JP3263507B2 - Cordless iron - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cordless iron having a main circuit arranged on the iron side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A cordless iron in which a main circuit is arranged on the iron side is constituted by a RAM or the like which stores information such as temperature setting in the iron side circuit, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-24797. Storage means,
A backup power supply for supplying a backup power supply to the storage means and other circuits, and a discharge resistor connected in parallel with the backup power supply are provided. This discharge resistor gradually discharges the backup power supply when leaving the iron without returning it to the stand, or when pulling out the power plug from the outlet while standing on the stand,
It is provided to erase the temperature setting information stored in the storage means after 20 to 30 minutes and prevent the heater from being energized against the user's will at the next use of the iron.

[0003]

However, since the discharge resistor discharges the backup power supply even in the normal state, there is a problem that the backup time of the entire iron by the backup power supply is shortened. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to increase the backup time by a backup power supply and to prevent erroneous energization of a heater due to previous temperature setting information stored in a storage unit.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises an iron having a base heated by a heater and a power receiving terminal for energizing the heater, and a power supply terminal connected to the power receiving terminal when the iron is mounted. The iron comprises a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the base, a temperature setting means, a storage means for storing temperature setting information set by the temperature setting means, and a power supply to the heater. Control means for controlling, in a cordless iron provided with a backup power supply for supplying power to at least the storage means during removal of the iron, in the iron, connection detection means for detecting power supply from the power supply terminal to the power receiving terminal; When the start of power supply from the power supply terminal to the power receiving terminal is detected by the connection detecting means, the output of the temperature detecting means is determined based on the output of the temperature detecting means. An initial base temperature determining means for determining whether or not the base temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature lower than a normal use temperature; and storing in the storage means when the initial base temperature determining means determines that the base temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature. "OFF" regardless of the temperature setting information
An initialization means for setting is provided.

[0005]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, when the iron is placed on the stand and power supply to the iron is started, the initial base temperature judging means is used continuously or for a while based on the base temperature. Judge whether it is not the initial use. Here, since this determination temperature is set to a temperature lower than the normal use temperature, it is easy to determine whether it is being used continuously or has not been used for a while. When it is determined that the base temperature is low and the initial use is performed, initialization is performed to set the temperature setting unit to “OFF” regardless of the stored contents of the storage unit, thereby preventing erroneous power supply to the heater based on the previous setting. Therefore, it is not necessary to forcibly discharge the backup power supply with a discharge resistor as in the conventional case, and it is possible to minimize the loss of the backup power supply in a normal use state, and to lengthen the backup time or reduce the backup power supply. It is possible to reduce the size.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the structure will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, (1) is an iron, (2) is a base in which a heater (3) is embedded, (4) is a thermistor that detects the temperature of the base (2),
(5) is a detachable water tank, and (6) is a handle. (7) is a hollow grip formed integrally with the handle (6), and a control board is provided.
(8) is provided. (9) is a microcomputer constituting each means described later, (10) is a temperature setting key switch, and (11) is an LED display circuit, each of which is attached to the board (8). The temperature setting key switch (10) is closed by depressing an operation section (13) located substantially at the upper center of the grip section (7). (L
1) (L2) (L3) (L4) are LED lamps that indicate the temperature setting.
They are arranged in the order of “high”, “middle”, “low”, and “off” from the front, and are provided facing the upper surface of the grip portion (7). (14) is a button for switching between steam and dry. Reference numeral (15) denotes a power supply board on which a relay (16), a capacitor as a backup power supply to be described later, and the like are mounted, and which is mounted in the rear space of the handle (6). (17) is a rear lid, which has a concave portion (18) formed in the lower part. (19) and (19) are power receiving terminals provided in the concave portion (18), which are connected to the power supply board (15).

[0007] (20) is a stand for supporting the iron (1) at an angle, (21) is a support arm with which the bottom surface of the base (2) is in contact, and (22) is engaged with the recess (18) of the back lid of the iron. It is a convex part. (23) (23) is the power receiving terminal inserted through the opening of the projection (22)
(19) A power supply terminal connected to (19), and (24) a shutter that closes the opening of the convex portion (22) when the iron (1) is separated from the stand (20). (25) is a cord reel for supplying commercial power to the power supply terminals (23) and (23).

Next, the circuit configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, (1) shows a circuit on the iron side, and (20) shows a circuit on the stand side. In the circuit on the iron side, between the power receiving terminals (19) and (19), a heater (3)
And relay contact (16a) series circuit and DC power supply circuit (26)
Is connected. The relay contact (16a) is opened and closed by controlling the relay circuit (16) according to a signal from the microcomputer (9), thereby energizing and interrupting the heater (3). The DC power supply circuit (26) converts supplied AC power to DC of a predetermined voltage and outputs the same, and supplies operation power for each circuit described above or below. 1 of the output of the DC power supply circuit (26)
One is supplied to a backup capacitor (28) via a backflow prevention diode (27). This capacitor (28)
The battery is charged while the iron (1) is connected to the stand (20), discharged while the iron (1) is detached from the stand (20), and connected to the microcomputer (9) and other 5V-systems. It functions as a backup power supply that supplies DC power _{VDD to} the circuit. Backup capacitor (28)
The microcomputer (9) and its peripheral circuits are set to a capacity that allows the microcomputer (9) and its peripheral circuits to operate for a longer time than the normal use time of the iron with the (1) detached. In addition, the power supply circuit (26) guarantees operation for a predetermined time necessary for internal processing of the microcomputer (9) after the iron (1) is detached.

The microcomputer (9) incorporates a ROM in which a processing program is written, a RAM for temporarily storing data, and the like. It is composed of a one-chip type that can switch between current mode. Then, when the microcomputer (9) switches to the low current consumption mode, the microcomputer stops oscillation of the system clock, enters a state where only the storage of the built-in RAM is held, and enters a state where almost no current is consumed internally. In order to return from the low current consumption mode to the normal state, it is necessary to input a predetermined signal to the stop / clear terminal S / C. A mode switching signal generation circuit (30) is connected to the stop / clear terminal S / C, and the mode switching signal generation circuit (30) transmits from the timer means (31) and the connection state detection circuit (32). Stop based on incoming signal /
Generates a clear signal.

The timer means (31) is constituted by a CR timer combining a capacitor and a resistor, and the charging of the capacitor is controlled by the microcomputer (9) so that the time can be variously set. For example, adjust the charging voltage of the capacitor according to the base temperature at the time of placing the iron, or the time during which the iron is placed on the stand, or any of the set temperatures, or a combination thereof, and after removing the iron, The charge is discharged by a resistor, and a signal is generated when the capacitor voltage falls below a predetermined value. Therefore, this timer means
In the case (31), if the capacitor is charged while the iron is placed, almost no external current supply is required after the iron is detached, so that the current consumption of the backup capacitor (28) can be suppressed.

[0011] The connection state detection circuit (32) includes an iron (1) connected to the stand (20) to supply AC power from the power supply terminals (23) and (23) to the power receiving terminals (19) and (19). Is detected based on the output of the DC power supply circuit (26), and the output is also supplied to the microcomputer (9).

The microcomputer (9) has a sound alerting circuit (33) and L
ED display circuit (11), key input circuit (34), temperature detection circuit (3
5), the oscillator (36) is connected.

The sounding notification circuit (33) drives a buzzer (B) based on a signal from the microcomputer (9) to generate various buzzer sounds. The LED display circuit (11) drives the plurality of LED lamps (L1) to (L4) based on a signal from the microcomputer (9) to display a set temperature or the like. The key input circuit (34)
A temperature selection signal based on the operation of the temperature setting key switch (10) is sent to the microcomputer (9). The oscillator (36) is a microcomputer
The circuit in (9) is connected to form an oscillation circuit for the system clock.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, when the supply of AC power is started with the iron (1) placed on the stand (20), the power supply circuit (26) is supplied from the power supply terminals (23) (23) through the power receiving terminals (19) (19). Is supplied with AC power, and power is supplied to each circuit from a power supply circuit (26). The connection state detection circuit (32) detects the start of the supply of AC power to the power receiving terminal (19) of the iron based on the output from the power supply circuit (26). The microcomputer (9) is initially reset by the output of the connection state detection circuit (32), and starts executing a preset processing program shown in FIGS.
Note that the contents stored in the RAM inside the microcomputer (9) are not erased by this initial reset.

First, the process proceeds to step S1, where the internal R
The storage information of the AM is read, and the presence or absence of the storage information is determined. Here, assuming that the iron has not been used for a long period of time and there is no stored information, the process proceeds to step S2, and the temperature setting “off” is set in the temperature setting means in the microcomputer (9), and The initialization setting is performed to reset the appropriate temperature flag (F1) and the arrival flag (F2) set in (1). On the other hand, assuming that the use has been performed for some time since the previous use and that the stored information remains, the process proceeds from step S1 to step S3. Proceeding to step S3, the temperature detection circuit
The temperature of the base (2) is detected by (35), and it is determined whether the temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. This predetermined temperature does not normally rise depending on the room temperature, and is 50 ° C. which is lower than the lowest “low” setting temperature among the normal use temperatures.
It is set before and after (hereinafter referred to as lower limit temperature). Therefore, if the base temperature has fallen below the lower limit temperature because it has not been used for a while, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S2, and the above-described initialization setting is performed. When the process proceeds from step S2 to step S5, the connection state detection circuit (32)
, It is detected whether or not the iron is connected to the stand. Here, since it is connected to the stand, the process proceeds to step S6, and it is determined whether the temperature setting is “OFF”. Since the temperature setting is currently "OFF", the flow proceeds to step S7, where the arrival flag (F2) is reset, and then the flow proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the appropriate temperature flag (F1)
Is reset, and the LED lamp corresponding to the setting of the temperature setting means blinks. Current temperature setting is “Off”
Therefore, the “OFF” LED lamp (L4) blinks.

In this state, if the temperature setting key switch (10) is operated and, for example, "high" setting is performed, when the process proceeds from step S15 to step S16, the key input is determined and the process proceeds to step S18. The temperature setting of the temperature setting means changes from "off" to "high" and the arrival flag (F2)
Is reset. Subsequently, in step S17, it is determined whether or not the iron is connected to the stand based on the output of the connection state detection circuit (32). Here, since it is connected, the process returns to step S6. Since the temperature setting is set to “high”, the process proceeds from step S6 to step S8, and temperature control based on the temperature setting is performed. That is, the microcomputer (9) compares the output of the temperature detection circuit (35) with a predetermined temperature (200 ° C.) predetermined according to the current temperature setting “high”,
The relay contact (16a) is turned on / off to control the energization of the heater (3). Here, since the temperature has not risen, the heater
Continue energizing (3).

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S9, where the arrival flag is set.
(F2) is inspected, and since it has been reset (it has never reached the appropriate temperature), the flow proceeds to step S10. In step S10, it is determined whether or not the current temperature has reached a first appropriate temperature reference temperature (195 ° C. in the case of “high”) set in accordance with the current temperature setting. If the temperature has not reached this point, the process proceeds to step S15, and the "off" lamp (L4) is flashed instead of "high".
The lamp (L1) is turned on and off. If it is assumed that the temperature has already been reached, the process proceeds from step S10 to step S11.
Go to S13. In steps S12 and S13, the arrival flag
After setting (F2), set the appropriate temperature flag (F1),
Further, the "high" lamp (L1) is switched from blinking to lighting. Thereafter, steps S16, S17, S6, S8, S9, S1
4. The operations of S12 and S13 are repeated to output a "high" lamp (L1).
To inform the user of the appropriate temperature state.

When the iron (1) is removed from the stand (20) when ironing, the power receiving terminals (23) and (23) are connected to the power receiving terminal (1).
9) Since the supply of AC power to (19) is stopped, the connection state detection circuit (32) detects this, and proceeds from step S17 to step S22 (FIG. 4) based on the detection output. Step S
At 22, it is determined whether or not the temperature has already reached the appropriate temperature by the appropriate temperature flag (F1). Here, since the appropriate temperature has already been reached and the appropriate temperature flag (F1) has been set, the process proceeds to step S23, where the microcomputer sets the contents of the current temperature setting, the appropriate temperature flag (F1), and the arrival flag (F2) in the low current consumption mode. An evacuation operation is performed to save the data in a predetermined storage area that can be retained even when the device enters. If the temperature has not reached the appropriate temperature, the process proceeds from step S22 to step S26 via step S25 to sound a buzzer (B) to notify the user that the user has not warmed up yet. When these operations are completed, the process proceeds to step S24, where the system clock is stopped by the internal signal of the microcomputer (9) and the mode is switched to the low current consumption mode. The operation time from the removal of the iron to this point is short, and the power supply circuit (26) guarantees at least the operation during this time.

The power supply during the detachment of the iron is a DC power supply.
The backup capacitor (28) replaces (26), but the microcomputer (9) enters the low current consumption mode and its main functions are stopped. Accordingly, the display circuit (11)
The temperature setting display by the ED lamp is stopped. Therefore, the discharge of the capacitor (28) is significantly suppressed as compared with the case where the microcomputer (9) is maintained in the normal mode.

On the other hand, when the iron is detached from the stand, the timer means (31) starts a timing operation. The timer means (31) has already set the time by the microcomputer while the iron is connected to the stand, and when this set time elapses, outputs a signal of the end of time measurement, but the set time is constant. It can be time. When the timer means (31) outputs the time-out, the mode switching signal generation circuit (30) sends a signal to the microcomputer (9) to instruct the microcomputer (9) to return to the normal mode. The microcomputer (9) returns from the low current consumption mode to the normal mode by this signal.

When returning to the normal mode, the program starts from the initial state and proceeds to step S1. Microcomputer
(9) contains temperature setting, appropriate temperature flag (F1) and reaching flag (F1).
Since 2) and the like are stored, the process proceeds to step S3, and it is determined whether the base temperature has dropped below the lower limit temperature. Since the temperature does not drop below the lower limit temperature in a normal use state, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S4, and the stored information is read out to a predetermined area. Next, the process proceeds to step S5, where it is determined whether or not the iron is connected to the stand based on the output of the connection state detection circuit (32). Here, since ironing is in progress, the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, it is determined whether or not the temperature has reached the appropriate temperature according to the state of the appropriate temperature flag (F1). However, once the appropriate temperature has been reached and the appropriate temperature flag (F1) has been set, the process proceeds to step S20 and the buzzer ( B) is sounded for a predetermined time, and the user is notified that the time suitable for ironing has elapsed. If the temperature has not become appropriate, the process proceeds to step S21 without sounding the buzzer. In step S21, the system clock is stopped in the same manner as in step S24, and the operation returns to the low current consumption mode to reduce the current consumption. The capacitor (28) has at least a capacity to guarantee the operation during this period. In step S20, the buzzer
Since (B) can be sounded under the control of the microcomputer, the conditions such as the tone color, the sounding interval and the total time can be easily set by the program.

When the user knows the reheating time from the buzzer sound and puts the iron on the stand, the mode switching signal generating circuit (30) receives the signal from the connection state detecting circuit (32) and sends the signal to the microcomputer (9). It outputs a signal instructing to return to the normal mode. This signal allows the microcomputer
In (9), as in the case where the signal from the timer means (31) is received, the mode is returned from the low current consumption mode to the normal mode, and the program is started from the initial. When the process proceeds to step S1, the temperature setting, the appropriate temperature flag (F1) and the attainment flag (F2) are stored in a predetermined area of the microcomputer (9). Determine if Since the temperature does not drop below the lower limit temperature during normal use, the process proceeds from step S3 to step S4.
In step S4, the stored information is read out to a predetermined area, and the temperature setting means sets the temperature setting to "high" by this storage, and the appropriate temperature flag (F1) and the reaching flag (F2)
Is set. In the next step S5, since the iron is connected to the stand, the process proceeds to step S6. Since the temperature setting is set to “high” instead of “off”, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8,
Control for the heater (3) for maintaining the temperature setting "high" is performed in the same manner as described above. Next step S
At step S9, the arrival flag (F2) is set to step S12.
Has already been performed, the process proceeds to step S14 this time. Once the temperature reaches the first optimum temperature and the reaching flag (F2) is set, the process does not proceed from step S9 to step S10 unless the temperature setting is changed and the reaching flag (F2) is reset. The buzzer does not sound even when the first optimum temperature is reached.

Once the optimum temperature has been reached, the subsequent optimum temperature determination is performed in the second optimum temperature set slightly lower than the first optimum temperature determination temperature.
When the temperature is equal to or higher than the appropriate temperature determination temperature (165 ° C. in the case of “high”), the temperature is determined to be appropriate. This second optimum temperature is determined in step S14, and if it is determined that the appropriate temperature has not been reached, the process proceeds to step S15, where the appropriate temperature flag (F1) is reset, and the "high" lamp (L1) flashes. At this time, in this embodiment, the blinking is performed at a constant cycle, but if the blinking cycle or duty is changed depending on the base temperature or the difference from the set temperature, the user is informed to some extent of the reheating waiting time. Can be made easier to use.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to steps S16 and S17 and returns to step S6, and this is repeated. When the appropriate temperature is determined in step S14, the process proceeds from step S12 to S13 to set the appropriate temperature flag (F1),
The blinking "high" lamp (L1) is turned on to notify that the temperature has reached an appropriate level. Thereafter, if there is no change in the temperature setting, the operation proceeds to steps S16 and S17 and returns to step S6. The operation of returning to step S6 is repeated, and in step S8, the heater is energized so as to maintain the base temperature at the “high” setting of 200 ° C. Control is executed. Although not described in the flowchart, the microcomputer (9) also executes a process of setting the set time of the timer means (31) according to the base temperature, the connection time with the stand, and the like during the above process.

When the user finishes ironing, the supply of AC power to the iron is cut off. Immediately after the cutoff, various information stored in the storage means inside the microcomputer (9) is stored in a backup capacitor. The voltage of (28) is held until the voltage drops below the minimum RAM holding operation voltage of the microcomputer (9). Since the backup capacitor (28) is not connected with a discharge resistor for forcibly discharging its charge as in the past, when performing normal ironing, the microcomputer (9) and its peripheral circuits must be backed up. While the time can be lengthened, after using the iron, the previous setting information etc. will be retained for a long time and there is a risk that the heater will enter unexpectedly when using the next time, but as described above, the base at the time of ironing start If the initial use is determined based on the temperature, and if the base temperature is low and the initial use is determined,
Since the "off" setting is automatically performed regardless of the stored temperature setting information or the like, it is possible to effectively prevent the heater from being energized against the user's will. .

[0026]

According to the present invention, when the iron is placed on the stand and power supply to the iron is started, it is determined based on the base temperature whether the iron is being used continuously or has not been used for a while, and the base is used. When it is determined that the temperature is low and the initial use is performed, the "off" setting is automatically performed regardless of the temperature setting information stored in the storage means, so that heater energization based on the previous setting can be effectively prevented. Therefore, it is not necessary to forcibly discharge the backup power supply with a discharge resistor as in the conventional case, and it is possible to minimize the loss of the backup power supply in a normal use state, and to lengthen the backup time or reduce the backup power supply. It is possible to reduce the size.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a cordless iron showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of a main part of the cordless iron showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partial flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Iron 2 Base 3 Heater 9 Microcomputer 20 Stand 28 Backup capacitor 31 Timer means 33 Sounding notification circuit B Buzzer

(56) References JP-A-3-247397 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) D06F 79/02 D06F 75/26 G05D 23/19

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An iron having a base heated by a heater, a power receiving terminal for supplying power to the heater, and a stand having a power supply terminal connected to the power receiving terminal when the iron is placed, wherein the iron is Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the base; temperature setting means; storage means for storing temperature setting information set by the temperature setting means; control means for controlling energization to the heater; In a cordless iron provided with a backup power supply that supplies power to at least the storage means, the iron has connection detection means for detecting power supply from the power supply terminal to the power reception terminal, and the power supply terminal is connected to the iron by the connection detection means. When the start of power supply to the power receiving terminal is detected, the base temperature is normally set based on the output of the temperature detecting means. An initial base temperature determining means for determining whether the temperature is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature lower than the use temperature; and a temperature setting information stored in the storage means when the initial base temperature determining means determines that the base temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature. A cordless iron provided with initialization means for setting the temperature setting to “OFF” regardless of the temperature setting.