Device for detecting, monitoring and controlling the operating status of an electric iron

A device for detecting, monitoring and controlling the operating status of an electric iron which is provided with at least one electric heating circuit having a heating element and a first power switch of the iron connected in series to the heating element, wherein said device comprises:

• a control unit being provided as an integrated circuit;
• a second power switch which is controlled by the control unit depending on the operating status of the electric iron and which is connected in series with said electric heating circuit;
• an indicator unit having at least one indicator element for indicating the heating status of the electric iron;
• a low voltage power supply for energizing at least one of said control unit, said indicator unit, and said second power switch;
• a low-impedance measuring resistance being connected in series with said second power switch and providing an indirect detection means of the switching status of both power switches, wherein said indicator element is provided for indicating that a desired operating temperature of the iron has been reached after a corresponding predetermined number of ON/OFF-switching cycles of said first power switch have been indirectly detected by means of said low-impedance measuring resistance;
• means for supplying a voltage drop arising at the measuring resistance as an input signal to said control unit for evaluating said input signal;
• and
• means for supplying a control signal to said indicator element for indicating the present heating status of the electric iron.

A device for detecting, monitoring and controlling the operating status of an electric iron which is provided with at least one electric heating circuit having a heating element and a first power switch of the iron connected in series to the heating element, wherein said device comprises:

• a control unit being provided as an integrated circuit;
• a second power switch which is controlled by the control unit depending on the operating status of the electric iron and which is connected in series with said electric heating circuit;
• an indicator unit having at least one indicator element for indicating the heating status of the electric iron;
• a low voltage power supply for energizing at least one of said control unit, said indicator unit, and said second power switch;
• a low-impedance measuring resistance being connected in series with said second power switch and providing an indirect detection means of the switching status of both power switches, wherein the low-impedance measuring resistance, on its one connection side, is connected to circuit ground and, on its other connection side, is connected to a measuring signal input of the control unit;
• means for supplying a voltage drop arising at the measuring resistance as an input signal to said control unit for evaluating said input signal;
• and
• means for supplying a control signal to said indicator element for indicating the present heating status of the electric iron.

A device for detecting, monitoring and controlling the operating status of an electric iron which is provided with at least one electric heating circuit having a heating element and a first power switch of the iron connected in series to the heating element, wherein said device comprises:

• a control unit being provided as an integrated circuit;
• a second power switch which is controlled by the control unit depending on the operating status of the electric iron and which is connected in series with said electric heating circuit;
• an indicator unit having at least one indicator element for indicating the heating status of the electric iron;
• a low voltage power supply for energizing at least one of said control unit, said indicator unit, and said second power switch;
• a low-impedance measuring resistance being connected in series with said second power switch and providing an indirect detection means of the switching status of both power switches, wherein the low-impedance measuring resistance is formed by a section of a heating current conductor path of the electric heating circuit;
• means for supplying a voltage drop arising at the measuring resistance as an input signal to said control unit for evaluating said input signal;
• and
• means for supplying a control signal to said indicator element for indicating the present heating status of the electric iron.