U.S. patent application number 11/211091 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for domestic electric appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to Main Power Electrical Factory Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yai Man Raymond Lam, Jing Hang Li, Jeffrey Wade.
Application Number | 20060043086 11/211091 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33104720 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060043086 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Li; Jing Hang ; et
al. |
March 2, 2006 |
Domestic electric appliance
Abstract
A domestic appliance has a heated heat transfer member located
in or on its housing and a temperature sensor for measuring the
operating temperature of the transfer member. User inputs are
provided for selecting an optimized temperature setting for the
transfer member. A temperature controller controls the operating
temperature of the heat transfer member in response to signals from
the temperature sensor to maintain it at or near the selected
temperature setting. The power cord of the appliance has a plug top
with electrical pins for connection with a wall outlet. The power
cord is coiled on a spring-loaded spool within the plug top and is
extendable from the plug top. The spring-loaded spool provides a
retracting force to retract the power cord back within the plug
top.
Inventors: |
Li; Jing Hang; (Hong Kong,
CN) ; Lam; Yai Man Raymond; (Hong Kong, CN) ;
Wade; Jeffrey; (Hong Kong, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEYDIG VOIT & MAYER, LTD
700 THIRTEENTH ST. NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-3960
US
|
Assignee: |
Main Power Electrical Factory
Ltd.
Kwun Tong
HK
|
Family ID: |
33104720 |
Appl. No.: |
11/211091 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
219/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 75/265 20130101;
B65H 75/4431 20130101; D06F 75/28 20130101; H02G 11/02 20130101;
B65H 75/42 20130101; H01R 13/72 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
219/252 |
International
Class: |
D06F 75/26 20060101
D06F075/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 27, 2004 |
GB |
0419120.1 |
Claims
1. A domestic appliance comprising: a housing, a heat transfer
member located in or on the housing, a heating element located with
the heat transfer member for heating the member to an operating
temperature, a temperature sensor located to measure the operating
temperature, user inputs provided on the housing, and a temperature
controller having a plurality of optimized temperature settings and
operating the heating element in response to user inputs and
signals from the temperature sensor to maintain the operating
temperature of the heat transfer member at or near one of the
optimized temperatures settings.
2. The domestic appliance of claim 1 wherein the temperature
controller is an electronic device.
3. The domestic appliance of claim 2 wherein the user inputs are
push button switches coupled to the electronic temperature
controller for selecting one of the optimized temperature
settings.
4. The domestic appliance of claim 1 further including a first
indicator for indicating one of the optimized temperature settings
and a second indicator for indicating the operating temperature of
the heat transfer member.
5. The domestic appliance of claim 1 wherein the optimized
temperature settings are optimized for a plurality of respective
functional uses of the appliance.
6. The domestic appliance of claim 1 further comprising a power
cord for supplying power to the appliance and a plug top coupled to
the power cord for connecting the power cord to an electrical wall
outlet, the plug top comprising a housing having electrical pins
for electrical connection with electrical connectors of the
electrical wall outlet and a spring-loaded spool on which the power
cord can be coiled within the plug top housing, and wherein the
power cord is extendable from the housing and the spring-loaded
spool provides a retracting force to retract the power cord back
within the housing.
7. The domestic appliance of claim 1 wherein the plug top further
comprises a brake for maintaining the power cord in the extended
position and a brake release for releasing the brake so that the
retracting force retracts the power cord back within the
housing.
8. The domestic appliance of claim 1 wherein the brake release
comprises a button located on the plug top housing.
9. The domestic appliance of claim 1 being an iron wherein the heat
transfer member is a soleplate.
10. An electric iron comprising: a housing, a soleplate at an
underside of the housing, a heating element located with the
soleplate for heating the soleplate to an operating temperature, a
temperature sensor located with the soleplate, user inputs provided
on the housing, and a temperature controller having a plurality of
discrete optimized temperature settings and operating the heating
element in response to user inputs and signals from the temperature
sensor to maintain the operating temperature of the soleplate at or
near one of the optimized temperatures settings.
11. A temperature controller for a domestic appliance having a
heating element with an operating temperature and a temperature
sensor located to measure the operating temperature, the
temperature controller having a plurality of optimized temperature
settings and operating the heating element in response to user
inputs and signals from the temperature sensor to maintain the
operating temperature of the heat element at or near one of the
optimized temperatures settings.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to domestic electric
appliances and in particular to temperature control of domestic
appliances.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Many domestic appliances have a temperature controller and
heating element connected to a heat transfer member for providing
an operating heat output. Two common examples are electric irons
and garment steamers.
[0005] Typically the temperature control is a dial thermostat
connected to a temperature sensor positioned with the heat transfer
member. The thermostat is marked with temperature ranges suitable
for the function being performed. In the case of an iron this is
pressing different types of fabric, for example nylon, silk, wool,
cotton or linen. In use the user of the iron turns the thermostat
to a position suitable for the fabric to be pressed. A
Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) is provided on or near the thermostat to
indicate when power is being supplied to the heating element.
[0006] Two problems exist with this temperature setting
arrangement. Firstly, the set temperature is not exact because the
markings only provide an indicative range and not an exact position
for the thermostat. The user may not always position the thermostat
at the same position each time they use the appliance. Furthermore,
during use of the appliance the thermostat dial may be
inadvertently moved, or there may be inherent inaccuracies in the
thermostat mechanism.
[0007] The second problem is that the indicator LED is typically
connected to the terminals of the heating element so that when
power is applied to the heating element the LED is illuminated.
When the heat transfer member reaches the set temperature the
thermostat disconnects power to the heating element and the LED
goes out. This tells the user that the heat transfer member has
reached the set thermostat temperature however there is no way for
the user to tell what temperature the heat transfer member has
reached before the LED goes out.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or
substantially ameliorate at least one of the above problems and/or
more generally to provide improved temperature control of domestic
appliances.
[0009] There is disclosed herein a domestic appliance, preferably
but not exclusively an iron, comprising a housing, a heat transfer
member located in or on the housing, a heating element located with
the heat transfer member for heating the member to an operating
temperature, a temperature sensor located to measure the operating
temperature, user inputs provided on the housing, and a temperature
controller having a plurality of optimized temperature settings and
operating the heating element in response to user inputs and
signals from the temperature sensor to maintain the operating
temperature of the heat transfer member at or near one of the
optimized temperatures settings.
[0010] Preferably, the temperature controller is an electronic
device.
[0011] Preferably, the user inputs are push button switches coupled
to the electronic temperature controller for selecting one of the
optimized temperature settings.
[0012] Preferably, the appliance includes a first indicator for
indicating one of the optimized temperature settings and a second
indicator for indicating the operating temperature of the heat
transfer member.
[0013] Preferably, the optimized temperature settings are optimized
for a plurality of respective functional uses of the appliance.
[0014] Preferably, the appliance includes a power cord for
supplying power to the appliance and a plug top coupled to the
power cord for connecting the power cord to an electrical wall
outlet, the plug top comprising a housing having electrical pins
for electrical connection with electrical connectors of the
electrical wall outlet and a spring-loaded spool on which the power
cord can be coiled within the plug top housing, and wherein the
power cord is extendable from the housing and the spring-loaded
spool provides a retracting force to retract the power cord back
within the housing.
[0015] Preferably, the plug top further comprises a brake for
maintaining the power cord in the extended position and a brake
release for releasing the brake so that the retracting force
retracts the power cord back within the housing.
[0016] Preferably, the brake release comprises a button located on
the plug top housing.
[0017] There is also disclosed herein a temperature controller for
a domestic appliance, having a plurality of optimized temperature
settings and operating a heating element of the appliance in
response to user inputs and signals from a temperature sensor to
maintain the operating temperature of the heating element at or
near one of the optimized temperatures settings.
[0018] Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from
the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The embodiment is an electric iron, but the invention may be
applied to other domestic appliances. In the accompanying
drawings:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric iron,
[0021] FIG. 2 is a first embodiment of temperature controls for the
iron,
[0022] FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of temperature controls for
the iron,
[0023] FIG. 4 is a retractable cord assembly for a domestic
appliance,
[0024] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the cord assembly spool,
and
[0025] FIG. 6 is the electric iron with retractable cord
assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] In the accompanying drawings there is depicted an electric
iron comprise a housing 1 having a handle 2 integrally formed at an
upper part thereof and a heat plate, or soleplate, 3 positioned at
a lower part thereof. A heating element is positioned with the
soleplate 3 for heating it. A power cord 4 extends from the base 5
of the handle 2 for connecting the iron to a power outlet/wall
socket (not shown). A stand, or foot, 6 is provided proximate the
base 5 of the handle 4 for allowing the iron to rest in an upright
position during heating or pressing rest periods. The above
configuration is substantially as known and may include an internal
water tank, and a water jet/steam outlet 7 on the front of housing
1 and steam outlets on soleplate 3.
[0027] An electronic temperature controller 8 is located on top of
the handle 2. The temperature controller 8 is depicted in FIGS. 2
and 3. It includes two columns of LED indicators 9, 10. In the
illustrated embodiment each column has five LEDs 9, 10. One LED 9,
10 from each column is visually associated with a symbol or label
representing one of five fabric types. The fabric types are linen
11, cotton 12, wool 13, silk 14, and nylon 15. The symbols/labels
are positioned between an LED from each column 9, 10. The first
column of LEDs 9 indicates a temperature selected by a user. The
second column of LEDs 10 represents the temperature of the
soleplate 3.
[0028] The controller has a discrete predetermined temperature
setting for each of the five fabric types linen 11, cotton 12, wool
13, silk 4, and nylon 15. The predetermined temperature settings
are optimised temperatures for pressing the respective fabric type.
The temperature controller 8 includes a temperature setter 16 for
selecting the temperature setting. The temperature setter 16
comprises a temperature raise switch 17, a temperature lower switch
18 and an element power indicator LED 21. As the user successively
presses the raise switch 17 of the setter 16 the LEDs 9
successively illuminate from the lowest temperature setting, for
nylon 15, to the highest setting, for linen 11, to indicate the
selection. The selected setting can be lowered using the
temperature lower switch 18.
[0029] The temperature controller 8 also includes a steam setting
switch 19, steam burst switch 22 and spray switch 20 but these are
not critical to the invention.
[0030] The controller 8 operates to control power to the heating
element, and thus the temperature of the soleplate 3, in response
to the user selected temperature setting and signals from a
temperature sensor on the soleplate 8. The temperature of the
soleplate 3 is indicated by LEDs 10 in the second column. As the
soleplate 3 reaches the predetermined operating temperature of a
fabric type the corresponding LED 10 is illuminated.
[0031] In use, the power cord is plugged into a wall socket and the
user selects the fabric to be pressed by pressing the temperature
rise 17 and/or temperature lower 18 buttons. An LED 9 from the
first column illuminates to indicate which fabric, linen 11, cotton
12, wool 13, silk 4, or nylon 15, has been selected. Each fabric is
associated with its predetermined optimum pressing temperature.
Power is supplied to the heating element and LED indicator 21 on
temperature setter 16 illuminates to indicate that the heating
elements are on. As the temperature of the soleplate 3 begins to
rise the controller 8 illuminates an LED from second column 10 in
response to signals from the temperature sensor. The illuminated
LED in the second column 10 indicates an actual temperature reached
by the soleplate 3.
[0032] For example, if a user desires to press a woollen
garment/fabric they press the temperature rises button 17 three
times. The first press of button 17 illuminates the first LED in
column 9 adjacent nylon symbol 15. The second press of button 17
illuminates the second LED in column 9 adjacent the silk symbol 14.
The third press of button 17 illuminates the third LED in column 9
adjacent the wool symbol 13. The operating temperature is set to
the predetermined temperature for wool fabrics. Power is supplied
to the heating elements and LED indicator 21 illuminates. When the
soleplate temperature reaches the predetermined optimum temperature
for nylon the first LED in second column 10 adjacent nylon symbol
15 illuminates. When the soleplate temperature reaches the
predetermined optimum temperature for silk the second LED in second
column 10 adjacent silk symbol 14 illuminates. When the soleplate
temperature reaches the predetermined optimum temperature for wool
the third LED in second column 10 adjacent wool symbol 13
illuminates. The heating element is turned off and LED 21 goes out.
The controller 8 cycles the heating element on and off in known
manner to maintain the soleplate temperature at or near the
predetermined optimum temperature for wool. LED 21 is illuminated
to indicate when the heating element is on.
[0033] In the preferred embodiment only one LED 9, 10 in each
column is illuminated at any one time. When an LED adjacent a
symbol is turned on the previous illuminated LED in that column is
turned off. In an alternative embodiment more than one LED 9, 10 in
each column may be illuminated such that when the optimum
temperature for, say, wool is reached the three LEDs in each column
9, 10 adjacent nylon 15, silk 14, and wool 13 symbols are
illuminated simultaneously.
[0034] The controller 8 allows an optimised predetermined
temperature setting to be selected easily and accurately and
provides the user with feedback information to easily monitor the
operating temperature of the appliance.
[0035] A plug top 23 connected to the cord 4 for connecting the
iron to the power outlet/wall socket includes a housing 24 provided
with electrical pins 25, 25' extending from one end. The pins 25,
25' are of a known type for electrical connection with the
electrical connectors of the power outlet/wall socket. Positioned
within the housing 24 is a rotational spool 26 on which the cord 4
is stored. The cord is stored neatly in a coil 27 to prevent
twists. A coiled torsion spring 28 is coaxially coupled to the
spool 26 for storing retraction energy when the cord 4 is extended
from the spool 26. A brake 29 with release button 30 maintains the
spool 26 in the desired position when the cord 4 is extended. When
the release button 30 is presses the spring 28 provides a
retracting force to rotate the spool 28 to rewind the cord 4 to the
stored position 27. In use, a sufficient length of cord 4 is
extended from the spool 26 for use of the iron. Excess cord is
housed neatly and safely inside the plug housing 24 against the
power outlet/wall socket.
[0036] Power is coupled from the electrical pins 25, 25' to the
cord 4 via a pair of continuous conductive slip-rings 31, 32
located on the spool 26 and a pair of conductive contacts 33, 34
located with the housing 24. The contacts are coupled to the pins
25, 25' and the slip-rings 31, 32 are coupled to the power cord
4.
[0037] Modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in
the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present
intention.
* * * * *