EP3505676B1 - Ironing appliance comprising a steam bypass circuit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a household ironing appliance comprising a vaporization chamber connected to vapor outlet holes by a vapor distribution circuit comprising a filter intended to retain scale particles transported by the vapor flow.

It is known, from the patent application FR 3 010 420 filed by the applicant, an iron comprising a steam distribution circuit connecting an instantaneous vaporization chamber to steam outlet holes formed in the sole of the iron. In this document, the steam distribution circuit comprises a filter intended to retain the scale particles transported by the steam flow at the outlet of the vaporization chamber and a scale recovery cavity comprising a closed scale discharge orifice by a removable cap.

Such an iron has the advantage of retaining the scale particles transported by the flow of steam at the outlet of the vaporization chamber to prevent the latter from being emitted by the steam outlet holes of the sole and from coming stain the laundry. Such an iron also has the advantage of having a scale discharge port allowing the discharge of scale particles and inspection of the filter condition when a cleaning operation is performed.

However, such an iron has the drawback of exhibiting a significant reduction in the vaporization flow rate in the steam distribution circuit in the event of clogging of the filter by accumulation of scale particles. For example, when the user does not perform the recommended cleaning operation, the performance of the iron can be greatly degraded.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an ironing appliance which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, the invention relates to an ironing appliance comprising a steam generator connected to at least one steam outlet hole by a steam distribution circuit, said steam distribution circuit comprising a main steam distribution branch. steam comprising at least one removable filter intended to retain scale particles transported by the steam flow, characterized in that the steam distribution circuit comprises a steam bypass branch which allows the flow of steam produced by the steam generator to flow in the direction of the steam outlet holes without passing through the filter.

The apparatus thus produced has the advantage of having a steam bypass branch which allows the steam flow to escape to the steam outlet holes to maintain a minimum steam flow when the filter is clogged by scaling.

In addition, the removability of the filter allows its inspection and possible cleaning.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the main steam distribution branch comprises a first portion upstream of the filter and a second portion downstream of the filter opening out to the steam outlet holes, and the steam bypass branch comprises a bypass orifice which connects the first portion with the second portion.

Such a feature makes it possible to create a vapor passage through the vapor bypass orifice in parallel with the vapor passage through the filter.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the ironing appliance comprises a deflector disposed upstream and preferably in the vicinity of the bypass orifice, said deflector deflecting the flow of steam so as to separate it from the orifice of derivation.

Such a feature makes it possible to have a deflector which directs the flow of steam. produced by the steam generator to the filter of the main steam distribution branch and directs the flow of steam from the bypass orifice in order to limit the entrainment of scale particles in the bypass steam branch via the orifice bypass and prevent limescale particles from staining the laundry.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the steam bypass branch comprises a valve serving to close or open the bypass orifice.

Such a feature makes it possible to have a valve which closes the bypass orifice when the latter is not required during normal use of the ironing appliance and opens the bypass orifice to allow the flow of steam to pass when the iron is used. filter is clogged by scaling or when the user wishes to favor the flow of steam over the cleanliness of the steam.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the valve is dimensioned so as to open the bypass orifice when the pressure in the steam distribution circuit upstream of the filter is greater than a predetermined pressure threshold.

Such a characteristic has the advantage of automatically opening and closing the valve as a function of the pressure value in the distribution circuit upstream of the filter.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the degree of opening of the valve is proportional to the pressure difference between the first portion and the second portion of the main steam distribution branch.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to control the opening of the valve as a function of the pressure difference between the first portion and the second portion; the greater the difference being, the greater the opening of the valve, so that the flow of steam passing through the bypass orifice varies according to the state of clogging of the filter.

Advantageously, the opening and / or closing of the valve are controlled by means of an actuator, said actuator being advantageously controlled by a control button or by a microcontroller connected to a sensor.

Such a feature allows the user to be able to optionally close and open the valve from outside the ironing apparatus. Thus, the user can press the control button to open the valve when he sees a significant decrease in the flow of steam coming out of the steam outlet holes in the soleplate or when he wants to maximize the steam flow without worrying. possible emissions of scale particles through the steam outlet holes.

In an alternative embodiment, the steam distribution circuit may include a steam flow sensor downstream of the filter and the opening and / or closing of the valve will be controlled automatically as a function of the steam flow detected downstream of the filter. .

Advantageously, the filter has a vapor passage section S1 and the bypass orifice has a vapor passage section S2, the ratio S2 / (S1 + S2) being less than or equal to 0.1.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to limit the volume flow rate of the steam through the bypass orifice in order to limit the entrainment of scale particles in the vapor bypass branch.

Advantageously, the ironing appliance comprises a second deflector disposed downstream and preferably in the vicinity of the bypass orifice, extending from a wall of the second portion of the main steam distribution branch towards a direction towards the end. against the flow of steam downstream of the filter.

Such a feature allows part of the vapor flow flowing downstream of the filter to return to the first portion of the main branch of the filter. distribution of steam through the bypass orifice so as to create a flow forcing back into the first portion the scale particles appearing opposite the bypass orifice.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the geometry of the steam distribution circuit is adapted to generate a flow of steam flowing by the venturi effect through the bypass orifice in the direction of the second portion towards the first portion. from the main steam distribution branch when the filter is not clogged.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the section of passage of the main steam distribution branch at the level of the deflector of the first portion is less than the section of passage at the inlet of the bypass orifice at the level of the second. deflector.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to create a venturi effect generating a phenomenon of suction of the flow through the bypass orifice in the first portion of the main steam distribution branch.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the bypass orifice is sized so as to ensure a minimum flow of steam greater than 2 g / min and preferably of the order of 10 g / min to the steam outlet holes when the filter is completely clogged by scaling.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to guarantee a minimum steam flow rate in order to obtain acceptable ironing performance.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the filter consists of a grid with openings less than 0.6 mm on the side, and advantageously less than 0.4 mm, the grid advantageously having a passage area greater than 3 cm ² and preferably greater than 8 cm ² .

The small size of the openings allows only small or invisible scale particles to pass through to the steam outlet holes. The As for the large surface area of the filter, it is possible to provide an accumulated passage section through the porosities of the filter which is large enough to maintain an acceptable vapor flow rate despite partial clogging of the filter. In addition, such a filtration surface makes it possible to obtain pressure drops compatible with the diffusion of a vapor flow advantageously greater than 20 g / min, and preferably greater than 30 g / min, with a steam generator consisting of an instantaneous vaporization chamber conventionally supplied by a drip plug.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the steam flow passing through the main steam distribution branch flows from bottom to top through the filter at which the steam flow makes a turn of at least 90 °.

Such a characteristic has the advantage of limiting the clogging of the filter, the particles naturally detaching from the filter under the effect of gravity when the flow of steam is interrupted.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the second portion downstream of the filter comprises a zone for recovering and / or discharging the condensed water disposed in the vicinity of the bypass orifice.

Such a feature makes it possible to recover condensed water downstream of the filter and to evacuate it towards the bypass orifice by gravity towards the steam generator in order to avoid water projections through the outlet holes of the filter. soleplate vapor.

Advantageously, the steam generator is an instantaneous vaporization chamber and the vapor produced in the instantaneous vaporization chamber escapes through an opening made at the rear end of the vaporization chamber, a converging section being arranged in downstream of the opening to increase the steam flow velocity upstream of the steam bypass branch.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to increase the flow speed of the vapor in the first portion of the main vapor distribution branch so as to entrain the scale particles in the direction of the filter by the nozzle effect.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the ironing appliance comprises a scale recovery cavity arranged just upstream of the filter, the scale recovery cavity comprising a scale discharge orifice closed by a removable plug accessible from the filter. outside the device, and the filter is removable from the device through the scale discharge port.

Such a feature allows both the removal of scale particles present in the steam distribution circuit and the removal of the filter for its inspection and possible cleaning.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the ironing appliance is an iron comprising an ironing sole in which said at least one steam outlet hole is formed.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the filter is placed in a part of the iron which is cantilevered behind the sole when the iron rests on its sole.

Such a characteristic makes it possible to place the filter in a part remote from the vaporization chamber, at which the temperature is lower, which limits the clogging of the filter by vaporization on the filter and makes it possible to limit the risk of burns during handling the filter.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un fer à repasser selon un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention ;
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe longitudinale du corps chauffant et de la semelle équipant le fer à repasser de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 3 est une vue en perspective du récipient récupérateur de tartre fixé sur le bouchon équipant le fer à repasser de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 4 est une vue en perspective du corps chauffant de la figure 2 démuni de son couvercle de fermeture ;
• La figure 5 est une vue de dessus du corps chauffant de la figure 2 ;
• La figure 6 est une vue en perspective du corps chauffant de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 7 est une vue en détail de l'orifice de dérivation, selon un deuxième mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention ;
• La figure 8 est une vue en détail de l'orifice de dérivation illustrant la soupape en position de fermeture, selon un troisième mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention ;
• La figure 9 est une vue en détail de l'orifice de dérivation de la figure 8, illustrant la soupape en position d'ouverture.

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

• The figure 1 is a perspective view of an iron according to a particular embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the heating body and the sole fitted to the iron of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 3 is a perspective view of the scale collection container fixed on the cap fitted to the iron of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 4 is a perspective view of the heating body of the figure 2 without its closing cover;
• The figure 5 is a top view of the heating body of the figure 2 ;
• The figure 6 is a perspective view of the heating body of the figure 1 ;
• The figure 7 is a detailed view of the bypass orifice, according to a second particular embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 8 is a detailed view of the bypass opening illustrating the valve in the closed position, according to a third particular embodiment of the invention;
• The figure 9 is a detailed view of the bypass opening of the figure 8 , showing the valve in the open position.

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 when it rests. flat on its ironing sole.

The figure 1 illustrates an ironing appliance consisting of a steam iron 1 comprising an ironing sole 10 provided with a set of steam outlet holes 10A, visible at the bottom. figure 2 . The sole 10 is surmounted by a plastic housing comprising a gripping handle 11 at its upper end and a heel 12 in its rear part on which the iron can rest substantially vertically during inactive ironing phases.

The heel 12 comprises two arms defining between them a space receiving a removable cap 13 giving access to a scale evacuation orifice 50, visible on the figure 2 . The plug 13 is fixed on a rear surface of the housing by a bayonet type attachment similar to that described in more detail in the patent application. FR 2 981 371 filed by the plaintiff. The rear surface of the housing is inclined slightly forward to provide easier access when the iron rests horizontally on its sole 10.

In accordance with figures 2 to 5 , the sole 10 of the iron is thermally and mechanically linked to a heating body 2 integrated into the lower part of the housing, the heating body 2 comprising an aluminum foundry conventionally comprising a resistive element 20 bent into a horseshoe and a boss 21 visible to figures 4 and 5 , designed to receive a thermostat for regulating the temperature of the sole 10.

The heating body 2 comprises a peripheral wall 22 which laterally delimits a space comprising a main vaporization chamber 3 and a steam chamber 4, of the instantaneous vaporization type, comprising a bottom having multiple pyramidal studs making it possible to increase the surface of the heater. heat exchange.

The vaporization chamber 3 is arranged in the center of the heating body 2 and is connected to the vapor outlet holes of the sole 10 by a vapor distribution circuit comprising two lateral channels extending on either side of the chamber. vaporization 3 and joining at the front end and at the rear end of the heating body 2. The two channels 30 conventionally include orifices 31 passing through the heating body 2 to open onto the underside of the heating body, at the level of a steam distribution cavity 33, visible on the figure 2 , arranged opposite the vapor outlet holes 10A of the sole.

In accordance with figures 2 to 6 , the heating body 2 comprises a closing plate 24 which comes to rest on the upper edge of the peripheral wall 22. The closing plate 24 is surmounted by a water tank, not shown. in the figures, integrated into the housing of the iron, supplying water to the vaporization chamber 3 via an orifice 24A of the closure plate 24, receiving, in a manner known per se, a drip plug, not shown in the figures, allowing the production of a continuous steam flow rate of the order of 40 to 70 g / min.

The main vaporization chamber 3 is delimited laterally by a partition 23 going up to the closure plate, being connected in a sealed manner with the latter, so that the vapor produced in the vaporization chamber 3 can only escape by an opening 23A made in the partition 23 at the rear end of the vaporization chamber 3.

The vapor distribution circuit which connects the vaporization chamber 3 and the vapor outlet holes of the sole 10 comprises a main vapor distribution branch comprising a duct 25. The duct 25 extends from the opening 23A of the partition 23, obliquely with respect to the plane of the sole 10, forming an angle of the order of 20 °, and being extended by a manifold 5 made of plastic, for example of the PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) type, integrated into the iron casing.

The collector 5 comprises a cavity 51 for collecting the scale extending axially in the extension of the duct 25 and opening onto the heel 12 of the iron at the level of the evacuation orifice of the tart 50 closed by the stopper 13, the cavity 51 lying cantilevered behind sole 10 when the iron rests on sole 10 and having an oblong cross section.

The cavity 51 receives a removable scale recovery container 6 having a shape complementary to the scale recovery cavity 51, the scale recovery container 6 being able to be extracted or introduced into the cavity 51 through the scale evacuation orifice 50. The container 6 has an open front end 60 through which the flow of steam emitted by the vaporization chamber 3 is admitted into the container 6 and an advantageously fixed closed rear end. to the stopper 13. The container 6 comprises a lower part provided with a scale retention spoon 64 comprising a hollow part in which the scale particles are stored, the front end of the spoon 64 having a step 64A making it possible to avoid that the scale particles collected in the spoon 64 do not return by gravity into the vaporization chamber 3 when the iron 1 rests on its sole 10.

The container 6 is preferably made of a plastic material, of the polyamide PA 6-6 type reinforced with 30% glass fiber, and supports a first and second seals 61, 62 of silicone coming into contact with the inner wall of the cavity 51 of tartar recovery. The container 6 comprises, between the two seals 61, 62, an opening made in the upper half of the container 6 forming a side window 63. The scale recovery container 6 comprises a filter 7 consisting of a domed filtration grid extending through the window 63, this filtration grid 7 being fixed to the edge of the window 63 and being advantageously covered with a non-stick coating in PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). The filter 7 has openings calibrated to retain the largest scale particles and has a size adapted to provide a sufficient passage section for the required steam flow.

By way of example, the grid 7 may have square openings of less than 0.6 mm on a side, and preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.4 mm, the passage surface of the grid preferably being greater than 8. cm ² for square openings of 0.2 mm and an expected steam flow rate of the order of 40 to 50 g / min. The grid 7 will advantageously be made of stainless steel wire of the order of 0.1 mm in diameter or of a smaller diameter.

The manifold 5 has an exhaust opening 53 in the upper part of the pie recovery cavity 51 facing the filter 7 when the receptacle 6 is fully introduced into the cavity 51. The filter 7 separates the main distribution branch from steam in a first portion located upstream of the filter 7 and in a second portion located downstream of the filter 7. The first portion extends from the opening 23A of the partition 23 to the cavity 51 for collecting scale at the level of the filter 7 and comprises the duct 25. The second portion extends from the filter 7 and comprises the exhaust opening 53, a return channel 54 extending above the duct 25 and a distribution chamber 26 disposed at the inlet of the two lateral channels 30.

As we can see at the figure 2 , the steam distribution circuit comprises a steam bypass branch comprising a bypass orifice 25A. The bypass port 25A is located on an upper wall of the duct 25, directly connecting the duct 25 of the first portion with the distribution chamber 26 of the second portion of the main vapor distribution branch, allowing the flow of vapor produced. through the vaporization chamber 3 to flow in the direction of the steam outlet holes 10A without passing through the filter 7. Preferably, the bypass orifice 25A is remote from the filter 7 to prevent the scale particles trapped by the filter 7 are carried by the flow of steam towards the bypass orifice 25A. A deflector 25B formed upstream and in the vicinity of the bypass orifice 25A, extends from the upper wall of the duct 25 creating a converging section 25C of the vapor passage at the level of the deflector 25B, allowing both to deflect the vapor flow so as to separate it from the bypass orifice 25A and to increase the speed of vapor flow in the duct 25 under the nozzle effect.

The bypass orifice 25A has a vapor passage section S2 and the filter 7 has a vapor passage section S1, the ratio between S2 / (S1 + S2) being less than or equal to 0.1 so as to limit the volume flow of steam through bypass port 25A.

The flow of the steam stream in the iron 1 thus produced will now be described. When the water from the drip plug comes into contact with the bottom of the vaporization chamber 3, it vaporizes instantly, which causes the release of a flow of vapor, illustrated by the arrows on the figures 2 to 6 , which escapes through the opening 23A of the partition 23. A first flow of steam flows successively through the duct 25, the container 6, the grid 7, the return channel 54, the distribution chamber 26 and side channels 30, then passes through the orifices 31 to emerge on the underside of the sole 10 and escape through the steam outlet holes 10A of the sole 10. A second flow of steam flows from the duct 25 towards the distribution chamber 26 through the 'bypass orifice 25A, then escapes in the side channels 30 in the direction of the steam outlet holes 10A of the sole 10. In normal use, the amount of the steam flow passing through the grid 7 is much greater than that passing through the bypass orifice 25A thanks to both the passage section ratio between the grid 7 and the bypass orifice 25A serving to limit the volume flow of steam via the bypass orifice 25A, and the presence of the deflector 25B which directs the flow of steam from the bypass orifice 25A.

The evaporation of the water creates the formation of a layer of calcium carbonate in the bottom of the vaporization chamber 3 which gradually disintegrates into small particles of scale under the effect in particular of the expansion of the heating body 2 during cooling phases between two ironing sessions. The scale particles present in the vaporization chamber 3 are partly carried by the first stream of steam towards the grid 7, and partly sent by the second stream towards the bypass orifice 25A.

The lightest scale particles which are carried away by the first steam flow and which have a size greater than the size of the openings of the grid 7, are trapped under the grid 7 so that they fall back by gravity into the spoon 64 when the steam flow is interrupted. The heaviest particles are entrained by the first flow of steam in the bottom of the scale recovery vessel 6, under the effect of large inertial forces thanks to an acceleration of the steam flow speed at the section. convergent 25C in duct 25 and their large mass. The movement of the scale particles towards the container 6 is also effected by gravity each time the iron 1 is placed on its heel 12.

The scale particles which are transported by the second vapor stream must make a turn of the order of 90 ° upwards at the level of the deflector 25B in order to be able to pass through the bypass orifice 25A. So the Most of the scale particles carried by the second vapor stream fall to the bottom of the duct 25 by gravity and will be sent to the grid 7 by the first vapor stream by drag effect. Only the finest and lightest scale particles, practically invisible to the eye, can pass through the bypass port 25A and the grid 7, and escape through the vapor outlet holes of the sole 10.

After several ironing sessions, some particles may remain stuck on the grid 7 and contribute to the gradual clogging of the grid 7, the grid 7 also becoming scaled due to the evaporation of any water droplets coming into contact with the grid 7.

When the user does not perform the recommended cleaning operation, and the steam passage through the grid 7 is blocked by particles of scale, the steam flow can continue to travel towards the steam outlet holes 10A through the vapor bypass branch via the bypass orifice 25A, most of the particles falling by gravity into the bottom of the duct 25 by virtue of the turn of the order of 90 ° made by the flow of vapor at the inlet of bypass port 25A and only the lightest scale particles that can pass through bypass port 25A. Preferably, the dimension of the passage section of the bypass orifice 25A is determined so as to ensure a minimum flow of steam of the order of 10 g / min to the steam outlet holes 10A when the grid 7 is completely clogged by scaling, allowing a minimum steam flow to be obtained to guarantee acceptable ironing performance.

The second portion of the main steam distribution branch downstream of the grid 7 also comprises a recovery and / or discharge zone 25D of the condensed water disposed in the vicinity of the bypass orifice 25A, making it possible to recover the condensed water downstream of the grid 7 and to evacuate it towards the bypass orifice 25A by gravity in the direction of the vaporization chamber 3 in order to avoid water projections through the vapor outlet holes 10A sole 10.

The iron 1 thus produced therefore has the advantage of ensuring a minimum steam flow rate and an acceptable ironing performance when the grid 7 is clogged by scaling, thanks to the presence of the bypass orifice 25A, while keeping very good filtration of scale particles.

The figure 7 illustrates a second particular embodiment of the invention in which the vapor bypass branch comprises a second deflector 25E formed downstream and in the vicinity of the bypass orifice 25A, extending from the lower wall of the return channel 54 of the second portion of the main steam distribution branch towards a direction against the flow of steam downstream of the grid 7, making it possible to direct a part of the flow of steam flowing in the return channel 54 towards bypass port 25A. The part of the steam flow flowing downstream from the grid 7 towards the bypass orifice 25A is then sucked into the first portion of the main steam distribution branch by the venturi effect thanks to the converging section 25C of the steam passage. at the level of the deflector 25B. Such a steam bypass branch makes it possible to ensure that no steam flow circulates from the duct 25 to the return channel 54 through the bypass orifice 25A when the grid 7 is not clogged by scaling, and thus ensure that no scale particles pass outside the grid 7. However, as the grid 7 becomes scaled, the speed of the flow of steam upstream of the grid 7 gradually decreases so that the steam stream can flow to the steam outlet holes 10A through the bypass port 25A to ensure minimum steam flow and acceptable ironing performance.

The figures 8 to 9 illustrate a third particular embodiment of the invention in which the steam bypass branch comprises a valve 25S, disposed at the bypass orifice 25A. The valve 25S is movable between a closed position of the bypass orifice 25A visible at figure 8 , towards which it is returned by gravity and / or by a return spring, and an open position of the bypass orifice 25A visible at the figure 9 to which it is brought when the pressure upstream of the valve exceeds one predetermined threshold. Thus, the clogging of the grid 7 by scaling generates a rise in pressure in the steam distribution circuit upstream of the grid 7, causing the valve 25S initially to pass from its closed position to its open position when the pressure in the duct 25 of the steam distribution circuit upstream of the grid 7 is greater than the predetermined pressure threshold, the opening of the valve 25S depending on the state of the clogging of the grid 7 and being all the greater as the pressure difference between the first portion and the second portion is significant.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated above which has been given only by way of 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 thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Thus, in an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, the user can optionally close and open the valve from outside the iron by means of an actuator, said actuator being advantageously controlled by a control button. command or by a microcontroller connected to a sensor. Thus, the user will be able to press the control button to open the valve when he notices a significant decrease in the flow of steam coming out of the steam outlet holes of the soleplate or when he wishes to maximize the steam flow without worrying. possible emissions of scale particles through the steam outlet holes. Advantageously, the vapor distribution circuit may include a vapor flow sensor downstream of the filter. The opening and / or closing of the valve will be controlled automatically according to the steam flow detected downstream of the filter.

Thus, in another variant embodiment of the invention, not shown, the steam bypass branch may include several bypass orifices to allow a greater flow of steam when the grid is clogged with scale particles.

Claims (14)

1. Ironing appliance (1) comprising a steam generator (3) connected to at least one steam outlet opening (10A) by a steam distribution circuit, said steam distribution circuit comprising a main steam distribution branch comprising at least one removable filter (7) for intercepting scale particles transported by a flow of steam, characterised in that the steam distribution circuit comprises a steam bypass branch allowing the steam flow generated by the steam generator (3) to flow towards the steam outlet opening (10A) without passing through the filter (7).
2. Ironing appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the main steam distribution branch comprises a first portion upstream of the filter (7) and a second portion downstream of the filter (7) which opens into the steam outlet opening (10A), and in that the steam bypass branch comprises a bypass orifice (25A) which connects the first portion to the second portion.
3. Ironing appliance (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a deflector (25B) arranged upstream and preferably next to the bypass orifice (25A), said deflector (25B) deflecting the steam flow so as to divert it from the bypass orifice (25A).
4. Ironing appliance (1) according to any of claims 2 to 3, characterised in that the steam bypass branch comprises a valve (25S) for closing or opening the bypass orifice (25A).
5. Ironing appliance (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the valve (25S) is dimensioned in such a manner that the bypass orifice (25A) opens when the pressure in the steam distribution circuit upstream of the filter (7) is above a predetermined pressure threshold.
6. Ironing appliance (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the degree of opening of the valve (25S) is proportional to the pressure difference between the first portion and the second portion of the main steam distribution branch.
7. Ironing appliance (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the opening and/or closing of the valve (25S) is controlled by means of an actuator, said actuator being advantageously controlled by a control button or by a microcontroller connected to a sensor.
8. Ironing appliance (1) according to any of claims 2 to 7, characterised in that the filter (7) has a steam passage section S1 and the bypass orifice (25A) has a steam passage section S2, the S2/(S1+S2) ratio being below or equal to 0.1.
9. Ironing appliance (1) according to any of claims 3 to 8, when dependent on claim 3, characterised in that it comprises a second deflector (25E) arranged upstream and preferably next to the bypass orifice (25A) extending from a wall of the second portion of the main steam distribution branch in a direction against the flow of steam upstream of the filter (7).
10. Ironing appliance (1) according to any of claims 2 to 9, characterise in that the geometry of the steam distribution circuit is adapted to generate a flow of steam flowing by way of the Venturi effect through the bypass orifice (25A) in the direction of the second portion towards the first portion of the main steam distribution branch when the filter (7) is not clogged.
11. Ironing appliance (1) according to any of claims 2 to 10, characterised in that the bypass orifice (25A) is dimensioned in a manner to ensure a minimum steam flow rate of above 2g/min and preferably in the region of 10g/min towards the steam outlet opening (10A) when the filter (7) is completely clogged with scaling.
12. Ironing appliance (1) according to any of claims 2 to 11, characterised in that the second portion upstream of the filter (7) comprises a condensed water recovery and/or discharge area (25D) arranged next to the bypass orifice (25A).
13. Ironing appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the steam generator is an instantaneous steam-generating chamber (3) and that the steam produced in the instantaneous steam-generating chamber (3) escapes through the opening (23A) at the rear end of the steam-generating chamber (3), with a converging section (25C) arranged upstream of the opening (23A) to increase the flow speed of the steam upstream of the steam bypass branch.
14. Ironing appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a scale recovery cavity (51) arranged just upstream of the filter (7) the scale recovery cavity (51) comprising a scale discharge orifice (50) closed by a removable plug (13) accessible from the outside of the appliance, and in that the filter (7) is removable from the appliance through the scale discharge orifice (50).

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