Method and apparatus for detecting problems of temperature control device

Claim 2

A heating apparatus comprising: a heating chamber; a heater disposed in said chamber; temperature control means for controlling temperature within said heating chamber to a desired temperature by driving said heater, said temperature control means including a thermo-sensitive element responsive to the temperature of said heater and producing an output related thereto, said temerature control means including; problem detection means for detecting a problem in said temperature control means, said problem detection means including, delay means, initiated by the energization of said heater by said temperature control means, for developing a detect signal a predetermined time after said heater is energized, said predetermined time being sufficient to vary the output of said thermo-sensitive element but less than the period necessary to raise the temperature within said chamber to the desired temperature, and means, responsive to development of said detect signal by said delay means, for comparing the output of said thermo-sensitive element to a reference value to determine if said output has varied, said means for comparing developing defect signal when no variation of said output is detected; and means for disconnecting the drive of said heater by said temperature control means in response to development of said defect signal.

Claim 3

A heating apparatus comprising: a heating chamber; a heater provided in said heating chamber, said heater coupled to an AC power supply; a thermo-sensitive element provided in said heating chamber; input means for introducing heating time and temperature and starting said heating apparatus; a D.C. voltage supply; said thermo-sensitive element having a variable resistance and forming part of a voltage divider connected across said D.C. voltage supply; control means, responsive to said input means, for monitoring the voltage developed across said thermosensitive element and controlling the application of AC power to said heater, said control means including; problem detection means for detecting a problem with said thermo-sensitive element, said problem detection means including, delay means, initiated by the energization of said heater by said temperature control means, for developing a detect signal a predetermined time after said heater is energized, said predetermined time being sufficient to vary the output of said thermo-sensitive element but less than the period necessary to raise the temperature within said chamber to the desired temperature, and means, responsive to development of said detect signal by said delay means, for comparing the output of said thermo-sensitive element to a reference value to determine if said output has varied, said means for comparing developing defect signal when no variation of said output is detected; and means for disconnecting the drive of said heater by said temperature control means in response to development of said defect signal.

Claim 4

A heating apparatus comprising: a heating chamber; a heater provided in said heating chamber, said heater coupled to an AC power supply; a thermo-sensitive element provided in said heating chamber; input means for introducing heating time and temperature and starting said heating apparatus; a D.C. voltage supply; said thermo-sensitive element having a variable resistance and forming part of a voltage divider connected across said D.C. voltage supply; control means, responsive to said input means, for monitoring the voltage developed across said thermosensitive element and controlling the application of AC power to said heater, said control means including; problem detection means for detecting a problem with said thermo-sensitive element, said problem detection means including, delay means, initiated by the energization of said heater by said temperature control means, for developing a detect signal a predetermined time after said heater is energized, said predetermined time being sufficient to vary the output of said thermo-sensitive element but less than the period necessary to raise the temperature within said chamber to the desired temperature, and means, responsive to development of said detect signal by said delay means, for comparing the output of said thermo-sensitive element to a reference value to determine if said output has varied, said means for comparing developing defect signal when no variation of said output is detected; and means for disconnecting the drive of said heater by said temperature control means in response to development of said defect signal.

Claim 5

The heating apparatus of claim 2 wherein said input means includes a key unit for setting heating time, heating temperature, and heating start and also includes a display for heating time and heating temperature.

Claim 6

The heating apparatus of claim 3 wherein said voltage divider is connected in parallel with a zener diode to regulate the voltage applied thereto by said D.C. voltage supply.

Claim 7

The heating apparatus of claim 4 wherein the voltage applied across said zener diode is used by said means for comparing as said reference voltage.

Claim 8

The heating apparatus of claim 5 wherein said temerature control means and means for comparing are formed as an integrated circuit.

Claim 9

The heating apparatus of claim 6 wherein said delay means comprises a gate circuit and a counter circuit, said delay means being interposed between said input means and said integrated circuit.

Claim 10

The heating apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for disconnecting comprises: an amplifier having an output and an input connected to said integrated circuit, and a relay having a coil connected to the output of said amplifier and contacts connected in series with said heater to said AC power supply.