RU2403841C2 - Programmable multi-function hairdryer for hair of hand type - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: personal use articles.

SUBSTANCE: hairdryer has an electric motor designed to propel the turbines for pumping air into the nozzle through the heating resistor and is equipped with switches of cold or hot air. At that the programmable control circuit includes a microprocessor, which is connected to a temperature sensor and the corresponding power supply circuit of elements heating the air. At that the hairdryer contains a microprocessor connected to the static pressure sensor, engine speed sensor, filter sensor, pressure sensor and engine speed sensor, ion generator, a battery of resistors with their sequential shifters and the corresponding feeding circuits of the engine. The microprocessor is also connected with an electric motor for actuating the dryer, through the transistor, which collector is connected sequentially with the triac. At that the sequence of motor/triac, including the standard features, capacitors and resistors, are powered by the same electrical device from which the heating resistor is energised. At that a programmable control circuit contains an element of visualisation and adjustment and connecting elements of the working parametres of the equipment controlled by the microprocessor. The said adjustment and connecting elements of working parametres of the equipment include a rectifier diode, semiconductor voltage regulator diode and electrolytic filter which is has also a limiting resistor and a capacitor feeding a group of series resistors with switches. At that stabilisation of the normal operating mode of the engine and the heater resistance is carried out by the sensor which signals are sent "to" and "from" an appropriate control unit of speed and temperature.

EFFECT: this design ensures consistent and safe operation of the hairdryer.

8 cl, 6 dwg

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to household appliances, and more specifically to a hand-held hair dryer, in particular a microprocessor-based hairdryer.

State of the art

Known hair dryers for manual use of a wide variety of design options. Most of them are designed to perform certain functions regarding the form of distribution and use of the volume of air flow at the outlet. To do this, there are various forms of interchangeable tips that attach to the tube from which the air comes out, and through which it is possible to concentrate or distribute a stream of air to best achieve the desired result. Attachable elements can be supplemented with various combs or brushes, at the discretion of the master using them.

As for the functional options for hairdryers of this type, in general they are limited to an additional switch to turn on or off the element that heats the air and selects the maximum or minimum volume of the air flow depending on the speed of the electric drive.

Other special requirements to be controlled are characteristic of large industrial type hairdryers.

Each of these hairdryers has its own special characteristics to achieve its goal, characterized in that its control circuit contains a microprocessor to which at least a temperature sensor, a static pressure sensor, an engine speed sensor, an ion generator, a resistor battery with their serial switches and the corresponding mentioned power supply circuits of the engine and the element for heating the air, while for optimizing the processing channel, the specified microprocessor when the hairdryer is turned on and working parameters, sets the initial operating parameters to 50% of their value and then continuously determines, based on statistical data, a constant operating mode and responds to electrical, thermal and mechanical deviations with correction and stabilization, records, signals and presents on the screen.

The closest technical solution should be a multifunctional programmable hair dryer of manual type, containing an electric motor designed to drive turbines to inject air into the nozzle through heating resistance, and equipped with switches for cold or hot air, and the programmable control circuit contains a microprocessor, to which a temperature sensor and corresponding power circuits of the air-heating elements are connected (see, for example, WO 2004/012554 A2, 02/12/2004).

Summary of the invention

The technical task of the present invention is the creation of a very simple and economical device used in hand-held hair dryers, which allows you to register and present a certain number of operational and functional parameters of interest to the consumer, programmable and having many functions.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device for use in hair dryers for manual use, which enables the inclusion of an electronic circuit, giving various operational functions that allow you to change the mode and cycles of operation, while storing and displaying on the screen certain information regarding the management of certain parameters, which affect the operating power, such as the volume of the outgoing air flow, the temperature value, switching to cold-hot modes and others that will set out in the description.

The problem is solved by creating a multifunctional programmable hair dryer for hand-type hair containing an electric motor designed to drive turbines to inject air into the nozzle through a heating resistance and equipped with switches for cold or hot air, and the programmable control circuit contains a microprocessor controlled by the program, to which a temperature sensor and corresponding power circuits of the air-heating elements are connected. According to the invention, the dryer contains a static pressure sensor, an engine speed sensor, a filter sensor, a pressure sensor and an engine speed sensor, an ion generator, a resistor battery with its series switches and corresponding motor power circuits connected to the microprocessor,

the microprocessor is also connected to the electric motor that drives the hair dryer through a transistor whose collector is connected in series with the triac, the motor / triac sequence, including standard elements, a capacitor and resistors, being fed from the same electrical device from which the heating resistor is fed ,

wherein the programmable control circuit contains a visualization element and adjustment and connecting elements of the operating parameters of the equipment controlled by the microprocessor,

the specified adjusting and connecting elements of the operating parameters of the equipment contain a rectifying diode, a semiconductor zener diode and an electrolyte filter, to which a limiting resistor and a capacitor are added, supplying a group of series resistors with switches,

moreover, stabilization of the normal operating mode of the engine and heating resistance is carried out by means of a sensor whose signals are sent "to" and "from" the corresponding speed and temperature control unit.

The microprocessor works according to the program for receiving data from a group of temperature, pressure sensors and engine speed control and other values selected by the consumer. The memory also provides a record of the parameters selected and measured by the circuit, as well as the operating time of the hairdryer. The microprocessor also verifies that the selected values are compatible with the capacitance of the electrical elements in the circuit.

To perform all these functions, the microprocessor is programmed to continuously monitor the speed of the engine, not only to adjust the control variables, but also to control the acceleration processes. Another important parameter is the current passing through the heating resistor, the value of which will be adjusted to control the temperature of the exhaust air. The microprocessor also controls all the luminous elements showing its functioning through the program indicator, as well as a screen on which all current set values are reflected. The parameters to be measured are the following: the volume of the air flow circulating through the hair dryer, the temperature at the outlet, revolutions / min, the motor, the time of use, as well as the current and voltage of the motor and the heating resistor.

All measured variables determine the input and output of the closed loop control device, which allows you to select the temperature and air flow rate regardless of external conditions. This control device will adjust the variables so that the temperature and air flow rate at any time correspond to those that have been pre-selected.

Therefore, a flow chart is attached by which the microprocessor controls.

From the above it follows that the control shown in the diagram is one of the most important factors guaranteeing the safe and constant operation of the hairdryer. Since all operating parameters are constantly monitored and the maximum values compatible with the electromechanical characteristics of the hairdryer are pre-set at the time of manufacture, the hairdryer is safe even in case of improper use or too intensive use, which can damage it. The most important parameters relate to power dissipation and preset engine speeds, the maximum values of which are set in advance so that they are not exceeded during the operation of the hairdryer.

The program provides a permanent record of the operation of the device and saves all these values by summing up the hours of operation, including the initial date of use, providing the exact date for the guarantee, the conditions under which work was carried out, thus allowing for the provision of maintenance that will be required.

According to the invention, in a multifunctional programmable hair dryer for hand-held hair, an event recording unit receives information directly from sensors and speed and temperature control units. The speed and temperature control unit is connected in feedback with the unit for checking the status of parameters.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, i.e. hand-held multi-function programmable hair dryer, and its practical implementation, the following is a description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an electrical diagram of a preferred embodiment of a hairdryer according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a hairdryer according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a microprocessor controlled hairdryer according to the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a hairdryer start-up diagram versus time, showing air flow, temperature, and engine rpm diagrams according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a change in the operating point of an air flow volume versus time according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a hairdryer operating when a filter is clogged, where: a solid line is a diagram of a changed volume of air flow, a dotted line is a diagram of a temperature change, a dash-dot line is a engine speed according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The circuit, as an example embodiment of the invention, contains an integrated circuit 1 (Fig. 1) of the type "Peripheral Interface Controller 16F873" or similar, connected to an electric motor 2, which drives the hairdryer through a transistor 3, the collector of which is connected in series with a triac (bidirectional triode thyristor) 4, while the motor-triac group receives power 5 through a circuit containing a capacitor and standard resistors.

Similarly, through the same circuit, the processor is connected to the heating resistor 6.

The diagram shows the circuit corresponding to the temperature sensor 7, the filter sensor 8, the pressure sensor 9 and the optical sensor 10, which determines the engine speed.

The device, which controls the relevant parameters, contains an electric power supply circuit 11, which contains the necessary elements, such as a rectifying diode, a semiconductor zener diode and an electrolytic filter with the necessary elements, such as a limiting resistor and a capacitor, which feed the series resistors 12 with the switches 13.

Verification can be carried out on the liquid crystal display 14, which receives data from the volume meters, from the speed and temperature sensors.

In FIG. 2 shows a possible arrangement of elements in the housing of a hand dryer. Each element is shown schematically, shown: engine 2 and a sensor 10 of the number of its revolutions with its optoelectronic coupling. The engine drives a turbine 15, directing air to the front nozzle 16, where there is a heating resistance 6 with a temperature sensing thermocouple 7 and a filter 17 with a pressure sensor 9. The location of the circuit board with electronic circuit elements is also presented.

In the handle of the housing there is an ion generation device 18 with a corresponding radiating electrode 19 located inside the nozzle 16. A button 20 is also located on the handle, sensors of the temperature level, speed and start of the ion generator, which have corresponding switches and buttons 13.

On the handle is a display 14, which shows the operation and the values of the operating parameters of the apparatus, data and menus registered in the memory.

It must be clarified that since a very low voltage is used to control the operation of the hairdryer by means of microprocessor 1, there is no danger of electric shock when the switches 13 on the handle are located in a convenient place for the consumer.

In FIG. 3 is a flowchart: step 21 on or start, step 22 setting the configuration of the source functions at 50% value of the parameters. After determining the operating parameters 23, the state of the parameters is set in step 24. The operating functions will be reflected on the display screen 14.

The operation is controlled by comparing in step 25 the parameters with the database, from which the restrictions are established, distributed from A to the possible temperature rises 26 recorded by the thermocouple 7, this is either an alarm for problems with the filter, or because of the need to replace the filter 27, determined by electronic pressure sensor 9, or sensor 8, indicating the absence of a filter. Problems in the engine are indicated by replacing 28 engine brushes that arise from matching the database with normal operating values and accumulated runtime.

The same thing happens when controlling engine speed 29 and controlling temperature 30 in response to the readings of sensors 31 and 32 determined by the corresponding elements 10 and 7.

This control is visualized on display 14 in steps 33 and 34 from the speed and temperature sensors. Starting from the initial state and following the established sequence of steps, all steps are counted 35 and recorded 36, i.e. compiles the most important data regarding operation, maintenance and management of the hairdryer.

The block diagram shows the existing connection of the output 37 of the regulation 29 speed and temperature 30 in the form of information received on line 38 about the status of the parameters to step 24 determine the status.

The work is as follows.

In FIG. 1 and 2 show an electrical circuit and a hairdryer containing various elements, allowing to practically implement the claimed invention in one of the possible forms. The diagrams shown in FIG. 4 and 5, reflect the working behavior of the hairdryer in time at various possible events.

When the hair dryer is turned on, it is considered that it is installed at the starting point “0”, and if there is no filter, since it is installed separately, the sensor corresponding to the “filter is installed” instruction sends this to the screen where the absence of the filter is reflected, preventing the engine from starting. The sensor will react similarly if the filter is not installed correctly, canceling the action, even if you continue to press the start button.

When the filter is installed for the first time, it is fixed by a sensor that sends a signal to the microprocessor, which starts recording, setting the date and starting from "0" hours of operation, storing this data in memory, thus the hair dryer is ready for operation.

When the hair dryer is turned on, the engine accelerates and heating of the heating element begins until the values that were originally set during manufacture are reached. The preset slow heating is intended to extend the life of the hair dryer elements.

When the hairdryer reaches the set value of the selected temperature and airflow volume, the curves go to paragraph 1 of the diagram (Fig. 4) and stabilize, remaining constant throughout use. The dashed lines represent the selected operating values on the x axis. In conventional hair dryers, the data specified for regulation is only defined, but there is no information regarding possible changes that may occur during their use. It is known that changes in external conditions in hairdryers of a known type cause changes in air volume and temperature; this problem does not occur in hairdryers according to the invention.

If, on demand, the volume of air flow is changed, proceeding to point 2 in FIG. 5 and without changing the temperature level, its value should not change, as a result of which the engine speed will increase to satisfy the need for a larger volume of air flow, with an increase in which there will be a decrease in temperature A at the outlet of the hairdryer. The corresponding sensor will register this and the microprocessor will give a command to increase the current in the resistor to compensate for the temperature drop, raising it to a certain level and returning to the value determined before. These disturbances are reflected by the corresponding curves.

It should be noted that in a known hair dryer, these adjustments cannot be carried out by means of an open-circuit operating system that does not allow determining the real air flow at the hair dryer exit.

An example of changing the temperature value is the simplest, since the microprocessor simply controls the current passing through the heating resistor and limits the maximum value to protect the circuit. If the consumer tries to set a temperature value that exceeds the permissible value, he will not be able to do this, and the display will show the reason why this cannot be done, i.e. because the temperature is very high for the selected given volume of air flow.

It is possible to imagine the case when no changes in the variables occurred, but changes occur under external conditions, for example, a partial clogging of the filter (Fig. 6). Such a situation will cause a decrease in the volume of air flow and, as a result, an increase in temperature. The microprocessor, to compensate for this change, will command the engine to rotate at a higher speed to restore the initial volume of air flow. When stabilizing the volume of the air flow, the temperature also stabilizes without additional regulation.

One can assume a greater clogging of the filter (Fig. 6). The diagram shows the change in the corresponding curves, where the first blockage is between points 1 and 2 indicated on the x-axis, and the second blockage begins at point 3. The corrections are carried out in the above order, but nevertheless, reaching the value of point 4, at which the volume ratio the engine’s air flow rpm will reach a value at which the engine will be overloaded, then the power supply is immediately interrupted and the hair dryer will stop completely. At the same time, the indication “Change filter” appears on the display. Thus, the dryer fails and is restored to work only when the filter is replaced. This situation will be detected by the filter presence sensor. That is, the restoration of work requires a replacement filter. The whole process will be recorded and stored in the computer's memory, as well as all filter replacements made during the entire life of the hair dryer.

Obviously, what is shown in the diagrams will be stored in memory, according to the established sequence of operations, by the event counter 35 and the recording unit 36, where all normal and possible events that occur during the operation of the hair dryer will be recorded. Thus, the entire operational history of the hairdryer will be recorded, which will not only indicate the necessary maintenance on screen 14, but also all circumstances leading to the best functioning of the hairdryer, such as replacing the filter, motor bearings, etc.

Thus, the control circuit contains a microprocessor connected to an electric motor that drives the hairdryer by means of a transistor, the collector of which is connected in series with a triac, where the motor-triac group contains a series-connected capacitor and standard resistors, while the heating device is powered by the same electric device resistance. The specified microprocessor is connected to a temperature sensor, a filter sensor, a pressure sensor and an engine speed sensor; this circuit includes visual adjusting and connecting elements of the operating parameters of the device, controlled by the microprocessor and through the program.

Thus, a brief summary of one of the possible constructive embodiments of the invention is given, as well as the principle of its operation, including its specific application.

Claims (8)

1. A multifunctional programmable hair dryer for hand-type hair, containing an electric motor designed to drive turbines to pump air into the nozzle through a heating resistor and equipped with cold or hot air switches, the programmable control circuit comprising a microprocessor to which a temperature sensor and corresponding power supply circuit of air-heating elements, characterized in that it contains a static pressure sensor connected to the microprocessor I, the engine speed sensor, the filter sensor, the pressure sensor and the engine speed sensor, an ion generator, a battery of resistors with their serial switches and the corresponding motor power circuits, while the microprocessor is also connected to the electric motor that drives the hair dryer, through a transistor whose collector connected in series with the triac, and the motor / triac sequence, including standard elements, capacitor and resistors, are powered from the same electrical device from which the heating resistor is energized, while the programmable control circuit contains a visualization element and adjusting and connecting elements of the operating parameters of the equipment controlled by the microprocessor, these adjusting and connecting elements of the operating parameters of the equipment contain a rectifying diode, a semiconductor zener diode and an electrolyte filter to which a limiting resistor and a capacitor are added feeding a group of series resistors with switches, and stabilization I of the normal operating mode of the engine and heating resistance is carried out by means of a sensor whose signals are sent "to" and "from" the corresponding speed and temperature control unit. 2. The multifunctional programmable hair dryer for hand-held hair according to claim 1, characterized in that the visualization elements connected to the microprocessor are a liquid crystal screen. 3. A multifunctional programmable hair dryer for manual hair according to claim 1, characterized in that a microprocessor of the type "Peripheral Interface Controller 16F873" or a similar type is used. 4. The multifunctional programmable hair dryer for hand-held hair according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric motor speed sensor is an optical sensor, and the temperature sensor is a thermocouple. 5. Multifunctional programmable hair dryer for hand-held hair according to claim 1, characterized in that the said alarm elements include at least one volume meter. 6. The multifunctional programmable hair dryer for hand-held hair according to claim 1, characterized in that the alarm and information are carried out by connecting the control unit with the corresponding volume meter and a liquid crystal display screen. 7. The multifunctional programmable hair dryer for hand-held hair according to claim 1, characterized in that the event recording unit receives information directly from sensors and speed and temperature control units. 8. The multifunctional programmable hair dryer for hand-held hair according to claim 1, characterized in that the speed and temperature control unit is connected in feedback with the unit for checking the status of parameters.

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