GB2389467A

GB2389467A - Electrical device control arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2389467A
Application number: GB0213087A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aik Pin Cheah
Original assignee: Mistral International Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Mistral International Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2002-06-05
Filing date: 2002-06-07
Publication date: 2003-12-10
Also published as: ZA200204550B; NZ519364A; GB0213087D0

Abstract

Peripheral electronics [17, 18] associated with an electrical device are protected, e.g. from damaging heat, by disposing the electronics [17, 18] remotely from the device. The device may be a temperature probe. Alternatively, the device may be a frying pan [50] and the electronics [17, 18] a temperature display [17] or bar code reader which receives/transmits signals to the pan. The electronics [17, 18] may be mounted on the plug [10] or cord [20] of the frying pan [50] or be a stand-alone unit connected to the device by a wireless link or a separate cord.

Description

ELECTRICAL PLUG DISPLAY ARRANGEMENT

-l:CnNlC^L FIElLL) lhis invention relates to electrical devices which include peripheral electronics such as a displays unit for indicating one or more parameters of the electrical device.

BAC KG1IOUND TO ITIE VI I ION

The use of heating appliances has become widespread throughout the modified world and it is usual to be able to deternune one or more parameters of the electrical device, such as temperature. Traditionally, these heating devices' such as electric heaters for heating the environment and more particularly, electric hying pans for 10 use in the kitchen, indude one or more display elements disposed on the electrical device to display parameters such as temperature. Often provided with We display mat is a control urut to control the one or more parameters of Me electrical device.

While corvenent' this arrangement suffers hom a number of drawbacks including 15 We [act that because the area Mediately about the electrical applLance becomes heated, the display ut and associated electronics are exposed to this heat and can become damaged.

thermore, in devices which cook food, it is common that {here is splashing of fats 20 and oils In the vicinity of the device whit h can both damage and soil the display mat.

most instances, these electrical devices derive then power from We mains popover and are connected thereto via a cord and plug arraemert.

25 It is an object of the present invention to reduce the risk of damage to periph,ra1 electTorucs such as a display unit and/or a control unit for an dlecic;d appliance such as a heater or Eying pan.

SUNMARY OF 1 ENVISION

30 According to a first aspect of He present invention, there us provided a power plug for connection to a power source and adapted to receive an electrical conductor to deliver power to an electrical device, wherein said power plug has disposed Hereon,

peripheral electronics for transmitting signals to or receiving signals fiom said electrical device.

The peripheral electronics tray include a display milt for receiving signals from said 5 electrical device, said signals relating to one or more parameters of said eleica1 dance, and for displaying one or more of those parameters.

Me penyberal electron tics play also include a control unit for transnu*ir signals to said electrical device for controlling one or more parameters of Me electrical device.

10 Optionally, the peripheral electronics may intrude both a display unit and a control unit. Preferably, the electrical device is an electric frying pan.

15 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a temperature probe for measuring the temperature of a heat source, Me temperature probe being connected at one end of a power card for receiving power therefrom, the power cord terminating in a plug for connection to a power source, wherein said plug indudes peripheral electronics for tTansrutting to or receiving signals from said 20 temperature probe.

According to a Bird aspect of the Lnvention, there provided a power cord including a plug attached at one end of the power cord for connection to a power source and an electrical connector attached at another end of the power cord for 25 connection to an elect rical device, wherein peripheral electronics for transIrutting signals to or receiving signals from said electrical device are disposed away from said electrical connector and supported either by said power cord or by said plug.

Preferably, the peripheral electronics will be disposed ore said plug.

3U Preferably, said electrical device is an electric frying pare

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of reducing exposure of peripheral electronics for tTansmithng signals to or receiving Giants Mom elect device, to potential do heat generated by said 5 electrical device, the electrical device being connected to a power source via a power cord and plug, the method including disposing said peripheral electrorucs away from said electrical device either on said cord or on said plug.

Preferably, the peripheral electronics will be disposed on said plug.

Preferably, said electrical device is an electric frying pan BUFF DESCRIP TION OF TED DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with 15 reference to the following drawings in which Figs la to d show a power plug according to a first aspect of the present invention; Fig 2 shows a temperature probe according to a second aspect of the present invention; Pig 3 shows a poorer cord according to the first aspect of the present invention; 20 Fig 4 shows the power cord of Fig 3 In use; and Fig 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of Me present invennom DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Pigs la to d show a perspective view, rear view, side view and front view 25 respectively of a plug 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. P1 10 include pins 11, 12 and 13 for insertion into a power socket (not shown) as is standard in many courtlier including Australia Of course, it will be understood that the configuration of pins may vary depending upon the configuration of Me popover sockets in a Oven country. Ins 11 to 13 are supported in 30 pin support 14 cotuected to plug head 15. Power cord cormector 16 is disposed on plug head 15 to receive a power cord (not shown) to transfer electrical power Mom the power source to an electrical device connected to Me over end of Me power cord.

As can be seen clearly in Fig 1d, there is disposed on plug 10 peripheral electrorucs the Loran of a display unit 17 and one or more control units 18. Display urut 17 will display one or more parameters such as temperature rela.tirg to an electrical device 5 connected at the other end of the power cord connected to power cord connector 16.

Strularly, control mut 18 can transmit signals to the electrical device connected at the other end of the power cord to control one or more parameters of the electrical device. 10 Sills may be transmitted and received between die peripheral electroIuc5 on plug head IS and the electrical device via one or more conductive path which in a preferred embodiment, would be embedded within the electrical power cord, as would be understood by the person skilled in the art. However, the signals could conceivably be transmitted and received via radio frequency means or other wireless 15 means as would be understood by the person skilled in the art.

preferred application of the plug of Figs la to d is shown in Fig 2, where there is shown plug 10 connected to an electrical device 30 via power cord 20. In this application, electrical dunce 30 is a temperature probe which is used to detente 20 the temperature of an additional electrical device (not shown) such as a frying pan or other heat generating device. To sense a temperature, probe 30 must be brought within close proximity to the heat generating device and my be exposed to i significant temperatures. Such exposure could damage any peripheral electronics located on the probe and bus according to the invention, peripheral electronics 25 constituting; display mat and/or control units, are distanced from the probe and disposed ore the plug.

Fig 3, a different embodiment of the invention is shown where temperature probe 30 is replaced by an electrical connector 40 for connection to another electrical device 30 such as a flung pan. Connector 40 is a standard electrical connector which plugs into electrical devices such as frying pans as is commonly done. However, connector 40

may be modined to allow the cransrer or control and aispisy sisals PerWeen plug TO and Me electrical device.

In Fig 4, the application of the device of Pig 3 is shown in relation to an electric S:yg 5 pan 50. In this case, as weI1 as generating siuBcant heat in the region about frying pan 50, splashirg of oil and over hot substances commonly occurs, which may also damage any peripheral electrorucs. With the peripheral electronics located on plug 10, and away from pan 50, We risk of damage of the peripheral eleckorucs is neatly reduced. Of COLuSe it is within the scope of the present invention to have the peripheral electronics as a separate stand alone mat which is able to be kept remote from the elecicaI dence and need not necessarily be disposed on the plug. The peripheral electronics could be disposed on a separate urut which may be separately connected 15 to the electrical device via an additional cord or via wireless means and simply disposed and used away from the electrical device. However, it is preferred Mat the peripheral electronics are disposed on the plug as this provides a convenient means of supporting the peripheral electronics while at Me same time nusing the number of components required. Furthernore, Me power cord 20 which is 20 traditionally used to connect plug 10 to the electrical device may be used as a convenient means of transniing signals between me two elements.

In Fig 5, furler alternative embodiment is shown where the peripheral electronics 17, 18 are encased us a separate urut 19 which is disposed along the length of cord 20.

25 Cord 20 can be manufactured with urut l9 or unit 19 may be retroflitted to cord 20 by either inserting a signal path within cord 20 or providing a separate signal path outside or cord 20 or of course, simply relying on wireless technology.

The above has been described in the context of a preferred embodunent and 30 rariabons thereto, however it Mill be understood by Me person skilled in the art that many other variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the peripheral electronics need not be limited to display or

control elements, but could encompass any statable electrorucs that is required to be protected from damage. For example, the peripheral electronics could include a scanner/barcode reader to allow reapes or programs to be scarified in. The program may contain time and temperature settings as well as feedback prompts. The 5 programs could be obtained from a participating website or in recipes found in cook books having barcode system similar to Me Encode for prograrng video recorders.

Claims

CLA I MS

1. A power plug for connection to a power source and adapted to receive an electrical conductor to deliver power to art electrical device, wherein said power plug 5 has disposed thereon, peripheral electromrs for transmitting signals to or receiving signals from, said electrical device.

2 A power plug according to clew 1 wherein said peripheral electronics includes a display unit for receiving signals from said electrical device relating to one 10 or more parameters of said electrical device arid for displaying said one or more par ameters.

3. A power plug according to claim 1 wherein said peripheral electronics includes a control unit for transmitting signals to said electrical device for controlling 15 one or more parameters of said electrical device.

4. A power plug according to clam 1 wherein said peripheral electrorucs includes both a display mat and a control flout.

20 5. temperature probe for measuring the temperature of a heat source, the temperature probe being connected at one Id of power cord for receiving power therefrom, the power cord terxrunating in a plug for connection to a power source, wherein said plug includes peripheral elecorucs for tranenutting to or receiving signals from, said temperature probe.

6. A temperature probe according to claim 5 wherein said peripheral electronics includes a display unit for receiving signals from said tecnperare prol:,e relating to one or more parameters of said temperature probe and for displaying said one or more parameters.

i

7. temperature probe according to claim 5 wherein said peripheral electronics includes a control UIUt for transmltUng sisals to said te':nperature probe for controlling one or more parameters of said tererature probe.

5 8. A temperature probe according; to claim 5 wherein said peripheral electrorucs includes both a display unit and a control urut.

9. A temperature probe according to any one of clans 6 to 8 wherein said one or more parameters indudes temperature.

10. A power cord intruding a plug attached at one end of said cord for coruechon to a power source and an elerf:rical connector attached at another end of said cord for connection to an electrical device, wherein peripheral electronics for traD8flUtg to or receipt; signs from stud electrical device are disposed away from said electrical 15 connector and supported either by said cord or by said plug.

11. A power cord according to clann 10 wherein mid peripheral electronics are supported by said plug.

20 12. power cord according to clann 10 or 11 wherein said peripheral elecomcs includes display for receiving sisals from said electrical device relating to one or more parameters of said electrical device arid for displaying said one or more parameters. 25 13. A power cord according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein said peripheral electrorucs Indudes a control urut for t:ransming signals t<> said electrical device (Or controlling one or more parameters of said electrical decree.

14. power cord according to any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein said one or 30 more parameters includes temperature.

15 A method of redlining exposure of peripheral electrode assor=2fed with an electrical device to potentially damaging heat generating by or about said electrical device, said method including drsposmg said peripheral electrorucs away from said electrical device.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein said electrical device is connected to a power source via a power cord and plug arid wherein said peripheral electrorucs are disposed away from said electrical device either on said power cord or on said plug. 17. A method according to any one of claims 15 or 16 wherein said peripheral electronics includes a display wilt for displaying one or snore parameters of said electrical device.

15 18. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein said peripheral electron cs includes a control unit for controlling one or more parameters of said electrical devices 9. method according to arty one of cLairns 16 to 18 wherein said peripheral 20 elecoucs includes both a display mut and a control unit.

20 A method according to any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein said peripheral electronics disposed on said plug.

25 21. A power plug substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A temperature probe substantially as herein described win reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A power cord substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. A method substantially as herein descAbed wad reference to the accompanying drawings.