JPH02213400A - Electric iron - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide ease of built-in work by a method wherein an attitude detector, in which a ball in a ball housing shields off a path of light when the ball is located on another side, is attached on a circuit board where circuit parts of a control circuit are arranged, and the circuit substrate is built in a handle of an iron which is kept horizontally. CONSTITUTION:In an attitude detector 16, a ball 23 is housed free to move in a ball housing 22 which is located in the top middle on the front half side of a base 21 with a bottom declining toward the front side. On the outer side of the ball housing 22, a light emitting part 26 where a light emitting element PD is housed and a light receiving part 27 where a light receiving circuit PIC is housed are built in the base 21 facing each other across the ball housing 22 and open grooves 24 and 25. The attitude detector 16 is mounted on a circuit board 15 so that the one side of the attitude detector faces the front of an iron A. Parts that compose a control circuit, and the attitude detector 16 are mounted on the circuit board 15, and the two sides of the substrate 15 are fitted and fixed is recessed parts 17 of fixtures 18 which are attached in a handle 12 of the iron A. Thus, the attitude detector 16 can be built-in the iron A, so that built-in work becomes easy.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an electric iron that can ensure safety even if the user forgets to turn off the power.

(Prior Art) If an electric iron is left in a horizontal position for a long time with the power turned on, it may burn the fabric or even cause a fire. Furthermore, if the device is left in an independent state for a long time with the power turned on, there is no problem in terms of safety, but there is a problem in that power is wasted.

For this reason, conventionally, as shown in Fig. 12, a posture detection device 3 as shown in Figs. For example, if it is left in a horizontal position for about 10 minutes, the power to the heater is cut off to ensure safety, and if it is left in a free-standing state for about 10 minutes, the power to the heater is cut off. This is to prevent wasted power consumption. That is,
The posture detection device 3 movably stores the ball 5 in the ball storage part 4, and also has a light emitting element 6 and a light receiving element 7 at a position where the ball 5 is positioned at the bottom when the iron 1 stands on its own.
are placed facing each other, and when the light from the light-emitting element 6 continues to reach the light-receiving element 7, the horizontal state of the iron 1 is detected, and the light from the light-emitting element 6 is blocked by the bulb 5 and reaches the light-receiving element. If the state in which the iron 1 does not reach 7 continues, the self-standing state of the iron 1 is detected, and when the light from the light emitting element 6 is interrupted by the bulb 5, the usage state is detected.

Conventionally, when the posture detecting device 3 is installed in the handle body 2, it is installed separately from the circuit board on which the circuit components that make up the control circuit that controls the energization of the iron heater is installed, and it is installed independently. It was for positioning.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the case where the attitude detection device is installed separately from the circuit board, the circuit board must be installed and the attitude detection device must be installed separately. There was a problem in that the installation position of the handle had to be determined within the handle body, making the assembly work troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an electric iron in which the work of assembling a posture detection device into a handle body is a simple task.

[Structure of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention comprises a base having a heater, a handle provided on the base, and an inclined surface whose bottom surface is inclined downward on one side. It consists of a ball storage part that movably stores balls, and a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged so that the light path is blocked when the ball in this ball storage part is located on the other side, and detects the posture of the iron. It is equipped with an attitude detection device and a control circuit that controls energization of the heater in response to the output of the attitude detection device, and the attitude detection device is integrally mounted on a circuit board on which circuit components making up the control circuit are arranged. , the circuit board is installed in the handle body so that it is horizontal when the iron is in a horizontal state.

(Function) In the present invention having such a configuration, the attitude detecting device includes a ball storage part whose bottom surface has a downwardly inclined surface on one side and movably stores a ball therein, and a ball storage part in which the ball is movably stored. It uses a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that are arranged so that the optical path is blocked when placed on the other side,
This attitude detection device is integrally mounted on a circuit board on which circuit components of a control circuit are arranged. Then, the circuit board may be installed in the handle body so as to be horizontal with the horizontal state of the iron. That is, by attaching the circuit board, the attitude detection device can be installed and its position can be determined.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of the electric iron, with reference numeral 11 a base housing a heater to be described later, reference numeral 12 a handle body serving as a grip for the working handle, and reference numeral 13 a storage portion for a power cord 14.

Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of the entire electric iron, with commercial AC power supply A
A power line L1 is connected to one end of C, and a power line L2 is connected to the other end via a temperature fuse TF.

A series circuit of an automatic temperature regulator TH and a heater H as well as a display circuit of a power lamp LP are connected between each of the power lines L I + L 2 through a normally open contact of a relay RL. The heater H is equipped with an energizing lamp LP.
Two display circuits are connected in parallel.

Moreover, each of the power supply lines L1. A surge absorbing varistor TNR is connected between L2 and the input terminal of the rectifier bridge circuit DB is connected via a voltage drop resistor RA.

A smoothing capacitor C1 is connected between the output terminals of the rectifier bridge circuit DB. In addition, the rectifier bridge circuit DB
The + side of the output terminal is connected to the power supply line L through the resistor R1.
3, and the - side is connected to the power supply line L-t.

Between the power supply lines L 3 r L 4 are a series circuit of two constant voltage diodes ZD and ZD2, a series circuit of a light emitting element (light emitting diode) PD of the attitude detection device 16 and a resistor R2, and a PNP transistor Q2. Said relay R
A series circuit with L is connected respectively.

A ground line GN is connected to the connection point between the cathode of the constant voltage diode ZD1 and the anode of the constant voltage diode ZD2.
D is connected.

A light receiving circuit (photo IC) PIC of the attitude detection device 16 is connected between the power line L3 and the ground line GND, and a timer circuit TM composed of an IC is connected to the ground line GND side via a resistor R7. Connected.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light receiving circuit PIC is a light receiving element PH that receives light from the light emitting element PD.

A preamplifier circuit AMP with a temperature compensation circuit that amplifies the output of the light receiving element PH, a Schmitt switching circuit SSC that shapes the waveform of the output of this circuit AMP, and a constant voltage is supplied to the preamplifier circuit AMP with a temperature compensation circuit and the Schmitt switching circuit SSC. It is composed of a constant voltage circuit RC and a transistor Tr that outputs a high level or low level signal to an output terminal O in response to the output of the Schmitt switching circuit SSC.

That is, when the light receiving element PH receives light from the light emitting element PD, the transistor Tr is turned on and the output terminal 0 is turned on.
A low level signal is output to the output terminal 0, and when the light receiving element PH does not receive light from the light emitting element PD, the transistor Tr is turned off and a high level signal is output to the output terminal 0.

The output terminal O of the light receiving circuit PIC is connected to the connection point between the timer circuit TM and the resistor R7 via a capacitor C2. Note that a diode D is connected in parallel to the resistor R7 with the polarity shown.

Further, the output terminal O of the light receiving circuit PIC is connected to the base of a PNP transistor Q+ via a resistor R3.

Note that a resistor R4 is connected between the emitter and base of the transistor Q.

The transistor Ql has its emitter connected to the terminal (7) of the timer circuit TM, and its collector connected to the terminal (5) of the timer circuit TM via a resistor Rb. Note that the terminal (4) of the timer circuit TM is connected to the ground line GN.
Connected to D. A resistor R5 is connected between terminals (7) and (5), and a capacitor C3 is connected between terminals (5) and (4).

The output terminal (6) of the timer circuit TM is connected to the base of the transistor Q2 via a resistor.

And the light emitting element P excluding the voltage drop resistor RA
Transistors Q1 rQ2 and timer circuit T that constitute the attitude detection device and control circuit including D and the light receiving circuit PIC.
M, relay RL, resistors R1 to R7, capacitor C2*
As shown in FIG. 4, circuit components such as C3 and rectifier bridge DB, which are surrounded by dashed lines in the figure, are integrally mounted on the circuit board 15.

Then, it is inserted and attached into the handle body 12 of the iron. A support member 18.18 having a recess 17 is fixed on both sides of the handle body 12 as shown in FIG. The circuit board 15 is attached by fitting the two. Note that the edge 19 of the circuit board 15 is a portion where no printed pattern is formed or circuits are mounted, as shown by diagonal lines in FIG.

As shown in FIG.
A semicircular ball storage part 22 is formed in the upper front half of the center part of the ball storage part 22, the bottom surface of which is inclined downward on one side and whose opening is on the -blade side, and a ball 23 is placed in the ball storage part 22. Stored in a movable manner. On the other side of the ball storage section 22, there is a ball storage section 2.
2 and the light emitting element PD with the opening grooves 24 and 25 interposed therebetween.
A light emitting section 26 housing the light receiving circuit PIC and a light receiving section 27 housing the light receiving circuit PIC are embedded in the base 21 facing each other. The periphery of the base 21 is covered with a case 28 to prevent the balls 23 inside the ball storage portion 22 from coming out.

The posture detecting device 16 is mounted on the circuit board 15 so that one side is in front of the iron A, as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment with such a configuration, both edges of the circuit board 15 on which the circuit components constituting the control circuit and the posture detection device 16 are integrally attached are attached to the support member attached inside the handle 12 of the iron A. By fitting and fixing into the 18.degree. 18 recess 17.17, the posture detecting device 16 can be attached to the iron A, and the installation work becomes easy. By this attachment, the posture detection device 16 can also be positioned, and there is no need to reposition it.

When using this iron A, it operates as follows.

Place the iron A in a horizontal position as shown in Figure 7.
When the power is turned on as shown in (a) of the figure, at this time the bulb 23 is closer to the front as shown in FIG. 8, so the light from the light emitting element PD is received by the light receiving element PH of the light receiving circuit PIC. . That is, the input to the light receiving circuit PIC becomes high level as shown in FIG. 11(f). Thus, the transistor Tr in the light receiving circuit PIC is turned on, and the output level of the output terminal 0 becomes low level.

Therefore, the transistor Ql turns on, resistors R5 and R6 are connected in parallel, and the resistance value connected to the capacitor C3 becomes small, and the time constant becomes small, so the input to the timer circuit TM becomes as shown in FIG. 11(b). As shown, the pulse has a short period. The timer circuit TM will therefore count these pulses.

Until the timer circuit TM counts a predetermined number n of pulses, its circuit output is at a low level as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1(d), relay RL is turned on.

Therefore, when the power is turned on, relay RL is turned on, its normally open contact is closed, and energization to heater H is started.

Thereafter, when the timer circuit TM counts n pulses, the output of the timer circuit TM is inverted to a high level as shown in FIG. 11(C). Therefore, transistor Q2 is turned off, and relay RL is turned off as shown in FIG. 11(d). As a result, the normally open contact ``is opened and the energization to the heater H is stopped.Then, after the power is turned on and the energization to the heater H is started, the timer circuit TM counts n pulses and the energization to the heater H is stopped. The period of time until the energization of the heater H is stopped is relatively short because the period of the pulse counted by the timer circuit TM is short.For example, the energization of the heater H is stopped in about one minute.

In this way, when the iron A is left in a horizontal position while the power is on, the power supply to the heater H is stopped in a relatively short period of time to ensure safety.

When the iron A is changed from a horizontal state to a self-supporting state as shown in FIG. 9, the balls 23 in the ball storage portion 22 move to the other side, that is, to the rear, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the bulb 23 is interposed in the path of light from the light emitting element PD to the light receiving element PH, and the input to the light receiving circuit PIC is as shown in FIG.
It becomes a low level as shown in ).

As a result, the output of the photodetector circuit PIC is inverted to high level, transistor Q+ is turned off, and capacitor C
A differential pulse with the negative side cut off as shown in FIG. 11(e) is inputted to the terminal (2) of the timer circuit TM via the terminal (2) and the diode D1, and resets the timer circuit TM.

When the transistor Q+ is turned off, the only resistor connected to the capacitor C2 is the resistor R5, and the resistance value increases and the time constant increases. Therefore, the pulses input to the timer circuit TM have a relatively long period as shown in FIG. 11(b).

When the timer circuit TM is reset, its output becomes a low level as shown in FIG. 11(C), so the transistor Q2 is turned on, and the relay RL is turned on as shown in FIG. 11(d). Then, energization to the heater H starts.

Thereafter, when the timer circuit TM counts n pulses, the output of the timer circuit TM is inverted to a high level as shown in FIG. 11(e). Therefore, transistor Q2 is turned off, and relay RL is turned off as shown in FIG. 11(d). As a result, the normally open contact r is opened and the power supply to the heater H is stopped. In this self-sustaining state, the period of pulses counted by the timer circuit TM is long, from the start of energization to the heater H until the timer circuit TM counts n pulses and the energization to the heater H is stopped. It will take a relatively long time. For example, the power supply to the heater H will be stopped after about 10 minutes.

In this way, if iron A is left standing in a free-standing state with the power turned on, power to heater H will be stopped after a relatively long period of time necessary to confirm that it is not in use, wasting power. is prevented.

When working in a self-supporting state with the iron A in a horizontal state, the balls 23 in the ball storage section 22 move randomly according to the movement of the iron A. At this time, the input to the light receiving circuit PIC repeats high and low levels in short cycles as shown in (1') in FIG. And the light receiving circuit P
Since a reset pulse as shown in FIG. 11(e) is input to the timer circuit TM when the output of the IC rises from a low level to a high level, the timer circuit TM is constantly Reset and relay RL will maintain the on state.

Therefore, at this time, the energization of the heater H is maintained, and the energization of the heater H is controlled only by the automatic temperature controller TH.

When ironing, iron A usually has a substantially conical shape at the front, so moving it forward will increase the speed. Because of this, the ball 23 stays forward for a long time even during operation, which has the effect of increasing sensitivity in the forward direction.

In addition, although the shape of the ball storage part was made semicircular in the said Example, it is not necessarily limited to this, and may be triangular.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, the posture detection device is integrally mounted on the circuit board on which the circuit components of the control circuit are arranged, so that the mounting of the circuit board inside the handle body is easy. The present invention provides an electric iron in which the posture detection device can be assembled and positioned, and the posture detection device can be assembled into the handle body easily.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 11 show embodiments of the present invention; Figure 1 is an external view of the iron, Figure 2 is a circuit diagram, Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the light receiving circuit, and Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the light receiving circuit. is an exploded perspective view of the main parts, Figure 5 is a diagram showing how the circuit board is attached to the handle body, Figure 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the circuit board, Figure 7 is a diagram showing the horizontal state of the iron, Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of the ball in the ball storage compartment when the iron is in a horizontal state, Figure 9 is a diagram showing the iron in its freestanding state, and Figure 10 is the position of the ball in the ball storage compartment when the iron is in its freestanding state. 1st cross-sectional view showing
Figure 1 is a diagram showing the operating waveforms of each part in the circuit of Figure 2,
FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams showing conventional examples. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Base, 12... Handle body, 15... Circuit board, 16... Attitude detection device, 22... Ball storage part,
23... Ball, PD... Light emitting element, PH... Light receiving element, H... Heater. Applicant's Representative Patent Attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 4 Figure Figure (C) Figure 1゜Figure Figure Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] A base having a heater, a handle body provided on the base, a ball storage part whose bottom surface has a downwardly sloped surface on one side, and a ball storage part in which a ball is movably stored, and a ball in this ball storage part. an attitude detection device configured of a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged so that the optical path is blocked when the iron is positioned on the other side, and detecting the attitude state of the iron; a control circuit for controlling energization, the attitude detection device is integrally mounted on a circuit board on which circuit components constituting the control circuit are arranged;
An electric iron characterized in that the circuit board is installed in the handle body so that the circuit board is horizontal when the iron is in a horizontal state.