Garment Steamer Circuit for Regulating Voltage and Garment Steamer

Abstract

A garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage, comprises a power grid voltage detection circuit, a controller, a heating control circuit and a heating unit. The power grid voltage detection circuit is used for detecting the voltage of the input power supply. The controller is electrically connected with the power grid voltage detection circuit. The heating control circuit includes a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) Q1, which is arranged on the power supply circuit of the heating unit and is electrically connected with the controller. The controller is used for controlling the conduction angle of the SCR Q1.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a technical field of garment steamer, in particular to a garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage and a garment steamer.BACKGROUND

[0002] A garment steamer is a kind of commonly used household appliance for ironing clothes. The garment steamer usually comprises a heating element, a water box, a steam generator and a nozzle. It requires specific voltage for the heating element to generate sufficient heat for converting water into steam. If the voltage is too high or too low, it may affect the heating efficiency, amount of steam generated and service life of the garment steamer. Due to discrepancy of the power supply systems in different countries or regions, there are mainly two common voltage standards, 110V and 220V. In order to solve the problem of different voltages in different regions, the solution of prior art is to equip a garment steamer with an adapter. However, different types of garment steamers require adapters with different specifications, and users need to check carefully about the manual of the garment steamer and the parameters of the adapter when purchasing an adapter to ensure that the output voltage and current of the adapter matches with the requirements of the garment steamer. If a user purchases an adapted that does not match with the garment steamer, the garment steamer will not operate normally. If the input voltage is too low, it may result in slow heating of the garment steamer and thus decreasing the working efficiency. If the input voltage is too high, it may result in overload of circuit inside the garment steamer and thus damaging the electronic components.

[0003] Therefore, it is desired to provide a garment steamer applicable to different voltages without an adapter.SUMMARY

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings in the prior art, the present application provides a garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage and a garment steamer. The garment steamer includes the garment steamer circuit so that the garment steamer provided by the present application is applicable to different voltages without an additional adapter. The technical solution adopted by the present application to solve the technical problem is: A garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage, comprises a power grid voltage detection circuit, a controller, a heating control circuit and a heating unit. The power grid voltage detection circuit is used for detecting the voltage of the input power supply. The controller is electrically connected with the power grid voltage detection circuit and obtains the voltage value of the input power supply through the power grid voltage detection circuit. The heating control circuit includes a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) Q1, which is arranged on the power supply circuit of the heating unit and is electrically connected with the controller. The controller is used for controlling the conduction angle of the SCR Q1 to adjust the heating power of the heating unit.

[0005] As a further improvement of the above solution, the garment steamer circuit further includes a power supply module. An anode of the SCR Q1 is connected to the heating unit and an cathode of the SCR Q1 is connected to the power supply module. A control electrode of the SCR Q1 is connected to the controller.

[0006] As a further improvement of the above solution, the power grid voltage detection circuit comprises a diode D3, a resistor R1, a resistor R25 and a capacitor C1. An anode of the diode D3 is connected to the power supply module and a cathode of the diode D3 is connected to one end of the resistor R1 while another end of the resistor R1 is connected to the controller. One end of the resistor R25 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 is connected to a common end of the resistor R1 and the controller, and another end of the resistor R25 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 is grounded.

[0007] As a further improvement of the above solution, the garment steamer circuit further includes a power grid synchronization detection circuit, which comprises a resistor R3, a resistor R4, a resistor R5, a resistor R14, a resistor R28, a capacitor C8, a diode D2 and a triode Q5. One end of the resistor R28 is connected to the power supply module and the resistor R28, resistor R3 and resistor R4 are connected in series. The capacitor C8 and the diode D2 are connected in parallel on both ends of the resistor R4. The resistor R5 is connected in series between the resistor R4 and an base of the triode Q5. An emitter of the triode Q5 is connected with the resistor R4 and is grounded, and an collector of the triode Q5 is input with the direct current voltage output by the power supply module through the resistor R14. The controller is connected to a common end of the collector of the triode Q5 and the resistor R14. As a further improvement of the above solution, the heating control circuit further comprises a resistor R8, a resistor R10 and a capacitor C6. One end of the capacitor C6 is connected to the control electrode of the SCR Q1, and another end of the capacitor C6 connected in series with the resistor R8 is connected to the controller. One end of the resistor R10 is connected to a common end of the SCR Q1 and the capacitor C6, and another end of the resistor R10 is grounded.

[0008] As a further improvement of the above solution, the power supply module comprises a filter circuit, a surge protection circuit, a rectifier circuit, and an off-line voltage regulator. An input end of the filter circuit is connected to a mains power supply, and the surge protection circuit is connected to both ends of the filter circuit. An output end of the filter circuit is connected to the input end of the rectifier circuit and the output end of the rectifier circuit is connected to the off-line voltage regulator. An output end of the off-line voltage regulator is connected to the controller.

[0009] As a further improvement of the above solution, a temperature fuse FUSE1 is arranged between the power supply module and the cathode of the SCR Q1.

[0010] As a further improvement of the above solution, the heating control circuit further includes a current fuse FUSE4, and the garment steamer circuit further includes a water pump control module. The heating unit is connected to the water pump control module through a current fuse FUSE4.

[0011] As a further improvement of the above solution, the water pump control module comprises a water pump, a diode D4 and a SCR Q2. The SCR Q2 is used for controlling the turn-on or turn-off of the power supply circuit of the water pump. One end of the water pump is connected to the power supply module and another end of the water pump is connected to an anode of the diode D4. A cathode of the diode D4 is connected to an anode of the SCR Q2 and a cathode of the SCR Q2 is grounded. A control electrode of the SCR Q2 is connected to the controller.

[0012] The present application further provides a garment steamer including the aforementioned garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage.

[0013] The beneficial effect of the present application is:

[0014] The present application provides a garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage and a garment steamer. The garment steamer circuit comprises a power grid voltage detection circuit, a controller, a heating control circuit and a heating unit. The controller controls the heating control circuit based on the voltage value detected by the power grid voltage detection circuit to further realize controlling the heat power of the heating unit. The garment steamer includes the garment steamer circuit so that the garment steamer of the present application is applicable to different voltages without an additional adapter.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the controller in the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage of the present application;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the power supply module and the heating control circuit in the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage of the present application;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the water pump control module in the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage of the present application;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the power grid synchronization detection circuit in the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage of the present application;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the power grid voltage detection circuit in the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage of the present application;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the screen display circuit in the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage of the present application.NOTES OF REFERENCE SIGNS IN DRAWINGS:

[0021] 10-controller; 20-off-line voltage regulator; 30-water pump; 40-heating unitDESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The following will clearly and completely describe the concept, specific structure and technical effects of the present application in combination with the embodiments and figures, so as to fully understand the purpose, characteristics and effects of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present application, other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are all within the scope of protection of the present application. In addition, all the connection relationships involved in the application do not simply refer to the direct connection of components, but refer to the formation of a better connection structure by adding or reducing connection accessories according to the specific implementation situation. The various technical features in the creation of the present application can be combined interchangeably without conflicting with each other.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, this embodiment provides a garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage, comprising a power grid voltage detection circuit, a controller 10, a heating control circuit and a heating unit 40.

[0024] The power grid voltage detection circuit is used for detecting the voltage of the input power supply. The controller 10 is electrically connected with the power grid voltage detection circuit and obtains the voltage value of the input power supply through the power grid voltage detection circuit. The heating control circuit includes a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) Q1, which is arranged on the power supply circuit of the heating unit 40 and is electrically connected with the controller 10. The controller 10 is used for controlling the conduction angle of the SCR Q1 to adjust the heating power of the heating unit 40.

[0025] Further, the garment steamer circuit further includes a power supply module. An anode of the SCR Q1 is connected to the heating unit 40 and an cathode of the SCR Q1 is connected to the power supply module. A control electrode of the SCR Q1 is connected to the controller 10.

[0026] Further, the power supply module comprises a filter circuit, a surge protection circuit, a rectifier circuit, and an off-line voltage regulator 20. An input end of the filter circuit is connected to a mains power supply, and the surge protection circuit is connected to both ends of the filter circuit. An output end of the filter circuit is connected to the input end of the rectifier circuit and the output end of the rectifier circuit is connected to the off-line voltage regulator 20. An output end of the off-line voltage regulator 20 is connected to the controller 10.

[0027] In this embodiment, a temperature fuse FUSE1 is arranged between the power supply module and the cathode of the SCR Q1. When the temperature increases to the rated temperature of the temperature fuse FUSE1, the temperature fuse FUSE1 is fused and the circuit is cut off, which prevents the temperature of the heating element from continuing to increase and thus avoiding the heating element's damage due to excessively high temperature, or even causing fire and other safety incidents to occur.

[0028] It can be understood that the power grid voltage detection circuit obtains the voltage value of the input power supply and transmits the obtained voltage value to the controller 10. The controller 10 controls the conduction angle of the SCR Q1 based on the received voltage value to adjust the heat power of the heating unit 40.

[0029] It should be particularly noted that the conduction angle described herein refers to the proportion of the SCR Q1 in the alternating current cycle from the time when the SCR Q1 starts to be turned on to the time when the SCR Q1 is fully turned on. The SCR Q1 in this embodiment selects a bidirectional SCR which has a bidirectional conduction function. The controller 10 adds a positive pulse to the control electrode of the SCR Q1 to make it conduct in a forward direction, and the SCR Q1 does not provide an operation voltage to the heating unit 40. The controller 10 adds a negative pulse to the control electrode of the SCR Q1 to make it conduct in a reverse direction, and the SCR Q1 provides an operation voltage to the heating unit 40.

[0030] Assuming that in a time period, the time when the heating unit 40 is powered on is T1 and the time when the heating unit 40 is powered off is T2. The proportion of heating time of the heating unit 40 in a time period is D, then D=T1 / T, wherein T=T1+T2. When the heating time proportion D becomes larger, it represents that the heating time in a time period becomes longer. Under the same input voltage, the average power of the heating unit 40 becomes larger. Therefore, the value of the heating time proportion D needs to be adjusted correspondingly based on the voltage value received by the controller 10. For example, when the input power supply detected by the power grid voltage detection circuit is 220V alternating current, the heating time proportion D may be a relatively small value, for example, it may be 0.2. When the input power supply detected by the power grid voltage detection circuit is 120V alternating current, the heating time proportion D may be a relatively large value, for example, it may be 0.7. By controlling the conduction angle of the SCR Q1, it can be ensured that the average power generated by the heating unit 40 under different voltages is basically the same, which prevents the equipment from being burned. In this embodiment, the power grid voltage detection circuit comprises a diode D3, a resistor R1, a resistor R25 and a capacitor C1. An anode of the diode D3 is connected to the power supply module and a cathode of the diode D3 is connected to one end of the resistor R1 while another end of the resistor R1 is connected to the controller 10. One end of the resistor R25 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 is connected to a common end of the resistor R1 and the controller 10, and another end of the resistor R25 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 is grounded.

[0031] The diode D3 has a rectifying effect and the resistor R25 has a filtering and voltage-stabilizing effect. By setting the diode D3 and the resistor R25, the voltage obtained by the power grid voltage detection circuit in this embodiment is smoother, and a direct current voltage closer to the peak value is obtained.

[0032] In this embodiment, the garment steamer circuit further includes a power grid synchronization detection circuit, which comprises a resistor R3, a resistor R4, a resistor R5, a resistor R14, a resistor R28, a capacitor C8, a diode D2 and a triode Q5. One end of the resistor R28 is connected to the power supply module and the resistor R28, resistor R3 and resistor R4 are connected in series. The capacitor C8 and the diode D2 are connected in parallel on both ends of the resistor R4. The resistor R5 is connected in series between the resistor R4 and an base of the triode Q5. An emitter of the triode Q5 is connected with the resistor R4 and is grounded, and an collector of the triode Q5 is input with the direct current voltage output by the power supply module through the resistor R14. The controller 10 is connected to a common end of the collector of the triode Q5 and the resistor R14.

[0033] It can be understood that the power grid voltage is not stable all the time and it may fluctuate due to power consumption peak, power grid failure and other reasons. The power grid synchronization detection circuit is able to monitor the change of the power grid voltage in real-time. When the voltage fluctuates, the controller 10 timely adjusts the power output of the heating element according to the detected information to guarantee that a stable heating effect is maintained under different power grid voltages.

[0034] For example, when the power grid voltage decreases suddenly, the power grid synchronization detection circuit feeds back the change to the controller 10, and the controller 10 controls the conduction angle of the SCR Q1 to realize reducing the power of the heating element, which prevents the heating element from overheat damage due to insufficient voltage. When the voltage recovers to normal, the heating power is correspondingly increased once again to ensure normal operation of the heating unit 40.

[0035] In this embodiment, the heating control circuit further comprises a resistor R8, a resistor R10 and a capacitor C6. One end of the capacitor C6 is connected to the control electrode of the SCR Q1, and another end of the capacitor C6 connected in series with the resistor R8 is connected to the controller 10. One end of the resistor R10 is connected to a common end of the SCR Q1 and the capacitor C6, and another end of the resistor R10 is grounded. The capacitor C6 and the resistor R8 have a filtering effect, which are able to filter out the noise and enhance the signal quality transferred from the controller 10 to the SCR Q1.

[0036] In this embodiment, the heating control circuit further includes a current fuse FUSE4, and the garment steamer circuit further includes a water pump control module. The heating unit 40 is connected to the water pump control module through a current fuse FUSE4.

[0037] It can be understood that, during the operation process, the currents of the heating unit 40 and the water pump 30 may increase abnormally due to various reasons. For example, problems such as internal short circuit and aging of elements may lead to the dramatic current increase of the heating unit 40. Blocking and mechanical failure may lead to the current of the water pump 30 exceeding a normal range. The current fuse FUSE4 is able to quickly fuse when the current exceeds its rated value and the circuit is cut off, which protects the heating element 40 and the water pump 30 from suffering impact of a large current, and prevents them from damage caused by an overloading current.

[0038] Further, the water pump control module comprises a water pump, a diode D4 and a SCR Q2. The SCR Q2 is used for controlling the turn-on or turn-off of the power supply circuit of the water pump 30. One end of the water pump 30 is connected to the power supply module and another end of the water pump 30 is connected to an anode of the diode D4. A cathode of the diode D4 is connected to an anode of the SCR Q2 and a cathode of the SCR Q2 is grounded. A control electrode of the SCR Q2 is connected to the controller 10.

[0039] The operation principles of the water pump control module are:

[0040] When the controller 10 outputs a high level to the control electrode of the SCR Q2, the SCR Q2 is turned on in the positive half cycle of the alternating current power and the water pump 30 starts working; when the controller 10 outputs a low level to the control electrode of the SCR Q2, the SCR Q2 is turned off in the negative half cycle of the alternating current power and the power supply circuit of the water pump 30 is disconnected, resulting in the non-working of the water pump 30.

[0041] Therefore, by controlling the proportion of high level signals and low level signals output from the controller 10 to the control electrode of the SCR Q2 in a unit time, the time proportion of the water pump's 30 being in a working state and a non-working state in a unit time is controlled, i.e., controlling the workload of the water pump 30, so as to control the water amount pumped by the water pump 30 in a unit time. Different water amount pumped by the water pump 30 generates different amount of steam through the heating unit 40, and the amount of steam generated by the garment steamer circuit is thus controlled.

[0042] In this embodiment, the controller 10 is further connected with a screen display circuit. The screen display circuit includes a display screen, and the display screen has multiple COM electrodes. The multiple COM electrodes are respectively connected to different pins of the controller 10. The controller 10 feeds back the working state of the garment steamer to the screen display circuit, and the screen displays the working state so as to enable a user to conveniently know about the working state of the garment steamer.

[0043] In this embodiment, the controller 10 includes a main control chip U3. The type of the main control chip U3 is PFS122 and the main control chip U3 has 14 pins.

[0044] The output end of the power supply module is connected to the pin 1 of the main control chip U3, and a resistor-capacitor (RC) filter circuit is arranged between the power supply module and the pin 1 of the main control chip U3. The RC filter circuit comprises a resistor R6 and a capacitor C4. One end of the resistor R6 is connected to the power supply module, and another end of the resistor R6 is connected to the pin 1 of the main control chip U3. One end of the capacitor C4 is grounded, and another end of the capacitor C4 is connected to a common end of the resistor R6 and the pin 1 of the main control chip U3. The RC filter circuit fluctuates with a smooth voltage to provide a more stable power supply voltage to the main control chip U3.

[0045] The controller 10 is further connected with a switching circuit. One end of the switching circuit is connected to the pin 2 of the controller 10, and another end of the switching circuit is grounded. The switching circuit includes a key, and the on-off and mode switching are realized through the key. The pin 5 of the main control chip U3 is connected to the water pump control module, and the pin 6 of the main control chip U3 is connected to the power grid synchronization detection circuit. The pin 8 of the main control chip U3 is connected to the heating control circuit and the pin 9 of the main control chip U3 is connected to the power grid voltage detection circuit. The pin 10 to pin 13 of the main control chip U3 are connected to the screen display circuit, and the pin 14 of the main control chip U3 is grounded.

[0046] This embodiment further provides a garment steamer including the aforementioned garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage. Based on the above description, the garment steamer is applicable to different voltages in various use scenarios without an additional adapter.

[0047] It can be understood that those skilled in the art can, under the guidance of the above embodiments, combine various implementation methods in the above embodiments to obtain technical solutions of multiple implementation methods.

[0048] The above description is only preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be involved in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage, comprises a power grid voltage detection circuit, a controller, a heating control circuit and a heating unit, whereinthe power grid voltage detection circuit is used for detecting the voltage of the input power supply;the controller is electrically connected with the power grid voltage detection circuit and obtains the voltage value of the input power supply through the power grid voltage detection circuit;the heating control circuit includes a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) Q1, which is arranged on the power supply circuit of the heating unit and is electrically connected with the controller; the controller is used for controlling the conduction angle of the SCR Q1 to adjust the heating power of the heating unit.

2. The garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 1, wherein the garment steamer circuit further includes a power supply module; an anode of the SCR Q1 is connected to the heating unit and a cathode of the SCR Q1 is connected to the power supply module; a control electrode of the SCR Q1 is connected to the controller.

3. The garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 2, wherein the power grid voltage detection circuit comprises a diode D3, a resistor R1, a resistor R25 and a capacitor C1; an anode of the diode D3 is connected to the power supply module and a cathode of the diode D3 is connected to one end of the resistor R1 while another end of the resistor R1 is connected to the controller; one end of the resistor R25 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 is connected to a common end of the resistor R1 and the controller, and another end of the resistor R25 connected in parallel with the capacitor C1 is grounded.

4. The garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 2, wherein the garment steamer circuit further includes a power grid synchronization detection circuit, which comprises a resistor R3, a resistor R4, a resistor R5, a resistor R14, a resistor R28, a capacitor C8, a diode D2 and a triode Q5; one end of the resistor R28 is connected to the power supply module; the resistor R28, resistor R3 and resistor R4 are connected in series; the capacitor C8 and the diode D2 are connected in parallel on both ends of the resistor R4; the resistor R5 is connected in series between the resistor R4 and a base of the triode Q5; an emitter of the triode Q5 is connected with the resistor R4 and is grounded, and a collector of the triode Q5 is input with the direct current voltage output by the power supply module through the resistor R14; the controller is connected to a common end of the collector of the triode Q5 and the resistor R14.

5. The garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 1, wherein the heating control circuit further comprises a resistor R8, a resistor R10 and a capacitor C6; one end of the capacitor C6 is connected to the control electrode of the SCR Q1, and another end of the capacitor C6 connected in series with the resistor R8 is connected to the controller; one end of the resistor R10 is connected to a common end of the SCR Q1 and the capacitor C6, and another end of the resistor R10 is grounded.

6. The garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 2, wherein the power supply module comprises a filter circuit, a surge protection circuit, a rectifier circuit, and an off-line voltage regulator; an input end of the filter circuit is connected to a mains power supply, and the surge protection circuit is connected to both ends of the filter circuit; an output end of the filter circuit is connected to an input end of the rectifier circuit and an output end of the rectifier circuit is connected to the off-line voltage regulator; an output end of the off-line voltage regulator is connected to the controller.

7. The garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 1, wherein a temperature fuse FUSE1 is arranged between the power supply module and the cathode of the SCR Q1.

8. The garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 2, wherein the heating control circuit further includes a current fuse FUSE4, and the garment steamer circuit further includes a water pump control module; the heating unit is connected to the water pump control module through the current fuse FUSE4.

9. The garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 8, wherein the water pump control module comprises a water pump, a diode D4 and a SCR Q2; the SCR Q2 is used for controlling the turn-on or turn-off of the power supply circuit of the water pump; one end of the water pump is connected to the power supply module and another end of the water pump is connected to an anode of the diode D4; a cathode of the diode D4 is connected to an anode of the SCR Q2 and a cathode of the SCR Q2 is grounded; a control electrode of the SCR Q2 is connected to the controller.

10. A garment steamer, includes the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 1.

11. A garment steamer, includes the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 2.

12. A garment steamer, includes the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 3.

13. A garment steamer, includes the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 4.

14. A garment steamer, includes the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 5.

15. A garment steamer, includes the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 6.

16. A garment steamer, includes the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 7.

17. A garment steamer, includes the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 8.

18. A garment steamer, includes the garment steamer circuit for regulating voltage according to claim 9.

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