EP3336243B1 - Iron comprising an ironing surface, a heating plate and a vaporisation chamber - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an iron comprising an ironing surface, a heating sole intended to heat the ironing surface and a vaporization chamber, the heating sole comprising a first electrical resistance arranged directly above a so-called zone. hot ironing surface and the vaporization chamber being provided in a heating body comprising a second electrical resistance. The present invention relates more particularly to an iron in which the heating body is placed in line with a so-called cold zone of the ironing surface comprising steam outlet holes, the steam outlet holes being fed. by a vapor diffusion chamber formed in a cavity formed between the vaporization chamber and the cold zone of the ironing surface.

It is known, from the request of GB patent 2 437 283 , an iron with such characteristics. However, this iron has the drawback of having a complex construction, with an ironing surface in two parts which must be fixed edge to edge while being kept in the same plane, which makes it complex and expensive to manufacture. In addition, such an apparatus does not make it possible to sufficiently humidify the fabric being ironed to obtain optimum ironing performance.

The document WO97 / 17487 discloses for its part an iron comprising a single electrical resistance associated with a heating sole covered with a cap in a single part. However, such an iron has the drawback of having a construction that does not make it possible to obtain a strong thermal gradient between the cold zone of the ironing surface used to diffuse the steam and the hot zone used to dry the laundry.

Also, an aim of the present invention is to remedy this drawback by providing an iron which is simple and economical to use. Another object of the present invention is to provide an iron with improved ironing performance.

To this end, the invention relates to an iron comprising an ironing surface, a heating soleplate intended to heat the ironing surface and a vaporization chamber, the heating sole comprising a first electrical resistance arranged in line with 'a so-called hot zone of the ironing surface, the vaporization chamber being provided in a heating body comprising a second electrical resistance, the steam chamber vaporization being placed directly above a so-called cold zone of the ironing surface comprising steam outlet holes, the steam outlet holes being supplied by a steam diffusion chamber provided, outside the chamber vaporization, in a cavity formed between the vaporization chamber and the cold zone of the ironing surface, characterized in that the entire ironing surface is carried by a lower face of a cap, in a single piece, which is attached under the heating sole or by an underside of the heating sole.

The term "arranged directly above the zone" is understood to mean that the member is placed above the zone when the iron rests horizontally on the ironing surface.

The apparatus thus produced has the advantage of having an ironing surface which is provided on a piece in one piece, constituted either by the attached cap, or directly by the heating sole, for greater simplicity of construction.

In addition, such a construction makes it possible to obtain a strong thermal gradient between the cold zone of the ironing surface used to diffuse the steam and the hot zone used to dry the laundry. Very good ironing performance is thus obtained, the cold zone of the ironing surface favoring the condensation of the steam in the laundry and allowing good humidification before it is dried by the hot zone.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the hot zone corresponds to the smallest closed convex surface in which the orthogonal projection of the first electrical resistance is inscribed.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the heating sole and the heating body are not in contact with one another in the zone situated directly above the cold zone of the ironing surface.

Preferably, the heating sole and the heating body are in contact with one another only at the level of contact surfaces, which according to an orthogonal projection on the ironing surface, are distributed around the periphery of the cold zone of so as to establish a controlled thermal gradient between the cold zone and the heating sole.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the ironing surface is formed by the lower face of the cap and the heating sole comprises, facing the cold zone, an opening which is at least partially masked by the cap.

Such a characteristic allows the vapor coming from the vaporization chamber to be diffused towards the vapor outlet holes present in the cold zone without circulating on the heating soleplate but remaining in the environment of the cold ironing zone. This prevents overheating of the steam as it travels from the vaporization chamber to the steam outlet holes of the cold zone as well as excessive heating of the cold zone of the cap by the heating sole.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cap is made from a sheet of aluminum or steel.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the ironing surface is formed by a lower face of the heating soleplate and the heating soleplate present facing the cold zone, or between the cold zone and the hot zone, a part where its thickness is reduced compared to the thickness of the heated soleplate facing the hot zone.

Such a restriction of the passage section of the heating soleplate at the level of the cold zone makes it possible to limit the heat transfer taking place by conduction through the thickness of the heating sole between the hot zone located directly above the first electrical resistance and the cold zone located directly above the heating body enclosing the vaporization chamber.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the heating body and the heating sole are made in two separate parts attached to one another, the heating body being attached to the heating sole.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to reduce the heat exchange between the heating body and the heating sole, which makes it possible to decouple them thermally and to control their temperature more easily.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the diffusion chamber of steam is located outside the volume swept by the hot zone of the ironing surface when the latter is moved in a plane perpendicular to the ironing surface.

Such a construction makes it possible to move the vapor diffusion chamber away from the environment overheated by the heating sole.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the first electrical resistance is a U-shaped shielded resistor and the vapor diffusion chamber is located outside the volume swept by the resistor when it is moved in a plane perpendicular to the resistor. the ironing surface.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the power supply to the first electrical resistance is regulated by means of a first thermostat.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the first thermostat comprises a setpoint or trigger temperature which is between 90 ° C. and 240 ° C.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to obtain a hot zone, the temperature of which can be adapted according to the fabric to be ironed.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the setpoint temperature of the first thermostat is adjustable by the user.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the power supply to the second electrical resistance is regulated by means of a second thermostat, the set point or trigger temperature of which is between 100 ° C and 135 ° C.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to obtain a vapor with a high humidity rate at the outlet of the vaporization chamber for better ironing performance.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the setpoint temperature of the second thermostat is not adjustable by the user.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the setpoint temperature of the second thermostat is adjusted automatically by a control unit as a function of the setpoint temperature of the first thermostat or as a function of measuring the temperature of the heated soleplate.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to automatically increase the setpoint temperature of the second thermostat when the temperature of the heating soleplate decreases below a predetermined threshold.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the cold zone is placed on the front half of the ironing surface and the hot zone is placed on the rear half of the ironing surface.

Such a feature makes it possible, when the iron is moved forwards, to first humidify the textile to be ironed using the steam emitted through the cold zone of the heating soleplate, then to dry the textile with the hot area.

According to another characteristic, the steam outlet holes from the cold zone are distributed over the ironing surface over a width representing at least 40% of the maximum width of the ironing surface and preferably more than 65% of this width.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to have a large part of the ironing surface which contributes to humidifying the laundry, when the iron is moved from rear to front, for greater ironing efficiency.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the steam outlet holes are distributed over the ironing surface over a length representing at least 40% of the total length of the ironing surface.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to have a large part of the ironing surface which contributes to humidifying the laundry, when the iron is moved sideways, for greater ironing efficiency.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the hot zone of the ironing surface has steam outlet holes.

Such a feature makes it possible to improve the ironing performance when the iron is moved back and forth.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the heating body is mechanically coupled to the heating sole by fixing points arranged in edge of the cavity forming the diffusion chamber.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the heating body rests on the edge of the opening, a seal being advantageously arranged between the heating body and the heating sole.

Such a characteristic makes it possible both to limit the heat transfer between the heating body and the heating soleplate and to ensure the sealing of the diffusion chamber.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the opening, or the thinner part of the heating soleplate, extends in width over more than 40% of the width of the ironing surface and preferably over more than 65%. the width of the ironing surface.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to obtain a cold zone of great width on the ironing surface for better humidification of the laundry.

Preferably, the opening extends in width over more than 40% of the maximum width of the ironing surface and preferably over more than 65% of the maximum width of the ironing surface.

By maximum width is meant the overall width of the ironing surface.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the apparatus comprises a manifold positioned in the diffusion chamber, the manifold comprising an orifice facing each of the vapor outlet holes of the cold zone of the ironing surface.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to pre-orient the steam flow in the direction of the steam outlet holes of the cold zone of the ironing surface in order to limit the heat exchanges being established between the steam flow and the heating soleplate.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the collector is fixed to the heating body.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the collector is made from a sheet of stainless steel or an aluminum alloy.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the heating body and / or the heating soleplate are produced in an aluminum foundry.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the vaporization chamber comprises a device for separating the condensates from the vapor.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the device for separating the condensates comprises a circuit for transporting the steam exhibiting a sudden change of direction and comprises a cavity for retaining the condensates downstream of this sudden change of direction.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the vaporization chamber comprises a stud used as a temperature measurement point and the stud adjoins the condensate retention cavity.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the temperature of the front half of the ironing surface is maintained between 95 ° C and 130 ° C when the iron is in operation and this whatever the set temperature of the zone. hot.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the ironing surface is flat.

The invention also relates to a steam ironing appliance comprising a steam generating base connected by a duct to an iron as described above.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the steam-generating base contains a vessel for the generation of pressurized steam.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un appareil de repassage selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du dessus d'un sous-ensemble équipant le fer à repasser de l'appareil de repassage de la figure 1 réalisé selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective éclatée du sous-ensemble de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus du sous-ensemble de la figure 2 démuni du couvercle de fermeture ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne V-V de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective partiellement arrachée du sous-ensemble illustré sur la figure 5 ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en perspective, de dessous, du sous-ensemble de la figure 5 avec la coiffe non assemblée ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe, selon un plan de coupe similaire à celui de la figure 5, d'un sous-ensemble selon un deuxième mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un sous-ensemble selon un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en perspective, de dessous, du sous-ensemble de la figure 9 avec la coiffe non assemblée ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective partiellement arrachée du sous-ensemble de la figure 10 ;
• la figure 12 est une vue en perspective, de dessous, d'un sous-ensemble selon un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 13 est une vue en perspective partiellement arrachée du sous-ensemble de la figure 12.

The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of several particular embodiments of the invention, presented by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

• the figure 1 is a side view of an ironing appliance according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view from above of a sub-assembly equipping the iron with the ironing appliance of the figure 1 produced according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the sub-assembly of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a top view of the subset of the figure 2 without the closing cover;
• the figure 5 is a sectional view along line VV of the figure 4 ;
• the figure 6 is a partially broken away perspective view of the sub-assembly illustrated in figure 5 ;
• the figure 7 is a perspective view, from below, of the sub-assembly of the figure 5 with the cap not assembled;
• the figure 8 is a sectional view, according to a section plane similar to that of the figure 5 , of a sub-assembly according to a second embodiment;
• the figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a sub-assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 10 is a perspective view, from below, of the sub-assembly of the figure 9 with the cap not assembled;
• the figure 11 is a perspective view partially broken away of the sub-assembly of the figure 10 ;
• the figure 12 is a perspective view, from below, of a sub-assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 13 is a perspective view partially broken away of the sub-assembly of the figure 12 .

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.

It will be noted that in this document, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear" used to describe the iron refer to this iron in a situation of. use when the ironing plate is placed on a horizontal plane.

The figure 1 shows an ironing device comprising a base 100 steam generator and an iron 1 interconnected by a conduit 101, the iron 1 comprising a plastic housing incorporating a handle.

The base 100 comprises an inclined plane on which the iron 1 can come to rest during inactive ironing phases and contains, in a manner known per se, a tank 102 for the production of steam under a pressure of the order of 4 to 6 bars, the tank 102 being supplied with water from a reservoir 103 by means of a pump 104.

The base 100 is connected to the domestic electrical network by an electrical wire 105 which allows both the electrical supply of the heating means of the tank 102 and the electrical supply of the iron 1 through the conduit 101.

In accordance with figures 2 to 7 , the iron 1 comprises a cap 2 which comprises a flat lower surface defining an ironing surface intended to come into contact with the laundry, the cap 2 being contiguous to a heating sole 3 comprising a substantially flat lower wall coming directly into contact with the cover 2, the latter being bonded to the heating sole 3 by a silicone adhesive.

The cover 2 is advantageously constituted by an aluminum sheet, with a thickness of the order of 1.4 mm, covered with enamel on its underside, and comprises a front part, disposed in front of the transverse axis Y passing through the middle of the cover 2, generally having a triangular shape with a point at its front end and a rear part, arranged behind the transverse axis Y, of greater width ending in a rounded rear edge.

Preferably, the heating sole 3 is formed by an aluminum foundry in which is embedded a heating element consisting of a first U-shaped shielded electrical resistance 31, the latter extending only in a rear part of the heating sole. 3 surmounting the rear part of the cap 2 so as to generate at the rear part of the cap 2 a so-called hot zone where the temperature of the ironing surface is the highest.

The power supply to the first electrical resistance 31 is regulated by means of a first thermostat, advantageously constituted by a relay controlled by an electronic card connected to a CTN probe (not shown in the figures) placed on a boss 32 provided on the rear part of the heated sole 3.

The first electrical resistance 31 advantageously has a power of between 300 W and 600 W and the first thermostat comprises a setpoint temperature which is adjustable by the user over a range advantageously between 90 ° C and 240 ° C, and preferably between 110 ° C and 200 ° C, this setpoint temperature of the first thermostat corresponding to the temperature at a point A located in the hot zone of the ironing surface, near the center of the hood 2.

By way of example, the heating soleplate 3 may be produced by molding in an aluminum alloy foundry having a mass of the order of 175 g which is molded onto a shielded electrical resistance with a power of the order of 450 W.

The heating sole 3 comprises, facing the front part of the cover 2, a front part devoid of a heating element, this front part comprising a through opening 30 limiting the heat exchange taking place by conduction between the heating sole 3 and the cap 2 and thus generating, in the front part of the cap 2, a so-called cold zone where the temperature of the ironing surface is lower than in the hot zone located in the rear part of the cap.

In the example illustrated in the figures, the opening 30 has a generally triangular shape, matching the shape of the front part of the cover 2, the width of which represents at least 65% of the width of the cover 2. The opening 30 furthermore comprises, at its rear end, two protuberances extending on either side of the rounded front end of the first electrical resistance 31.

In accordance with the figure 3 , the iron 1 also comprises a heating body 4 which is attached to the heating sole 3, this heating body 4 preferably being constituted by an aluminum foundry in which embedded is a heating element consisting of a second U-shaped shielded electrical resistance 41, also having a power advantageously between 300 W and 600 W.

The heating body 4 is disposed above the opening 30 and has a generally triangular outline matching the general shape of the opening 30, the heating body 4 comprising a peripheral edge comprising six fixing holes 40 intended to receive screws. stainless steel coming to be fixed on six fixing studs 33 provided on the heating sole 3, at the edge of the opening 30, a silicone seal 5 being advantageously arranged between the heating body 4 and the heating sole 3.

As can be seen from the figures 3 and 4 , the heating body 4 comprises an upper face on which protrudes a peripheral wall 42 which laterally delimits a space comprising a vaporization chamber 43, of the instantaneous vaporization type, the vaporization chamber 43 being arranged directly above the cold zone of the ironing surface and being closed at its upper end by a cover 6 which comes to rest on the upper edge of the peripheral wall 42.

By way of example, the heating body 4 may be produced by molding in an aluminum alloy foundry having a mass of the order of 175 g which is overmolded on a shielded electrical resistance with a power of the order of 450 W, the cover 6 being produced in an aluminum alloy foundry having a mass of the order of 80 g.

The cover 6 supports a second thermostat 60 fixed on a stud 44 projecting into the vaporization chamber 43 and passing through the cover 6, the second thermostat 60 being connected to the second electrical resistance 41 to regulate the temperature of the vaporization chamber 43 around a fixed setpoint temperature, not adjustable by the user, slightly greater than 100 ° C and preferably of the order of 105 ° C.

The second thermostat 60 is advantageously produced by means of a mechanical thermostat of the bimetal type, the precision required for the temperature regulation of the heating body 4 being less important than that required for the temperature regulation of the heating sole 3.

The cover 6 comprises a connector 61, which is connected to a steam pipe, not shown in the figures, which is integrated in the duct 101 connecting the steam generator base 100 to the iron 1, this connector 61 making it possible to supply the vaporization chamber 43 with the vapor produced by the tank 102.

In accordance with figures 4 to 6 , the connector 61 opens into the vaporization chamber 43 at an injection point 45 from which the vapor escapes through a condensate separation device, the latter comprising a first pipe 43A extending in the form of a spiral around a circular central volume where the stud 44 and a second pipe 43B protrude, communicating with this central volume via a lateral opening 43C. The second pipe 43B extends outside the first pipe 43A and has a shape such that the flow of steam makes a 180 ° turn passing from the first pipe 43A to the second pipe 43B through the side opening 43C . The second pipe 43B then extends in the direction of the front end of the heating body 4 where it communicates with two passages 46 passing through the heating body 4 to open out on the underside of the heating body 4, in a vapor diffusion chamber 7. formed in the opening 30 of the heating sole 3, between the vaporization chamber 43 and the cap 2.

As can be seen from the figures 3 and 7 , the diffusion chamber 7 makes it possible to supply steam to a first group 21 of steam outlet holes 20 located mainly in the front part of the cap 2, in the cold zone of the ironing surface, and a second group 22 of steam outlet holes 20 arranged in the rear part of the cap 2, in the hot zone of the ironing surface. The vapor outlet holes 20 of the first group 21 are mainly arranged directly opposite the diffusion chamber 7 so that the vapor diffused by these holes does not come into contact with the heating sole 3 and is not reheated by this last before being diffused outside the fairing 2.

Preferably, the vapor outlet holes 20 of the first group 21 are distributed over the entire surface of the cap 2 surmounted by the opening 30 so as to diffuse steam over a width corresponding to at least 65% of the width of the cap 2.

The steam outlet holes 20 of the second group 22 are for their part supplied indirectly, by means of distribution channels 47 formed on the rear part of the cover 2 at which the steam is heated before being diffused through the outside of the fairing 2.

The operation of such an ironing appliance and the advantages provided by such a construction will now be described.

When the appliance is started up, the tank 102 is heated and the water it contains is brought to a boil, the pressurized steam produced by the tank 102 being transmitted through the pipe 101 to the iron 1. When This transmission of the steam through the duct 101, the temperature of the steam is lowered so that condensates form in the flow of steam arriving in the iron 1.

The largest condensates are eliminated during the passage of the vapor flow in the vaporization chamber 43. Indeed, the flow of the vapor through the first and second pipes 43A, 43B makes it possible to separate the condensates from the vapor of water, the sudden change in direction of the steam flow being established at the inlet of the second pipe 43B making it possible to separate the condensates from the steam flow and to retain them in the central volume. In addition, the sudden increase in the passage section being established at the level of the central volume of the vaporization chamber 43 makes it possible to lower the speed of the vapor flow and to collect by gravity, in the bottom of the central volume, the vapor. condensates transported in the form of large drops or in the form of a liquid film entrained on the walls of the vaporization chamber 43 by the flow of steam.

These condensates are then gradually vaporized by the vaporization chamber 43, the energy expended to vaporize the condensates having the advantage of helping to lower the temperature of the vaporization chamber 43 and thus preventing it from being overheated by the vaporizer. heat flow produced by the heating soleplate 3 when the setpoint temperature of the latter is greater than 200 ° C. Conversely, when the temperature of set point of the first thermostat is low, close to 100 ° C, the presence of the second electrical resistance 41, and its regulation by the second thermostat 60, make it possible to maintain the temperature of the vaporization chamber 43 at a temperature close to 105 ° C allowing to gradually vaporize the condensates collected in the central volume.

Such a construction of the vaporization chamber 43 makes it possible to obtain a vapor at the outlet of the vaporization chamber 43 loaded only with micro-droplets of water, this vapor passing through the passages 46 to be delivered into the diffusion chamber 7 formed at the outlet. top of the front part of the fairing 2.

The diffusion chamber 7 being remote from the hot zone of the cap 2, the vapor therein is diffused through the vapor outlet holes 20 of the first group 21 with a high moisture content, that is to say - say by being loaded with microdroplets of liquid water which are deposited on the fabric being ironed.

Very good humidification of the laundry is thus obtained by the steam coming from the steam outlet holes 20 made in the front part of the cap 2.

In particular, such a construction makes it possible to establish a strong thermal gradient between a point B located in the cold zone of the ironing surface and point A located in the hot zone of the ironing surface, thanks to a geometry which makes it possible to limit the heat flow between the center of the cover 2, subjected directly to the heating of the heating sole 3, and the front part of the cover 2. In fact, the opening 30 made in the heating sole 3 makes it possible to limit approximately 18 W the maximum heat flux being able to pass by conduction through the peripheral edges of the heating soleplate 3 which laterally border the opening 30, when the point A of the cap 2 is at a temperature of 180 ° C.

Thus, the temperature of the heating soleplate 3, and therefore of the rear part of the ironing surface, can be regulated around a set temperature which can reach more than 240 ° C, while maintaining a temperature in the front part of the ironing surface. the ironing surface, and in particular in the vicinity of point B, of the order of 100 ° C, the temperature of the ironing surface possibly reaching a maximum temperature of the order of 130 ° C on the peripheral zone where the cap 2 is in contact with the peripheral edges of the heating sole 3 which border the opening 30.

The steam, at high humidity, emitted by the steam outlet holes 20 of the first group 21 can therefore condense quickly in the thickness of the laundry, allowing better ironing performance to be obtained, this condensation in the laundry. being favored by the low temperature of the ironing surface close to 100 ° C. in the vicinity of the steam outlet holes 20 of the first group 21 which avoids overheating the laundry.

Thanks to this thermal distribution and to the steam diffused at a temperature close to condensation, the smoothing performance of fabrics requiring a high ironing temperature, such as linen or cotton, are improved.

In addition, when the iron is moved forward, the area of the laundry previously moistened by the steam outlet holes 20 of the cold area of the ironing surface is then dried by the rear part of the ironing surface. ironing which has a higher temperature making it possible to obtain very good ironing performance.

When the set temperature of the ironing surface is of the order of 100 ° C, the temperature of the front part of the cap 2 remains above 90 ° C thanks to the heat exchange being established by radiation with the body heating 4, by convection through the steam, or by conduction with the part of the heating sole 3 bordering the opening 30, which is sufficient to prevent the steam from condensing directly on the cap 2, creating a wetting of the laundry by capillary action which would generate too long a drying time.

Finally, the steam emitted by the second group 22 of steam outlet holes 20 has the advantage of having a lower humidity rate than that of the steam emitted by the first group 21, due to the heating of the steam. taking place during its diffusion through the distribution channels of the heating soleplate 3, so that the emission of steam through these holes does not interfere with the drying of the laundry through the rear part of the cap 2. A conversely, the presence of the steam outlet holes 20 of the second group 22 makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the iron when only the rear part of the cap 2 is used to iron a particular area of the laundry on which the iron iron 1 is only moved backwards.

The figure 8 illustrates a sub-assembly of an iron according to a second embodiment of the invention.

This sub-assembly differs from the iron previously described for the first embodiment in that the ironing surface is constituted directly by a flat lower face of the heating sole 3, the iron not having a cap attached under the heated sole 3.

In this embodiment, the heating soleplate 3 comprises, in the front part of the ironing surface, a zone 34 where the thickness of the heating soleplate 3 is reduced, this zone 34 being located in place of the through opening. provided in the first embodiment and advantageously representing at least 65% of the surface of the front part of the ironing surface.

The zone 34 where the thickness of the heating sole 3 is reduced forms a cavity in the upper part of the heating sole 3 which is closed in its upper part by the heating body 4 and together with the latter constitutes the vapor diffusion chamber 7 , the zone 34 of the heating sole being provided with vapor outlet holes 20.

The operation of the iron according to this second embodiment is similar to that described for the first embodiment, the reduced thickness of the heating sole 3 at the level of the zone 34 making it possible to limit the heat transfer by conduction through the heating sole 3 between the hot zone, located in the rear part of the ironing surface, and the cold zone, located in the front part of the ironing surface.

The figures 9 to 11 illustrate a sub-assembly of an iron according to a third embodiment of the invention.

This iron differs from the iron described in the first mode embodiment only in that it comprises, in addition to all the elements described for the first embodiment, a manifold 8 disposed across the opening 30 of the heating sole 3.

This collector 8 is mechanically integral with the heating body 4 and has dimensions slightly smaller than those of the opening 30 so as to take place in the opening 30 without being in contact with the heating sole 3.

The manifold 8 is advantageously produced by stamping a sheet of stainless steel or aluminum alloy crimped on pins projecting on the underside of the heating body 4, the manifold 8 preferably comprising an exhaust port 80 in sight of each hole 20 of the vapor outlet of the first group 21 in order to pre-orient the flow of vapor in the direction of the latter.

Such a manifold 8 makes it possible to further limit the heat exchanges established between the flow of steam and the heating soleplate 3, which makes it possible to further lower the temperature of the steam at the outlet of the steam outlet holes 20 of the first group. 21, for greater humidity of the laundry and better ironing performance.

The figures 12 and 13 illustrate a cap / heating sole / heating body sub-assembly of an iron according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

According to these figures, the iron according to this embodiment differs from the iron according to the first embodiment both by the presence of a collector 8 across the opening 30 of the heating sole 3 and by the shape of the cap 2.

In this embodiment, the manifold 8 is provided with exhaust orifices 80 which make it possible, just as for the third embodiment described above, to pre-orient the flow of steam in the direction of the holes 20 for the steam outlet of the device. first group 21 to limit the heat exchanges being established between the flow of steam and the heating soleplate.

The iron also comprises a cap 2 which has the particularity of having a recessed area 23 in its front part at which the cap 2 comprises a plane which is set back by the order of 2 to 5 mm. relative to the ironing plane of the cover 2 coming into contact with the laundry.

In accordance with the figure 11 , the hollow zone receives part of the steam outlet holes 20 of the first group 21 thus forming a cavity located between the cap 2 and the clothes to be ironed in which the steam coming from the vaporization chamber 43 is diffused.

Such a hollow zone 23 makes it possible, by limiting the heat exchange taking place between the cover 2 and the linen, to further improve the humidification of the linen, the vapor diffused in the cavity coming to condense more significantly in the laundry due to its lower temperature.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given only by way of examples. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Thus, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the cap could include only the first group of steam outlet holes and be devoid of the second group of steam outlet holes.

Thus in an alternative embodiment not shown, the vessel for the production of steam may be embedded directly in the iron and / or be constituted by an instantaneous vaporization chamber.

Thus in an alternative embodiment not shown, the heating element could be produced by a screen printed flat heating element.

Thus in an alternative embodiment not shown, the setpoint temperature of the second thermostat can be adjusted automatically by a control unit as a function of the setpoint temperature of the first thermostat or as a function of the measurement of the temperature of the heating soleplate. .

Claims (14)

1. Iron (1) comprising an ironing surface, a heating soleplate (3) for heating the ironing surface and a steam generation chamber (43), the heating soleplate (3) comprising a first electrical resistance (31) arranged directly above a so-called hot zone of the ironing surface, the steam generation chamber (43) being provided in a heating body (4) comprising a second electrical resistance (41), the steam generation chamber (43) being arranged directly above a so-called cold zone of the ironing surface comprising steam outlet holes (20), the steam outlet holes (20) being supplied by a steam diffusion chamber (7) provided outside the steam generation chamber (43) in a cavity formed between the steam generation chamber (43) and the cold zone of the ironing surface, characterised in that the entire ironing surface is carried by an underside of a cap (2), in one piece, which is attached under the heating soleplate (3) or by an underside of the heating soleplate (3).
2. Iron (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the ironing surface is constituted by the underside of the cover (2) and in that the heating soleplate (3) comprises, opposite the cold zone, an opening (30) that is at least partially masked by the cap (2).
3. Iron (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the ironing surface is constituted by a underside of the heating soleplate (3) and in that said heating soleplate (3) has, opposite the cold zone, or between the cold zone and the hot zone, a portion (34) where its thickness is reduced with respect to its thickness opposite the hot zone.
4. Iron (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the heating body (4) and the heating soleplate (3) are made in two separate parts and in that the heating body (4) is attached to the heating soleplate (3).
5. Iron (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the hot zone of the ironing surface is defined as the smallest closed convex surface which forms the orthogonal projection of the first electrical resistance (31) and in that the steam diffusion chamber (7) is located outside the volume swept by the hot zone of the ironing surface when the latter is moved in a plane perpendicular to the ironing surface.
6. Iron (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the supply of the first electrical resistance (31) is regulated by means of a first thermostat.
7. Iron (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the setpoint temperature of the first thermostat is adjustable by the user.
8. Iron (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the supply of the second electrical resistance (41) is regulated by means of a second thermostat (60) whose setpoint temperature is between 100°C and 135°C.
9. Iron (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that the setpoint temperature of the second thermostat (60) is not adjustable by the user.
10. Iron (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the cold zone is arranged on the front half of the ironing surface and in that the hot zone is arranged on the rear half of the ironing surface.
11. Iron (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the hot zone of the ironing surface has steam outlet holes (20).
12. Iron (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the heating body (4) is mechanically coupled to the heating soleplate (3) by fixing points arranged at the edge of the cavity forming the diffusion chamber (7).
13. Iron (1) according to claim 12, characterised in that a seal (5) is arranged between the heating body (4) and the heating soleplate (3).
14. Iron (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that it comprises a collector (8) positioned in the diffusion chamber (7), the collector (8) comprising an orifice (80) opposite each of the steam outlet holes (20) of the cold zone of the ironing surface.

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