KR100643652B1 - Control apparatus and the method of a steam cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a steam cleaner and a method thereof are provided to block the operation of the heater if the temperature of the heater is over the set temperature and prevent the electric circuit from being overheated. An apparatus for controlling a steam cleaner(1) comprises a power supply unit(2); a heater unit(3) for emitting the heat from the power supply unit; a steam generating unit(4) for generating steam from the heated water; a water supply unit(5) for supplying the water to the steam generating unit; a heat sensing unit(11) for sensing the temperature of the heater unit; a control unit(12) for controlling a sound outlet unit(13) to output the operation guide signal if the temperature of the heater unit is approached at or over the set temperature; the sound outlet unit for outputting the sound signal; a visual displaying unit(14) for outputting the operation guide signal; a use sensing unit(15) for sensing whether or not the cleaner is used; and a power blocking unit(16) for blocking the conductive state between the power supply unit and the heater unit according to the control signal of the control unit. The heat sensing unit contains a thermistor which is a resistant body having a heat-susceptible performance.

Description

Control apparatus and method of a steam cleaner

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the present invention;

2 is a flow chart showing the operation progress step of the present invention.

* Symbol description for main part of drawing *

1 ... steam cleaner 2 ... power supply

3 ... heater 4 ... steam generator

5 ... water supply 10 ... controls

11 ... heat detection unit 12 ... control unit

13 ... sound output 14 ... time display

15 ... Detection part 16 ... Power cutoff part

The present invention relates to a control apparatus and method of the steam cleaner, and more particularly, to a control apparatus and method of the steam cleaner to control the operation at the same time to the user of the progress of the overall operation of the steam cleaner. .

In general, the vacuum cleaner being used is to operate the built-in motor to inhale dust or dirt and then to remove it in a collection pack or a container. Most of the vacuum cleaners of this type have a negative pressure inside the vacuum cleaner by the rotational force of the motor. By making it into a state, it uses the pressure difference that occurs inside / outside the cleaner to inhale dust and foreign substances together with the air.

Such vacuum cleaners are usually domestic and have a structure that is difficult to absorb moisture, and if they absorb moisture, they can cause breakdown and can be used only in dry places.

In addition, even in a dry place, dust or foreign matter does not adhere to the floor or carpet, and can be easily inhaled while it is on the floor. Not only is it difficult to inhale, but there is a problem that it cannot be used when it is necessary to clean stains or streaks.

The steam cleaner developed to solve the above disadvantages is a power supply unit for supplying power to the electric circuit of the steam cleaner, a heater unit for generating heat through the power supplied from the above-described power supply unit, and the above-mentioned heater unit is heated It is common to include a steam generator for generating steam from water and a water supply unit for supplying water to the steam generator.

Such a conventional steam cleaner is to generate and store steam in the interior, and spray the steam to dissolve the fixed dust and foreign matter, and then remove it.

Such a conventional steam cleaner has a problem that the user does not know exactly when the steam is generated, that is, the available time by heating the water by heating the heater.

For example, the user has no choice but to start cleaning after seeing the steam generation condition, and to check the steam generation, the user must pay attention to the steam cleaner for a certain time, so that the user takes away the time of housewives who are mostly chased by busy housework. There was a problem.

In particular, such a conventional steam cleaner does not have a separate control device for safety, and when the steam cleaner is turned off while the power switch of the vacuum cleaner is turned on, the heater not only continuously consumes water but also consumes water completely. If the heater is heated, there is a risk of damage to the electric circuit and in some cases fire.

In order to prevent this, when a predetermined temperature or more such as bimetal is provided, a safety device for conducting / blocking the power supplied to the heater is provided, but this also has a problem in that a malfunction occurs during long-term use.

According to the present invention for solving such a problem, when it is detected that the steam cleaner has reached a preset temperature by starting preheating, the present invention indicates to the user that the steam cleaner can be used, and even after a predetermined time, the use of the steam cleaner is not detected. Otherwise, automatically shuts off the operation of the heater, and when it is detected that the temperature of the heater rises above a certain temperature, the control device of the steam cleaner for controlling to block the operation of the heater and to display the need for water replenishment. The goal is to provide a method.

The present invention for achieving this object, the power supply for supplying power to the electric circuit of the steam cleaner; A heater unit generating heat through power supplied from the above-described power supply unit; A steam generator for generating steam from the water heated by the heater; A steam cleaner comprising a water supply unit for supplying water to the above-described steam generator, the steam cleaner comprising: a heat sensing unit for sensing a temperature of the heater unit; A controller for outputting a guidement and an operation guide signal stored in advance through a sound output unit to be described later when the temperature of the heater unit detected by the above-described heat detection unit reaches or exceeds a preset temperature; An audio output unit configured to output a voice signal applied from the aforementioned controller; A time display unit for outputting an operation guide signal applied by the control unit; A use detection unit for detecting whether the user uses the steam cleaner; And if the use of the steam cleaner is not detected through the above-described use detector for a certain time, it characterized in that it comprises a power cut-off unit for blocking the conduction state between the above-described power supply and the heater by the control signal of the controller.

In the present invention, when the above-described power switch is turned on, power is supplied to the heater unit, and the heater unit is heated.

Then, the water is heated in the steam generator to store the water supplied through the water supply, thereby generating steam.

In this way, the generated steam is ejected to the bottom surface of the main body of the steam cleaner, to dissolve the dust and foreign matter stuck to the area that needs to be cleaned, and then to remove it.

Herein, when the power is supplied to the heater through the above-described power supply and the water is heated, when the heat sensing unit senses that the temperature, for example, 99 ° C., which has been set in advance in the above-described control unit, is detected, the control unit is self-stored. For example, "Preheating is completed. You may clean." The output is repeated three times through the above-described sound output unit at regular intervals.

The user can use the steam cleaner after checking the output information as described above.

At this time, if the above-described use detection unit does not detect the use of the steam cleaner, that is, if the user does not use the steam cleaner even after the above-described announcement is output, the control unit after the preset time elapses, The cutoff part transmits a control signal to cut off the conduction state between the power supply part and the heater part so that the cutoff part is turned off.

Then, the above-described heater unit is completely cut off the power supply to stop the heat generation.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary water heating and exhaustion, and to prevent continuous overheating of the heater portion, thereby extending the life of the heater portion.

In addition, in the present invention, when the water is completely exhausted during the use of the steam cleaner, the steam does not occur, the temperature of the heater is increased, this is the heat sensing unit is detected, the control unit is raised above the preset temperature In this case, the stored guide comment, for example, “The water is completely exhausted. Please refill the water and use it again” is output twice through the aforementioned sound output unit.

Nevertheless, when the steam cleaner is not powered off or refilled with water, and the heater temperature rises above a predetermined temperature or a predetermined time elapses, the above-described control unit switches the power cut-off unit from the power supply unit to the heater unit. By cutting off the control signal to cut off the power supply, the electric circuit is protected.

As described above, the above-described heat sensing unit of the present invention may include, for example, a thermally sensitive resistor (Thermister), may include a bimetal, and may include a resistance temperature detector (RTD), which is a resistance thermometer. It may also include a thermocouple thermocouple.

In the present invention, it is preferable to use the thermistor having a temperature range of 50 ~ 500 ℃ small and inexpensive.

Here, when the temperature of the heater portion rises, the resistance value of the heater changes, and the aforementioned control unit senses this and outputs a control signal according to each resistance value.

On the other hand, the above-described control unit of the present invention, for example, in accordance with the signal value input from the above-described heat detection unit, a control operation for outputting a signal for blocking the conduction state of the above-described power cut-off unit, and the signal input from the above-described heat detection unit According to the value, the announcement to be output to the above-described sound output unit includes a microprocessor previously stored.

On the other hand, the above-described sound output unit of the present invention, for example, includes an amplifier circuit and a speaker.

In this case, the amplification circuit described above may include, for example, a transistor or may include an OP-AMP.

In addition, the above-described visual display unit of the present invention may be, for example, an LED, a 7 segment group, or an LCD.

On the other hand, the above-described use detection unit of the present invention, for example, may be provided in the handle portion of the steam cleaner, a pressure sensor for detecting the grip force of the user, may be an optical sensor for detecting the light blocked by the user's hand. It is also provided on the bottom surface of the steam cleaner body, may be a position sensor for detecting the movement state.

Lastly, the above-described power cut-off unit of the present invention may be, for example, a reed switch or a relay.

If described with reference to the accompanying drawings an embodiment of the present invention that can be configured as follows.

First, the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, the power supply for supplying power to the electric circuit of the steam cleaner; A heater unit 3 which generates heat through the power supplied from the power supply unit 2 described above; A steam generator 4 for generating steam from the water heated by the heater unit 3 described above; A steam cleaner (1) comprising a water supply unit (5) for supplying water to the steam generator (4), comprising: a heat sensing unit (11) for sensing the temperature of the heater unit (3); When the temperature of the heater unit 3 sensed by the above-described heat detection unit 11 reaches or exceeds a preset temperature, the guidement and operation guide signal stored in advance through the sound output unit 13 to be described later. A control unit 12 for outputting a; An audio output unit 13 for outputting a voice signal applied from the above-described control unit 12; A time display unit 14 for outputting an operation guide signal applied from the control unit 12; A use detection unit 15 for detecting whether the user uses the steam cleaner 1; And when the use of the steam cleaner 1 is not detected through the use detection unit 15 for a predetermined time, the control signal of the control unit 12 may control the power supply unit 2 and the heater unit 3. It is configured to include a power cutoff unit 16 for blocking the conduction state.

The above-described heat detection unit 11 of the present invention includes a thermal thermistor (Thermister).

Here, when the temperature of the heater increases, the resistance value of the heater changes, and the controller 12 detects this and outputs a control signal according to each resistance value.

On the other hand, the control unit 12 in the present invention, the control operation for outputting a signal for blocking the conduction state of the power cut-off unit 16 described above, in accordance with the signal value input from the above-described heat detection unit 11, According to the signal value input from the above-described heat detection unit 11, the above-mentioned guidance output to the sound output unit 13 includes a microprocessor stored in advance.

Here, the guidement stored in the above-described microprocessor is, for example, the power is supplied to the heater through the power supply unit 1, the water is heated, the temperature is set in advance in the control unit 12, that is, 99 ℃ When the heat detection unit 11 detects that "preheating is completed. You may proceed with cleaning." And when the steam cleaner 1 is completely exhausted during the use of the steam cleaner and no steam is generated, the heater unit The temperature of (3) increases, which is detected by the above-described heat sensing unit 11, and when the temperature rises above a predetermined temperature, the output "water is completely exhausted. After refilling the water, it is used again. Please do it. "

On the other hand, the above-described sound output unit 13 of the present invention includes an amplifier circuit and a speaker, wherein the amplification circuit includes a transistor.

On the other hand, the above-described time display unit 14 of the present invention is an LED, which is a power ON LED which is turned on when power is supplied from the above-described power supply unit, and a refill LED which displays water replenishment.

At this time, it is also preferable to display the use state by letters or numbers by using a 7-segment group or LCD instead of the LED.

On the other hand, the above-described use detection unit 15 of the present invention is provided on the handle portion of the steam cleaner 1, it is a pressure sensor for detecting the grip force of the user.

Finally, the above-described power cutoff unit 16 of the present invention is a reed switch.

Referring to the operation of the present invention configured as described above is as follows.

First, when the above-mentioned power switch is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply part 2 to the heater part 3, and the heater of the heater part 3 is heated.

Then, the water is heated in the steam generator 4 in which the water supplied through the water supply unit 5 is stored to generate steam.

In this way, the generated steam is ejected to the bottom surface of the main body of the steam cleaner 1 to dissolve the dust and foreign matter stuck to the area requiring cleaning, and then to remove it.

Here, in the present invention, when the power is supplied to the heater unit 3 through the above-described power supply unit 2 and the water is heated, the resistance value of the thermistor included in the above-described heat sensing unit 11 for detecting a temperature is variable. The control unit 12 compares whether the variable resistance value is a resistance value corresponding to a preset temperature, for example, 99 ° C., with a comparison value, and when the resistance value is the corresponding resistance value, the controller 12 automatically stores the guide. "Preheating is completed. You may proceed with cleaning." At a certain interval through the amplification circuit of the above-described sound output unit 13 and outputs three times through the speaker.

The user may use the steam cleaner 1 after confirming the output information as described above.

At this time, if the pressure sensor of the above-described use detection unit 15 does not detect the grip force of the user, that is, the user does not use the steam cleaner 1 even after the above-described guidement is output, the above-described control unit 12 After a predetermined time, for example, 3 minutes has elapsed, the control signal is transmitted to the heater unit 3 to block the conduction state between the power supply unit 2 and the heater unit 3 to the aforementioned power cutoff unit 16. Shut off the power supply.

At this time, in the state where the power switch 2 and the heater unit 3 are in contact with each other, the reed switch of the above-described power cutoff unit 16 is disconnected. When supplied, an electromagnetic field is formed at the contacts on the coil side, and the conduction state is switched to the interrupted state by attracting the other contacts.

Then, the above-described heater unit 3 is completely cut off the power supply to stop the heat generation.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary exhaustion of the water by heating, and to prevent the continuous overheating of the heater unit 3, so that the life of the heater unit 3 can be extended.

In addition, in the present invention, when water is completely exhausted during the use of the steam cleaner 1, and no steam is generated, the temperature of the heater unit 3 is increased. When the resistance value changes, the controller 12 changes the resistance value to a resistance value corresponding to a preset temperature, for example, a temperature of 110 to 120 ° C. The stored water is completely exhausted. Please use it again after replenishment. "The information is output twice through the speaker via the amplification circuit of the above-described sound output unit 13.

Nevertheless, if the power of the steam cleaner 1 is not turned off or water is supplemented, and the heater temperature rises above a preset temperature or a predetermined time (for example, time to replenish water) elapses, One control unit 12 protects the electric circuit by transmitting a control signal to cut off the power supplied from the power supply unit 2 to the heater unit 3 to the power cutoff unit 16.

Referring to the steps of the present invention to act in this order as follows.

First, the present invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings, Figure 2, a power supply step (S10) for supplying power from the power supply unit 2 to the heater unit 3 by turning on the power switch; A heater heating step (S20) for heating the heater of the heater unit 3 through the power supplied from the power supply unit 2; The control unit 12 detects a change in the resistance value of the heat detection unit 11 having a resistance value that varies according to the heat generation state of the heater unit 3, and determines a time point at which steam is generated, and this is the sound output unit 13. And a preheating temperature judging and usable display step (S30) to be displayed to the user through the time display unit 14; It is determined whether the user uses the steam cleaner 1 through the use detection unit 15 for detecting the grip force of the user, and when not in use for a certain time, the control unit 12 controls the power cutoff to the power cutoff unit 16. Detecting the use of the steam cleaner and the operation blocking step of cutting off the power supplied from the power supply unit 2 to the heater unit 3 by transmitting a signal (S40); The control unit 12 detects a change in the resistance value of the heat detection unit 11 to determine the water replenishment time point, and then expresses this to the user through the sound output unit 13 and the time display unit 14, but above a preset temperature. When rising to the control unit 12 transmits a power cutoff control signal to the power cutoff unit 16, the water replenishment detection and operation blocking step of cutting off the power supplied from the power supply unit 2 to the heater unit 3 ( S50).

The control method of the present invention proceeds as described in detail as follows. First, when the power switch is turned on in the power supply step (S10), the LED of the time display unit 14 is turned on and power is supplied to the heater unit 3.

As such, when power is supplied to the heater unit 3 in the power supply step S10, the heater of the heater unit 3 is heated by the power supplied from the power supply unit 2 in the heater heating unit S20. do.

As such, when the heater of the heater unit 3 is heated, in the preheating temperature determination and usable display step (S30), the above-described microprocessor of the control unit 12 generates a temperature of the heater unit 3 where steam is generated. It is judged by the changed resistance value whether the temperature rises to ℃, if less than 99 ℃, continuously detects the change in the resistance value according to the temperature of the heat detection unit 11 until it reaches 99 ℃, if the corresponding to 99 ℃ or more If the resistance value, "Preheating is completed. You may clean." At a certain interval through the amplification circuit of the above-described sound output unit 13 through the speaker three times it is output to the user to indicate that it can be used. do.

At this time, the LED of the time display unit 14 blinks.

And, in the steam cleaner use detection and operation blocking step (S40), as described above, in the pre-heated state in which the heater unit 3 is heated to generate steam, the pressure sensor of the above-described use detection unit 15 of the user If it detects the use of the steam cleaner (1), and if the cleaning is not in progress, the above-described control unit 12 outputs "Preheating is completed. You may proceed to cleaning" through the sound output unit 13, The above-described control unit 12 continuously detects the operation state of the use detection unit 15 for a preset time, for example, 3 minutes, and even after 3 minutes have elapsed, if the use of the user is not detected by the use detection unit 15, After outputting the announcement "stop the preheating operation", by transmitting a control signal to block the conduction state of the above-described power cutoff unit 16 to cut off the power supplied to the heater to prevent unnecessary waste of water.

At this time, the LED of the time display part 14 turns off.

However, in the above-described steam cleaner detection step (S40), if the pressure sensor of the use detection unit 15 detects the user's grip force, and determines that the above-described control unit 12 is in a cleaning state, water replenishment detection and operation blocking In step S50, the temperature change of the heat sensing unit 11, that is, the resistance value change is continuously detected, and if the temperature of the heater unit 3 is a resistance value corresponding to 110 to 120 ° C., the sound output unit 13 is included. "Through water has been exhausted. Please refill water and use it again." When the temperature of the heater 3 is over 120 ℃, the heating operation is stopped. " After outputting the announcement, the control signal is transmitted to block the conduction state of the power cutoff unit 16 described above to cut off the power supplied to the heater unit 3, thereby preventing overheating of the heater.

According to the present invention, when it is detected that the steam cleaner has reached a preset temperature by starting preheating, the present invention clearly indicates to the user whether the steam cleaner can be used by expressing that the steam cleaner can be used, If the use of the steam cleaner is not detected even after a lapse of time, the heater is automatically shut off to prevent unnecessary water consumption, and when the temperature of the heater is raised above a certain temperature, the heater is shut off. At the same time, by expressing the need for water replenishment, it is possible to prevent excessive overheating of the heater and overheating of other electric circuits, thereby obtaining an effect of stably protecting the electric circuits.

Claims (6)

A power supply unit 2 for supplying power to the electric circuit of the steam cleaner; A heater unit 3 which generates heat through the power supplied from the power supply unit 2 described above; A steam generator 4 for generating steam from the water heated by the heater unit 3 described above; In the steam cleaner 1 comprising a water supply unit 5 for supplying water to the above-described steam generator 4, A heat sensing unit 11 for sensing a temperature of the heater unit 3; When the temperature of the heater unit 3 detected by the heat sensing unit 11 reaches or exceeds a preset temperature, the sound output unit 13 outputs the pre-stored guidement and operation guide signal. A control unit 12; An audio output unit 13 for outputting a voice signal applied from the control unit 12; A time display unit 14 for outputting an operation guide signal applied from the control unit 12; A use detection unit 15 for detecting whether the user uses the steam cleaner 1; And when the use of the steam cleaner 1 is not detected through the use detector 15 for a predetermined time, the power to cut off the conduction state between the power supply unit 2 and the heater unit 3 by the control signal of the control unit 12 Control device of the steam cleaner, characterized in that configured to include a blocking unit (16). The steam cleaner control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat sensing unit (11) comprises a demister which is a heat sensitive resistor. The control unit 12 according to claim 1, wherein the control unit 12 outputs a signal for interrupting the conduction state of the power interrupting unit 16 according to the signal value input from the heat sensing unit 11, and the heat sensing unit 11. In accordance with the signal value input from), the control unit of the steam cleaner, characterized in that the guidance output to the sound output unit 13 comprises a pre-stored microprocessor. According to claim 1, wherein the use detection unit 15 is provided on the handle portion of the steam cleaner (1), the control device of the steam cleaner, characterized in that composed of a pressure sensor for detecting the grip force of the user. 2. The control apparatus of a steam cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said power cut-off part (16) is composed of a reed switch. A power supply step (S10) of supplying power from the power supply unit 2 to the heater unit 3 by turning on the power switch; A heater heating step (S20) for heating the heater of the heater unit 3 through the power supplied from the power supply unit 2; The control unit 12 detects a change in the resistance value of the heat detection unit 11 having a resistance value that varies according to the heat generation state of the heater unit 3, and determines a time point at which steam is generated, and this is the sound output unit 13. And a preheating temperature judging and usable expression step (S30) to be displayed to the user through the time display unit 14; It is determined whether the user uses the steam cleaner 1 through the use detection unit 15 for detecting the grip force of the user, and when not in use for a certain time, the control unit 12 controls the power cutoff to the power cutoff unit 16. A steam cleaner use detection and operation blocking step of transmitting a signal to cut off the power supplied from the power supply unit 2 to the heater unit 3; The control unit 12 detects a change in the resistance value of the heat detection unit 11 to determine the water replenishment time point, and then expresses this to the user through the sound output unit 13 and the time display unit 14, but above a preset temperature. When rising to the control unit 12 transmits a power cutoff control signal to the power cutoff unit 16, the water replenishment detection and operation blocking step of cutting off the power supplied from the power supply unit 2 to the heater unit 3 ( S50) characterized in that the control method of the steam cleaner.

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