Heater and hair care device including the same

Abstract

 A heater includes: a power supply section (1) supplying predetermined power; a heating section (4) which is supplied with power from the power supply section (1) to be heated; a first power supply path for supplying power from the power supply section (1) to the heating section (4); a power control switch section (6) which is inserted in the first power supply path and selectively supplies power to the heating section (4); a controller (3) which is supplied with power from the power supply section (1) and controls the selective power supply by the power control switch section (6); a second power supply path for supplying power from the power supply section (1) to the controller (3); and a body switch section (2) which is inserted in the second power supply path and selectively supplies power to the controller (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heater in which power supply to a controller controlling a heating section through a body switch section is controlled, and relates to a hair care device including the heater.

Background Art

[0002] One of such conventional techniques is a control circuit of a vehicle electric heater described in PTL 1. In the control circuit of a vehicle electric heater, a battery generating supply voltage is connected to the heater to which the supply voltage is applied, and a supply voltage monitoring circuit is provided between the battery and heater. The supply voltage monitoring circuit monitors the supply voltage of the battery and includes a relay turning on or off the supply of the supply voltage to the heater when the supply voltage decreases to a prescribed value or below.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0003] [PTL 1] Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 7-329545

Summary of Invention

[0004] In the aforementioned conventional art, a main switch is connected in series to between the battery and the relay controlling the energization of the heater and is configured to control electric power from the battery. In such a configuration, heater driving current supplied from the battery to the heater flows through the main switch. The main switch therefore needs to have high rated current and can therefore increase in size, leading to an increase in overall size of the device.

[0005] The present invention was made in the light of the aforementioned problem, and an object of the preset invention is to provide a heater of size reduced and a hair care device including the same.

[0006] A heater according to the first aspect of the present invention includes: a power supply section supplying predetermined power; a heating section which is supplied with power from the power supply section to be heated; a first power supply path for supplying power from the power supply section to the heating section; a power control switch section which is inserted in the first power supply path and selectively supplies power to the heating section; a controller which is supplied with power from the power supply section and controls the selective power supply by the power control switch section; a second power supply path for supplying power from the power supply section to the controller; and a body switch section which is inserted in the second power supply path and selectively supplies power to the controller.

[0007] With such a configuration, the driving current supplied to the heating section does not flow to the body switch section when the heating section is energized. This allows the body switch section to have lower rated current. The body switch section can be therefore miniaturized.

[0008] The heater may further includes a first voltage drop section which is inserted to between the power supply section and the body switch section and is configured to drop voltage supplied from the power supply section.

[0009] With such a configuration, the controller 3 is supplied with the voltage dropped by the first voltage drop section, allowing the controller to have lower rated voltage. The controller can be therefore miniaturized.

[0010] The heater may further includes a second voltage drop section which is inserted between the first voltage drop section and the body switch section and is configured to drop the voltage applied to the body switch section.

[0011] With such a configuration, the voltage dropped by the second voltage drop section is supplied to the body switch section and controller, thus allowing the body switch section and controller to have lower rated voltage. The body switch section and controller can be therefore miniaturized.

[0012] The heater may further include a third switch section inserted in the second power supply path and is configured to selectively supply power to the controller. The third switch section changes from off to on in conjunction with the body switch section changing from off to on. When the body switch section then changes from on to off, the third switch section is held on. Thereafter, when the body switch section changes from off to on and then changes to off again, the third switch section changes to off.

[0013] Such a configuration allows the controller to be supplied with power through the third switch section even when the body switch section is off. The body switch section can be therefore miniaturized.

[0014] The heater further includes: a fail-operational power supply section which is configured to supply power to the controller when the body and third switch sections and are off and the power control switch section is short-circuited; and an alarming section reporting a short-circuit failure of the power control switch section.

[0015] When power from the failure-operational power supply section is supplied to the controller, the controller determines that the power control switch section is short-circuited and instructs the alarming section to report the short-circuit failure-With such a configuration, the short-circuit of the power control switch is detected and reported even when the body switch section and the third switch section are off.

[0016] The heater may further include a temperature detecting section for detecting temperature of the heating section; and a power shut-off section which is configured to shut off supply of power to the heating section when the temperature of the heating section detected by the heating section is higher than a temperature previously set.

[0017] With such a configuration, power supply to the heating section can be shut off when the temperature of the heating section rises to the predetermined temperature or above. This prevents the heating section from being excessively heated.

[0018] A hair care device of a second aspect of the present invention includes the heater according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0019] With such a configuration, it is possible to provide a hair care device of reduced size.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0020] 

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a heater of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the heater illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating temperature control of a heating section in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a heater according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating a change in voltage applied to a controller of the heater illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a heater according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a chart illustrating a change in voltage at the input of a body switch section of the heater illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a heater according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a chart illustrating supply of controller current Idd in the heater illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a heater according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a heater according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a hair dryer as a hair care device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 13A is a side view illustrating a structure of a hair iron as the hair care device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of the hair iron as the hair care device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a hair brush as the hair care device according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention.

Description of Embodiment

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention are described using the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The heater of Embodiment 1 includes a power supply section 1, a body switch section 2, a controller 3, a heating section 4, a temperature detecting section 5, and a power control switch section 6.

[0023] The power supply section 1 includes a direct-current (DC) power source with a predetermined power output or receives alternate-current (AC) power supply to supply electric power to the entire heater. The body switch section 2 is connected to between the power supply section 1 and controller 3 and turns a switch on/off to control switching of power supply from the power supply section 1 to the controller 3. The controller 3 receives power supply from the power supply section 1 through the body switch section 2. The controller 3 controls switching (on/off) of the power control switch section 6 based on temperature of the heating section 4 to control driving current supplied to the heating section 4. The heating section 4 is supplied with the driving current from the power supply section 1 through the power control, switch section 6 under the control of the controller 3 and generates heat to be heated so as to reach a previously set temperature. The temperature detecting section 5 detects the temperature of the heating section 4 and gives the detected temperature to the controller 3. The power control switch section 6 is directly connected to the power supply section 1 and controls switching of power supply to the heating section 4 under the control of the controller 3.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the heater illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the power supply section 1 is composed of a DC power supply VCC supplying a predetermined electric power. The body switch section 2 is composed of a slide switch SW1, for example. The controller 3 includes a microcomputer M1 having a CPU, a storage unit, input/output units, and the like, which are resources necessary for a computer controlling various operating processes based on programs. The controller 3 includes a resistor R1 connected to the temperature detecting section 5 in series between the DC power supply VCC and temperature detecting section 5.

[0025] The heating section 4 is composed of a resistor R. The temperature detecting section 5 is composed of a thermistor R2. The voltage of the DC power supply VCC is divided by the resistor R1 and thermistor R2. The divided voltage obtained at a connection point where the resistor R1 and thermistor R2 are connected in series is given to the microcomputer M1 as a temperature detection signal. The power control switch section 6 is composed of a thyristor Q connected to between the heating section 4 and DC power supply VCC. Switching of the thyristor Q is controlled with gate current thereof which is controlled by the microcomputer M1.

[0026] In such a configuration, when the slide switch SW1 of the body switch section 2 is switched from OFF state to ON state to conduct electricity, the DC power supply VCC supplies the microcomputer M1 with rated current previously set for the microcomputer M1 to activate the microcomputer M1. Thereafter, the divided voltage obtained by dividing the voltage of the DC power supply VCC with the resistor R1 and thermistor R2 is given to the microcomputer M1. The microcomputer M1 compares the divided voltage and a voltage value converted from the setting temperature of the heating section 4 (heating target temperature). The setting temperature is previously determined as a predetermined value and is stored in the storage unit of the microcomputer M1 or the like.

[0027] As a result of the comparison, if the temperature detected by the thermistor

[0028] R2 is not more than the setting temperature, as illustrated in F'IG. 3, the microcomputer M1 gives a high-level switching control signal to the thyristor Q. This causes the thyristor Q to change from not-conducting state to conducting state, thus supplying the driving current from the DC power supply VCC to the resistor R of the heating unit 4. The heating section 4 thus generates heat, and the temperature of the heating section 4 gradually increases from the room temperature as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0029] In such a state, when the temperature of the heating section 4 detected by the thermistor R2 exceed the setting temperature previously determined, the switching control signal given from the microcomputer M1 to the thyristor Q changes from high (H) to low (L). The thyristor Q changes from the conducting state to the not-conducting state to shut off the driving current supplied to the heating section 4. The heat generation of the heating section 4 is stopped, and the temperature of the heating section 4 falls. By switching the thyristor Q as described above, the driving current from the DC power supply VCC to the heating section 4 is supplied and shut off. The heating section 4 can be thus maintained at the setting temperature.

[0030] Embodiment 1 employs a configuration in which driving current to the heating section 4 is directly supplied from the power supply section 1 through the power control switch section 6 not thorough the body switch section 2. This prevents the driving current supplied to the heating section 4 from being conducted to the body switch section 2. Accordingly, the body switch section 2 is supplied with operating current of the microcomputer M, which is smaller than the driving current supplied to the heating section 4. The body switch section 2 can be composed of a switch with a smaller rated current in Embodiment 1 than that in the case where the driving current for the heating section 4 is conducted to the body switch section 2. Accordingly, the heater can be miniaturized.

[0031] Moreover, when the body switch section 2 is off and the heater is not in operation, no electric power is supplied from the power supply section 2 to the entire heater, thus reducing the standby power consumption. Furthermore, when the body switch section 2 is off and the heater is not in operation, the controller 3 is also not supplied with electric power. The controller 3 is therefore prevented from being affected by noise and the like and causing errors.

(Embodiment 2)

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a heater of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Compared to the heater of the Embodiment 1, the heater of Embodiment 2 is characterized in that the power supply section 1 is configured to receive AC power supply such as commercial power supply or the like and that a first voltage drop section 7 is provided. The other configuration of Embodiment 2 is the same as that of Embodiment 1. In the drawings referred by later-described embodiments including Embodiment 2, members having the same reference numerals or symbols are the same as those in the drawings referred by Embodiment 1.

[0033] The power supply section 1 receives AC power supply such as commercial power supply and rectifies and smoothes AC power to generate DC power, then outputting the DC power in the same way as Embodiment 1.

[0034] The first voltage drop section 7 is composed of, for example, a resistor R3 connected to between the power supply section 1 and body switch section 2. The first voltage drop section 7 drops DC voltage outputted from the power supply section 1 to the supply voltage for the microcomputer M1, which constitutes the controller 3, for example about 5V.

[0035] By providing the first voltage drop section 7, drop voltage (controller applied voltage) resulting from dropping the DC voltage outputted from the power supply section 1 (power supply section output voltage) is supplied to the controller 3 as illustrated in Fig. 5 when the body switch section 2 is turned on and the heater is in operation. This allows the controller 3 to have a lower rated voltage. The circuit constituting the controller 3 can be therefore miniaturized and implemented at low cost.

(Embodiment 3)

[0036] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a heater of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Compared to the configuration of Embodiment 2, the heater of Embodiment 3 is characterized by including a second voltage drop section 2. The other configuration of Embodiment 3 is the same as that of Embodiment 2.

[0037] The second voltage drop section 8 includes: a transistor Q1 controlling current to the body switch section 8; resistors R4 and R5 dividing voltage applied to the body switch section 2; a bias resistor R6 of the transistor Q1; and a transistor Q2 controlling switching of the transistor Q1 based on the voltage divided by the resistors R4 and R5.

[0038] In such a configuration, when the body switch section 2 is off, the transistor Q1 is supplied with base current from the power supply section 1 through the first voltage drop section 7 and bias resistor R6. The transistor Q1 thus conducts to increase voltage VSW1 at the input of the body switch section 2. As the voltage VSW1 increases, when the voltage obtained by dividing the voltage VSW1 with the resistors R4 and R5 exceeds the base voltage of the transistor Q2, the transistor Q2 starts to conduct. The transistor Q1 therefore stops conducting. When the transistor Q1 does not conduct, the voltage VSW1 on the input side of the body switch section 2 decreases. If the voltage obtained by dividing the voltage VSW1 with the resistors R4 and R5 goes below the base voltage of the transistor Q2, the transistor Q2 then stops conducting. This causes the transistor Q1 to conduct again. Repetition of such an operation determines the voltage VSW1 at the input of the body switch section 2.

[0039] If the body switch section 2 is turned on in this state, predetermined controller current Idd is supplied to the controller 3 through the switch section 2.

[0040] In Embodiment 3, as described above, by properly setting the resistors R4 and R5, the voltage VSW1 applied to the input of the body switch section 2 is set lower than the output voltage of the power supply section 1 even when the body switch section 2 is off. Accordingly, the body switch section 2 and controller 3 can be configured to have lower related voltages and can be miniaturized.

(Embodiment 4)

[0041] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a heater of Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Compared to the configuration of Embodiment 3, the heater of Embodiment 4 is characterized in that a third switch section 9 is provided and that the body switch section 2 is composed of a push-button type switch SW2 (for example, a TACT switch (trade name)) which is turned off when the force pressing the push-button type switch SW2 is removed. The other configuration of Embodiment 4 is the same as that of Embodiment 3.

[0042] The third switch section 9 includes a transistor Q3, a diode D1, a diode D2, and a transistor Q4. The transistor Q3 controls conduction between the second voltage drop section 8 and controller 3. The diode D1 is inserted between the base terminal of the transistor Q3 and the body switch section 2. The diode D2 prevents current from flowing into the microcomputer M1 of the controller 3. The transistor Q4 is configured to keep the transistor Q3 conducting.

[0043] In such a configuration, when the push-type switch SW2 of the body switch section 2 is pressed, the transistor Q3 receives base current to conduct. The level at the cathode of the diode D2 changes to low (L). Upon detecting the L level, the microcomputer M1 determines that the push-type switch SW2 is pressed. The microcomputer M1 outputs a switching signal VQ4 of high level to the transistor Q4, which then starts to conduct. Even when the pressed push-type switch SW2 is released to switch the body switch section 2 off, the transistor Q3 remains conducting. The controller current Idd is therefore supplied to the controller 3 through the transistor Q3 which is conducting.

[0044] In such a state, if the push-type switch SW2 is again pressed and is turned on, the microcomputer M1 determines in a similar way to the above that the push-type switch SW2 is pressed and then changes the switching signal VQ4 of high level given to the transistor Q4 to low level. The transistor Q4 therefore stops conducting, and then the push-type switch SW2 is released. The transistor Q3 therefore stops conducting, thus stopping supply of the controller current Idd to the controller 3.

[0045] FIG. 9 illustrates the relation between the ON/OFF state of the push-type switch SW2 and the controller current Idd. In Embodiment 4, as illustrated in FIG. 9, there is no need to hold on the body switch section 2 even for keeping supplying current to the controller 3. The body switch section 2 can be therefore composed of the small push-type switch SW2, and the heater can be miniaturized.

(Embodiment 5)

[0046] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration, of a heater of Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Compared to Embodiment 4, the heater of Embodiment 5 is characterized by including a diode D3 for preventing backflow and an LED 10 functioning as an alarm means of reporting abnormality of the power control switch section 6. The other characteristics of Embodiment 5 are the same as those of Embodiment 4.

[0047] The diode D3 is inserted between the anode terminal of the thyristor Q constituting the power control switch section 6 and the base terminal of the transistor Q3 together with a resistor.

[0048] The LED 10 is connected to between the third switch section 9 and the microcomputer M1 of the controller 3. When the microcomputer M1 detects short-circuit fault of the thyristor Q, the LED 10 is lit to report the abnormality.

[0049] Specifically, when the thyristor Q is short-circuited, the transistor Q3 is supplied with the base current through the diode D3 and thyristor Q even if the push-type switch SW2 constituting the body switch section 2 is not pressed. This allows the transistor Q3 to conduct, and the microcomputer M1 receives power supply to be activated although the body switch section 2 is not turned on. The microcomputer M1 then determines that the thyristor Q is short-circuited and lights the LED 10 to report the short-circuit fault to the outside of the heater.

[0050] On the other hand, when the thyristor Q is normal and not short-circuited, there is no current flowing to the diode D3. Accordingly, when the body switch section 2 is off, the microcomputer M1 is not operating, and the LED 10 is not lit. Moreover, the diode D3 prevents the driving current which is being supplied to the heater 4 from flowing to the third switch section 9.

[0051] When the power control switch section 6 is short-circuited, even if the push-type switch SW2 constituting the body switch section 2 is not pressed, the heating section 4 is supplied with the driving current from the power supply section 1, and is heated. However, in Embodiment 5, the short-circuit fault of the power control switch section 6 can be reported, thus obviating accidents including burns by accidental touch to the hot heating section 4.

(Embodiment 6)

[0052] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a heater of Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Compared to the configuration of Embodiment 5, the heater of Embodiment 6 is characterized by including a temperature fuse 11. The other characteristics of Embodiment 6 is the same as those of Embodiment 5.

[0053] The temperature fuse 11 is placed at such a position that the temperature fuse 11 can detect the temperature of the heating section 4. When the temperature of the heating section 4 rises above shut-off temperature previously set, the temperature fuse 11 shuts off supply of the driving current to the heating section 4. Herein, the shut-off temperature of the temperature fuse 11 is set to such a temperature that the temperature fuse 11 does not shut off during ordinary use in consideration of an increase in temperature at normal temperature control of the heating section 4 and an increase in temperature due to overshoot at temperature control.

[0054] As described above, Embodiment 6 has the same effect as that of Embodiment 5.

(Embodiment 7)

[0055] FIGS. 12 to 14 are views illustrating structures of hair care devices each including the heater of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a hair dryer; FIG. 13A is a side view of a hair iron; FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view of the hair iron illustrated in FIG. 13A; and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a hair brush.

[0056] In FIG. 12, the hair dryer as the hair care device includes a cavity within a case 12 forming an outer wall thereof. In this cavity, an electrical part 13 constituting the heater of the present invention is arranged and accommodated. The electric part 13 is supplied with commercial power through a power cord 14. The power supply is turned on/off through the body switch section 2, which is provided for a grip 15 that a user grips with his/her hand. The heating section 4 is composed of, for example, a belt-shaped or a corrugated plate-shaped electric resistor which is wound along the internal surface of an inner cylinder 17 and warms air blowing out from an outlet opening 16.

[0057] In FIGS. 13A and 13B, the hair iron as the hair care device includes arm sections 19a and 19b, which are coupled to each other with a rotational coupling portion 18 and are pivotally unfolded substantially in a V-shape. Hair is sandwiched in a holding section 20 provided between top halves of the arm portions 19a and 19b and is heated by the heater section 4 for hair styling. There is a cavity formed within a case 21 forming an outer wall of the hair iron. In the cavity, an electrical part 22 constituting the heater of the present invention is positioned and accommodated. The electric part 22 is supplied with commercial power through a power cord 23. The power supply to the hair iron is turned on/off with the body switch section 2, which is provided for the arm section 19b that a user grips with his/her hand.

[0058] In FIG. 14, the hair brush as the hair care device has a stick form. A user grips a grip section 24 and puts a brush section 26, which is provided for a top half 25, on hair for hair styling. There is a cavity formed within a case 27 forming an outer wall of the hair brush. In the cavity, an electrical part 28 constituting the heater of the present invention is arranged and accommodated. The electric part 28 is supplied with commercial power through a power cord 29. The power supply to the hair brush is turned on/off with the body switch section 2, which is provided for the grip section 24. The brush section 26 includes air blowing holes 31 at individual feet of a plurality of bristles 30. The heating section 4, which warms air blown out from the air blowing holes 31. by a fan 32, is arranged within the cavity formed within the case 27.

[0059] As described above, by providing the heater of the present invention described in Embodiments 1 to 6 for the aforementioned hair care devices, the hair care devices can be reduced in size. Furthermore, the hair care devices are configured to have low standby power consumption and can be provided inexpensively.

Claims

1. A heater, comprising:

a power supply section (1) supplying predetermined power;

a heating section (4) which is supplied with power from the power supply section (1) to be heated;

a first power supply path for supplying power from the power supply section (1) to the heating section (4);

a power control switch section (6) which is inserted in the first power supply path and selectively supplies power to the heating section (4);

a controller (3) which is supplied with power from the power supply section (1) and controls the selective power supply by the power control switch section (6);

a second power supply path for supplying power from the power supply section (1) to the controller (3); and

a body switch section (2) which is inserted in the second power supply path and selectively supplies power to the controller (3).

2. The heater of claim 1, further comprising a first voltage drop section (7) which is inserted to between the power supply section (1) and the body switch section (2) and is configured to reduce voltage supplied from the power supply section (1).

3. The heater of claim 2, further comprising a second voltage drop section (8) which is inserted between the first voltage drop section (7) and the body switch section (2) and is configured to drop the voltage applied to the body switch section (2).

4. The heater of claim 3, further comprising:

a third switch section (9) inserted in the second power supply path and configured to selectively supply power to the controller (3), wherein

the third switch section (9) changes from off to on in conjunction with the body switch section (2) changing from off to on,

when the body switch section (2) then changes from on to off, the third switch section (9) is held on, and

thereafter when the body switch section (2) changes from off to on and then changes to off again, the third switch section (9) changes to off.

5. The heater of claim 4, further comprising:

a fail-operational power supply section which is configured to supply power to the controller (3) when the body switch section (2) and the third switch section (9) are off and the power control switch section (6) is short-circuited; and

an alarming section (10) reporting a short-circuit failure of the power control switch section (6), wherein

when being supplied with power from the failure-operational power supply section, the controller (3) determines the power control switch section (6) to be short-circuited and instructs the alarming section (10) to report the short-circuit failure.

6. The heater of claim 5, further comprising:

a temperature detecting section (11) for detecting temperature of the heating section (4); and

a power shut-off section (11) which is configured to shut off supply of power to the heating section (4) when the temperature of the heating section (4) detected by the heating section (4) is higher than a temperature previously set.

7. A hair care device, comprising the heater of claim 1.

Drawing