JPH01190400A - electric iron - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention relates to an electric iron for general household use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 6, this type of iron has a base 22 in which a heater 21 is embedded, a handle 23 provided above the base 22, and a handle 23 that controls power supply to the heater 21. It includes a temperature setting means 24 that can arbitrarily set the temperature of the base 22, and a power cord 26 that supplies power to the heater 21. The temperature setting means 24 is of a dial type, and when the dial is rotated to set the temperature for ironing, the heater 21 is energized and the base 22 is heated so that ironing can be performed.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with this dial-type temperature setting means 24, once the set temperature is determined by turning the dial, the dial can be turned again to "off" to cut off the power supply to the heater 21.
If you do not turn the iron to the ``off'' position, you will not be able to turn off the power, and if you turn the power cord on while the iron is placed horizontally on clothing, etc., you may accidentally turn the dial or turn the dial ``off''.
If you forget to put it back on, the heater 21 will start to be energized and the base 22 will be heated, creating a risk of burning or damaging your clothes, and in the worst case, causing a fire. There was a problem.

Therefore, the present invention solves these conventional problems and further improves the safety of the iron.

Means for Solving the Problem The technical means of the present invention for solving this problem is that when the state detection means for determining whether the iron is in use or at rest detects that the iron is in a horizontally stationary state, Even if the temperature is set by the temperature setting means, the heater circuit is not energized.

Effect The effect of this technical means is as follows. In other words, when the iron is horizontal and not in use, the temperature can be set even if the power cord is plugged into an outlet, but no electricity is applied to the heater. As a result, even if the user makes a mistake in setting the temperature, there is no risk of burning clothes or the like on the side of the iron, and safety can be improved.

Embodiment Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. In FIGS. 1 to 4, 1 is a base in which a heater 2 is embedded, 3 is a handle provided above the base 1, and 4 is a temperature setting means that can arbitrarily set the temperature of the base 1. Reference numeral 6 designates a control circuit that controls energization of the heater 2 based on a signal from a temperature sensor e that detects the temperature of the base 1. Reference numeral 7 designates a handle cover 8 that is a heater circuit switch configured in series with the control circuit 5. A relay, triac, etc. may also be used. Reference numeral 9 denotes a state detection means for detecting the state of the iron, which is composed of a reflective photo sensor 10, a ball 11 as a reflective object, a case 13 having an inclined groove 12 for guiding the ball 11, and a lid 14. ing. Here, the operation of the state detection means 12 described above will be explained in detail. When the iron body is stationary in a horizontal state for ironing or a state close to it, the ball 11 is placed in the case 13 as shown in FIG. The lowest part of the inclined groove 12.

In other words, since it is stationary at a position facing the reflective photosensor 1o, the phototransistor of the reflective photosensor 1o is turned on.
state. Moreover, as shown in FIG.
does not stand still at a position facing the reflective photosensor 10, so the phototransistor of the reflective photosensor 10 is OF
It becomes F state.

As described above, the state detecting means 9 having the above-mentioned configuration determines that when the phototransistor of the reflective photosensor 1o is OFF, the iron is in a freestanding state, and when it is ON, the iron is in a horizontal state;
When the signal is repeatedly output, it can be detected that the device is in use. The control circuit 6 is made up of a plurality of electronic components that control the heater circuit switch 8 according to the output of the state detection means 9, and when the temperature is set by the temperature setting means 4, even if the iron is energized, The heater circuit switch 8 is held open, and the heater circuit switch 8 is closed after the state detection means 9 determines that the iron is not in a horizontally stationary state.

To explain the operation in the above configuration, if the user accidentally touches the temperature setting means 4 while placing the iron horizontally,
Even if an operation is attempted, the temperature can be set, but the heater circuit switch in the control circuit 6 remains open and the heater 2 is not energized. Therefore, unlike in the past, if the user accidentally turns on the base while placing it horizontally, the temperature of the base will rise, causing horizontal damage to clothing, floors, tatami, etc., and in the worst case, causing a fire. Nor. In the above embodiment, the iron is placed horizontally, but the same applies to a state where the iron is overturned and is at rest.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the temperature is set by the temperature setting means 4 in a horizontal state, the notification means 7 is activated to notify the user that the iron is not in a safe state, thereby preventing erroneous operation. , which can improve safety and operability. Furthermore, if the device is left in a horizontally stationary state even after the notification means 7 is activated, safety can be further enhanced by canceling the temperature setting previously set by the temperature setting means 7 after a predetermined time has elapsed. Furthermore, when the iron is placed in an independent state after the notification means 7 is activated, electricity is started to be supplied to the heater circuit, and the temperature of the iron is controlled to the previously set temperature, without having to set the temperature again. , an iron can be used, further improving operability.

Effects of the Invention As described above, when the iron of the present invention is placed horizontally and the temperature is set, the temperature can be set but the heater is not energized. Since the heater is only energized in a free-standing state without any dangers such as This can prevent accidents such as cross-cutting and fires, and can significantly improve the safety of ironing.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view of an iron showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway sectional view of the same, FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged sectional views of the same state detection means, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional iron. 1...Base, 2...Heater, 4.
... Temperature setting means, 6 ... Control circuit, 9
...State detection means. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person No. 3
figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] A base having a heater, a temperature setting means for arbitrarily setting the temperature of the base, a state detecting means for determining whether the iron is in use or stationary, and energizing the heater based on the output of the state detecting means. and a control circuit for controlling the iron, the electric iron not being energized to the heater circuit when the temperature setting means sets the temperature in a state in which the state detection means detects a horizontal standstill.