatus comprising a magnetic attraction device (100) generating a force participating in bringing and maintaining the iron (1) in a waiting position on the base (2), characterized in that it comprises a locking device (9) comprising at least one blocking element (92) which is movable between a locking position in which the blocking element (92) mechanically immobilizes the iron (1) in the waiting position and an unlocking position in which the iron (1) is no longer mechanically immobilized by the blocking element (92). Ironing appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (2) is a charging base and the waiting position corresponds to a charging position of the iron (1), the appliance comprising an electrical connector (5) allowing the iron (1) to be electrically connected to the base (2) when the iron (1) occupies the charging position. Ironing appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that the magnetic attraction device (100) generates a force participating in ensuring the correct coupling of the iron (1) with the base (2) in the recharging position. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking device (9) comprises an actuating element (90) for moving the blocking element (92) from the locking position to the unlocking position and vice versa. Ironing appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking device (9) comprises two locking fingers (92) which are mounted movable in translation in guide rails (94), said locking fingers (92) advantageously moving in opposite directions when the actuating element (90) is actuated. Ironing appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking fingers (92) are carried by the base (2), or by the iron (1) and in that, in the locking position, said locking fingers (92) engage in a suitable orifice (51A), provided in the iron (1) when the locking fingers (92) are carried by the base (2), or in the base (2) when the locking fingers (92) are carried by the iron (1). Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the actuating element (90) is integral with a lever (91) rotatably mounted around an axis of rotation (91A) and in that the lever (91) is connected by a first link (93A) to one of the locking fingers (92) and by a second link (93B) to the other of the locking fingers (92), the first link (93A) and the second link (93B) being connected to the lever (91) at two points arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation (91A). Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the actuating element is a button (90) manually actuated by the user. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the base (2) comprises a lower surface (20) intended to rest flat on a work surface, the locking element (92) being integrated in the base (2) and in that the actuating element is a feeler carried by the base (2) which moves the locking element (92) into the unlocked position when the lower surface of the base (2) rests on the work surface, the locking element (92) being returned to the locked position by return means when the base (2) is lifted from the work surface. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the locking element (92) is integrated in the base (2) and in that the actuating element is a motor, or an electromagnetic device, which moves the locking element (92) into the unlocked position when the base (2) is electrically powered by the domestic network, the locking element (92) being returned to the locked position by return means when the base (2) is not electrically powered by the domestic network. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the base (2) comprises a main reservoir (26) and the iron comprises an auxiliary reservoir (14), characterized in that it comprises at least one hydraulic filling circuit connecting the main reservoir (26) to the auxiliary reservoir (14) when the iron (1) occupies the waiting position. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a safety element (50A) which prevents the locking element (92) from moving towards the locking position when the iron (1) is not in the waiting position. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the magnetic attraction device comprises magnets (100) arranged in the iron (1) and in the base (2), the locking element (92) opposing, in the locking position, the increase in the air gap between the magnets (100) of the iron (1) and the base (2).

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