CA1262378A - Automatic switching apparatus for an electrical appliance - Google Patents
Automatic switching apparatus for an electrical applianceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1262378A CA1262378A CA000526563A CA526563A CA1262378A CA 1262378 A CA1262378 A CA 1262378A CA 000526563 A CA000526563 A CA 000526563A CA 526563 A CA526563 A CA 526563A CA 1262378 A CA1262378 A CA 1262378A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- latch
- automatic switching
- switching apparatus
- set forth
- appliance
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F75/00—Hand irons
- D06F75/08—Hand irons internally heated by electricity
- D06F75/26—Temperature control or indicating arrangements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
- H01H3/32—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts
- H01H3/50—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts with indexing or locating means, e.g. indexing by ball and spring
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Irons (AREA)
- Push-Button Switches (AREA)
- Control Of Electrical Variables (AREA)
- Measurement Of Predetermined Time Intervals (AREA)
- Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Automatic switching apparatus for a hand held electrically operated appliance such as a pressing iron.
A motion sensor and an electronic timer cooperate to automatically shut off the iron if the iron remains stationary for a predetermined period of time. A
simplified mechanism is manually operable in the event the user desires to reactivate the iron. A circuit board mounting simplified electronic circuitry is located within the handle of the iron. An appropriate indicator informs he user whether the iron is in the active mode or in the inactive mode.
Automatic switching apparatus for a hand held electrically operated appliance such as a pressing iron.
A motion sensor and an electronic timer cooperate to automatically shut off the iron if the iron remains stationary for a predetermined period of time. A
simplified mechanism is manually operable in the event the user desires to reactivate the iron. A circuit board mounting simplified electronic circuitry is located within the handle of the iron. An appropriate indicator informs he user whether the iron is in the active mode or in the inactive mode.
Description
37~
.,a.ll.~Q~ Wl.~.~HlNG .a.~ US .EQB ~N EI~E5 ~I.IAN~
~Q~ ~2E ~ INVE
I. ~ ~E ~ INVEN~ION
The presen'c invention relates generally to automatic switching apparatus and, rl~ore particularly, to 10 automatic switching apparatus for use with appliances having electronic controls.
II. DESG~IPTIQ~ QE THE PRIQ~ A~
The possibility of leaving an electrically operated appliance, ~uch as a pressing iron, turned on and unattended for an extended period of ti~e i8 a concern to ~any user~. So~e top-o~-the-line pressing irons now provide the feature o~ auto~atic shut-off if ,the iron is not used for a predetermined period of ti~e.
l'ypically, the feature is included in a co~plete electronic control syste~ using a microprocessor and an electro~agnetic relay or a solid state switch such as a triac to control power to the heating ele~ent. Both of these devices are expensive and have other drawback~ as well. A triac, for example, requires a sizeable heat sink to dissipate its power loss when the iFOn is on and an iron is obviously a poor location for such a device because of the hot enviromnent it represents. A
30 power relay requires a significant amount of power to operate and tends ko heat up when it is kept energized in the hot iron enviroml~ent.
RY QE T~ ~
It was with knowledge of the ~rior art and the problems 5 existing which gave rise to the present invention. In brief~ the present invention is directed towards an automatic switching apparatu or a hand held el ectrical ly operated appl iance such as a pressing iron, A motion sensor and an electronic ti~er lo cooperate to auto~atically shut of~ the iron i the iron remains stationary for a predetermined period of time. A simplified ~echanism is manual ly operabl e in the event the user desires to reactivate the iron. A
circuit board ~ounting simplified electronic circuitry is located within the handle of the iron, An appropriate indicator informs the user whether the iron is in the active ~ode or inactive mode.
~2~
The present invention, as disclosed, represents a simpler and lower C08t syste~ according to which power is control led by a manual ly closed set of contact which can be tripped open by a ~n~all ~olenoid. The S solenoid is energized by an electronis tin~ing circuit whenevec the i ron is "on" but not moved ~Eor a predetern~ined time interval, typically, seven to ten minute~. A s~all mercury switch is n~Qunted so that lt o~ens and closes rarldomly when Tl~oved by the nor~al 10 ironing ~otions. Each time the switch opens, the tin~er is rese~ to the s'cart of i~s rt~ain cycle so that with normal iron use, the power will never be turned off.
As the cost of electronic ci~cuitry continues to decrease, it has beco~e desirable to provide features for no~e appliances which were not heretofore econo~ically feasible. Sucb features include those directed to operating convenience and incre~sed utility as well as features which provide ~or safer operation of the appliance. The present invention incorporates such features together with a si~plified ~echanis~
enabling the user to reactivate the appliance once it nas been turned off for lack of use.
One feature of the present invention is that no energy is expended in a separate system to keep the iron energized. That is, unl ike son~e known constructions, wnicn require the continuous application of electricity for operating relays and the like to open and close contacts, and resulting in the further generation of ~2~
non-usable heat, the invention relie on operator energy to actuate a button to return the iron to the power ~ode. Furthermoret only a momentary ~low of electricity is required to convert the iron to the dor~ant mode in the event the iron remains inactive for the seven ~o ten ~inute time interval ~entioned above.
O~her and further features, objects, advantages, and benefits of the invention will beco~e apparent fro~ the L0 following description taken in conjunction with.the following drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following de~ailed description are exemplary and explanatory but not restrictive o~ the invention The acco~panying drawings, which are incorporated in, and constitute a part of thi~ invention~ illustrate some of the embodi~ents of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention in general ter~s.
. 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ Q.E ~ D~W;L~
Figure 1 is a top plan view, certain parts being cut away, illustrating an electrical appliance in the for~
of a pressing iron embodying the invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view, certain parts being cut away and in section~ of the pressing iron illustrated in Figure 1;
~ 37~
Figure 3 i6 a detail elevation cross section view illustrating a portion of the appliance depicted in ~igures 1 ~ 2;
Figures 4 ~ 5 are further detail view~ in cross section, si~ilar to Figure 3r and illustratin~
successive positions of a reset ~echanis~ utilized by the invention;
Figure 6 is a top plan view of a circuit board utilized by the invention and illustrating the relative positioning of the electronic co~ponents ~hereon;
Figure 7 is a schematic drawing of a typical electronic lS circuit utilized by the invention;
Figure 8 is a detail elevation cross section view si~ilar to Figure 3 and depicting another e~bodiment of the invention;
Figure9 is a detail botto~ pl an v iew of the e~bodi~ent depic~ed in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a detail front elevation view of parts illustrated in Figure 8; and Figure 11 is a detail side elevation view of the construction illustrated in Figur 10.
~ z~9~
~E~LE~y QE THE ~E~ EMBQD~ NT~
Turn now to the drawings and initially to Figures 1 & 2 which illustrate an electric pressing iron 20 which 5 includes a sole plate 2~, typically o~ cast alun~inu~, on which is ~ounted a housing 24, typically o~ n~olded plastic. The nousing 24 includes a bottom portion or skirt 26 and a handle portion 28 cor~nected by a rear pedestal 30 and a throat 32. Extending froJn the rear 10 of the handle portion 28 and the top of the pedestal 30 is a line cord 34 for connecting the iron to a source of power. A number of user controls including a te~perature selector knob, steam actuator; and stea~
control button may be prov ided on the housing 24 but lS constitute no part of the present invention and thus wil 1 not be discussed.
Turn now to Figure 3 which illustra~es at the left side, that is, the front o the handle portion 28, a pair of ~echanis~s, na~ely a solenoid mechanis~ 36 and a reset mechanis~ 38. These ~echanis~s are ~ounted on the flont end of the printed circuit board 40 upon wnich is also ~ounted an electronic timing circuit 42 including an electronic ti~er Ul and a motion detector switch MS. The specifics of the electronic ti~ing circuit will be described below. A pair of contacts 46 & 48 are connected in series with one power line extending between the line cord 34 (Figure 2) and all of the electrical or electronic circuits in the iron 20. The contact 46 is ~ounted to a fixed blade 50 ~2~3 --7~
which i~ riveted or otherwise secured to the circui'c board 40. The contact 4B mounted on a flexible blade 52 which is biased such that, unl ess otherwise restrained, the contacts wil 1 be ~oved to an open 5 position as illustrated in Fig. 4~
A latch 54 serves to hold .the contacts closed, the upward force exerted by a compres~ion ~pring 56 acco~plisning this result. Specifically, ~he latch 54 10 comprises a downwardly extendin~ 1 eg 58 (Figure 5) ter~inating at a ~oot 60 which i5 engageable with the undersurface of the flexible blade 52, The latch 54 also includes a generally horizontally extending head ~e~ber 62 which intersects with ~he leg 58 at an upwardly projecting pivot bearing 64 (Figure 3). The pivot bearing 64 is received in a groove 66 Por~ed in an underside of the reset button 68. The co~pression spring 56 extends between a spring support platfor~ 70 cantilevered from the support structure for the solenoid ~echanis~ 36 and the head ~e~ber 6~.
The solenoid mechanis~ 36 co~prises a housing or Pra~e 72 suitably ~ounted on the printed circuit board 40~
The housing 72 enco~passes a coil 74 which~ when energized, drives an ar~ature76 to the leftas seen in Figure 3. A free floatin~ rod 7~ is ~ounted for reciprocation in a bushing 80 supported on the housing 72 and is coaxial with the ar~ature 76. When the coil 74 is energized, the ar~ature 76 ~oves to the left, pushing the le9 58 of the latch 54 also to the left (Figure ~). In this ~anner~ the foot 60 moves out from under the ~lexible blade 52, thus allowing the contac~s 46 and 48 to open. The contacts are then held open by the flexible blade 52. When the solenoid is de-energized, the foot 60 is held against the nose 82 by the bia.s of the compression spring 56 acting on the latch 54. t To reenergize the iron, the reset button 68 i~
depressed as indicated by an arrow 83 in Figure 5 to a position so~ewhat below the position illustrated in Figures 3 ~ 4, The latch 54, and specifically the foot 60, slides down the front portion of the nose 82 and is drawn under the extreme end of the Elexible blade 52 by the spring 56 acting on the head ~e~ber 62.
At this stage o~ operation, the coil 74 is not energized which leaves the ar~ature 76 and rod 78 free to ~ove axially in a direction away fro~ the latch 54~
As illustrated in Figure5, the leg 58, in returning to its latched position, pushes the rod 78 and therefore the ar~ature 76 toward the right. When the user releases the button 68~ the spring 56 raises the button, and with it the latch 54, until the contacts 46 ~5 and 48 again close to the position illustrated in Figure 3, thereby again energizing the iron.
It is notewor~hy ~hat in this e~bodiment the contacts 46 and ~8 cannot be held closed by holding tbe button 68 down~ This is for the reason that depressing the ~z~
button allows the contact~ to open. Even if the button is jan~ed in its normal position, the sw~tch will still trip open when the coil is energized.
Turn now to Figures 3, 6 and 7. The electronic control circuitry is physically illustrated in Figure 6 and is schematically illustrated in Figure 7. Power is controlled by the manually closed set of contact~ 46 and 48 whicn, as just described, can be tripped open by the s~all solenoid mechanis~ 36~ The coil 74 o~ the solenoid mechanis~ is energized by the electronic ti~ing circuit 42 (Figure 7) whenever the iron is ~on~
but not moved for a predetermined ti~e interval. This ti~e interval is typically seven to ten minutes, but can be of any desired duration. A small ~otion detector switch MS, which may be a ~ercury ~witch, i~
mounted on the circuit boar~ 40 such that it opens and closes rando~ly when moved by normal ironing motions.
Each ti~e the switch opens, the electronic timer Ul, is reset to the start of its timing cycle ~o that with normal iron use the powerwill never be turned off.
Referring now particularly to Figure 7, a power lead Wl is connected to the reset switch represented by the contacts 46 and 48 (see Fi~ure 3-5), a s~ngle pole switch which is closed to a latched closed condition, as previously described~ by manually depressing the rese~ button 68. This reset switch then re~ains closed until txipped open by the solenoid coil 74 beinq energized, also as previously described. From the ~2g~
--10-- ~
reset Switch represented by the contacts 46 and 48, power proceeds through a power lead W2 to an over te~perature li~iter 84, a ther~ostat 36, and a calrod heating ele~ent B8 which are all the a~e as in conventional irons. The other calrod ter~inal is connected to a power lead W3 and is also the ~co~on~
clrcuit for the electronic circuitryO A capacitor C5 and a Iretal oxide varistor M~ one exall~ple being a General Electric V13OLA2 MOV, are added acros~ the 10 power leads W2 and W3 for transient ~uppressionO
Whenever the contacts46 and 48areclosed, the user i~
infor~ed that the iron is "on" by the illumination of a neon bulbN, current flow th~ough which is li~ited by a resistor R12 in series therewith. With the contacts ~6 and 48 closed, power is also suppl ied to the electronic circuitry. The resistors Rl and Rll~ diode CRl and capacitor Cl form a d.c. power supply providing approxi~ately +11 volts across the capacitor Cl. This 20 voltage is reduced and regulated at 9.1 volts by the resistor Rlo and the zener diode CR3~ An integrated circuit timer Ul is used to time the seven to ten minute turn off delay. An acceptable for~ of the circuit ti~er Ul is a TLC555C integrated circuit ti~er ~anufactured and sold by Texas Instru~ents, or equivalent. The capacitor C3 is continually being cnarged tnrough the resistor R4 and since no base current is supplied to the transistor Ql~ the transistor Ql is "of f " and does not discharge the capacitor C3, The seven to ten ~inute interval is z~
deterTnined by the time resauired to charge the capacitor C3 to two-t~lirds the voltage at pins 4 and 8 of the timer Ul.
S The motion detector switch MS, a smal 1 mercury switch, as no~ed above, is normally closed and capaci~or C2 is charged to approxi~a'cely 4 75 vol ts. An acceptabl e version of the motion detector switch suitable for purposes of the invention is ~odel TS66 sold by Fifth Dimension, Inc. of Clintsn, New Jersey. When the iron 20 is moved, as in normal ironing ~otion, the motion switch ~S opens mo~entarily and capacitor C2 starts to charge towards approxi~ately 9 volts throuqh the resistor R2. This charge current i8 also base to e~itter current in transistor Ql so that the transistor Ql is turned on, momentarily, thereby discharging capacitor C3 and thus resetting the timer Ul. When the ~otion switch MS recloses, capacitor C2 is partially discharged again through the resistor R3,
.,a.ll.~Q~ Wl.~.~HlNG .a.~ US .EQB ~N EI~E5 ~I.IAN~
~Q~ ~2E ~ INVE
I. ~ ~E ~ INVEN~ION
The presen'c invention relates generally to automatic switching apparatus and, rl~ore particularly, to 10 automatic switching apparatus for use with appliances having electronic controls.
II. DESG~IPTIQ~ QE THE PRIQ~ A~
The possibility of leaving an electrically operated appliance, ~uch as a pressing iron, turned on and unattended for an extended period of ti~e i8 a concern to ~any user~. So~e top-o~-the-line pressing irons now provide the feature o~ auto~atic shut-off if ,the iron is not used for a predetermined period of ti~e.
l'ypically, the feature is included in a co~plete electronic control syste~ using a microprocessor and an electro~agnetic relay or a solid state switch such as a triac to control power to the heating ele~ent. Both of these devices are expensive and have other drawback~ as well. A triac, for example, requires a sizeable heat sink to dissipate its power loss when the iFOn is on and an iron is obviously a poor location for such a device because of the hot enviromnent it represents. A
30 power relay requires a significant amount of power to operate and tends ko heat up when it is kept energized in the hot iron enviroml~ent.
RY QE T~ ~
It was with knowledge of the ~rior art and the problems 5 existing which gave rise to the present invention. In brief~ the present invention is directed towards an automatic switching apparatu or a hand held el ectrical ly operated appl iance such as a pressing iron, A motion sensor and an electronic ti~er lo cooperate to auto~atically shut of~ the iron i the iron remains stationary for a predetermined period of time. A simplified ~echanism is manual ly operabl e in the event the user desires to reactivate the iron. A
circuit board ~ounting simplified electronic circuitry is located within the handle of the iron, An appropriate indicator informs the user whether the iron is in the active ~ode or inactive mode.
~2~
The present invention, as disclosed, represents a simpler and lower C08t syste~ according to which power is control led by a manual ly closed set of contact which can be tripped open by a ~n~all ~olenoid. The S solenoid is energized by an electronis tin~ing circuit whenevec the i ron is "on" but not moved ~Eor a predetern~ined time interval, typically, seven to ten minute~. A s~all mercury switch is n~Qunted so that lt o~ens and closes rarldomly when Tl~oved by the nor~al 10 ironing ~otions. Each time the switch opens, the tin~er is rese~ to the s'cart of i~s rt~ain cycle so that with normal iron use, the power will never be turned off.
As the cost of electronic ci~cuitry continues to decrease, it has beco~e desirable to provide features for no~e appliances which were not heretofore econo~ically feasible. Sucb features include those directed to operating convenience and incre~sed utility as well as features which provide ~or safer operation of the appliance. The present invention incorporates such features together with a si~plified ~echanis~
enabling the user to reactivate the appliance once it nas been turned off for lack of use.
One feature of the present invention is that no energy is expended in a separate system to keep the iron energized. That is, unl ike son~e known constructions, wnicn require the continuous application of electricity for operating relays and the like to open and close contacts, and resulting in the further generation of ~2~
non-usable heat, the invention relie on operator energy to actuate a button to return the iron to the power ~ode. Furthermoret only a momentary ~low of electricity is required to convert the iron to the dor~ant mode in the event the iron remains inactive for the seven ~o ten ~inute time interval ~entioned above.
O~her and further features, objects, advantages, and benefits of the invention will beco~e apparent fro~ the L0 following description taken in conjunction with.the following drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following de~ailed description are exemplary and explanatory but not restrictive o~ the invention The acco~panying drawings, which are incorporated in, and constitute a part of thi~ invention~ illustrate some of the embodi~ents of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention in general ter~s.
. 20 BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ Q.E ~ D~W;L~
Figure 1 is a top plan view, certain parts being cut away, illustrating an electrical appliance in the for~
of a pressing iron embodying the invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view, certain parts being cut away and in section~ of the pressing iron illustrated in Figure 1;
~ 37~
Figure 3 i6 a detail elevation cross section view illustrating a portion of the appliance depicted in ~igures 1 ~ 2;
Figures 4 ~ 5 are further detail view~ in cross section, si~ilar to Figure 3r and illustratin~
successive positions of a reset ~echanis~ utilized by the invention;
Figure 6 is a top plan view of a circuit board utilized by the invention and illustrating the relative positioning of the electronic co~ponents ~hereon;
Figure 7 is a schematic drawing of a typical electronic lS circuit utilized by the invention;
Figure 8 is a detail elevation cross section view si~ilar to Figure 3 and depicting another e~bodiment of the invention;
Figure9 is a detail botto~ pl an v iew of the e~bodi~ent depic~ed in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a detail front elevation view of parts illustrated in Figure 8; and Figure 11 is a detail side elevation view of the construction illustrated in Figur 10.
~ z~9~
~E~LE~y QE THE ~E~ EMBQD~ NT~
Turn now to the drawings and initially to Figures 1 & 2 which illustrate an electric pressing iron 20 which 5 includes a sole plate 2~, typically o~ cast alun~inu~, on which is ~ounted a housing 24, typically o~ n~olded plastic. The nousing 24 includes a bottom portion or skirt 26 and a handle portion 28 cor~nected by a rear pedestal 30 and a throat 32. Extending froJn the rear 10 of the handle portion 28 and the top of the pedestal 30 is a line cord 34 for connecting the iron to a source of power. A number of user controls including a te~perature selector knob, steam actuator; and stea~
control button may be prov ided on the housing 24 but lS constitute no part of the present invention and thus wil 1 not be discussed.
Turn now to Figure 3 which illustra~es at the left side, that is, the front o the handle portion 28, a pair of ~echanis~s, na~ely a solenoid mechanis~ 36 and a reset mechanis~ 38. These ~echanis~s are ~ounted on the flont end of the printed circuit board 40 upon wnich is also ~ounted an electronic timing circuit 42 including an electronic ti~er Ul and a motion detector switch MS. The specifics of the electronic ti~ing circuit will be described below. A pair of contacts 46 & 48 are connected in series with one power line extending between the line cord 34 (Figure 2) and all of the electrical or electronic circuits in the iron 20. The contact 46 is ~ounted to a fixed blade 50 ~2~3 --7~
which i~ riveted or otherwise secured to the circui'c board 40. The contact 4B mounted on a flexible blade 52 which is biased such that, unl ess otherwise restrained, the contacts wil 1 be ~oved to an open 5 position as illustrated in Fig. 4~
A latch 54 serves to hold .the contacts closed, the upward force exerted by a compres~ion ~pring 56 acco~plisning this result. Specifically, ~he latch 54 10 comprises a downwardly extendin~ 1 eg 58 (Figure 5) ter~inating at a ~oot 60 which i5 engageable with the undersurface of the flexible blade 52, The latch 54 also includes a generally horizontally extending head ~e~ber 62 which intersects with ~he leg 58 at an upwardly projecting pivot bearing 64 (Figure 3). The pivot bearing 64 is received in a groove 66 Por~ed in an underside of the reset button 68. The co~pression spring 56 extends between a spring support platfor~ 70 cantilevered from the support structure for the solenoid ~echanis~ 36 and the head ~e~ber 6~.
The solenoid mechanis~ 36 co~prises a housing or Pra~e 72 suitably ~ounted on the printed circuit board 40~
The housing 72 enco~passes a coil 74 which~ when energized, drives an ar~ature76 to the leftas seen in Figure 3. A free floatin~ rod 7~ is ~ounted for reciprocation in a bushing 80 supported on the housing 72 and is coaxial with the ar~ature 76. When the coil 74 is energized, the ar~ature 76 ~oves to the left, pushing the le9 58 of the latch 54 also to the left (Figure ~). In this ~anner~ the foot 60 moves out from under the ~lexible blade 52, thus allowing the contac~s 46 and 48 to open. The contacts are then held open by the flexible blade 52. When the solenoid is de-energized, the foot 60 is held against the nose 82 by the bia.s of the compression spring 56 acting on the latch 54. t To reenergize the iron, the reset button 68 i~
depressed as indicated by an arrow 83 in Figure 5 to a position so~ewhat below the position illustrated in Figures 3 ~ 4, The latch 54, and specifically the foot 60, slides down the front portion of the nose 82 and is drawn under the extreme end of the Elexible blade 52 by the spring 56 acting on the head ~e~ber 62.
At this stage o~ operation, the coil 74 is not energized which leaves the ar~ature 76 and rod 78 free to ~ove axially in a direction away fro~ the latch 54~
As illustrated in Figure5, the leg 58, in returning to its latched position, pushes the rod 78 and therefore the ar~ature 76 toward the right. When the user releases the button 68~ the spring 56 raises the button, and with it the latch 54, until the contacts 46 ~5 and 48 again close to the position illustrated in Figure 3, thereby again energizing the iron.
It is notewor~hy ~hat in this e~bodiment the contacts 46 and ~8 cannot be held closed by holding tbe button 68 down~ This is for the reason that depressing the ~z~
button allows the contact~ to open. Even if the button is jan~ed in its normal position, the sw~tch will still trip open when the coil is energized.
Turn now to Figures 3, 6 and 7. The electronic control circuitry is physically illustrated in Figure 6 and is schematically illustrated in Figure 7. Power is controlled by the manually closed set of contact~ 46 and 48 whicn, as just described, can be tripped open by the s~all solenoid mechanis~ 36~ The coil 74 o~ the solenoid mechanis~ is energized by the electronic ti~ing circuit 42 (Figure 7) whenever the iron is ~on~
but not moved for a predetermined ti~e interval. This ti~e interval is typically seven to ten minutes, but can be of any desired duration. A small ~otion detector switch MS, which may be a ~ercury ~witch, i~
mounted on the circuit boar~ 40 such that it opens and closes rando~ly when moved by normal ironing motions.
Each ti~e the switch opens, the electronic timer Ul, is reset to the start of its timing cycle ~o that with normal iron use the powerwill never be turned off.
Referring now particularly to Figure 7, a power lead Wl is connected to the reset switch represented by the contacts 46 and 48 (see Fi~ure 3-5), a s~ngle pole switch which is closed to a latched closed condition, as previously described~ by manually depressing the rese~ button 68. This reset switch then re~ains closed until txipped open by the solenoid coil 74 beinq energized, also as previously described. From the ~2g~
--10-- ~
reset Switch represented by the contacts 46 and 48, power proceeds through a power lead W2 to an over te~perature li~iter 84, a ther~ostat 36, and a calrod heating ele~ent B8 which are all the a~e as in conventional irons. The other calrod ter~inal is connected to a power lead W3 and is also the ~co~on~
clrcuit for the electronic circuitryO A capacitor C5 and a Iretal oxide varistor M~ one exall~ple being a General Electric V13OLA2 MOV, are added acros~ the 10 power leads W2 and W3 for transient ~uppressionO
Whenever the contacts46 and 48areclosed, the user i~
infor~ed that the iron is "on" by the illumination of a neon bulbN, current flow th~ough which is li~ited by a resistor R12 in series therewith. With the contacts ~6 and 48 closed, power is also suppl ied to the electronic circuitry. The resistors Rl and Rll~ diode CRl and capacitor Cl form a d.c. power supply providing approxi~ately +11 volts across the capacitor Cl. This 20 voltage is reduced and regulated at 9.1 volts by the resistor Rlo and the zener diode CR3~ An integrated circuit timer Ul is used to time the seven to ten minute turn off delay. An acceptable for~ of the circuit ti~er Ul is a TLC555C integrated circuit ti~er ~anufactured and sold by Texas Instru~ents, or equivalent. The capacitor C3 is continually being cnarged tnrough the resistor R4 and since no base current is supplied to the transistor Ql~ the transistor Ql is "of f " and does not discharge the capacitor C3, The seven to ten ~inute interval is z~
deterTnined by the time resauired to charge the capacitor C3 to two-t~lirds the voltage at pins 4 and 8 of the timer Ul.
S The motion detector switch MS, a smal 1 mercury switch, as no~ed above, is normally closed and capaci~or C2 is charged to approxi~a'cely 4 75 vol ts. An acceptabl e version of the motion detector switch suitable for purposes of the invention is ~odel TS66 sold by Fifth Dimension, Inc. of Clintsn, New Jersey. When the iron 20 is moved, as in normal ironing ~otion, the motion switch ~S opens mo~entarily and capacitor C2 starts to charge towards approxi~ately 9 volts throuqh the resistor R2. This charge current i8 also base to e~itter current in transistor Ql so that the transistor Ql is turned on, momentarily, thereby discharging capacitor C3 and thus resetting the timer Ul. When the ~otion switch MS recloses, capacitor C2 is partially discharged again through the resistor R3,
2~ the ~otion switch MS, and resistor R9, and the transistor Ql is again turned "o~f~.
The ti~er Ul is connected as a astable oscillator having its output at pin 3 ~high~ (approxi~ately 9 volts) for seven to ten minutes followed by several milliseconds Nlow" (approximately 0.1 volts) depending upon C3/R5 discharge timing~ Resistor R~ deter~ines the rate at which capacitor C3 is discharged when the circuit ti~es out because the iron has not been used for 7 to 10 ~inute~. This insure~ that the SC~ will be turned on long enough to always trip the solenoid actua~ed switch1 The transistor Q~ inverts this voltage f ro~ pin 3 of the ti~er Ul so that its collect~r is at a low voltage when pin 3 is high and high when pin 3 goes low at the end of the ti~ing period. In this context, resistor R6 is the bia~ing resi~tor for transistor Q2 when pin 3 i high thereby li~iting the base current of transistor Q2 to a safe value. when the collector of the transi~tor Q2 goes 10 "high~, the diode CR2 conducts enough current through resistor R7 to resistor R~ and to the gate of an ~CR Q3 to cause the SCR gate to turn "on" during positive half cycles of voltage on the power lead Wl.
Resistor R7 biases the gate o~ SCR Q3 and limits the collector current to transistor Q2 to a value that enables the charge on capacitor Cl to last long enough to insure that the solenoid 36 will trip the switch.
~eavy current pulses then flow through the solenoid coil 74 causing it to trip the reset switch contacts 46 and 48 to an open position which re~oves power fro~ the iron heating circuit and fro~ the control circuit.
Capacitors C4 and C6 increase the noise i~munity of the timer Ul as is well known. Also, a resistor R8 stabilizes the gate of SCR Q3 so that voltage withstand and dv/dt characteristics are i~provedO
Thus it will be appreciated that the mechanis~
described is a silrple, low cost, low power, ~anually 30 closed but electrically tripped open ~witching device ~2g~3 which i~ ideally ~ui~ced for electrical appliances such as a pres~ing iron. The energy to close and open the electrical contacts and the contact holding force and weld breaking force are all supplied by the user in 5 pushing the reset bu'cton 68. Only a mo~entary current is used to trigg r the device and allow a previou~ly stressed spring, na~ely the flexible blade 52, to open tne power switching contacts 46 & 48.
10 Another, and preerred, e~bodi~ent of the ~echanism of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 6-11. The circuit board 40 supporting all of tne el~ectronic coll~ponents previously described is suitably mounted in the handl e portion 28 of the iron 20. As seen in Figure 8, a solenoid ~echanisn~ 102 is ~ounted on the circuit board 40 and includes a plastic chassis or coil bobbin 104, a coil 106, and an arsrature 108 which ~oves to the left (Figure 8) when the coil 106 is energized.
Just inboard from an end 110 of the circuit board 40 .is an opening 112 (Figure 9) through which a stationary contact 114 extends, mounted on a suitable support 116 which is suitably fixed to the circuit board. A
25 flexible blade 118 ls bifurcated at a forward end and nas a pair of tabs 119 at a rearward end received through openings ll9A in the ci rcuit board ~Figure 9) .
The tabs 119 are bent over and engage the circuit board to affix the blade thereto. The blade 118 extends 30 forwardly and has ~.ounted thereon a ~ovable contact 120 1~-whicn i~ engageable with the stationary contact 114~
~owever, the flexible blade 118 is formed of a suitable spring material biased so that the c~ntact~ 114 and 120 are nor~ally separated unles~ forced together by a~
outside influence, Such an outside in~luence is in the for~ o~ a latch 122. The latcn 12~ includPs an elongated latch relea~e spring 124 ~ounted at its rear end to the bobbin 104 of lû the solenoidl~echanis~ 102 and biased upwardly. Near its forwardn~ost end, the latch release spring 124 has a pair of depending wings 126 which are suitably pierced to receive a transversely extending bearing pin 128 for pivotally mounting thereon a downwardly extending latch lever 130. At a lower extre~ity of the latch lever 130 is a foot 132 which is releasably engageable with an edge 134 in a recessed region 136 at the end 110 of the circuit board 40. A latch spring 133 is al~o ~ounted on the pin 128, with one end bearing against the latch release spring 124 and the other end again~.t the latch lever 130 to urge the latter in a counterclockwise direction (Figures 8 and 11)~ Spaced above the foot 132 and integral with the latch lever is a lobe 138 which is engageable with an upper surface o~ the flexible blade 118. A non-~agnetic extension 140, preferably of molded plastic ~aterial, at the forward end of the ar~ature 108 i~ engage~ble with a rear surace of the latch lever 130 and is selectively operable to move the foot 132 out of engagement with 3Q tne edge 134.
A reset button 142 extends through an opening 144 in the handle portion 28. A peripheral flange 146 on the button 142 i5 engageable with the opening 144 and restrains the button against f urther upward travel.
S Since the reset button 142 i~ ~ounted on the upper surface of a buttsn retainer spring 148, it is, in effect, captured in place on the handle portion 28.
The retainer spr ng 148 is suikably fastened to the handle portion 28 Par to the rear of the reset button 142 and at it~ forward end, the button 142 is provided with a ha~mer 150 which is engageable with an upper surface of the latch release spring 124.
Tne neon lamp N is illustrated a~ being suitably mounted on a support 152 fixed to the bobbin 104 or other structure within the handle portion 28. The reset button is fabricated fro~ a translucent ~aterial and the neon la~p N is positioned beneath the reset button so as to create a glow in the surface of the reset button when the la~p is turned on.
As previously explained, a~ter the ixon 20 has re~ained motionless for the predeter~ined period of ti~e, for example, 7 to 10 ~inutes, as previously described~ a 25 pulse of electrical energy is directed via the electronic ci~cuit to the coil 106. The pulse is only ~o~entaryt no greater than one second in durationt and typically less than 50 milliseconds in durationO When the coil is thereby energi~ed, the ar~ature 108 is ~agnetically ~oved ~orward (to the left in Figure B) toward the center of the coil 106 where the n~agnetic line~ of force are concentrated and the strongest.
The non-magnetic molded extension 140 thereby engages tne latch lever 130 pushing it ~orward against the bia~
of the latch spring 133 to unl~tch the foot 132 ~om the front edge 134 of the printed circui~ board 40.
The f orce of the upward biased 1 atch rel ease spring 124 moves the latch lever 130 upwardly and with it the latch spring 133. Motion i~ also aided by the upward bias of the flexible blade 118 which n~oYe~ . upward upon release of the ~oot 132 and opens the switch contacts 114 and 120 to turn off power to ~he iron.
To restore power to the iron, the user pushes the reset button 142~ With the downward ll~otion of the reset button, the latch lever 130 is moved downwardly and with the rearward bias of the latch spring 133, the foot 132 engages the edge 134 of the printed circuit ~oard 40. A can~ surface 154 on the foot 132 slides along the edge 134 until a shoulder 156 is reached which al 1 ows the latch 1 ever to pivot rea rwardly (counterclockwise in Figure 11) such that the shoulder 156 firmly engages the undersurface of the printed circuit board. Thus, once again, the col~tacts 114 and 120 are closed to restore power to the ironO The contacts remain closed until the coil is again energized. The neon lamp N, being connected in parallel with the control and power circuits, is lighted when the contact~ 114 and 120 are engaged. In
The ti~er Ul is connected as a astable oscillator having its output at pin 3 ~high~ (approxi~ately 9 volts) for seven to ten minutes followed by several milliseconds Nlow" (approximately 0.1 volts) depending upon C3/R5 discharge timing~ Resistor R~ deter~ines the rate at which capacitor C3 is discharged when the circuit ti~es out because the iron has not been used for 7 to 10 ~inute~. This insure~ that the SC~ will be turned on long enough to always trip the solenoid actua~ed switch1 The transistor Q~ inverts this voltage f ro~ pin 3 of the ti~er Ul so that its collect~r is at a low voltage when pin 3 is high and high when pin 3 goes low at the end of the ti~ing period. In this context, resistor R6 is the bia~ing resi~tor for transistor Q2 when pin 3 i high thereby li~iting the base current of transistor Q2 to a safe value. when the collector of the transi~tor Q2 goes 10 "high~, the diode CR2 conducts enough current through resistor R7 to resistor R~ and to the gate of an ~CR Q3 to cause the SCR gate to turn "on" during positive half cycles of voltage on the power lead Wl.
Resistor R7 biases the gate o~ SCR Q3 and limits the collector current to transistor Q2 to a value that enables the charge on capacitor Cl to last long enough to insure that the solenoid 36 will trip the switch.
~eavy current pulses then flow through the solenoid coil 74 causing it to trip the reset switch contacts 46 and 48 to an open position which re~oves power fro~ the iron heating circuit and fro~ the control circuit.
Capacitors C4 and C6 increase the noise i~munity of the timer Ul as is well known. Also, a resistor R8 stabilizes the gate of SCR Q3 so that voltage withstand and dv/dt characteristics are i~provedO
Thus it will be appreciated that the mechanis~
described is a silrple, low cost, low power, ~anually 30 closed but electrically tripped open ~witching device ~2g~3 which i~ ideally ~ui~ced for electrical appliances such as a pres~ing iron. The energy to close and open the electrical contacts and the contact holding force and weld breaking force are all supplied by the user in 5 pushing the reset bu'cton 68. Only a mo~entary current is used to trigg r the device and allow a previou~ly stressed spring, na~ely the flexible blade 52, to open tne power switching contacts 46 & 48.
10 Another, and preerred, e~bodi~ent of the ~echanism of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 6-11. The circuit board 40 supporting all of tne el~ectronic coll~ponents previously described is suitably mounted in the handl e portion 28 of the iron 20. As seen in Figure 8, a solenoid ~echanisn~ 102 is ~ounted on the circuit board 40 and includes a plastic chassis or coil bobbin 104, a coil 106, and an arsrature 108 which ~oves to the left (Figure 8) when the coil 106 is energized.
Just inboard from an end 110 of the circuit board 40 .is an opening 112 (Figure 9) through which a stationary contact 114 extends, mounted on a suitable support 116 which is suitably fixed to the circuit board. A
25 flexible blade 118 ls bifurcated at a forward end and nas a pair of tabs 119 at a rearward end received through openings ll9A in the ci rcuit board ~Figure 9) .
The tabs 119 are bent over and engage the circuit board to affix the blade thereto. The blade 118 extends 30 forwardly and has ~.ounted thereon a ~ovable contact 120 1~-whicn i~ engageable with the stationary contact 114~
~owever, the flexible blade 118 is formed of a suitable spring material biased so that the c~ntact~ 114 and 120 are nor~ally separated unles~ forced together by a~
outside influence, Such an outside in~luence is in the for~ o~ a latch 122. The latcn 12~ includPs an elongated latch relea~e spring 124 ~ounted at its rear end to the bobbin 104 of lû the solenoidl~echanis~ 102 and biased upwardly. Near its forwardn~ost end, the latch release spring 124 has a pair of depending wings 126 which are suitably pierced to receive a transversely extending bearing pin 128 for pivotally mounting thereon a downwardly extending latch lever 130. At a lower extre~ity of the latch lever 130 is a foot 132 which is releasably engageable with an edge 134 in a recessed region 136 at the end 110 of the circuit board 40. A latch spring 133 is al~o ~ounted on the pin 128, with one end bearing against the latch release spring 124 and the other end again~.t the latch lever 130 to urge the latter in a counterclockwise direction (Figures 8 and 11)~ Spaced above the foot 132 and integral with the latch lever is a lobe 138 which is engageable with an upper surface o~ the flexible blade 118. A non-~agnetic extension 140, preferably of molded plastic ~aterial, at the forward end of the ar~ature 108 i~ engage~ble with a rear surace of the latch lever 130 and is selectively operable to move the foot 132 out of engagement with 3Q tne edge 134.
A reset button 142 extends through an opening 144 in the handle portion 28. A peripheral flange 146 on the button 142 i5 engageable with the opening 144 and restrains the button against f urther upward travel.
S Since the reset button 142 i~ ~ounted on the upper surface of a buttsn retainer spring 148, it is, in effect, captured in place on the handle portion 28.
The retainer spr ng 148 is suikably fastened to the handle portion 28 Par to the rear of the reset button 142 and at it~ forward end, the button 142 is provided with a ha~mer 150 which is engageable with an upper surface of the latch release spring 124.
Tne neon lamp N is illustrated a~ being suitably mounted on a support 152 fixed to the bobbin 104 or other structure within the handle portion 28. The reset button is fabricated fro~ a translucent ~aterial and the neon la~p N is positioned beneath the reset button so as to create a glow in the surface of the reset button when the la~p is turned on.
As previously explained, a~ter the ixon 20 has re~ained motionless for the predeter~ined period of ti~e, for example, 7 to 10 ~inutes, as previously described~ a 25 pulse of electrical energy is directed via the electronic ci~cuit to the coil 106. The pulse is only ~o~entaryt no greater than one second in durationt and typically less than 50 milliseconds in durationO When the coil is thereby energi~ed, the ar~ature 108 is ~agnetically ~oved ~orward (to the left in Figure B) toward the center of the coil 106 where the n~agnetic line~ of force are concentrated and the strongest.
The non-magnetic molded extension 140 thereby engages tne latch lever 130 pushing it ~orward against the bia~
of the latch spring 133 to unl~tch the foot 132 ~om the front edge 134 of the printed circui~ board 40.
The f orce of the upward biased 1 atch rel ease spring 124 moves the latch lever 130 upwardly and with it the latch spring 133. Motion i~ also aided by the upward bias of the flexible blade 118 which n~oYe~ . upward upon release of the ~oot 132 and opens the switch contacts 114 and 120 to turn off power to ~he iron.
To restore power to the iron, the user pushes the reset button 142~ With the downward ll~otion of the reset button, the latch lever 130 is moved downwardly and with the rearward bias of the latch spring 133, the foot 132 engages the edge 134 of the printed circuit ~oard 40. A can~ surface 154 on the foot 132 slides along the edge 134 until a shoulder 156 is reached which al 1 ows the latch 1 ever to pivot rea rwardly (counterclockwise in Figure 11) such that the shoulder 156 firmly engages the undersurface of the printed circuit board. Thus, once again, the col~tacts 114 and 120 are closed to restore power to the ironO The contacts remain closed until the coil is again energized. The neon lamp N, being connected in parallel with the control and power circuits, is lighted when the contact~ 114 and 120 are engaged. In
3~
an opposite fashion~ when the contacts 114 and 120 are openl the neon la~p i5 turned off.
Whil e a 2re~erred en~bodiment of the invention ha~ been 5 disclosed in detail with speci~ic values recited for certain of the electronic con~ponentæ for greate understanding, i'c should be understood b~ those skilled in the art that various ~odif ications may be n~de to ~he illustrated embodiment withou departing ~ro~ the 10 scope of the inv ention as described ~n the specification and defined in the appended claims.
an opposite fashion~ when the contacts 114 and 120 are openl the neon la~p i5 turned off.
Whil e a 2re~erred en~bodiment of the invention ha~ been 5 disclosed in detail with speci~ic values recited for certain of the electronic con~ponentæ for greate understanding, i'c should be understood b~ those skilled in the art that various ~odif ications may be n~de to ~he illustrated embodiment withou departing ~ro~ the 10 scope of the inv ention as described ~n the specification and defined in the appended claims.
Claims (23)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Automatic switching apparatus for a hand held electric-ally operated appliance comprising:
switch means convertible between a power mode for electric-ally connecting the appliance to a source of electrical power and a dormant mode for electrically disconnecting the appliance from the source of electrical power;
electromechanical means which is normally deenergized but operable when energised for converting said switch means to the dormant mode;
a motion sensor responsive to movement of the appliance for generating a signal;
timer means timing a preset period time responsive to the signal from said motion sensor for re-setting the preset period of time and energizing said electromechanical means upon lapse of said preset period of time; and manually operable mechanical reset means to selectively convert said switch means to the source of electrical power independent of movement of the appliance.
switch means convertible between a power mode for electric-ally connecting the appliance to a source of electrical power and a dormant mode for electrically disconnecting the appliance from the source of electrical power;
electromechanical means which is normally deenergized but operable when energised for converting said switch means to the dormant mode;
a motion sensor responsive to movement of the appliance for generating a signal;
timer means timing a preset period time responsive to the signal from said motion sensor for re-setting the preset period of time and energizing said electromechanical means upon lapse of said preset period of time; and manually operable mechanical reset means to selectively convert said switch means to the source of electrical power independent of movement of the appliance.
2. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said timer means is responsive to the latest in a series of signals from said motion sensor for re-initiating a timing sequence before completion of said preset period of time and for energizing said electromechanical means upon uninterrupted completion of said preset period of time.
3. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said timer means includes an electronic timing circuit.
4. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reset means includes:
latch means maintaining said switch means in the power mode.
latch means maintaining said switch means in the power mode.
5. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said switch means includes:
first and second mutually engageable contacts; and blade means biasing said second contact away from engagement with said first contact; and wherein said reset means includes: latch means releasably engageable with said blade means for holding said first and second contacts mutually engaged.
first and second mutually engageable contacts; and blade means biasing said second contact away from engagement with said first contact; and wherein said reset means includes: latch means releasably engageable with said blade means for holding said first and second contacts mutually engaged.
6. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said electromechanical means includes:
an actuating member movable between a retracted position distant from said latch means and an advanced position engaged with said latch means and effective to move said latch means to a position disengaged from said blade means thereby causing said first and second contacts to disengage; and an electromagnetically driven armature for moving said actuating member to said advanced position, said armature being movable between a retracted position and an advanced position in engagement with and holding said actuating member in said advanced position.
an actuating member movable between a retracted position distant from said latch means and an advanced position engaged with said latch means and effective to move said latch means to a position disengaged from said blade means thereby causing said first and second contacts to disengage; and an electromagnetically driven armature for moving said actuating member to said advanced position, said armature being movable between a retracted position and an advanced position in engagement with and holding said actuating member in said advanced position.
7. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said armature is a solenoid plunger and said actuating member a rod coaxially aligned therewith.
8. Automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including:
indicator means electrically connected to said switch means for indicating when said appliance is in the power mode.
indicator means electrically connected to said switch means for indicating when said appliance is in the power mode.
9. Automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said indicator means is a lamp.
10. Automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electromechanical means is momentarily operable.
11. Automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein momentarily operable is intended to means operation for a duration of up to one second in time.
12. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reset means includes:
latch means operable in one condition for maintaining said switch means in the power mode and operable in another condition for allowing said switch means to assume the dormant mode; and wherein said electromechanical means includes:
a momentarily operable release means engageable with said latch means to move said latch means from said one condition to said other condition.
latch means operable in one condition for maintaining said switch means in the power mode and operable in another condition for allowing said switch means to assume the dormant mode; and wherein said electromechanical means includes:
a momentarily operable release means engageable with said latch means to move said latch means from said one condition to said other condition.
13. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said release means includes:
a solenoid; and an armature operably associated with said solenoid being movable between a retracted position and, upon momentary actuation of said solenoid, an advanced position in engagement with said latch means.
a solenoid; and an armature operably associated with said solenoid being movable between a retracted position and, upon momentary actuation of said solenoid, an advanced position in engagement with said latch means.
14. An automatic switching apparatus for a hand held electrically operated appliance comprising:
switch means including first and second mutually engageable contacts movable between a closed position for electrically connecting the appliance to a source of electrical power and an open position for electrically disconnecting the appliance from the source of electrical power, said switch means including blade means biasing said second contact away from engagement with said first contact;
manually operable mechanical reset means to selectively re-connect the appliance to the source of electrical power independent of movement of the appliance including a latch member releasably engageable with said blade means for holding said first and second contacts mutually engaged; and electromechanical means which is normally deenergized but operable when energized for moving said first and second contacts to the open position including an actuating rod movable between a retracted position distant from said latch member and an advanced position engaged with said latch member and effective in the advanced position to move said latch member to a position disengaged from said blade means thereby causing said first and second contacts to disengage, and an armature for moving said actuating rod to the advanced position, said armature being movable between a retracted position and an advanced position in engagement with and holding said actuating rod in said advanced position.
switch means including first and second mutually engageable contacts movable between a closed position for electrically connecting the appliance to a source of electrical power and an open position for electrically disconnecting the appliance from the source of electrical power, said switch means including blade means biasing said second contact away from engagement with said first contact;
manually operable mechanical reset means to selectively re-connect the appliance to the source of electrical power independent of movement of the appliance including a latch member releasably engageable with said blade means for holding said first and second contacts mutually engaged; and electromechanical means which is normally deenergized but operable when energized for moving said first and second contacts to the open position including an actuating rod movable between a retracted position distant from said latch member and an advanced position engaged with said latch member and effective in the advanced position to move said latch member to a position disengaged from said blade means thereby causing said first and second contacts to disengage, and an armature for moving said actuating rod to the advanced position, said armature being movable between a retracted position and an advanced position in engagement with and holding said actuating rod in said advanced position.
15. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said armature and said actuating rod are coaxially aligned.
16. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said reset means includes:
a button member having a head portion with an outer press surface and an integral sidewall defining an inner cavity with an elongated depression formed in an inner surface of said head portion;
said latch member including first and second transversely extending legs intersecting at an outwardly projecting bight portion, said first leg positioned within said head portion and extending generally parallel to said inner surface and con-tiguous therewith, said bight portion pivotally received within said elongated depression, and said second leg extending away from said button member and terminating at a transversely extending foot biased into engagement with said blade means; and resilient means engageable with said first leg urging said latch member and said button member in a direction such that said foot, in engagement with said blade means, causes said first and second contacts to move to the closed position.
a button member having a head portion with an outer press surface and an integral sidewall defining an inner cavity with an elongated depression formed in an inner surface of said head portion;
said latch member including first and second transversely extending legs intersecting at an outwardly projecting bight portion, said first leg positioned within said head portion and extending generally parallel to said inner surface and con-tiguous therewith, said bight portion pivotally received within said elongated depression, and said second leg extending away from said button member and terminating at a transversely extending foot biased into engagement with said blade means; and resilient means engageable with said first leg urging said latch member and said button member in a direction such that said foot, in engagement with said blade means, causes said first and second contacts to move to the closed position.
17. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said blade means includes:
a flexible arm and an upturned nose element at an extremity thereof, said foot being engageable with said flexible arm to hold said first and second contacts in the closed position;
said actuating rod in said advanced position being engaged with said second leg to move said foot out of engagement with said flexible arm and into engagemant with said upturned nose element to allow said first and second contacts to be held in the open position until said button member is pressed against the bias of said resilient means to move said latch until said foot again moves into engagement with said flexible arm and said resilient means acting through said latch member and against the bias of said flexible arm again moves said contacts into mutual engagement.
a flexible arm and an upturned nose element at an extremity thereof, said foot being engageable with said flexible arm to hold said first and second contacts in the closed position;
said actuating rod in said advanced position being engaged with said second leg to move said foot out of engagement with said flexible arm and into engagemant with said upturned nose element to allow said first and second contacts to be held in the open position until said button member is pressed against the bias of said resilient means to move said latch until said foot again moves into engagement with said flexible arm and said resilient means acting through said latch member and against the bias of said flexible arm again moves said contacts into mutual engagement.
18. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said reset means includes:
a button assembly including a reset button having an outer press surface extending through an opening in a handle of the appliance and restrained against outward movement;
said latch member including:
a latch release spring mounted within the handle aft of the opening and extending forward so as to underlie said button assembly;
a circuit board within the handle supporting said electromag-netic means thereon and having an undersurface and an edge at a forward end thereof;
a stationary contact fixed on said circuit board;
said blade means including a flexible blade having one end fixed on said circuit board and having a movable contact fixed on a movable portion thereof, said movable contact being aligned for engagement with said stationary contact, said flexible blade being normally biased such that said movable contact is spaced from said stationary contact but movable to cause engagement of said movable contact with said stationary contact;
a latch lever pivotally mounted to said latch release spring and depending therefrom, said latch lever having a rearwardly extending foot at its lowermost end, said foot having a cam surface selectively engageable with said forward edge of said circuit board and terminating at a locking shoulder engageable with said undersurface of said circuit board, said latch lever being movable on said latch release spring between a raised position whereat said foot is raised above said circuit board and a lowered position whereat said locking shoulder is engaged with said undersurface of said circuit board;
a downwardly extending latch spring integral with said latch release spring engageable with said latch lever to urge said latch lever to pivot rearwardly;
said button assembly including a resilient support urging said reset button toward an inactive position but being movable downwardly against the bias of said support to an active position whereat said button assembly is engaged with said latch release spring, continued downward movement of said button assembly causing said cam surface to engage said forward edge of said circuit board until said shoulder engages said undersurface of said circuit board, with said latch spring urging said latch lever rearwardly into engagement with said edge at said forward end of said circuit board.
a button assembly including a reset button having an outer press surface extending through an opening in a handle of the appliance and restrained against outward movement;
said latch member including:
a latch release spring mounted within the handle aft of the opening and extending forward so as to underlie said button assembly;
a circuit board within the handle supporting said electromag-netic means thereon and having an undersurface and an edge at a forward end thereof;
a stationary contact fixed on said circuit board;
said blade means including a flexible blade having one end fixed on said circuit board and having a movable contact fixed on a movable portion thereof, said movable contact being aligned for engagement with said stationary contact, said flexible blade being normally biased such that said movable contact is spaced from said stationary contact but movable to cause engagement of said movable contact with said stationary contact;
a latch lever pivotally mounted to said latch release spring and depending therefrom, said latch lever having a rearwardly extending foot at its lowermost end, said foot having a cam surface selectively engageable with said forward edge of said circuit board and terminating at a locking shoulder engageable with said undersurface of said circuit board, said latch lever being movable on said latch release spring between a raised position whereat said foot is raised above said circuit board and a lowered position whereat said locking shoulder is engaged with said undersurface of said circuit board;
a downwardly extending latch spring integral with said latch release spring engageable with said latch lever to urge said latch lever to pivot rearwardly;
said button assembly including a resilient support urging said reset button toward an inactive position but being movable downwardly against the bias of said support to an active position whereat said button assembly is engaged with said latch release spring, continued downward movement of said button assembly causing said cam surface to engage said forward edge of said circuit board until said shoulder engages said undersurface of said circuit board, with said latch spring urging said latch lever rearwardly into engagement with said edge at said forward end of said circuit board.
19. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein said resilient support includes:
a retainer spring mounted within the handle distant from the opening and underlying the opening and supporting said reset button thereon.
a retainer spring mounted within the handle distant from the opening and underlying the opening and supporting said reset button thereon.
20. An automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein said latch lever includes an integral laterally extending lobe thereon spaced above said foot and engageable with said flexible blade to hold said movable and stationary contacts in engagement when said shoulder engages said under-surface of said circuit board.
21. Automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 14 including:
indicator means electrically connected to said switch means for indicating when said appliance is in the power mode.
indicator means electrically connected to said switch means for indicating when said appliance is in the power mode.
22. Automatic switching apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein indicator means is a lamp.
23. An electric pressing iron comprising:
a sole plate;
a handle;
a heating element for heating said sole plate;
an electrical circuit for connecting said heating element to a source of electrical power;
said circuit including:
switch means convertible between a power mode for electric-ally connecting said heating element to a source of electrical power and a dormant mode for electrically disconnecting said heating element from the source of electrical power;
electromechanical means which is normally deenergized but operable when energized for converting said switch means to the dormant mode;
a motion sensor responsive to movement of the appliance for generating a signal;
timer means timing a preset period of time responsive to the signal from said motion sensor for resetting the preset period of time and for energizing said electromechanical means upon lapse of said preset period of time; and manually operable mechanical reset means to selectively convert said switch means to the source of electrical power independent of movement of the appliance.
a sole plate;
a handle;
a heating element for heating said sole plate;
an electrical circuit for connecting said heating element to a source of electrical power;
said circuit including:
switch means convertible between a power mode for electric-ally connecting said heating element to a source of electrical power and a dormant mode for electrically disconnecting said heating element from the source of electrical power;
electromechanical means which is normally deenergized but operable when energized for converting said switch means to the dormant mode;
a motion sensor responsive to movement of the appliance for generating a signal;
timer means timing a preset period of time responsive to the signal from said motion sensor for resetting the preset period of time and for energizing said electromechanical means upon lapse of said preset period of time; and manually operable mechanical reset means to selectively convert said switch means to the source of electrical power independent of movement of the appliance.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US82127486A | 1986-01-22 | 1986-01-22 | |
| US821,274 | 1986-01-22 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1262378A true CA1262378A (en) | 1989-10-17 |
Family
ID=25232980
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000526563A Expired CA1262378A (en) | 1986-01-22 | 1986-12-31 | Automatic switching apparatus for an electrical appliance |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0231987A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS62202434A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU592400B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8700258A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1262378A (en) |
| MX (1) | MX161276A (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5151580A (en) * | 1990-08-03 | 1992-09-29 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Light emitting diode scanner |
| GB2253100B (en) * | 1991-02-22 | 1994-12-14 | Ramtech Systems | Appliance isolation unit |
| US5493089A (en) * | 1994-01-13 | 1996-02-20 | Black & Decker Inc. | On/off switch assembly for an electric iron |
| DE29707453U1 (en) * | 1997-04-24 | 1997-06-26 | Lebsanft, Willy, 72669 Unterensingen | Ironing device |
| US6771172B1 (en) * | 1999-11-11 | 2004-08-03 | General Electric Company | Portable patient monitor with alarm light integrated into handle |
| AU2002953412A0 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2003-01-09 | George Stephen Ramsay | Electrical device with a safety switch |
| CN112959906A (en) * | 2021-01-27 | 2021-06-15 | 陈善国 | Intelligent new energy automobile charging device capable of avoiding falling off |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2382587A (en) * | 1942-06-12 | 1945-08-14 | Albert G Thomas | Electric iron |
| US2470532A (en) * | 1943-08-14 | 1949-05-17 | Albert G Thomas | Electric iron with thermokinetic switch |
| DE2627158C2 (en) * | 1976-06-16 | 1983-06-30 | Braun Ag, 6000 Frankfurt | Iron without significant heat storage capacity with a safety switch-off device located in the heating circuit |
| US4181907A (en) * | 1978-05-22 | 1980-01-01 | Robertshaw Controls Company | Electrical switch construction having armature latch |
| US4366366A (en) * | 1980-09-05 | 1982-12-28 | Ekblad Carl A | Electric iron stand with time delay safety switch arrangement |
| WO1982003520A1 (en) * | 1981-04-07 | 1982-10-14 | Robert C Franklin | Appliance non-use detection safety power shut-off system |
| FR2540148B1 (en) * | 1983-02-02 | 1986-03-21 | Seb Sa | ELECTRONIC SECURITY DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC IRON |
| US4686352B1 (en) * | 1984-04-27 | 1993-12-14 | Sunbeam Corporation | Electronic pressing iron |
| US4580038A (en) * | 1984-12-31 | 1986-04-01 | Black & Decker, Inc. | Indicating and control apparatus for a portable heating appliance |
-
1986
- 1986-12-31 CA CA000526563A patent/CA1262378A/en not_active Expired
-
1987
- 1987-01-05 EP EP87300012A patent/EP0231987A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1987-01-14 JP JP516187A patent/JPS62202434A/en active Pending
- 1987-01-20 MX MX498287A patent/MX161276A/en unknown
- 1987-01-21 BR BR8700258A patent/BR8700258A/en unknown
- 1987-01-21 AU AU67849/87A patent/AU592400B2/en not_active Ceased
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0231987A2 (en) | 1987-08-12 |
| EP0231987A3 (en) | 1988-08-31 |
| JPS62202434A (en) | 1987-09-07 |
| AU6784987A (en) | 1987-07-23 |
| BR8700258A (en) | 1987-12-08 |
| MX161276A (en) | 1990-08-28 |
| AU592400B2 (en) | 1990-01-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |