JPS62202434A - Automatic switching device of electric appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to automatic switching devices, and more particularly to automatic switching devices for use with appliances having electronic control elements.

BACKGROUND [Prior Art] The possibility of leaving electrically operated appliances such as pressing irons on for long periods of time is a concern for many users. The latest press iron products have a function that automatically shuts off the power if the iron is not used for a predetermined period of time. Typically, this feature is included in a complete electronic control system that uses a microprocessor and solid state switches such as electromagnetic relays or triacs to control the power supplied to the heating element. Both of these devices are expensive and have other drawbacks. For example, a trybook requires a fairly large heat dissipation area to dissipate its electronic losses when the iron is in the on state, and irons create a hot environment, making it difficult to place such a device. It is obvious that this is an inappropriate location. Power relays require large amounts of electrical power to operate, and can heat up if kept in operation in the hot environment of an iron.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic switching device and an improved electric iron incorporating the same.

According to one aspect of the invention, switch means is switchable between a power mode in which the appliance is connected to a power source and a rest mode in which the appliance is electrically disconnected from the power source; said switch means when energized; a motion sensor for generating a signal in response to movement of the instrument; and setting a greasing time in response to the signal of said motion sensor; said preset time being responsive to said motion sensor signal; and timer means for activating said electromechanical means when a motion sensor signal is not subsequently generated.

Switching means Manually operable reset means may be provided for switching to full power mode. The reset means may include latching means for latching the switch means into power mode.

The switching means may include first and second contacts that are engageable with each other. A resilient blade may deflect the second contact out of engagement with the first contact. The launch means releasably engages the resilient blade to hold the first and second contacts in engagement with each other, and the reset means, when actuated, causes the latching means to engage the resilient blade. is preferable.

Electronic circuit means including timer means may be provided to limit the energization time of the electromechanical means to a period of up to about 1 second when the electromechanical means is activated.

Preferably, the automatic switching circuit described above is included in the electric pressing iron.

An electric iron has a bottom plate and a heating element that heats the entire bottom plate.
The aforementioned switch means may connect the heating element to the power source in the power mode, and may disconnect the heating element from the power source in the sleep mode.

The housing of the iron located above the base plate may contain the switch means, the electromechanical means, the movement sensor and the timer means. A button, which can be manually pressed down, may be elastically pressed upwards with respect to the button, by actuation of which the switch means is switched from the sleep mode to the power mode.

Preferably, the housing of the iron has a handle portion containing a printed circuit board, to which are mounted switch means, electromechanical means, a motion sensor, and timer means.

A rung may be disposed below the reset and tongue and electrically connected to a switch means to indicate when the electric iron is in power mode.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method of operating a portable appliance such as an electric iron.

Accordingly, another aspect of the invention includes: connecting an instrument to a power source in order to operate the instrument; detecting that the instrument is no longer in motion; and when the instrument is left motionless. an automatic method comprising the steps of electronically measuring the length of time; and disconnecting the device from the power source when the amount of time the device is left motionless exceeds a grisset value. A method of operating an electrically operated portable appliance having a switching device is provided.

As will be described below in conjunction with the preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a simpler and more efficient method of controlling the power supply by a set of manually closed contacts that can be quickly opened by a small solenoid. It would be obvious to construct a lower cost system. The solenoid is preferably operated by the electronic timing circuit whenever the iron is "on" but not moved for a predetermined time interval, typically 7 to 10 minutes. A miniature mercury switch may be installed to open and close randomly when moved by normal ironing operations. Each time the switch is opened, the timer is reset and begins the main cycle, so the power will not be turned off during normal use of the iron.

As the price of electronic circuits continues to fall, it is now possible for household appliances to have distinctive sounds that were previously not possible due to cost.

Such features include those intended to make operation more convenient and easier to use as well as to make the instrument safer to operate.

The preferred embodiment provides for such a two
Contains several @ characters.

One feature of the preferred embodiment of the invention is that there is no need to expend energy in a separate system to keep the iron energized.

That is, unlike some known arrangements in which electricity must be continuously applied to operate a relay or the like in order to open or close a contact, thus generating additional unhelpful heat, the preferred embodiment of the present invention Operates a button based on the energy applied by the user to return the iron to power mode. Furthermore, if the iron is left inactive for the aforementioned 7 to 10 minute time interval, the iron only requires a momentary flow of electricity to switch to the stop mode.

[Example〕 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated electric iron 20 includes a base plate 22, typically of cast aluminum, upon which is mounted a housing 24, typically of molded plastic. Housing 24 includes a bottom or skirt portion 26 joined by a rear pedestal 30 and throat portion 32, and a handle portion 28. A power cord 34 extending from the rear of the handle portion 28 and from the top of the rear pedestal 30 is for connecting all the iron power sources. Several user control elements may be provided on the housing 24, including a temperature selection knob, a steam generation mechanism, and steam adjustment buttons, but these elements are not part of the present invention and will not be described here.

Next, FIG. 3 will be explained. In Figure 3, on the left side,
That is, the solenoid mechanism 3 is located in front of the handle portion 28.
6 and a reset mechanism 38 are shown. These mechanisms are mounted on the front end of a printed circuit board 40, which is further mounted with an electronic timing circuit 42, including an electronic timer U1 and a motion detector switch MSI. Details of the electronic timing circuit are discussed below. A pair of contacts 46 and 48 connect power cord 34
(FIG. 2) and all electrical or electronic circuits of the electric iron 20 in series with a single power line extending between the iron 20 and all electrical or electronic circuits of the iron 20. Contacts 46 are attached to a fixed blade 50 that is secured to printed circuit board 40 by rivets or other means. The contacts 48 are attached to a flexible blade 52 which, when unconstrained, is biased so that the two contacts move to an open position as shown in FIG.

A latch 54 is provided to maintain the contacts closed, and this action is achieved by an upward force applied by a compression spring 56. More particularly, the latch 54 has a downwardly extending leg 58 (FIG. 5) that terminates in a foot 60 that engages the underside of the malleable blade 52.

The latch 54 has a rotation bearing 64 (Fig. 3) that protrudes upward.
It further includes a generally horizontally extending head member 62 that intersects the leg 58 at a location. The rotation bearing 64 is received in a groove 66 formed on the underside of the reset tongue 68. Compression spring 56 is housed between head member 62 and a spring support 70 that cantilevers from the support structure of solenoid mechanism 36 .

Solenoid mechanism 36 has a housing or frame 72 that is attached to printed circuit board 40 in any suitable manner. Housing 72 encloses a coil 74 which, when energized, drives armature 76 to the left as shown in FIG. Floating rod 78 is mounted for reciprocating movement within a bushing 80 supported by housing 72 and is coaxial with armature 76 . When coil 74 is energized, armature 76 moves to the left, causing leg 58 of latch 54 to similarly move to the left (FIG. 4). contacts 46 and 48 open.The contacts are then held open by flexible blade 52.When the solenoid is inactive, foot 60 is moved by a compression spring acting on latch 54. The deflection force of 56 keeps it in contact with the protrusion 82 .

To operate the iron again, press the reset button 76.
8, as indicated by arrow 83 in FIG. 5, to a position somewhat below that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Therefore, the latch 54, particularly the foot 60, is connected to the protrusion 82.
The compression spring 56 acting on the head member 62 is forced under the distal end of the flexible blade 52 .

At this stage of operation, the coil 74 is not energized so that the armature 76 and rod 78 are free to move axially away from the latch 54. Fifth
As shown, leg 58 pushes rod 78 and thus armature 76 to the right as it returns to the latched position. When the user releases the reset button 68, the compression spring 56 pushes the button up and with it the latch 54, so that eventually the contacts 46 and 48 are closed again to the position shown in FIG. The iron is then operated again.

It should be noted that in this embodiment, the contacts 46 and 48 cannot be held closed by holding down the reset button 68. This is because the contacts open when the reset yN button is pressed down. Even if the reset getan gets stuck in the normal position, the switch will still be opened when the coil is energized.

Next, FIGS. 3, 6, and 7 will be explained. 6th
The figure shows the physical layout of the electronic control circuit, and FIG. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram thereof. Power is controlled by a set of manually opened contacts 46 and 48 that can be opened by a small solenoid mechanism 36 as described above.

The coil 74 of the lenoid mechanism is energized by the electronic timing circuit 42 (FIG. 7) when the iron is in the "on" state but not moved for a predetermined time interval.

This time interval is typically 7 to 10 minutes, but can be any length desired. A small motion detector switch MS, which may be a mercury switch, opens and closes randomly when moved by normal ironing motions! It is attached to the lint circuit board 4o. Each time the switch is opened, the electronic timer U1 is reset to begin a timing cycle so that the power will not be turned off during normal iron use.

7, power lead Wl is connected to a reset switch formed by contacts 46 and 48 (see FIGS. 3-5). This reset switch is a single-pole switch that is closed to the latched open state by manually pushing down the reset getan 68 as described above.

The reset switch remains closed until it is opened by energizing the renoid coil 74, as also explained above. From the reset switch formed by contacts 46 and 48, power is transferred to power lead W2.
'ft to the superheat limiter 84, thermostat 86, and Calrod heating element 88. All of these elements are the same as those provided in conventional irons. The other terminal of the Calrod heating element is the power lead W3
It is also a "common" circuit for the entire electronic circuit. Capacitor Cs and metal compound varistor M-
An example of this is General Electric V130
LA2 MOV - is added between power leads W2 and W3 for transient suppression.

Each time contacts 46 and 48 are closed, neon run fH
The illumination of indicates to the user that the iron is "on". The current flowing through the neon lamp is limited by a resistor R connected in series therewith. Contact 4
When 6 and 48 are closed, power is also supplied to the electronic circuit.

Resistors R and R11, diode CR, and capacitor C1 form a DC power source that provides approximately +11 delts across capacitor C1. This voltage is reduced to 9.1 Gault and regulated by resistor RIG and Zener diode CR3. An integrated circuit timer Ul is used to limit the off delay time from 7 to 10 minutes. As the integrated circuit timer U1, Texas Instr.
TLC555C manufactured and sold by uments
An integrated circuit timer or equivalent may be employed. Since the capacitor C3 is continuously charged through the resistor R4 and no base current is supplied to the transistor Ql, the transistor Q1 is in the "off" state and does not discharge the capacitor C3t" during the 7 to 10 minute time interval. is determined by the time required to charge capacitor C3 to two-thirds of the voltage at pins 4 and 8 of integrated circuit timer 01.

As mentioned above, the motion detector switch MS, which is a small mercury switch, is normally closed, and the capacitor C2 has a voltage of about 4.
Charged to 5 cells. A form of motion detector switch suitable for purposes of the present invention includes model TS66, sold by Flfth Dimension, Inc. of Rillington, New Chassis. When the iron 20 is moved during a normal ironing operation,
Motion detector switch MS is momentarily opened and capacitor C2 begins to charge through resistor R2 until approximately 9 builds are reached. This charging current is the pace of transistor Ql.
Since it is also an emitter current, transistor Ql is momentarily turned on, resulting in capacitor C3 being discharged and integrated circuit timer U1 being reset. When motion detector switch MS closes again, capacitor C2 connects to resistor R
3, motion detector switch MS, and resistor R9, transistor Q1 is again "off".

Integrated circuit timer U! The pin 3 output is “high” for 7 to 10 minutes according to the discharge timing of Cs/Rs.
resistor R5 is connected as an unstable oscillator that is in the low state (approximately 9 gerts) and then in the "low" state (approximately 0.1.3 gerts) for the next few milliseconds. from 1
Determines the rate at which capacitor C3 is discharged when the circuit is timed out due to zero minutes of inactivity.

This ensures that the SCR is turned on long enough to keep the lenoid actuation switch open at all times. Transistor Q, inverts this voltage from pin 3 of integrated circuit timer U, so that the collector of transistor Q2 is at a low voltage when pin 3 is in the high state, and at the end of the timing period, pin 3 is in the low state. When , the voltage is high. In this regard, resistor R6 becomes the bias resistor for transistor Q2 when pin 3 is high, so that the pace current in transistor Q2 is limited to a safe value. Transistor Q! When the collector of
through resistor Rs and r- of 5CRQ3 to turn the SCR dart "on" only during the positive half-cycle of the voltage on power lead Wl. Resistor R7 is 5CRQ
Biasing the voltage of s and charging the capacitor C1 to a value that can sustain it for a reasonable amount of time, reducing the charge of the capacitor C1 to a value that can last for a reasonable amount of time. Limit current. Thereafter, a heavy current pulse flows through the solenoid coil 74, causing the coil to move to the open position of the reset switch contacts 46 and 48, thereby de-energizing the iron heating circuit and control circuit.

Capacitors C4 and C6 ensure noise rejection of integrated circuit timer U1, as is well known. In addition, resistor R8 is Ic5cRQ to improve withstand voltage and dv/dt characteristics.
Stabilize r-t of s.

As is clear from the above description, the above-described mechanism is simple, low-cost, and low-power, ideally suited for electrical appliances such as pressing irons, and is manually operated to close but electrically open. It is a switch device that is The energy to open and close the electrical contacts, the contact holding force and the weld breaking force are all provided by the user pressing the reset button 68. Apparatus 1) To trigger and force the previously stressed spring or flexible blade 52 to open the power on/off contacts 46 and 48.

Only instantaneous current is used.

Another preferred embodiment of the mechanism of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11. The printed circuit board 40, which supports all of the previously described electronic components, is attached to the top of the electric iron 20.
is suitably mounted within the handle portion 28. As shown in FIG. 8, the solenoid mechanism 102 is attached to the printed circuit board 40 and moves the classic chassis or coil gevin 104 and the coil 106 to the left (FIG. 8) when the coil 106 is energized. armature 108.

There is an opening 112 (FIG. 9) slightly inside from one end 110 of the printed circuit board 40, and this opening 112'
1t, the penetrating fixed contacts 114 are mounted on a suitable support 116, which is suitably fixed to the printed circuit board. The flexible blade 118 is bifurcated at its front end and has a pair of tabs 119 at its rear end that are received in the printed circuit board through openings 119A (FIG. 9). Tab 11
9 is folded back and engages the printed circuit board to secure the blade to the circuit board. The flexible blade 118 extends forward, and the movable contact 120 attached thereto is engageable with the fixed contact 114. However, the flexible blade 118 is formed of a suitable spring material such that the contacts 114 and 120 are normally biased apart unless forced together by an external force.

This external action is provided by latch 122.

Is the latch 122 the coil of the solenoid mechanism 102? It includes an elongated unlatching spring 124 attached to the bin 104 at its rear end and biased upwardly. Latch release spring 12
4 is a pair of downwardly extending holes having a hole formed therein near the leading edge thereof suitable for receiving a laterally extending bearing pin 128 for rotatably mounting a downwardly extending latch lever 130; It has blades 126. A foot 132 at the lower end of the latch lever 130 removably engages an edge 134 of a recessed area 136 of the end 110 of the printed circuit board 40 . One end of the latch spring 133 further attached to the bearing pin 128 abuts the latch release spring 124;
The other end contacts the latch lever 130 and presses the latch lever in a counterclockwise direction (FIGS. 8 and 11). A lobe 138 located upwardly apart from the foot 132 and integral with the latch lever is connected to the flexible plate "1".
It can freely engage with the upper surface of 18. A non-magnetic extension 140 extending from the forward end of armature 108 and preferably made of molded plastic material is capable of engaging the back surface of latch lever 130 and disengaging foot 132tl-edge 134. Therefore, it can be operated selectively.

Reset methane 142 passes through an opening 144 in handle portion 28 . A peripheral flange 146 of the reset methane 142 engages the aperture 144 and holds the methane from rising further. reset) yf methane 4
2 is attached to the top surface of the button holding bar 148, so
In reality, it is held in a predetermined position on the handle portion 28.

Suitably secured to the handle portion 28 at a location remote from the rear, the reset methane 142 has a nozzle 150 at its front end that is engageable with the upper surface of the release spring 124.

The neon lamp N is a coiled pin 1 as shown in the figure.
04 or other structure within the handle portion 28 . Reset methane is manufactured from transparent material and neon lamp N resets when the rung is lit? is placed below the reset methane so as to emit incandescent light on the surface of the methane.

As mentioned above, the electric iron 20 is not moved for a predetermined time interval, for example 7 to 10 minutes! After one moment of standing, electrical energy is supplied to the coil 106 via an electronic circuit. Pulses are instantaneous, with a duration of no more than 1 second and typically less than 50 milliseconds. When the coil is excited by this pulse, the armature 108 is
It is moved forward (towards the left in FIG. 8) toward the center of the coil 106, where the magnetic lines of force are concentrated and become stronger.

As a result, the molded non-magnetic extending portion 140 is attached to the latch lever 1.
30 and pushes the latch lever forward against the deflection force of the latch spring 133, pushing the foot 132 against the printed circuit board 4.
0 from the front edge 134.

The force of the latch release spring 124 deflected upward moves the latch lever 130 upward, and the latch spring 133 is lifted accordingly. This movement is caused by the disengagement of foot 132, which causes it to move upwardly, causing switch contacts 114 and 1
This is further aided by the deflection force of the flexible blade 118 which opens the iron 20 and turns off power to the iron.

To restore power to the iron, the user presses the reset button 142. As the reset button moves downward, the latch lever 130 descends and the latch spring 13
3 causes the foot 132 to engage the edge 134 of the printed circuit board 40. Cam surface 15 of foot portion 132
4 slides along the edge 134VC until it reaches the shoulder 156, at which point the latch lever moves rearward (first
It can be rotated (counterclockwise in Figure 1), so
Shoulder 156 firmly engages the underside of the printed circuit board.

Contacts 114 and 120 are then closed again and power to the iron is restored. The contacts remain closed until the coil is re-energized. The neon lamp N connected in parallel with the control circuit and the power supply circuit is connected to the contact 114.
Lights up when 120 and 120 are engaged. On the contrary, contact 11
4 and 120 open, the neon lamp goes out.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail while citing specific numerical values for better understanding of some electronic devices, the scope of the present invention is limited to the scope of the specification and claims. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway plan view showing an electric product in the form of a press iron employing the present invention; FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway and partially sectional side view of the press iron shown in FIG. 1; 1 and 2; FIGS. 4 and 5 are detailed cross-sectional views of the iron shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; FIGS. 4 and 5 are FIGS. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the relative arrangement of electronic components of a circuit board utilized in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a typical circuit utilized in accordance with the present invention; 8 is a detailed cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing another embodiment of the invention; FIG. 9 is a detailed bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a detailed bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. , a detailed front view of some parts shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 11 are detailed front views of some parts shown in FIG. ...Bottom plate, 24...
28... Handle portion, 36... Solenoid mechanism, 38... Reset mechanism, 40... Printed circuit board, 42... Electronic timing circuit, 46.
48... Contact, 52... Flexible blade, 54...
・Latch, 60... Foot, 68... Reset button, 74... Coil, 76... Armature, 78... Rod, 88... Calrod heating element, 102... Solenoid mechanism , 106... Coil, 108... Armature, 114... Fixed contact, 118... Flexible blade, 120... Movable contact, 122... Latch, 124
...Release the latch, 130...Latch lever, 1
32... Foot portion, 133... Latch spring, 138...
・Lobe, 142...Reset button, MS...Motion detector timer, N...Neon lamp, Ul...
Electronic (integrated circuit) timer. All white FIG, l. FIG, 2゜

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Switching means (46 , 48); electromechanical means (74) operative to switch said switch means (46, 48) into a rest mode when energized;
, 76, 78); a motion sensor (MS) generating a signal in response to movement of the instrument (20); and setting a preset time in response to the motion sensor signal, and when the preset time has elapsed; Subsequently, if no motion sensor signal is generated, the electromechanical means (74, 7
6, 78); and timer means (42) for operating the device. 2. When the instrument (20) is moved before the preset time has elapsed, the timer means (42) is activated in response to the last signal in the series of signals from the motion sensor (MS). restarting the timing sequence of 42), said timer means (42) triggering said electromechanical means (74, 76, 78) when said preset time has elapsed without interruption without movement of said instrument (20). The automatic switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the automatic switching device is operated. 3. It is manually operable, and the switch means (46, 4
reset means (38, 54) for switching 8) to power mode;
) The automatic switching device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the automatic switching device comprises: 4. Automatic switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that said reset means (38, 54) comprises latching means (54) for latching said switch means (46, 48) in power mode. . 5. The switch means (46, 48) has a first contact (46) and a second contact (48) that are engageable with each other;
a resilient blade (52) for deflecting said second contact (48) out of engagement with said first contact (46); said latching means (54) said first and second contacts; Contact point (4
6, 48) releasably engages said resilient blade (52) to hold them in mutual engagement; said reset means, when actuated, causes said latching means to engage said resilient blade (52); An automatic switching device according to claim 4, characterized in that: 6. The electromechanical means (74, 76, 78) includes an electromagnetically driven armature (76) that is movable toward and away from the latching means (54), and the armature is , when driven towards said latching means (54), releasing said latching means (54) and placing said switching means (46, 48) in a rest mode. Or the automatic switching device according to item 5. 7. Said armature (76) comprises a plunger (76) of a solenoid (36), said plunger moving a freely floating rod (78) aligned therewith, said solenoid (36) being energized; 7. An automatic switching device according to claim 6, characterized in that said rod engages said latching means (54) when: 8. said timer means (42), said timer means (42) causing said electromechanical means (74, 76, 78
) is actuated, said electromechanical means (74, 76,
Automatic switching according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises electronic circuit means (40) for limiting the energization time of 78) to a period of up to about 1 second. Device. 9. An electric iron for pressing, comprising the automatic switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10, comprising a bottom plate (22) and a heating element (88) that heats the bottom plate (22), and the switch means (46, 4
8) is characterized in that the heating element (88) is connected to the power source in the power mode, and the heating element (88) is cut off from the power source in the rest mode. electric iron for pressing. 11, located above said bottom plate (24), said switch means (46, 48) and said electromechanical means (74, 76);
, 78), a housing (24) containing said motion sensor (MS) and said timer means (42), being elastically pressed outwardly with respect to said housing (24);
2. A manually depressable button (68, 142) which, when actuated, resets said switch means (46, 48) from said rest mode to said power mode. The electric press iron according to item 10. 12. The latch member (54) extends downward from the button (68) and has a foot (60) at its lower end;
60) engages below the elastic blade (52) when in the power mode and is elastically pressed upward to engage the second contact (48) with the first contact (46). said latching member (54) is moved by said electromechanical means (74, 76, 78) when energized to bring said foot (60) into said resilient blade (52).
), and the elastic blade (52) is disengaged from the elastic blade (52).
Directly or indirectly deflecting the second contact (48) away from the first contact (46) to cause the rest mode to be executed. An electric iron for pressing according to claim 11 when dependent on . 13. A latch lever (130) extends downwardly from and is rotatably attached to an elongated latch release spring (124), and said latch release spring (124) is connected to said button (
The latch lever (130) has a foot (132) that can be engaged with the fixing member (40), and the elastic blade (118).
and an engageable lobe (138); a latch spring (133) pivotably biasing the latch lever (130) relative to the latch release spring (124); and the button (142). When operated, the latch spring (133) moves the foot (132) to the fixing member (4).
0) and engages said lobe (138) with said elastic blade (118) to connect said second contact (
120) into engagement with the first contact (114), moving and stressing the latch release spring (124) such that the power mode can be executed; (130) is rotated by said electromechanical means (74, 76, 78) when energized to disengage said foot (132) from said locking member (40) and to release said latch release spring. Directly or indirectly dependent on claim 5, characterized in that (124) allows said latch spring (130) to be moved upwards and said rest mode to be executed. An electric iron for pressing according to claim 11. 14. The electric iron (20) is connected to the printed circuit board (4).
0), and said printed circuit board (40) has a handle portion (28) containing said switch means (46, 48).
), said electromechanical means (74, 76, 78), said movement sensor (MS) and said timer means (42) are installed. , the electric press iron according to item 12 or 13. 15, disposed below the button (68, 142),
Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a lamp (N) electrically connected to said switch means (46, 48) to indicate when said electric iron (20) is in power mode. The electric press iron according to item 11, 12 or 13. 16. Connecting the device to a power source in order to operate the device; detecting inactivity of the device; and electronically measuring the length of time the device is left motionless. Claims 1 to 8 include the steps of: disconnecting the appliance from the power source when the length of time the appliance is left motionless exceeds a preset value. A method of operating an electrically operated portable appliance having an automatic switching device according to any one of the preceding claims.